Category: Subject Index
Study Material Categorized by Subject
Sermon: Learning Lessons from the Dead
A discussion of Luke 16:19-31 (The Rich man and Lazarus)
COVID-19 (22) Processing a Pandemic
I came across a gem this morning from Warren King. He shared a chart (see the picture accompanying this article), with the premise “Who do I want to be during COVID-19? Though Warren didn’t make the chart, he shared it on Facebook. In the comments, a point was made that the chart mirrored the process that we go through when grieving. The five famous steps of grief: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance.
In this chart are listed three ways people are handling the pandemic. Fear, Learning and Growth. The process is seen over and over again in life, and is certainly valid here. I would like to share a few thoughts about what is noted in the chart.
COVID-19 (21) The Responsibility that Few Want to Discuss
So far in our series of daily articles we have emphasized the need for study, meditation and prayer. We have made available to all in our congregation opportunities to worship God. We have been able, with the cooperation of the small town of Westworth Village, to practice rigorous social distancing, and yet still meet to worship God in person on Sunday. We have been teaching online both on Wednesday evening, as well as Sunday during worship. And, we have been trying, six days a week, to write an article like this one to edify and encourage the brethren. Can you think of something that we haven’t dealt with at all? At least, except for a few private conversations?
What about our responsibility to give of our means on the first day of the week!
A month ago, I was monitoring a discussion about whether physical worship is necessary, or whether we should just stay home and strictly observe the shelter in place guidelines that have been promoted both nationally and locally. When one asked the question, “Why would anyone even consider meeting physically during this time?”, a cynic answered harshly, “Because those preachers care more about getting their money than keeping their people safe!”
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COVID-19 (20) From the Son of Thunder to the Apostle of Love
The apostle John, one of the sons of thunder (Mark 3:17), once reacted strongly to a Samaritan village that rejected Jesus. He along with his brother asked, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?” (Luke 9:54). It was obvious that he was a man of great passion and conviction, and one who allowed his anger and passion to lead him to drastic action. On this occasion, Jesus admonished him and James, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them” (9:55-56).
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COVID-19 (19) Flattening the Curve
Today on the news I watched the governor of New York (the state hit hardest by the pandemic) saying that the cycle of contagion and death has hit a plateau in the state. He is counseling continued caution, but there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel.
Other places in the country are on a different timeline, and are feeling the effects of COVID-19 at a different level than New York. It is interesting to consider how the nation has responded to the disease. Because citizens are by and large acting responsibly, we seem to be flattening the curve.
Sermon: The Christian and Easter
Sermon preached outside during the COVID-19 pandemic:
A discussion of the proper attitude a disiple of Christ should have toward the humanly devised Easter holiday.
COVID-19 (18) Meditate on the Good!
Today, one of the sisters who is part of our family at the West Side congregation shared with me a few thoughts on Philippians 4:8 that I want to use as the basis of our article.
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8).
What happens when you sit in your house, day after day, watching the news and pouring over article after article about the coronavirus? You get caught up watching the politicization of the pandemic, the incessant blame game that seems characteristic of the media and politicians in our partisan nation. You get fixated upon the ever increasing number of fellow citizens who have caught the disease, or died from it. You get frustrated about the often contradictory information and instructions coming from so called experts and authorities. You get more and more worried as this invisible killer seems to draw nearer and nearer to you and your loved ones. You forget to heed and implement Paul’s words in the preceding verses, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
COVID-19 (17) Trust in the Mercy of God Forever
Psalm 52, a psalm of David, describes David’s words to an enemy who sought to inform King Saul of his whereabouts. Of this man, David wrote, “Your tongue devises destruction, like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. You love evil more than good, lying rather than speaking righteousness. You love all devouring words, you deceitful tongue” (2-4). David then proclaims his confidence that “God shall likewise destroy you forever” (5).
Apparently this man, in his wickedness, had obtained financial security. David said of him, “Here is the man who did not make God his strength, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness” (7). This description is so appropriate to our day. There are so many in our nation who have trusted in their riches.
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COVID-19 (16) The Shepherd Knows His Sheep
In John 10, the apostle records a confrontation between Jesus and a group of Jews who demanded (24), “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of me” (25).
What problem did the Jews have? They did not believe the evidence. It is a simple thing to review the previous chapters of John’s gospel to see such public evidence of His claims. Turning the water into wine (John 2). The healing of the nobleman’s son (John 4). The healing of the lame man at the pool of Bethesda (John 5). The feeding of 5,000 (John 6). The giving of sight to a man blind from birth (John 9).
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COVID-19 (15) Mr. Lonely
This article was inspired by an online Bible study by one of our members, Dennis Craig. His lesson was titled Learning the Value of Solitude. It was a great help to our members who are observing the shelter in place guidelines from local and state government.
Bobby Vinton wrote a song in the late 1950’s after being drafted into the military. He spent two years serving domestically, and wrote Mr. Lonely which later became a number one hit when released in 1964. Here are the lyrics, which more accurately describe a soldier sent overseas.
COVID-19 (14) Do You Miss Your Brethren?
Many typically active participants in worship and fellowship have not seen their brethren in a month. Preachers are standing in empty buildings or sitting in their own homes, sharing messages through the internet. But, in most cases Christians are not together.
Even the few who remain able or willing to meet on the Lord’s day have limited their time together to a single hour once a week. Staying at arm’s length and leaving quickly, the loving closeness of a spiritual family is greatly missed. It is obvious to some that a “virtual” assembly is a pale imitation of a congregational meeting to worship God. If others were not aware of the great disadvantages of these electronic communications, it is becoming obvious as the pandemic lingers.
COVID-19 (13) Do All Things Without Complaining
In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he dealt with an apparent conflict between two Christian women, Euodia and Syntyche. He specifically implored them in 4:2, to “be of the same mind in the Lord.” The concept of unity was dealt with generally in the second chapter, where admonitions such as “being likeminded”, “having the same love”, “being of one accord”, “of one mind”, “esteem others better than himself”, “look out…for the interests of others.” (2:2-4).
Such an attitude is seen in kindness, expressions of love and longsuffering, and endless demonstrations of patience. Such a humble and temperate demeanor is disarming, and those who have it are difficult to dislike. This is at its heart an expression of humility. “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” (2:3).
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Sermon: God Has Plans for You!
Sermon preached outside during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The lesson affirms to all who love God, that He has great plans for us!
COVID-19 (12) Are We Too Preoccupied?
One of our members forwarded a post today that mirrors some things that my son and I have been discussing the last several weeks. It is on the mind of many, and has been stated by the President himself when he said that we must make sure the “cure isn’t worse than the disease.” Justin’s post read:
“There isn’t actually any contradiction in the beliefs that (A) the virus is dangerous, (B) mass unemployments is dangerous, and (C) authoritarian government policies are dangerous. There needn’t be any cognitive dissonance holding all three at once; they’re not mutually exclusive.” – Caitlin Johnstone
COVID-19 (11) Remembering
Today marks 38 years of marriage for Debbie and me. 38 years, 6 houses, 4 kids, 6 grandkids and counting. It means a lot of memories. We have an album of our grandkids that scrolls on our TV, and we fully enjoy the chronicling of their lives from birth to the present. As Babs would say, “Memories light the corners of my mind.” Remembering is an enjoyable thing, and can be instructive as well.
The Passover feast for the Jew was established as a remembrance. “So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord throughout your generations” (Exodus 12:14). In the same way, Jesus instituted His supper for us to remember His death on the cross. “And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me'” (Luke 22:19). By remembering His death for us, we are thankful, and strengthened in our faith.
