A Message from Pastor Terry Regarding Recent World Events

Good morning everyone,

I hope this finds you starting out your week strong. I wanted to take a moment to simply address the news of Saturday night. I had a few of you ask me Sunday morning if I was concerned about the U.S. bombing Iran as well as the concern this could be the end times?

My simple answer is this. I am not concerned. Not because I am super spiritual, but simply because I have no control over what took place, or what may or may not be the repercussions. The reason for this is that my faith is not in our government or in any of the world’s leaders. My faith and my hope is in one Person and one Person alone — The Lord Jesus Christ. Could I be concerned and allow the enemy to use my heart and mind as a playground for anxiety and stress, infiltrating my mind and heart, overtaking the peace I have in the sovereignty of my Lord and Savior? Yes. However, I choose to focus on Him and not the uncertainty of world circumstances. I encourage all of us to keep our eyes on Jesus, as He alone is our hope and peace.

As Followers of Christ Jesus, our peace in the middle of uncertainty is a magnificent testimony to the comfort we have found in Jesus. We know we are not removed from difficulty, but how we journey through it is a witness to the work of The Holy Spirit moving within us. Are there going to be times we struggle to find comfort and peace? Of course, but as His Followers we are not to live there. No matter if it is something personally we are walking through or if it is world disorder or uncertainty, we are to look to Christ our Lord. Please understand, I believe we are to be aware of what is happening in our world. Much of what we see can certainly be saddening or grievous, but remember these words of Jesus -

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 ESV

Keep in mind this world is not our home. We are Citizens of Heaven and we are to live for Christ through good and bad, peace and uncertainty, until He comes back to take us home. Please do not allow current events, news, or social media to destroy and rob you of your peace - it will if you allow it to. Go back and reflect on our series verse from a couple of weeks ago...

"Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:5-7 ESV

Despite everything going on in our lives and occurring in the world around us, we still have a job, a command, to complete - to proclaim the hope we have in Christ Jesus.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 ESV

We are to proclaim it and stay true to it, living it out for all of those we encounter as they witness the Gospel's transformative work within us. Remember, "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 ESV

Each day we come in contact with people who need to be reminded of the peace that is theirs in Jesus, as well as those who have not yet surrendered their lives over to Him. We have the key, or the “secret” as Paul put it, to knowing peace… Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. You can lead them to understand and experience Christ Jesus, the holder of peace that the world does not own and cannot give.

As to the end times, and I know this can be a hot topic as we see many different things occurring all around us, I am not trying to put off an answer to this. If you need to read this a couple of times to make sure you read it clearly, please do so. Are we in the end times? Yes, the world has shown signs of this world's end for years. The Bible talks about the last days, end times, and Christ’s return soon after He ascended into Heaven from this earth. I understand this may not be a satisfying answer for some, but please understand this, the Word of God is perfectly clear that no one knows the day or the hour Christ Jesus, The Messiah, will return, except for The Father.

“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. 35 Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— 36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep.” Mark 13:32-36 ESV

As I have shared with you before, if anyone ever tells you they know when this will take place, remove yourself from their teaching, walk away, as they are teaching something counter to Father’s Word. Are we to be watchful, more importantly to be ready, yes undoubtedly and wholeheartedly! You see it in the verses I just shared with you. This is why we are to continue to "press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14 ESV

We are to press on in the unknown amount of time allotted for each one of us here on this earth. We are to grow and to flourish in the journey we are on with Christ and His purposes for us towards a reflection of Christ in and coming out of us. The urgency of concern for us as Followers of Christ in regards to the end times should be:

• For the sharing and spread of the Gospel of Christ to those who have not heard it or had the opportunity to receive it yet.

• For our personal growth and maturity toward Christ’s likeness.

• For the sheer joy & excitement of our Hope in Christ’s coming and seeing Him face to face in the fullness of who He is.

  
  

Summit family, let’s each one stay focused on being willing to meet together, holding each other accountable, encouraging one another to stay the course to being ready, and to the great work that has been given to us to accomplish. I know we can do this, but it will take each of us being all in, standing together. Now let’s walk, journeying in the fullness of joy and peace that can and only will come through our faith and hope in Christ Jesus our Lord. I love you Summit and I am with you!

PT