Pastoral Letters and Resources from the Elders

Finding Hope in Uncertain Times

In Uncertain Times

These are uniquely troubling times. While there have been viral outbreaks and scares in recent years, not since the Spanish Flu of 1918 has the world seen a pandemic with such an influence on the physical, economical, social, and spiritual health of the entire world.

Fueled by the constant barrage of information from the media (with varying degrees of reliability), and exacerbated by an already divisive political climate, the fear and anxiety we sense is palpable.

What hope do we have in such uncertainty? How do we find peace in troubling times?

As your neighbors at Lennox Ebenezer Presbyterian Church, we want to offer this brochure to encourage you with the hope of the Gospel. Included are readings of Scripture, a prayer from The Valley of Vision, and some information about the ministries available through our Church.

Here are 3 quick things to remember:

1. God is sovereign over all things, and works all things according to the purpose of His good will, to the praise of His glory. Nothing comes as a surprise to God, and nothing is beyond His ability to save. In fact, often we read in Scripture that God is working in what we consider evil to bring about His greatest good. (Eph 1:3-14; Ps 33:10-11)

2. Remember the Gospel of Salvation in Jesus Christ.  Jesus died, and was raised again, to take away the sins of the world. Confess your sins, trust in Him for salvation, and rest in His perfect righteousness. (Acts 2:38; Rom 3:23-26)

3. Death has no power over those in Christ Jesus. Death has lost its sting, and no believer should fear death. There is nothing that can separate us from God in Jesus Christ, no virus, no power, not even death itself. (1 Cor 15:54-58; Rom 8:38-39)

Remember in this time of imposed isolation you are not alone. Your brothers and sisters at Lennox Ebenezer are praying for you, and stand ready to help in your time of need. Let us continue to love one another, to pray for one another, and to serve one another in the joy of the Lord.

God’s Word Remains True

Psalm 91

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 
I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.” 
For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence. 
He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge; 
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. 
You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. 
A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you. 
You will only look with your eyes
and see the recompense of the wicked. 
Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place -
the Most High, who is my refuge -
no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
no plague come near your tent. 
For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways. 
On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone. 
You will tread on the lion and the adder;
the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. 
“Because he holds fast to me in love,
I will deliver him; I will protect him,
because he knows my name. 
When he calls to me, I will answer him; 
I will be with him in trouble; 
I will rescue him and honor him. 
With long life I will satisfy him 
and show him my salvation.”

2 Corinthians 4:16–5:10

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.  

For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling,  if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked.  For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened - not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.  

So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight.  Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.  So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

Matthew 11:28–30

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

How Can I Be Saved? A Brief Summary of the Gospel.

The gospel is good news—the good news of what Jesus Christ has done. It is the message that in the person and work of Christ, God is making all things new – through the redemption of man and restoration of all creation. The gospel is the message of salvation revealed in the story of the Bible—the story of creation, rebellion, redemption, and consummation.

Creation

God made the world and all that is in it. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. (Gen. 1:1,27) He created human beings to be like Him and to have unhindered fellowship with Him. When He finished His work of creation, He saw that it was very good. (Gen. 1:31)

Rebellion

Although Adam and Eve – the first people God created had complete freedom to live in friendship and trust with Him, they chose to rebel. (Gen. 3:1-7) In representing the entire human race, their rebellion was catastrophic, not only for them but for us: one trespass led to condemnation for all men. (Rom. 5:18) Our fellowship with God was broken and, instead of enjoying God’s presence, we face His righteous wrath. Through this sin, we all died spiritually (Rom. 3:1-20; Eph. 2:1-10), were separated from God (Eph. 2:12), and individually sin against God in our own lives: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Rom. 3:23)

Redemption

Although God would have been perfectly just to allow man to remain under His holy judgment, He instead set in motion His plan to save a people from sin and death, and to restore all of His creation. How? By sending His Son as a true man who would bear the penalty of our sin and be crucified in our place. God made him who knew no sin to be sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Cor. 5:21)

John 3:16 summarizes the required response to the good news of the gospel: For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he is offered to us in the gospel. As sinners who have been saved by grace, we now seek to devote our entire lives to the Lordship of Christ.

Consummation

God not only rescues lost sinners, but He also restores all of creation. Romans 8:21 says, the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. At the return of the Lord Jesus – at the consummation, God will radically transform the heavens and earth (2 Pet.3:7-13; Rev.21:1). Here, God’s people – the redeemed will be brought into the presence of God, to glorify God, and enjoy Him as God intended.