Our Finest Hour

The reports are not encouraging. For the past three weeks, our nation, our community, and our church have been experiencing unprecedented events. Never before have we witnessed such a complete shutdown of businesses and social activities. Never before in the history of our nation has the church been encouraged by local leaders not to congregate. Facing fear over a disease for which there is no proven cure or vaccination, most of us have made decisions regarding social interaction that we believed we would never have to make. With an uncertainty regarding just how long this mode of social isolation will continue, there is a sense of great concern among us all. When will the spread of this disease finally dissipate? How long can our economy possibly survive with businesses being forced to stop operations? Can the church continue in its mission, even when we are unable to meet together in person?

While medical professionals and economists will debate the specifics as to how a community’s response to this disease must be managed, there is a definitive answer regarding the impact of isolation upon the church. Somewhere in the mid-60’s AD, roughly 2,000 years ago, while serving his second imprisonment in Rome, the Apostle Paul wrote his last existing letter to Timothy, the young protégé pastor of the church in Ephesus. According to church tradition, Paul was executed shortly following the writing of this letter. As one reads Paul’s instruction to Timothy and the church, it is clear that he considered his life near its end. Yet, regardless of his dire circumstances, Paul would offer these powerful words of encouragement:

“Remember Jesus Christ…as I preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal; but the Word of God is not bound!”

(2 Timothy 2:9)

While the apostle would be detained as a criminal, silenced in his preaching, and isolated in his suffering, the gospel of Jesus Christ would continue to do its work. We can read in Paul’s other letters in the New Testament and in Luke’s account of his missionary journeys in the Book of Acts that the gospel would continue to spread. Paul proclaimed this truth to prison guards and fellow inmates. Paul’s writings would reach not only the recipient churches of his day, but continue to be read by any who study the Bible, even centuries later. His point is clearly proven. Messengers of the gospel can be isolated by various circumstances; but the message of the gospel cannot be stopped!

It is for this reason that we know that God’s true church can not only survive our current crisis; the church thrives under such circumstances! Though restrictions may interrupt our regular meetings, our prayers cannot be hindered by the threat of a virus, the Holy Spirit cannot be squelched by a stay-at-home order, nor can the fellowship of God’s people be haltered by social distancing. Since we have begun (by necessity) to offer exclusively online services on Sundays and Wednesdays, the viewership of these events has risen by hundreds weekly. The giving toward the mission of the gospel through our church has continued to maintain. Though prevented from meeting in person, communication among our people continues to thrive as we stay connected through every means possible. In every conversation, I sense the longing for community among us and the deep appreciation for our times of gathering. There is a heightened sense of awareness for prayer and the promises of Scripture.

Like you, I deeply miss our gatherings together. I eagerly await and pray toward the passing of this crisis. However, since the peace of God covers His people because of our unique position with Him in Jesus (Romans 5:1), the chaos around us must be met with a calmness within us. Since God has called us to sacrificially give of ourselves at all times (2 Corinthians 9:7), giving amidst crisis is a position for which we are uniquely prepared. Because we are a family of faith grounded in relational fellowship (a.k.a Sunday School/Small Groups), we are uniquely positioned to stay connected, even if we are physically isolated. Since we are a church founded upon the mission of the gospel, which means that we are committed to meeting physical, relational, and spiritual needs (Acts 2:42-47), we are distinctively organized to minister in the midst of a crisis. But most importantly, since the power of God is most recognizably at work through us when we are at our most vulnerable (2 Corinthians 12:9), we, the church, are in our finest hour!

You may seem overwhelmed and dismayed by our circumstances. As your pastor, I have certainly had moments in which I share those feelings. Yet, our current crisis has forced us into a position for which God has always been pleading for us to be—completely dependent upon Him for our every need. And though we may be physically isolated and hindered from normal church activities, it is in just such a moment that the power of God can be marvelously displayed through our humility and total surrender to Him.

Charles Spurgeon, known in history as the “prince of preachers”, served as pastor of New Park Street Chapel in London, England. In 1866, a cholera outbreak in that city threatened the lives of many. Even amidst this health crisis, his church faithfully ministered the gospel. He wrote these words which serve as an impetus for our calling by God during this time as well.

And now, again, is the minister’s time; and now is the time for all of you who love souls. You may see men more alarmed than they are already; and if they should be, mind that you avail yourselves of the opportunity of doing them good. You have the Balm of Gilead; when their wounds smart, pour it in. You know of Him who died to save; tell them of Him. Lift high the cross before their eyes. Tell them that God became man that man might be lifted to God. Tell them of Calvary, and its groans, and cries, and sweat of blood. Tell them of Jesus hanging on the cross to save sinners. Tell them that: “There is life for a look at the Crucified One.”

Tell them that he is able to save to the uttermost all them that come unto God by him. Tell them that he is able to save even at the eleventh hour, and to say to the dying thief, “Today shalt thou be with me in Paradise.”

We received a letter from a little girl that our family has come to know and love who is currently living in Uganda. Though she experiences daily the difficulties of poverty, we have come to cherish her words of encouragement and prayers. Not long ago, she wrote to us these words, which seem appropriate for us all. “If God is in the boat, we will get to the other side.”

Amen.

Jason