The Church's Response To Coronavirus Crisis

Introduction

Coronavirus has caused a lot of confusion all over the world. We get all kinds of fake forwards in different WhatsApp groups every day. And people are wondering how long this virus will last and they are wondering how to respond to this pandemic. Even several Christians are wondering as to how to respond to this unprecedented situation. So, what must be the church’s response to coronavirus? Let’s see what the Bible has to say.

Would you take God’s Word and turn your Bibles with me to 2 Chronicles 7:14?

I have entitled today’s sermon as: “The Church's Response to Coronavirus"

Central Proposition of the Sermon: The Church is the agent of healing and hope in this world.

So, how can the Church respond to the outbreak of coronavirus?

1. Repent and intercede for the nations.

First of all, we must repent of our sins. It’s not enough to wish or pray that coronavirus would go. We don’t know the source of this virus. We don’t know whether it’s a natural consequence of the fallen world or the work of Satan or God’s judgment. Ultimately, God is sovereign and nothing happens without his permission. But these kinds of crises is a reminder that we must repent of our sins. It’s time to introspect.

I heard that a porn website started offering free content to some of the western countries affected by the coronavirus as the people in these countries were consuming a lot of porn due to lockdown. Can you believe this? During this difficult time, instead of seeking the Lord’s face and repenting, some are turning to porn.

Revelation 2:4-5: 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

This is the time for the church to repent of its sins.

We must also repent on behalf of the nations.

2 Chronicles 7:14: if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Intercede for yourself, your family, your society, your church, your nation, and our world.

Confession of sins and healing are often mentioned together in the Bible.

James 5:16: Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

So, let’s examine our lives and repent of our sins and also repent on behalf of the sins of humankind. Also, don’t go back to your old life once things get normal. Let’s intercede for God’s intervention at this critical time.

2. Have faith in God.

Christians must not give any place to fear.

2 Timothy 1:7: for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Mark 5:36: But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.”

Jesus tells Jairus, “Do not fear, only believe.”

We must believe that the Lord is in control. We must believe that the Lord is sovereign. We must believe that the Lord is good. We must believe that the Lord will accomplish His purposes even in this situation (Rom. 8:28; Gen. 50:20).

Philippians 4:8: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Develop your faith by constantly meditating on God’s Word (Rom. 10:17). Meditate on God’s greatness and goodness. That will strengthen your faith.

3. Remember that life is uncertain.

A few weeks back, life was normal. But because of a tiny virus, the whole world turned upside down! We must remember that we are pilgrims and sojourners on this earth.

Psalm 102:11: My days are like an evening shadow; I wither away like grass.

Psalm 103:15-16: 15 As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; 16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.

James 4:13-14: 13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— 14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.

Don’t hold on to the things of this world tightly. Hold them lightly.