"remember That... Therefore..." (A Coronavirus Message) Series

Brothers and sisters - I know that times are really crazy right now. All we need to do is look around and we can see that our world is filled with so much fear, anxiety and uncertainty - some of which may be camping out in us.

I mean, every day seems to bring with it another crashing wave of disheartening news or unanswered questions.

In 1 Thessalonians 4:13, Paul encourages believers who had lost loved ones, 'not to grieve' like the rest of men who have no hope. Brothers and Sisters, I believe that in these troubled, anxious and uncertain times - that Paul would tell us who follow Jesus, 'not to live' like the rest of men who have no hope.

UNDERSTAND - this is not a time for us to live in fear, anxiety and panic - because we do have hope, a living hope through and in Christ Jesus our Lord.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity…. But of power, love and self discipline.

NOW – there are just 2 Major points in your notes today…

Remember That… and

Therefore We…

HOWEVER – before we go there I want to show what is in this treasure chest I have up here…

(It holds a roll of Toilet paper)

OKAY – and here are 7 of the funniest memes I found online about toilet paper and the corona virus…

OKAY – point #1

I. Remember That…

And before we get into these specific points I want to read the following from Isaiah 55

For just as the heavens are higher than the earth. So are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts…

(YEAH – we sure could use some ‘God thoughts’ at a time like this…. AMEN?!

UNDERSTAND – I will be sharing a lot of Scripture this morning, and the very next two verses in Isaiah 55 speak to the reason why…)

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. – Isaiah 55:10,11

Okay here's the deal Maple Grove and I am totally confident that because God's word is alive and active - it will accomplish His purpose for this day. May we all lean in and have ears to hear...

Maple Grove in times like these we need to…

A) Remember That God Is Still On His Throne

In the year that King Uzziah died,

(LISTEN – there is a lot behind those 7 words… words we tend to quickly read right over.

BUT UNDERSTAND – Uzziah had been King for 55 years and he was a pretty good king.

QUESTION – what do you think the nation was feeling at this time? They were feeling troubled and uncertain about the future. Who will be our next king? Will he be a good king?

AND LISTEN – God knew that what His people needed to see in those anxious and uncertain times… was that He was still on His throne.

The very next verses read…

I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.3 And they were calling to one another:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;

the whole earth is full of his glory.”

4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. – Isaiah 6:1-4

One more verse about God being on His throne from Isaiah 40:21,21

Do you not know? Have you not hear? Has it not been told to you from the beginning? Have not understood since the earth was founded? He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth.

Maple Grove at times like these we must remember that God is still on His throne and that…

Okay – finish the sentence for me with power, confidence and conviction…

”Our God is…”

NEXT

B) Remember That - Our God Is In Control

Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. – Matthew 28:18

What kind of authority does God have?

Which is why He can say the following…

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.