Touch a life for Jesus

On Saturday 24^th July, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Burnt Lane, Gorleston was pleased to welcome the President, Pastor Sam Davis, from the South England Conference Headquarters in Watford.

 

The morning program began with a Bible study session which gives everyone the opportunity to discuss the topic for the week. 

 

The church is really pleased to have two little girls become part of the congregation and they sang ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God’ which they sang very sweetly.

 

The core of Pastor Davis’s sermon was to encourage the congregation to reach out to former members who no longer attend church. He said that although the church is growing at an amazing rate it is also losing a percentage of people through the back door,

 

 

God is speaking to everyone. When called to service, he gives each person the means to accomplish great things. As we make ourselves available he will equip us. It was pointed out that we tend to flee like Jonah did to Tarshish. Jonah didn’t actually refuse to work for the Lord but he fled in the opposite direction. Pastor Davis said that everyone can be like Jonah and make a run for it! Modern churches have lost their cause and they are not true Disciples of Christ. If they were, then they would make a major impact on the community. As a church, it is possible to look good on the outside but be dead underneath. We need to be alive and vibrant for Jesus Christ.

 

After the service the members met in the upper room for lunch and for fellowship with one another.  In the afternoon Pastor Davis gave a presentation on Challenges to Mission 2005-20010 created by Mark Finley.

 

It was pointed out that we have a duty to recognise the signs before people actually stop turning up. These signs can be caused by a great many things and it was suggested that someone should visit lapsed members and irregular attendee’s to try and sort out any problems while there was still an opportunity to do so. It may not always be possible to achieve an immediate or total solution but it can help to show that there is someone who cares and who is willing to give support.  He stressed the importance of touching a life for Jesus

 

Pastor Davis said that we all have the ability to touch a life for Jesus Christ but we make all kinds of excuses. Many men in Bible times made excuses.  For example, Moses had a speech impediment, Paul had a sight problem and Peter was quick tempered. However, these few people mentioned, as well as others with similar excuses, went on to do great things.