Introduction
Coronavirus has caused a lot of confusion all over the world. We get all kinds of fake forwards in different WhatsApp groups every day. And people are wondering how long this virus will last and they are wondering how to respond to this pandemic. Even several Christians are wondering as to how to respond to this unprecedented situation. So, what must be the church’s response to coronavirus? Let’s see what the Bible has to say.
Would you take God’s Word and turn your Bibles with me to 2 Chronicles 7:14?
I have entitled today’s sermon as: “The Church's Response to Coronavirus"
Central Proposition of the Sermon: The Church is the agent of healing and hope in this world.
So, how can the Church respond to the outbreak of coronavirus?
1. Repent and intercede for the nations.
First of all, we must repent of our sins. It’s not enough to wish or pray that coronavirus would go. We don’t know the source of this virus. We don’t know whether it’s a natural consequence of the fallen world or the work of Satan or God’s judgment. Ultimately, God is sovereign and nothing happens without his permission. But these kinds of crises is a reminder that we must repent of our sins. It’s time to introspect.
I heard that a porn website started offering free content to some of the western countries affected by the coronavirus as the people in these countries were consuming a lot of porn due to lockdown. Can you believe this? During this difficult time, instead of seeking the Lord’s face and repenting, some are turning to porn.
Revelation 2:4-5: 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.
This is the time for the church to repent of its sins.
We must also repent on behalf of the nations.
2 Chronicles 7:14: 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.
Intercede for yourself, your family, your society, your church, your nation, and our world.
Confession of sins and healing are often mentioned together in the Bible.
James 5:16: Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
So, let’s examine our lives and repent of our sins and also repent on behalf of the sins of humankind. Also, don’t go back to your old life once things get normal. Let’s intercede for God’s intervention at this critical time.
2. Have faith in God.
Christians must not give any place to fear.
2 Timothy 1:7: for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Mark 5:36: But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.”
Jesus tells Jairus, “Do not fear, only believe.”
We must believe that the Lord is in control. We must believe that the Lord is sovereign. We must believe that the Lord is good. We must believe that the Lord will accomplish His purposes even in this situation (Rom. 8:28; Gen. 50:20).
Philippians 4:8: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Develop your faith by constantly meditating on God’s Word (Rom. 10:17). Meditate on God’s greatness and goodness. That will strengthen your faith.
3. Remember that life is uncertain.
A few weeks back, life was normal. But because of a tiny virus, the whole world turned upside down! We must remember that we are pilgrims and sojourners on this earth.
Psalm 102:11: My days are like an evening shadow; I wither away like grass.
Psalm 103:15-16: 15 As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; 16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.
James 4:13-14: 13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— 14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
Don’t hold on to the things of this world tightly. Hold them lightly.
Be prepared for Christ’s second coming.
Mark 13:32-33: 32 “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.
Before death knocks at your door, give your life to Jesus. Don’t postpone your salvation even for another minute. Since life is uncertain, we must stand on Christ, the solid Rock. All other rock is sinking sand! Remember that life is uncertain.
4. Obey the authorities.
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.
1 Peter 2:13-15: 13 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.
As long as the government doesn’t ask us to do something contrary to God’s Word, we must obey them and cooperate with them. Don’t unnecessarily criticize the government during these difficult times.
Stay home. Maintain physical distancing. Join hands with the government as we fight this terrible pandemic.
5. Utilize your time well.
Ephesians 5:15-16: 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
John 9:4: We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.
Psalm 90:12: So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
How can we utilize our time well?
Spend time reading and meditating the Word.
Memorize the Word.
Have an extended time of prayer with your family.
Spend time with your family by talking to each other and doing things together.
Play with your children.
Read some good books.
Develop some of your hobbies and skills.
Maintain physical distancing, but get connected to people digitally.
6. Help those who are in need.
It’s easy to be self-centered during this time. But we are commanded to love our neighbors (Mk 12:31). We are called to be a blessing to others (Gen. 12:1-3).
The human heart is a wonderful thing. It pumps blood in at one valve [?????] and then sends it out through another valve. It never stores up the blood. It is constantly circulating throughout the body. It gets blood, then it gives blood. It never stores it up for use at a later date. It receives, then gives! It receives, then gives! It receives, then gives!
The same is true with any healthy Christian or church. You first receive from God and then give to others.
Galatians 6:10: So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Help those who are needy, especially the poor, destitute, and the elderly. When we study Church history, we can learn that Christians were at the forefront of ministering to the sick when pandemics occurred. As a result, many people turned to the Lord. Doing good works is not the end goal, but glorifying the Lord is. Let’s glorify the Lord by doing good deeds (Mt. 5:16) and be a blessing to others.
7. Share your hope with others.
Right now, the world is looking for answers. Don’t send unnecessary forwards which further cause fear or panic. Share the hope you have in Christ with others. Humans may be under lockdown, but God’s Word is not under lockdown.
2 Timothy 2:9: But the word of God is not bound!
Share the gospel by calling others and through social media. Many hearts are receptive to the hope-giving gospel.
So, seize the moment and share the life-giving gospel of Christ with others.
1 Peter 3:15: but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
Share your testimony with others. Share some of the Bible verses which assure us of eternal life and hope. Demonstrate that you have something that others don’t have.
Conclusion
Central Proposition of the Sermon: The Church is the agent of healing and hope in this world.
1. Let’s repent and intercede for the nations.
2. Let’s have faith in God.
3. Remember that life is uncertain.
4. Obey the authorities.
5. Utilize your time well.
6. Help those who are in need.
7. Share your hope with others.
Let’s be agents of healing and hope in this sick and hopeless world!
