Sermon Central
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Saftey In Times Of Uncertaintany- A Response To The Las Vegas Shootings
Contributed by Randy Edwards on Oct 9, 2017 (message contributor)
Summary: Psalm 46- responding to the evil in this world
“Safety in times of uncertainty”
A response to the shootings in Las Vegas
October 8, 2017
Last week Patti and I were blessed to spend a week surrounded by God’s majesty at a wonderful place called the Wind River Ranch in Estes Park Colorado
Over the course of 5 days we experienced a peace
And an easiness that was much needed
Everything about the Ranch
From the staff
To the horses
The scenery and the food
And even the gentle wind on the wind chimes that soothed our souls was refreshing
After several days of awesomeness
Being surrounded by people who love God and are allowing themselves to be used by God
People who despite differences in theology
Differences in where they call home and how they experience life
And how they do ministry
People with the true love of Christ living in them
We as well as the pother couples
Felt at home
Safe
At peace and loved
Then a few days later
Last Sunday evening
Something happened that changed those feelings
Evil rose up
And for a moment
Evil Caused Fear
Evil Caused Anxiety
Evil made us feel vulnerable
Unsafe
And Evil caused so many more emotions to well up inside of us
And I have no doubt
The same and many other emotions welled up inside of each of you
The evil act of one person
Caused
Fear to grip our nation
This act caused
A feeling that no place is safe
This act caused a feeling of anger
This act caused Uncertainty
This act caused us, if just for a moment to feel unsafe in this world
It is safety and uncertainty that I want to address today
I am sure that all of you have noticed the 59 empty chairs that are here today
They are here for a visual of just how the act of one person
A person so filled with evil
Changed the lives of so many
59 people are no longer drawing breath on this
Over 500 others have injuries and some may yet die
Thousands who were there in Los Vegas on Sunday night will live forever with the memories
And the nightmares
And millions
All over the world
Patti and I and each of you included
Will look at safety and certainty
In a different light
Look at these empty chairs as I preach today’s message
Place yourselves in the seats and the shoes of those who could be filling them
Place your selves in the shoes of those who will miss and grieve those who are no longer with us
Today
Will we deal with safety and uncertainty
Psalm 46 came up several times I n our sessions last week at the ranch
Renau and Brook Van Der Rite from Mosaic Church in Orlando Florida
Helped each Pastor and wife at our retreat take a new and fresh look at
Our own relationship with Jesus
And also at what we are called to do
And how we have been blessed by God
To be allowed to play a part in our own salvation and our own growth in God
God saved us by his Grace
Though the faith that he –Gave--- us
Today it is my desire to remember that ---Grace
Today it is my desire to remember those that have been lost
But more importantly today it is my desire to remember
What Jesus gave to redeem us
The safety and certainty that he died to give us
Please open your bibles to Psalm 46
And read with me the entire Psalm then we will take a deeper look
God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea.
3 Let the oceans roar and foam.
Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! Interlude
4 A river brings joy to the city of our God,
the sacred home of the Most High.
5 God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed.
From the very break of day, God will protect it.
6 The nations are in chaos,
and their kingdoms crumble!
God’s voice thunders,
and the earth melts!
7 The LORD of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;
the God of Israel[b] is our fortress. Interlude
8 Come, see the glorious works of the LORD:
See how he brings destruction upon the world.
9 He causes wars to end throughout the earth.
He breaks the bow and snaps the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.”
11 The LORD of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;
the God of Israel is our fortress.
