The Laurelbrook Seventh-day Adventist Church service on January 5, 2019 began with Rich Sutton welcoming everyone and making a few announcements. Rodney Herra went over the order of service again.
Jeremy Westcott played an introit. Rodney Herra had the invocation and then sang “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Saviour”. Rich Sutton had the main prayer; the congregation responded with “Hear Our Prayer, O Lord”.
Leilani (junior) then called for the offering. Sebastian Roy-Lavallee and Rodney Herra then collected the morning offerings; the loose offering went to the local church budget. The congregation sang the doxology, and Leilani (junior) prayed for the offering.
Jeff Sutton told the children a story. Jeff used to borrow Rich’s pickup truck, but then he started spinning around one corner. But then the neighbor living at that particular intersection didn’t like it and waited to tell about this problem. But it turned out that Rich was driving at the time the neighbor was waiting to report the problem. Rich decided to have a chat with his son about those doughnuts at the intersection. Rich scolded Jeff about the problem and forgave his son. Jeff drove much more normally. Jesus forgives us, and we want to closely follow Him.
The audience sang “Seeking the Lost” for special music. Rich Sutton read scripture reading – Matthew 7:15-20 “15 ¶ Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”
Jeff Sutton, Rich’s son who is presently working in Belize, discussed the topic “Dangerous Deception”. The congregation sang “I Surrender All”. Rodney Herra had the closing prayer.
Personnel Other Than Students:
Jeff Sutton – Rich’s son / works in Belize
Rich Sutton – Laurelbrook president
Rodney Herra – former Laurelbrook staff member now running an auto repair business on Highway 30 / head local church elder
Sebastian Roy-Lavallee – men’s work coordinator
Following are some notes on the sermon by Jeff Sutton:
- In Matthew 24, Jesus talks about not being deceived by the devil, even though they have all knowledge.
- Matthew 7:15-20 “15 ¶ Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”
- Matthew 7:21 “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
- Not everyone that seems to be following the Lord will enter into heaven.
- Matthew 7:22-23 “22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
- The 7th church John sees is lukewarm. This church is self-deceived, thinking they are all right but they aren’t.
- Matthew 7:15 “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Self-deceived.
- Many times we are wolves in sheep’s clothing. We want to do what we want to do (our projects) and neglect necessary projects others really need to have done. We become selfish.
- We go through the motions of being loyal and working for the Lord.
- Christ told Nicodemus that he had good fruit but not a true follower of God. John 3:3 “3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”
- Many people don’t change but justify themselves by looking at the hurt the revelation causes and not addressing the issue that has been brought up.
- We have to surrender (die to self) daily.
- Saul lived a good life, keeping the commandments, etc. But he was full of excuses.
- David’s life was a mess, but David recognized his mistakes when prophets told him about his mistakes. He did not keep on being self-deceived.
- Psalm 139:23 “23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if [there be any] wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
- Cutting down the bad tree in our lives and letting God plant a new tree in our lives is the best answer to any self-deception.
- God changes our hearts to make it natural to do good things. But we can believe we are doing right when we aren’t.
- Do you want to be self-deceived?