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Again, I want to welcome you this morning, especially if you are a first time guest.
And if you are a first time guest, it would be helpful for you to know that typically we practice a form of preaching called “Expository Preaching”.
And what I mean by that, is we believe the Bible is best taught by taking books of the Bible and then breaking them down chapter by chapter, verse by verse, in order to better understand what God’s Word is saying and means in our lives today.
Currently we are doing that through the NT book of Acts.
However, today we are going to take a break from Acts in order to address an important subject matter. A subject matter that is currently affecting the world, our country, our state, and even some of our local communities.
What I want to talk to you about today is the Corona Virus. And when I say talk about it, I’m not talking about the Virus itself. The fact is, I’m not a medical doctor or an expert on Virus’s. So, I’ll leave that to the experts.
So, when I say talk about it, what I’m referring too is our reaction and our response to the virus, or really any crisis that we might face in our life.
Because I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but depending on what you believe or don’t believe about this virus, people are reacting and responding in a number of different ways.
For example:
Some are responding by dismissing the seriousness of it all together as they compare it to nothing more than another form of the flu. For them, it’s life as normal.
When it comes to individuals, some are responding by dismissing the seriousness of it all together as they compare it to nothing more than another form of the flu or the common cold. For them, it’s just another virus, so it’s life as normal.
Then there are those on the opposite end of the spectrum who fear the worst about this virus, which has led them to buy out masks and toilet paper like there’s not tomorrow.
When it comes to schools, universities have responded by shutting down college campuses, canceling games, and encouraging students to stay home.
When it comes to States and cities, some have declared a state of emergency and have even put a ban on the gathering of large groups over 1000.
When it comes to travel, airports have limited their flights, cruise lines are canceling cruises, and air travel to Europe has been banned for the next 30 days.
When it comes to political parties, some are blaming democrats and others are blaming republicans. And for others, It’s all President Trump’s fault.
Others are storing up food and supplies
The fact is, everybody has an opinion and response to the Corona Virus outbreak.
In light of that, my question to all of us this morning is, “How should we respond?” And when I say we, I’m talking about the body of Christ. I’m talking about the church. I’m talking about we as Christians.
And when I say respond, I’m not just talking about the Corona Virus outbreak. Really I’m talking about any crisis. Any moment or any event that would create widespread panic, worry, and fear. In the midst of something like that, how should we as Christians respond?
I think that’s a great and timely question for us to answer this morning.
And so here’s what I want to do this morning to answer that question:
First, I want to take a few moments and look at what the Bible says about how a Christian should respond in the midst of a crisis or the unknown.
Second, I want to talk about some practical Christian responses that we should model in the midst of the current crisis.
Finally, I wan to talk about how we as a church are responding and preparing for the Corona Virus.
So, with that as our basis, let’s get started as we look at how the Bible encourages us to respond when it feels like the world is coming to an end. And what I’d like to suggest is that there are at least three Biblical responses for us to consider when it comes to responding to the unknown or a crisis, and I would state the first one like this. When facing a crisis or the unknown:
Biblical Response #1 - Don’t allow fear to override your faith.
The Apostle Paul puts it like this as he writes to a young disciple named Timothy:
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus,
2 To Timothy, my beloved child:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Paul says as Christians, God has given us His Spirit, and it’s not a spirit of fear, but instead of power, love, and self-control.
So, let’s stop for a moment and ask ourselves what exactly that means, and to do that, I want to take a detailed look at what Paul says God’s Spirit has given us.
Notice what he says first. He says God has given us a Spirit of power.
The word for “power” here is translated from the Greek word “dynamis” which implies a forcefulness of character that can use authority boldly.
What that means then is, God hasn’t given us a Spirit of cowardice, but of courage. A Spirit that isn’t afraid to stand up in the midst of a challenge. A Spirit that doesn’t lay down or cower in fear when the going gets tough. A Spirit that boldly stands in the strength and power of the Holy Spirit.
To be honest, it’s what we were talking about last week. It’s the empowerment of the Holy Spirit working in and through us giving us a boldness to face any challenge we might face.
We saw this back in as the believers were facing intense persecution. Luke writes:
31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
God has given us a Spirit of boldness, not of fear. A boldness that allows us to push forward despite the difficult circumstances we may face.
And that’s exactly what we need in the midst of the unknown or a crisis. A Spirit that strengthens not only us, but those around us. A Spirit that steps into the challenge with confidence, hope, and certainty.
But Paul says, not only do we have a Spirit of power, but a spirit of love as well.
The word for “love” here is translated from the Greek word “agape”. It’s the idea that the Holy Spirit produces a love that endures even the most difficult opposition or circumstance. A love that seeks the good of others over oneself. A love that generates compassion and empathy for the needs of others.
Which again is important when facing the unknown or a crisis as we not only strengthen those around us, but demonstrate the love of Christ to them.
And then finally, Paul says God has given us a Spirit of self-control. The word “self-control” here is translated from the Greek word “sophronismos”. It means to behave in a sensible manner, with the implication of thoughtful awareness of what is best.
In other words, it means to have a “wise head” which provides guidance for use of the power and love that God has given us.
Which again is critical in the midst of the unknown or a crisis as we bring sensibility and rational thought to the situation.
So, what does all that mean for us?
It means instead of freaking out, we need to ask the Holy Spirit to give us strength and courage in the midst of the unknown. We need to ask the Holy Spirit to fill us with confidence in the midst of uncertainty.
It also means, instead of only thinking of ourselves, we need to be concerned about the well fare and needs of others. We need to demonstrate the love of God to a world that’s currently lost in fear and hopelessness.
And finally, instead of losing our minds, we need to be sensible, level headed, and wise in our attitude, behavior, and the decisions we make. We need to be the bearers of peace, hope, and sensibility in the midst of chaos and uncertainty.
And all of that is possible through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. And honestly church, it’s what should set us apart from the rest of the world. It’s what ought to cause people to stop and say, “Hey why aren’t you freaking out? Why aren’t you losing your mind? How is it you have such a peace when everything is going sideways?”
Church, it’s in moments like this where we become the beacons of light that God has called us to be. A place of refuge. A place of hope. A place of peace in the midst of a terrifying storm.
It’s exactly what Jesus demonstrated to the disciples as they faced a crisis situation. Listen to how Mark describes the situation and Jesus’s response:
35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
Mark 4:
Mark says the disciples found themselves in a situation where all hope seemed lost as they faced a storm with the potential to wipe them out. A storm that brought fear, uncertainty, and hopelessness. A storm that was causing them to lose their minds.
But notice where Mark says Jesus was in the midst of the storm? Mark says Jesus was in the stern of the ship, asleep, on a cushion. He was taking a nap.
Meaning, during this storm, Jesus wasn’t freaked out. He wasn’t losing His mind. No, he was at total peace as he slept in the ship during a turbulent storm. Which apparently bothered the disciples, because as water filled the boat they woke Him up and said, “Jesus, do you not care that we’re about to die? How can you sleep in a time like this?”
It’s at that point Mark says Jesus got up, looked around, and in the power of the Spirit, he rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be Still!”, and the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
What I want you to notice, is in that moment, Jesus wasn’t rattled by the storm. Jesus didn’t freak out or lose His mind? Jesus didn’t get on Facebook and sound an alarm. Jesus didn’t run to Walmart and buy 6 cases of toilet paper. No, instead, with a Spirit of power, love, and self-control, He commanded peace.
And what Jesus did for His disciples, we can do for others as in the midst of this storm, instead of freaking out and losing our minds, by the power of the Spirit we have the ability to bring peace in the midst of crisis as we model strength, love, and sensibility.
Now, as I say that, some of you might be thinking, “Ok Pastor, I get that, but easier said than done. Because right now, I kind of feel like those disciples.”
This leads us to a second Biblical response we need to consider when facing a crisis, and I would state it like this:
Biblical Response #2 - Don’t forget, God is in total control.
I think sometimes we forget this as Christians. We forget that nothing happens outside of God’s sovereign will, plan, and purpose. We forget that the God of the universe holds all things together. The prophet Isaiah puts it like this:
12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand
and marked off the heavens with a span,
enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure
and weighed the mountains in scales
and the hills in a balance?
So, who has done that? Who has set the boundaries of the universe? Who has weighed the mountains on a scale? Who keeps everything in balance? God does.
The Apostle Paul states it like this:
16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Colossians
Paul says all things are held together by God.
You know what that means? It means the Corona Virus didn’t catch God off guard. It means He’s not up in heaven wringing His hands saying, “Oh my self, what are we going to do? How am I going to control this outbreak?”
No, God’s not worried about the Corona Virus. God’s not losing His mind watching Fox News or CNN for the latest outbreak information. God’s not storing up food and toilet paper.
Why not? Because He’s in complete control, even when it comes to a virus.
Now, some might ask, “If God is in control, then why doesn’t He stop the virus? Why is He allowing it?”
The answer is simple. The fact is, we live in a fallen world that has been infected by sin. And unfortunately, where there is sin, there is a breakdown of God’s creation that leads to death and decay.
It’s the reason we age. It’s the reason we get sick. It’s the reason we die. It’s the reason this world is broken.
And while that’s discouraging and depressing, there is good news. And the good news is, God is in control and He has provided a solution for the sin problem, And His name is Jesus. Because that’s what Jesus came to deal with. The Apostle Paul states it like this:
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
Paul says Jesus came to abolish the affects of sin. Jesus came to abolish death.
9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
Now, does that mean we won’t still feel the affects of sin? No. Because unfortunately, as long as we live on planet earth, we have to deal with the repercussions of sin. Repercussions that include sickness, disease, and viruses.
But what we can put our hope in, is that because of what Jesus did for us, there is a day coming where the affects of sin will no longer plague us. That at the end of time, God will restore what has been broken. John the revelator puts it like this in .
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
How will God be able to do that? He can do it because He’s in complete control.
And in the midst of crisis, that’s what we have to remember. That God is in control. That nothing is going to happen outside of His say so and His will, and that regardless of what this virus does or doesn’t do, in the end, the virus doesn’t win.
You see church, this is why we don’t have to fear death. This why we don’t need to freak out. We serve a God who is in control. We serve a God who provides life beyond this life. We serve a God who has our best interest in mind. A God of complete control and power. That’s why after He calmed the storm, Jesus said this to the disciples:
40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”
Mark
What Jesus is saying in that moment is, “Guys, what’s the problem? Don’t you know who you are with?”
41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
And apparently they didn’t. Because Mark records this response:
41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
The disciples say, “Who is is this?” It’s The God who controls not only the wind and the sea, but all things.
Church, let us not forget who’s in the boat with us. Let’s not forget who’s in control. Let’s not forget that He holds all things together.
This leads us to one final Biblical response I’d like for you to consider:
Biblical Response #3 - Stop worrying and start praying.
Again, I think this is something many Christians fail to do in the midst of uncertainty or a crisis, and probably why Jesus addressed this in . Listen to what Jesus says about worry:
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
Mathew 6:25-27
Matthew 6:
I love what Jesus says here as He makes a critical point about our existence, and I would state it like this:
Because God is in control, we’re not.
Look again at what Jesus says in verse 27. He says:
4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
Jesus says, “Listen, you can worry about your life all day long. But guess what, that’s not going to add a single hour to your span of life.” Why? Because you’re not in control of that.
What that means then is, when it comes to the corona virus, you can worry yourself to death that you might get it or that a friend or loved one might get it, but that’s not going to do you any good. Because the reality is, ultimately you can’t control every outcome and situation in your life.
Now, does that mean we shoudln’t take practical and precautionary measures? Of course not. God expects us to use common sense. But what we have to understand is, at the end of the day, you or I, or a family member, or a friend could still get the virus and have to face a difficult circumstance.
You might be thinking, “Wow Pastor, that doesn’t sound very encouraging.” You’re right, it doesn’t. That’s why what Jesus said prior to that is so important. Because look again at what He says:
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
Jesus says, “Listen, instead of worrying, you need to remember how important you are to me. Because if I take care of the birds, who just fly around with no worries, how much more will I take care of you and value you.”
But He doesn’t stop there, because he goes on to say:
31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Here’s what Jesus is encouraging us to do.
Mathew 6:31-33
#2 - Because you’re not in complete control, seek the one who is.
31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Jesus says, instead of f
What Jesus
In this passage Jesus addresses the issue of fear and worry. The fear of not having enough to eat or drink. The fear of not having the bare essentials, like toilet paper.
Jesus says, “Instead freaking out, how about you seek God. Instead of losing your mind, look to the one who is in control. Because if you’ll do that, He’ll provide what you need.
And please hear me, I’m not saying you can’t be concerned. Again, I’m not saying you shouldn’t take preventative and practical measures. What I’m saying though, is instead of getting all freaked out and worried, instead of turning to Fox News or CNN for comfort, maybe you should pray first. Instead of wasting your time reading posts on Facebook about the virus, maybe you should pray. Instead of getting all worked up about what tomorrow is going to bring, maybe you should pray. In fact, listen to what Jesus says about that:
28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Jesus says, “Quit worrying about tomorrow. Focus on today. And trust God to see you through.”
And start believing, that even if you get the virus, you serve a God who loves and cares for you, and as your best interest in mind, regardless of what the outcome is.
Church, in the midst of crisis, we need to stop worrying and start praying.
So, a great question would be, “What should we pray for?”
Well, for one, you should pray for protection, your own needs, and the needs of your family. Nothing wrong with doing that.
Second, you need to be praying for the needs of others as they battle worry and fear. Pray that God would calm them and bring peace in the midst of chaos.
Third, you need to pray for our government officials. You need to pray for President Trump and those in the Congress and Senate. Pray for those working on a vaccine. Pray for law enforcement and emergency workers. Pray for doctors and nurses who are in daily contact with the virus. Pray that God would protect them and give them wisdom and discernment as they manage the crisis.
Fourth, you need to pray for those who have contracted the virus. That God would bring healing to their body. That God would restore them to complete health and stop the spread of the virus.
Church, instead of worrying, we need to pray. Pray that the God who is in total control goes before us. Pray that instead of the Spirit of fear, the Spirt of power, love, and self-control would rule the day.
So, those are just a few Biblical reminders for us this morning as we face the threat of the Corona Virus and really any crisis.
That leads us to a second focus this morning. Because it’s one thing to say you’re not going to live by fear and that you’re going to trust God and pray, but it’s another to live it out.
So, for the next few moments I want to suggest a few Christ like responses we should strive for as the Corona Virus fear spreads:
Christ Response #1 - Embrace Sacrifice, not Selfishness.
Unfortunately what a crisis like the Corona Virus does, is instead of brining out our best, it often displays our worst. The worst being our selfishness.
Which is why the toilet paper shelves are empty in almost every store in American, and why some people have toilet paper and others don’t.
I’m going to say it’s the latter.
Because unfortunately that’s what happens when crisis comes. In that moment the fleshly instinct to think of yourself and be selfish kicks in. I witnessed it in our own Walmart as I watched man walk out of Walmart with 3 - 18 rolls packs of toilet paper. Which tells me one of two things. Either he’s got a major bowel problem, or he’s only thinking of himself. I’m going to say it’s the latter.
And to be honest, I deal with that as well. I think we all do. It’s how the sin nature works.
But as Christians, we have to rise above that, we have to be willing to overcome it. In that moment we have to be willing to embrace sacrifice and not selfishness.
The early church understood this. In fact, not too long ago we read about how they responded to a widespread crisis.
You may recall in , the church in Antioch got word of a soon coming famine. A word that came through a prophet named Agabus, as he foretold by the Holy Spirit that there was going to be a great famine over all the world.
So, what did the church at Antioch do in response? Did they run to the Antioch Walmart and buy up all the toilet paper? Did they jump on Facebook and proclaim the end of the world was coming? Did they get in a food frenzy at Costco and empty the shelves?
No. They actually did the opposite. Listen again to what Luke says their reaction to the crisis was:
29 So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea.
Actts
29 So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. 30 And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
27 Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). 29 So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. 30 And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
Luke says their response was one of sacrifice. Luke says instead of storing up, they gave up. Instead of stockpiling, they distributed. In that moment, they were more concerned with the needs of others rather than themselves. Why? Because that’s what Christians do.
Now, does that mean they didn’t prepare for their own needs? Of course not. I’m sure they took some precautionary and practical steps in preparing for the famine. But before they did anything, they made sure others were taken care of first.
Can you imagine what would happen if we did the same. If instead of filling our baskets we made sure other baskets were full first. If our first thought was too sacrifice instead of be selfish.
Kind of sound like what Jesus would do, right? Because isn’t that what He did. As He looked down from heaven, and He saw us in desperate need. As He looked down and saw us plagued with sin. A crisis for humanity that bothered Him so much, that He looked at the Father and said, “I’ll go. I’ll make the sacrifice. I”ll step down from heaven, I”ll become like one of them, and then I’ll give my life for them so that they can have life.“
And that’s exactly what He did. The Apostle Paul puts it like this:
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus choose sacrifice or selfishness. And as His followers, that’s what He expects us to do as well. Jesus puts it like this in :
30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.
Jesus says we are to be generous, and in doing so serve others. Because this is what love is all about. Jesus puts it like this:
13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
Now again, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take care of our own needs. But if we’re going to be Christ like, then we should always be concerned about the needs of others as well, and at times be willing to choose sacrifice over selfishness.
Church, can you imagine the impact and testimony we’d have for Jesus, if instead of only thinking of ourselves, we first thought of the needs of others.
This leads to a second practical response in the midst of crisis:
Christ Response #2 - Don’t downplay or dismiss the fear of others.
As I said earlier, everybody seems to have differing opinions on the severity of the Corona virus. Some believing it to be extremely serious, and others dismissing it as not so serious.
But here’s a little piece of advice for people who don’t think it’s serious. Just because you don’t think it’s serious, doesn’t give you the right to downplay or dismiss the fear others might have.
The fact is, some are concerned because they have legitimate concerns. It’s possible they have a weakened immune system or some kind of respiratory illness. It’s possible that have a loved one who is elderly and a sickness like this could possibly bring great harm.
That being said, while you may not think it’s a not a big deal or it’s been blown out of proportion, to others it may me more significant. So, instead of joking about it or downplaying it, maybe the best thing to do would be to show some compassion. The Apostle Paul puts it like this:
12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
Paul says to have a compassionate heart towards the needs of others. To show kindness in the midst of pain and worry.
Church, if we’re going to represent the power, love, and self control of the Spirit, then we need to be compassionate towards those who may be struggling through a crisis. We need to be empathetic. We need to be willing to help calm fear instead of dismissing it. Because for that person, the fear is real. And what they don’t need is for you to tell them how ridiculous their being. What they don’t need is for you to crack some kind of joke. What they don’t need is for you to dismiss their feelings. Instead, what they need is for you to demonstrate a Spirit of power, love, and self-control. What they need is for you to be Christ like.
Finally:
Christ Response #3 - Look for opportunities to lead people to Jesus
Look for opporutnities to demonstrate the love of Jesus.
The reality is, when a crisis comes, so does the opportunity to share your faith. An opportunity for you to shine light in darkness. An opportunity for you to lead people to the truth.
Here’s what we need to understand, a world struggling with death needs both the hope of resurrection and the power of a God who suffers with them. And guess what, you carry that message of hope.
We see this demonstrated by the Apostle Paul in . In that passage Paul is on a prison ship headed for Rome, but along the way they encountered a devastating storm that left the crew in great despair with no hope. Listen to how Luke puts it:
20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.
Acts 27:
Luke says they had given up. All hope of being saved was lost. But that’s when Paul stepped in. Listen to what Luke tells us:
21 Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. 22 Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, 24 and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.
Acts 27:
In that moment, Paul became a beacon of hope. Paul assured the men that God was with them. And indeed He was, because if we read to the end of the story, not a man on that boat was lost. Everyone of them made it to safety.
Church, in the midst of a crisis, people are looking for hope. They’re looking for somebody to stand up and say, “It’s going to be ok.” And guess what, we can be the ones that stand up. Why? Because we serve a God of hope and salvation.
And if we
What an opportunity we have to point people to Jesus. To be the light in the midst of a storm.
Can I encourage you in the coming days, when you run into people who are freaking out. When you encounter people who have lost hope, that instead of joining in with the hysteria, you would stand up and point them to Jesus. That you would tell them about a God of hope. A God who can calm fears. A God who promises salvation. A God they can know if they’ll put their hope and trust in Jesus.
Church, if we want to be a beacon of hope in crisis, we have to embrace sacrifice not selfishness. We have to acknowledge the fear people are facing. And we have to point them to the one who calms fear.
That being said, as we close this morning, I’d like to share with you how we as a church are preparing and planning as the fear of the Corona Virus spreads:
#1 - Along with the Christ like responses we just talked about, we are encouraging people to be sensible and practical by following the guidelines laid out by the CDC.
This would involve cleaning and washing your hands after you’ve been in a public place.
Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
Wearing a face mask if you are sick.
And cleaning and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.
I can tell you already we are committed to doing all of that here at MCF. For example, our kids team is actively cleaning the kids area and toys before and after each service.
We’re also encouraging you to limit physical contact with people who may be around you. So, instead of a hand shake, maybe give a head nod or a smile.
We’re also asking people if they are sick or have sick children, to please stay home. That’s one of the reasons we have online church, so that people who are sick can still be a part of the service.
#2 - We are working to amp up our online church service. Thankfully at this point, we are still able to meet as a church body together, but that could change. Already there are states and communities that are limiting gathering sizes, and even some states have asked churches not to meet.
That being said, we want to be proactive so that if we are unable to meet, we can still provide a virtual environment of fellowship and encouragement.
That being said, we would encourage you to sign up for an account for our online service at mcf.churchonline.org.
By creating an account, you can not only watch the service, but you can fill out a prayer request form and fellowship with others through the chatting platform. Some might ask, “Can’t I just watch on Facebook?” You can, and we will continue to stream our services to Facebook, but Facebook does have limitations and at times restrictions for churches. At mcf.churchonline.org, there are no restrictions since it is a private platform specifically for our church.
We are also asking all of those who contribute financially to MCF to consider setting up recurring giving through our online giving platform. The best way to set that up would be by going to mcfgive.com.
The reality is, as a church we are financially dependent on the faithfulness and generosity of those who attend MCF. Which means, our ability too minster to others and be the church in our community during a time of crisis can only continue if you and I continue to give despite being able to physically meet. Using online giving allows our church to continue to be financially stable in the midst of a storm.
#3 - During this time, we will be actively looking for opportunities to minster to people. For example, in the event our local schools are unable to meet, we’ve considered the idea of providing meal baskets for parents who are dependent on the free and reduced lunch program. Obviously, that’s an expense parents weren’t planning for, so if we can help with that, we’d like to. This again emphasizes the importance of each of us being generous during this time, so the church can be the church.
At the end of the day, we want to be Jesus to our community. To be a light in the darkness. A beacon of hope. To be the kind of church the models not a Spirt of fear, but a Spirit of power, love, and Self-Control. To be what the Apostle Paul encourages us to be. In he writes:
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Church, during a time of uncertainty and fear, we need to be a church that abounds with hope. A church that points people to Jesus. A church that models who Jesus is and the salvation He offers.
My prayer is, that we can be that kind of church. That MCF can be a light in the darkness.
Let’s Pray
