Choosing Mercy Series

Choosing Mercy

Series: Parables - Small Stories, Big Truths

Brad Bailey – August 22, 2021

Intro

My added welcome to each of you.

I want to begin with a moment to unite us in prayer for Afghanistan.

I imagine each of us has seen something of what has unfolded over the past week... and have been affected by the tragic nature of how these 20 years of involvement in Afghanistan have unraveled. [1]

I can still recall the moment I stood right here almost exactly 20 years ago.

It was October 7...2001... just weeks after the shocking events of 9/11... and I had been following the challenges being made to the leaders of Afghanistan. Then on that Sunday...during our second service...I received news that that we had just begun our attacks in the country. I got up before the congregation to lead us in prayer....and wept. I was struck with a sense of tragic loss in that moment when the war began...as I have been this past week.

It’s a moment to face the problems that lie within our human nature....and seek God’s heart and hand.

And before we pray.... I want to recognize that this this is a time that is especially difficult for so many who have served in the military.... or whose loved ones have served in the military. For them... what is playing out is related to what they literally gave their lives to. And I want to take a moment and recognize, that in the midst of the tragedy... there is a breadth of service and sacrifice to honor as well. I want to take a moment and recognize that so many lives have served a mission that HAS made a difference.

More than 775,000 American troops served in Afghanistan since 2001....many for multiple periods of time. [2]

Over 2400 military men and women were killed... and 20,000 wounded. These were sons and daughters... fathers and mothers.

These are not the lives who chose this war ... they are the lives that served as called upon. And that service and sacrifice has made differences.

Thanks to that service...there has NOT been another major terrorist attack in our nation for 20 years... nor has there been a major event across all western nations since the London bombings in 2005.

Thanks to that service...a new generation of Afghans have schools and hospitals across the country in a level that has been life changing,

Thanks to that service...Infant mortality rates in Afghanistan fell by half.

Thanks to that service... a generation of Afghans has been through school through these 20 years.

As one 21-year-old young Afghan woman, Shogufa, shared... the presence of American troops the past 20 years changed her life. When she was born.... few women could read or write.... and when she was still in her infancy, she was pledged to marry a much older cousin in the countryside to pay off a loan. But one of the non-profit development groups that came during these years... provided a different path. She got a job and is now pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

So in the midst of the current crisis... I want those who have served and sacrificed to know that you have made a difference... and to express what that young woman shared as her message to those Americans departing: “Thank you for everything you have done in Afghanistan.” [3]

And now I invite us to unite with God’s heart as I lead us in prayer ....

PRAY:

• Peace for those who served... to grasp how they have faithfully served what they were responsible for.

• Provision to fulfill the promises that have been made... to reach and rescue those who gave their trust....and to give us the hearts to receive and welcome the many refugees in need

• Protection of our brothers and sister in Christ... pour out faith and wisdom

• Grace upon country

Let me add that one of the gifts of being a part of the Vineyard movement of churches...is that we have churches in both Haiti and Afghanistan... and that we also contribute financially to work that is going on in both those countries even now. I hope you are blessed to know that...and I will try and share a report in our weekly email.

And now... we have the privilege to hear Jesus...as we come to the final week in our summer focus on the Parables of Jesus.

Throughout this series we have noted that Parables are short stories... or illustrations...that capture a significant truth. Or as our series title says...they are small stories with big truths.

And the parables are some of the most dynamic teachings of Jesus.

Jesus used them to help explain how the kingdom of God was at hand... that is... how the reign of rule of God... was now at hand. When a king comes and defeats the powers that be... that kingdom now reigns across the whole region which had previously been ruled by another power... even if it takes time to become manifest there. And of course whose kingdom one belongs to... ultimately is defined by who they choose to give their allegiance to.