This Sabbath, we will continue to follow Jesus in the “Intense Moments with Jesus” sermon series as He climbs a mountain with Peter, James, and John. As I prepared my sermon during this past week, I was transfixed by verse 8 of Matthew chapter 17. The verse reads, “When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.” Before this verse, the disciples had been absorbed in doubt, sorrow, and ambitious thoughts regarding Christ and His soon-coming kingdom according to the Spirit of Prophecy (DA, p. 422). Immediately before this verse, the disciples were sleeping on the job while Christ needed encouragement and support. They were awakened from sleep by cameo appearances of Old Testament GOATS (Greatest of All Time), Moses (Greatest Lawgiver), and Elijah (Greatest Prophet). They were also overwhelmed by hearing the voice from the heavens declaring and confirming Jesus as the beloved Son of God. Wow, there was so much to take in, yet only one thing mattered when the sight and sound show was over: ONLY JESUS!
Recently, the Adventist Review magazine held a writing contest for young adults at a GYC (Generation of Youth for Christ) Conference with the following question, “How is Adventism most relevant to society today?” I have chosen to share major portions (Adventist Review, 23, February 2025) of the winning submission because the author speaks directly to my sermon’s key theme and my burning personal desire to seek ONLY JESUS. “After nearly 200 years since the first proclamation of our distinct message, does Adventism still hold the relevance it once held? In a society in which people are fast losing their identity, in which escapism is rampant, and suicide is on the rise, in which pleasure, ease, and materialism are the chief pursuits, in which truth is relative and relationships are unstable, in which everyone is busy, stressed, and distracted, what does Adventism have to offer that is unique?”
“Well, some might say that we have the Sabbath, the sanctuary, or any other of our distinctive doctrines to offer. Others might say that we have the health message and the writings of Ellen G. White. Still, others might say that we have the right understanding of the 1260-day prophecy. And these are all true and crucial. But we have more to offer than mere doctrines, reforms, and prophecies. We have more to offer than a clearer understanding, a better lifestyle, or a friendly church meeting on the right day. Adventism has substance to offer, the only thing of real substance. To a society that is full of broken people, empty promises, and unfulfilled ideals, Adventism offers a truly biblical worldview and a fuller picture of Christ. To the atheist steeped in error, we offer Christ as the truth made manifest; to the college student struggling with depression and purpose, we offer Christ as the purpose of our existence; to the broken family, we offer Christ, the loving friend to heal the wounded hearts of humanity; to the millions struggling with addictions, we offer Christ, the one who sets the captives free; to the people looking forward to the future with fear and despair, we offer Christ, the Rock of refuge; to the weary and heavy-laden, we offer Christ, the Lord of the Sabbath; to every trembling sinner, we offer Christ, their personal Savior. We offer help for the helpless, rest for the restless, hope for the hopeless, power for the powerless. Adventism is so relevant because our distinctive doctrines, our reforms, and our prophecies all point to Christ, and uplift Him not only as the one who died for us, but as the one who ever lives to make intercession for us; not only as the one who offers us forgiveness from sin’s penalty, but as the one who provides lasting freedom from its power.”
“When seen in this light, what could be more relevant than Adventism? Yet we are relevant to the world only to the proportion that we offer them the message of Christ. If we seem to be becoming irrelevant in our society, it is not because society is changing—it is because we are. While everything else we have is important, we cannot afford to separate our distinctive truths from the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” As I read this submission, I was compelled to share the words of this young adult with my congregation and shout, ONLY JESUS!
In closing, the desire of my life and ministry can be summed up in a simple chorus sung by the contemporary Christian singing group Casting Crowns. They have a song entitled “Only Jesus” and the chorus reads “And I, I do not want to leave a legacy, I do not care if they remember me, Only Jesus. And I, I have only got one life to live, I will let every second point to Him, Only Jesus.” I pray that these words will be the song within our hearts and the determination within our minds, ONLY JESUS.