Sermon: "First Things First: Why I’m a Christian" by Randy Roberts

Part 1: Why I’m an Adventist...

Pastoral Welcome: Calvin Thomsen

Ordination of Deacons: Marvin and Shirley Ponder

Responsive Reading “In Praise of Christ”  (SDA Hymnal, #843) - Richard and Ann Yukl

INTRODUCTION TO THE SERMON Today, we begin a most important series of sermons. It is titled, “Why I’m an Adventist….” This series has been the subject of much prayer, thought, and study. The question of why one is a Seventh-day Adventist—or, for that matter, why one belongs to any specific denomination—is a timely one. We live, after all, in what has been described as a post-denominational age. In an era when denominational (and even religious) labels matter less and less, why belong to a denomination? And further, is it possible to belong to a denomination and still be part of the fulfillment of the prayer of Jesus, “… that all of them maybe be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you” (John 17:21, TNIV)? Don’t denominations just separate us into segments within the body of Christ? As we move through this series of sermons, I hope to grapple with some of the answers to that and other questions. For the moment, suffice it to say that we need to be prepared to give an answer for why we believe what we believe. Peter wrote: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander” (1 Peter 3:15–16, TNIV). Peter is writing to encourage a thoughtful, defensible, authentic and loving faith in Jesus in the midst of a dark culture. His principle, however, certainly applies to the question which is the topic of this series of sermons: Can I explain and defend why am I an Adventist? Today, we begin at the beginning—at the most foundational level—with why I am a Christian. When it comes to the belief and practice of our religious faith, it all begins and ends with Jesus, doesn’t it? I am a Christian because of Jesus; further, I am an Adventist because of Jesus. If I can’t say that, then it’s time to pack things up and go do something else. Jesus is the reason for our faith. That is true broadly—he is the reason for our faith as Christians; that is also true in a more narrow sense—he is the reason for our faith as Adventists. So join us in this journey! And may God bless you along the way.

Randy Roberts

Senior Pastor

MEDITATION Christ is a jewel worth more than a thousand worlds, as all know who have him know. Get him, and get all; miss him and miss all. – Thomas Brooks Since He looked upon me my heart is not my own. He hath run away to heaven with it. – Samuel Rutherford

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