Day 36 of our series we have notes based on an incredible sermon done by Jeff Schachinger on Sunday May 3rd. He helps us see we are in a very unique and special moment in time! You can see more devotionals here
Here is the audio of the lesson for your enjoyment:
Life is journey. We have detours, twists, and turns as we go through this journey of life. Sometimes we can end up in a tunnel and as Christians we know that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Right now our story has taken a turn and some might say we are in the tunnel right now.
Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.
The word is our lamp and it is our guide. It allows us to go in Gods direction not our own.
Q: Are you relying on God’s word to guide you through this tunnel?
Romans 8:18-39
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.
This pandemic can bring about a greater longing for the creation to want to know God. This could be the wake up call that all of creation needs. Many right now are eagerly awaiting the future glory.
20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that[a] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.
We all reach points sometimes when we have to let people find their own way. It is like an out of control Teen. Sometimes it get’s to a point where we just have to let people make a mess right now in the hopes that the rebellious child figures it out.
Think about the prodigal son, the Father had to let him go. Eventually the prodigal son figures it out and returns home.
God in His love and wisdom let’s us choose the path we want to go down in the hopes we all end up with him. This may be the time the world repents a time where the prodigal sons and daughters return home. This could be a moment in time where creation itself is liberated from bondage and brought into the freedom and glory of God.
Right now is the moment to shine our light so these prodigal sons and daughters can find the way back home to God. This is the moment to make sure we are spreading this message. What if this is the moment to help the rest of the world find the light at the end of the tunnel?
Q: Is your light shining right now? Would people know how to contact you for help getting back home to God? Are you visible?
23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
God gave us the first fruits. God gave us His best when he gave us salvation through Christ. We have great hope here and we have the hope of eternal life! Eternal life is the light we have and this is the light that the world is seeking and looking for. We have a world looking for answers and we have a church with answers. How can we being them together?
We have to step up and do something, but how?
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
We don’t know how this is all going to play out, but God does. We can be praying for insight, wisdom, and strength to make His light known. We can rely on the Spirit to turn our weaknesses to strength rather than focusing in on our weaknesses.
Q: What are some weaknesses you have that discourage you? How can God turn those into strength?
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[b] have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
Is this not a time for the call to be louder? The light to be brighter?
We have to capture this moment in time. This is an unprecedented time in our history and we can do something about it.
Q: What is one thing you can do to be a part of spreading Gods light?
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[c]37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[d] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
There is light at the end of the tunnel, lets do our best to help people find it.
Being a light in Quarantine
How can we be a light virtually? Here are some suggestions:
- Send a personal message to someone with the link to these devotionals so they can grow closer to God: https://sctcoc.org/category/devotional/
- Share our worship services and any of the inspirational content from our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SCTCOC/
- Invite someone that might be seeking to connect to fill out this connect form: https://sctcoc.aware3.net/form/c7Ok57DYB
- Find some creative ways to serve in the community. For more info on how to do that check out this article written by our our Hope chapter leader John Rountree: https://sctcoc.org/love-in-action/
- Share some of our worship content: https://www.youtube.com/channel/
- Share our podcast with people: https://anchor.fm/sctcoc
- Offer virtual Bible study or prayer times via FaceTime or Zoom.