God and the Corona Virus
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God and the Corona Virus (Rough Draft)
God and the Corona Virus (Rough Draft)
If you have your Bibles please turn to ,
If you have your Bibles please turn to ,
-Because this is a pre-recorded video, if you don’t have a Bible in front of you would you hit pause and go get your Bible, pen and notebook.
The Title of our message today is, “God and the Corona Virus”.
In some parts of our country people have already started quarantining themselves. This has left married couples and families with kids stuck together with little relief from each other for 14 days straight.
For some families this stress of being together without a break is worse than getting sick.
Here are a few tweets.
https://www.buzzfeed.com/alliehayes/couples-self-quarantine-jokes-tweets
Husband starts working from home tomorrow.
He stopped at the market on the way home today, so he could pick up a few things to have in the house.
Reader, he came home with 7lbs of Cadbury Mini Eggs.
Day 1 of me and my husband both working from home: it’s 8:54am and we aren’t on speaking terms after an argument about him typing too loudly. Looks like this is going to go well.
Transition - In all seriousness with the situation with the coronavirus we have all felt a disruption.
Everyone is talking about the baby boom that's coming nine months after quarantine, but no one is talking about how the divorce rate is gonna skyrocket.
Those are funny. And somewhat true.
Transition - In all seriousness with the situation with the coronavirus we have all felt a disruption.
Transition - In all seriousness with the situation with the coronavirus we have all felt a disruption.
For many of us there have been times recently that we feel scared, very unsure of the future.
So we ask this question, Where is God in this Chaos and uncertainty?
Does He have a plan? Is He in control.
I want to comfort you with this. This is our big idea, our main thought for our message.
God is working in the Chaos.
Big Idea - God is working in the chaos.
Big Idea - God is working in the chaos.
Our passage is a strange passage. A passage that is rarely preached from.
, Please follow along as I read.
1 There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
Pray
11 Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord?
In 1918 on October 17th the News and Farmer reported that due to the danger of the Spanish Flu First Baptist Church Louisville along with several other church’s temporarily shut there doors.
Satan does not have the ability to manipulate viruses.
Today, due to the Coronavirus, First Baptist Church and many other churches have closed their doors.
God’s control over all things.
Let me let you in on a little secret.
The church buildings doors are closed, but Jesus’ church is strong alive and well.
The Church has never been the building. The church is God’s people.
Transition - What are we to make of this Coronavirus, Covid-19?
Where is God in this national and global emergency?
Can I tell you that God is right in the midst of working in the hearts of men and women to turn their hearts and lives toward Him.
God desires your heart and life to be more aligned with Him.
-You listening today. God wants your heart and life to be completely turned and facing Him. He wants your affections & He wants your obedience. He wants to be your Lord.
Today we will look at 3 thoughts about the Corona Virus as we consider that:
God is working in the chaos.
Our first point is this,
Our first point is this,
Todays message is title - God and the Corona Virus.
I. Chaos warns us of eternal judgment.
One of the many things God is doing with this Coronavirus is warning us that eternal judgement is coming.
In our passage today Jesus warns the people in his day about judgement to come.
Commentary - In our passage today we see that the Governor Pilate had it in for some Jews that lived in Galilee. These particular Jews had crossed him, he decided they should die. When these men came to the Temple to make sacrifices he sent troops in to cut them down as they worshiped. To the Jews and most religions, this was an unspeakable act. To kill someone while they are sacrificing in worship.
-Many Jews of that day had a wrong idea a about how God works.
-The theology of the Religious Leaders was this. If something bad happened to you. It was the way God was getting you back for sin in your life. Again, this is a wrong theology.
-There was a false belief that people had in Bible times (it is similar to our false belief in Karma). If someone had something bad happen to them it was because they had sin in their life and they deserved it.
It is similar to people’s New Age belief in Karma. If someone had something bad happen to them it was because they had sin in their life and they deserved it.
1 There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
Luke 13:1
-Jesus responds with the most shocking statement.
3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
They didn’t get killed at the Temple because they had terrible sin in their life and God paid them back for it. God is not out to get you “to make you pay” when you sin.
Pause- Hear this...
Their earthly tragedy reminds us of eternal judgement. We should repent.
Turn from our sin and whole heartedly follow God.
Then, in this same passage, Jesus turns our attention to another earthly tragedy in verse 4.
A tower in Jerusalem became unstable and fell. It killed 18 people. This would have been a big story in Jerusalem. 18 people die all at once. Due to a tower on the wall of the the Capital Jerusalem, made of huge stones falling and killing so many.
Jesus said, It’s not because they had more sin in their life than others. God was not out to get them.
“…unless you repent, you will likewise perish.”
Earthly tragedy reminds us of eternal judgement.
This earthly tragedy reminds you that unless your relationship is right with God that something will happen much worse than any earthly tragedy like Covid-19.
This earthly tragedy reminds you that unless your relationship is right with God and eternal tragedy will come when you are judged by Him. You will perish eternally. Jesus was speaking of Hell.
So we see
Earthly tragedy reminds us that eternal tragedy will come. That after you die you will be judged by God for your sin. You will perish eternally.
28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
matt 10
One thing that God is doing with the Coronavirus is drawing people to himself.
He is warning those who do not follow Him of judgment to come.
C.S. Lewis said this, “Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”
In many parts of the world, but especially in the United States comfort and entertainment is our addiction … it is our cocaine. It is a major distraction away from God.
Like a parent who graciously warns their child not to play in the street, who beckons them to come into the safety of the yard, to play with the toys the parent has given ... When the child refuses to leave playing in the street - the parent must discipline, there must be pain.
Why? Because the parent loves their child. The parent wants to save from something that will destroy them.
Earthly tragedy reminds us of eternal judgement.
God through earthly tragedy beckons you to come to Him. To follow Him. To put Him first in your life.
God through earthly tragedy like the parent calling to the child to call us away from our distractions and addictions. He beckons you to come to Him. To follow Him. To put Him first in your life.
-He does this for those who don’t know Him as their Lord and Savior.
-His does this for those who do know Him. To draw yo closer to Him.
God in His kind grace is working in the Chaos.
Transition - The 2nd truth we see today is this.
II. Chaos uncovers my need for Christ. X2
-I am not in control.
Application -
Some of you on the inside are really scared.
You have come to realization that you are not in control.
-For me, When it comes to the situation with this virus, I mask some of my fear by saying, “I’m concerned”, or “this is very serious”, or “we need to keep an eye on this.”
-Let’s get real, Some of us are scared of:
-DYING, There are those within the sound of my voice who are in a high risk group and you know you are weak. You know if you catch this thing that you might not make it.
-Others of you are afraid for loved ones who are also high risk. In your heart you don’t know what you would do without them.
-Some of you are scared financially. We’ve all seen the fall of the stock markets. The effect this virus has had on the economy. Many of you are scared about your job or your business. Money is getting tight. You want to provide for your family. You feel that responsibility. You are scare financially.
-There are students listen ing who are scared. Some are scared that they won’t see their friends for a long time. Others are scared that proms and graduations will be cancelled.
There are many ways uncertainty and chaos can effect our hearts.
Remember this - God Is At Work In The Chaos
-God is proving to you that not only do you need Him.
-God is proving to you that you need only Him.
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
When we are week and humble, we depend on Christ.
When we are week and humble, we draw near to Christ.
Christ is working in the Chaos.
In the Chaos God is uncovering your need for Him. He is beckoning you to Him.
Illustration - Have you ever tried to have a serious conversation with a young child who was easily distracted. After they get distracted and their eyes are looking at something else for the 5th time you reach over place your hands on their cheeks, and point their face toward you.
For many of us right now God has his hands on your face, he is helping your look into His eyes and He is telling you. “This isn’t going to be easy, trust me, I love you.”
Nothing enters into our lives that has not first been filtered through the loving fingers of God.
God wants you to see how much you need Him and can trust Him.
Illustration - I want you to take your hand and place it out in front of you.
I want you to close your fist and squeeze it as hard as you can.
Now I want you to open it. … This is how God wants you to live life, with an open hand.
When chaos comes we close our fist to life and try to control it.
God calls you to see how much you need Him, open your hand and trust Him.
-When you are having days that you are trying to control life. Will you do this exercise and say this prayer.
-Will you place your hand out. Close it and while you open it say.
God, I need you. I am not in control. I surrender this to you.
-Some days I have to do this 20 times...
Christ is working in the Chaos.
In the Chaos God is uncovering your need for Him.
In the Chaos God is uncovering your need for Him.So far we have seen that:
So far we have seen that:
Choas reminds us/warns us of eternal judgement.
Chaos uncovers my need for Christ.
Our third point is this...
III. I must worship God in the Chaos.
-Turn in your Bibles to Habakuk 3:17-19. If you need a minute to find Habakuk 3:17-19 just pause the video.
-When life is going well it is easy to give a cheerful shallow worship.
-But when life is a challenge, God calls us to a sober deep worship.
-Worship is a choice and is a heart issue.
17 Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
19 God, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer’s;
he makes me tread on my high places.
To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.
We see in this passage that when there is loss in my life, God calls me to worship Him.
Sometimes God calls us to bring a “Sacrifice of Praise”.
When we bring a "sacrifice of praise," we choose to believe that, even though life is not going as we think it should, God is still good and can be trusted (; ).
There have been losses and there will be losses:
Recently in our country there have been losses and there will be losses:
-Some businesses will close.
-Some loved ones will pass.
-Ball seasons have been lost.
-Vacations have been interrupted.
-High School & College Seniors final semesters have been turned upside down.
But… God calls you to worship Him in the Chaos.
Illustration - Many years ago I worked with a man (Mr. Blackstock) who was the Finance Officer at the school I was teaching. I became close to him. Mr. Blackstock who was absolutely in love with his wife. For Him it was like the 1st day of their honeymoon together. 72 years old, 50 years of marriage and absolutely smitten with her. His wife falls dead from an aneurysm suddenly. Mr. Blackstock is devastated. We are all shocked.
Here was Mr. Blackstock’s saving grace. -This man loved the Lord more than he loved his wife, and that’s saying a lot.
-He asked that the hymn, “How Great Though Art” be sung at her funeral. At the last chorus, with tears streaming down his face, hands and cane lifted heavenward He offered a sacrifice of praise. He praised and worshiped God in the chaos of His grief.
God is calling you to worship Him in the chaos.
Why? because...
God in His greatness and love - is working in the midst of the Chaos. (Pause)
Finally we ask this question ...
Where do we find the Gospel in the Chaos?
Let me remind you that ...
Jesus paid for sins in the midst of Chaos.
Jesus was arrested at night, betrayed with a kiss and his disciples ran away from him.
All through a sleepless night he was questioned, beaten & mocked.
He was brought before the governor Pilate, the crowd was out of control chanting “Crucify Him”.
It is my opinion that if you could look into the spiritual realm that Satan and the Demons were mocking Jesus all the way to the cross.
After being hung on a cross he was mocked further and spat upon.
Through the chaos of a tortured death Jesus paid for sin.
For those of you who have never trusted Jesus before He is asking you to stick out your fist, open your hand, give Jesus your life to trusting Him and following Him.
For the believer, God desires you to follow and worship Him amidst the Chaos.
The question for you is, Will you open your hand and give God control?
Pray.
The church buildings doors are closed, but Jesus’ church is strong alive and well.
_________________________________
Earlier we talked about opening your hand and surrendering yourself to God in the midst of the Chaos.
Sin causes brokeness and Chaos in the soul.
Jesus came to die for your sin.
Will you open your hand right now in your room and say yes Jesus I’ll follow you...
_________________________________
11 Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord?
Satan does not have the ability to manipulate viruses.
God’s control over all things.
In 1918 on October 17th the News and Farmer reported that due to the danger of the Spanish Flu First Baptist Church Louisville along with several other church’s temporarily shut there doors.
Today, due to the Coronavirus, First Baptist Church and many other churches have closed their doors.
Let me let you in on a little secret.
The church buildings doors are closed, but Jesus’ church is strong alive and well.
The Church has never been the building. The church is God’s people.
Transition - What are we to make of this Coronavirus, Covid-19?
Where is God in this national and global emergency?
Can I tell you that God is right in the midst of working in the hearts of men and women to turn their hearts and lives toward Him.
God desires your heart and life to be more aligned with Him.