Hope Beyond Terrorism
Thesis: We have been shocked by terrorism like never before this week and many are walking around bewildered saying, “Where is the hope?”
Introduction:
Lets recap the Timeline of the week that has caused many to be bewildered and feeling hopeless:
A stage of horrorOn Sept. 11, a date that will live in infamy for Americans, terrorists attacked the World Trade Center in New York City. At 9:05 a.m., hijacked United Airlines Flight 175, carrying 65 people, crashes into the south tower. The north tower burns from a previous crash of American Airlines Flight 11 at 8:48 a.m.. "I was in the World Financial Center looking out the window," said one woman. "I saw the first plane, and then 15 minutes later saw the other plane just slam into the World Trade Center." Another woman said: "It was the most horrible thing I’ve ever seen in my life."
Desperate leapA person jumps from the North Tower of the World Trade Center as another clings to the outside, left center, while smoke and fire billow from the building. "About five minutes before the tower fell, you could see people jumping from the upper floors. I watched six either fall or jump...." said Steve Johnson, a MSNBC.com producer who was standing about six blocks from the towers in lower Manhattan
.
The unthinkable has happened
At 9:59 a.m., the South Tower collapses. People in front of St. Patrick’s Cathedral react as they look down Fifth Avenue toward the World Trade Center. "Clearly, not even the police and FBI who had flooded the area were worried about collapse, they wouldn’t have been anywhere as near to the buildings as they were. If the first building hadn’t essentially fallen straight down, its crash could have killed hundreds standing, like me, a few blocks away," said George Hackett of Newsweek.
The sky falls in
At 10:28 a.m., the North Tower comes crashing down. Mike Smith, a fire marshal from Queens, said: "Everyone was screaming, crying, running — cops, people, firefighters, everyone. A couple of marshals just picked me up and dragged me down the street."
Pentagon attackedWith the Washington Monument in the background, a hijacked American Airlines Flight 77 crashes into the Pentagon. "I’m totally freaked out. Hearing the plane going over my head was frightening," said Elissa Brainard, 29.
Terror in the air
All domestic airports were shut down after four commercial airliners were hijacked and then crashed. Passengers leave under the watchful eye of a Massachusetts state trooper in the American Airlines terminal at Logan Airport in Boston.
Quotes from NBC news at NBCnews.com.
Yes, we have been faced with one of the worst weeks in the history of this nation. We have about 260 people killed on the high jacked airplanes. 190 people killed at the Pentagon. 184 confirmed dead at the World Trade center with 4,763 people missing and presumed dead. The death total of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, the 4 air planes brings the death toll to over 5,000 individuals who lost their lives this week. Compare that to Pearl Harbor 2,390 and the Titanic 1, 500 the combination of these two tragedies still does not match what happened this week in total loss of life.
Yet you need to understand these where people just like you and me. They had parents, brothers, sisters, spouses, friends, and children. Listen to some of their names:
READ from the lists of some of the victims. Taken from ABCNEWS.COM.
Show cartoon overhead of Statue of Liberty from the Pioneer Press!
Where is the Hope! All these lives gone in a moment of time! Unexpected devastation in a moment in time! Men and women like you and me just going through their daily routine come face to face with terrorism and its death and destruction.
But I want to tell you, “There is hope for the present and the future!” Many would reply that yes its in the Military, or its in more Intelligence, or its in our vast wealth, or it’s in patriotism. A president of the United States once talked about where true hope comes from:
In June of 1863, just weeks before the battle of Gettysburg, a college President asked Lincoln if he thought the country would survive. President Lincoln replied:
I do not doubt that our country will finally come through safe and undivided. But do not misunderstand me… I do not rely on the patriotism of our people …the bravery and devotion of the boys in blue…(or) the loyalty and skill of generals…But the God of our fathers, Who raised up this country to be the refuge and asylum of the oppressed and downtrodden of all nations, will not let perish now. I may not live to see it… I do not expect to see it, but God will bring us through safe.
This is a key my brothers and sisters in Christ. Our hope comes from the Gospel, from the Lord Jesus Christ!
I. We have learned this week that we are not in control and this has shattered many people ‘s hope?
A. The 12 Step program of recovery starts out telling us we need to admit we are powerless over our situation-that our lives have become unmanageable.
1. In step one, we admitted that our lives are out of control and we ourselves recognize our powerlessness to change it.
a. America recognized for the first time how helpless – how we are not in control of everything around us.
b. One teacher in a school told his students that when he had told been wrong when he had told them earlier that a terrorist attack could never happen in America. He admitted that he was wrong. It can happen in America!
c. I heard of Senators saying this cannot be true, “Not in The United States!” But they realized it was not a movie it was reality- it happened and it can happen again!
d. We are not in control like we think we are.
2. To recognize this is the first step to healing our nation – our lives!
a. Listen to me God is in control not you, not me-not others!
3. Romans 7:17, which speaks directly to this life predicament, "I know nothing good lives in me, that is in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out."
a. Man’s nature without the Lord is evil- there is no good in man without the spirit of God!
B. Step two speaks to us about our brokenness and inability to fix ourselves. Step two centers us in on a "Higher Power" this higher power is the Lord Jesus Christ.
1. He is the one with the power to restore my life and repair my broken condition.
a. Only God can heal this nation! Only God can restore and rebuild it. The foundation of humanism is destroying our country.
b. This week at a school in the area the student made a flag out of imprints of their hand and wrote God Bless America over the flag.
c. One teacher commented to another teacher – This is crossing the line of separation of Church and State! The biggest lie being promoted today in our country.
i. What – This person does not want God to bless our nation in a tragic time?
ii. What- This person does not want God to bless our schools?
iii. What- This person does not want God to bless the hurting?
iv. No nation survives without God -Ask the Soviet Union. If this person does not want God to bless our nation or our schools then maybe this person should move to a communist country!
v. There where other teachers who did not do the moment of silence in some schools – this attitude is what is wrong with our nation today and what is making this nation vulnerable to terrorists attacks.
vi. II Chronicles 7:14,15a
14if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 15Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers…
2. I have to come to the conclusion here, that I cannot repair myself. Christ is the one who is able to put me back together. Christ is the one who can repair the hurt, the devastation of this nations recent tragedies.
C. This scenario reminds me of the Old Nursery Rhyme, "Humpty Dumpty". (See Overhead) Read it.
1. Let’s make the rhyme more personal!
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.
(Doing his daily routine.)
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall;
(because the wall was blown up by terrorists.)
All the Kings horses, and
all the kings men
Cannot put Humpty Dumpty
together again.
(All the world’s ways and my ways cannot put this nation back together again.)
2. But when the natural ways, and my ways fail, I’m promised through the Words of Christ that He can put me back together again if I place my faith in Him.
a. The Lord is speaking to this nation from Phil. 2:12 "God is working in you to make you willing and able to obey Him."
D. This progresses us to step 3 which involves the decision to let God be in charge of our lives the ONLY HIGHER POWER!
1. Romans 12:1,2 speaks to us here
"Dear Friends, God is good. So I beg you to offer your bodies to Him as a living sacrifice, pure and pleasing. That’s the most sensible way to serve God. Don’t be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to Him." (CEV)
2. But we must make this decision to turn our will to God!
3. Through our brokenness, pain, disappointments and our suffering, there is a promise to all those who suffer.
a. Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest, take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matt. 11:28-30)
5. The invitation is still for us today. But the decision is up to each one of you to accept it! It’s up to this nation to drop to their knees and turn their lives toward God rather than turn their backs of the Lord!
6. If you accept His invitation you will receive Hope! Strength! and Peace!
Movie Clip: Aimstad
Introduction to the clip: From Preaching Today- The movie Amistad is about a slave ship filled with abducted African men, women, and children. In the face of starvation, beatings, rape, and murder, the Africans plan a coup on route from Africa to Cuba. On a stormy night, their leader, Cinque, unshackles his comrades. They seize the ship and order the planter to sail them to Africa. Instead of navigating them to Africa, however, the planter lands them to an eastern American seaport, where the Africans are imprisoned. On the eve of the judge’s verdict, the Africans are scattered about their prison cell, lost in their despondency. But one sits contentedly in a corner reading a Bible given by a missionary. Cinque, the fearless leader, glumly looks over at his fellow captive, Yamba, and says, “You don’t have to pretend to be interested in that. Nobody’s watching but me. “ Lets pick it up there!
CLIP
The closing scene: gazing intently at Cinque, Yamba insists, “This is where the soul goes when you die here. This is where we’re going when they kill us.” Stroking the picture that depicts heaven, Yamba concludes, “It doesn’t look so bad.”
T.S. - When you accept the one who really gives hope and healing then you get to see what Hope we have in Christ Jesus. Revelation gives us just a little glimpse:
Texts:
The Holy Bible, New International Version
Revelation 21:1 (NIV)
1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.
Revelation 21:2 (NIV)
2I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
Revelation 21:3 (NIV)
3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.
Revelation 21:4 (NIV)
4He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Revelation 21:5 (NIV)
5He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Revelation 21:6 (NIV)
6He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.
Revelation 21:7 (NIV)
7He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.
Revelation 21:8 (NIV)
8But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
The Message:
Revelation 21
EVERYTHING NEW
I saw Heaven and earth new-created. Gone the first Heaven, gone the first earth, gone the sea.
I saw Holy Jerusalem, new-created, descending resplendent out of Heaven, as ready for God as a bride for her husband.
I heard a voice thunder from the Throne: “Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! They’re his people, he’s their God. He’ll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good—tears gone, crying gone, pain gone—all the first order of things gone.” The Enthroned continued, “Look! I’m making everything new. Write it all down—each word dependable and accurate.”
Then he said, “It’s happened. I’m A to Z. I’m the Beginning, I’m the Conclusion. From Water-of-Life Well I give freely to the thirsty. Conquerors inherit all this. I’ll be God to them, they’ll be sons and daughters to me. But for the rest—the reckless and faithless, degenerates and murderers, sex peddlers and sorcerers, idolaters and all liars—for them it’s Lake Fire and Brimstone. Second death!”
NIV Revelation 7:16-17
16. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. 17. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
Rev. 21:23,24 “The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings on the earth will bring their splendor into it.”
Rev. 22:4,5 “ They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.”
II. Those who perished in the attacks that knew Jesus Christ are now in the presence of God dwelling with him in His city where there are no more tears, no more pain but a place filled with joy and love.
a. Scripture also tells us in revelations other things about this Holy city.
(1) In Revelation 21 and 22 we learn about the residents of the Holy City. Revelation 21;10 states, “And in the spirit he carried me away to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God.”
(2) Moore makes this observation that I would like to expand on today,
(3) “In the verses that follow (Revelation 21 and 22), John describes the unique characteristics of that holy city. Now, the promise of Revelation is that, if you’re a believer (i.e. in the language of Revelation, you have had your “robe washed in the blood of the Lamb”), you will someday inhabit that holy heavenly city in the New Heaven!”
(a) If you know Jesus!
T.S.- Lets take a few moments today and explore this Holy city and learn what it is like and what those who perished that knew Christ are having the pleasure of partaking of.
III. God’s Glow in the Holy city – I believe MANY who perished are saying right now WOW what a show!
a. Revelation 21, 22 - Gives us a glimpse of what happens when God shows up and glows in a city.
1. The Holy city’s first characteristic is God dwells in it (21:3).
a. God – Yes – Dwells, resides, lives, in this city LITERALLY!
2. In this city crying is done away with as God wipes away all the pain and sorrow and hurt. (21:4)
a. Those who knew Jesus do not have to experience this.
b. In other words there is joy, happiness, contentment!
c. That is what he is enjoying right now.
3. In this city there is No death – only life - life with no crying, no pain. Death is no longer a concern only life!
a. What is a city like when God glows and sits on the throne in a city? There is no death, no pain, no sorrow! Those who perished will never have to experience anymore pain.
4. In this holy city there is a new way of doing things – the old is dead and gone – It means:
a. This city is not like the worlds - driven by pride, by greed, by people treading on top of others to get to the top, by people doing there own thing at the cost of someone else life or feelings.
b. No this city is run with Love in absolute control. (21:4-10).
i. Reflect on I Cor. 13 “The Love chapter!”
NIV 1 Corinthians 13:4-13
4. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
9. For we know in part and we prophesy in part,
10. but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.
11. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.
12. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
c. In this city God makes everything new- there are no ghettos, no crack houses, no houses of ill repute, no exploitation of people and resources, no thieves stealing – no it’s ALL NEW!
d. It’s all fresh and beautiful!
e. There is a new government!
5. In this city there is a spring of everlasting life. Many have looked for the fountain of youth so they could live forever. Here it is friends it’s in the New Jerusalem (21:6).
a. The great blessing is, there is no cost to drink of its life giving water.
b. Those who knew Christ in the attacks have discovered the fountain of life.
6. In this city according to Rev. 21:11 “It shone with the Glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a precious jewel, like jasper, clear as crystal.”
a. Friend the holy city was illuminated with the presence of God. There as beautiful colorful majestic view of GOD! It is absolutely breath taking. PAUSE AND LET HIS SPIRIT GIVE YOU A GLIMPSE!!!!
b. Remember some who perished are experiencing this right now!
c. The walls and foundations glittered and beam with the brilliant colors of beauty. The gates are white washed pearls. The streets are paved in GOLD (21:11-21)! WOW what a show.
7. This city had no temple – no church buildings - because God along with the lamb resided there literally. You could see them, touch them, speak to them, hear them, and smell their sweet presence (21:22,23) Some who perished are right now enjoying the presence of God.
a. 21:23 states, “The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb its lamp.”
b. In the city - God flows and glows and all can see the light.
c. In this city a resident is one who has a personal relationship with the Lord God almighty.
i. It’s personal and intimate! It’s not philosophical its real!
d. I discover that a resident of this city walks in the light because of God’s presence – they see by God’s illuminating presence. There is no need of natural light because God’s supernatural light is everywhere guiding the way around in the city.
e. Jesus told us in John 8:12 “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
f. John tells us in I John 1:5 “…God is light in Him there is no darkness…”
g. The Psalmist wrote of the Lord (Psalms 119:105) “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”
8. In this city we told in verses 24-26 that the kings will honor and praise the Lord. Yes even the leaders and the whole nation will proclaim the Lord the king and bring him glory.
a. In this city everyone even the President and Congress type people will honor God. There will be no separation of Church and State. They are one because you cannot have good government without the Lord Almighty.
9. The city will never close its gates again. All will be able to enter into the presence of the Lord. There will be no night.
a. In Other words night represents evil it will be banished forever! There will only be LIGHT!
b. In this city the residents will worship God alone.
c. They will not worship themselves only HIM!
10. In the Holy city the residents will be holy and righteous. There will be no evil or unclean individuals. There will be no deception only truth. It will be full of residents who are written in the Lambs book of life.
a. There will be no disgusting practices. No child abusers, no rapists, no violence, no crime, no murderers, no liars, no self-centered individuals, there will be only people who are blessings to each other.
11. In this city there will be mass production of great fruit. The resident there will receive fruit from the tree of life that will bring healing to everyone. The pains of the past will be completely healed. The diseases and sickness’ of life will be gone (Rev.22:1,2).
a. The residents of this city will receive fresh fruit all the time! They will be satisfied like never before!
b. The fruit of Spirit will be manifested in the lives of the residents: Galatians 5:22-23
i. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, and self-control.”
12. In this city there will be no curses only blessings as God’s people worship and Praise the Lord. The residents of this city will serve the Lord (Rev. 22:3,4).
a. Because the curse is gone once again we will see his face like Adam and Eve.
b. No more separation because of the curse.
c. We will be united with Lord forever!
13. In the city of Light where God’s glows-flows -and shows we will reign with Him forever and ever.
Conclusion: We have been illuminated this mornings by the Holy Spirit and God’s Word. Where is our hope?
Swindoll states, “Hope is a wonderful gift from God, a source of strength and courage in the face of life’s harshest trials:
When we are trapped in a tunnel of debris and blackness, hope points to the light at the end of the tunnel.
When our nation is rocked by high jackings, hope tells us to drop to our knees in prayer for renewal.
When we are overworked and exhausted from moving rubble away, hope gives us fresh energy.
When we are dismayed because of explosions, hope lifts our spirits.
When we are tempted to give up and surrender, hope says to push on.
When we are lost and confused from all the devastation, hope dulls the edge of panic.
When we struggle with over 5,000 people being killed by terrorists, hope brings reminders that God is still in control.
When we fear that the worst is not over, hope reminds us our security is in Christ.
When we must endure the tragedy of bad choices, hope fuels our recovery.
When we find ourselves out of a job because our building has been blown up, hope tells us we still have a future because of Christ.
When we feel deserted and abandoned, hope reminds us we’re not alone…we will make it with Christ.
When we say our final farewell to those who perished knowing Christ, hope in the life beyond gets us through our grief.
When life experiences high-jackings, and planes driven into buildings and cries of pain and anguish, when dreams are crushed, when life hurts so much my soul aches, nothing helps like hope- hope in Christ!
Play Song: IN CHRIST ALONE!
