Finding Faith and Purpose Amidst Crisis

 

Summary

In these challenging times, as we find ourselves confined to our homes due to the coronavirus pandemic, it's crucial to seize this opportunity to reevaluate our lives and priorities. Sitting at my kitchen table, a place of family gatherings and discussions, I reflect on how this crisis has turned our world upside down. It's a moment to draw closer to God and each other, seeking His voice amidst the chaos. The danger lies in allowing legitimate concerns to morph into illegitimate fears, which can become more pervasive than the virus itself. The Bible instructs us not to be controlled by fear but to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, as stated in 2 Corinthians 10.

The constant barrage of news can easily consume our thoughts and emotions, leading us to feel overwhelmed. Instead, we should focus on what God has to say, allowing His certainty and stability to guide us. This is a time when we need God more than ever, and He is calling us to recognize our dependence on Him. As we gather around our tables with loved ones, let's discuss what truly matters, realizing that many things we once deemed important have lost their significance.

We should express gratitude for the basics—shelter, clothing, and food—and pray for those who are struggling. This crisis reshapes our priorities, reminding us that God and people are what truly matter. Our church is reaching out to the elderly, the sick, and those in need, demonstrating compassion in responsible ways. Everyone can contribute, ensuring that God remains the centerpiece of our lives. Let's trade our fears for trust in a loving God who is with us even in trials.

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Key Takeaways:

1. Reevaluating Priorities: The current crisis offers a unique opportunity to reassess what truly matters in life. As we are forced to slow down, we can focus on the importance of family and our relationship with God, recognizing that many things we once prioritized may not be as significant as we thought. [01:37]

2. Fear vs. Faith: While it's natural to be concerned about the pandemic, we must guard against letting fear control us. The Bible encourages us to take every thought captive to Christ, ensuring that our emotions and decisions are guided by faith rather than fear. [02:39]

3. God's Certainty: Unlike the uncertainty and confusion of the world, God operates with confidence and stability. By focusing on His word and promises, we can find peace and assurance, knowing that He is in control even when everything else seems uncertain. [04:09]

4. Gratitude and Compassion: In times of crisis, it's essential to cultivate a heart of gratitude for the basic necessities we have and to extend compassion to those in need. This shift in perspective helps us align our priorities with God's heart for others. [05:11]

5. Community and Action: Our faith should lead us to action, reaching out to those who are vulnerable and in need. By doing so, we demonstrate that God and people are our top priorities, and everything else should support these values. [05:47]

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Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:16] - The Evans Family Table
[00:41] - Addressing Issues from Home
[00:58] - The Global Impact of Coronavirus
[01:15] - An Opportunity for Reflection
[01:37] - Reevaluating Life's Priorities
[01:56] - The Danger of Fear
[02:19] - Fear as a Virus
[02:39] - Taking Thoughts Captive
[03:18] - The Influence of News
[03:54] - Listening to God's Voice
[04:09] - God's Certainty and Stability
[04:24] - Our Need for God
[04:40] - Gathering at the Table
[05:11] - Gratitude and Thanksgiving
[05:30] - Compassionate Action
[06:06] - God as the Centerpiece
[06:28] - Closing Blessing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 2 Corinthians 10:1-5

Observation Questions:
1. What does 2 Corinthians 10:5 mean when it talks about taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about controlling fear? [02:57]
2. In the sermon, how does Tony Evans describe the impact of the coronavirus on our daily lives and priorities? [01:15]
3. What examples does the sermon provide about how fear can become more pervasive than the virus itself? [02:19]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of taking every thought captive to Christ challenge the way we process news and information during a crisis? [03:54]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God is using this crisis to remind us of our dependence on Him? [04:24]
3. How does the sermon’s emphasis on gratitude and compassion align with the biblical instruction to care for others? [05:11]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current priorities. What are some things you once deemed important that have lost their significance during this crisis? How can you refocus on what truly matters? [01:37]
2. Identify a specific fear you have related to the pandemic. How can you apply 2 Corinthians 10:5 to manage this fear and replace it with faith? [02:39]
3. How can you incorporate more time listening to God’s voice rather than being consumed by the news? What practical steps can you take to make this shift? [03:54]
4. Think of someone in your community who might be struggling during this time. What is one compassionate action you can take to support them this week? [05:47]
5. As you gather with your family, what are some ways you can discuss and realign your family’s priorities to reflect God’s heart? [04:40]
6. How can you express gratitude for the basic necessities you have? Consider starting a gratitude journal or sharing daily thanks with your family. [05:11]
7. What specific actions can you take to ensure that God remains the centerpiece of your life during this trial? [06:06]

Devotional

Day 1: Reassessing Life's True Priorities
In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, many have found themselves confined to their homes, providing a unique opportunity to slow down and reassess what truly matters in life. This period of reflection allows individuals to focus on the importance of family and their relationship with God, recognizing that many things once deemed significant may not hold the same value. As people gather around their tables with loved ones, they are encouraged to discuss what truly matters, realizing that God and people are the core of life's priorities. [01:37]

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have placed too much importance on material or temporary things? How can you begin to shift your focus to what truly matters today?


Day 2: Choosing Faith Over Fear
While it is natural to be concerned about the pandemic, it is crucial to guard against allowing fear to control one's life. The Bible encourages believers to take every thought captive to Christ, ensuring that emotions and decisions are guided by faith rather than fear. Legitimate concerns can easily morph into illegitimate fears, which can become more pervasive than the virus itself. By focusing on God's word and promises, individuals can find peace and assurance, knowing that He is in control even when everything else seems uncertain. [02:39]

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a specific fear that has been consuming your thoughts. How can you actively choose to trust God with this fear today?


Day 3: Embracing God's Certainty
In a world filled with uncertainty and confusion, God operates with confidence and stability. By focusing on His word and promises, individuals can find peace and assurance, knowing that He is in control even when everything else seems uncertain. This is a time when people need God more than ever, and He is calling them to recognize their dependence on Him. By listening to God's voice amidst the chaos, believers can find the certainty and stability they seek. [04:09]

"The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations." (Psalm 33:11, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to rely more on God's certainty and less on your own understanding? How can you begin to do that today?


Day 4: Cultivating Gratitude and Compassion
In times of crisis, it is essential to cultivate a heart of gratitude for the basic necessities one has and to extend compassion to those in need. This shift in perspective helps align priorities with God's heart for others. By expressing gratitude for shelter, clothing, and food, and praying for those who are struggling, individuals can demonstrate compassion in responsible ways. This crisis reshapes priorities, reminding people that God and others are what truly matter. [05:11]

"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4, ESV)

Reflection: Who is someone in your community or circle who might be in need of support or encouragement? How can you reach out to them today with compassion and gratitude?


Day 5: Living Out Faith Through Community and Action
Faith should lead to action, reaching out to those who are vulnerable and in need. By doing so, individuals demonstrate that God and people are their top priorities, and everything else should support these values. The church is called to reach out to the elderly, the sick, and those in need, demonstrating compassion in responsible ways. Everyone can contribute, ensuring that God remains the centerpiece of their lives. [05:47]

"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: What is one practical way you can serve someone in your community this week, demonstrating God's love and compassion? How can you involve others in this act of service?

Quotes


As you gather in your home, as I'm in mine, because now Dallas County where I live is under a state home Edict. So, we need to be in our homes. But you know, it's also an opportunity. It's an opportunity to take this space and time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and reevaluate: reevaluate what matters most, reevaluate the importance of family, reevaluate life. [00:01:06]

Now, the great danger is that we will turn legitimate concern into illegitimate fear. You know, we got enough virus to worry about, Corona, then to turn fear into another kind of a virus. In fact, it may be more people who are being affected by the virus of fear than by the virus of Corona. Because of the uncertainty involved. [00:02:09]

And yet, the Bible makes it clear that we are not to be controlled by fear. Yes, we ought to be responsibly concerned, but don't let fear own your emotions or own your decisions or own your choices. No, God is too big for that, our heavenly father is too awesome for that and it doesn't do you any good to live in fear. [00:02:39]

You know, second Corinthians chapter 10, the first five verses, says that you and I ought to take every thought captive to obedience to Christ. We're being bombarded by the news, right? And they are affecting our thinking. You know, we look at the stats, we look at the spread, we look at the difficulties people are facing, we look at the warnings, we look at the edicts, we look at the confusion, we look at the uncertainty. [00:03:05]

Oh, but second Corinthians 10 says to take every thought captive to Christ. So instead of spending all of your time listening to what the news media has to say, let's spend a lot more time listening to what God has to say so that He affects our emotions more than the news media. [00:03:44]

After all, God is not operating with question marks. He's not operating with uncertainty, He's not operating in confusion, that's what people are doing. He operates and confidence and certainty and stability. [00:04:05]

You've never need God, your family has never needed God, the Church of Jesus Christ has never needed God, and the culture has never needed God any more than we need Him right now. And by the way, that's the point. God is saying, "You really do need Me, don't you?" So let's not ignore Him who speaks because He is screaming right now. [00:04:21]

I'm at my table, why don't you go to your table, gather with your loved ones who are near and dear to you and sit around and talk about the things that really matter. Because all of a sudden, a lot of things that we thought mattered, really doesn't matter that much anymore, does it? [00:04:47]

If you've got a roof over your head and clothes on your back and food in your stomach, this is a time for thanksgiving, to think on the things you are grateful for, to thank God that you are okay, and to pray for those who are not okay and those were working with those who are not okay. [00:05:05]

Our Church in Dallas, we're reaching out to the elderly, we're reaching out to the sick, we're reaching out to the needs of the community as we're able. Everybody can do something in a responsible way to say, "You know, God matters, people matter." Everything else should support those two. [00:05:43]

So I'm going back to my table, you go back to your table and let's all let God know that he is the centerpiece on the table as we trade our fears for trust in a God who loves us even when we're going through a trial. God bless you. [00:06:09]

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Transcript
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