MCK THIKA CHURCH SERVICE ON 29/03/2020

THEME: Breath of God, Breath of hope.

READINGS: Psalms 130

Ezekiel 37:1-14

Romans 8:6-11

John 11:1-45.

For the last one week we have witnessed a lot of changes taking place due to the corona virus pandemic. Increased infections and deaths in many countries has led to tightening of measures to curb it. Moving forward these might become stricter and probably causing hopelessness. But amidst this situation the health practitioners are telling us that it is possible to overcome if we adhere to laid down rules and adopt a disciplined lifestyle. For example, washing our hands often, social distancing, quarantine, taking test where necessary, breaking away from some habits, etc. 

Freedom through Faith and discipline.

Did you know that even our Christian faith requires discipline and observing rules and regulation? 

Now when rules and regulations are mentioned people often look to the other side. This is propagated by our human nature which harbors good and evil.

Roman 7:21

So, I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me.

Kenyans have been implored to observe seriously regulations given by the ministry of health so as to keep this pandemic away.Regrettably, we find the tendency by quite a number is ignorance and sometimes arrogance. This to a large extent has contributed to the increase in theinfections. Christians unfortunately are not left out in this circle too. Could we have failed to control sin from within?

In our last Sunday message, we looked at examining our hearts. We cannot successfully do this without the power of the Holy Spirit. The indwelling Spirit of God guides us thus bringing to us many beneficial freedoms. (Romans 7:25). We are not hopeless even in such times of crisis because our joy and peace comes from the Spirit who gives us the confidence of better things ahead. 

Psalms 130:5-7

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,

and in his word I put my hope.

I wait for the Lord

more than watchmen wait for the morning,

more than watchmen wait for the morning.

Israel put your hope in the Lord,

for with the Lord is unfailing love

and with him is full redemption.

Believers are assured of many spiritual blessings because our freedom comes from the Holy Spirit through faith. We are free from all condemnation since Christ’s sacrifice on the cross defends us; (Roman 8:1),sin and law does not trouble us again, because our walk in the Spirit meets the requirements of Law. In other words, the indwelling spiritcorrects and directs us in the right ways. (Psalms 119:1-3). Thus, the greatest person is s/he who is controlled by the Sprit of God, who determines how we live; leading us to embraceall Godlyvirtues which give forthfruits of love, joy, peace, patience, etc. (Galatians 5:22-25). 

At such time when we are facing COVID-19 crisis, we need assurance that there is hope beyond this pandemic. Panic, fear and trembling, blaming government,everything and everyone, etc. will not solve anything.  We will overcome when we listen for guidance from within since Godknows the way out. When am saying this am not encouraging fanaticism, where we do nothing while waiting for God to solve things for us. Not at all. Remember that God speaks in different ways and from quarters we least expect. We’ve got to be still, listen and follow instructions as given. (Romans 8:16)

Breath of hope.

Prophet Ezekiel encounters a hopeless situation where death was more imminent than life. He could not imagine dry bone could regain life again.

Ezekiel 37:2-3.

He led me all around them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry.  He said to me, "Mortal, can these bones live?" I answered, "O Lord GOD, you know."

The question and answer given indicates hopelessness of the situation. But look; the Lord promisesrecreation, renewal and restoration. There is no situation that is hopeless before the eyes of God. 

Ezekiel 37:12-14

Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel.  And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people.  I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken and will act, says the LORD."

This is the same scenario that encounters Martha and Mary when their brother Lazarus falls sick and finally dies. 

John 11:21-26

Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.  But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him."  Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."  Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day."  Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.

In both cases God demands us to believe and trust that he is in charge of every situation, thus assuring humanity that he is the resurrection and life. Our trust and obedience in Him will lead to fullness of life. Deathhas no power over us since we are in Christ. Christ Himself is aware and can identify with our predicaments. He is willing to help each one of us because He loves us all equally.  (John 11:33-35)

Though COVD-19 is speaking doom before our own eyes today, we are witnessingrestoration of disciplined behavior, restoration oflove at family and society levels. It is downing to us now that we are interdependent. What affects one part of the world may affect everyone on the globe. Did you notice that our mother earth and other living creatures are now very pleased with a clean hospitable environment? In some areas wherebirds, fish, and other wild animals had left they are now returning. 

Could God be beckoning us to stop our ignorance, arrogance; destruction of the world for others and ourselves?  Brothers and sisters this must be a wakeup call for all of us to stop and ask if the culture ofegoism, glorification of wealth, power and beauty,(idols of the day) should continue enslaving us any longer. There is new breath on our lives and cosmos again. Let’s pick ourselves up and walk towards the right path ahead of us. (Psalms 119:105)