Sripture Text: Exodus 10:21 - And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt. 22 And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days: 23 They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.
Introduction: Egypt was full of darkness but the children of Israel had lights in their dwellings. Most of us are caught unprepared with this pandemic. A very rare situation but we see its reality. You cannot expect a perfect environment in this cursed world because of sin. And as Christians, we are not exempted with what is happening in this world because we are still dwellers in this earth but we have the presence of God in our life. There might be darkness around the world but we can still had light in our dwellings.
I. THE LIGHT OF GOD'S WORD.
Today we not just suffering poverty of physical food but a lot also suffers from poverty of spiritual food. They tried to prepare physically but they disregard to prepare spiritually.
In Exouds 9:18-25 - Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now. (19) Send therefore now, and gather thy cattle, and all that thou hast in the field; for upon every man and beast which shall be found in the field, and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come down upon them, and they shall die. (20 ) He that feared the word of the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses: (21) And he that regarded not the word of the LORD left his servants and his cattle in the field. (22) And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch forth thine hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man, and upon beast, and upon every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt. (23) - And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt. (24) So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation. (25) And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field.
God instructs His people what to do to preseve them for the coming plaque. But I want to stress out the reactions of Pharaoh's servants, some feared the word of God and they obeyed, but some disregarded. When the plaque came, all that is in the field, their beast, their servants, their crops was all destroyed by hail mingled with fire. Why because they disregard God's Word to them.
We are bombarded by a lot news in TV, radio and internet about this pandemic that we want to listen to every announcement from IATF, DOH, from our President, and every news whether legit or not from the social media. But give a small amount of time listening to the Words our Omniscient or All-Knowing God. Even the servants of Pharaoh who feared the Word of God were able to save their lives, their servants and their cattle because they listen and follow God's Word.
Atheist believe the invisible virus but don't want to believe the invisible God. If they don't believe God they will not believe God's Word. Pastor Toquero said in his preaching the God of All Crisis, "People who do not value God's Word for his life, will reap the famine of God in his life.” If you practice meditating God’s Word before this Pandemic you are prepared spiritually but if not you are full of fears and worries.
Job's strength against the testing in his life was his Personal Preparation to Equip himself by God's Word (PPE of God's Word). Job's practice to stay with God is his Perfectly and Persistently Eschewing Evil (PPE against evil).
If you failed to meditate on God's Word before then this time of pandemic is the time to meditate on God’s Word.
II. THE LIGHT OF GOD'S HOPE
As Christians we have hope that is sure and steadfast because it is anchored on God. many people there hope is affixed on the temporary things of this world which the Bible says as “hypocrite’s hope”. Job 8:13 - So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish.
Even in this dark times we have the light of God’s hope in our life. Psalm 78:7 - That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments
We don’t know the extent of this pandemic cause by COVID-19 by whatever happens we these three hope.
A. The Hope of His coming
Titus 2:13 - Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Maybe this year, we do not know, that the RAPTURE that we are waiting for might happen any moment.
B. The Hope of Resurrection
1 Thessalonians 4:13 - But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. It is a sad things that thousands of people are dying every day because of this kind of corona virus. Even pastors and saved individuals are not exempted. We don’t know if we will survived this pandemic but still have hope than even death could not take away – the hope of resurrection.
C. The Hope in the midst of Pandemic
Romans 12:12 - Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.
Romans 8:24 - For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
Romans 15:13 - Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
As Christians we could even rejoice and by praying and exercising patience in this tribulation we know by heart that if God’s will for us to survive, God will sustain us!
III. THE LIGHT THAT IS WITHI US - THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST
The first two lights are our source of encouragement and courage to continue. But we need to remember that we also have responsibility. Because the third light is within us – The Gospel of Christ. Matthew 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. We ought all to shine because we have the light within us.
I post a joke one time, I think yesterday in social media, for me it is just a joke for people to laugh, but we need to be sensitive that a lot of people nowadays cannot even smile because of their present condition that they lack food, some are even fighting against this killing virus.
Our President and our government is doing their task to contained the virus and provide the physical needs of people during Enhanced Community Quarantine Period. The AFP and PNP to secure Orders and Peace. The Medical Frontliners to treat the infected. Even celebrities and other individuals, companies, certain groups are helping. But WE, Christians also need to do our main task - to share the gospel.
Our church also try to help our needy brothers and sisters, and also reaching out in our community by giving relief to the contacts of our church workers, giving foods to our PNP personnel in our Police Station. But don't forget our main task is to share the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We cannot do what other frontliners could do but God expects us to be spiritual frontliners. That's why we try our best to have Live Stream Services. Trying to record the messages of our pastor to share in our social media platforms. Create Soul-Winning presentation. Please use it and do not waste it by not sharing it. There are still some Christians spending their time to entertain themselves not to be bored but insensitive to what is happening outside.
As I prepare this message, additional of 65,216 new cases, 6, 283 deaths around the world were added. Total of 1,407, 123 cases and 80,759 deaths already. In Philippines 3,764 cases, 177 deaths, 84 recovered. We already had 5 PUI or PUM in Brgy. Salvacion where our one building is located. No time to waste. Use your time, talent or treasure in sharing the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
As I close, you don't need to become a Pastor, a Missionary, a Bible Woman or a Bible Students to shine the Gospel of Christ. This video shows that even a cleaner was use by God for the salvation of one dying COVID patient. And this COVID survivor because of that cleaner was a living testimony of God's Saving Power over one sinner who humbly trust and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Saviour.
