Ephesians
5:16 –
…redeeming
the time, because the days are evil.
We
were welcomed by quite a few people when we arrived, and offered coffee.
The
sanctuary had a large rustic cross to one side and three small crosses on each
window ledge. The center of the chancel was taken up with a large cross-shaped
riser for a choir. The pastor explained this was for an upcoming program and
would be draped with different colored cloth and lit with black lights.
The
low arched ceiling is complemented by arched clear glass windows and the pews
were nicely padded. I was impressed that there was sprinkler protection.
I had
gone to wash something off my glasses, and when I returned I was surprised that
one of the women in front of us was addressing the congregation…I’m not sure
why.
The topic
of the sermon was why evil exists. The pastor was quick to state that he didn’t
have all the answers but did his best to cover a good deal of the subject in
the time allotted. My favorite line: stop the blame game and stop taking the
blame for others.
The
volume for the pastor was almost painfully loud but I wasn’t sure I would be
able to hear him outside the sanctuary. However, it sounded more balanced at
the end as he prayed with musical accompaniment and I could hear the prayer
over the instruments.
We
were greeted often, offered refreshments, and enjoyed an extended conversation
before being pointed in the direction of the sanctuary.
Each
window of the spacious area was decorated with three crosses and in the front
of the sanctuary was an inclined, cross-shaped set of risers built in
preparation for a special musical event on Palm Sunday. The room was
beautifully decorated with unique banners.
The
music was contemporary in style, presented by a fair-sized praise band, and the
volume was good for the size of the room.
As
is common at churches of this denomination, following the pastor’s prayer, a member
spoke aloud of word of prophecy.
I
was glad we could partake of Communion again today.
The
message was entitled “Why Does Evil Exist?” Unquestionably a broad topic, he
touched on many aspects of this, one of humankind’s most frequently asked
questions. His early points included that God is not offended or intimidated by
our questions.
He
gave three causes for evil:
1
– Our poor choices: he reminded that we are what our choices have made us, and
evil is inbred in humans.
2
–The poor choices of others: he made a powerful statement about this, that to
God, free will is more valuable than the absence of evil, and when we are
wishing that God would do something, we need to remember that He did: He sent
Jesus to save us.
3
– God uses our poor choices to develop us: God does not create or cause evil,
but He takes advantage of the opportunity to help us grow and loosen our grip
on this world.
Other
points I found worth noting were that when we are in the midst of trials we
tend to wonder if God is getting back at us for our failures, but nothing could
be farther from the truth. We must battle against the victim mindset, remember
our struggles are producing eternal benefits, and yield, surrender, and cooperate
with God in what He is doing in our lives.
Truly,
I believe self-pity is one of Satan’s favorite tools.
Lord, we pray Your church’s eyes are open to Your Presence that they may continue their service and worship of You. Amen.
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