TITLE: AFTER SHOCK
SCRIPTURE: ST. MATTHEW 24:4-8 / ST. LUKE 21:11-12
(This Sermon drew upon a few of the points in a sermon by Rev. Jerry Shirley, January 2010)
I want to spend some time this morning addressing what the Word of God has to say about the great tragedy we have all been watching in the news as MASSIVE 8.9 some reports say 9.0 EARTHQUAKE followed by a Destructive TSUNAMI struck the country of JAPAN. We have been watching the TRIPLE THREAT as the Nuclear Plants have begun to release dangerous levels of RADIATION in the atmosphere. It was the FOURTH MOST POWERFUL earthquake every recorded and the most powerful Earthquake registered in Japan. The Death toll as of Yesterday was approximately 7,700 and rising. It is a terrible lose of human life and property. Our hearts go out to those who have suffered and continue to suffer.
There were hundreds of stories in the news over the past week discussing everything from the human side told by eyewitness survivors to interviews with seismologists and oceanographers discussing the threat of future tsunamis. Satellite and Cable news channels have covered it thoroughly around the clock, and I am sure most of you, just as I, have been transfixed to the television, not believing the great devastation that we have been watching.
After all that we have been watching, it has also been noted that the country of Japan has experienced over 550 Aftershocks. Some registering 6.2 - which is significant by itself. I can only imagine that the experience causes lack of sleep as well as continued panic for the survivors. The aftershocks in Japan have been intense. We need to learn how to respond after shock.
• How do we as Believers respond to such tragedy?
• What should our reaction be?
• When our world shakes
• When we are in shock
• After it happens
• After shock has gripped our being
• What we do next as believers is absolutely vital
The following quote comes from the website of the UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY or USGS. It is the short version of the physical cause earthquakes.
"Earth scientists believe that most earthquakes are caused by slow movements inside the earth that push against the Earth’s brittle, relatively thin layer, causing the rocks to break suddenly. This outer layer is fragmented into a number of pieces, called plates. Most earthquakes occur at the boundaries of these plates."
Yes, my brothers and sisters the AFTER SHOCKS in Japan have been INTENSE. We can learn from them and how to respond -- After Shock -- has rattled our lives. THE SURFACE OF THE EARTH IS BREAKING UP. It is shifting around. Surely such a situation is not good. But it was not that way originally. The Bible tells us that at one time everything in the creation was "GOOD." Everything God had done and created, he declared it was good. Matter of fact when He created man, he declared “IT IS VERY GOOD.” Every part of what God made in the seven days of creation was good. There wasn’t a single bad thing about any of it. It was PERFECT.
• But earthquakes and tsunamis are not good
• They’re very bad
• They’re tragic
• They’re horrible
• Yet aren’t they, too, a part of God’s creation?
So what happened? How did things get from "good" to the tragedies we see today? In the process of time things changed because man rebelled. This opened the floodgate that allowed Sin to enter the World as we know it today. What we see today whenever we hear of or experience such natural disasters is a reminder of the consequences of our allowing sin to corrupt what God has created. I am not suggesting that we blame Adam and Eve for what transpired in the Garden of Eden, I am convinced many if not most of us would have done the same thing. I am suggesting because we continue to sin we open the gate wider at the passing of each generation.
I have heard those interviewed around our country and it appears that many are afraid that something like this or of greater magnitude will strike our country. Heard on Fox News suggested that Americans are Panicking because a radioactive Cloud could drift all the way from Japan across Ocean and be harmful to our country. I have even heard those around us say they feel that something tragic will happen in our country, something more tragic than what we experienced at 9/11. My brothers and sisters the first thing we should do after shock is to take an assessment of our feelings. As many of us watched news reports on the destructive earthquake and tsunami that wiped out Japan’s coastline of homes and communities, I couldn’t help but wonder: HOW COULD I WITHSTAND SUCH TRAGEDY?
We must ensure WE HAVE FAITH – NOT FEAR. I am reminded of Peter and the disciples when they were in a boat caught in the midst of a storm. During the storm Jesus walked out on the water to join and to help them.
• Disciples saw the figure of Jesus or of a man walking on the water, Bible says – THEY CRIED OUT IN FEAR
• Jesus then responded – BE OF GOOD CHEER, IT IS I; BE NOT AFRAID
• You recall what happened next. Peter declared if it is you Lord let me come out and walk to you
• Jesus encouraged him to come
• But when - HE SAW THE WIND BOISTEROUS, HE WAS AFRAID
• You remember how he began to sink and cried – LORD SAVE ME
• O THOU OF LITTLE FAITH, WHEREFORE DIDST THOU DOUBT
It is natural for us to express normal emotions of concern and uncertainty when tragedy strikes, when the earth shifts and winds blow. I believe that God has given us this emotional mechanism for humanity. I am suggesting to us that our response must be SPIRITUAL and not based on Fear. I believe that Paul said it best when he wrote to Timothy - II TIMOTHY 1:7 “GOD HATH NOT GIVEN US THE SPIRIT OF FEAR; BUT OF POWER, AND OF LOVE, AND OF A SOUND MIND.” We can not find comfort in fear, only more anxiety.
This faith, or confidence, is in the One in whom there is ultimate security and certainity.
• Unlike the stock market
• Unlike some of our acquaintances
• Unlike our position on the job
• In what, or whom, are you trusting?
This One in whom we have faith, unlike the terrorist attack on Towers of the World Trade Center, on 9/11 – Our God will never crumble. He is our Strong Tower who not will fall, no matter what the circumstances. He is our Strong Tower who can withstand Disasters - Earthquakes - Tsuanamis - and the unknowns according to – Proverbs 18:10.
The core of Christian faith is not based on a fear ridden heart, but a joyful and thankful heart. Jesus not only died on the cross for our sins even though we don't deserve God's saving grace, but also Jesus is always with us to the end of the age, and guides us to eternal life. That's the reason why we are thankful and joyful. Our faith in Jesus tells us not to fear, but to trust God even to the end of the world. In this morning's text, Jesus encourages us to overcome fear, saying, "WHEN THESE THINGS BEGIN TO TAKE PLACE, STAND UP AND LIFT UP YOUR HEADS, BECAUSE YOUR REDEMPTION IS DRAWING NEAR."
When Jesus responded to a question posed by His disciples in our Scripture text – ST. MATHEW 24:4-8 - about future events, Jesus indicated the following would occur:
• Great deception in the earth
• Wars and rumors of wars
• Nation would rise against nation
• Famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places
Amazingly, in the midst of that SEEMINGLY PESSIMISTIC FORECAST, Jesus gave an outstanding command: “SEE THAT YOU ARE NOT TROUBLED!” One translation of that verse says - “Stop being alarmed,” and another says - “See that you are not frightened or alarmed.”
The next AFTER SHOCK we need to consider – PRAY – DON’T PANIC. When Panic takes over, Prayer Ceases. We must continue to be in prayer for Japan, long after the news crew departs. Just like the earthquake suffered in HAITI last year where thousands of lives were lost. If we are honest, most of us have stopped praying for Haiti since they are no longer dominating the news, yet there is still such great need there as well.
There seems to be so much going on in our world today. QADHAFI - in Libya attacking his own countrymen -- NATO as of last night intervening with a NO FLY ZONE -- PRICE OF GAS is affecting many American families in their pocket books. With the summer driving season approaching, it is possible that gas will rise even higher. With all this going in, it would appear that now is the time to PANIC and even lose Hope.
CAN WE TALK FOR JUST A MOMENT. I mean really talk. What do you expect when you pray? -- What do you really expect? -- Let's put away all of the religious talk. Let's put aside all of the expectations what you think other people expect of you when we pray and really get down to the truth, what do you expect when you pray? What are you really looking for when God hears and when God responds?
You can almost tell if a prayer is going somewhere when people first remember that GOD IS CREATOR and REDEEMER –
• When we remember what God did in the Bible
• When we remember what God has done in our own lives and in our church
• When we remember the specific promises that God has made and we are not doing this for God, we are doing this because we are starting to collect our own minds and our own faith as we hold our requests before God
• By the time we get to our request, we really believe that God will do something about it, which sometimes isn't apparent when we immediately jump into prayer
I am a firm believer that PRAYER is the key to accessing the most powerful force in the entire universe. You see, our almighty God's unlimited power flows primarily to and through people who pray. Someone has rightly said, "WHEN WE WORK, WE WORK, BUT WHEN WE PRAY, GOD WORKS!" His supernatural strength is made available to praying people who take their burdens to Him because they are convinced at the core of their being that God can and will make a difference.
• ABRAHAM - prayed and a nation was born from the seeds of two senior citizens-an elderly couple that had to stop by the maternity ward on their way to the retirement home!
• ELIJAH - prayed and it didn't rain for three years. He prayed again and God's cooling rains came down
• JOSHUA - prayed and God stopped the earth's rotation. I mean, the sun hung in the same place in the sky for hours until the battle was won-all because of a prayer
• DAVID - prayed and his horrendous sins of lust, murder, and adultery were forgiven
• HEZEKIAH - prayed and his life was lengthened!
• Prayer can change circumstances and relationships
• It can help us face life's daily struggles
• It can heal psychological and physical problems
• It can restore a breaking or even broken marriage
• It can meet financial needs
• In fact, prayer can handle any kind of difficulty, dilemma or discouragement
The Final AFTER SHOCK I want to address is BELIEVE GOD – DON’T BLAME HIM. Let me say this as clear as I can, what has happened in Japan as tragic as it is – THIS IS NOT GOD’S FAULT, though we call it an “ACT OF GOD.”
• Some will blame Him
• Some will turn against Him
• Some will say how can a Just God do such a thing
• I ensure that I never criticize Preachers, they are God’s men – however I remember what PAT ROBERTSON said, immediately suggested God was punishing HAITI for a pact it made with the devil long ago
• Let me just say that if you make a pact with the devil you certainly have punishment coming, but it is far more severe than an earthquake and tsunami
It’s part of our nature to make ourselves feel better by assigning blame. I will never forget what the Chairman of the Deacon Board said to me after I was called to Pastor the Emmanuel-Calvary Baptist Church in Hobart, OK. After welcoming me as the new Pastor, he said “WE ARE GLAD YOU ARE HERE, WE NEED SOMEONE TO BLAME.” It was a wonderful Pastorate with caring and loving Deacons. This deacon let me know the reality that comes with the Position.
• Just as this new ministry was birthed 9-months ago at Perfected Praise Worship Center
• As we continue to grow we will pat ourselves on the back and thank God
• If this ministry were to have failed, we would have said, Bishop Lawson just did not know what he was doing
• It is our nature to want to Assign Blame
We don’t always UNDERSTAND THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD. We don’t always agree with the Sovereignty of God. But be assured my Brothers and Sisters that GOD IS SOVEREIGN!
• It’s not the Presidents Fault
• Although our Nation tries to blame President Obama for everything
• And here’s a NEWS FLASH - It is not even the former Presidents fault
• It’s not FEMA’s fault this time
• Consider what that Wise Writer said - ECCLESIATES 9:11 “I RETURNED, AND SAW UNDER THE SUN, THAT THE RACE IS NOT TO THE SWIFT, NOR THE BATTLE TO THE STRONG, NEITHER YET BREAD TO THE WISE, NOR YET RICHES TO MEN OF UNDERSTANDING, NOR YET FAVOUR TO MEN OF SKILL; BUT TIME AND CHANCE HAPPENETH TO THEM ALL.”
• Songwriter followed by saying – WE ARE OFTEN TOSSED AND DRIVEN BY THE RESTLESS SEA OF TIME, SOMBER SKIES AND HOLLOWING TEMPTEST OFT SUCCEED A BRIGHT SUNSHINE, IN THE LAND OF PERFECT DAY, WHEN THE MIDST HAVE ROLLED AWAY, WE WILL UNDERSTAND IT BETTER BY AND BY
I know that it is NOT POLITICALLY CORRECT – but I am not running for Political Office – the truth of the matter is - IT’S A SIN-CURSED WORLD - and we are the sinners who cursed it, and bad things because of a sin cursed world, do happen. I am not sure about you, but I get tired and frustrated listening to Christians GET MAD AT GOD WHEN THINGS GO WRONG.
• In the midst of Earthquakes and Tsunamis
• Whatever may have shaken us
• When the ground continues to shake
• God did not Do It
• Sin has caused it
• God allowed it for a higher purpose
• We need to believe that and not blame Him
• We shouldn’t blame God
• But believe on Him
• Bad Things Happen – But God is Good
• God is not responsible for our circumstances
• He wants to save us from them, and He will, if only we believe
• After Shock – believe on the Lord Jesus for the Pardon of Our Sins
--God is planning to fix this – DECAYING – BREAKING APART – WINDING DOWN – EARTHQUAKE PRODUCING – KILLER WAVE GENERATING – TORNADO AND HURRICANE PRODUCING WORLD
--That is the great Christian Hope!
--That is what we are living for!
--After Shock, the curse is to be taken away!
