On September 21, 2019, the Laurelbrook church service began with a welcome and announcements by Clayton Brant. Most of the announcements were in the bulletin. Religious liberty issue? The pope has summoned the world leaders to sign a pact to save the earth that might include a day of rest to help the environment.
Felix (senior) played an introit, Clayton Brandt had the invocation, and the congregation sang “O Where Are the Reapers?” Clayton Brandt had the Morning Prayer, and the congregation sang “Hear Our Prayer, O Lord”.
Clayton Brandt then called for the morning offerings; the loose offerings went toward the local church budget. Felix played while Sebastian Roy-Lavallee and Daryen (senior) collected the offerings. The congregation sang “Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow”, and Clayton Brandt prayed for the offerings.
Cheryl Orser told the children a story about a young boy who rode in a camel races in the Central African Republic. His family had accepted God’s truth. The young boy was replacing his ailing father. The boy was asked by his parents to not engage in the fighting common in the race. The family wanted the boy to win so they would have money to buy a Bible. The boy won the prize and shouted that it was due to Jesus.
Wilmer (freshman) played a violin solo, accompanied by Heisler (sophomore) on the piano for special music.
Clayton Brandt read the scripture reading – Galatians 6:1-2“1 ¶ Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”
Dorin Bucata had David and Kristi Armstrong tell about their work in Nepal. Right now the Armstrongs are working on organizing a children’s work in that country. In Nepal, there are about twelve pastors for sixty churches. In Nepal, all the churches have their services on Saturday. Pray for the spirituality of the Adventist church in Nepal and for the work of the Armstrongs. Those who want to help this work physically can be in the country five months on a tourist visa. Be sure to communicate with church leaders before you go.
Dorin had the sermon on judging. The congregation sang “I Shall See the King”. Dorin Bucata had the closing prayer.
Personnel Other Than Students:
Cheryl Orser – retired elementary school teacher
Clayton Brandt – who works with Laurelbrook’s heavy equipment
Dorin Bucata – Laurelbrook boys’ dean
Sebastien Roy-Lavallee – Laurelbrook men’s work coordinator / local head deacon
Following are some notes from the sermon:
- What are we doing here in the Laurelbrook church? What are members doing in the North American Division? There are more than two billion people in the world who have never heard the name of Jesus.
- Satan is trying to do something with the Bible – make the teachings of the Bible disappear by helping us misinterpreting certain teachings.
- Matthew 7:1-5 “1 ¶ Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam [is] in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.”
- Sometimes we have to tell people that they are doing or believing wrong. They wonder sometimes why they are being judged.
- Galatians 6:1-2 “1 ¶ Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”
- 1 Corinthians 4:5 “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.”
- Why do we tell people they are in the wrong?
- Jesus calls people hypocrites. Note Matthew 7:3-4 “3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam [is] in thine own eye?”
- A mote is tiny. A beam is huge by comparison.
- None of us lack big problems in our own lives.
- Luke 6:37-42 “37 ¶ Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: 38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. 39 And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? 40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master. 41 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 42 Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye.”
- How does a person become judgmental or critical? Ellen White says that people try to earn salvation by their works. When this doesn’t work, they devise rules to make themselves do what they need to do. When this fails, more rules come in, and God’s love and our love for others die out. Then we feel that God condemns those who don’t keep our rules.
- Do we see this spirit in ourselves? The root of this spirit is salvation by works.
- We may have to sacrifice our own self-dignity to correct the problem.
- Many ti mes we are more worried about what affects us rather than the good of others.
- No one is ever reclaimed by censure or reproach (we are then partnering with Satan to destroy that person).
- Speak to an erring one in the spirit of meekness and love with no anger or bitterness.
- You can speak in solemn, serious tones as though angels were guiding you.
- This might not work as the person concerned might not listen. Then leave the matter with God and think of Jesus dying on the Cross, rejected by many who should have listed.
- Knowing what Jesus has done for humans, how can we treat people in any other way than a gentle way.