The Kingdom Perspective

Transcript:

Hello, this is Pastor Don Willeman of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to a special-edition series of the Kingdom Perspective.

What should we do in the face of the coronavirus epidemic?

We should prepare mentally and emotionally for a marathon and not a sprint.

Sprints require a short burst of energy; marathons require endurance.

There are many indications that this pandemic is going to disrupt our normal way of life for a long time to come. No one knows exactly how long, but some data suggests that it could be unlike anything we’ve seen in our lifetime. Now, perhaps this will blow over with little incident. If so, great! But if it doesn’t, then, we need to prepare ourselves mentally for a race of endurance.

Regardless, though, the Scriptures everywhere commend to us an endurance mentality. Biblically, perseverance is essential to our faith. Consider these passages:

In Romans 5 we are told to “exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope….”

In Colossians Paul prays that we would be “strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy” (Colossians 1:11).

Jesus himself warns us: “…many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 24:10-13 ESV)

It is not surprising then that the writer of Hebrews describes the Christian life as a marathon: “…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:1-3 NASB)

Perhaps, if nothing else, the Lord is using this crisis to grow his people in endurance.

Something to think about from The Kingdom Perspective.

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.”

~ Romans 8:18-25 (NASB)

Transcript:

Hello, this is Pastor Don Willeman of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to a special-edition series of The Kingdom Perspective.

Over the past several months of the COVID crisis you, the people of CRC, have rallied to serve your neighbors in the Upper Valley and beyond. Together, you have given record amounts to relief efforts and served to meet countless needs.

In today’s Kingdom Perspective I’d like to share with you some of the many thank you notes we’ve received for your many hours of work and service to our community.

KLS Community Food Pantry (New London)

“Thank you very much for your very generous donation…to the KLS Community Food Pantry. Cash donations are crucial at this time…. Many thanks for our support!!!

Best wishes!”

~ [names withheld], Co-Chairs of KLS Food Pantry

Upper Valley Strong – a local organization committed to helping our community rebuild in the wake of natural disasters, such as COVID:

“Thank you for your donation…to support Upper Valley Strong’s COVID-19 response work. With your help, we are building resilience in our community during this extraordinary time…. From all of us working together to keep the Upper Valley strong, thank you for your gift.”

~[name withheld] & [name withheld], Co-Chairs UV Strong

Listen Community Services

“I wanted to write to thank you for your gift…. Thank you!!! Now, more than ever, LISTEN is in critical need of cash donations. Your generosity makes it possible for LISTEN to address immediate needs…and provide essentials for… families during this time of national emergency…. Thank you for so generously giving to our Upper Valley neighbors in need during this most difficult time. We really appreciate you being there for LISTEN and our neighbors when we need it most. This is a BIG help! …Thank you for everything that you do for our Upper Valley community!

Warmly,

~[name withheld], Executive Director

Upper Valley Haven

“Many thanks to you and the congregation of Christ Redeemer Church for the generous special offering gift … in support of our Annual Fund. We deeply appreciate the timing of the congregation’s gift as we see growing demand for help.”

~[name withheld], Executive Director & [name withheld], Development and Communications Director

There are many more I could cite but this is sufficient to remind you that our shared efforts are making a big impact, as together we show off the generosity of Jesus.

Keep up the good work!

“Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive.”

~Titus 3:14 (NLT)

Transcript:

Hello, this is Pastor Don Willeman of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to a special-edition series of The Kingdom Perspective.

Over the past several months of the COVID crisis you, the people of CRC, have rallied to serve those in need in the Upper Valley and beyond. Together, you have given record amounts to our benevolence fund and served to provide meals and supplies to front line workers.

In today’s Kingdom Perspective I’d like to share two more of the many thank you notes we’ve received for your generous sacrifice and service to our community.

From a DHMC employee:

“Just wanted to send a quick and personal thank you to the congregation for the very generous food gifts that were made to some of DHMC’s departments.

It was a very nice gesture and was appreciated by all who noticed it, not just those who partook of it.

Thank you very much for your continued prayers during this trying time. We are seeing that God is still in charge of all, as a microscopic invisible thing shows that money, power, status, and ego are of no consequence to this evil thing. Only his mercy…

Thank you again and may you all be safe!”

~DHMC employee

Here’s one from one of our local schools:

“We at Hanover Street School are so appreciative of your very generous donation to our Friday Food Program.

It has certainly been an interesting and uncertain time for everyone. In light of the COVID19 crisis and all the financial strain that has come with it, we are especially thankful for the thoughtful Upper Valley community. When we started this project last spring, we had no idea what a vital lifeline it would become for our 50-60 families who participate.

We feel so blessed to be a part of such a caring community.

Thank you again! Be well.”

~[Two Teachers at the Hanover Street School]

Now, I will share more on the next Kingdom Perspective. In the meantime, keep up the good work!

“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.

This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.”

~ Titus 3:4-8 (NLT)

Transcript:

Hello, this is Pastor Don Willeman of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to a special-edition series of The Kingdom Perspective.

Over the past several months of the COVID crisis you, the people of CRC, have rallied to serve those in need in the Upper Valley and beyond. Together, you have given over $10,000 to relief efforts and served in various capacities to provide meals and supplies to front line workers.

In today’s Kingdom Perspective I’d like to share with you some of the many thank you notes we’ve received for your many hours of work and service to our community.

From the Upper Valley Senior Center:

I came in this morning and was overwhelmed at all of the food you dropped off. We can’t thank you enough. We will be putting [your generosity] in the next newsletter… You certainly made my day, and there will be many that will be thrilled when they get their goodie bags next Thursday.

~Leader at UVSC

From DHMC:

…breakfast was hugely appreciated and gobbled up. Thanks again so much for doing this for us!!!

~Worker in Cardiovascular Critical Care Unit

Thank you so much for blessing the Inpatient Psychiatry team with breakfast. The nurses and LNAs are very grateful for your kindness and thoughtfulness. We appreciate your church thinking of us. I will say a prayer of thanksgiving and gratitude for all at Christ Redeemer Church. May God bless you all and keep you safe and healthy.

~DHMC employee

I just want to thank you and the members from Christ Redeemer Church. I worked my first day shift in over 2+ years and their gift was an absolute blessing for a poor fish out of water.

~Nurse on the COVID unit

I will share more on the next Kingdom Perspective. In the meantime, keep up the good work!

Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good.

~ Titus 3:1 (NLT)

Transcript:

Hello, this is Pastor Don Willeman of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to a special-edition series of the Kingdom Perspective.

How should we respond to the differing personal opinions brought about by re-opening our society post-COVID?

We should be careful not to judge one another but seek to accept and love one another in our various opinions.

The Bible invites us to love one another by giving one another much room for differing views (matters of conscience – Romans 14) and to avoid the temptation of standing in judgment.

As our society is going through the process of opening up, there are conflicts over differing approaches. There is a spectrum of comfort upon which we are all processing this move back into public engagement. Some will feel greater freedom to take personal risks. Others, less freedom. Regardless, the Bible tells us that “loving our neighbor” requires us to give one another space for differing consciences. Certainly, we are to respect all the guidelines laid down by our public health officials. But even under these guidelines there will be a lot of room for differing approaches.

And it is at this point of differing approaches that I must be careful not to stand in judgment or disdain of my brother or sister who feels differently than me. Rather, I am to accept them and think and speak the best about them. Even more so, I am to do my best to accommodate them. If they feel a lesser degree of comfort, I am to meet them at their level. In the words of Romans 14, I am to “pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding” (Romans 14:19).

This is very hard work, but it’s what the Bible calls “loving my neighbor.” It requires me to value the perspective of others as highly as I value my own (Philippians 2:3-4).

And that’s something to think about from The Kingdom Perspective.



Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written,

“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
and every tongue shall confess to God.”
So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.”

Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother….

So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

~ Romans 14:10-19 (ESV)

Transcript:

Hello, this is Pastor Don Willeman of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to a special-edition series of The Kingdom Perspective.

How should we respond to what the COVID isolation has done to our public worship?

We should feel like something is missing. God has not destined for us to worship in this scattered manner.

We are embodied, communal creatures. God made us flesh and bone, and He made us in community with other flesh and bone creatures. At the creation of Adam in Genesis 2, God says, “It is not good for man to be alone.” In the immediate context, this leads to a statement on marriage. But Genesis is just the beginning of the story. Remember how traces out down the sight lines of the Bible. At the end of the biblical story, we see that this is not merely a statement about the meaning of marriage, but more so about the meaning of the church (see Ephesians 5:30 and Revelation).

Why did God design a world with a community of flesh and bone divine image bearers? He did so precisely because He intended His church to worship Him together, in flesh and bone. He actually sent His one and only Son to become physically one with us, so that he might be with us forever. Like Adam over Eve, Jesus sings over us his church, “Flesh of my flesh! Bone of my bone!” (Genesis 2)

Therefore, there is something about “virtual worship” that should leave us feeling a bit uncomfortable and unsatisfied, longing for something more. We live in a world under the effects of sin. Sin separates what belongs together. Someday when the fullness of our salvation comes, all that has been separated will be brought back together before the throne of Christ—in glorious embodied resurrection!

Nonetheless, in this in between time, we believe in the mystical union of the saints—that though we may be scattered, we are still united under the kingly presence of Jesus our Lord, by the abiding power of His Holy Spirit.

Something to think about from The Kingdom Perspective.



“So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, because we are members of His body. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.”

~ Ephesians 5:28-32 (NASB)

“After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying,

'Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.' And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying,

'Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.'"

~ Revelation 7:9-12 (NASB)

Transcript:

Hello, this is Pastor Don Willeman of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to a special-edition series of The Kingdom Perspective.

What should we as a church do in the face of the coronavirus?

We should give thanks! The Scripture commands us: “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NASB). Likewise, give “thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20).

You see, Christians ought to be the most grateful people. Our hearts ought to overflow with an attitude of gratitude at every turn, because we know that God our heavenly Father is sovereign over every situation and is orchestrating all things, even the difficult and challenging, for our good.

So much of life is a matter of perspective, and that is often determined by whether or not you practice the art of thankfulness. Studies show that those who practice gratitude (thinking about and thanking others on a daily basis) are happier than those who don’t. This only makes sense, because nothing is more therapeutic than getting our eyes off ourselves.

We have so much to be thankful for—healthcare workers faithfully serving their community, researchers working tirelessly to do testing and find a cure, employees and employers that have sacrificed tremendously for one another, friends and family that have patiently persevered with us through this trial.

Here’s my advice. Take a moment today to express your thanks. It will cost you very little and you’ll gain so much.

Something to think about from The Kingdom Perspective.

“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
~ 1 Thessalonians 5 (NASB)

Transcript:

Hello, this is Pastor Don Willeman of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to a special-edition series of the Kingdom Perspective.

How should we respond to the differing personal opinions brought about by opening our society post-COVID?

We should not judge one another but seek to accept and love one another in our various opinions.

According to Scripture, one of chief ways that we are to love our neighbor is by making room for their differing opinions. The Bible invites us to give one another much room for matters of conscience (Romans 14).

As our society goes through the process of opening up, it is likely that there will be conflict over differing approaches. There is a spectrum of fear and freedom upon which we are all processing this move back into public engagement. Some of us feel greater freedom. Others are going to feel greater fear. Regardless, the Bible tells us that “loving our neighbor” requires us to give one another space for differing views. Certainly, we are to respect all the guidelines laid down by our public health officials. But even under these guidelines there will be a lot of room for differing approaches.

And it is at this point of differing approaches that I must be careful not to stand in judgment or disdain of my brother or sister who feels greater freedom or greater fear than me. Rather, I am to accept them and think and speak the best about them. Even more so, I am to do my best to accommodate them. In the words of Romans 14, I am to “pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding” (Romans 14:19).

This is hard work. It’s the hard work of loving my neighbor. It requires me to value the perspective of others as highly as I value my own (Philippians 2:3-4).

And that’s something to think about from The Kingdom Perspective.

“Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written,

“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
and every tongue shall confess to God.”
So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother….

So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.”

~ Romans 14 (ESV)

Transcript:

Hello, this is Pastor Don Willeman of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to a special-edition series of the Kingdom Perspective.

What should you do in the face of the coronavirus epidemic?

We should take inspiration from reports of our fellow brothers and sisters in China.

In the early days of the epidemic, reports from the Chinese churches began to leak out of Wuhan. Listen to the following report from early February:

“Nothing stopped [the Christians]…from proclaiming the gospel, not even the plague.

Now it is the 10th day since the city has been separated by quarantine, and protective masks are the most valuable thing in Wuhan. Money is useless because you can’t find a store that sells the masks. People are in a desperate situation. In response, our brothers and sisters preach the gospel and give out tracts and free masks. They are sharing the word of hope and comfort from God. They have become more and more favored in the city, even in the authorities’ eyes.

…churches in Wuhan keep themselves away from all the rumors and political issues, they just do what a true Christian should do in this situation: preaching the gospel and being witness of true peace and true hope that come from Jesus Christ in front of the non-believers who are in panic and hopelessness.

…Christians wearing yellow suits [i.e. Christian ministers on the streets in yellow healthcare protective gear]…[has made the color yellow] the most beautiful color in the city. Christian gained the respect that they never had because of their willingness to risk their health to serve.”

Now, perhaps, the cultural setting would change what serving one’s neighbor for Christ would look like, but nothing should change the gospel impulse to do so.

Something to think about from The Kingdom Perspective.



“I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.”

~ Philippians 2:25-30 (ESV)

Transcript:

Hello, this is Pastor Don Willeman of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to a special-edition series of the Kingdom Perspective.

How should we respond to the coronavirus stay-at-home-order and the church not being able to gather?

We should let this cause us to long all the more for our fellowship with one another around the Lord’s Table.

The Lord Jesus Himself instituted the ordinance or sacrament of Holy Communion as a way for us not only to remember him and the heart of his mission but also as a tangible participation in our fellowship with him and the church. Now, certainly, God is not bound by the sacraments, as some might superstitiously suppose. Nonetheless, the Scriptures seem to suggest that He has bound us to them.

In the bread and the cup, we share in Christ and His body (1 Corinthians 10:16-17, 11:27-32). It is for this reason that the church has historically referred to the Lord’s Supper, as “communion”—because it is a meal we share together in community. At the Table, we are in communion with Christ and his people in a tangible and special way.

But for now, in this time of isolation we long for the beauty of that shared meal, perhaps like never before. And, actually, this longing is quite fitting, for the Table itself is intended by God to be a reminder week by week of that ultimate longing for Christ’s return. Paul tells us that as often as we eat the bread and drink the cup, we proclaim Christ’s death, until he comes (1 Corinthians 11:26).

Indeed! Come quickly, Lord Jesus! Come quickly!

Something to think about from The Kingdom Perspective.

“And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”

~ Luke 22:14-23 (ESV)