Kansas City Shooting

Weekly Update – February 15th, 2024

Yesterday, tragedy occurred right here in our own backyard. What was supposed to be a celebration of the Chiefs back-to-back Super bowl win, ended with a mass shooting leaving 1 dead and 22 injured.  The unimaginable became true once again as both children and adults were targets in a mass shooting.  Three suspects have been taken into custody, as half of the victims, ages 6-15, were taken to Children’s Mercy Hospital for treatment.  Many of you know some who were present.  Others of you may have even been at the parade.  Sadly, mass shootings are somewhat commonplace in our society, yet may we, by God’s grace, never become numb to the heinousness of these events. 

As we think about tragedies such as these, our first thoughts can’t be to blame others.  Many people are ranting and raving about new measures for gun control that need to be enacted as they berate our government for its failures.  Others are blaming our mental health system as they claim more should be done for those who would commit such heinous acts.  Both of these thoughts may be true, but at this time, they are beside the point.  Those discussions must continue and they will, but right now we must realize that those involved are real people.  They are sons and daughters of men and women like you and me.  Families are connected to these victims and many are hurting.  You may even be connected in some way to these victims.  In our mental processing of these types of events, let us not ever separate ourselves from the connection that we have with other human beings before we come up with an explanation or a solution.  Therefore, with that said, let us consider how we ought to process this event as Christians before an unbelieving world. 

First, as Christians, let us remember that evil is real.  Though most of us recoil in horror at the thought that anyone would ever be able to even think about killing someone, there are others who have given into the wicked tendencies of their hearts to commit such atrocities.  With sin entering the world through our first parents, we see murder occurring as early as Genesis chapter 4 with Cain killing his brother Abel.  Since this murder, we have seen all sorts of evil occur throughout human history and we see no signs of it letting up.  As men and women allow their consciences to be seared to the truth (1 Tim. 4:2), we see that God gives them over to a depraved mind (Rom. 1:28).  So, we rightly call these events evil, as what occurs comes as a result of a continued suppression of the reality and truth of who our God is. 

Second, as Christians, let is remember that sin is irrational.  This sort of evil is inexplicable and beyond our understanding.  According to the Department of Homeland Security, many of these mass shooters open fire due to “personal grievances, reactions to current events, and adherence to violent extremist ideologies.”  Whatever the reason is, to open fire on a group of innocent people is irrational.  But at the core of it, all sin is irrational.  Consider what James 1:14-15 says, “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.  Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”  For many mass shooters, the desire to enact “justice” as a form of payback for some sort of injustice is a rational thought.  Many of us long for justice for our own misfortunes.  But then this desire, after it was conceived, brings forth sin, and the sin, at its fullest, literally brings about death.  Again, irrational to us, but to the one committing sin, it was likely a rational process.  Let us never find ourselves entrapped by the lusts of our sinful desires, because sin, though irrational, has a way of presenting itself as the best solution to us for our problems. 

Third, as Christians, let us remember that Jesus is our only hope.  On the surface of it, that statement might appear to be a little trite.  But it isn’t.  It’s true.  Jesus is our only hope.  In the conversation of life and death, sin and evil and our longing for the world to be made right, Jesus must necessarily be the focal point.  Jesus came to live, die and rise again so that we would be forgiven, but also so that as Paul says in Romans 6:6, “we would no longer be enslaved to sin.”  Ultimately it was the enslaving power of sin that led to this evil act.  But then, in addition to this, Jesus provides us with the only hope we can have beyond the grave for these many victims.  For all who are in Christ will one day be resurrected to new life, with all justice finally served and all tears and heartaches wiped away.  When Jesus is the focal point of our conversation on tragedy, we have the confidence to cry out, “Come Lord Jesus,” as we trust in a savior who has overcome the world.

Let us embrace our friends and neighbors who are struggling as we join with our city to mourn the one who died as well as the many others who were injured.  Let us pray for the victims involved.  Pray that the love of Jesus Christ and the comfort that can only come from His gospel would be proclaimed.  Pray also for our churches here in Kansas City as they join with us to minister Christ in the face of such events.  Then beyond that, let this event remind us that this world is not our home.  We live in a place where evil runs rampart and sin dwells in the hearts of many.  We are mere sojourners passing through this world, proclaiming the hope of the world to come, with our eyes fixed on Jesus. 

Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson

Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson

Fighter Verse for the Week

My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.
- Proverbs 3:11-12

Announcements:

Women’s Bible Study: The seasonal ladies’ Bible study will begin on Tuesday, February 20th. Sessions will be offered at 9:30am and 6:30pm. More information and a signup sheet are available on the bulletin board in the hall.

Men’s Bible Study: This men’s study is based on the book, The Exemplary Husband. The study is held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday night of each month at 8:00pm in the library. If you are interested see Clint Blankenship.

Greeting Team: If you are interested in joining the greeting team, there will be a sign up sheet in the hallway this Sunday. We are looking for volunteers to serve one week a month on this rotation. If you would like more information, connect with Matthew Klika.

Befriend a Student: If you are interested in befriending a student from Longview Community College this semester, connect with Matthew Klika. You can find more information about befriend a student HERE.

Food Pantry: We are in need of pop-top and ready to eat items for our food pantry. These items are needed specifically for the homeless in our community that stop by the church building throughout the week looking for a meal. We are also in need of spaghetti-o’s, ravioli, dry pancake mix, and maple syrup.

Nursery Volunteers Needed: Nursery volunteers are needed each week during the 10:30am service time. Check the update or email Betty for more information on how you can serve.

Equipping Hour

We have three classes held at 9:15am on Sunday mornings. “Firm Foundations” will meet in the Sanctuary, a biblical exposition of 1 Peter will meet in the Fellowship Hall, and a Ladies’ class studying the New Testament will meet in the classroom next to the nursery. You can find more information HERE.

Giving

To Give Online, Go HERE. 

You can also mail your offering to: 1416 Main Street, Grandview, MO. 64030

Home Groups

Home Groups typically meet on the first and third Sunday of each month. Please contact Pastor Michael if you would like to join a Home Group. You can find more information HERE.

Prayer

An updated Prayer Guide can be accessed HERE. 

Prepare for Sunday

Guide for Worship can be found HERE. 

Wednesday Evening Activities

Awana, Youth Group, and Biblical Counseling are on Wednesday evenings. We will share a meal in the Faith Center Gym at 6:00pm before heading to classes at 6:30pm. There will be no evening activities on Wednesday, December 27th.