Do you know who you are? “Of course I know who I am! I am Professor John Smith of Someplace, USA, born to Mom and Dad Smith.” But I’m not talking about your name, your profession, where you live, or who your parents are.
Let me reword the question. Do you know who you are in terms of your religious beliefs and relationship with God? “Of course I know who I am! I am a Seventh-day Adventist.” OK, but what does that mean? Dr. Max Hammonds proposes that it goes beyond simply saying that we obey ALL of the Ten Commandments and that Jesus is coming back to take His followers home to heaven.
Presented in this book is a carefully reasoned and biblically sound exploration of familiar topics that we always thought we understood. With warm personal stories told in the style of a private conversation at a quiet retreat, Dr. Hammonds works through the basic fundamentals of what it means to be a Christian and a Seventh-day Adventist in the real world, living for God during the Time of the End.
Book Sample Chapters:
I have never prayed so much and so hard over any written work—or sermon, for that matter—as I have this book. Th e chapters of this manuscript began as sermons, most of them preached at the St. Petersburg Seventh-day Adventist Church when I was the head elder and, for a time, the unofficial lay pastor of that congregation. But the book began many years ago as a series of questions I had concerning this unusual Protestant denomination that I had joined and grown to love. Th e book was mostly centered around one question: Did they know who they were? Did they realize how much they knew, that other folk did not know?
For our very first, more complete conversation, I have a very simple message for you from the Lord. It’s a one-word message. I can say it in one scripture verse. In fact, when I’m finished, I think you’ll say, “Why didn’t you just say so?”
Well, here we are again, comfy chairs and all. (I pray that you are in a comfortable posi- tion wherever you are.) I hope you had a good rest and took a little time to think about what we dis- cussed last time. Even as an overview, I know it was a lot to absorb in one sitting. But I’m trying to limit my discussion to only a review of the char- acteristics that you and I—as Seventh-day Adven- tists—share with Christians in general. I am pray- ing that you’ll take some time when you are alone to think about and to solidify in your own mind these basic concepts.
Welcome back. Make yourself comfortable while I explain what I want to do during our next few discussions (chapters, for those of you whose circumstances do not allow an imagined personal conversation). If you’re keeping track, this is the “middle section” in our series of conversations that I mentioned in our very first session together. This is the point where I want to transition to a discussion about having a deeper, more intimate, more intense relationship with God.
Hello, again. Now that you’ve returned, I’m ready, even anxious, to turn that corner that I talked about. I’m ready to concentrate on the unique spiritual and historical description of the Seventh-day Adventist Church—and you as a Seventh-day Adventist Christian. Remember, I ask my
curiously hard question, not only of the church body, but of you.
[Trumpet Fanfare] “Ladies and gentlemen— and children of all ages—give me your attention, please! You have already enjoyed the always entertaining Dandy Dogs and Ponies in Ring #1, and the mysterious Oriental Elephants in Ring #3! But now! Direct your attention to Ring #2, the center ring, as we present—the amazing—the startling—the astounding …”
For I have chosen him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice; in order that the Lord may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him. Genesis 18:19
Hi, again. Come join me. I see you’ve brought your Bible. Good for you. I’ve got a cup of something warm to drink. You can have one, too, if you like. It’s over there on the counter. Then come, sit next to me.