by R. THEODORE L. V. BROWNE
As a demonstration of recognition, appreciation and compassion, The Kingstown Seventh Day Adventist Church cordially extended an invitation to me and my wife on 30th December 2023 to attend their Community Guest Day Service. It was a most joyful and inspiring occasion. We met many good, old friends.
Based on our knowledge, the Adventists put great emphasis on Education and take quite seriously the notion that God places no premium on ignorance and in support of this view, they can cite numerous Biblical references. The Seventh Day Adventist Church has great competence and research capability as is evident from the findings of their high, world ranking and famous Medical School, Loma Linda in the United States of America as well as the global high ranking status of Andrews University where the renowned scholar and greatly admired and revered and erudite Professor Samuel Baccolhi lectured for many years and who wrote the classic book called “Divine Rest for Human Restlessness – considered by eminent apologists to be the Magnus Opus of scholarly work on the interpretation of the Sabbath.
The Adventists constitute a bright light in areas of darkness, directing the way to travel as the wise men were guided by the light of a bright shining star to the place where Jesus was found. So it was right to follow the star. In other words, the wise men in their wisdom, did what was right. They followed the star-the political and spiritual symbolism can be enlightening and persuasive. Light shows the way to go and exposes dangers, demons, devils and darkness. In fact, darkness disappears when light enters a room.
I respect the Biblical scholarship and research skills of the Adventist. They seem to know everything by their careful research. For example, it was an eye opening, truthful and factual revelation when the following matters were exposed:
That my wife and I have six children all of whom are graduates of the University of the West Indies: in Law, Medicine, Engineering, Economics, Mathematics, Actuarial Science, Banking and Finance.
That all our children are also postgraduates with higher degrees from leading British Universities with Luke being a post graduate of Oxford University – ranked as the highest University in the world and being a first class honours graduate in law and thereafter emerging successfully with a distinction in his legal training course from the Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn in England, the first known Vincentian to do so.
That both parents are also graduates of the University of the West Indies and also post graduates with distinction and merit from two leading British Universities –Leicester and Newcastle.
We give God thanks and we commend the Adventists for giving us the opportunity to be grateful and for helping us not to fall into the category of the 90% lepers in St Luke 17 who did not return to give thanks to Jesus after being cleansed of leprosy – that awful incurable malady with boils on the skin oozing a creamy, unpleasant smell thereby making the leper socially unfit with a noisy bellringing clamour to draw the attention of the public to his presence or allowing them sufficient time to escape from his approaching presence. To be delivered from that loathsome disease and its associated smell was indeed a great emancipation from physical and mental slavery. It was a time to rejoice, dance, sing and give thanks with raised hands in the air for deliverance from that bondage.
YOU CAN TRUST THE ADVENTIST.
You can trust the competence and research capability and capacity of the Seventh Day Adventist. They expose the truth based on the discovery of the facts.
As we take a close look at the beautifully designed invitation document, we see to the left, the handsome face of Pastor Shane Franklyn and on the right, a prominent figure of a cross, clearly indicating that a personal encounter with Jesus Christ will change the Minus of One’s life into a Plus – Not a Subtraction and that is a desirable life changing objective. Old things are passed away and all things become new when we seek first or give priority to the Kingdom of God – abundant blessings will be added – not subtracted.
What a powerful sermon! I wish I could get a copy of that life changing and edifying message.
Thank you Pastor Shane Franklyn. That message should be circulated beyond the four walls of a building. The harvest is often more plenteous when the good seeds of a sermon are scattered by printing, broadcasting or by viewing it.