I came not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” ( Luke 5:32 )
Celebrating Easter in the midst of Corona virus
By Bishop Harmon D. Yalartai
The Corona virus is a plague, it is death! It is a storm that is blowing against the whole world. And when there is a calamity the people of God must call upon Him to intervene. Yes, we can pray individually at home, and that prayer will be heard by God to an extent, but the power of corporate prayer far exceeds individual petition. Moreover, since the church is the house of God, which is solely dedicated for worship, it is the proper place where we must take our sacrifice and lay it on the altar. 1 Timothy 3:15: “but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” David was directed to rear up an altar to stop the plague (2 Samuel 24:12-25); God allowed snakes to bite and kill Israel for their murmurings; Moses cried unto God, and the Lord told him to set up a brazen serpent (Number 21:4-9).
We know the risk this virus poses to the world. God has given us doctors and governors and presidents for our wellbeing. We hear what they are saying and willing to obey. Yet, we must remember, if God does not intervene all their good intensions will yield little or no result.
Since Easter is a celebration of life over death, what a time to call on God! What a time to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus, His victory over death. It will give hope and comfort to all: those who have lost loved one(s) can find a way in Christ. Those who are ill can look to Christ our Savior and Healer and others can pray for protection and an end to the pandemic.
Therefore, we need to find a balance between what the doctors and our leaders have ordered and obedience to the worship of God. I think there are few options: 1) Live streaming of the service with 4 to 6 persons present. 2) Pastor record sermon from wherever he chooses. 3 ) Conduct a service ( 30 minutes to an hour long) with the congregants sitting about 10 feet apart ( number of congregants will be limited due to space) x 2 or 3 services. This can also be live streamed.
Common Sense and True Faith: Scripture commands us to have faith in God (Mark 11:22-23)
Daily our doctors, nurses, other hospital workers, firemen, policemen, including other essential workers have to go out there to help save lives; they are praying to God for protection, and we join them in prayer. If we are praying and trusting God to protect them in the discharge of their duties and for His protection over us as we go the supermarkets, gas stations, banks, etc, should we not be putting a greater trust in God to cover us when we go to church, the place of His holy presence?
“If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). We the people of God need to cry to Him. America needs to cry to God; the world needs to cry to God, and I know He will hear us.
Welcome to Faith Temple Revival Church ( FTRC )
A Ministry for the Building of God's Kingdom in total obedience to His Living Word, the Holy Bible. We would like to take this time to invite you to visit us and we look forward to greeting you when we gather for worship on Sunday Mornings. It is our prayer that you will find something here to encourage you in your spiritual growth.
Mission Statement
We have been touched, we have been helped, and we too want to share with others that all of us may be caring and productive. In the Master's word, " I came not to call the righteous but the sinners to repentance" ( Luke 5:32 ). Mercy, grace, favor, kindness, love, and forgiveness, not deserved, have been extended to us from Above, and in gratitude there is an eager expectancy to do the same for those that cross our path or those we can reach.
