LESSONS FROM JULY 2ND 2014 DESTRUCTION OF OUR CHURCH PROPERTY

A Day of Lessons and Reflections

Our Lord's Day yesterday was subdued yet joyful. This was the first Lord’s Day after our temporary church structures were destroyed by the authorities. We were never given time to explain our actions or the seven day minimum notice.

My colleague Pastor Paul led the Adult Bible study from 1 Pet.3:13-16 emphasizing that Christians should not live in fear.

I then preached on 

'LESSONS FROM JULY 2ND 2014 DESTRUCTION OF OUR CHURCH PROPERTY'

The question lingering in many minds has been WHY? I then sought to answer that question in three ways. Below is my outline:

1. Because of sin in the human heart.
- Though '...God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes' (Ecclesiastes 7:29) - SIN
- 1) there was sinful love of money portrayed; corruption; bribe (cf. 2 Tim.3:3; Prov.17:23). But because we were not willing to go that root then we were bound to suffer.
- 2) Hence, there was a love of destruction demonstrated in arrogance, heartlessness, lack of self-control, brutality, and recklessness (2 Tim.3:2-4)
- But, Bible concludes that not only the destructive team but 'ALL have sinned and fall short of God's glory' (Rom.3:23).

2. Because of Sovereign Control of God in affairs of men.
- 1) Sovereignty of God = 'The exercise of God's supremacy' (Psalm 115:3; 135:6). C.H.Spurgeon said 'this must be the most encouraging character of God for the believers...' Because God holds ALL that happens to His children in perfect balance.
We saw this at least in two ways:
i) God kept the evil plan from us for a whole month of hard labour at the church site!
ii) God ordered that the destruction take place before we arrive at the site!
If members were at the site the moment of destruction, you can only imagine what would have transpired! God is surely sovereign for the good of His children.
-> I then gently but urgently pressed the sovereignty of God in the consciences of the congregation.

3. Because the Gospel MUST Advance.
- Persecution never hinders but advances the course of the gospel! (Phil.1:12-18)
- Paul was in trouble because of the gospel (v.16)
- Yet the gospel advanced! (v.12)
- the gospel went to places previously shut (v.13);
-> in our case, this incident has made Helida and I to go to Offices and begin to witness to high ranking officials hitherto unreached by us!
- during troubled times true believers grow bold (v.14)

But what is this gospel?
- it is not plots, permanent structures or even powerful PA systems!
- it is that which Christ is at the center. As the one who died, rose again and now from heaven sends His Holy Spirit that sinners be made right with God again.
- this is worth suffering for (v.13)
- must be preached without envy, rivalry or selfish ambition (vv.15-17).

Application
-> I then brought a number of areas of application.
i) that the destruction must lead us to boldness for the sake of the gospel
ii) that God's sovereignty must be our source of comfort now and assurance for tomorrow
iii) that we must be convinced that the gospel remains the only hope for our sinful town and beyond.

Later during our Lord's Supper, various brethren shared their experiences and reflections. Some said that they were so affected and were observing keenly how Helida and I were reacting. And that our reaction or behavior through the whole episode helped them tremendously to know how to cope and behave through the same! We felt so humbled by these words. We were not conscious that we were actually being observed. We just give glory to God and pray for more grace.

In Christ by grace alone,
Naphtally.