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GOING BEYOND THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS! Text: Various Scriptures Date: 11/12/17 Sunday AM

Recentlythe First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas experienceda horrific mass shooting! Today I want to share with you a Biblical view of this event. I want to answer these questions:

1) How should we as Christians view these shootings?

2) Does God’s Word offer us any answers for such demonic deeds?

3) How do we as a church family move forward in light of these shootings?

As a Gospel preaching church we should be able to look forward and take some steps to prepare ourselves for such reckless and satanic activity! You know it and I know it; we live in a very wicked world dominated by the world, the flesh and the Devil! But at the same time, God is not silent on this issue!

Last Sunday was indeed a sad day in American history! Many responded by saying, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the church family in Texas.” But what does this mean? Certainly to us we would say the same thing. But are these words sufficient? Should we take a closer look and see what we can do as a result of this event? I believe we should.

Recently atheists have attacked those offering “thoughts and prayers.” I am not attacking those offering “thoughts and prayers.” I am simply saying that more should be done! Every Christian should be in a position to offer sympathetic prayers and loving thoughts! That is not in question here!!!

Atheist Actor Michael McKean tweeted,"They were in church. They had the prayers shot right out of them. Maybe try something else."

Obviously, some actors and atheists have a hard time responding to human tragedies!

I. First, we must realize that we live in a fallen, broken world.

  • Isaiah 59:1-2 draws this same conclusion,Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear.
  • Isaiah 64:6 echoes the same truth, But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
  • Let’s face it we live in a sin cursed world awaiting redemption!
  • Even creation cries out for redemption… Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
  • The Scriptures are clear about this… our hearts are desperately wicked... who among us cannot see this?
  • Jeremiah the prophet says,The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
  • Sin has taken its’ toll on our behavior.
  • The shootings in Texas were not unrelated to those in this particular congregation. There was a domestic family situation going on within at least one family in the church!
  • Instead of handling this crisis to bring about the best possible solution, one corrupt individual decided to take life… he literally murdered 27 people! (including one baby in the womb)
  • So the sooner we realize that these things do not just happen we will be better off!
  • These shootings and others like them should motivate us to aggressively share the Gospel.
  • Hearts are changed by the Gospel. Families can be saved and restored by the power of the Gospel of Christ.
  • Let’s look around and be aware that all around us are people that hurt due to all kinds of issues.
  • Obviously, the response of this gunman was a horrible way to address his family situation.
  • His sinful, baser instincts prevailed, and he took human lives which had nothing to do with his situation.
  • It was a grossly selfish act of destruction!!!
  • He killed people ranging in age from children to senior citizens!
  • His devilish actionsare a revelation of our potential as sinners!
  • The Gospel is the answer to this issue and others like it!
  • First, we must realize that we live in a fallen, broken world.

II. Secondly, we must realize that our help and our hope are in Jesus Christ and none other!

  • Romans 8:28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.
  • Paul testifies in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
  • Listen to the sustaining words of Ephesians 1:11,In Whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him Who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will:
  • Like Job’s wife, some would have us curse God and die. But God’s greater revelation of Himself tells usnot to curse God but to cry out to Him and to trust Him!
  • There has never been even one act of sinful violence that diminishes the fact that Jesus Christ is our help and our hope!
  • The cross of Christ is pivotal in helping us to see our Father’s help and hope!
  • Jesus suffered a humiliating death at the hands of His religious enemies.
  • Jesus suffered publicly even though He was innocent of any crimes against either the Roman authorities or the Jewish religious hierarchy.
  • He was an innocent man that suffered horribly at the hands of His captors.
  • Jesus was mockingly tried in both civil and religious courts 6 times. The authorities were posturing or grandstanding hoping His trialswould look legitimate!
  • In spite of these insidious acts Jesus Christ willingly took upon Himself our trespasses and sins!
  • Knowing our inability to remove our massive sin debt, Jesus took them ALL upon Himself!
  • The individual that did the shooting in Texas had been with these people just a few days before he gunned them down.
  • His corruption consumed him and would not allow him to be compassionate.
  • Unfortunately some have chosen to politicize these shootings by criticizing those offering their “thoughts and prayers.”
  • Scripture calls on us to pray for those in need! These brothers and sisters are definitely in time of need!
  • So what do we do? We gather around God’s Throne of Mercy to receive grace in time of need!
  • TRUTH: Every tragedy calls for “thoughts and prayers” and more!
  • REMEMBER: At the end of our “thoughts and prayers” stands our God Who is ready and willing to bring help and hope to us as fallen and broken people!
  • The Psalmist prayed in Psalm 38:15,For in Thee, O LORD, do I hope: Thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.
  • First, we must realize that we live in a fallen, broken world.
  • Secondly, we must realize that our help and our hope are in Jesus Christ and none other!

III. Thirdly, we must realize and affirm the loving nature of God and His church.

  • Joshua 23:11 says,Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the LORD your God.
  • Jesus taught His disciples about love in John 13:34-35,A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.35 By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another.
  • KEY:LOVE is an action word; LOVE requires demonstration!
  • When terrible things happen to churches or to people in general, that is the time when the true nature of the church is demonstrated.
  • The church there in Texas has suffered an immeasurable loss!
  • And yet, they have stood firm together as God’s people.
  • Pastor Frank Pomeroy lost his daughterAnnabelle, in the massacre! He and his wife are no doubt crushed under the weight of the senseless murder of their 14 year old daughter!
  • No doubt, Pastor Frank has to reach down deep in his soul to trust His Lord and Savior! The same is true for his church family!
  • Yet, in the midst of their deep brokenness they have come together to grieve and to get up and grow together.
  • Tragedy reveals the true nature of our faith in God!
  • The early church suffered terribly while at the same time experiencing growing pains.
  • They actually grew through their affliction and persecution.
  • Suffering provides for every child of God a seminary degree in loving God and loving each other!
  • Acts 4 shows us how Peter, John and the early church responded to threats and pending persecution… Luke tells their story in Acts 4:23-30And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. 24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: 25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? 26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. 27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, 28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. 29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
  • Let’s never forget that it was in “LOVE” that God gave us Jesus!
  • Romans 5:8-10 says it so well,But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
  • The sinful selfish acts of men and women have been answered by our God through His Son Jesus Christ!
  • No greater help or hope can be found outside of Jesus Christ!
  • Our corruption keeps us from coming to Him but His lovingkindness compels to come! His grace convinces us that we have been chosen in Him before the foundation of the world!!!
  • A crucial lesson for us to learn is that regardless of the crisisLOVEshould mark our responses. LOVE should be the defining response to ALL human ills.
  • Love means action! Love means good works! Love means that we present ourselves as Jesus would present Himself!
  • Proverbs 10:12 tells us,Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
  • Maybe we should pray something like this, “Lord, give me the heart of Your Son Jesus; when His friends grieved, JESUS WEPT!”
  • GOING BEYOND THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS… How?
  • First, we must realize that we live in a fallen, broken world.
  • Secondly, we must realize that our help and our hope are in CHRIST and in none other!
  • Thirdly, we must realize and affirm the loving nature of God and His church.