Sermons by Steve Ebsen
In Search of the Perfect Kingdom
Ever since the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden, humanity has been searching for the perfect kingdom. The Hebrew nation was no different – they too desired a government different than God had provided, and asked for a king so that they might be like all the other nations (1 Samuel 8:4-22). In his gospel, Matthew speaks to the Jews about their quest for the perfect kingdom and the restoration of “the Kingdom of Heaven.” The result is…
The Joy of Dire Poverty – Faith
Faith, what is it and how is it received? Is it just another form of works? Can it be built up like your muscles in a gym? Here are the 3 key points:1) It is in our weakness that we find our strength. 2) Faith in God is not received by God’s people building it up. Faith in God is received when faith in our own power is broken down. 3) Prayer is most powerful when we wrestle against our…
Thanksgiving Program 2022
Please join us for a special and traditional Thanksgiving Potluck after our worship service (Bible Study starts at 10am, Worship Service at 11am). Thanksgiving Program 2022 on November 19th, 2022 at the Mount Vernon Seventh-day Adventist Church in Mount Vernon, Washington
Another Savior
Not just our nation, but the world is seemingly crashing. Prophets and apostles have declared that there would be times like this and that the time of the end, when it takes place, will be like the Days of Noah. (Luke 17:26-27). It was our merciful God Who brought Noah and his family through the flood. The same will be true for those today who cling to God in these troublous times. Yet, I have seen in myself a willingness…
Approved by God
How do you think about your relationship with God? Do you think of it in terms of pleasing God or trusting God? Do you often think of God’s love for you as conditional; based on your behavior? We’ll explore these questions and reexamine the Gospel of Grace. Perhaps we will all find a way to truly rest in God’s love. Scripture: 1 Kings 8:33-34; Joel 2:13; Matthew 3:17; Luke 18:9-14; John 4:8; 15:9-11; Romans 1:17; 3:20-24; 5:8; 1 Corinthians 4:5;…
Counting on God’s Rule to Prevail
The short OT book of Habakkuk is chicken soup for the soul of those Christians who, like me, have grown weary of the never-ending bad news that continues to bombard us. We’ll look at Habakkuk’s complaints and the Lord’s responses. God assures Habakkuk and us today of His faithfulness to overcome evil and does so in a way that will bring a smile and a comforting sense of being loved by God as our hearts turn to Him in faith.…
Paying Greater Attention
Drifting is a nautical term that describes a boat being drawn off course by a current. While piloting a ship, the skipper must take care to compensate for the effects of current by adjusting his course and speed in order to arrive safely at the rendezvous point and avoid being dashed against the rocks along the way. Drifting is often used as a metaphor to describe other areas of our lives such as our relationships with other humans. Our dearest…
When Faith Grows (C)old
King David, shepherd, warrior and faithful servant of God one evening took a stroll and fell on the roof of his palace. But, did he fall unexpectedly or were there signs that something was missing in his relationship with God? As Christians, we have all likely seen our relationship with our God at some times grow cold. We struggle with sin and wonder where is God in our fight against unfaithfulness. David found the answer in the story of a…
The Sanctuary – Part 3 – Is Love Enough? – Atonement in the Sanctuary
In the history of the Christian church the doctrine of the atonement has developed along two distinct lines, designated by the words “subjective” and “objective”. Often these two aspects seem to be at odds with one another. The subjective aspect affirms that the atonement exercises primarily a moral influence on man, for the sinners benefit. Those holding this view teach that the purpose of the atonement was to secure the right response from the sinner, that God acted in and through…
The Sanctuary – Part 2 – The Plan of Redemption in the NT Sanctuary
Two weeks ago, I presented some thoughts about the Mosaic sanctuary and what a spiritually perceptive Hebrew might have thought about the sanctuary rituals. Within the sphere of the OT itself only inferences can be made as to the meaning of the sanctuary, its furnishings and its rituals since there is no discussion of its symbolism. Were it not for the insights of the NT the Israelite form of worship would remain obscure. Today we will discuss the sanctuary and…