WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2020

Seven Last Words 2020. From the Crisis to the Cross

#7. THE CRISIS OF DEATH

"Father, into your hands I commend my spirit!" (Luke 23:46)

Death will come to anyone. It doesn't choose anything.

However, we will do everything just to prevent death. But, like our current experience with the
pandemic, we can say that it is really difficult to prevent death.

The death of many frontliners is sad. We feel so much sadness, but we as much as possible
appreciate them, for sacrificing these much for the sake of others.

Pandemic death is the worst crisis ever. More people die now than in war.

Even Jesus tasted death.

Although he was God, he did not remain equal to God, but stripped of divinity and lived as a
slave.

He became obedient, even to death on the cross. (Philippians 2:6-10).

Response to the Cross

The last language introduces, that...

1. When there is death, God is there.

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." (Psalms 116:15 ESV)

There are those who are dying now that the pastor has not blessed the deceased. But I believe
that God will come to accompany the departed during this pandemic.

I'm not saying their deaths are good. The message of the last tongue, states that death will be
terrible, however, God is with us in this experience.

2. It is best that we put our lives in God's hands, and entrust our spirit to him.

As Saint Paul said, "Whether I live or die, I belong to Christ."

And if we do this brothers and sisters, live or die, we have the assurance that God will be with
us.

#6. CRISIS OF THE INCOMPLETE

"It has happened!" (John 19:30

There are many crises that come with unfinished business.

There are buildings out of Manila, going to Cavite that were started during the Marcos era? I
don't know, but I heard that it was started a long time ago, but until now it is not finished

. also PAGCOR building in Mabalacat, Pampanga, started, not finished so it's just abandoned.
It's a waste of government money. Have

you been to the Palace in the Sky in Tagaytay? It's a big palace that's not finished.

There's a lot that was started that wasn't finished.

I learned in BoyScout when I was a kid, we were taught, "WORK UPDONE IS WORK
UNDONE." Unfinished work is not good.

Yes indeed. Sweeping, not scooping- not done! The dirt is still there!

Wash, soap, rinse. Leave first, to facebook. Forgot to do laundry for two days. The laundry
STINKS! The work is getting bigger!

So when we are doing something - let's finish it, Amen?

We are experiencing the COVID19 crisis, due to lack of preparation.

We failed to finish things that are supposed to be completed. Many are flaking.

When Senator Miriam Santiago was still alive, she proposed the preparation of the government,
in such pandemics, or sudden calamities. The program is started, not terminated. That's it - we
are short of preparation for the sudden arrival of COVID19. It is good and the government is
doing the best it can do now.

Going back to Jesus, he was able to finish his mission.

The response to the cross.

We all have a mission in life. If you are a parent, your mission to your children, finish it.

If you're studying now young people, don't put your boyfriend first, you're a man, do you have a
boyfriend? Your work, your studies and your relationship with the Lord. And be a man!

When you called. Your mission, finish it.

Let's not be irresponsible.

Be like Jesus. Don't agree, don't let it get you killed that you can't do your mission.

So that you can face God and say, "Lord, I have fulfilled my duty, I have accomplished my
mission."

#5. Food and Water Crisis

“I'm thirsty!” (John 19:28)

When I was young, (40+ years ago), water was not bought. It's just asking for it, or, dip it in any
spring, or even in the river, you won't be poisoned by the flowing water. Today, there is "water
for sale" everywhere.

When social like this buying at the store, "Buy MINERAL WATER." Social right?

When the poor buy water, this is what you hear, "Buy water. The sachet. It's just plastic. Ice
water."

Hahaha. Water. FOR SALE now.

According to scientists who study our natural resources, the lack of water and food will get
worse. Especially now that there is a crisis of COVID19.

We will face more severe food and water crisis in the coming times.

That day was the torment of the Lord, from his capture (approximately, 9 o' clock at night, until 3
pm in the afternoon). About 15hrs without sleep, and without water. The cross was raised at
noon, until he was crucified.

So naturally the Lord was thirsty, because of the lack of drink.

So heard from Jesus, "I thirst." Literally thirsty. A physical need.

And a soldier responded, made him drink sour wine. This is a pocket for the soldiers to
drink. Wine that has gone sour in the leather bag container, which is tucked around the soldier's
waist.

This can be considered an act of compassion. This soldier also had a heart, although he was
ordered to kill Jesus.

But he managed to offer a drink to a thirsty dying person.

Work of compassion, what is it?

This is what the frontliners are doing today.

They don't say, "Let's leave him alone, he's going to die anyway. Don't bother."
Little act of kindness my friends is a big help. Many are dying today, like Jesus, whose last act
of caring they tasted happened before they died.

This small act of kindness should not be denied.

I have experience as a pastor. Someone committed suicide, hanged himself.

Look for the family of the priest or pastor, and I was the one who was told. They are not
members of my destiny. They are not affiliated with the Methodists.

They asked, "Can you bless the deceased pastor?" That's the question for me.

One last request of the family.

My answer was, "I will do it, don't worry. For the sake of God who cares about you. The Lord
loves you, and the Lord loves the deceased."

The small act of kindness shown by the soldier is a good response to the need.

The Lord calls us, so that we do good in the opportunities that are expected to help.

John Wesley said,

Do good, in all the ways you can, to all people you can, in any time you can.

#4. CRISIS OF ABANDONMENT

"My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" (Matthew 27:46)

During this lockdown period, we cannot travel to other towns. There is a lockdown in the islands
while swimming. There are tourists who have been locked down in the Philippines and cannot
leave the country.

So there are people who are alone.

With so many COVID19 patients, some cannot be treated in hospitals.

We cannot take away from their feelings that: THEY HAVE BEEN ABANDONED.

A netizen complained, "Those of us who have jobs, we pay taxes. The ones given aid are the
unemployed, the 4P's. Those who don't pay taxes. We - the government has Abandoned us."

Even the Lord also felt sorrow, because, "why have you forsaken me?" A question of a mourner.

SOLUTION OF THE CROSS

1. Calling God.

When the disciples were in the boat, with Jesus, a storm came and they were afraid because,
"Jesus was sleeping".

In their fear that the bank might sink, they called Jesus. Jesus woke up and stopped the storm.

Prayer, calling out to God can do a lot.

2. Trust in God.

I know someone who got cancer. He asked the Lord, "Why me, Lord?"

In his emotions, he heard God saying, "Can you trust me in your current situation?"

This friend of mine has passed away. But he passed away trusting in God full of peace until his
death.

If you feel that you have been abandoned - remember, God will not abandon you.

#3. RELATIONSHIP CRISIS

“Woman, here is your child!” And said to the disciple, "Here is your mother!" (John 19:26-27)

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According to surveys, the most severe cruelty, pain and abuse takes place inside homes.

Battered wives. Abused children. Exploited children and youth. Infidelity in relationships. Etc.

These are lists of broken relationships. Crisis in relationships that should have been connected
by trust and love.

Many are victims of crisis because of broken relationships.

Children who have parents, but they do not feel the love of a parent.

This is the crisis of a mother who loses her child. Maria was there, as she watched her son die.

Their relationship is gradually broken due to death. I watched a vlogger. While a British blogger
was in the Philippines, his family member died in Great Britain.

He will not see a mother when he returns home to Europe.

Mary knew that tomorrow, her son Jesus would be gone.

SOLUTION OF THE CROSS

In this scene, Jesus looked at his mother and disciple. And said, "this is your mother...this is
your son."

Jesus' solution to this crisis is to establish proper family relationships,

1. With concern for the parents of the children.

2. With mutual love. Children, siblings and parents need to feel love.

Those experiencing sadness and fear also need the support of friends, the church or even
relatives or neighbors.

Let's strengthen family support even more in this time of crisis.

#2. CRISIS OF FEAR & UNCERTAINTY

"I tell you: today I will not take you to Paradise." (Luke 23:43)
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Who is not afraid of the pandemic now? We are not sure what will happen next.

Why are we afraid?

We fear the real dangers that are already here.

For example, I don't like snakes, I'm afraid. But since there was no snake, I felt no fear. Nothing
like a snake.

But if a snake suddenly falls in front of me! I'm running fast! Because what I fear is HERE!

It is said that the companion who crucified Jesus was probably a thief. For example, it's true that
they were thieves..when they were still stealing...they had no fear.

But when they brothers were caught, and they knew they were going to be crucified...I think they
felt fear.

And perhaps, the one on the right was even more afraid when it came to his mind, what will be
the fate of his soul in death.

Having died in this world being punished,

will be punished in the next life.

You. Aren't you afraid of this uncertainty?

It's full of crisis in this world,

Even in the afterlife, still a crisis in hell?
SOLUTION - Assurance from the Lord.

The plea of a crucified man was to be given Jesus' assurance that "Remember me."

And gave him assurance.

First, Jesus said, "Today I will be with you..."

This is a promise that the Lord will be with us in what we are currently going through. (Now too.)

Second promise, until paradise.

Whatever the limits of life, the Lord is with us. In life, even in death, until the afterlife!

Accept the Lord's promise.

We have nothing to fear. Jesus is with us.

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Seven Last Words 2020 / For pastors, deaconess and preachers only. Do not re-post. Share
only if you will be preaching.

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Sermon Title: From Crisis to the Cross

#1. CRISIS OF SIN AND UNFORGIVENESS

Introduction:

There is a problem and there is a solution.

Any crisis brings suffering. Blame the one who did it.

Like the COVID19 pandemic. Do you want this? Naturally, no one will like it. This is a
problem. Because there is no acceptable reason for us to like it.

It could just be the result of an accidental event and there is no deep reason why it started.

It was probably done by someone's carelessness. Like the story about the indifference of a
scientist who released COVID19 in the Chinese market.
Perhaps, we can say that he didn't do it on purpose or maybe he just forgot to wash his hands
before leaving the laboratory.

The solution of the cross of Jesus.

The cross is punishment for sin or crime. To correct the mistake. It is also a punishment for
patriotic rebels against the occupier, and people who are killed for doing good.
When a good person suffers, it can certainly be considered meaningful suffering. This is
significant because, this is where heroes come out.

Their sacrifice or death is meaningful.

They are not blamed, rather thanked.

In our meditation, we are being invited to look at the cross, so that we can see the significant
suffering of Christ that brought a solution to the seven problems of the world.

Crisis #1.

PROBLEM OF SIN AND UNFORGIVENESS

"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)

Problem of sin, and the solution of the cross.

Sin is man's greatest problem. This is the root of all world crises.

It was the cause of the first murder, and to this day, it is still a serious cause. In 1941, the
Holocaust took place. Nearly ten million people were killed by the German Nazis led by Adolf
Hitler.

What was Hitler's fault? Hatred. Unforgiveness.

He has anger in his heart.

This is also the suspected reason why there is COVID19. Scientists study viruses to turn them
into weapons of murder, or biological warfare.

Where did it come from?

In anger. Greed for power by the world powers.

Sin.
Lack of forgiveness.
Resulting in murder.

The solution of the cross is this. Forgiveness.

"Father, forgive them."

Jesus is announcing the solution brothers and sisters. Forgiveness.

That's why St. Paul says in Philippians 2:5,

"May you have a mind like that of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:5).
In his time of suffering, he thought of being humble, caring and forgiving.

If only people would repent, turn from sin, and forgive...I believe that there will be a solution to
the anger and hatred in the world.