Reminders from the Pandemia.

The Bible tells us about the sons of Issachar, “men who understood the times” and had “knowledge of what the people should do”.

We live in dangerous times! Physically and spiritually!

From the spiritual perspective, evil is rampant everywhere we go. For a great number of people in this country, biblical principles are not important anymore.

From the physical perspective, none of us had lived a health crisis like this one.

It also instructed us to “examine everything carefully and to hold fast to that which is good”.

Difficult times are usually good teachers. We must understand the times and learn from them. This pandemic has reminded us of truths we knew, but that probably we were not living according to them.

What are the truths this pandemic has reminded us of?

I must love others as myself.

One of the experts in the Law of Moses tested Jesus with a question, “Teacher, which is the great commandment of the Law?”

Matthew 22:37–39 NASB95

And He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ “This is the great and foremost commandment. “The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

Loving my neighbor as myself implicates that I will not do anything that may hurt my neighbor.

I have been wearing a mask because I do not want to risk my health (love for my self), and because I do not want to put other’s health as risk (loving them).

Jesus taught the same truth in even simpler terms:

Matthew 7:12 NASB95

“In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

I keep the social distance because I want people to keep it with me.

The pandemic has also reminded us that life is more important than money.

Life is more important than money.

Luke 12:13-21

People are willing to do almost anything for money, that includes risking their life.

A man came to Jesus and asked Him to tell his brother to divide the family inheritance with him. Jesus’s answer was bi-fold: First, a warning against love of money...

Luke 12:15 NASB95

Then He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.”

Greed: a selfish and excessive desire to own or acquire wealth to treasure them. (RAE Dict.)

The second answer was a parable, known as the parable of the foolish rich man. On it, a man had become so wealthy that had no place to store all the crops. His plan was to demolish his barns and make them bigger, store the crops, take the years ahead to enjoy them. (Retirement!)

But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?

The virus does not discriminate between rich and poor, but why would I risk my life going out to make more money? My life is more important than any amount of money!

Family is more important than job.

What is more important? To keep your job or that your family keep you?

If you die, your family will not care where your worked! They will care about the moments you spent with them. They will care about the memories you created with them.

They will remember the special times you enjoyed together, not the years you spent at the company.

Do you think your employer really cares for you?

See Graphic Illustration

The pandemic has shown us that...

Not all church attendees are committed.

Faith, like gold, is tested by fire. The fire shows if gold and faith are real.

Crisis or difficulties are good testers of our faith. It is there when we can see if a person is truly committed to what he claims to believe.

The pandemic has allowed me to see that not all who come to church are truly committed to Christ.

They are not committed to Christ.

Matthew 7:21–23 NASB95

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’

How did Jesus know they were not committed to Him? They were confessing His name, but their actions were evil. They called Him Lord, bu they did not obey Him:

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luk 6:46)

The crisis has been the excuse for not obeying Him in many areas.

This has been an excellent opportunity to share the gospel, but you have not done it; to obey the authorities…, to pray for our government...

They are not committed to the church.

Hebrews 10:23–25 NASB95

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Today is the fifth Sunday since we re-opened the church, but some have not appeared yet! They got used to “watch the service”!

During this pandemic, the church has gone thru financial difficulties as never before, but some have not cared and have not given anything. Some have not given not even a penny during the last six months. They are not committed to the church!

Families and individuals have been in need due to losing their job or losing hours. Did you help them?

The members of the NT church were committed to the church (as a body), and to the members of the body:

Acts 4:32–35 NASB95

And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.

That was commitment to Christ and the Church!

The pandemic has reminded us that spiritual relationships are valuable.

Spiritual relationships are valuable.

Galatians 6:9–10 NASB95

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

I am sure that, during this pandemic, neither your uncle, nor aunt, nor brother, nor sister in the flesh has called you to see how they could help you out.

But I am also sure that someone in the spiritual family brought you food, groceries, or money to help you!

Our spiritual relationships are more valuable than our family in the flesh.

God takes good care of us.

The disciples were worried that, after leaving their jobs to follow Christ, they would not have for their needs. Food, cloth, and roof were their needs.

Jesus, who knew their hearts, told them

Matthew 6:31–34 NASB95

“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Despite the lack of work, decrease in the finances, and lost of benefits, God has taken good care of us. We have eaten better than before, we have had more than we needed, God has sent the ravens to bring bread and meat, He has increased our flour and our oil.

We do not know how long this pandemic will last! We do not know what will happen to the economy! But we know one thing: God will take care of our needs!