We are now WholeLife.church
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • // FHC Connect

Florida Hospital Church logo Florida Hospital Church

Florida Hospital SDA Church
Switch to Sermon Only Switch to Full Service

How does conscience, free will, and subjugation to a denomination all fit together?

February 15, 2020

Download sermon notes

Episodes in this Series

3/3

How can I keep from having doubt with such ambiguity in the Bible?

February 22, 2020
2/3

How does conscience, free will, and subjugation to a denomination all fit together?

February 15, 2020
1/3

Is the Bible meant to speak to my culture today?

February 8, 2020

You May Also Enjoy

Recent Series

Jesus Doesn't Make Life Easy

Stewarding the Gospel

stew·ard·ing /ˈst(y)o͞oərd/eeng verb – managing or looking after another’s property

Expecting the Unexpected

Expecting the Unexpected: 2020 was totally unexpected and took a pretty drastic turn from the way that anyone thought it would go. This forced the world to employ a different plan for seemingly everything. God never intended the world to be what it is, but this goes back way further than 2020. Jesus came to this world 2,000 years ago. His arrival, as well as everything that surrounded it, was not what anyone expected.

While We Wait

Whether Jesus is coming next week or a year or two after we die, we are waiting. In this series we will learn from Scripture and the experience of some of the major characters in the Bible as we consider what we can do “While We Wait.”

Gathering at the Table In 2020

What does it mean to celebrate Communion together during COVID? Though we aren't physically in the same place, it's important to remind ourselves of the extravagant grace of our Savior. So gather some type of bread or cracker, and some type of beverage, and join us!

Simply Gospel

In the simplicity of the Gospel, there is a beauty that a child can comprehend and yet a depth of wisdom that will leave us amazed and wondering throughout eternity.

WholeLife Discipleship

We become molded into Christ by daily practicing spiritual formation (equipping), but this doesn’t happen in a bubble. A disciple is part of a community. We are all a disciple of someone, and we should all be discipling someone, from the oldest to the youngest. What is the cost of being a disciple?

Worshiping In Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood

What’s with this sudden popularity of a 1960s children’s television show host? Could it be that we are seeking the culture and welcome of God’s Kingdom that is reflected in Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood? What can the church learn about kindness and inclusion, and how does that inform the church’s responsibility? What can we do in the present (the now) to prepare for the family of God in the future (the not yet)?

#thisiswholelife

What have we learned during this unique time in history? How is our response to this current situation with COVID affected by our relationship with God?

What Really Matters?

During a time of crisis and pain, faith communities should be those places of refuge where we find our greatest strength and stability. How do we move forward in a "new normal" of what God intended for the Body of Christ?

Paul's Letter to the Orlandonians

Paul wrote a letter to the Church of Colossae. What does this letter of encouragement to this ancient church have to say to our church today?

Christ Has Risen

Whole Life Church Easter Service - Social Distancing and Socially Distant by Greg Creek and Andy McDonald

Finding Hope

How do you move towards hope? In our current world with all that is going on there can easily be a move to cynicism. Christians are called to be people of faith and faith, exercised well leads to hope, a change in direction from cynicism. How can we make sure to be people of hope? — Psalm 62: 5-6

About Sabbath

The Sabbath finds its roots in the story of creation. What does it mean for us today?

Great Question! 2020

What questions about the church, faith, and religion are on the hearts of young adults in 2020?

God of Your Whole Life

The Hospital Church will soon be known as WholeLife Church. How have our Mission, Vision, Values, and Strategy led us to this name?

Unwrapping Joy

The true joy of Christmas is found in a God whose plan of love is about relationship, sacrifice, and grace.

Grace Gratitude and Generosity

When we awaken to the enormity of the inexhaustible gift of grace, we just may transform into a follower of Jesus known for our generosity.

Musical Stories of Faith

What inspired the writing of the sacred hymns of old and continues to inspire Christian artists today?

Texts We Love to Misuse

There are certain texts in Scripture that we bend and twist to justify our own spiritual agendas. Exploring these texts and discovering their true intent will help us better understand the heart of God.

Danny & The Shacks

The Church's Model of Mission

Jesus left his disciples with a concrete way to remember his grace and their purpose – by sharing a meal. When Christians come together to celebrate Communion, it is with the intention of reminding ourselves that faith is an act of community, and it cannot be done alone.

Amoeba Summit 2019

The 4th Annual Amoeba Summit presented by Jordan Smeslki's Foundation and hosted by Advent Health for Children was held at the Florida Hospital Church on September 13, 2019.

A Case for Kindness

Caring for others as we care for ourselves can be a challenge. However, it is what we are called to do. What specific counsel does Jesus have for us with regard to living a life of kindness?

God is ...

Our annual summer series will feature voices from within the Hospital Church sharing how a particular attribute of God has changed their life.

Galatians: One for All/All for One

The church is called to is oneness. Being many (from many nations, cultures, backgrounds, races, language groups, political persuasions), “in Christ” we make up one - ONE Body of Christ.

I Am . . .

Youth in the Foster Care system can believe their identity is defined by their circumstances. Jesus knew who he was because of time spent with the Father. Who are we? Who are we called to be, and what influences our understanding of our identity?

A Victorious Life

What does Scripture reveal about living a life that will honor God? How can we be most open to God working in our lives?

Creation

Are our ideas about God limited by our discomfort with his creation? Is the nature of the natural world in conflict with the One who made it, or are the very things that surround us and overwhelm us a true reflection of who he is?

Easter - My Story

What is your Easter story? How should the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus impact and continue to form the followers of Christ?

The Bold Ask

There are many reasons, ways, and beings that approach God. What are some of the more “bold asks” recorded in Scripture, and what can we learn from them?

Right Worship

We are the creatures, and God is creator, and our right response is worship, devotion, adoration, attention, focus, fidelity, and love--not just at a "worship" service, but 24/7, our lives a living sacrifice.

My Stuff, My Things, My Concerns

When we believe our money and our possessions belong to us, we may begin to think of every other aspect of life in the same way. As his followers, we must recognize that we are not our own but God’s bought at a great price.

Season's Greetings

Holiday greeting cards carry a common series of words during this season. What do these greetings really mean?

Give Thanks to the Lord

There’s nothing wrong with asking God for things—to keep our wants, needs and aspirations all before God because he cares. But most authentically, we simply pray a prayer of “Thank You!”

The Church

What comes to your mind when you hear the word, just the word, “Church”? For many maybe it’s a building? Beyond the various tribes of body, beyond facilities, beyond singular local congregations, what we are talking about in this series, is the body of Christ - what some might call the invisible church.

Great Question!

This series addresses the top four questions given in a survey sent to FHC young adults who were asked what questions they would like to hear addressed in a sermon.

Text Me

During this series, we will hear from six different voices inside the FHC community, sharing their favorite text, why it is important to them, and how it has impacted their life.

Jesus Rescues

Celebrating a week of Vacation Bible School, we will take time to learn about the journeys of Paul.

Vision

What might happen if a whole church of people shifted from seeking to be served and having it their way to really be committed and fully engaged all the time in being a servant like Jesus? That church might just change the world.

Abraham's Many Children

Dr. Zed Stefanovic, professor of Old Testament History, offers insight into the connection between Christianity & Islam.

Proverbs: Advice for Graduates...and the rest of us

The ancient book of Proverbs offers amazingly relevant counsel for current situations and issues in today's world.

Issues We All Face

Shame, failure, responsibility for others, wanting/needing love - these are issues common to all humanity. How do we find belonging and acceptance in God?

Love

How does Christ expect his community to practice love? Since he is the clearest picture of God, what can we learn from Christ's life and how he interacted with others?

Resurrection Community

The Body of Christ, as the resurrection community, is the Spirit's work. Our calling is to be there to accept what, and who, is sent by the Father in Jesus' name.

The Church: Where Do I Fit In?

Many today are asking the question, "Where do I fit in?" There is permanence and belonging in Christ.

Lessons from Rembrandt

There are two paintings by Rembrandt that depict two very familiar emotions that plague the hearts of every person, fear and guilt. They are titled: "The Storm on the Sea of Galilee" and "The Return of the Prodigal Son." The Bible has a lot to say about both, and we will look at God's response to these common "go to" emotions for all of us.

Olympic Values

What can we learn from the values of this worldwide event that could be meaningful to the Christian life?

Creating a Culture of Worship

Every body of believers has a unique identity in the makeup of their congregation. How does that affect the authentic and relevant expression of worship?

A Life Well Lived

What defines a life well lived? As a follower of Jesus, the life of a Christian should reflect that of the One they follow. Jesus' example of service, generosity, and faithful dedication to God are the defining factors in that kind of life.

From the Heart

This monthly series comes from the heart of the FHC pastoral team and focuses on 12 issues that impact each individual and their connection to the church.

Hark! The Herald Angels Say . . .

What special messages do the angels who proclaimed the birth of our Savior have for us today?

Always Say Thank You

Saying thank you is a response to something from beyond ourselves. These humble words acknowledge all that we have that we have been given.

Pillars of the Reformation

When the Reformation began in 1517, the Church and culture began to change. The Solas are Latin phrases that emerged during this time that summarized the Reformers' theological convictions about the essentials of Christianity.

Amoeba Summit 2017

The 3rd Annual Amoeba Summit presented by Florida Hospital For Children was held at the Florida Hospital SDA Church on September 29, 2017.

Life Without Walls

In medieval times, walls served as the very best defense against almost any danger. With just a few vital resources, a small city with strong walls could hold off massive armies with very little effort. Today we smile at how time and ingenuity has rendered these walls obsolete, but that’s not the only thing they show us. If our way of creating personal safety and security is typically achieved by building walls, eventually we will be disappointed on many fronts.

Guest Speakers

On occasion, FHC is privileged to invite voices outside our regular preaching team to speak about our community. We are blessed by the Spirit leading these gifted men and women as they share God's story with our congregation.

Faith in the Workplace

What difference does your faith make in your career and in how you interact with those in your daily area of influence? Four voices from the FHC community will share their personal experiences.

Created By God For a Purpose

It's VBS week at FHC, and this year’s theme is “Maker Fun Factory." Our children are learning that they were created by God for a purpose. However, this message isn’t just for kids . . . it’s for all of us. Humanity is God’s plan, and regardless of who we are or where we’ve been, God has a great purpose for each one of us.

The Promise Fulfilled

What can Twenty-first Century followers of Christ learn from First Century believers? What does the experience found in the Gospels and the Book of Acts tell us about building Christ’s Church today?

Lonely

Loneliness doesn’t always mean being alone. The experience of being lonely happens when individuals feel unloved, misunderstood, unsupported, or sometimes when they have themselves intentionally disconnected. What is our responsibility to those experiencing loneliness?

But If Not ...

There are many times in our own lives when we are part of something much larger than ourselves – something that we will not see to the end, and something that may not bear our names. However, we have the privilege, as we step into these narratives for even a short period of time, to throw ourselves into God’s bigger purpose and His broader plan for His people, His places, and His glory.

The Road to the Resurrection

Hindsight is always 20/20. However, followers of Christ didn’t have the benefit of hindsight. From their perspective, all was lost when their Savior lay dead and buried in a tomb. Though Jesus tried to prepare them for what was to come, the actual dawning of hope on the third day was for more than they could have hoped.

Redemptive Flexibility

God is incredibly flexible with us, and we should be with one another - working with each other even when we are not at our best. God decided to give Israel a king against his good judgment, supporting them even when they differ from him . . . a bold concept

Passages Rarely Preached

Some Scriptures are difficult to preach. Their meaning may be muddy, and the concepts difficult to understand. However, if the time is taken to explore these passages rarely preached, the lessons learned are well worth the effort.

Milk and Meat

Paul talks about the law as a tutor that leads to an understanding of grace. The law is the thing needed when we are children (the milk) on our way to an adult understanding of God. The mature understanding (the meat) is that of grace, love, kindness, and simple salvation.

Power Plays

A power play kicked off the sin problem. It remains at the center of the sin problem, and it draws us in. Is there an antidote?

The Generous Life

Generosity is God’s work, and when there is an unreserved dedication to God, then followers are open to go, do or give according to God's direction. God invites us into acts of generosity.

'Tis the Season

The Christmas season is a time to celebrate the birth of our Savior. However, this celebration doesn't only cause us to look back, it also calls us to look forward in expectation of the time Jesus will return and what that means for us today.

Now What?

How do we go forward in life in face of contentious issues and major disagreements? How do we find unity? What makes us American is more than a president. What makes us part of the Church is greater than denominational leaders.

Journey Through Ecclesiastes

What does the book of Ecclesiastes tell us about the broken world we live in and the challenges of faith and doubt? Where do we find meaning and purpose when life doesn't turn out the way we expected?

Theology of Hope

Guest Speaker: Dr. Tony Campolo. Even as evil grows in contemporary society, Jesus assures us that His Kingdom—the Kingdom of God—is growing and more evident in the world today.

Debating With Grace

Dr. Steve Brown and Dr. Tony Campolo are friends and theologians from different sides of the political aisle. This afternoon discussion on issues relevant to the 2016 election season showed how important topics can be discussed with civility and respect.

Proclaiming Jubilee

Jesus came to declare freedom—for the oppressed, enslaved and imprisoned—to declare jubilee! How can we be part of bringing justice and emancipation for the 40 million slaves today?

Amoeba Summit 2016

The 2nd Annual Amoeba Summit presented by Florida Hospital For Children was held at the Florida Hospital SDA Church on September 9, 2016.

Rated R for Relevance

We avoid some topics in Scripture because they're difficult. However, these conversations are relevant and essential for Christians. This series will address several of these challenging verses and stories.

Unfinished

Based on Philippians 1:6 and Hebrews 12:1-2, a variety of voices from FHC share their perspectives on the unfinished masterpiece God continues to create in our lives.

Hope

In the aftermath of the tragic shooting in Orlando, the stories of “we the people of Orlando,” and “we the children of God,” must supersede the story of “us and them.” As followers of Christ, we believe that a day will come when evil will be no more, and righteousness will reign because of what Jesus has done. He is our hope.

Jonah: God and Rebels

Often God is portrayed as vengeful and angry—even anxious to destroy deviants. How is that image encouraged or changed by the small, four-chapter story of one prophet, one city, one big fish and one God?

The Challenge of Change

Followers of Christ, who have received grace, must extend it. Every effort should be made to lead to peace and mutual edification. Within a consumer-minded culture, what challenges do we face in our efforts to serve others with worship?

Taking a Fresh Look at Creation Health

Why be healthy? What is the point of caring for our physical body and our mental and psychosocial health?  How can we practice these principles as a way to honor God and serve others?

We Can Do Better

Jesus uses a child to demonstrate greatness in His kingdom and cautions on the great danger for anyone leading a child. Abuse is a severe problem in our culture, and we must be the voice for ones who cannot speak for themselves.

How to Seven Your Life

Sabbath should make a difference in all of life, not just one day in seven.  It should make a difference in the way we use our time and resources and the way we relate to others.

Group Life

We live in a world of interpersonal relationships. How does Scripture guide us in valuing friendships and caring for each other with healthy boundaries?

Philippians

What does Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi teach us about stewarding ourselves, each other and God’s word?

Christmas Carols

God is with us—in answered promises, realized dreams and refreshed hope. How could we help but sing? What truths are found in the songs born from our joy that Christ has entered the world?

Why Church?

Christ’s Body, the Church, has in all its components experienced spiritual blessings. The Church exists for worship, fellowship and service.

Gifted by Grace

The Bible teaches that all of us have uniquely placed gifts from God to be used for him. What is the work of the Holy Spirit? How do we discover our giftedness and what it means to use our spiritual gifts?

We Are One Body

The Lord’s Supper. We call it Communion, but what do we mean? Are we just mimicking what Jesus and the disciples did the night before the Crucifixion? Is it just a symbol, or is it more than that?

What We Might Forget

Sometimes we may forget who we really are and why we’re here. We were created in the image of God, but what responsibilities come with that truth?

Jesus Talks

Research tells us that young people are leaving the Church and, most troubling, their relationships with Jesus. Is it possible that the faith of each member of the community has an impact on young people? If so, what can we do about it?

Acts 2 - The Rest of the Story

The early Church didn’t talk about “going” to church; they talked more about “being” the Church. Luke unpacks the rest of the story: a body of believers committed to learning, loving and prayer, living in a continual devotion to these things.

Twelve Months to Grow

The inward disciplines of prayer, fasting, meditation, and study in the Christian life, the outward disciplines of simplicity, solitude, submission, and service, and the corporate disciplines of confession, worship, guidance, and celebration are explored as opportunities to bring authenticity to the spiritual life.

Liberty and Justice For...

The idea of freedom is far from a current reality for many around the world. How can those who believe in the eternal freedom offered by God’s grace be involved in bringing actual living freedom to “captives” in our world today?

God’s Power Tools

Every biblical father has an imperfect fatherhood tenure. As we consider the attributes of a godly male role model, perhaps spiritual qualities—meekness, humility, sharing, mentoring, dedication and loyalty—show up in the legacies and not on the personal scoreboards.

FHC Vision

The clear mission and unquestionable direction at FHC is that we are about loving people into a lifelong friendship with God. What does that look like as we contemplate the future impact of our church?

One And The Same

Should we utilize the understanding and advancement of cultural norms rather than take Scripture as literally applied in all situations? What is the full picture of God’s relationship and teaching about gender equality?

What Happens Here Doesn’t Stay Here

There are two expectations of members at FHC: each person carries the responsibility to minister on Christ’s behalf throughout the week and to live a life of spiritual authenticity.

Beyond Doubt

What can the story of the Resurrection teach us about our moments of doubt? How might God’s willingness to meet His disciples where they were encourage us today?

Being Successful at Missing the Point

When our desire for righteousness exceeds the desire for a relationship with Jesus, is a counterfeit faith the result? What happens when church traditions become barriers that keep people away from God? The Bible is the greatest love story ever told, so why do we so seldom read it from that perspective?

Share

Hoarding and holding, grabbing and getting, and looking out for number one too often rules the day. Can we trust God enough to share what He puts in our hands? How do we lay down our lives for others?

Beliefs

The Seventh-day Adventist Church claims 28 Fundamental Beliefs. Are they all of equal importance? Do they stand on their own, or do they point to something—or Someone—greater?

Our Favorites

/

How Will My Church Embrace Those in the LGBTQ Community?

September 16, 2017

This series will be developed from a survey sent to young adults asking what question they would like to be addressed in church. This Week’s Question explores how will my church embrace those in the LGBTQ community?
/

But If Not…

April 22, 2017

There are many times in our lives when we are part of something much larger than ourselves – something that we will not see to the end, and something that may not bear our names. However, we have the privilege, as we step into these narratives for even a short period of time, to throw […]
/

‘Tis the Season of Hope

December 3, 2016

John the Baptist was the designated messenger of a direct message: Repent, because the one who will change your life is coming, and you don’t want your current baggage to weigh you down. John had been giving that message since he was in utero, leaping in the presence of a pregnant Mary. John preached hope: […]
/

Pure Religion = Do Something

April 23, 2016

It’s so much easier to talk about faith and argue about biblical interpretation or doctrinal nuances than it is to get up and do something. The Bible is boldly clear that actions accompany faith. What will it mean for us to “Do Something?”

Florida Hospital Church logo

Florida Hospital Church
2800 N. Orange Ave.
Orlando, FL 32804

Join us on Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube // FHC Connect