Pastor’s Corner: “Plague Defense”
Matthew 18:20 (AMP) – 20 For where two or three are gathered in My name [meeting together as My followers], I am there among them.”
The other epidemic; While the world is focused on the COVID-19 virus and clamoring to create new vaccines and therapeutics to battle against this disease, a much more dangerous and sinister plague has infected the world causing untold, incalculable death and destruction (eternal) since Adam and Eve. The virus of sin and death. Everyone has been infected and no one can escape its reach. The current world focus on COVID-19 is but a distraction from the real eternal killer.
Throughout history, man has attempted all different kinds of ways to eradicate the effects of sin and death without success. But the good news is there is a guaranteed, fail safe cure! The life and death of God’s only Son Jesus Christ. He took on the full weight of our sin and death, by paying our debt on the cross forever breaking the power of this virus. More good news is that we do not have to pay billions of dollars for the development of a drug or vaccine. The cure is a free gift from God. All you have to do is confess your need for forgiveness, believe that Jesus is God’s Son and that He paid your debt with His death. And through His resurrection you have received new life. Amen
But for followers of Jesus Christ, this is not the end of the story. We still live in the world that is infected with this virus. God wants to use us to communicate His love and cure for the world. But many Christians are susceptible to falling away and back into the enemy’s pattern in this world. The enemy is constantly prowling around like a lion looking to divide and isolate believers from the body of Christ thus disabling them of their power and witness. I believe that is exactly the enemy’s plan and method during this COVID-19 crisis. Let us not get distracted and forget the other epidemic.
How can we continually defend against this plague as Christians? BY STAYING TOGETHER. “But woe to him who is alone when he falls.” (Ecclesiastes 4:10). Have you observed how much Jesus valued community? He taught: “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20 NIV). He also gave a great teaching regarding prayer community: “When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action.” (Matthew 18:19, MSG). When we are in Christian community, we gain encouragement, support, strength and accountability from other believers. But more than that, we gain the presence of Jesus Himself (nothing can compare). When He made that observation about being present when two or three gather in His name, He was not giving us a consolation for a poor attendance at a meeting. He was being descriptive and prescriptive about the reality that His risen presence is among us in a special way when just two or three of us come together in His name. Solomon, the wisest man on earth also wrote: that two are better than one for when one falls the other will help him up and “a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” This means that when two or three are in community the presence of Jesus among them forms that threefold cord that cannot be quickly broken. HE IS OUR CONTINUED DEFENSE AND PROTECTOR.
Have you stepped away from community? Are you feeling isolated, lost and alone? Is the world and its mess suffocating the life of Jesus in you? Jesus is calling you to His covering, protection and defense against the virus of this world. Remember, you are not alone. You are loved and precious to your brothers and sister in Christ. You are needed. RECONNECT!
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton