Social Distancing Clarity

Social Distancing

Clarity

As the President and his task force on Covid-19

Hold press conferences each day, many questions arise

Those questions are hard to speak clearly to

As we fight the spread of the virus we need clear answers

The apostle Paul was in isolation, a prisoner in chains

With a desire to make clear the mystery of Christ

Like Paul you and I need to give an answer to everyone who asks

The Coronavirus has caused many to ask questions

So let’s take some advice from Paul

Be wise

Make the most of every opportunity

Let your words be full of grace and seasoning

Everyone needs an answer

Be ready to give an account

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 1 Peter 3:15-16

Answer Clearly

Clarity

As the President and his task force on

Covid-19 hold press conferences each

day many questions arise.

A question is a sentence worded or

expressed so as to elicit information.

We all want more information

related to the coronavirus…

Information about an unseen virus

that has affected the whole world.

 

A virus that has affected

every area of our lives.

Whether you had the virus or not

your life is affected by this unseen virus.

So it is understandable that

there would be questions.

Questions can bring clarity but

questions can also make things unclear.

Referring to the President’s daily press

conferences on Covid-19, someone said

the press is asking all the wrong questions.

 

The question should be how

can we help to fight this virus.

Sadly, there are press members who ask

questions not to get helpful answers,

 but to promote political agenda.

Jesus came to give us clear answers to

dealing with an unseen virus called sin.

The environment in Jesus’

time was also very political.

We find several times the Scriptures

tells us when Jesus was carrying out His

ministry of healing and deliverance…

 That He knew what the Pharisees and

teachers of the law were thinking.

 Luke 6:8; 11:17; 16:15

Jesus was very aware of

what people were thinking.

Jesus did not let their thoughts or

questions keep Him from His purpose.

Disciples came to Jesus because He

had the answers to eternal life.

 John 6:68

Many came to Jesus for

the answer to their health.

 Mark 1:34

People also came for answers

to relationship problems.

 Luke 10:40; Matt 18; Luke 12:11

Jesus was asked about the future.

 Matthew 24:3

Some questions came to Jesus to trick Him.

 Matthew 22:15

Jesus not only has the answers,

He is the Answer.

He is the Word of Life

come in the flesh.

 John 1:14

Jesus answered every question with

clarity, yet many could not see clearly.

John 9:39-41

How did Jesus answer every question with clarity?

Jesus answered as one having authority.

 Mark 1:22

Jesus did not speak on His own, but

only what He received from the Father.

 John 7:16-19

Jesus spoke to the heart of the person.

Jesus knows what was in the heart

of a person.

 So when He answered a question,

He answered more than the question.

 He gave answers to where the question came from…

 The heart of the person asking.

 

We all have questions.

Jesus’ ministry shows us how difficult

it is for people to receive the answer.

Sadly, we have ears but we have trouble hearing.

Mark 4:23

The Apostle Paul understood the

difficulties of proclaiming a clear message.

Paul had a past of persecuting believers.

He had those who hated him.

Being in chains he did not have a place

of honor to speak from or ability

to go where the people were.

 

Paul asked for prayer that he would be able

to proclaim the mystery of Christ clearly.

Paul’s chains, his imprisonment,

 was politically motivated.

He knew, like Jesus, what others were thinking.

The simplicity message of God so loving

the world that He gave His only begotten Son

so that whosoever believeth on Him might

be saved, was not easy for Paul to communicate.

    

Paul, as he was in chains knew the

difficulty of making the message clear.

There are unknowns…

 We know in part and predict in part.

There are those who preach other

messages and attack the message of Christ.

This is why he says in verse 5 and 6 of Colossians 4…

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders;

make the most of every opportunity.

Let your conversation be always full of grace,

 seasoned with salt, so that you may

know how to answer everyone

The Coronavirus has caused many to ask questions.

So let’s take some advice from Paul…

Be wise

Make the most of every opportunity

Let your words be full of grace and seasoning

Everyone needs an answer.

Be ready to give an account.

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.

Always be prepared to give an answer to

 everyone who asks you to give the

reason for the hope that you have.

But do this with gentleness and respect,

keeping a clear conscience,

so that those who speak maliciously against

your good behavior in Christ may

 be ashamed of their slander.

1 Peter 3:15-16

Answer clearly

Scripture Reading

Colossians 4:2-6

2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone