Responding to the Reality of Evil

This past Friday our nation was struck again by the reality of evil. This time the evil was directed primarily at innocent and precious little children. This tragedy is heartbreaking, and we mourn with our fellow Americans in Newtown, Connecticut. This is the time to weep with those who weep and mourn with those who mourn (Romans 12:15b). This is not the time for spiritual platitudes. We must feel this as a people, taking comfort from the shortest but perhaps most telling words that describe our Savior's response to death: "Jesus wept" (John 11:35).

The reality that Friday's massacre reminds us of is that this world is broken, not right, unjust, and in disrepair. Our own hearts and consciences testify that there should be another way and that this is not the way the world should be. Why is that? Because intuitively we know there is a standard of goodness and justice that ought to rule the world but does not ... at this time in history.

2000 years ago another town (Bethlehem) grieved the loss of innocents when King Herod ordered the slaughter of all boys under the age of 2 in an attempt to destroy the Christ Child (see Matthew 2:16-18). Despite the evil that occurred that day, Herod failed to destroy Christ and the hope He brought to the world. 33 years later that Child, now a Man, was Himself murdered unjustly. He did not escape the reality of evil either. Then 3 days later, He rose from the dead to demonstrate that justice can and will prevail, goodness can and will win, and death does not have the final say. The words to the third verse of "Joy to the World" offer a timely reminder:

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

The curse manifested itself once again in Newtown, Connecticut as it has all over the world and all throughout history. And so we mourn and we cry. But "as far the curse is found," the hope and joy of Christ prevails. This is why we ARE the church, this is why we must BE the church, this is why we must LIVE the reality of a hope that evil cannot take away ... so that people will ask us the REASON for the HOPE that we have (I Peter 3:15).

In deep hurt and hope,

Matt

 

Dalton Rock Bridge PM Time Change!!

Dalton Rock Bridge PM is at 6:00 pm this week (Thursday, December 6th). Please help spread the word!
This is due to the annual Christmas parade. The parade route will cause some roads near the church to be closed.

(Rock Bridge PM in Calhoun remains at 6:30 pm.)

Satisfied Recap

We just wrapped up the “Satisfied” series this weekend. Praying God’s Word bears fruit in our lives! Here’s a recap of this series:

PART 1
We all have to deal with discontentment in our lives. It will drive us somewhere. In doing so, discontentment has the potential to dethrone Jesus or enthrone Him.
Big question: Does my salvation bring contentment? Is Jesus just a ticket to heaven for later or treasure to enjoy now and forever?

PART 2
We are all driven by the desire to have a certain standard of living. When God gave Jesus (His standard of giving), He changed our standard of living. Instead of holding onto things tightly, now we hold them loosely while holding onto Christ as the real standard of living.
Big question: What is driving my standard of living?

PART 3
We all experience “gaps” between our expectations and our reality. We’ll try to fill those gaps with many things, and often develop a critical spirit or attitude of negativity. However, God asks us to fill those gaps with thankfulness. Thankfulness comes from recognizing what really matters and responding in gratitude.
Big question: Is my thankfulness dependent on having a quantity of things or having the superior quality of Christ?

PART 4
Giving away money is part of your satisfaction equation. Despite the fact that this makes no sense in our culture, God prescribes giving as a critical component of contentment and satisfaction. We cannot experience all of God’s sufficiency without giving as a response to Him. God as owner of all things, lovingly asks us to steward His gifts. Part of stewardship is returning a percentage back to God in a way that is driven by faith, joy, and worship. The ultimate goal of giving is to trust God’s ability to satisfy you so much that you are live generously.
Big question: Will you evaluate your finances to become a percentage giver? Would you assess your current level of giving as generous?