Bradenton Seventh Day Baptist (S.D.B.) Church: Site News http://www.bradentonsdb.org/mod/news/group.php?category_id=1 Feed en-us no@body.com Copyright 2010 2010-09-05T19:43:02-05:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 A Balanced Life http://www.bradentonsdb.org/n/a_balanced_life.html http://www.bradentonsdb.org/n/a_balanced_life.html
Highlights of a sermon given by Pastor Michael Spearl on Feb 13, 2010 by Susan Bond

Our pastor used to seek the type of balanced life that popular self-help authors promote.  This balance suggests we try to make life more manageable and convenient.  But this kind of balance is lacking something.  It lacks sacrifice and service in God’s kingdom.  God is looking for more from us than a convenient life. Jesus didn't say, "Take up your cross, follow me, and lead a balanced life."

 Proverbs 4:23 says: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life”. What we need is internal balance, not external balance.  We need hearts that love the right thing with the right love to the right degree. In Colossians 3:17, Paul exhorts us to do everything in Jesus' Name. Doing something in the Name of Jesus means doing it in His character.

 How do you get up in the morning in Jesus’ name?  It has been said that there are two kinds of people in the world: those who love to wake up in the morning and those who hate those who love to wake up in the morning. Do you wake up grumpy in the morning or do you let her sleep?  How do you drive a car in Jesus’ name?  Would your car drive differently if Jesus were behind the wheel? Are you kind?  Do you greet others with a smile?

 How do you work in Jesus' Name?  Do you see co-workers as people with families?   When Jesus worked as a carpenter, He showed His character every bit as much as when He walked in ministry. Do you sense the radical difference between the character of Jesus and your convenient life?  Paul was saying, "Do life in Jesus' Name."

 The start of a race is enjoyable, but finishing the race is glory. Finishing means we continually honor our commitments, even when it becomes difficult. Pastor Michael spoke of races in which he participated: runners were smiling, exercising with enthusiasm before the race began. Anticipation of a good run was in the air. Further into the race things were a lot different.  The runners were no longer smiling.  Many of them carried a grim look of determination.   Finishing was hard work.  The start of the race was enjoyable.  But finishing the race is what really counted—that’s where the glory was.  Finishing is what counts.  Perseverance is what we can offer to God no matter our talent or IQ. A life transformed by the Holy Spirit runs the race set before us; we don't quit.

]]> 2010-03-09T00:00:00-05:00 Joy http://www.bradentonsdb.org/n/joy.html http://www.bradentonsdb.org/n/joy.html
Highlights of a sermon given by Pastor Michael Spearl on January 23, 2010 by Susan Bond

Training to be like Jesus requires that we arrange our lives around activities that build us up in Him. Pastor Michael described a pillow fight scenario between him and his son Sammy when Sammy was just a child: "Life was dancing before him.  Every moment was pregnant with opportunity. At first, my mind accustomed to being on work, I almost missed this chance to just play with my son." Joy is at the heart of God's plan for humanity.

 On the first day of creation, God created the light and said, "It is good." Jesus is a man of sorrows only because man messed up God's creation. When He comes again, sorrow will be done with.

 Psalm 19 describes God's joy. Joy is the serious business of heaven. Jesus came "...that your joy may be complete." "Rejoice in the Lord always." In Nehemiah 8:9-10 we read, "This day is sacred unto the Lord...the joy of the Lord is your strength." Joylessness is weak.   Rejoicing in the Lord can be as much a discipline as fasting. The time has come to take joy seriously. You cannot just pray for joy. Joyfulness is a skill. You can't expect others to give it to you; it is your responsibility. You may be joy-impaired. One discipline to acquire joy is celebration (Sing and dance while reflecting on a wonderful God Who has given wonderful gifts, simple new things in each new day). First step? Begin now! The Psalmist says, "This is the day that the Lord has made." Not yesterday or tomorrow.

How can I embrace joy in a world of hunger and injustice? Missionaries administer mercy in the worst of conditions. True joy comes to those who use their lives for more than personal happiness. Authentic joy is defiant in the face of bitterness. If you wait for conditions to be right to rejoice, you will be waiting until you die. The joy rejecters are the black holes of humanity. They will suck the joy right out of you. Proverbs 15:30 reminds us that "A cheerful look brings joy to the heart."

This is the day you eat what you love to eat, wear what you enjoy, read good books, appreciate God's good things. Consider Revelations 19:7: "Let us be glad and rejoice and let us give honor to Him." The joy that is in store for God's people is so great that the only image that can do it justice is the joy between a groom and his bride: "For the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready."

]]> 2010-02-19T00:00:00-05:00 Golf Tips for Spiritual Growth http://www.bradentonsdb.org/n/golf_tips_for_spiritual_growth.html http://www.bradentonsdb.org/n/golf_tips_for_spiritual_growth.html
Highlights of a sermon by given Pastor Michael Spearl on January 16, 2010 by Susan Bond

When it comes to playing golf well, you must train, not just try. Training is required for any worthwhile challenge in life including spiritual growth. One goal I had in that arena was to become more patient. I found my determination to be more patient resulted in failure, just as trying to improve golf without training failed. Conclusion? Don't train harder; train wisely. This is the key to spiritual transformation. The skill of forgiveness, the art of joy, learning to think and act like Jesus---these take as much training as learning to play golf. So, what do I need to do? Spiritual calisthenics (aka spiritual disciplines) -- I need to arrange myself around activities that enable me to bear fruit. Spiritual disciplines help me gain power to live as Jesus did. Disciples need not be rigid; disciplined people are flexible and can do the right thing for the right reason at the right time. We cannot engineer our own transformation, however. Spiritual transformation is like a ride in a sailboat; the wind powers. Whatever our season of life, we have opportunities for spiritual growth. This is the marathon for which we were born.

]]> 2010-02-19T00:00:00-05:00 Series on The Ten Commandments http://www.bradentonsdb.org/n/series_on_the_ten_commandments.html http://www.bradentonsdb.org/n/series_on_the_ten_commandments.html
Highlights from sermons given by Pastor Michael Spearl from11-21-09 to12-12-09 by Susan Bond

The (law) was a parenthesis in salvation history. Jesus fulfilled the law and put an end to the 1500 year parenthesis. Why the Ten Commandments then? Because of Israel's transgressions---to protect Israel from themselves.  These laws were so complete that they haven't been improved upon in 3,000 years. Yet, they are inferior to what Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus showed how the Holy Spirit can outclass the Law. The commandments cannot change the heart, just the outward behavior.

Our model in the Old Testament is not the Ten Commandments but is Abraham who believed God's promise before there were such commandments. The commandments were given to a redeemed people, bought back [and brought out], having experienced the first Passover. The plan of salvation was in place regardless of the Law. Jesus said, "Abraham saw my day and was glad."  The Ten Commandments are a backdrop by which we can partly see if we are living by the Spirit. They help any nation live in order and protect its people. Once we trust in what Jesus did for us on the cross—when the Law was fulfilled—we are in effect put back into Abraham’s position. He believed God’s promise and was saved before there was such a thing as the Ten Commandments.

Loving God is foremost; the first three commandments tell us to exalt God. As for the Fourth Commandment, we Sabbath-keepers are more than Baptists who are a little different. Mark 2:27 tells us that the Sabbath was made for man; avoiding legalism does not negate this fact. The Sabbath creates a "religion-freeing" lifestyle. The spiritual fulfillment of the Sabbath is internal, rest for the soul. God created the Sabbath for us to rest just as He did after creation.

Fifth:  Honor your father and mother, a commandment with a promise. There is importance in "family." Satan hates families.  Much of our nation's problems began with the breakdown of family. Obedience to parents pleases the Lord (Eph. 6:2,3 and Col.3:20).  Jesus honored his parents. Through His righteousness— put on us when we accept Him as Savior—we too honor our parents.

Sixth: "You shall not murder." Murder is the result of hateful anger. "Anyone who is angry is subject to judgment and your sin will find you out." Forgiveness is the choice God wants you to make. God says, "I will repay." God detests injustice. If we wait for His timing, He will right the wrong. Breaking Commandment 6 invites Satan into the action.

Seventh: The commandment that everybody talks about.  "Thou shalt not commit adultery." While Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, Ted Kennedy had everyone talking about Chappaquiddick.   Tiger Woods, the greatest golfer in the world today has the sports world all abuzz, but not about his golf game, rather the buzz is all about his extramarital affairs. According to Jesus, if you lust in your heart, you are already guilty of adultery.  Sex was not created in Hollywood but at the throne of grace. When a person chooses to marry you; that is affirming. It is degrading when adultery occurs both to the adulterer and to the spouse. Family is the foundation of the nation.

Eighth: "Thou shalt not steal." "My God shall supply all your needs...." Stealing tells God that a person is not happy with what He provides.

Ninth:  Lying can do irreparable damage, causing us to lose our integrity. "You don't have to have such a good memory if you tell the truth," said Mark Twain.  "It is impossible for God to lie" (Hebrews 6:18). If we walk in the Holy Spirit, we are convicted to tell the truth. 

The Tenth Commandment, "Thou shalt not covet," unveils our hearts.  The other nine commandments tell us not to sin. The tenth commandment says we must not want to sin. It convicts us and shows us that we really haven't kept the other nine. It puts the finger on pride, envy, greed, laziness.... Coveting is a type of idolatry. Like peeling off layers of an onion, we need to peel covetousness from our hearts so that once again we will give God first place.

]]> 2010-01-17T00:00:00-05:00 Let This Mind Be in You http://www.bradentonsdb.org/n/let_this_mind_be_in_you.html http://www.bradentonsdb.org/n/let_this_mind_be_in_you.html
Highlights of sermons given by Pastor Michael Spearl on Sep.12 & 19 by Susan Bond
"Let This Mind Be in You" (Part 1)
 
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (See Philippians 2:5-11).
[What does this mean? Pastor Michael spent two Sabbaths delving into the mind of Christ so that we could apply this passage to ourselves.]
 
Knowing he was the son of God, Jesus did not cling to his deity; He consciously gave up being in the form of God for being in the form of a servant. To be like Jesus, we also should not cling to ourselves too tightly.
 
We also learn from Him that if we take the initiative, grace will accompany us. Once Jesus left the glory of His heavenly home to dwell among men, His commitment was irrevocable. Not only was Christ committed but He was also motivated (See John 5:30) by the desire to please His Father. Hebrews 12:2 tells us that He was motivated by the joy set before Him. It is when we become motivated by the same thing and also let go of ourselves that we will see unity in the body of Christ.
 
 
                                      "Let This Mind Be in You" (Part 2)
 
On this Sabbath, Pastor Michael got our attention almost as dramatically as God got the attention of Moses from the burning bush. Michael pointed out that it wasn't the bush but God-in-the-bush that was important. Any old bush will do --- as long as God is in the bush.
 
The pastor remarked that we all know what it is to be full of ourselves. Jesus, on the other hand, made himself nothing (of no reputation). Jesus "emptied himself." Of what did He empty himself? NOT HIS DEITY. He came to earth unrecognized for who he was. Coming in human form, His glory was veiled. He gave up His riches that, through his poverty, we might be rich. He was the "invisible" Son of God in human flesh hanging on the cross. He gave up himself.
 
How do we empty ourselves like Jesus did? Again, we know what it is to be full of ourselves. Today we hear of self-knowledge, human rights, etc. But, we are not our own. We were bought with a price (1 Corinthians 7). We must abandon ourselves, even our righteousness (it's as filthy rags, Isaiah tells us---64:6).
 
Abandonment of self includes abandonment of riches. We are rich, even having gifts of the Holy Spirit. However, if we are full of ourselves, God cannot use us or the gifts in us. If we flaunt our gift, we will have to be broken before we can be used (We find an example of this in Joseph's flaunting of his dreams before his brothers). When we are full of ourselves, we may not be impoverished, but we will not be receiving God's fruitful income.
 
Abandonment of self means abandonment of reputation. Jesus delayed being recognized during his ministry. What would happen if we emptied ourselves?   We would know joy and the defensiveness that makes us difficult to be around would be gone." Pastor Michael added, "Leave the outcome of your service to God and you will have indescribable joy."
Question: How do you know if you have a servant's heart?
Answer: How you react when you are treated like one.
Scripture describing the servanthood of Jesus indicate he was at the bottom rung in society, a bonded servant with NO RIGHTS, in full obedience to His Master. It wasn't the duty of the bonded slave to wash feet, but Jesus did even this as an example for us. His purpose was to show his mindset. To have the mind of Christ is to live, not for glory or gain, but for the opportunity to serve.  Having given us not only talents but time to use them, God has entrusted us with STEWARDSHIP, NOT OWNERSHIP. To have the mind of Christ is to be open (vulnerable) and accountable, the real deal.
]]> 2010-01-11T00:00:00-05:00 The Proud and The Humble http://www.bradentonsdb.org/n/the_proud_and_the_humble.html http://www.bradentonsdb.org/n/the_proud_and_the_humble.html
Highlights from a sermon given by Pastor Michael Spearl on Aug. 15, 2009 by Susan Bond
The Proud and the Humble
 
Can a person enter God's Presence and not be changed?
 
Using the Scriptural account of the Pharisee and the Publican in Luke 18:9-14, Pastor Michael answers this question. The Pharisee left his prayer time worse off, while the Publican (Tax Collector) left better off. The listeners to this account had to conclude that it's all in the attitude.
 
Pastor Michael described the perspective of the Pharisees: Seeing God as Guardian of the Book, they figured that performance was first. Love for God was measured by individual accomplishment. A person who thinks like a Pharisee cannot pray, for he has no intimacy with God and he is always comparing himself to others. James 4:1-3 indicates that pride not only inhibits asking but also obstructs us from receiving. Verse 6 says, "God gives grace to the humble." In the act of asking, we show trust and humility.
 
Confessing that his financial independence made him prideful, Pastor Michael remarked, "Pride is like bad breath: everyone has it but me." Freedom came for him when he realized he couldn't do it himself.
 
How does God deal with pride? He uncovers it, He confronts it, and He breaks us. Pastor Michael encouraged us with words from 1 Peter 5:6,"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time."
 
Jesus actually makes bones about it when he calls the Pharisees white-washed bones. Indeed, while humility is the mother of virtue, pride is the father of sin. When it comes to spiritual change, pride is the obstacle, humility the key. When we admit our weakness, God's power is unleashed within us. The tax collector's prayer contained an honest definition of himself: "I am a sinner." He didn't focus on himself; instead he reached out to God. This opened the divine door.
 
Can a person enter God's Presence and not be changed? What do you think?
]]> 2009-09-17T00:00:00-05:00 Faith - July 4, 2009 http://www.bradentonsdb.org/n/faith_-_july_4_2009.html http://www.bradentonsdb.org/n/faith_-_july_4_2009.html
Worship Service led by Kim Merchant while Pastor Michael was away at Deep South Camp - Posted by Susan Bond
 
 
                                                        FAITH
 
Preparing for Worship: 
 
As we are called into worship today, it is sobering to remember
that when God appeared on earth in the person of Jesus,
most of the world did not recognize him and, therefore, did not worship him.
 
Today we ask for the faith that will open our eyes to see Jesus for who he is,
that we might worship him in truth.
 
 
Song of Faith:    "The Solid Rock"   
 
"...When darkness veils His lovely face,
                                    I rest on His unchanging grace."
 
Opening Prayer:   Almighty God, Gracious Father,
                             in the presence of your bounty keep us humble,
                             in the presence of all people's needs make us compassionate....
 
                             Give us faith in our praying and love in our serving....
 
                             Lord, you hold the destiny of nations in your hands.
                             We pray for our country on this day when we celebrate
                             our independence.
                             Inspire the hearts and inds of our leaders that they,
                             together with all our nation,
                             may first seek your kingdom and righteousness
                             so that order, liberty and peace may dwell with your people...
 
[The faith of America's founding fathers truly amazes me. Through faith,
they endured hardships of war and designed a brand-new style of government.
The responsive reading this morning focuses on the faith of another founding father:
Abraham] Selected readings from Hebrew 11
 
 
Kim dramatically shared two vignettes written by David S. Lampel:
      1. "Even Logic" from The Twelve
               portraying Philip as one whose practical knowledge
              was valuable but not when compared to the miraculous
              power of Jesus
      2. "You Will Drink of the Cup" from The Twelve
               portraying the mother of James and John whose
              curiosity---not devotion--- kept her following Jesus,
              (at first). We see also in this vignette that James
              was so busy trying to prove himself that he didn't
              notice that he was already approved by the Savior.
 
These vignettes interspersed with the hymns, "I Know Whom I Have Believed"
and "More About Jesus", along with the Scripture readings in Romans 3:21-24
and Romans 5:1-2, fed our hearts and minds, preparing us for the benediction:
 
"Grant, O Lord,
that what has been said with our lips we may believe in our hearts,
and that what we believe in our hearts we may practice in our lives
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.   Amen."
 
]]> 2009-07-13T00:00:00-05:00 To the Church at Bradenton: What Would He Write to Us? http://www.bradentonsdb.org/n/to_the_church_at_bradenton_what_would_he_write_to_us.html http://www.bradentonsdb.org/n/to_the_church_at_bradenton_what_would_he_write_to_us.html
Highlights from Pastor Michael's Sermon on May 9, 2009 by Susan Bond
          Pastor Michael has preached for the past several weeks about the letters that Jesus Christ sent to the seven churches.  We have seen that in each of the seven letters Jesus described a different characteristic which should indicate a true and living church. The Ephesian Christians were urged to return to their first, fresh love for Him. The Christians at Smyrna were warned of  the suffering that would surely come if they were to follow Him without compromise. The church at Pergamum was told to champion truth in the face of error, and the church in Thyatira was told to live righteously in the midst of evil. In Sardis the need was to put real deeds behind an undeserved reputation.  Before the Philadelphia church the risen Lord set an open door of opportunity for the spread of the gospel and He bid the believers to step boldly through it. And finally, in the seventh letter, addressed to the church at Laodicea Jesus warned, with fierce denunciation, against complacency and he gave a tender appeal for wholeheartedness.
 
This week Pastor Michael focused on the letters mailed to Philadelphia and Laodicea. Philadelphia was told that they have an "open door that no man can shut." Jesus Christ, Himself, is the open door.  Where does that door open? The door not only opens to salvation, but it also opens to Christian service. The doorway through Jesus is so narrow (Matthew 7:13,14) that only one person at a time can go through; there is no room for baggage like sin and selfishness. As the door to Christian service, however, Jesus is wide open; He is a door through which others can [and must] be invited.
 
The church at Philadelphia had little strength. Whatever the reason for this, Jesus promised to uphold them. Jesus said, "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture" (John 10:9). Not only is Jesus Christ the door, but His authority is the key which unlocks closed doors. Remember the power that unlocked prison doors and chains that had held Peter captive? The same power was reported by Paul and Barnabas to have opened the door of faith on their missionary journey.
 
Addressing the Laodicean Church, Jesus saw a glaring contrast between what the Laodicean church said they were and what they really were. Jesus was disgusted with the lukewarm Christians at Laodicea. Today he is still disgusted with nominal Christians. He repudiates those whose attachment to him is purely nominal and superficial. So we must break with easy-going complacency. Smug self-satisfaction is not appropriate among us who bear the name of Jesus. Shallow piety will not save anyone. There will be no hypocrites in heaven.  Yet Jesus still appealed tenderly for wholeheartedness as he held the door open with his personal call, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me (Revelation 3:20). Jesus is knocking. He wants to come in to take control. He wants us to surrender without condition to his lordship. He asks us to be personally and unconditionally committed to him. Nothing less will do.
]]> 2009-05-20T00:00:00-05:00 Trust in the Lord... http://www.bradentonsdb.org/n/trust_in_the_lord.html http://www.bradentonsdb.org/n/trust_in_the_lord.html
Special Adaptation of Proverbs 3:5-6 shared by Pastor Michael Spearl and Laura Mirabal
Trust in the Lord...

Have faith, step by step, even when you can't see very far down the road.
     Trust in the Lord with all your heart...

Don't check your mind, your will-power, yourself at the door.

     Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not...

If you're going to 'lean' against anything, make sure it's solid.

     Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding...

The older we get the more we realize we don't know everything.

     In all your ways...

Not just some things, but in everything.

     In all your ways acknowledge him...

That is, let God lead you, not the other way around.

     In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight...

Aren't you tired of moving all those obstacles in the way by yourself?

     Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
     In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.

]]> 2009-04-04T00:00:00-05:00 Special Music by Fred and Muriel Fleck http://www.bradentonsdb.org/n/special_music_by_fred_and_muriel_fleck.html http://www.bradentonsdb.org/n/special_music_by_fred_and_muriel_fleck.html
March 7, 2009
Before he opened his mouth to sing, Fred introduced our time together with this endearing
comment he'd heard from a person 105 years old: "The good thing about reaching my age is that there is no peer pressure." When Fred and his wife Muriel sang, the congregation was moved with such lyrics as "The only real peace that I have dear Lord is in You," Ten thousand years and we've just begun ---singing the song the angels cannot sing," "The Old Rugged Cross," and "Make me a vessel of mercy." Fred's rich voice combined with Muriel's soft sounds brought glory to God and joy to the worshipers. Fred's testimony of God's miraculous working in his life when he was just a young boy is one that has inspired many. If you would like to have a copy of his testimony, call 1-403-547-2881.]]> 2009-04-04T00:00:00-05:00 "A Goal Big Enough for Eternity" (Read 2 Timothy 4:6-8) http://www.bradentonsdb.org/n/a_goal_big_enough_for_eternity_read_2_timothy_46-8.html http://www.bradentonsdb.org/n/a_goal_big_enough_for_eternity_read_2_timothy_46-8.html Highlights of Pastor Michael's sermon on March 7, 2009 by Susan Bond Is the accumulation of the activities of my days achieving my life's goal? Is my life goal big enough for eternity?

Paul's life goal is summed up in these words: "For to me to live is Christ." The Lord had all of Paul that there was.

We battle mediocrity, laziness, doubt.... The battle within us must be won before the battles without can be. How to win? The Holy Spirit makes winning possible. Philippians 3 emphasizes that we need to be forgetting what is past and moving forward with intention. We want, like Paul, to be able to say "I have kept the faith," remembering that whatever we do, we must do it for Him (Colossians).

Pastor Michael declared, "You are right with God because of your faith in Jesus. Your salvation and status are gifts from God. We can serve the Lord with joy and delight because we have the assurance of where we're going---life eternal with Him. The Holy Spirit's assignment is to make sure that we pass the finish line."  

]]> 2009-04-04T00:00:00-05:00 Abundant Life http://www.bradentonsdb.org/n/abundant_life.html http://www.bradentonsdb.org/n/abundant_life.html Highlights of Pastor Michael's sermon on January 31, 2009 by Susan Bond
 
Abundant Life or [Not So Puzzling After All]
 
Calling us to worship with thoughts from Psalm 46 and Hebrews 4, the Holy Spirit quickly was
grabbing my attention through Pastor Michael's selections of Scripture and Song. Singing
"Be still and know I am thy God who healeth thee," I was ready for the sermon that followed:
"For as in one body we have many members, and all the members do not have the same
function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of
another" (Romans 12). Letting these words soak in and help me make sense of my own
thoughts and experiences of the week, I "came to" again in time to hear the pastor saying,
"We are part of a bigger picture: the Picture of the Body of Christ.
 
Every individual piece matters in the big picture just like we each matter to God and to each
other. God Himself is creating this beautiful picture. We are incomplete when there's a missing
piece. One hiding in the box is like a person going through a wilderness experience who won't
see the big picture until he gets out of the box. And just like a puzzle piece in the box is
sometimes being jostled around, we can feel the same way. If you try to put a piece
in the place it doesn't belong, the edges get bent. You are perfect for Your particular God-given
assignment. Seek God until you find your niche. Sometimes you won't find your place until
other pieces are in their place. God is the Master Who will place you where you belong.
 
Do you ever feel like you are the puzzle piece that is being picked up and then being put back
down again? Use waiting time wisely; until He is ready for you, master your piece. Don't
try to fit where you don't belong. You need to be as spirit-filled as you can be even while
you wait. God is getting you ready to fit you in the place where He wants you. See Psalm 84:4.
Let it be said after all the highs and lows in your life that you were still found praising God.
 
Continuing from last week's sermon, Pastor Michael preached from Ecclesiastes about
how Solomon spent much of his life in seeking after happiness. He went from partaking of
wine, women, and song to working excessively to expand his bank account. Quoting Eccl.2:10,
"All that my eyes desired, my eyes did not refuse them." His conclusion was that we are
all travellers to our eternal home [the completed puzzle to be seen only when God's grand
design has been completed]. The pastor said, "Bradenton sunsets are child's crayon
drawings compared to heaven's radiance. Solomon's experiences were just shadows.
Contentment comes from a heart of gratitude, from appreciating life's simple pleasures."
 
Closing thoughts in the sermon came from John 10:10 in which we learn that Jesus came to
give life abundantly. Pastor Michael stepped back in Biblical history to a lesson
in grace that came through the parents of Solomon. Although David and Bathsheba
experienced grievous consequences to their sin, their repentance was met with God's grace,
shown in His love for their son Solomon. God still wants today for His anointing to change the
lives of those who will listen and He wants to use the church [puzzle pieces still being
put into place] to tell of His mercy.
]]> 2009-02-02T00:00:00-05:00 Chosen for Victory http://www.bradentonsdb.org/n/chosen_for_victory.html http://www.bradentonsdb.org/n/chosen_for_victory.html
Highlights of Pastor Michael’s sermon on November 29, 2008, by Laura Mirabal
Our responsive reading today was from Psalm 42, 43, which Pastor Michael neatly wove into his message. The Psalmist compared his thirst for God like the deer panting for water. He asked the question “When can I go and meet with God?” He was in Jordan and he thought it was only possible to seek God at the temple in Jerusalem. He was depressed and he began to talk to God right where he was – so he prayed an honest prayer. Pastor Michael reminded us that our prayers do not need to be compositions to be effective. He remembered God’s nature as he talked to himself. His lament gave way to petition and his mood changed when he took refuge in God. He GOT IT! God could dispatch light and truth to him wherever he was. God responded to his honest prayer and God lifted him up in spiritual victory. The Holy Spirit searches all things – its job is to make things happen in you, through you, and guide you in the direction you need to go in life. When you rely on the Holy Spirit your life will testify in victory, then others will know what God can do. When you proclaim the message of Jesus, you will get opposition. But if you are plugged into Jesus you will have victory. So, fitting with the message, we sang the following song with our eyes and our hands lifted up in praise to our loving, caring, almighty God:
As the Deer
As the deer panteth for the water, so my soul longeth after thee;
You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship thee.
You alone are my strength, my shield, to you alone may my spirit yield;
You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship thee.
]]> 2008-12-08T00:00:00-05:00 Our High Priest of the New Covenant http://www.bradentonsdb.org/n/our_high_priest_of_the_new_covenant.html http://www.bradentonsdb.org/n/our_high_priest_of_the_new_covenant.html
Highlights of Pastor Michael's Sermon on November 22, 2008, by Susan Bond
"In the year King Uzziah died...." These words from Isaiah 6:1 excite me because I know what comes next: an ethereal description of God's train filling the temple and the angels crying, "Holy."  I hope you know the song with those words. I feel transported to that same place that Isaiah describes whenever I sing it. Today, however, my focus was first fixed on the King as Pastor Michael filled in the blanks for me on Uzziah's life.
 
Reading from 2 Chronicles 26, the pastor emphasized the fact that as long as Uzziah sought the LORD, he prospered.  In fact, influenced by his godly mother and his teacher Zechariah, he reigned 52 years over Judah.  This was the longest reign of any king from the line of David.  Sadly, we learn in verse 16 that when he became strong, he also became proud and appointed himself his own high priest. Confronted by the true priests, Uzziah's anger was aroused. As a result, the LORD afflicted him with leprosy. How could 50 years of moral strength end up in an isolated leprous heap? What was Uzziah's sin? Making himself his own high priest, he by-passed the priesthood ordained by God.
 
Application for today? Hebrews 9 and 10 make it clear that Jesus Christ is our High Priest (co-signer, if you will) of the New Covenant. If we attempt to save ourselves with our own sacrifices, we insult Christ, counting his sacrifice unworthy. Covenants demand trustworthiness on both sides, but we know we are not, in and of ourselves, able to keep the covenant we have with God to remain holy. God's agent to keep us holy and true to our covenant is the Holy Spirit. It is Jesus Christ who is our intercessor, the one who knows what we are going through. He never holds back his forgiveness, mercy or grace; but HE's the High Priest, not us (See Psalm 86:5, 103:8, and 130:7).
 
When we try to use our good works as entrance to God, we will see, like Isaiah did, that they are filthy rags (64:6), leprous. Pastor Michael told us that lepers covered their unclean lips. We see in Isaiah 6 that Isaiah must have felt like a spiritual leper: "In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple....Then I said woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips....Then flew one of the seraphim unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from off the altar: and he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me."
 
Just as Isaiah humbly recognized his sinful nature and reliance on God's touch for cleanliness, so we must daily rely on the Holy Spirit as our Source of cleanliness and strength. God says, "I will cause you to do my good pleasure."
 
[Our special music today, sung by Pastor Michael, contained these words: "Were you there when they crucified my Lord... were you there when he rose up from the grave?" We may not have been there then, but we were on his mind at the time. What counts is whether we are with Him now.]
 
]]> 2008-11-23T00:00:00-05:00 Aren't You Lucky? http://www.bradentonsdb.org/n/arent_you_lucky.html http://www.bradentonsdb.org/n/arent_you_lucky.html Highlights of Pastor Michael's Sermon on November 15, 2008, by Susan Bond
"Knock, knock." 
"Who's there?"
"Orange."
"Orange who?"
"Orange you lucky?"
 
Quite the introduction to a sermon on the beatitudes in Matthew 5, yes?
Pastor Michael explained that the word blessed, which begins each statement in that passage,
means (in the Greek) "fortunate". In our culture today, that would be lucky.
 
The pastor's point is that people today would think the lucky ones are those who win the lottery. Further examination of the lives of these people, though, shows that they often suffer major losses as a result of this "luck".
 
Jesus' pronouncements in Chapter 5 turn upside down the thoughts of the world on the meaning of fortunate. For example, the world might say that the "winners" are ones who have it all. Jesus says that it is the poor in spirit, those who know how needy they are and have to rely on God, who "win" the kingdom of heaven, a kingdom marked by grace, judgment and lots of surprises.
And what do those who mourn win? Comfort from God who knows all about suffering; they will know God in a special way since He understands.
 
What about the meek? Greeks prized meekness: the meek person had self-control, maintaining a balance between unbridled anger and comatose calm. Today, it's often the loudest, most boisterous leader who has a following. The meek faithfully wait, while fools rush in to the pleasures of this present world. The prize for the meek is inheritance of the earth.
 
Continuing further down the list of "the fortunate" we come to those who show mercy. There are two ways to live: show mercy or keep score. In Jesus' day, the Pharisees were the score-keepers. Question: why keep score when God has smashed the scoreboard?  Just as the
Pharisees continually cleaned their hands, believers today get caught up in scouring their thoughts in order to deserve what God has freely given. Warning: don't go through the motions to please God by padding your spiritual resume'. The tone of Jesus' sermon is not one of handing out assignments but of congratulations for what you've "won". Even the persecuted win.
Like the poor in spirit, they are awarded the kingdom of heaven.
 
Pastor Michael closed his sermon with important descriptions of salt and light. While self-control freaks, like the Pharisees, squeeze the enjoyment out of life, salt makes life tasty.
No one eats a meal and says, "Wow, that's good salt!" Salt does not call attention to itself but enhances what it's in. Salt is salty; it doesn't have to work hard to be salty. Since Christ is in us, we just need to be ourselves and let His flavor bring zest to the world. In the same way,
Jesus is the light and calls us to let His light shine through us. As we bring flavor and enlightenment to our world, we should not bring attention on ourselves but on Jesus. Then, like was said of the disciples in Acts 4:13, people will be able to say of us, "These men have been with Jesus."
]]> 2008-11-19T00:00:00-05:00 Wanted: Heroes http://www.bradentonsdb.org/n/wanted_heroes.html http://www.bradentonsdb.org/n/wanted_heroes.html Highlights of Pastor Michael's Sermon on September 6, 2008, by Susan Bond
As election time approaches in the United States, we are hearing a lot of great oratory.
The buzz word these days is "choice."  Even in some Christian circles, high regard for a
person's right to choose has somehow superseded God's Word, making it hard to distinguish
Christians from non-Christians. Surrounded by voices and inundated with promises, we are
encouraged to become self-actualized, self-made, and selfish.

Pastor Michael reminded us of the Apostle Paul's instruction to Timothy (2 Timothy 3:15-17)
that "All scripture is inspired by God  and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us
realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what
is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work" (NLT).

God's Word holds promises we can stand on and it provides heroes we can look up to. For instance,
Psalm 1:1-3 says, " Blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor
standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in  the
law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree
planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not
wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." These verses promise a blessing if you
monitor what goes into your mind.  When God's Word fills your mind it will enhance your attitude and guide your actions.

Pastor Michael recommended following the example of the Biblical hero Ezra (see Ezra 7)
who walked the narrow road.  Most people walk the broad road; the trouble with that road
is that when you have a breakdown, there's no one to help because everyone on
that road is heading for destruction themselves.  On the narrow road you need to travel light---
there’s no room for the baggage of anger, hatred, pride, prejudice, injustice, etc. Breakdowns still occur on this road, but you'll have help because God is on the narrow road with you.

It was fitting that Pastor Michael followed the sermon with the hymn We're Marching to Zion
and the call to service in 2 Peter 1:2-4, "Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the
knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.  His divine power has given us everything we need
for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and
goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that
through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the
world cause by evil desires."
]]> 2008-09-07T00:00:00-05:00 Local Woman Receives Church's Highest Honor http://www.bradentonsdb.org/n/local_woman_receives_churchs_highest_honor.html http://www.bradentonsdb.org/n/local_woman_receives_churchs_highest_honor.html
 Every year all of the Seventh Day Baptist Churches in the United States and Canada are invited to nominate a woman to receive the Robe of Achievement. The identity of the selected recipient is then revealed at the annual Seventh Day Baptist General Conference on the final day of the week-long event. Little did Jean Davis of Pescara Lake in Bradenton realize that her trip north to Wisconsin in August would culminate with such an honor. When all five of her children showed up at the Conference, she was led to believe that it was to celebrate early her 80th birthday which will be October 1 (Her children came in from West Virginia, Michigan, and Pennsylvania).
 
Jean, the granddaughter of a dedicated Seventh Day Baptist minister, was raised in her grandparents' home. Her appreciation of the wider family of Seventh Day Baptists flourished when, at the age of fifteen, she worked at the denomination's Recorder Press in Plainfield, New Jersey, where her grandfather had taken on the work of editor of the Sabbath Recorder (This monthly periodical for and about Seventh Day Baptists has been in production since 1844, has world-wide circulation, and is now edited in Janesville, Wisconsin).
 
Marrying her childhood classmate from Sabbath School, Ken Davis, she supported him when he received the call himself to become a minister. Faithfully serving five churches with her pastor-husband since 1961, Jean's loving support as wife, mother, counselor, teacher and friend has been emulated by other pastor's wives. Her listening ear and tender heart have soothed not only family and friends, but also those who seem to have no family or friends. She not only listens but responds by providing what help she can. She and Ken opened their home several times to help young people find their way.
 
Gladly sharing her musical gifts by singing for church and community as well as accompanying several choirs on piano or organ, she presently plays for the Bradenton Seventh Day Baptist Church. In addition, during the winter months, she plays for the non denominational church at Winterset RV Resort in Palmetto.
 
Jean's faith and resolve were tested recently when her husband's declining health dramatically increased her own workload. God gave her the grace and strength to stay the course. After her husband's passing ("graduation" as he would call it), Jean remained to provide full-fledged support to the new pastor, Michael Spearl. For these and many other reasons Jean was awarded the Seventh Day Baptist Women's Robe of Achievement for the year 2008.
Congratulations, Jean!
 
 
]]> 2008-09-05T00:00:00-05:00 Richard Bond Birthday http://www.bradentonsdb.org/n/richard_bond_birthday.html http://www.bradentonsdb.org/n/richard_bond_birthday.html 2008-06-14T00:00:00-05:00 Susan Bond Birthday http://www.bradentonsdb.org/n/susan_bond_birthday.html http://www.bradentonsdb.org/n/susan_bond_birthday.html 2008-04-15T00:00:00-05:00 Victoria Rene Anderson Birthday http://www.bradentonsdb.org/n/victoria_rene_anderson_birthday.html http://www.bradentonsdb.org/n/victoria_rene_anderson_birthday.html 2008-04-14T00:00:00-05:00