Encouraging Words For Discouraging Times Series

1. I am in a virtually empty building this morning. Last week we had a smaller than usual crowd but the enthusiasm was fabulous!

a. No assemblies for three Sundays at least. We’ll stream the sermons and you can take the Lord’s Supper on your own today.

b. I’m looking forward to the day we get back together as a congregation. It will be a wonderful day of praise and thanksgiving. New hunger for community.

c. Today I just want to speak to you with some words of encouragement as we ALL deal with this issue.

2. You are probably overwhelmed with all of the information about COVID19. KOCO – “Daily Coronavirus Newsletter.” We are hearing things like:

a. “Unprecedented” – correct, nothing like it in recent history

b. “Prevention”

c. “Social Distancing” – no hugs/handshakes; being with people – goes against the nature of Christians

d. Array of emotions attached to this epidemic – Fear; Anger; Confusion; Faith; Hope; Love (SO MANY are offering to assist others rather than hide)

3. This may help us understand plagues in the Bible

• Genesis 26:1-5 – A famine came to the land; God told Isaac NOT to go to Egypt but to stay put and live there; sow and read – Isaac obeyed and was rewarded abundantly

• Nowhere for us to flee; we have to stay in the land but we can flourish

4. Good News – Opportunity to let our lights shine for God.

a. We are stopping and waiting on LORD right now (Psalm 27:14, etc.)

b. SMILE and GREET Others cheerfully – we belong to the God of heaven, no matter what happens.

c. Natural tendency – fear – we have a different spirit – 2 Timothy 1:7 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

5. This is OUR TIME to step up and step out in Faith.

a. Other American Generations stepped up – Founding the nation; WWII; et al

b. Bible characters stepped up – Noah; Abram; Moses; Esther (Esther 4:14)

c. We’ve been trusting in wrong things as a nation – wealth; technology; government; intelligence; Science

d. Now it’s our turn to trust God “in the storm” (topic for next week).

So, what do we do in this time of pandemic?

1. Respond wisely to our circumstance – Proverbs 22:3 and 27:12 say,

“The prudent sees danger and hides himself,

but the simple go on and suffer for it.

2. Reach Out to friends and neighbors – invite them to join in on our sermon streaming

3. Live with HOPE, not Fear

a. FDR – The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. (A worse epidemic)

b. Psalm 27:1-5

4. Show others your faith and hope – These are caught and taught – Philippian Jailer in Acts 16

5. Encourage, don’t discourage

a. Tendency to see the negative

b. Look for the positive – keep looking up

6. Thrive – sow and reap like Isaac in Genesis 26

a. Give contribution of what you are able – blessings to come

b. We are still supporting a lot of ministry

7. Spend quality family time

a. No sports

b. No school

c. Some parents working from home or maybe laid off for a while

d. Don’t miss this opportunity to lead and encourage your children – show them faith in action

8. Go Online for Bible Studies

a. Our sermons and Wed PM devotional thoughts

b. Other preachers and teachers – unlimited resources on internet

9. Pray – Especially Psalm 91

10. Seek the LORD while he may be found – 2 Chronicles 7:13-14

13 When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, 14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

1. Remember, there is no such thing as a pain-free, trial-free life

2. In modern America (since WWII) we have had an incredibly easy time and are surprised when issues hit.

3. Yet, we know James 1:2-4 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

4. By the grace of God we will get through this

5. Be patient; stay the course; God is faithful (qualities from Psalm 91):

• MOST HIGH

• ALMIGHTY

• DELIVERS

• COVERS

• DWELLING PLACE

• REFUGE

• PROTECTOR

• RESCUER