| How should a Christian respond to the riots and the violence that have become so prevalent in our nation?
First, we drop to our knees in worship because we have a Triune God who is big enough to take care of us and our entire world, who is wise enough to establish justice and truth, and is loving enough to do something about it. Second, we have to recognize the cause of violence, chaos, hatred, and injustice. The cause is sin. There is always plenty of that on all sides. We recognize that sin is always wrong and we condemn it. It doesn’t matter which of God’s commandments someone wants to break. Sin is always wrong. Third, we have to resist sitting in judgment on people. It’s easy to point fingers one way or another, but God has not called us to judge people outside the church (1 Corinthians 4:5; 5:12-13). That’s his job. Only God has the information, perspective, and wisdom to judge people anyway. Finally, we look to God for what to do. What God has commanded us has not changed because the world has not changed. People have not changed. The need for salvation has not changed. God commands us to rescue people from sin and to heal contaminated hearts. He tells us to accomplish that by using his power. Only God has the power to bring people out of sin and into repentance and forgiveness. Only God’s Word can change hatred into love. Only God’s Word has the power to reconcile people lost to sin. All authority rests in Christ. Our own power will never be enough. We’ve seen the futile efforts of the power of mankind to make the world better. Outside the love of Christ, there is still violence and injustice. There are still wars and rebellion. There always will be. God wants us to rescue people from sin and bring them into the peace and safety of his presence. That means God’s Word and Sacraments. We share the life-changing, peace-giving, reconciliation-making, Gospel in both word and in action. We show people what God’s love looks like and then we share his word. It might seem like a daunting task, but Jesus is always with us. Nothing is impossible with him. Matthew 28:16–20 (EHV) 16The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. 17When they saw him, they worshipped him, but some hesitated because they were uncertain. 18Jesus approached and spoke to them saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and gather disciples from all nations by baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and by teaching them to keep all the instructions I have given you. And surely I am with you always until the end of the age.”
God bless you, Pastor Tesch
Worship at Trinity This Sunday and Monday, we have a chance to commune together! You can sign up for worship and communion here: https://trinitymarinette.com/events/communion-worship-service/ or you can respond to this email or call Pastor or call the church office to let us know which service you prefer. It is wise to wait a bit if you are at risk or would just like to wait for the pandemic to fade. God willing, we will worship together when he ends this plague. Here is this week’s bulletin: https://trinitymarinette.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/2020-05-31-Announcements-Pentecost-Sunday.pdf Don’t Forget – Our next Voters’ Meeting is scheduled for June 14 at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary. We’ll observe social distancing and we’ll be very sensitive to the length of the meeting. You will be able to pick up the agenda and the reports next Sunday in church or you can contact the office and we’ll send them to you! If you would like to support the Lord’s work at Trinity, you may contribute at trinitymarinette.com/contribute or you can mail it to Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church 1501 Thomas St. Marinette, WI 54143 |