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February 10, 2007, was a frosty but clear Sabbath
morning as we gathered together for services at the Smyrna Sabbath Chapel in
West Virginia.
Sabbath School
Following prayer, Sabbath School was begun
with song service led by Hans Stump and we joyfully sang some of our
favorite hymns.
The devotional thought was presented by Pastor Allen
Stump in the first of a three-part series addressing the foundations,
pillars, and landmarks of our faith and the last-day attacks of Satan on
them. “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do (Psalm
11:3)?”
Three anchors we have against Satan’s attacks on
truth are the Sabbath, the nature of man, and the testimony of Jesus, as
explained in a passage by Sister Ellen White: “The only safety now is to
search for the truth as revealed in the word of God, as for hid treasure.
The subjects of the Sabbath, the nature of man, and the testimony of Jesus
are the great and important truths to be understood; these will prove as an
anchor to hold God's people in these perilous times (Testimonies for the
Church, vol. 1, p. 300).”
Pastor Stump briefly discussed these three anchors
and the attacks on them by Satan. One of these attacks is found in the
current promulgation of lunar Sabbaths which contradicts the very clear
Biblical teaching we have on the seventh-day Sabbath. Pastor Stump will
discuss this topic in greater detail in his sermon on February 24, 2007, and
we invite you to especially tune in for this important presentation.
We have also been assaulted on the truth about God in
the false teaching that Jesus Christ is not the Son of God and that he had
no preexistence before Bethlehem. This is squarely contrary to the plainest
teaching of the Bible and this false theory attacks the most foundational
principle we have—a true knowledge of who God is. “This is life eternal,”
said Jesus, “that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ,
whom thou hast sent (John 17:3).”
Another pillar under attack is the Biblical truth
that man is not inherently immortal. The concept Satan proclaims is that the
soul never dies and either goes to heaven or hell upon death. “Satan and his
angels have made a special effort to spread the deception and lie first
repeated to Eve in Eden. ‘Thou shalt not surely die.’ And as this error has
been received by the people, and they have been led to believe that man was
immortal, he has led them on to believe that the sinner would live in
eternal misery (The Bible Echo, December 20, 1897).” We were reminded
of Paul’s counsel: “To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek
for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life (Romans 2:7).” Paul says
we seek for immortality, and we would not seek for something we already
have!
The Sabbath School lesson study was led by Brother
Leon Holt and was a continuation of the past two weeks’ study on mortality
and immortality.
The youth class is studying the
sanctuary and its services now.
Worship
Service
The Worship Hour service was begun by Brother Glen
Ford, who led us in an opening hymn and a season of prayer. “Farther Along,”
was sung by Brother Holt as special music, and then Pastor Stump told the
children the story of Ellen White’s vision at Lovett’s Grove and the history
of the writing and publication of the book we now know as The Great
Controversy.
The sermon was presented by Brother Ed Cyrus from
Florida and was a study on the life of Job and how Job was a “perfect and
upright man” and how righteousness by faith is illustrated in his life and
God’s dealings with Job. Several listened to the sermon over the Internet
and by phone conference and there was a lively discussion with Brother Cyrus
afterward.
Following worship services, we all shared in a
fellowship meal in the fellowship hall. Sister Ann Ford led out in the
kitchen preparation of this meal and it was thoroughly enjoyed by all! Hope
you can plan a visit to Smyrna soon and join us. Our camp meeting will be
June 12-16 this year so plan to join us! You are always welcome at Smyrna.
The service can be listened to over the phone by dialing in the United
States 1-605-475-8599 and entering the conference ID of 5126052 when
prompted. The reference number for the audio version of his sermon is
69924. If you are using Skype you may enter +990008271111 on
your Skype call window to access the recording section and, when prompted,
enter room number 5126052 and then the referece number 69924 when prompted.
If you are a listener to the
broadcasts and you would like to have us post a picture of you and/or those
who listen with you, email us a picture at
onycha@smyrna.org and we will post
your picture here for others to see!
Don't forget we also broadcast the
Wednesday evening prayer service starting at 7:00 p.m. (EST)! Join us if you
have no prayer meeting to attend in your area!
Next Sabbath Brother Glen Ford
will be our speaker, and you can hear his
message by listening to the Worship Hour services at Smyrna Chapel in West
Virginia either by telephone or through the Internet via Skype. The new
telephone number to dial (there may be long distance charges) is
1-605-475-8599. The conference number 5126052. The Skype number from the
Skype dial pad is still +99000827111 and you will use the same conference
number. Have a blessed week!
Ed Cyrus Preaching on Righteousness by Faith
from the Book of Job
Chatting with Internet Listeners
Ed and his Brother Marion
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