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 Ron Oxentenko Discusses What "Almost" Means Sabbath services at the Laurelbrook Seventh-day Adventist Church on March 6, 2010 beganwith a song service led by Shymone Moses and her two sons, accompanied by Donna Kanna on the piano. The opening song was “Seeking the Lost”. David Brummel welcomed everyone. David Moses then had prayer and read Exodus 31:13 “Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it [is] a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that [ye] may know that I [am] the LORD that doth sanctify you.”
Brian Franklin read a mission report about a government secondary school teacher who fled the violence in that country and eventually came to Christ through an Adventist member in the camp. Shymone Moses and her son Darius collected the Laurelbrook Missions Offering. Maureen (9th grader), Karl (sophomore), and David (senior) sang for special music, accompanied by Dan Paynter on the guitar.
David Brummel had a few remarks about the Sabbath as it deals with redemption. Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath and our Redeemer. He gave up His life in heaven to save the human race, enduring a terrible separation from God the Father in the process and dying the second death for all mankind. Three times he endured terrible temptations for our sins. He was willing to go into the tomb and die an eternal death in order to redeem the human race. David Brummel had closing prayer. The congregation then broke up into several Sabbath School classes to study the week’s lessons.
The church service proper began with an organ introit by Donna Kanna. Ron Oxentenko had the invocation. Clayton Brandt welcomed everyone and made the necessary announcements.
The congregation sang “We Are Living, We Are Dwelling”. Clayton Brandt had the Morning Prayer and called for the offering. Louis Pina and Karl (sophomore) collected the morning offerings. The congregation sang the doxology; Clayton Brandt had a prayer for the offering and read Acts 24:25 “And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.”
Elizabeth Padin then told the children a story about David, who had to live in a cave because the king didn’t like him. David asked God whether he should go fight the Philistines. God told him to go, but David’s army was afraid. A second time David prayed about the matter, and he was told to go help these people. The people were grateful, but Saul heard about his presence in the town and went to the town to kill David. David prayed again, and he was told that these people would give him over to Saul. David left the town. Saul went after David, trapped David and his army, but at the last minute was called away by the presence of the Philistines. David asked God for permission before he acted – God protected him.
The upper grade students from the Laurelbrook Elementary School sang for special music. Darius (upper elementary grade student) accompanied the group on the violin. Ron Oxentenko talked about “Almost Moments”, the congregation sang “Once to Every Man and Nation”, and Ron Oxentenko had the benediction.
Personnel Other Than Students:
Brian Franklin – former Laurelbrook student presently working with the farm manager
Clayton Brandt – one of Laurelbrook’s maintenance men assigned to the vehicle shop and heavy equipment, localchurch elder.
Dan Paynter – Laurelbrook graduate working with the maintenance and construction department
David Brummel – Laurelbrook farm and greenhouse manager
Donna Kanna – Laurelbrook music teacher and director
Elizabeth Padin – wife of the boys’ dean
Louis Pina – works in restorative care at the Laurelbrook Nursing Home
Ron Oxentenko – Laurelbrook’s president
Shymone Moses – principal of the Laurelbrook Elementary School
Notes on the sermon:
1. Mike Oxentenko, the Spiritual Retreat speaker, had an issue he asked students and staff members to pray about. His church was trying to build on a certain piece of property, but the city wouldn’t let them. The church won in the lower court. The appeals court not only gave permission but also five million dollars.
2. “I almost” is a common expression we often use. In the Bible, there are at least four “I almost” situations.
3. Paul came back to Jerusalem, was arrested in the Temple, and was rescued by the Roman guard. Felix, the governor in charge of the region, controlled what happened to Paul. The Jews tried to get Felix to arrange matters so that Paul could be killed. Felix was eventually replaced by Festus. Each governor wanted to hear from Paul what the controversy was about.
4. Paul didn’t view his arrest as a positive matter, but as a result he had a huge influence. Each time he spoke (Acts 24-26) he told the story of Jesus and how God had become a man and became a sacrifice for our sins.
5. Revelation 12:11 “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”
6. The current Herod was somewhat familiar with Paul’s story. When he came to visit Festus, he wanted to hear the story again.
7. Acts 25:23 “And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus’ commandment Paul was brought forth.”
8. Agrippa was wealthy and interested in his position. He listened to Paul’s story and was moved and “almost” became a Christian. Agrippa had a choice of greed and worldly pride and honor or God controlling his life. The monarch had to decide.
9. Paul’s appeal - Acts 26:27 “King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.”
10. All of us are at the heart of a great controversy between good and evil. This was Agrippa’s moment.
11. Felix also heard Paul’s testimony and was convicted of the truth in Paul’s words.
12. Acts 24:25 “And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.”
13. Felix put off the day of decision, saying it was not the right time for him.
14. In 1845, a young attorney listened to Lincoln making a speech and went home and wrote a poem that appears in our hymnal – “Once to Every Man and Nation”.
15. Felix “almost” did the right thing but put off the decision and lost.
16. Agrippa told Paul and the people present that day, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” Acts 26:28
17. Agrippa never got another chance.
18. Paul himself was a young, wealthy Pharisee with rising prospects. On the way to Damascus he was given a choice and allowed the Holy Spirit to influence his heart in the right manner.
19. Each person has an “almost”. You or I may have an “almost” moment we need to take. Every time we turn down God’s call it gets a little easier.
20. Don’t turn God down and have an “almost” moment.
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