Seffner Community Advent Christian Church

09/04/2026

Good Morning Church and friends. I hope you all have a happy Labor Day weekend. September 7 is the latest that Labor day can be. It is interesting that work was part of mans responsibilities since the beginning (Genesis 2:15), but it did not become labor until after the Fall and is part of the curse and result of sin (Genesis 3:17-19. By the sweat of your face (esv) some versions use brow, we eat from the earth cursed to produce thorns and thistles. One of the rewards of the faithful laborer is rest, often called a Sabbath rest (a subject for another time). Matthew 11:28 (esv) "Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." I wonder what that rest will be like and if it will involve work that is not labor?
Stay faithful
Pastor Gary

09/03/2026

Good Morning Church and friends. Hymns have always been a good medium for expressing beliefs in God. Hymns of praise, hymns of prayer, hymns of repentances and salvation, Hymns about God's nature and grace. Hymns can be inspired and inspiring but they are not inerrant or infallible. They are often based on scripture but they are not scripture unless of course Paul uses one in his epistles. Yesterday we saw one case in which Paul uses what most believe to be part of a hymn to illustrate a point. Today we look at the second time Paul uses what most believe to be part of a hymn in his second letter to Timothy. 2 Timothy 2:11-13 (esv) "The saying is trustworthy, for: if we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful - for he cannot deny himself."
Stay faithful
Pastor Gary

09/02/2026

Good Morning Church and friends. I have often been asked throughout the years, in phone calls or by visitors at a church service, "What do Advent Christians believe?" I'm often tempted to ask them, "What do you want us to believe? We're very accommodating." No, I don't!" But it does lead to some interesting conversations. I find it interesting that Paul did not always use scripture (which, for him, would have been the Old Testament) in his arguments but on occasion would quote what some consider parts of hymns, which ironically become our scripture. One such place is 1 Timothy 3:16 (esv) "Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness; He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory."
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Pastor Gary

09/01/2026

Good Morning Church and friends. Not wanting to be a pastor after graduating from Berkshire with a B.A. in Theology and major in Secondary Education, I attended Springfield College in Springfield, MASS. studying towards a Masters in Physical Education. Needing some credits outside my major I took an elective class on Religion taught by a Catholic priest. I figured an easy A. I with my degree in Theology and another couple who were very zealous for Jesus were the only Christians in the class of about 20 students. The teacher taught that the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church were equal in authority to the Bible. The zealous couple argued with him heatedly at times making the class very interesting. His final exam was a face to face oral exam. He and I had a very cordial conversation and he respected my defense of the Scriptures and I got my A. 2 Timothy 3:16 (esv) "All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness."
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Pastor Gary

08/31/2026

Good Morning Church and friends. Almost from the very start of the church (Paul's biggest worry was someone coming in and stealing their faith) false prophets, false teachers and teaching have been a threat. A lot of John's letters were written to defend against Gnosticism. Other letters were written to defend against a false gospel, a false Christ. Paul, Peter and John wrote to show truth from error using words and phrases like, "On this we take our stand", "This is an honorable saying", "This we believe." 1 Thessalonians 4:13,14 (esv) "But we do not want you to be uninformed (some versions use ignorant), brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others who do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep."
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Pastor Gary

08/30/2026

08/28/2026

Good Morning Church and friends. No one knows what the future holds for the Advent Christian denomination. Most predictions are fairly dire. How much longer can we continue with shrinking numbers of members, churches and pastors? There are a lot of good people who love the Lord and work hard in our denomination. We may be small, but I truly believe that there will be people who will be saved and encouraged in their faith by our churches and people who would not otherwise be saved if we did not exist. Our little church here in Seffner, as small and poor and struggling as we are has touched peoples lives who would not have been touched by a larger church. God still has a purpose for us, as a pastor, a church, a denomination. The theme of General Conference should continue to be our rallying cry! "Press On!" May Jesus find us faithful when he returns. Galatians 6:9 "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up"
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Pastor Gary

08/27/2026

Good Morning Church and friends. One thing that was painfully obvious at the years triennial ACGC convention was the aging of our pastors. I thought it was significant that a number of our younger pastors and leaders were put front and center. Starting with 3 out of 4 of the key note speakers, Daniel Karl, Andy Rice and Mike Alix. The main author (like Thomas Jefferson and our Declaration of Independence) of the revised Declaration of Principles (which was not adopted) Tom Loghry also played a big role in the convention. These guys, along with a few others need our prayer support as they pick up the mantle of Advent Christian leadership. And don't forget John Tate the new president. 1 Corinthians 3:9-11 (esv) "For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
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Pastor Gary

08/26/2026

Good Morning Church and friends. My second favorite thing about the acgc convention behind seeing old friends was the worship time before each nights featured speaker. This years worship leading group was very good and their choice of songs was also very good. One thing our denomination (even this was disputed by some) does well together is worship through singing. There are very many talented singers and musicians in our denomination. Worshiping together is always an inspiring time. I can only imagine what it will be like singing in the kingdom. Psalm 100:1,2 (esv) "Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!"
Stay faithful
Pastor Gary

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08/25/2026

Good Morning Church and friends. The biggest part of the Advent Christian General Conference triennial convention was the delegate body trying to definitively define what or who an Advent Christian is? It is an issue that has been long debated among us. The main problem (my opinion) is, we don't want to write down on paper what we can agree on that we believe. Why? Again, my opinion, and we all know how much that is worth, is the only thing we can all agree on is that Jesus Christ is coming back some day, hence the name ADVENT Christian. Acts 1:11 " Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."
Stay faithful
Pastor Gary