Responding in Times of Crisis

Matthew 9:36 NKJ
But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them,
because they were weary and scattered, like sheet having no shepherd.
B.F. WESTCOTT said, “Great occasions do not make heroes or cowards,
they simply unveil them to the eyes of men. Silently and imperceptibly, as
we wake or sleep, we grow strong or grow week; and at the last, some crisis
shows what we have become.”
HOW SHOULD THE CHURCH RESPOND IN TIMES OF CRISIS?

1. REKINDLE THE FEAR OF THE LORD
   Hebrews 12:25-29 NCV
   So be careful and do not refuse to listen when God speaks. Others refused
   to listen to him when he warned them on earth, and they did not escape. So
   it will be worse for us if we refuse to listen to God who warns us from
   heaven. When he spoke before, his voice shook the earth, but now he has
   promised, “Once again I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.
   The words “once again” clearly show us that everything that was made—
   things that can be shaken—will be destroyed. Only the things that cannot be
   shaken will remain. So let us be thankful, because we have a kingdom that
   cannot be shaken. We should worship God in a way that pleases him with
   REPECT and FEAR, because our God is like a fire that burns things up.
   Philippians 2:12 NKJ
   Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence
   only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with
   FEAR AND TREMBLING…
   Proverbs 19:23 NKJ
   The FEAR OF THE LORD leads to life, and he who has it will abide in
   satisfaction; he will not be VISITED WITH EVIL.
   Psalm 34:7 NKJ
   The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who FEAR HIM, and
   DELIVERS THEM.
2. WE MUST PREACH THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM.
   When it comes to the gospel there are two gospels being preached in
   our nation:
   • GOSPEL OF SALVATION
   • GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM
   Matthew 24:4-14 NKJ
   And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives
   you. For many will come in My name, saying ‘I am Christ,’ and will deceive
   many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not
   troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For
   nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will
   be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these things
   are the beginning of sorrows. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and
   kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then
   many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.
   Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because
   lawlessness will abound the love of many will grow cold. But he who
   endures to the end shall be saved. AND THIS GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM
   WILL BE PREACHED IN ALL THE WORLD AS WITNESS TO ALL THE
   NATIONS, AND THEN THE END WILL COME.”
3. WE MUST LAY DOWN OUR LIVES FOR OTHERS
   1 JOHN 3:16-18 NIV
   This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And
   we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has
   material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on
   them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not
   love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
   Proverbs 28:27 NKJ
   He who gives to the poor will not lack, but he who hides his eyes will have
   many curses.
   Proverbs 19:17 NKJ
   He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he
   has given.
   Acts 2:44-45 NKJ
   Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold
   their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had
   need.