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TechnoratiPoint #2 - Every human tragedy has its root in humanity’s fall, but evil will one day be eradicated.
I believe it is important to highlight the Biblical worldview tenet that when Adam sinned, he planted the seed that will continue to produce the weeds of murderous people in society. As the Bible states in Romans 5:12:
When Adam sinned; sin entered the entire human race. Adam's sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.
Think about that last phrase, "death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned." The real catastrophe is the chain reaction of transgression that Adam unleashed on this planet when he ate of the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. Up until then there was no death or tragedy. Yet someday God will contain the disastrous presence of sin in the darkness of hell. Every particle of evil will be compressed into the Lake of Fire where every sinner (apart from the grace of God go I) and every fallen angel will suffer the ultimate, eternal catastrophe. Your congregation needs to know that we cannot expect the “not yet” in the “now.” Until that day, there will continue to be shootings and tragedies, but praise God—there will be an ultimate end to the grieving and tears.
Point #3 - True hope can only be found in Jesus Christ.
In a sense, this Sunday may very well feel like a national memorial service. You and the church will meet and grieve the senseless loss of life and pray for all those affected directly and indirectly. Most importantly, people will be thinking through the issues of life that matter most. Questions of what is truly important will be in the forefront of their hearts and minds. Thus in the midst of this, we have a holy opportunity to share the most marvelous hope of life in the universe! Close your message with the offer of eternal life for those who trust in Christ for salvation. Your congregation needs to know that while there is no guarantee of safety in this life, there is a guarantee of salvation in the life to come, in Christ. Jesus Christ left his place of safety in heaven and entered into this dangerous world of wars and school shootings to give us hope by subjecting himself, and being the victim of a tragedy. The only innocent man to ever lived died the most undeserved death - and the Father knows the pain of the loss of a son. Your congregation needs to know that while there is no guarantee of safety in this life, there is a guarantee of salvation in the life to come.
The bottom line in all this is that, while we cannot change the horrendous events in Virginia, we can be used by God to bring about a Kingdom victory in such a time as this! My thoughts and prayers are with you brothers and sisters. I leave you with this very appropriate Pauline benediction from Ephesians, chapter three:
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
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Lane Palmer is the Youth Ministries Specialist for Dare 2 Share Ministries in Arvada, Colo., where he works with to provide resources for youth leaders and students. Dare 2 Share exists to energize and equip teens to know, live, share and own their faith in Jesus. For more information on Dare 2 Share Ministries or the GameDay youth conference tour, please visit www.dare2share.org. Send feedback to lane@dare2share.org.
