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Pastor's Notes
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Revival: The Key To Hastening The Return Of Jesus
How can we have true revival in our lives and our church in order to hasten the return of Jesus Christ?
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We have been told that “A revival of true godliness among us is the greatest and most urgent of our needs. To seek this should be our first work.” Selected Messages, vol. 1, p. 121.
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Without such a revival, God's church will continue to languish in the wilderness of this world and her mission remain unfinished; however, it must also be said that revival in the church will never take place until it happens first in the individual lives of its members.
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Revival pertains to reviving something that is non-functional or even dead. Medical defibrillators are used to jumpstart a heart that has stopped or is beating in a dysfunctional and ineffective way. In the same way, only the Holy Spirit can jumpstart a spiritually dead person and revive them to new life. Hence, we all need to experience a much deeper and stronger flow of the Spirit that His fresh, life-giving energy can course through every fiber of the soul.
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To seek the infilling of God's Spirit must be the first duty of every day. And it should be no secret as to where all this begins--nothing can take the place of developing a consistent and disciplined devotional life. Daily prayer and Bible study are essential. There are no substitutes. We'll always be busy whether we work in or outside of the home. But if we ask (and truly mean it) God will help us order our time so prayer and study don't fall through the cracks.
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While not making light of the present Coronavirus pandemic, it can have an upside as far as personal devotions are concerned. Concerns about personal and family well-being can drive us to seek God for greater comfort. Fears of unemployment and financial loss can add additional weight to such a heavy burden. Yet there is nothing more assuring than to fervently seek God and rekindle newfound faith in His promises!
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It's also a good time for personal reflection and heart searching--to be honest with ourselves and with God if carelessness has subverted our loyalties to Him and His Word. Attention to lifestyle should not be overlooked. It's presumption to seek God's protection from disease if we're unfaithful stewards of our physical well-being.
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On one hand it's sad that fear and tribulation might have to be the catalyst to a spiritual revival. We need to become strong, consistent, and principled Christians without such promptings. At the same time we might leave God but little choice than to permit such things for our spiritual good. But it's to be hoped that when the plague has passed and we walk away unscathed, that our walk with God will stay strong. So this current pandemic, if we permit, can certainly “work together for good” in bringing new life to our relationship with God!
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The preceding paragraph should remind us of the following: a spiritual revival will never take place unless God’s people are also willing to undergo a reformation as well. Revival and reformation both go together. There must be both! God will not pour His Spirit into the heart that isn't willing to be purged of all it’s inbred selfishness and filth. We must be willing to sacrifice very known idol and every perverse habit. We must repent of all sins of commission and all sins of omission. Like the Psalmist, we must earnestly invite God to search out the evils that seek to hide in the deep recesses of the soul. We must be willing to accept the revelations that God gives to us of ourselves (however painful and humiliating) and keep advancing with the light. See Psalm 139:23,24.
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The crucifixion of self may seem drastic, fearful and void of all pleasure, but it's the road to freedom and a power filled life! Further, those who submit to the purging of God can testify to the deeper communion with Him that follows, and the greater joy that transcends all that went before. It is no burden to to serve the Lord!
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We are not to seek revival and reformation with just ourselves in mind. We are also to seek it that we might become empowered to more effectively witness for God and win souls for His kingdom. And it’s also as we engage in evangelistic outreach that God grows the heart and further enhances the process of spiritual revival!
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Jesus hasn't delayed His coming because the world isn't wicked enough yet. His delay is the consequence of our lukewarm spirituality and lack of missionary zeal. But that can all be changed through the power of God’s abounding grace!
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The greatest revival and reformation since apostolic times is still destined to happen! God will have His valiant few through whom He will finish His work. He is soon to pour down His Spirit upon those who are deadly serious in seeking His power and bringing their lives into full harmony with His will. But the question remains: will you and I be among them? Let there be no doubt that we can be and will be if we seek His pardon and the new birth promised by Jesus in John 3:3-8. This must be our first work!
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“Ask the Lord for rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain to every one grass in the field.” - Zechariah 10:1.
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Mike Thompson, Associate Pastor
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Happenings
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Hope Awakens
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Join us for this exciting virtual Bible series. Nothing superficial. No speculation. Just real answers. Starting April 17 @ 7PM and from the comfort of your own homes, Pastor John Bradshaw will be speaking to people in the Sacramento area and beyond sharing vital truths for today in light of the COVID-19 crisis. To register, go to www.hopeawakens.com
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Be sure to share the link with family, friends, neighbors, work colleagues, or acquaintances. They will be grateful you shared this life-changing experience with them.
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Prayer Meeting Postponed
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Due to the start of the Hope Awakens series this Friday night, we will be postponing Prayer Meetings until mid May. Please join us as we journey through the Bible with Hope Awakens. Hope Awakens runs every Friday, Saturday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at 7PM.
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Spiritual Immune Booster
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Need a little spiritual pick-me-up? Want to connect with your church friends in a meaningful way? Then join your ministry team and elders Monday's & Thursday's, 10:00AM or 7:00PM, for a 15-minute spiritual immune booster. To get the call-in details, email office@saccentral.org. This offer is for Sacramento Central members only.
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Services Livestreamed
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We will continue to offer Sabbath services online only throughout the rest of April. This means in-person services will be suspended until further notice. We pray we will all be able to worship together again very soon. Members are encouraged to continue to connect via phone, text, or virtually, as well as use this time to deepen our connection with God.
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Coronavirus Update II
In this update, Pastor John Bradshaw speaks with Dr. Roger Seheult, a pulmonology, critical care, and sleep specialist based in Southern California. Dr. Seheult talks about what we can be doing right now to make ourselves as safe as possible during this time of global crisis. Watch this important interview conducted here.
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Coronavirus Update III
With much of the world under mandatory “stay at home” orders, Dr. Lyndi Schwartz talks with Pastor John Bradshaw about the challenge of isolation. View video here.
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Coronavirus Update IV
The focus of the entire world is upon personal health. Pastor John Bradshaw speaks with Dr. David DeRose about what you can you do to strengthen your immune system. View here.
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Coronavirus Update V
Pastor John Bradshaw speaks with Dr. Richard Hart, President and CEO of Loma Linda University Health, about how hospital systems and individuals are handling the COVID-19 crisis. Watch here.
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Light Sacramento Update
We're excited to let you know that over the next week or so, thousands of pieces of literature will be direct-mailed to homes in Sacramento drawing people's attention to the great truth of salvation through Jesus. Another magazine, entitled "Remember" will also be mailed to homes introducing the Sabbath and answering questions about it. The timing seems nearly perfect. Currently, during this coronavirus crisis, we we are hearing voices declare that a rest day is needed for humanity. Naturally, Sunday is the day often pointed to. "Remember" will reveal the beauty of God's true Sabbath and remind the reader of the actual day God promised to add His Sabbath blessing to.
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Pray, Pray, Pray
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As we gear up for Hope Awakens and thousands of pieces of literature are landing in people's mail boxes, let us commit to praying for our community that many will find Jesus and accept His last-day truth. Pray, pray, pray!
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Share Coronavirus GLOW Tract
“What you can’t see can hurt you” is the lead line of “The Invisible Man.” Based on H.G. Wells’ 1897 classic novel, this Hollywood sci-fi thriller revolves around an evil scientist who discovers the secret of invisibility and torments his ex-girlfriend. No one can see him, yet he’s deadly. It's the same with coronavirus and other viruses. They’re invisible. And they can kill..."
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So begins this incredible little sharing tract from GLOW. To share it electronically, click here. To order copies to share, click here.
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Another Sharing Opportunity
Pacific Press has just released a special edition of Signs of the Times entitled, "COVID-19: Facing the Crisis with Confidence," available both digitally and in paperback. It's designed to be shared right now while people have a lot of questions. To read and share it electronically, click here. To order copies or to have it mailed to a zip code of your choosing, click here.
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Make an Impact in California
Los Angeles is one of the hardest hit areas in the Pacific Union with thousands of cases of the coronavirus. Jessica Castro, a student at SOULS West, and one of our own, is joining her school in a special outreach. They want to send out as many copies of the Great Hope (the last few chapters of the Great Controversy) to this devastated area. You can help by simply sponsoring a specific number of books. The sponsored books will be directly mailed to the area, along with a post card containing information on local Seventh-day Adventist churches and Bible study opportunities. Each book is $1. Their goal is to distribute between 35,000-100,000 sponsored books!
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In order to REACH: 3000 HOMES - $3000; 1500 HOMES - $1500; 750 HOMES - $750; 200 HOMES - $200; 100 HOMES – $100; 10 HOMES – $10
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Jessica will accept your donation via check or card. If you’d like to sponsor books for the REACH LA project, please contact her at (916) 903-2674 or jessicaacastro11@gmail.com.
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Weekly Word From the Word of God
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“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." - Isaiah 40:10
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