Sources Of Security

SOURCES OF SECURITY

Rev. 6:1-11

Sermon Objective: We can chase after hollow sources of security or trust the living God.

INTRO

Mitch Albom is the author of the bestselling book titled, “Tuesdays with Morrie.” He wrote another book recently called “Have a Little Faith.” In describing his motivation for writing it, he will tell you that up until a few years ago he would have been among the many that say “My faith is a private matter. Mind your own business.” But that all changed. He shares about the changes that have taken place within him since 9/11 as he saw all the things he trusted (government, work, the stock market) fail him. Afterwards he began to discover how thin his faith was and how much he depended on a sense of security from less-than-stable sources. It was during this time that he met a new friend; an inner city pastor in his native Detroit, Michigan. Albom does not mention his name but he says this Christian pastor who serves his flock selflessly and fearlessly in a dangerous environment has caused him to stop and look at the item (s) which he trusts for peace, security, and eternity. This pastor, himself a former drug addict and criminal, tells Mitch about how he met Jesus and it changed his life. It has turned Mitch back to God and his faith is no longer private; his peace of mind comes from a new source. He found he could not trust in any of his former sources and discovered trusting in God to be real!

(Taken from a television interview with Joe Scarborough’s “Morning Joe” on MSNBC, Nov. 5, 2009)

Have you given much thought to the sources of your security and peace of mind? The truth is that, in many instances, we are trusting in more than just God for security. We have placed our faith in other entities as well.

Secular Psychology talks about security needs and offers sources / places for those needs to be satisfied.

Politicians talk about similar issues and suggest alternate sources for provision.

The people you work with can probably offer other places to have these needs met.

The Bible offers you some advice on sources of security and peace of mind too. And as we think further on those sources and pursuits Chapter 6 of The Revelation is a wonderful place to be. Ironically, the way some people read The Revelation would actually erode peace of mind and security (they treat it like a Christian thriller novel or a spooky Nostradamus-type prophecy) when, in actuality it was written to embolden and reinforce an authentic source of security.

REV. 6:1-11

1I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, "Come!" 2I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.

3When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come!" 4Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword.

5When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come!" I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. 6Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, "A quart of wheat for a day's wages, and three quarts of barley for a day's wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!"

7When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come!" 8I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.

9When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. 10They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" 11Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed.

SERMON

This chapter does a wonderful job of helping John’s church (and our church) understand sources of security that span time and culture; it shows their frailty, and offers an alternative.