Covid19
Have no fear
Psalm 23:1–6 (ESV)
A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
With everything going on!
With all the things going on today, the mass hysteria, everyone running scared, the media filling our head full of panic and worry, it’s time to take a breath! Jesus talks a lot about fear and how to deal with it, and by Jesus' amazing design we are there today in Matthew!
Fear is natural!
Matthew 17:6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified.
· Fear is an adaptive behavior that we have to help identify threats. It is an ability that has allowed us as humans to survive predators and natural disasters
· We are born with only two innate fears: the fear of falling and the fear of loud sounds.
· Almost all other fears are learned
o Like spiders and snakes, heights, dark places, etc…
· The emotional response to fear is highly personalized. Because fear involves some of the same chemical reactions in our brains that positive emotions like happiness and excitement do, feeling fear under certain circumstances can be seen as fun or exciting
o We can even get addicted to it
And the bible gives us something to fear
Matthew 10:28 (ESV)
28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
2 Corinthians 7:1 (ESV)
1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
· So, it's clear from these passages, that fears are not all bad, that fearing God is good because it saves us from caving into our own sinful nature.
· There are health fears
· Good fears
· But what we are seeing right now is not a healthy fear
Unhealthy fear
Definition:
Unhealthy fear is stimulated by perceived or imagined danger- which usually isn’t dangerous at all. While healthy fear recedes after it serves its purpose, unhealthy fear tends to carry on because there is no real end goal. Since there is no clear directive from unhealthy fear, rather than inspiring us to take action, it causes paralysis. Since there is no real definition of the fear, there aren’t any clear motives for taking action on it. Unhealthy fear is illogical, oftentimes irrational, and mostly without cause.
· So, what we have now, is mass panic, hysteria
· It's man driven
· And frankly, it’s dangerous
· We are already a fractured nation, polarized by the media and Washington
· And this media-driven panic could, and most certainly will, drive a wedge even deeper in this country, and might even destroy it completely.
So why talk about this at all, you ask? Because we are called to be the light!
Matthew 5:14–16 (ESV)
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
· In times like this, we are to be the light that leads others out of the darkness
· We are to cast out all fears (1 John 4:18) and be the calm in the storm
· We are to be the wise counsel
o And I am really not seeing much of that right now!
o I see the same panic in believers as in non-believers
· We should take precautions, but not panic, panic never produces a good outcome!
So, what should we do?
1. Get the facts (for ourselves)
Luke 6:44 (ESV)
44 for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush.
· We need to stop and get some facts
· We need to look at the fruit of things, not the rumors
· The media and the politicians are not experts
· They may talk like they are, but they're not!
What are the facts (what do we know so far):
· 80 to 90 percent of folks infected will have mild and possibly no symptoms whatsoever
· 10 to 15 percent will have severe symptoms
o Fever
o Shortness of breath
o Dry cough
· Less than 5 percent will need critical care
· And less than 1 percent mortality rate
· We know the elderly with underlying health issues are most at risk (same as the normal flu)
Note: Any time we have fear about something the best thing to do is gather all the facts
2. Be cautious
Proverbs 14:16 (ESV)
16 One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.
· We need to take some precautions
· We need to use this to learn and be reminded of good hygiene practices
· But we also need to have some good old fashion common sense
· Learn from history
o In the flu epidemic of 1918, they found that taking patients outside in the fresh air and sun helped in recovery
o That these kinds of illnesses come around from time to time and that we should expect it and be prepared for it
o And we in America clearly are not
3. Stay the course
John 13:34–35 (ESV)
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
· We continue to love each other and the outside world
· We don’t run and hide; we stand and support each other and our community
· We don’t buy into the panic and hype, we listen to God's calm and quiet voice
· And we continue on mission!
Remember Satan
John 10:10 (ESV)
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
· This has Satan written all over it
· The fear and panic are doing more damage to the world than the Virus ever could
· So, let’s not forget our mission
Jesus said fear no more!
Matthew 17:7
But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.”
· David said, I will fear no evil
· Because God is with us
· So let’s lean on God’s word a little
Here are some scriptures to lean on during these times:
1 Peter 3:14 (NIV)
14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.”
· The false threats are out there to make you panic
· And to shift your focus off of what is truly important
Luke 12:25–26 (NIV)
25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?
26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
· Panic and worrying will get us nothing
· Only by trusting in God and staying the course will level heads prevail in this
1 Peter 5:6–7 (NIV)
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
· The cross is where all our worries and fears need to be placed
· Should we be cautious, yes!
· Should we be aware and informed, absolutely
· Shoud we fear and panic, no!
Philippians 4:6–7 (NIV)
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
· We should be a people of prayer
· We should be a people of faith in the storm
· We should be a light, a beacon of hope to a dark and hopeless world
· This is a true test of our faith in the presence of crisis
John 14:27 (NIV)
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
· Jesus left us with the holy spirit to lead us in times like these
· I have for the last 10 years talked about building the relationship and working that muscle for a time just like this
2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)
7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
· And in that spirit, we have been given the power
· The power to overcome the fear
· The power to find self-control
· The power to carry on with God's mission in the face of adversity and suffering
So let’s put on the full armor of God and get to work!
Ephesians 6:11–18 (ESV)
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
· the belt of truth
· breastplate of righteousness
· shoes for your feet, the gospel of peace
· shield of faith
· helmet of salvation
· sword of the Spirit
and let’s get out and be Jesus with skin on!
· Be compassionate
· Be kind
· Be humble
· Let’s love one another a little!
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