In the midst of uncertainty, our country and world is facing a time of unexpected turmoil due to the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, feelings of abandonment and despair can overwhelm many. But it is not an accident that Jesus begins his ministry from a place known for darkness and despair. The area in Galilee surrounding Capernaum was historically seen as a place of darkness. The prophet Isaiah declares Zebulun and Naphtali were to be brought into distress, darkness and anguish in 8:22 through 9:2. But this place of darkness was never intended to be permanent, rather it was God intended purpose to bring from this region the greatest light and hope that humanity could every dream. Jesus is that 'great light' that the people in darkness see. What a joy it is to walk with Jesus in times of uncertainty and despair.

On March 3rd, 2020, Cookeville, TN suffered the worst natural disaster in its history. A tornado destroyed nearly 400 homes and took the lives of 18 people. This sermon is in response to that tragedy. Our community was suffering and many questions were left unanswered. Yet, the bible reveals to us God's sovereignty in the midst of sorrow.

God's greatest power in the midst of sorrow is HIS power to love us. Although God is the cause of all of the laws of nature, HE is not limited by those laws. God does not cause evil, but does act in the midst of evil to bring good out of evil. All events are under HIS control.

The second of the temptations of Jesus mentioned in Matthew's gospel focuses on the temptation of self-protection with is truly a test of God's faithfulness. As Jesus rebutted Satan's first temptation with Scripture, Satan now twists Psalm 91 to tempt Jesus. But Jesus responds again with Scripture from Deuteronomy 6. What we can take away from this temptation to jump from the tower of the temple in Jerusalem is that sensationalism is no substitute for God's faithfulness and promise to protect and to provide.

The Spiritual Basics of the Faith require a substitute for our sin. Jesus is that substitute who endured and suffered the penalty for us.

Matthew's gospel describes in greater detail the forty days of temptation that Jesus faced at the hands of THE TEMPTER, Satan. These days of temptation and suffering were directed and led by the Holy Spirit as a significant part of preparation for Jesus' ministry. Matthew 4:1-4 references how Satan took advantage of Jesus' hunger following days and weeks of fasting. What Satan tried to distort, Jesus refused through Scripture. Christ's hunger in the wilderness, while truly physical hunger, was more so a hunger for God's Word. His temptations successfully fulfilled what sinful humanity failed to accomplish in the Edenic Garden. Furthermore, as the Children of Israel failed to enter faithfully into the Promised Land and wandered for 40 years in the wilderness, Jesus successfully navigated forty days of temptations.

The Apostle Paul now lays out the proper response to the Gospel as God's will alone causes salvation. As the sinner is called to repentance, God the Father changes the sinful will to a repentant will. This change causes the sinner to believe. Believe and be saved.

The call by John the Baptist to repent was not a manipulation on emotion. Rather, John the Baptist was the voice of God, the last of the prophets. What God speaks is always reasonable. Come, let us reason together.

John the Baptist is called by God as the last prophet whose ministry of preparation heralded the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven. The King (Jesus) had arrived to forgive sins. Matthew 3:1-3 is John's call to repentance, not admission or confession of sin only. Biblical repentance is not merely a change of mind, but is more accurately a change of necessity through contrition (or sorrow). Godly sorrow or grief over sin is a work of the Holy Spirit and John the Baptist's message was to repent as Godly sorrow enables one to seek God's mercy.

God speaks to a young virgin girl, Mary, through the angel Gabriel. This important message relayed God's favor for Mary. As Mary did not desire this calling of bearing the Son of God, the Messiah, we can glean the significance of God's sovereign calling and Mary's faithful submission to God's will. God wanted Mary to be the Theotokos, the "mother of God". Gabriel's final words of comfort for Mary are in Luke 1:37, "For nothing will be impossible with God."

The prophecy of Micah of the promised Messiah points directly to the peace that only Christ can provide. Yet the prophet speaks for God by pointing to two groups of people. Those who suffer and those who cause the suffering. The Peace of Christ is promised in Micah's prophesy for the faithful, not to the oppressors.