A Christian Emergency Response Guide
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28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.
28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.
When I went to Myanmar almost two years ago, I flew on a lot of different planes. One thing that was consistent on every plane I flew on was that at the beginning of the flight, there was an emergency response announcement to help the passengers to know what to do in case of an emergency.
Looking back on the events of one year ago today, as well as all the things we have experienced in this past year in each person’s individual life, it is obvious to see that things do not always go as well as we plan.
Even this week, I have had the opportunity to be reminded of this as I scrambled to reschedule speakers for our revival next week, that I was hoping would work our ok. So, this the text this morning is a reminder to myself, as well as everyone of you as we are reminded of the Hurricane that devastated our area last year, and of the deaths and sicknesses that we have experienced recently.
Sometimes we are faced with things that we do not expect, and often cannot understand in the moment. Most of the times, in those moments, you feel almost as if you are in a fog, and the events are not real, because we do not know how to process them at the time. It is at times like that that every one of us needs to remember how to respond. Therefore, this morning, I would like to share with you a Christian Emergency Response Guide to help you keep things in perspective in a crisis, whether on an individual personal level or even on a national or worldwide scale.
1. Remain Calm
1. Remain Calm
As cheesy as it sounds, panicking is never good in a crisis, no matter what form the crisis might take.
Paul is addressing the Roman Church in the face of persecution, and he begins by reminding them that, “We Know.” It almost seems that Paul addresses them form a place of personal certainty on their part, but that is not quite the perspective that he writes from, because if they were certain of what Paul was telling them, there would be know reason for him to write to them.
So, Paul writes to them as a reminder, because, in a crisis:
Certainty is Seldom Foremost in Our Mind
Certainty is Seldom Foremost in Our Mind
We don’t always know why we are going through the things we are going through.
We don’t always know why we are going through the things we are going through.
Problems that result from outside circumstances beyond our control
Hurricane Matthew
National Economic Changes
National Political Changes
Problems that result from our own personal decisions
Financial Difficulties
Relational Difficulties
Problems that do not always fall into either category
Health Problems
We Do not Know How Things Will Ultimately Workout in the End.
We Do not Know How Things Will Ultimately Workout in the End.
We are so Focused on the Problem that we cannot Consider a Solution.
We are so Focused on the Problem that we cannot Consider a Solution.
Secondly, Paul writes to them as a reminder, because:
Certainty often Comes only with Introspection and Consultation
Certainty often Comes only with Introspection and Consultation
Immediate Knowledge versus Intrinsic Knowledge
Immediate Knowledge versus Intrinsic Knowledge
Paul isn’t saying that we know immediately, but that we know intrinsically.
Immediate knowledge
that which we know almost instinctively.
that which requires little consideration on our part.
Intrinsic Knowledge
things that we know deep down
that which we know only after spending time reasoning through a process or being reminded of them by someone else.
involves weighing those things we already know.
So, when you are faced with any situation that might lead you to panic or become distressed about the situation, take the time to consider the situation and recall those things you know for certain.
Then....
2. Remember Who is Working on the Problem
2. Remember Who is Working on the Problem
"all things work together” - one word verb
Not a euphemism for, “It will all work out in the end.”
Unspoken subject of the verb “GOD”
This one phrase reminds us of three essential theological truths we all need to embrace.
God is always on the job.
God is always on the job.
11 The Lord spoke to Moses, 12 “I have heard the complaints of the Israelites. Tell them: At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will eat bread until you are full. Then you will know that I am Yahweh your God.”
You are His Most Valuable Creation
You are His Most Valuable Creation
29 Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s consent. 30 But even the hairs of your head have all been counted. 31 So don’t be afraid therefore; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Nothing is Beyond His Control
Nothing is Beyond His Control
1 A king’s heart is like streams of water in the Lord’s hand: He directs it wherever He chooses.
The Bible demonstrates in the OT and the NT that God no part of creation escapes His authority.
Nothing happens that He either causes to happen or allows to happen.
God takes all the events of our lives, the good choices, along with the bad, and the circumstances beyond our control, and He weaves them into one thing with one purpose.
3. Wait for God’s Ultimate Product
3. Wait for God’s Ultimate Product
Paul Calls our attention to two things: the process of God and the Product of God.
Waiting on God’s Process takes Patience.
Waiting on God’s Process takes Patience.
“works together”
Painting a Picture
Weaving a tapestry
You cannot see the final result form a single stitch or a single brush stroke
God takes all the events of our lives, the good choices, along with the bad, and the circumstances beyond our control, and He weaves them into one thing with one purpose.
Waiting for the Cake to be Done
Anyone who has ever tried to eat a cake that is have cooked is severely disappointed.
Waiting on God’s final Product will be Worth the Wait.
Waiting on God’s final Product will be Worth the Wait.
Unsweetened
“for the good”
What is Good?
God and Man have Different Perspectives on what Constitutes as Good.
God and Man have Different Perspectives on what Constitutes as Good.
Man usually equate good with happiness.
Most people focus on material good to generate emotional good.
The problem with this is that even if it lasts in this lifetime, nothing will follow us into the next. Sooer or later, anything you count on to make you happy will eventually go away.
The Bible equates happiness with knowledge of God and a right standing before God.
1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
2 For learning what wisdom and discipline are; for understanding insightful sayings;
1 How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path of sinners or join a group of mockers! 2 Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night.
Ps. 1:1
1 How joyful is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! 2 How joyful is the man the Lord does not charge with sin and in whose spirit is no deceit!
Ps 32:1-2
God and Man have Different Perspectives on the Events of Man’s Life.
God and Man have Different Perspectives on the Events of Man’s Life.
Not every ingredient is good on it’s own.
A good chef knows how to use ingredients in ways that complement one another to create a dish that captivates the taste buds.
There is nothing in your life that God cannot combine with something else that will allow you to someday thank God for that time in your life.
Only after God works them together do they create the masterpiece He is working on in your life.
God’s GOOD is to bring each and every one who beleives to the point of spiritual perfection. He is not looking to make you physically healthy, materially wealthy, or temporarily happy.
God is looking to make you spiritually perfect. He is looking to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ, the only one worthy enough to sit on God’s throne, so that you will receive all the rewards that He has waiting for you.
And, He uses every experience you go through, good and bad, to accomplish that end.
Application
Here is the ultimate concept we need to carry away from here today.
God is capable and willing to use every single instance in your life to bring you to that point of perfection. There is nothing in this life we need to fret over, because however it works out in the moment, God is going to use it for our benefit later on.
So, even though we go through hard times, even though we fail God at times, we don’t need to dwell on them. Whatever you have done in your life, don’t let Satan bog you down under it through guilt. God knows everything you have done, and if you have accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior, He has forgiven you and plans to work something great in your life, even through those disappointments.
There is nothing in your life that will ultimately prevent God from bringing about His ultimate goal of perfection in your life, except one.
Conditional Promise
Paul places one condition on everything He has said here.
Paul says that God works for the good of, “those who love God and are called according to His purpose.”
Called refers to a call to salvation. It refers to all those whom have heard the Gospel.
If anyone has shared the Good News of Jesus Christ with you, that we are all guilty before God and justly deserve death, but God in His infinite love for man sent His Son to bear our punishment in our place so that all who believe can receive eternal life, and asked you to place your faith in Christ as your Savior, then you have been called.
The second part is up to you.
Do you love God?
Do you desire to be forgiven?
If so, then all you need to do is tell Him, and this promise applies to you.
God will do everything in His infinite power to ensure that no experience you endure will be in vain or worthless. God will use every heartbreak, every trouble you endure along with every joy you experience and every blessing you receive to bring you to a point of perfection.
But, the choice is up to you.
Pray
Pray