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Psalm 142:4. “No One Cares”. A Cobb County Tragedy. 22-month Cooper Harris left in a hot SUV on Wednesday for 8 hours in Marietta “Dad forgot him” “no one noticed” “no one heard his cries” “completely alone is his death”. David’s Despair Deep in a Cave….
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Psalm 142:4 “No One Cares”
A Cobb County Tragedy 22-month Cooper Harris leftin a hot SUV on Wednesdayfor 8 hours in Marietta“Dad forgot him” “no one noticed”“no one heard his cries”“completely alone is his death”
David’s Despair Deep in a Cave… 1 Samuel 18:29 - “Saul was even more afraid of David. Thus Saul was David’s enemy continually.”1 Samuel 19:1 – “Now Saul told Jonathan his son and all his servants to put David to death.” 1 Samuel 22:1 – “So David…escaped to the cave of Adullam…” … “No one cares for my soul”
Could the Community Around UsSay the Same? “No one cares?” What does caring looking like? • Parable of the Good Samaritan , (Luke 10:30)(priest, Levite, Samaritan passed by)
When Jesus Cared, He Went to Where The People Were John 1:14 Matthew 9:37-38“This man receives sinners and eats with them” (Luke 15:2) • When we reach out, we go to the material needy – Good News, Bridge people, govt apartment complexes – but we drive right by neighborhoods of people NOT in material need. The portal is NOT food, clothing, material—butWHAT is the portal?
Q: How to Draw Near to a People When Strangers Not Welcome at the Door? • Do you like people at your front door? • Do you read bulk mail in your box? To be effective, we have to grasp what the pressing needs ARE that our neighbors have!Our neighbors within 10 minutes:3,245 households; 8600 people 7,200 not in church avg. week** 30% never married Only 6% divorced Bryan Nowak, GBC
Because Jesus Cared, He Went to Those Who Could Not Come to Him Prison – “Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them” (Heb. 13:3) The sick and homebound Matthew 8:14 – Peter’s mother-in-law Jesus – Matthew 25:34-40 “the insight”
And the Early Church Went to the Marketplace (Acts 17) Vs. 16 – “city full of idols” vs. 17 – “in the synagogue” “marketplace”“every day with those who were present” vs. 18 - “preaching Jesus and the resurrection” vs. 30 – “repent,” “judgment,” resurrection”Note: caring is NOT affirming people in sin (e.g. Presbyterian Church USA = gay marriage is Christian marriage)
Because Jesus Cared, He Invested In Children Under His Wing* commitment to bring children;* shaping their little hearts and minds with Jesus love / Kingdom values Sunday School, Children’sChurch, AWANA, VBS, Summer activities
Pro-Active Training for Children and Youth • Knowledge of the Lord (Judges 2:10) – a generation did not know the Lord, nor what He had done for Israel • Prayer life; Bible truth • Decision-making / facing temptation • How to defend the historic/Biblical faith! • Biblical principles of managing money • Problem-solving / anger mgmt / sexual purity
Because Jesus Cared, He Did Something About Our Biggest Threat He suffered in order “to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). When we care, we find ways to aggressively push back darkness:* human trafficking? * broken families?* rebellion* false gods of materialism, money, power
So, What to Do About Caring? • Engage FCBC age groups in “Caring Strategies”20-30’s40-50’s60’s + • Four-year clock is ticking toward 200 year anniversary – Q: What can we do NOW to ensure healthy, vibrant church family then