Sunday, April 26, 2020 – Word for Huguley Hospital
Pastor Troy Brewer, OpenDoor Church, Burleson, TX
Like fireman running into the a fire while everyone else is running away.
Like police officers charging into a battle while everyone else is retreating.
All of us have seen the brave men and women of the medical field running to the front lines of the corona virus pandemic while every one is running away and today we want to honor them.
Church will you join me in welcoming the whole entire world to a special Sunday serving honoring our healthcare heroes.
Hello everybody and welcome to a very special edition of “The OpenDoor Experience” as we gather together in the parking lot of Texas Health Resources Huguley Hospital in southern Fort Worth, Texas
This place represents the very front lines of the war against what President Trump calls the “Invisible Enemy.”
And while the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, they are mighty to the pulling down of strongholds.
For the past seven weeks, our nation’s medical teams and brave first responders have selflessly dealt with the extraordinary strain of exposure to the virus, and the anticipated threat of being overwhelmed. Many have had to separate themselves from their spouses and their families because of the constant exposure. They have battled long hours and fatigue, heavy stress and no doubt loneliness.
Well, we’re here to say that you are not alone. We stand with you and see you. We are also here to say that God Almighty has an unobstructed view of your selfless and courageous dedication.
Honoring the bravery, the risk and the sacrifice of selfless people dedicated to the welfare of others – specifically the doctors, nurses, and medical support staff of this and so many more great hospitals – is what we are supposed to do!
Jesus instructed us to give honor to whom honor is due.
1 Peter 2:17 tell us that honoring people is part of the principle of the fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord is when you love what God loves and hate what God hates. It’s when you prioritize the things that are important to God.
Honoring selflessness is a Kingdom of Jesus principle
Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV)
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
We see you, appreciate you and we celebrate you! We applaud you and thank God for you with hearts full of great hope.
1 Peter 3:15
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts and we ready always to give an answer to every man that I ask you a reason for the hope that is in you with meekness and with fear. To the reason of your hope…
I’ve got great news! We are not demoralized. We are not fearful. We are full of hope! We have great hope for everyone who has been affected by this plaque and the fearful response of the world.
We have great hope for the staff of this hospital and for the families of those who are suffering this tragedy in total isolation – away from the people they want to be with most.
Jesus is alive. And as long as Jesus is alive, we have great reason to hope.
Psalm 126:5
“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.”
No matter how dire the situation, we serve a God who specializes in bringing beauty out of ashes—even death does not have the last word. Paul encourages us,
Philippians 4:8
“…Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”
Never stop flexing your hope muscle.
I thank God for people who are willing to work for a living and for people who are blessed to be able to work for living. As difficult as a time as this has been, I want to encourage our medical professionals that this is also a time to be thankful. I thank God that while literally billions of people are out of work across the globe, that’s not the case for the hard-working people here.
Be thankful. Be full of hope. Be full of life for the people you are serving and do not bow your knee to the crown of the corona virus. Bow your knee to the King of King and the Lord of Lords.
He’s the prince of Peace and He sent us here today to bring a word of life and a demonstration of His heart toward you.
“So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is…fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.”
– Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32nd President of the United States
2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
THE PRINCIPLE OF DISPLACEMENT
ISREAL WAS SENT INTO THE PROMISED LAND TO DISPLACE THE ENEMY AND TO OCCUPY THE PROMISE GOD HAD GIVEN THEM.
1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
Perfect love casts out (displaces) all fear.
The mission of Christ was to bring a demonstration and a revelation of God’s love.
A revelation of God’s love is our true source of power over any and all things.
Once you step into the spirit of adoption, you step into this lavish love of God that says, “I’m not an orphan. I’m a son or a daughter of God and I am loved.”
Romans 8:15
The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
Psalm 27:13
I would have fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living
We need to be full of hope. BEING FULL OF THE GOODNESS OF GOD
HOPE: THE JOYFUL ANTICIPATION OF GOOD
HOPE IS A CHOICE
I AM DETERMINED TO PROTECT MY HEART FROM EVIL REPORTS.
ANY AREA OF YOUR LIFE WHERE THERE IS NO HOPE IS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF A LIE
There is a Christian nurse by the name of Brie and she listed 5 biblical truths she stands upon as a nurse:
1. Remember where your strength comes from.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
We know you have a hard job and the Lord is your strength –
specifically, the Joy of the Lord is your strength/
2. Remember why you’re doing what you do.
Colossians 3:23
And whatever you do, do it with all your heart, as to the Lord and not to men…
God sees you. Every task you perform is for his honor and his glory.
In essence, everything I do should be done unto him, in his honor, and for the furthering of his kingdom.
What I do matters, whether it’s wiping someone’s bottom, holding a frightened woman’s hand, dispensing dangerous cardiac medications, or even charting, I am doing it for the Lord. I am serving his people, and I would like to think that makes him proud.
In this regard it only makes sense that I try and do what I do with a joyful heart. This isn’t always easy, and I fall short often, but that’s why it’s a good reminder. It’s a great thing to keep in mind that my actions are working according to his purpose, that my attitude represents his kingdom, and that God can use even little ole me to accomplish wonderful things. Now that’s encouraging.
3. Remember that fear isn’t necessary.
Psalm 118:6
The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
4. Remember God has you where He wants you for a reason.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
It’s easy to get frustrated at times in our career. You can begin to question if you’re in the right setting or field altogether. It’s easy to become discouraged, and in those instances it’s imperative to hold tightly to the calling God placed in your heart in the beginning.
Sometimes, we are where we are for a season, or we must transverse a difficult, dry patch to get to the other side. But whatever the situation you can always trust that God has control of your destiny. He will open doors, and he will close others.
He will guide us to new places if and when it is his will, but he will always provide us with what we need for where we are. And his purposes are always fulfilled where he has placed us. Even when we cannot see, we just have to trust that he is working it all towards our good, in His perfect knowledge and time.
5. Remember who’s in control.
This is a hard one for nurses. Nursing is a field where your actions and decisions are a huge deal, and in reality they can mean life or death for someone. In that line of thinking it’s easy to become stressed out as you feel you must manage and control everything. But when it comes down to it you don’t have control. You just don’t.
While this is a hard thing to admit, I find it’s actually easier when I can remember the outcome of my patient isn’t really in my hands. I can do the best I can do but in the end, I have to surrender my performance into the Lord’s hands. And when I do that I can actually catch my breath. He’s in control; he’s got this! Thank God.
Isaiah 55:8-9
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.