America Under Attack
A Christian’s Response
September 12, 2001
Proposition:
Christians must respond Biblically and trust in The Lord during seemingly Senseless Tragedies.
Introduction:
Four airplanes (carrying some 266 people) were hijacked by Terrorists yesterday. Two crashed into and destroyed the World Trade Center Buildings and destroyed them. Another crashed into the pentagon. The other went down in Pennsylvania.
Total Lose of life and casualties will not be known for several days.
This may indeed be the greatest tragedy in the history of our nation.
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
Interrogative:
How do we act? How do we respond?
Leading Statement:
What I believe should be the Christian response:
I. Ponder (Isaiah 45:5-8)
A. Our Trust (Psalm 5:11-12)
Isaiah 45:5-8 I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it.
Psalm 5:11-12 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.
Psalm 121:1-2 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
B. Our Feelings (Romans 12:14-21)
We must resist the temptation to become consumed with anger, hostility, and bitterness.
Romans 12:14-21
C. Our Actions (Romans 13:1-4)
We must support our Government leaders in their decisions and attempts to protect the free world of this reoccurring.
Romans 13:1-4
Corporal punishment has been used of God since the beginning of time as a tool to discourage evil and to encourage good.
Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
II. Proclaim (Genesis 50:20,21)
Through the ages, Tragedies have opened doors to witness.
A. The devil has made a tactical error. Tragedies have always strengthened the church, and that God will use for good what Satan has intended for evil (Gen. 50:20-21).
Genesis 50:20,21 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.
B. People will be drawn to seek God’s face because of this overwhelming tragedy. Tragedy of this magnitude leaves people with nowhere else to turn.
C. This is a vivid reminder of each individual’s mortality and vulnerability.
III. Pray (Philippians 4:6,7)
Philippians 4:6,7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
A. Ask God to be with rescue personnel, families, churches that are affected by the tragedy.
B. Ask God to stand against the devil’s attempts to make families experience unresolved anger or guilt over the loss of loved ones.
C. Ask God to use this situation to bring unprecedented spiritual openness to the Gospel, and ask Him to show Himself to them.
D. Ask God to focus the minds of public officials on the need for prayer and to provide people who will continue to pray for the situation.
E. Ask God to give our leaders wisdom.
F. Ask God to unite our nation.
G. Ask God to empower preachers who are called upon to speak about or reflect on the situation.
Conclusion:
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
