[ ] 7/10/2016 #1157
WHAT TO DO IN VIOLENTTIMES
Psalms 11:5; 145:17-21
INTRODUCTION:America has been experiencing devastating droughts, floods, earthquakes, fires, and tornadoes this year. These things are terrible, but the increase in violence is even more frightening.This has been a heartbreaking week in America because of all the killings. What can we do in these violent times? We can turn to God. He is our only hope.
Adrian Rogers: “To begin with, we need to understand, very simply:suffering is the fruit of sin. Not necessarily the personal sin of an individual. But we live in a world that is infected with sin and, therefore, calamity.”
I. PRE-EMINENCE OF GOD
A. SOVEREIGN OVER OUR PROBLEMS.
The Bible teaches the sovereignty of God. He has absolute power and right to do all things according to his good pleasure. God has the control and power over all that has happened, is happening, and will happen in the future. (2 Chronicles 20:6; Psalms 115:3; Revelation 4:11)
In Ephesians 1:21, we are told that Jesus is above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. (Ephesians 1:21 KJV)
The Lord is in control of our lives as well as all the nations of the world. God was in control of Joseph's life when in was sold into slavery. God was in control of Job's life when he suffered from the hands of Satan.
The Lord uses problems and trials in our lives for good. While we may not understand at the time, "we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28 KJV) Joseph’s brothers at first tried to kill him, and then they sold him into slavery but what was done with evil intent, God used for good.
B. SOLUTION FOR OUR PROBLEMS.
Our problems as individuals and as a nation are spiritual in nature. Jesus is the only solution for our sin problem. We need Him as our Savior, and we must submit to His as our Lord. Jesus is the only one who can solve our personal problems as well as the problems in our nation. He will correct all problems when He returns in glory. Jesus will remove the curse of sin (Revelation 22:3), establish the world in righteousness (2 Peter 3:13) and make all things new. (Revelation 21:4-5)
II. PROMISES OF GOD
The word "promise" occurs lesat50 timesin the King James Version of the Bible. One person counted over 3,573 promises in the Bible. We have to know the promises of God in order to claim them by faith.
A. PROMISES REVEAL THE HEART OF GOD.
There are many Bible promises that reveal the heart of God. One is found in John 3:16. This verse reveals the heart of God for the lost of this world. He gave His only Son Jesus to die on the cross so sinners need not perish if they believe on Him.
Another precious promise is found in Jeremiah 29:11. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."
B. PROMISES REVEAL HOPE IN GOD.
According to Paul, Jesus is our hope. (1 Timothy 1:1) All the promises of God are secure in Jesus. "For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us." (2 Corinthians 1:20 KJV) If you are in Christ, you have all the promises of God.
The promises of God give hope to our soul. The author of Hebrews wrote about the"hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil." (Hebrews 6:19)
John said we have the promise of eternal life. "And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life." (1 John 2:25 KJV)
Peter wrote that we "according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." (2 Peter 3:13 KJV)
C. PROMISES REVEAL HELP FROM GOD.
God's promises reveal His help to us when we call upon Him. He has promised that He would never leave nor forsake us. Problems, tragedies and disasters should cause us to turn to God. The Lord gave this promise to Israel. "Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." (Deuteronomy 31:6 KJV) The writer of Hebrews paraphrased this in Hebrews 13:6 for us as New Testament Christians.
We must remember that the Lord is there to help us when we call upon Him. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1 KJV)
"Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth." (Psalm 124:8 KJV) The God of all creation who is all powerful, all wise and ever present is our help. If you are God's child, then your problems are his problems.He wants you to depend upon Him completely. As the psalmist reminds us, "for vain is the help of man." (Psalm 108:12 KJV)
III. PRAYING TO GOD
The child of God has access to come before the throne of God's grace. There is nothing too hard (Genesis 18:14; Jeremiah 32:27) nor impossible (Mark 10:27; Luke 1:27) with the Almighty God of glory.
A. SEARCH OUR HEARTS.
It is time for people in America to search their hearts. We need to pray like the psalmist: "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts." (Psalm 139:23 KJV)
It is time for people in America to confess their sins. Like David, we need to pray: "I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin." (Psalm 32:5 KJV)
Paul wrote: "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (2 Corinthians 7:1 KJV)
It is time for people in America to repent. Jeremiah said: "Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD." (Lamentations 3:40 KJV)Like the rich man in hell (Luke 16:19-31), all those in that place of torment know the need of repentance, but it is too late. Those in hell know the importance of repentance.
This week I have heard many people talk about the need to pray. I have even heard news reporters say they had been praying. We need to pray, but if there is no repentance of our sins then our prayers are in vain. In Romans 2:4 Paul said, "Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" (Romans 2:4 KJV)
B. SEEK OUR GOD.
There is only one God who can answer our prayers. The prayers of people of other religions may be sincere, but their gods do not exist. Elijah challenged the 450 prophets of Baal by saying, "the God that answereth by fire, let him be God."(1 Kings 18:24) The prophets cried and pleaded with their god but to no avail. When Elijah called upon His God saying: "Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again; then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench." (1 Kings 18:37-38 KJV)
We need God once again to make His presence known in America. He is trying to get our attention. For America to have a spiritual awakening, we must confess and repent of our sins and seek the Lord with all our hearts. The Lord has spoken, "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13 KJV)
C. SERVE OUR GOD.
Lost people are blinded from the glorious truth of the gospel. They are not going to read the Bible nor attend church. They have been brain washed by the world and turned off by the hypocrisy of Christians. They need to see Christ in us, the hope of glory. Jesus said His children were to be known by their love. We are to be salt and light so our Heavenly Father may be glorified.
CONCLUSION:
God wants us to depend upon Him and to walk with Him. Things in America will probably get worse, but God may give us a revival if we will pray and turn from our sins and return to the Lord. If we will look up to God for forgiveness, He may look down upon us in mercy. God is calling us to Himself in these desperate times. Are we listening and willing to seek Him with all our hearts?