Consider the Source

Prov 11:14 - Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers.

Prov 14:16 - The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.

The title of today’s message is; Consider the Source.

In bringing together the Scripture and current events. Making the Word relevant today is the responsibility we in the household of faith have. There is so much going on in the world today and of course Corona virus is at the forefront; and with that there are many first happening.

• Countries around the world have enacted nationwide curfews and shelter in place orders, which to ignore can result in fines and arrests

• All sports have been shut down

• Most churches have wisely closed their doors and began online and conference call services, some for the first time ever

• Musical tours, concerts and conventions of all types have either been postponed or cancelled

• Broadway is dark, as all shows have been halted

• The Summer Olympics have been delayed

• The Cannes International Film Festival and all Award shows have been postponed

• The Kentucky Derby and Boston Marathon have been postponed

• Talk shows, news reports and for the first time ever the NFL draft are being broadcast remotely from homes

• There are drive by birthday and adoption celebrations, and drive by check ins to protect loved ones

• There are stores who are limiting the number of people who can enter at one time and closing down to disinfect shelving and baskets, setting aside special shopping hours for the elderly. While other stores and malls have completely closed their doors.

These are just a few of the many things being affected by this plague.

It is safe to say, the world as we once knew it has drastically changed. The days of greeting one another with a hug or even a handshake are no more, because that handshake could cost you your life. I would venture to say it will be awhile before most of us feel comfortable in large gatherings.

The decisions made during this time are decisions which can affect the lives of hundreds of thousands of people worldwide; so they’d better be good ones that are well thought out, considering the health and safety of the citizens over economics.

As novice on the subject of the Corona virus, we have no choice but to listen to the reports and advice of our leaders, but which leaders are we going to listen to?

The circumstance or topic should determine from whom you take your advice. If you’re trying to play basketball at a professional level and you had the opportunity to get coaching from six-time NBA champion, Michael Jordan or Pookie down at the neighborhood park, choose Michael Jordan.

If your desire is to play the cello and Yo-Yo Ma was offering to give you lessons or Miss Sally up the street, well that’s a no brainer, take the lessons from Yo-Yo Ma.

There are those looking for guidance in all areas of their lives and while you may not have access to Michael Jordan or Yo-Yo Ma, the key is to choose the person you’re going to take direction or get advice from wisely; choose your leaders wisely.

King Solomon, the son of David and Bathsheba, the wisest man who ever lived says in Proverbs 11:14 that, Where there is no guidance, a nation falls… It’s important to understand, there is no one person who will have all the answers, so what you must do is surround yourself with people who are, where you want to go in life; knowing that if you’re wise enough to seek after and follow good counsel, eventually you’ll be the one someone comes to for counsel and it will be your turn to lead.

Our nation is in trouble and there is direction coming from a multitude of places, some of it wise and some of it…well to be nice, let’s just say it’s not so wise. When in a crisis and instructions are being given, you must consider the source. From where or whom are they getting their information and advice? Has it been thought through and the possible ramifications to giving that advice considered or is it something they just made up?

Is there an ulterior motive to the advice or instructions being given? What does the person giving the instruction have to gain by you following their direction? If anything. Is their advice better for you or them? Is their advice going to cause you harm or pain or sickness or even ruin? When receiving advice or instruction, it is absolutely essential, you consider the source.

I’m pretty confident in saying I’m not the only one beginning to feel the effects of homeschooling and not being able to go to church and see everyone and not going to concerts and missing spring break plans and conferences and meetings and swim lessons. But, because I recognize the alternative is worse, I will continue to do what’s best for me, my family and our congregation, which is to stay home.

In the state of GA, there have been 23,695 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 904 reported deaths. 276 of those cases and 8 deaths have been in Douglas County and 1,368 cases and 72 deaths reported in Cobb county. That’s not to say that’s all the people who have been infected; those are just the ones who have been tested. As the availability of tests rise, so do our numbers. Yet the top politician in the state is relaxing restrictions and social distancing standards by opening gyms, nail and hair salons and barber shops, probably some of the least needed services there are.

Understandably, for those in these professions and this being their chosen source of income, it may seem a welcome relief, but in reality; do the benefits really outweigh the risks? Consider the source of easing the restrictions for this group. It’s a sad day when one has to choose between the health and safety of their family and an income, but some do. Although, while that is their chosen profession there are other job options available until it’s safe again. We do what we gotta do, until we can do what we wanna do.

Where there is no guidance,(and bad guidance is like having no guidance) a nation falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety. So, the Centers for Disease Control, the medical professionals, the Surgeon General of the United States and the top infectious-disease expert in the United States all say to stay home if at all possible. We must consider the source.

We don’t have enough tests, we don’t have a cure, we don’t have a vaccine, we don’t have enough information to effectively fight the disease and we cannot, in good conscience, place the economy over lives, because without life there is no economy.

But all hope is not lost, while we may not have a cure, a vaccine, enough tests or information to fight this disease; God is still in control and Jesus’ stripes have healed this too, we just have to, with patience, wait for it to manifest.

Once upon a time, leprosy was a disease which had no cure. The risk factors for developing leprosy include: contact with a person with leprosy, those living in poverty, reduced immune function, and malnutrition. It is spread by airborne respiratory droplets of coughing or sneezing and by direct contact. Sounds familiar doesn’t it?

Before Jesus came, lepers were relegated to a life of being separated from family and loved ones, no contact with people and forced to live outside the town away from other people. Again, it sounds familiar doesn’t it? Healthcare professionals are sleeping in garages, the basements of their homes and hotels so they don’t infect their families.

But when Jesus came, he healed leprosy, sometimes with just a touch. There is hope because while there have been 904 reported deaths from COVID-19, in GA, 22,791 people have recovered and returned home to their loved ones.

God is still in control. No matter what it looks like, no matter how long it takes, God is still in control. He was not surprised that this happened. But here are some things that have happened as a result.

• There are pastors who had never used Microsoft Teams, or Zoom or Free Conference Call.com or Facebook Live or YouTube or any other streaming service to connect with their congregations or beyond.

• People are looking to the church for answers and we must arm ourselves with information that will be honest and given in the best interest of those whom we’ve been given charge over and a responsibility for.

• Churches and individuals are beginning prayer calls and setting aside time to talk to God. Heeding the call in 2 Chron 7:14 which says, If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

• Churches are conducting drive-in church services in which people come to the church parking lot, tune into a set radio station and hear the message preached.

• Giving has gone to online means such as CashApp, PayPal and Givelify.

Churches are being forced to think outside the box to get God’s message out to the people. Perhaps that’s not a bad thing. It was when the early church was persecuted that the Christians spread throughout the land, thus taking the Word with them as they went. It’s time we understand, the church is not within the four walls of a building, the church is in everyone who professes Christ as their Lord and Savior.

So during this pandemic…

• Where are you taking the Word of God?

• What way or ways have you found to tell others about the goodness of the Lord?

• How many of you are taken advantage of this time to spend with family, playing games, doing projects or watching movies together?

• How many are contacting loved ones more often, just to make sure they’re ok?

• How many are taking time to meditate, read your Bibles, journal and pray to God?

• And the big question, when all of this is over, because this too shall pass, will you forget and return to your old ways?

From the beginning of this pandemic I have preached that we are to be wise, sensible, intelligent persons; what does that look like? Proverbs 14:6 says, The wise are cautious and avoid danger, wherever that danger may be. The non-medical leaders can say what they want, they can ease restrictions and open businesses, but we have the option to stay home. For those who cannot practice safe distancing, you have the option to file for or continue unemployment if your employer cannot provide a safe working environment in which you are comfortable.

You can do another line of work that is hiring until it’s safe to return to your field. For the saints of God, we are covered by the blood of Jesus, but we are also to exercise wisdom. God gave us freewill and we need to use it.

Now for those who have had loved ones to succumb to the virus, we pray your strength and know that they who die in the Lord are at peace and while you are certainly dealing with the grief right now, we pray you’ll allow the Holy Spirit to be your Comforter.

Currently, even death has a different look. We don’t have all the people showing up at the house, bringing food, big funerals to plan, having to wait until everyone can get there, repasts to plan and pay for. Not having to deal with that person who is supposed to be serving, but they’re in the back hiding the “good stuff” to take home. We all know it happens, but even more sadly, there are some of you who are having to bury multiple family members simultaneously and there is no one to hold your hand, or give you a hug or just sit with you while you cry; we pray your strength in the Lord.

There are those who have been wise and cautious and attempted to avoid danger and still contracted this terrible plague. But then there’s another group Prov 14:16 names, fools who plunge ahead with reckless confidence.

Now you would think that confidence was a good thing, but the Scripture says reckless confidence. Reckless confidence is rebellion, it is acting against reason and contrary to the interest of yourself and others. This plague has no respect of persons, it doesn’t care what your age is, your economic or social status or your ethnicity…

• If you have the ability to stay home please do.

• If you are a leader and have the decision-making power over someone else, put their safety above your profit.

• If you are fearless and feel that you’re invincible, please consider the workers who will have to take care of you when you get sick and the danger you pose to your family, and theirs.

• If you have a job where you must go out, or you have to restock, please take the appropriate precautions, you’re your mask and gloves and practice social distancing of six-feet.

If you’ve never stopped to consider your eternity, today is a good day to do so. If you were to die today are you sure about where you will next open your eyes? Because there is a life after this one and that life will be forever, where will you spend your eternity? Will it be in heaven where there’ll be continual praise, no pain, no worries, no sickness, no disease; or in hell where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth and pain and anguish?

Jesus died so you could have the opportunity for eternal life in glory, death in this life is not the end, it’s merely a step to get to the next phase. If you’ve never accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and savior, today is a good day, tomorrow is not promised and our desire, God’s desire is that none be lost.

Salvation is not hard and it’s free, you can simply pray with me…Lord I know I’m a sinner, I believe you are the Son of God, that you died for my sins and rose again, I surrender my life to you, please come into my heart. If you prayed that simple prayer, welcome into the Kingdom. If you prayed that prayer for the first time, please send us a message at [e-mail], we’d love to celebrate with you.

If this message helped you in anyway, please share it.

And remember, “Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers.” “The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.” Who are you following? Choose wisely and consider the source.