Welcome to the website of the Anaheim Seventh-day Adventist Church. If you are looking for a place to worship, we would be honored to have you join us. We are very close to Disneyland and the surrounding hotels.

We are located at 900 Sunkist St., Anaheim, CA 92806. Our main worship service is on Saturdays at 11:00 AM. We also offer Sabbath School classes for all ages beginning at 9:30 AM. In addition we offer a Spanish speaking Sabbath School and Devotional service that begins at 9:00 AM.  You can go here to see recent bulletins from our worship services.

Our office hours are Tuesday – Thursday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. For more information, you may contact us us via phone at 714.635.0991, or via email at anaheimsda@gmail.com.

Recent Sermons:

 

Mid-Week Pastor’s Update

 

July 19, 2017

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me… I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. John 10:14,16

In the above passage, Jesus uses a sweet and endearing illustration to describe his relationship with his believers. They say that shepherds, particularly in the old days, knew their sheep individually. Shepherding was no 9-to-5 or seasonal job; it was day-in, day-out, year-in, year-out undertaking. Similarly, the otherwise skittish and nervous animals knew their master: they would be soothed by his voice, knowing that he was their protection and guide. This, of course, evokes the much beloved passage of Psalm 23, the famous “The Lord is my Shepherd” chapter. That chapter, is, of course, written from the point of view of the ‘sheep’, or the follower, whereas here in John chapter 10, the good shepherd speaks to us.

In this passage, Jesus teaches of many things: the gate, by which honest ones enter, as opposed to the thieves or wolves who climb in over the wall to steal, kill, or destroy. He also speaks of ‘hired hands’, who are there in the good times, but run away when troubles come. The Good Shepherd, however is not like this. He, in contrast, gives up his life for the sake of the sheep – an obvious allusion to the sacrifice he would soon make as the propitiation (sin offering which brings forgiveness) for all humanity. (1 John 2:2)

Then, perhaps surprisingly, Jesus goes on to talk about ‘sheep not of this fold’ who will hear and follow him. Could Jesus mean that there was salvation outside of Judaism? Indeed, yes, He did! This may not seem radical to us, but it certainly would’ve been perceived as so for Jews in his day who grasped his meaning. In our day, could it mean that there are sincere ‘sheep’ of his outside of Adventism or even outside Christianity? The thought may be as radical to us as it was to the Jewish hearers of his own day. But before we get offended and defensive, let’s consider some similar teaching elsewhere in scripture:

The Apostle Paul gives some good insight into this topic when he, in Romans chapter 2, verses 14-16, writes that “Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them. This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.” Indeed, he says, there are non-Jews living up to whatever light they have been able to receive, their consciences and hearts serving as a law to them. And when they live up to this, they will be defended on the day of Judgment!

Now, let’s not get confused: I don’t believe that anyone is saved apart from Christ. However, for those who have heard his call through their hearts/consciences to live well and generously and honestly, they may be finding out about Christ’s specific name and mission from the other side of eternity! And God may even employ us to help teach them! Isn’t that amazing?!

Of course, we are not simply to ‘wait’ for that day to come to see what happens; the Lord brings ‘honest sheep’ across our paths today as well, and we can tell them of the Good Shepherd and the hope and joy He brings us. And as we do, they may very well hear Christ’s voice calling them through their hearts as they study with us!

Friends, I cannot think of anything so thrilling as this, to be co-workers with Christ in the all-important work of salvation! If you’re confused or curious as to how to do this, do not hesitate to come to my office hours or contact me for a specific appointment time for how we can lead others to Christ through encouraging interactions and Bible-study. Simply reading them this passage would be a good start!

Let us, first, be dedicated to our Loving Shepherd. Let’s keep attentive to His voice and follow Him wherever He goes (Revelation 14:4). And at every chance, let us direct people to His consoling voice & guiding hand. And may we ever enjoy being “the sheep of His pasture” (Psalm 95:7)!

God bless you all.

Sincerely,
Pastor Mark Tatum

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