We Must Obey God Rather Than Men

​​The Church Under Civil Government Orders During the Pandemic

These are trying times for the Church around the world, within each nation, within each congregation, and within each heart.  And though we can't see or touch our Savior Jesus, He is ever mindful of us, and faithful and merciful.  We are His sheep, and He is our Good Shepherd.  We know this for sure from His Word and His daily care of us through that Word and the Holy Spirit, which He so graciously bestows on us.  Despite the chaos we see and feel in this world, He is still all-powerful, all-knowing, the Lord of lords, and God of gods!  Jesus is LORD!  Jesus is Yahweh!  And all that that means.  And it all means He is our Savior and our Life!  And nothing--not one thing in heaven or on earth or under the earth--can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, our Savior!  On account of Him we are always victorious, we always walk in triumph!  Always!  Even in death. His love for us is so great that He wishes all would come to knowledge of Him as Savior and the repentance that brings new life.  Thus, He puts off Judgement Day, so that more may hear the Gospel and be saved.  And to that end He sustains and empowers His beloved Church in this world--this world that so violently hates him and his Church.  He sustains and empowers His Church to keep preaching the Gospel for the sake of the Elect, so that both those in the Church already and those who will hear the Gospel and join its holy fellowship will know Him and the eternal Life He freely gives.  The Good News of Jesus Christ is our life and health and well-being!  It's not essential to the world, of course, but it is essential to us.  When the civil government allows abortion clinics and liquor stores to remain open and allows protesters and rioters to endlessly congregate as "essential" activities and rights, but orders churches to close or severely restricts it's meetings, something is very, very wrong.  For God, our Father and Savior, tells us and we know from experience that the meeting of His Church and the administration of His Word are essential for us and our lives.  Thus, we must obey God rather than man.  John MacArthur, a Protestant pastor in California, describes the situation well in a sermon linked below.  Everyone is encouraged to watch, listen, or read it, and then share it with others.  Peace and mercy to you from the One who died and rose again for you.  He calls you "my beloved."  Stand firm in Him.  You will not be disappointed.