WCC 2020-03-15 Service 10:30
Welcome. 2 second Community Church. It's good to be able to talk to all today. Things are just a little bit different today. As I'm talking to an empty church. I'm not quite empty. I have Richard here with me. But with all that's going on in the world today. We thought it was best that we not gather together. and we'll just get started. First thing this is the week for the good food box for those that have ordered it. It will be here at the church ready for pickup. We have three birthdays this week Caleb Caleb Aberdeen on the 18th and Mary Lou. And Abigail Baxter on the 19th.
And will move into prayer and praise Linda send out an email. The other day and these are the responses that we got. For prayer the Aberdeen's are praying for security for a community. And our church families. David James put himself into Saif self-isolation and his friend bill is in good shape still. Monica is suffering from sciatica pain. And she's had that now for a couple of weeks. Shawna is praying that people will calm down and relax and quit panicking.
Me and Mark are asking for prayer for all the families were finding it difficult to find childcare and pay bills with all the shutdown happening. And they are thankful for our current health situation. When so many others are not well.
Don and Donna mcnabney prayer for Donna's son Roy that he might find direction in his life. And then he realizes that he really needs the Lord.
On the phrase side Monica is thankful for all that. We have Donna and Bruce are thankful for the doctors and nurses that are working on the front lines. Although they haven't said anyting I'm going to add in that Bruce had a little issue with his heart this week and they spent a lot of time with the doctors and nurses. Working through that issue, but Bruce is at home. He is comfortable and he's doing just fine right now. Suzanne kapel's is thankful for a splendid mother and daughter week that you had in Costa Rica and God's perfect timing as well not to not have happened. Well, I can't even read this morning God's perfect timing as would not have happened had it been times one week later. No medical issues during the time away either good thing good thing to as absolutely no medical and cancellation coverage was available to Suzanne. And she Praises God also that Richard kept well and was the beneficiary in support of his Circle and Friends.
So let's pray together and give praise to our God.
father
in this world that just seems upside down and crazy right now. You are our Rock. You are our point of rational thought. And Lord were thankful for that.
and for all those prayer appraise items
for the people
praying fervently We're community in our church for those that are shut in. and self isolating
for those that are suffering and pain.
And for those of us who are feeling the stress of the confusion. And the Panic that almost seems to be present in some places in our world today. Lord we just give all those things to you. Because you're the one that's best equipped.
to deal with them
March for those people who are are just at their wit's end.
I'm finding it difficult with with childcare and width. Just living day to day with everything that shutting down and the changes that are occurring almost hourly. Father we give that to you as well. Because you have the best schedule. Have any of us, you know, what's going to happen. Because you've already seen it. I'm father for Donna's son Roy.
Or do we just bring them to you again? And we pray? That you will make yourself known to him. But you will gather them up. And fold them into your arms. And hold him there for eternity.
Lord Monica says she's thankful for all we have and we should all be that just that way.
For our health care workers in the hospitals in the doctors offices. The people that are really on the front line of this covert 19 virus. or be with them
give them your strength because they they need it today. I don't need it tomorrow. As we work through this whole thing.
We're ever so grateful that you brought Suzanne back to us and that you took such good care of her while she was away.
Father we have no one and nothing to rely on greater than you.
So as we proceed through the next days and weeks and probably months. Let us all keep our eyes on you. Because you're in charge. And you're the one that we truly trust and everything that's going on.
Let's get started. Be not afraid.
that phrase appears depending upon the version
between 40 and 63 * in the Bible
and father, we have a lot to fear in this world. in 2020
And I'd like to start with something that was sent to me. This week by a friend of my sisters.
and it's very appropriate for today's situation aches and pains are here to stay they seem to change day-by-day a list of ailments seems to grow is a body starts to slow. You can't be on week or prissy getting old is not for sissies.
This was sent to me by. a woman who had cancer at the same time as my sister. We've been gone now for some six years.
And she was the one.
that although she had cancer self spent hours and hours with my sister.
talking to her taking a road getting a wrote getting removing a game. Right up until a week before she died. She conquered her that her cancer and my sister didn't. But that's okay.
She knows you she loves you and she's got a good sense of humor.
in Matthew
It says aren't Two Sparrows sold for a penny yet. Not one of them falls to the ground without your father's consent. But even the hairs on your head have all been counted. So don't be afraid therefore you're worth more than many sparrows.
today
there's a lot of people feeling the Nobody cares about them. Nobody knows that they're even there.
there in fear
and be and they're afraid of what's going on around them. They may be healthy, or they may not be healthy. But their whole world view right now. Is locked up in listening to the horrible news that comes across the radio the television and social media.
In lord, it's important that we realize that you value US.
That we're not just pennies.
that we're not just something to be Castaway in forgotten
that you say don't be afraid.
Therefore you are worth more than many sparrows.
father we thank you for that and we thank you for Knowing that we can put our trust in you. Knowing that there is nothing to fear because you're in charge.
It's a temporary thing this virus it will come it will do its damage and will be gone. The Lord you'll be there. and we know that
2nd Timothy
talks about power love and self-control.
The power that you have the love that we have for you the love that you have for us. The self-control that we should be exercising.
Let me just start. in verse 7 God has not given us a spirit of fear fearfulness, but one of power love and sound judgment.
We're not to be ashamed of the Gospel. So don't be ashamed of the testimony about your lord or of me is Prisoner instead share in the suffering for the gospel relying on the power of God. He has saved us and called us with a holy calling not according to our works. But according to his own purpose and Grace which was given to us in Christ. Jesus Before Time began.
This has now been made evident through the appearing of Our Savior Jesus Christ who has abolished death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
in Timothy
A lot of people look at it as just being instruction for church leaders. imposters
But it does not. Mean that this doesn't apply to each and every one of us.
Jesus came to Earth for short time he put on the flash of people.
Any walked among the people of that time?
and his ministry was all about loving healing changing people's minds changing people's outlooks on life.
And then he died.
And if he had been like every other man before him. That would be the end of it. The people who'd follow them would have drifted away.
and would have Stop thinking about it, maybe into maybe in 5 years.
Play did something a little different. He didn't stay in his tomb and we'll talk about that in the coming weeks. He came back to life. Any abolish Def?
And if he can do it he promised us. That he do the same for us that we would have immortality. That we would have a place to go.
And that he'd even provide a mansion for each and every one of us.
in Psalm 23:4
it says Converse for even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. I will fear no evil for you are with me your rod and your staff they comfort me.
We hear this song.
awesome at the end of a person's life.
But there's a lot more to it than that. So let's have a look at it.
It's a song by David. And it starts out. The Lord is my shepherd to feed guide and shield me. I shall not lack. He makes me lie down in fresh tender Green Pastures. He leads me beside the still and restful Waters.
He refreshes and restores my life myself. He leads me in the paths of righteousness uprightness and right standing with him. Not for my earning. but for his namesake
Yea though I walk through this through the Deep sunless Valley of shadow of death. I will fear or dread no evil for you are with me your Rod to protect your staff to guide. They comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of in the presence of my enemies you anoint my head with oil my brimming cup runs over. Shirley or only goodness mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life. And though the length of my days in the house of the Lord and hitting his presence shall be my Dwelling Place.
So not only is this song.
for those who have passed on
It assures us. But no matter what we're going through God's there.
Is there to protect us to guide us? To give us rest.
But he's also there to be with us when we're out and around and a boat and doing things especially when we do them in his name. And in these trying times that we're in right now, we should be doing things in his name. Weather is just calling a next-door neighbor or friend from church and saying hi. How you doing? Today? Is everything you need. Is there anything I can get for you is it is raining you need help with?
That's what God wants us to be doing. He doesn't want us to be. trapped in the shadows Afraid of death afraid of what's to come he wants us to be out there and active. in Isaiah
He talks about.
holding hands with God
it talks about not having fear again.
Slutever look at that. Isaiah 41:10 do not fear for I am with you do not be afraid for I am your God. I will strengthen you I will help you. I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.
Be sure that all of you are getting raged again be sure that all who are and raged against you will be ashamed and disgraced. Those who contend with you will become as nothing and will perish. You will look for those. Who contended with you, but you will not find them those who war against you will become absolutely nothing. For I am Yahweh your God. On hold your right hand and say to you do not fear. I will help you. Do not fear you worm Jacob. You men of Israel. I will help you this the Lord's declaration. Your redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.
Isaiah was a prophet.
And he spoke.
David
has very few others could.
Is David knew exactly who Isaiah was and who he spoke for?
And In this passage.
We hear him talking. It begins of the very start of this with do not fear for I am with you God is with us.
And we will not be afraid because he's going to be with us and he will strengthen us. And he'll hold on to her hand with his right hand. Is righteous hand. And give us all the support to get through whatever it is. We're going through.
He tells us not. to be ashamed of who you are who the god or God is
you sure is this that those who come against him as God and against us because we're his children.
The Dell be taken care of that. We not need to work. We do not need to worry about them.
that were his
I know you'll help us.
In verse 13 says do not fear gain. I will help you. It was talking to David, but he's also talking to me to you. And do everybody else who believes in the son?
and he stops Indian and he says
you men of Israel. I will help you this the Lord's declaration your Redeemer. Is the Holy One of Israel?
What does it mean to be a redeemer? Our Redeemer is someone who has bought and paid the price 4 something
In this case, it's off. Jesus came to Earth Jesus is God. And he died on a cross for us.
free Israel and for everybody who would call on his name.
back to songs sometimes
people tell me I don't know whether he's there.
I look for him, but I'm not sure I found them. God hasn't talked to me. I haven't heard him.
You're not the only one that feels that way let's see what this song says, so. I sought the Lord. And he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant with joy their faces will never be ashamed. Have you ever run into somebody? and looked at them and seen in their eyes and their countenance in everything that they're doing.
And they are absolutely at peace with everything that's going on around them. They're happy the radian and they literally do. Have that look of joy and it continues. This poor man cried and the Lord heard him and saved him from all of his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him and rescues them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the man who takes refuge in him?
You will you who are his holy ones fear Yahweh for those who fear Him like nothing.
So here we have a different way of looking at fear.
Here were actually told that we should fear God. What does that word fear mean? Does it mean that we should hide from him that we should run away from him? That we should.
Not even speak of him because he might find us again. No hear. fears talking about the ultimate respect the ultimate understanding
the God is the Eternal one. He's the one that put us here on Earth. He's the one that made Earth. And he's the one that is fully in charge of everything that goes on. Although it may not make sense to offer X.
It truly is in charge.
Those who look to him in verse 5 are radiant with joy their faces will never be ashamed.
So many Christians that I know and I've met.
Who truly are deeply? involved
in God's work and I'm working with God. To have a look about them. They're different.
there truly radiant they really do. appear differently if you cake
that man of God
and you
put him with a group of non-believers.
And if that person is bold enough.
to begin to speak about the Lord
One man. or 12
Can change the world?
you think of men like Billy Graham
a humble Quiet Man
But put him in the stadium of thousands of people.
Watch those people on their way in.
And then look at them on their way out.
You will see a lot of them of changed. You'll always have some that are ho-hum. Yep. Just another guy.
But a lot of people at a Billy Graham crusade cry out to the Lord. And they walk out of the stadium change people. And they go on to do great works. And I love the Lord and to have changed lives.
in Philippians
It talks about.
How do we get?
this feeling of being safe. but this feeling of being in control
it starts off with Joyce in the lord. Always I will say it again rejoice.
Let your graciousness be known to everyone the Lord is near.
Don't worry about anything but in everything through prayer and petition with Thanksgiving let your requests be known to God.
And the peace of God which surpasses every thought will guard your hearts and Minds in Christ.
Finally Brothers, whatever is true, whatever is Honorable, whatever is just whatever is pure whatever is lovely. Whatever is commendable if there is any moral excellence and see if there is any praise dwell on these things.
Do you want do you do what you have learned receive and heard and seen in me and the God of Peace will be with you?
so in those times
when
the world around you
is panicking is not calm.
rejoice in God
rejoice in him rejoice in the fact that you know, he's in charge.
God is never too far away.
I always remember the Flip Wilson routine
weather are the two so-called angels. sitting on the shoulder
well
I've only got one you only need one. And it's not the little angel with the horns and a pitchfork. It's the one clothing white and Light.
And he is always near us.
is always right there beside us he is with us.
weather were driving our cars weather were looking for toilet paper in Walmart
weather were trying to calm someone down who is
just beside themselves with worry.
God always there.
and if we pray to him
to give us peace.
You Garden allow us to guard our high our hearts.
And he assures us that he's going to always be there.
and in the end
we've all heard now. And we've all learned what we need to learn. in church We've seen what Christ did in the world.
And there is no logical thing. We should do other than just except at peace
the comes from God
John speaks about peace
And in John 14:27, it says I leave you my peace. I give to you not as the world. Do I give to you? Let not your hearts be troubled neither. Let them be afraid.
Let's start. in John 14:22 Judas not Iscariot said to him Lord. How is it you is it your or you're going to reveal yourself to us and not to the world?
And Jesus answered. If anyone loves me, he will keep my word. My father will love him and we will come to him and make our home with him.
The one who doesn't love me will not keep my words the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the father who sent me?
I have spoken these things to you while I remain with you. but the counselor the Holy Spirit the father will send him in my name. Will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.
Peace I leave with you my peace. I give to you I do not give to you as the world gives your heart must not be troubled or fear.
You have heard me tell you I am going away. And I am coming to you if you loved me. you would have rejoiced that I am going to the father because the father is greater than I
I've told you now before it happens so that when it does happen, you may believe
I will not talk with you much longer because the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me.
On the contrary I am going away so that the world may know that I love the father just as the father commanded me so I do get up. Let's leave this place.
The Book of John
Is a little bit different.
and some of the other Gospels
it's written.
With a different sort of a flare.
I love to tell people that the Book of John is where they should start when they become the Christians. Because it's full of practical advice.
In verse 25 it says I've spoken these things to you while I remain with you.
He wasn't going to be around much longer.
He was giving instructions to his disciples.
To reassure them about what was about to transpire. He told them about the Holy Spirit The Counselor.
And he called him not just a counselor, but the comforter.
And he assured his Apostles that he would leave them with. Peace.
And it's a different piece than what the world talks about the world when they talk about peace. It's okay. You do this for me. I'll do this for you. And as long as you continue to do that, we're friends.
Jesus was different.
Jesus was looking for only one thing.
He was looking for people that needed God needed him.
and he wanted to give us is peace
And it's only exchange for that was your heart must not be troubled or fearful.
But he doesn't say that you got to do it on your own.
It tells us that even though he's going away.
The to the disciples and to those that believe in him. He would send the counselor.
And he does this before it happens. So that they can believe.
He tells them he's going away. He won't talk to them much longer.
And he also let them know.
the rulers of The World Won't necessarily like the message that he's leaving won't like the message that the apostles. We'll take to the world and won't like the message. That we today take to the world.
But he doesn't care because he's in charge. He was in charge two thousand years ago. He's in charge now.
So is we wrap this up? I just like to pray for everybody. the Disney here today
that might hear this message.
That should hear this message. the people that you'll talk about and talk to and talk with in the coming weeks. that might see a look of Peace. I'll look of confidence it look of comfort in your eyes and on your face. Because you're a child of God.
We're all. walking through the valley of the shadow of death. But we won't fear any evil. We have a way.
I'm communicating with the hour of all powerful God through prayer.
We know that God answers prayer.
So we have very little. on this world to fear
We met.
lose someone close to us. In these coming days. But if they know Christ we know exactly where they're going. We know exactly what's going to happen with them. And that they're going to be living in their mansion waiting for us. to arrive
so I just
thank God for being in charge.
Thank him for allowing us to walk beside in.
Thank him. for being our savior our deliverer Our Redeemer the one who bought and paid for us two thousand years ago. And loves us so much.
But still today you wants to take care of us.
and with that
I wish everybody a good week.
remember to look up
And just enjoy yourself. By the way one final thing John and Jane are back. If you need them, they're at home. Feel free to call them. Although they were going to be on vacation things have changed. And things will continue to change around here. I'm sure. So love each other. Talk to each other reach out to each other. and don't live in fear living internal hope Because we've got a God Who Loved Us. Talk to you next week. I know.