Imporatant Questions in a Time of Crisis

Important Questions in a Time of Crisis

One of the phrases that you may have heard a few times recently is “uncharted territory.” I have heard people talk about uncharted territory in a variety of contexts over the past weeks as they struggle with the uncertainty of our current situation. It seems to capture what has been perhaps the most difficult aspect of the pandemic – all the unknowns. The impact of the virus seems to change by the day, both in terms of where and how many people are becoming infected and dying and in terms of response: new restrictions, new recommendations, new rules, and new ideas for treatment and prevention. How long will this continue? What additional measures should be taken? What will the final impact be? There always seem to be many more questions than answers.

As we struggle with these unknowns, it is good for us to dig a level deeper and ask some questions about faith. This is a time for us to step back and think about what the theme of these messages means: faith in the face of pandemic. I would like to pose a set of three important spiritual questions for each of us to consider, in light of the scriptures that we will look at today.

Do Not Free Only Believe

Do Not Free Only Believe

I want to start us off this week encouraging us to pray for our pastors and our government leaders.  One this we all need to remember is that none of them have ever been through anything like this.  The last major pandemic was the Spanish Flu of 1918.  Let’s be praying for supernatural wisdom for Fred, Carl, John, our President, our Governor, and all who have to make decisions during this time.

Let’s pray and begin.

Father, I do pray this morning for all our leaders: our three pastors, our government officials, those within the CDC, and others who are making decisions and policies during this very trying time in uncharted waters.  I ask that You would give them wisdom to make decisions.  I pray that You would help us to follow the directives and to help us to seek ways to encourage each other and spread the Gospel during this very trying time.

I pray also that You would give me Your words this morning, not mine, and that You would bless this meeting as it has a very different twist to it than what we are all used to.

A common topic as of late has been fear.  Fear of contracting the virus.  Fear of death.  Fear of a deep financial recession.  Fear of how all of this will affect our November elections.  But, as we all know, believers should not be people of fear.  We should exude joy and confidence in these tumultuous times. 

Faith in the Face of Pandemic

Faith in the Face of Pandemic

Welcome! In a world that is changing so quickly that it takes your breath away, I (Carl) want to open this morning with straight Scripture. I encourage you to let these truths, which you have all heard before, wash over you, so that you are reminded again of what you already know to be true.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. – Hebrews 13:8

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. – Joshua 1:9b

When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought me joy. – Psalm 94:19

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. – Matthew 6:34

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philipians 4:6-7

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. – John 14:27

Gifts of the King

Matthew 9:9-34

Welcome!  Glad to see all of you here this morning!  We’re in the middle of a series on the book of Matthew entitled “The Kingdom of Jesus.”  In the decades before Jesus was born in Bethlehem, expectations grew for the Messiah who would bring the kingdom of God to earth.  For centuries, prophets had written about the coming King and kingdom, but the age of the prophets had seemed to end. Life in Israel at the time of Jesus was difficult as a result of foreign occupation and interference. Matthew gives us the fantastic true story of how in the midst of trying times Messiah had come.

King Over All

Matthew 8:18-9:8

One of my tasks this past week was to give some advice to two friends who are working in a remote part of Central Asia. Some cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus have been showing up in their country, leading to rumors that some borders might be closed and even internal travel restricted. These friends have been wondering if it would be better to just stay where they are or try to get out while they still can. I wasn’t sure what to tell them. It is very difficult to predict what the long-term impact of this virus will be. You probably saw the news recently that our top health officials are now predicting that there will be significant community transmission of the virus in the US and it is likely that more than half of the world’s population will eventually be infected. The human and economic cost could be massive. But it is just so difficult to know which predictions to believe.

In the uncertainty and chaos of the world around us it is good to remember what the title of this week’s message states: Jesus is king over all. This sermon series in Matthew is focusing on the kingdom of Jesus. He came not just to bring salvation and eternal life but also to proclaim this rule of God, to assert his authority over the world and everything in it. His reign means the defeat of Satan and victory over all the evil effects of sin.