Laurelbrook’s church service on March 7, 2020 began with a reminder by Clifton Brandt about the subscription campaign for Liberty magazine. Then Michael (senior) welcomed everyone and asked specified students to stay after church for a few minutes and mentioned that those doing afternoon outreach in the nursing home meet at 2:15.
Leilani (senior) played an introduction for the service. Jeremiah Samuel had the invocation. The congregation sang “Jesus Saves”. Michael (senior) had the Morning Prayer; the congregation sang “Hear Our Prayer, O Lord”.
Eldric (senior) announced the time for the church offerings had come. Wilmer (freshman) and Gerrie Vermaak collected the tithes and offerings. Any money not designated for a particular purpose went toward the local church budget. The congregation sang “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”. Daphne (senior) prayed for the offering.
Heissel (senior) told the children a story about children who were given skates and some very special rules. Then one day the children were sent to buy some groceries and used their skates in violation of the rules. An accident resulted. God gives us rules, we agree but then break them.
Say Say (freshman) sang a vocal solo for special music. Jafet (sophomore) read the scripture reading. Jeremiah Samuel gave a sermon on addictions. The congregation sang “I Will Sing of My Redeemer”. Jeremiah Samuel had the closing prayer.
Personnel Other Than Students
Clifton Brandt – works with Laurelbrook’s sewer, water, and boiler systems / local church religious liberty secretary
Gerrie Vermaak – works with Laurelbrook’s farm / church head deacon
Jeremiah Samuel – brother to Jennifer Samuel Herra / junior theology major at Southern Adventist University
Following are some notes on the sermon:
- The world is full of addictions – phones, Netflix, and food – among young people in particular.
- Gossiping, being judgmental, wanting to be perfect, forming relationships, getting attentions might also be addiction.
- Pornography is a very common addiction.
- How do we overcome our addictions? We want to do the right thing but don’t know how to do it.
- John 8:1-11 “1 ¶ Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. 2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. 3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, 4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? 6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with [his] finger wrote on the ground, [as though he heard them not]. 7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9 And they which heard [it], being convicted by [their own] conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, [even] unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”
- Jesus probably wrote the sins of the accusers in the dust. He showed the accusers were struggling with their own sins. They leave.
- The woman sees the loving Jesus accepting her if she overcame her sex addiction.
- What did Jesus mean by telling the woman to sin no more?
- John 8:28 “Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am [he], and [that] I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.”
- John 8:30-31 “30 As he spake these words, many believed on him. 31 ¶ Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, [then] are ye my disciples indeed;”
- We may continue in addictions because we really don’t believe that Jesus will make us free.
- We have to become Jesus’ disciples to overcome addictions.
- John 8:32 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
- “Know” is not just head knowledge but actual experience.
- John 8:33-34 “33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.”
- They were comfortable in their sins, but Jesus was offering them freedom from sin.
- Addiction product remorse, but we can choose Jesus as our Master and let go of the addiction. “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (Joh 8:36 AV)
- John 8:36 “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
- Choose Jesus over your addictions.