Faith and Worship in Uncertain Times

 

Summary

In these challenging times, we are reminded of the sovereignty of God and the certainty of His word. The pandemic has touched every aspect of our lives, yet it is an opportunity to reflect on our faith and the principles that guide us. We are called to remember that God is holy, we are not, and our need for a Savior is met in Jesus Christ. This moment is a chance to evaluate our worship and ask if it truly pleases God. As we adapt to new ways of gathering, such as virtual meetings, we are reminded of the ingenuity God has granted us to stay connected.

The absence of physical gatherings has prompted us to consider the depth and sincerity of our worship. Are we merely going through the motions, or are our hearts truly prepared to meet with God? This is a time to examine our hearts and ensure that our worship is genuine and pleasing to Him. The pandemic has also highlighted the importance of preaching, even when delivered through technology. Preaching remains a powerful means of communicating God's truth, and it is vital that we continue to proclaim His word with conviction and faith.

As Christians, we are called to live with certainty and assurance, knowing that our God is sovereign and unchanging. While the world may see these times as uncertain, we have the assurance of God's plan and His control over all things. This certainty should shape our demeanor and our response to the challenges we face. We are reminded of the importance of community and the need to care for one another, especially those who are isolated or vulnerable.

In reflecting on church history, we see that the church has faced similar challenges before and has emerged stronger. This is a time to learn from the past and to ensure that we do not take for granted the privilege of gathering together. We must pray for wisdom, for those in authority, and for the church to be a beacon of hope and love in a world that desperately needs it.

Key Takeaways:

- The Sovereignty of God: In times of crisis, we are reminded of God's sovereignty and the certainty of His word. This is a moment to reflect on our faith and the principles that guide us, knowing that God is in control and His plans are perfect. [00:26]

- The Nature of Worship: The absence of physical gatherings challenges us to evaluate the sincerity of our worship. Are our hearts truly prepared to meet with God, or are we merely going through the motions? This is a time to ensure that our worship is genuine and pleasing to Him. [05:06]

- The Power of Preaching: Despite the challenges of delivering sermons through technology, preaching remains a powerful means of communicating God's truth. It is vital that we continue to proclaim His word with conviction and faith, trusting that God will use it to reach many. [06:26]

- Living with Certainty: While the world may see these times as uncertain, Christians have the assurance of God's sovereignty and His unchanging nature. This certainty should shape our demeanor and response to challenges, allowing us to live with hope and confidence. [12:03]

- Learning from History: The church has faced similar challenges before and has emerged stronger. This is a time to learn from the past, ensuring that we do not take for granted the privilege of gathering together and that we continue to be a beacon of hope and love. [25:57]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:26] - God's Sovereignty in Crisis
- [01:13] - First Principles and Our Savior
- [01:47] - Global Reflections
- [02:27] - Church Ingenuity and Virtual Gatherings
- [03:48] - Does God Miss Our Worship?
- [05:06] - Evaluating Our Worship
- [06:26] - Preaching in a New Era
- [08:22] - Comfort in God's Word
- [10:31] - Certainty in Uncertain Times
- [13:19] - Lessons from Job
- [15:10] - The Majesty of God
- [18:18] - Shepherding in Crisis
- [25:12] - Historical Perspectives
- [30:48] - Learning from Past Calamities
- [39:04] - The Foolishness of Preaching
- [43:42] - How Should We Pray?

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Isaiah 6:1-5
2. Amos 5:21-24
3. Romans 13:1-2

---

Observation Questions:

1. In Isaiah 6:1-5, how does Isaiah react to the vision of God's holiness, and what does this reveal about his understanding of his own sinfulness?
2. According to Amos 5:21-24, what is God's attitude towards insincere worship, and what does He desire instead?
3. How does Romans 13:1-2 instruct Christians to relate to governing authorities, and what is the reason given for this instruction?
4. In the sermon, what are some ways the pandemic has challenged the sincerity of our worship? ([05:06])

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Isaiah's vision of God's holiness in Isaiah 6:1-5 help us understand our need for a Savior?
2. What does Amos 5:21-24 suggest about the relationship between justice and worship, and how might this apply to our current context?
3. In what ways does Romans 13:1-2 challenge or affirm your current view of authority, especially in light of the pandemic?
4. The sermon suggests that the absence of physical gatherings is an opportunity to evaluate our worship. How might this period of reflection lead to a deeper, more genuine worship experience? ([05:06])

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on Isaiah's response to God's holiness. How can you cultivate a similar awareness of God's majesty in your daily life?
2. Considering Amos 5:21-24, what steps can you take to ensure that your worship is sincere and aligned with God's desires for justice and righteousness?
3. How can you apply the principles of Romans 13:1-2 in your interactions with authority figures, especially when you disagree with their decisions?
4. The sermon highlights the importance of preaching, even through technology. How can you support your church's efforts to proclaim God's word during this time? ([06:26])
5. In what ways can you contribute to your church community, especially to those who are isolated or vulnerable, during this pandemic? ([12:03])
6. Reflect on a time when you took the privilege of gathering for worship for granted. How can you approach future gatherings with a renewed sense of gratitude and purpose? ([25:57])
7. How can you use this time of uncertainty to deepen your trust in God's sovereignty and unchanging nature? What specific practices can help you live with hope and confidence? ([12:03])

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting in God's Sovereignty
In times of crisis, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and uncertain. However, as believers, we are reminded of the sovereignty of God and the certainty of His word. This is a moment to reflect on our faith and the principles that guide us, knowing that God is in control and His plans are perfect. The pandemic has touched every aspect of our lives, yet it is an opportunity to deepen our trust in God's unchanging nature. We are called to live with certainty and assurance, knowing that our God is sovereign and unchanging. While the world may see these times as uncertain, we have the assurance of God's plan and His control over all things. This certainty should shape our demeanor and our response to the challenges we face. [00:26]

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's sovereignty? How can you actively surrender this area to Him today?


Day 2: Genuine Worship in Spirit and Truth
The absence of physical gatherings has prompted us to consider the depth and sincerity of our worship. Are we merely going through the motions, or are our hearts truly prepared to meet with God? This is a time to examine our hearts and ensure that our worship is genuine and pleasing to Him. The pandemic challenges us to evaluate the sincerity of our worship. Are our hearts truly prepared to meet with God, or are we merely going through the motions? This is a time to ensure that our worship is genuine and pleasing to Him. As we adapt to new ways of gathering, such as virtual meetings, we are reminded of the ingenuity God has granted us to stay connected. [05:06]

"But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him." (John 4:23, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on your current worship practices. What is one specific change you can make to ensure your worship is more genuine and heartfelt?


Day 3: The Enduring Power of Preaching
Despite the challenges of delivering sermons through technology, preaching remains a powerful means of communicating God's truth. It is vital that we continue to proclaim His word with conviction and faith, trusting that God will use it to reach many. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of preaching, even when delivered through technology. Preaching remains a powerful means of communicating God's truth, and it is vital that we continue to proclaim His word with conviction and faith. This moment is a chance to evaluate our worship and ask if it truly pleases God. [06:26]

"Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching." (2 Timothy 4:2, ESV)

Reflection: How can you support and encourage those who are preaching God's word in your community, especially during these challenging times?


Day 4: Living with Certainty and Assurance
As Christians, we are called to live with certainty and assurance, knowing that our God is sovereign and unchanging. While the world may see these times as uncertain, we have the assurance of God's plan and His control over all things. This certainty should shape our demeanor and our response to the challenges we face. We are reminded of the importance of community and the need to care for one another, especially those who are isolated or vulnerable. This certainty should shape our demeanor and response to challenges, allowing us to live with hope and confidence. [12:03]

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate the certainty and assurance of your faith to those around you today?


Day 5: Learning from the Church's Resilience
In reflecting on church history, we see that the church has faced similar challenges before and has emerged stronger. This is a time to learn from the past and to ensure that we do not take for granted the privilege of gathering together. We must pray for wisdom, for those in authority, and for the church to be a beacon of hope and love in a world that desperately needs it. The church has faced similar challenges before and has emerged stronger. This is a time to learn from the past, ensuring that we do not take for granted the privilege of gathering together and that we continue to be a beacon of hope and love. [25:57]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: How can you contribute to your church community's resilience and growth during this time? What specific actions can you take to support and encourage others?

Quotes

"We know from God's word that we have clear and sure answers, and that we're seeing some of His sovereignty work out in the particulars. I think individuals, communities, nations-- nobody really has had their lives untouched by this global health, and even economic crisis. It's a true calamity, and yet as those of us who know that the Lord is sovereign over all things, we can try and reflect upon His word and lean upon His word, because His word is sure, and it's true." [00:34:41]

"I think in a moment like this that Dr. Sproul would tell us to go back to first principles, reminding us that God is holy, that we are not, that we need a savior, and that Savior is Jesus Christ. And so over the next few minutes, we're going to talk with the Ligonier teaching fellows and just find out how they're doing and how they're reflecting upon this moment, both in their own ministry with their own community, their own families, and then trying to share a word of encouragement for you so that you might be able to be better equipped to give an answer and an encouragement to those that God has put within your sphere of ministry." [00:73:26]

"There's been really an amazing amount of ingenuity, I think, in churches to use social media as a way of bringing people together. And I must say, it has struck me again and again that this is an event in our lifetime that, in His mercy, God has given us the discovery of resources that have enabled us to be in touch with one another. I was reading about the great plague of London the other day, when 100,000 people died within the course of a year. And no facilities like the facilities we have today-- so in some ways, it feels to me as though, in all the horror of the situation, God has historically, chronologically shown us great mercy." [00:173:35]

"Has our worship been pleasing to God? This is a question I think that doesn't occur often enough to Christians and to churches. Is the worship that we engage, in fact, pleasing to God? And is He perhaps saying I'm tired of your ceremonies, I'm tired of your noise, I'm tired of your disagreeing with my word-- since that goes on in a lot of churches? I'm tired of hearts unprepared coming to meet with me. And it led me to read-- write this article, putting some from the prophet Amos, some from the prophet Isaiah to challenge myself maybe to help others think about, how are our hearts prepared? What is the worship we're offering? Is God pleased with it?" [00:300:07]

"Preaching through the technology-- livestream, and Zoom, and the different means-- I think we are reminded of a couple of things. Number one, we ultimately preach to an audience of one. We preach for God's approval. We preach for God's glory. Obviously, we preach to people, and to edify and build them up, but as I'm standing in an empty room looking into a camera, I am struck with the reality and the realization that God is in this room. And as I'm minister His word, what matters most is God's amen and God's affirmation of what I preach." [00:386:62]

"As the word of God goes forth, that is what puts strength into our hearts. It bolsters our faith. It enlarges our hope. It deepens our stance. The word of God-- and especially the word of God preached, because there's a special dynamic that occurs as the word is preached and goes forth-- it is the greatest blessing to God's people. We saw that in the book of Acts, for example, as the word is preached and the dynamic power that was released in the lives of the early church. I think that same dynamic power occurs especially in days of adversity, such as we find ourselves, where there is an unusual looking to God for answers, an unusual looking to God concerning the shortness of life, and the length of eternity, and the desire to lay hold of the promises of God as they are brought to it." [00:549:84]

"These are indeed uncertain times for the world, for people who do not know Jesus Christ, but these are certain times for us, because we know the Lord, and we know that our God is sovereign, and He's unchanging, that our God has the world in His hands. And this is all according to His plan. And so our times are not certain. I think that means that, for Christians, our attitude, our demeanor, our psyche, the way in which we are handling this, dealing with this, responding to it, speaking about it-- I think it does change our tone. It changes our hope. It changes our future." [00:723:75]

"Job is one of those books that you think has all of the answers to the problem of pain and suffering, and actually, it doesn't really have answers to the questions that people typically ask. And it's not really a book about Job. It's really a book about God, first of all, and just how incomprehensible He is to us, how big He is, how unfathomable He is. And Calvin in 1554, in February, when he began to preach on the Book of Job-- and would end up preaching for 14 months during the week, 159 sermons-- in that very first sermon, he said it is-- and I'm not quoting him exactly, but it is a wonderful thing to be subject to the majesty of God." [00:898:72]

"The church has faced these calamities and epidemics. And we think of our sort of heroes that we always go to. We think of Augustine. And he's bishop over the collapse of Rome. This is an incredibly earth-shattering moment, and-- look back on that, and you can see how some people responded in a very poor way. Jerome is probably the classic example. When he hears of the collapse of Rome, he gives up hope. He can't see how God's kingdom can advance or survive apart from Rome. And so he literally goes into a cave, gives up, and dies. Augustine writes the City of God, and he reminds us all that God's kingdom, of which there is no end, is the ultimate reality while we are citizens on earth." [00:1557:94]

"One of the things that He's doing to us is he is depriving us, in His sovereign providence, of the privilege of meeting together, and as Bob was saying, of worshipping together-- and perhaps in His mercy, teaching us how lightly we have treated that privilege, and also how lightly we have treated one another. Remember-- it must be maybe 25 years ago now that David Wells came out with his verbal play on the Hebrew word kavod. The glory of God is the weightiness of God. And he spoke about the weightlessness of God in the modern world." [00:2140:50]

"The foolishness of the cross, that our eternal destiny would depend upon a crucified Jewish carpenter's son from 2,000 years ago-- that's just insane to the world, foolishness, that our sins would be forgiven through the death of a substitute upon the cross, and that way alone would give us right standing before God. So it's a very foolish message. I think of 1 Corinthians 1:18. The foolishness of the cross is the wisdom of God to us. But then the foolish medium which is through preaching-- the Jews wanted signs and miracles. The Greeks wanted some profound display of oratory. And instead, it was just a weak messenger standing and preaching what the world perceived to be a weak message." [00:2383:11]

"I think one thing that we must pray for is for those who are in authority over us, who are making so many decisions that affect all of our lives. As 1 Timothy 2 points us-- one that they would have wisdom beyond their own wisdom, that they would be surrounded by men and women of integrity who would give them godly counsel, and that the environment that would be created would be freedom for the gospel to go forward. And so that may not be the number one thing on the list for which we would pray, but that's what immediately comes to my mind." [00:2631:00]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from May 21, 2020. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?