Like A Good Neighbor
Wednesday Night Prayer • Sermon • Submitted
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As I thought and prayed about what I would share with you tonight, I felt it would be fitting and imperative that I take a few moments and address a sensitive subject matter.
A subject matter that is increasingly creating hostile debate and division within our country, and even within the church among Christians.
Tonight I want to talk to you about your personal view and behavior when it comes to the Corona Virus. In other words, I want to talk about how you are processing the pandemic. And in talking about it, I want to speak specifically to Christians.
And I want to talk specifically to Christians for two reasons:
#1 - I truly believe our views and our behavior, when it comes to this virus, will play a significant role in our effectiveness to reach people with the Gospel moving forward. In other words, how we act now concerning this virus will determine who we reach later.
#2 - Based on what I’ve seen on Facebook and in my conversations with many Christians, I’m concerned about the behavior, words, and perspective that a lot of Christians seem to have adopted and are not afraid to voice. Perspectives, words, and behavior that are not only unhealthy and un-Christ like, but behaviors that I believe have the potential of creating barriers and misrepresenting the gospel.
Now, some of you might bet thinking, “Pastor, exactly what perspective, words, and behaviors are you talking about?”
What I’m talking about are comments and posts that revolve around our loss of rights as Americans.
I’m talking about comments and posts tend to dismiss or over look the fear and concern of those most susceptible to the virus.
I’m talking about comments and posts that seem to elevate our rights over the needs of others.
I’m talking about something quite frankly we’ve all been guilty of.
And so in order to address this topic, I’m going to approach it by making a statement that I think we as Christians need hear and take to heart. A statement that you may initially not agree with, but a statement I think every American Christian needs to give serious thought too.
And then after giving you this statement, I want to spend a few moments explaining why I believe this is a statement that you should not only give thought too, but seek to implement into your life.
So, here’s the statement. Are you ready?
When it comes to your perspective, words, and behavior when it comes to the Coronavirus:
Statement - Your rights as an American should never override your responsibilities as a Christian.
Now, when I say that, I already know some of you might not initially agree, and it might even anger you. But before you get too upset, I’d like you to consider two responsibilities I believe we have as Christians when it comes to the corona virus or really any circumstance like this.
Responsibility #1 - We have a responsibility to obey and pray for governing officials.
Look at what Paul writes about this in Romans 13:
1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
Notice first what Paul says. Paul says to Christians, that everyone of us is to be subject to governing authorities.
What that means then is, regardless of who the President is, regardless of who the Governor is, regardless of who the Mayor is, regardless of which party is in control, regardless of our views, we are to submit to their rule and authority.
Now, automatically that raises a number of questions, specifically, “What does it mean to submit?”
Paul answers that question, but he does it by addressing the why not the how. And the reason he approaches it like this, is because once we understand the why of submitting, we’ll better understand what it means to submit.
So, very quickly, let me give you why we should submit to governing authorities:
Reason - We submit because God appointed them to rule.
Paul writes, “For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” Romans 13:1b (ESV)
Paul says we are to submit because God placed them over us. To be honest, I think this is a hard pill for most American Christians to swallow, largely because we’ve been conditioned to believe and think that we are the decision makers when it comes to who rules in government. That we determine who sits in government offices. That we control the destiny of our country. We call it the democratic system. A government for the people and by the people.
And while the democratic process Is amazing, and one we should all exercise, what we need to understand is that while we vote men and women into office, they were first appointed to lead by God.
In other words, God has “providential” control of history, not us. Which means nothing in history happens unless God wants it to. Which means, when it comes to government, nobody rules without God’s say so. Nobody get’s a position of authority unless God has ordained it.
And if you don’t believe me on that, here are a few Biblical examples:
Let’s start in the OT with Pharaoh. If you’re not familiar with Pharaoh, he was the pagan Egyptian King we read about in the book of Exodus who had cruelly subjected the Hebrew people to slavery. Listen to what the Apostle Paul tells us about Pharaoh’s rule. Paul writes in Romans 9, “For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.” Romans 9:17-18 (ESV)
Notice what Paul says. He says that God raised Pharaoh up. That God appointed Pharaoh to rule.
The prophet Daniel gives us another example. Listen as the prophet Daniel instructs King Nebuchadnezzar, the pagan King of Babylon.
“The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.” Daniel 4:17 ESV
This passage represents a conversation Daniel has with King Nebuchadnezzar where he reminds the king that God is the one who gave him his power. God is the one who rules the kingdom of men. And it is God who establishes those who rule.
The prophet Jeremiah affirms this concerning Nebuchadnezzar when he writes:
5 “It is I who by my great power and my outstretched arm have made the earth, with the men and animals that are on the earth, and I give it to whomever it seems right to me. 6 Now I have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, my servant, and I have given him also the beasts of the field to serve him. 7 All the nations shall serve him and his son and his grandson, until the time of his own land comes. Then many nations and great kings shall make him their slave.
Jeremiah says Nebuchadnezzar was God’s servant appointed by God to rule over the beasts and nations of men for a seasonal period.
Another example would be King Cyrus who conquered Babylon in 539 B.C. Listen to what the prophet Isaiah says concerning the rule of king Cyrus:
28 who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd,
and he shall fulfill all my purpose’;
saying of Jerusalem, ‘She shall be built,’
and of the temple, ‘Your foundation shall be laid.’ ”
1 Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus,
whose right hand I have grasped,
to subdue nations before him
and to loose the belts of kings,
to open doors before him
that gates may not be closed:
Isaiah says Cyrus, a pagan king, was appointed by God. In fact, Isaiah calls him God’s shepherd. I’ll explain why He calls him his shepherd in a moment, but first let me give you one final example.
In John 19 we read of the interrogation of Jesus by Pontus Pilate, the ruling governor. Listen to Jesus’s response to Pilate as Pilate lords his power over Jesus.
10 So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”
Pilate says, “Hey Jesus, I’m the governor. I’m the one with the power.” And Jesus says, “Yes I know. I know because I’m the one who made you governor and I’m the one who gave you the power.”
The point here is.. God appoints those who rule. Nobody holds an office without God’s say so. God is the one who establishes human government and He is the one who appoints those who rule within it.
So, in our current circumstance, here’s what that means for you and me.
First, whether you like President Trump, your Governor, or your mayor, the fact is, God has placed them in a position to rule over you.
Which means, you and I have a responsibility to submit to their rule and their authority.
Now, you might be thinking, “Yeah but pastor, I don’t agree with their views or what they’re doing!”
That’s fine. But you still have to submit and trust that through their rule God’s Will will be done. That what Solomon says in Proverbs 21 is true when he writes:
1 The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;
he turns it wherever he will.
We have to trust that. Because if we really believe God is in control, then we have to believe he controls those who rule. And that in their decisions, whether we agree or not, His will is being accomplished.
Going back to King Nebuchadnezzar and King Cyrus, let me give you an example of what I’m talking about.
In the case of King Cyrus and Nebuchadnezzar, they were both Pagan kings. Pagan kings who worshiped other gods and were ruthless tyrants who killed innocent people. And yet, they were appointed by God for a specific purpose.
If you read the scriptures, in the case of Nebuchadnezzar, he used Nebuchadnezzar to punish Israel for their continual disobedience. Nebuchadnezzar conquered Israel, destroyed the temple, and exiled the entire population to Babylon. It was Israel’s punishment for their disregard of God after many warnings.
In the case of Cyrus, he used Cyrus to reestablish Israel after they had been exiled to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar. That’s why God calls Cyrus His shepherd. Cyrus would be the one who would guide Israel back home. Cyrus would be the one who would make it possible for Israel to become a people once again. In fact, Cyrus, the pagan king, financed the entire venture including the rebuilding of the temple.
Here’s what this means for us. God has a plan when it comes to the corona virus. A plan that He is in total control of. A plan that is mean to accomplish his purposes at this point in history. A plan that he is working through President Trump, our Governors, and our local officials. And we have to trust that. Because that’s what it means to submit. It means you and I have to trust that God is the one who is actually in control. And that everything that is happening is in accordance with His will.
Now you might be thinking, “I don’t know pastor. I don’t know if I can do that. I just really don’t agree with what’s happening and how it’s being handled.”
I get that. But here’s the danger if you push too hard against that. Because Paul goes on to write:
2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
Paul says, “Listen, you can resist, but it may cost you. Because to resist those in authority is to resist what God has appointed. And ultimately that will work against you and will bring not only man’s judgment against you, but God’s.
Judgment from man because if you break the law, you’r’e going to be arrested. Paul writes:
4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.
And judgment from God, because if you allow rebellion to get in your heart, it’s going to lead to all kinds of spiritual consequences in your life.
Now, some of you might be thinking, “Well that’s just great pastor. Sounds like we have to do what the government says no matter what.”
That’s not what this is saying. Because believe it or not, there is a place for civil disobedience. But I would say as American Christians, we’ve never experienced a level of persecution that would require such disobedience. Because at the end of the day, civil disobedience by a Christian is only justifiable if the government requires you to do something that violate God’s Word or your faith in Jesus.
A great example would be the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3.
In this story we are told King Nebuchadnezzar made an idol of gold and decreed that everybody had to bow down and worship his image. And he said if you don’t worship it, you’ll be killed.
But It just happened though there were three young men named Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who when they heard the decree, refused. Why? Was it because their rights were being trampled on as Babylonian citizens? No. It was because they were being asked to do something that violated their faith. In fact, listen to how they responded and explained it:
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
You see, the reason they disobeyed the king, was because the king was asking them to violate God’s command to not worship a false god. And in that case, civil disobedience was necessary.
But to be honest, we’ve never been at that level in America. And while some may disagree, the corona virus restrictions don’t reach that level either.
Because nobody at this point is telling us we can’t worship God. Or telling us we have to do something contrary to our faith. Which means, we have no grounds for civil disobedience at this point. And that like it or not, we need to submit to the guidlines and restrictions and trust that God is in control.
Listen, I know it’s hard, but it’s how God has set it up. And what you have to remember is that your rights as an American should never override your responsibility as a Christian.
But along with submitting to govern officials, we also need to pray for them. In 1 Timothy Paul writes:
1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Paul says when it comes to government officials, “Pray for your Kings. Pray for for those in high positions. Pray for those who rule you.”
So, what do we pray?
Paul gives us two focuses for our prayer.
First, pray we will be able to live a peaceful and quite life. Meaning we need to pray those in authority over us will rule with wisdom and in a way that brings peace and prosperity to our nation.
Second, pray our governing authorities might come to the knowledge of the truth. In other words, if they don’t know Jesus, our prayer should be that they would come to know Jesus.
What that means then is, instead of bashing our governing officials on facebook, we need to be on our knees praying for them instead. Praying that God will give President Trump wisdom. Praying that God will give Governor Kelly and other Governors discernment and guidance in the decisions they need to make in the days and weeks to come. That God will turn their heart wherever he will.
But not only that, you need to pray our governing officials would have a knowledge of the truth. That if they don’t know Jesus, Jesus would be revealed to them. That they would come to a saving knowledge.
And if you’ll do that, here’s what I can promise you. Not only will God respond to your prayer, but in the process He’ll change you. He’ll change your attitude towards that official and ultimately a greater love for that official. Because at the end of the day, they’re fallen people. People like you and me. People with faults. People who don’t always make the right decisions. People who need our prayers.
Church, not matter what you think your American Rights are, they do not override your responsibility to obey and pray for those God has placed in authority over us.
This leads us to the second responsibility I want to challenge you with. A responsibility I would state like this:
Responsibility #2 - We have a responsibility to love our neighbors as ourselves.
I think one of the most disturbing behaviors I’ve seen from Christians during the covid pandemic, is this idea that they should be able to live their lives and exercise their civil rights regardless of how it affects others.
And while I understand that’s an American way of thinking, I can tell you with certainty it’s not a Biblical way of thinking.
Because when it comes to the concept of “others” in the Bible, the Bible is clear on what our attitude and behavior should be when it comes to the needs and concerns of others.
Probably the greatest example of this is found in Luke 10 as Jesus tells the parable of the good Samaritan. A parable that Jesus tells in response to a question he is asked. The question is found in verse 25. Luke writes:
25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?”
Luke says one day as Jesus was teaching, an attorney stands up and asks Jesus a question. And the question basically is, “Jesus, how does a person get into heaven?” Which is a great question.
So, how does Jesus respond? Luke writes:
26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?”
Luke says Jesus responds by turning the question back on the attorney as Jesus says, “What do you think the answer is?”
Which if you read between the lines, this is exactly what the attorney hoped Jesus would do. Because listen to what the attorney says:
27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”
Luke says the attorney has his answer written down and ready to give. Because without a pause the attorney quotes a passage from Deuteronomy 6. A passage that sums up the law in two commandments. The first commandment being to love the Lord your God with all your heart soul and mind. Which basically means to give your life fully to God. And the second to love your neighbor as yourself. Which then represents the behavior that should come from such a decision.
In other words, if you’ve really given your life fully to God, then it should play out in the way you treat people.
And apparently this is the right answer, because Jesus says in response:
28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”
Jesus says, “Yup, you’re on the right track. keep doing that, and you will find eternal life.”
But apparently, this wasn’t enough for the attorney. Because apparently this wasn’t what he was really asking. Because as we already read, he knew the answer. What he actually wants to challenge Jesus on goes much deeper. Because listen to what Luke says the attorney says next:
29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
This is the real question the attorney wanted to ask. Because when it came to the term “neighbor”, for most Jews neighbor was another Jew, and probably a Jew that was already a friend or close acquaintance. Somebody for that person that would be easy to love or be concerned about.
And this is what he wants to challenge Jesus on. Because Jesus is known for breaking social barriers. And so he asks Jesus, “So just curious, Jesus, who would you consider my neighbor?”
And this is where Jesus puts this man in his place. Because Jesus now tells a story about a man who went on a journey and ran into some trouble. The story goes like this:
30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”
The story isn’t complex and involves 4 characters.
The first character is an unknown man who goes on a journey and along the way is beaten, robbed, and left for dead.
This then leads to a second character, a priest, a man of God, who was passing down the road the beaten man was lying upon. But when he sees the man, he passes to the other side and doesn’t help him.
Some time then passes and a third character comes into the story. This time it’s a Levite, who wasn’t necessarily a priest, but someone who served in the temple with the priest. And like the priest, he too passes to the other side of the road in order to avoid the beaten man.
But then along comes a fourth character in the story, a Samaritan. A man that represented a people group that the Jews despised. But unlike the priest and the levite, he sees the beaten man and has compassion for him. And so instead of passing on the other side, he gives the man aid, puts him on his donkey, and takes him to a hotel where he can take care of him.
But his compassion doesn’t end there. Because the next day, he goes to the hotel manager and he says, “Listen, I have to get going, but there’s a man up in my room that I’m taking care of. Please make sure he has everything he needs, and when I come back through, I’ll pay you for your services.
And it’s at this point that Jesus asks the attorney, “Which of these, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?”
And probably with a look of anger and frustration on his face, the attorney is forced to answer the question truthfully. So he says:
37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”
Do you see what Jesus did here? He took the attorney’s question and turned it around on him. And he did it by not identifying who the guys neighbor is, but showing the attorney what kind of neighbor he should be. That it’s not about who my neighbor is, but it’s about what kind of neighbor are you.
And to challenge the attorney on this question, Jesus picks the people group the Jews despise the most, the Samaritans, and he turns the no good Samaritan into the good neighbor. And he says, “Be like that guy. Be the kind of person that doesn’t think your better than others. Be the kind of person that will set your personal liberties aside. Be the kind of person that will care for someone, even if you don’t know them. Be the kind of person that will make sacrifices for someone, even if their a stranger. Be the kind of person that would go out of your way for the good of someone else. Which obviously most of your friends, like the priest and levite, are not.
Here’s what this is saying to us. In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, you need to set your American rights aside, and start being the kind of neighbor.
A neighbor that cares about the needs of a stranger. A neighbor that is willing to make sacrifices for someone who is struggling. A neighbor that puts the needs of others before themselves.
And please hear me, when I say that, I’m not talking about one side of the coin. Because the fact is, we’re all struggling through this. Some of us are struggling because it’s affecting our livelihood. Some of us are struggling because it’s affecting us physiologically. Some of us are struggling because we’re concerned about our health or the health of a loved one. At the end of the day, the Coronavirus is affecting all of us. And what we all need is a good neighbor. And guess what, Christians should model that. Christians should lead the charge on this. Instead of crying out about our American rights, we should be seeking out opportunity to help those in need. Help those who are struggling. Help those who are fearful. Help those who are weak.
In fact, this is exactly what the Apostle Paul was talking about in 1 Corinthians 9 where he wrote:
19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.
Paul begins this passage by saying while he is free, he has made himself a servant.
What Paul is referring to here is his status as a Roman citizen. Unlike many any his day, Paul had been able to attain Roman citizenship which gave him special rights and privileges. But Paul says he set that all aside and became a servant instead.
Not only that, but when it comes to reaching different people groups, he was willing to do what it take to do that. To the Jew he became Jew. To the Gentile he became a gentile. To the weak he became weak. Why did he do it? He did it for the sake of the gospel. He did it to demonstrate what the kingdom of God is all about. He did it so that he might win some to Jesus.
And what was true for Paul must be true for us in the midst of this pandemic. That being the case, you could read this passage like this:
“For though I am an American, I have laid my rights aside, that I might win more of them.
To the mask wearer, I became a mask wearer, in order to win the mask wearer. To those struggling with fear, I became one who struggles with fear (though I myself am not under fear). To those who struggle with reopening, I became as one who struggles with reopening (although it is not my struggle) that I might win those who struggle. To the those with health concerns, I became one as concerned with health, that I might win the concerned. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.”
You see, it’s not about who your neighbor is, it’s about you being a good neighbor. It’s about you being willing to lay down your earthly citizenship and embrace your heavenly citizenship. The Apostle describes such a citizen like this:
12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
Paul says be compassionate and put on love. Put on an attitude of kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Demonstrate to the world what the kingdom of God looks like in the midst of a crisis. Show them what a good neighbor looks like.
That being said, as we close tonight, I have three questions I’d like you to consider:
Question #1 - When it comes to our governing officials, do you have a Biblical perspective and attitude?
And if not, are you willing to consider that maybe it’s time to change your perspective and your attitude. That maybe it’s time to quit complaining about Governor Kelly, and start praying for her. That maybe it’s time to stop criticizing leaders, and start encouraging them. That maybe it’s time to honor and pray for the rulers that God has put in charge.
Question #2 - As we navigate the coronavirus pandemic, what kind of neighbor have you been?
In other words, what has your attitude towards others been? What words have you used? Words that tear down, or words that build up? What kind of witness have you been for our church? A witness that would draw people here, or push people away? A witness that puts up relational barriers, or a witness that tears barriers down?
Question #3 - Are you more concerned with your rights as an American or your responsibilities as a Christian.
In other words, during this pandemic, what are you more passionate about? What you need, or what’s best for others? What you want, or what others prefer? What your rights are, or the rights of others?
Listen, I’m just asking you what’s more important to you. And again, I’m not diminishing your needs by asking you that. But at the end of the day, we serve a savior who gave up everything for us. A savior who laid down his life for us. A savior that calls us to do the same for others. A savior that says to us, “You go, and do likewise.”
Let’s Pray