Good News For A Broken World

Message: Good News in a Broken World

Opener: Acknowledging the Weight

Church, before we go any further today, we need to acknowledge the heaviness of these past months and especially this past week.

Back in June, tragedy struck Minnesota when Melissa Hortman, the former Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, and her husband Mark were shot and killed in their home. On the very same morning, State Senator John Hoffman and his wife were also attacked in their home. By God’s mercy, they survived, but the shock of those events has left a deep wound in that community.

Also, on June 1, a man on Pearl Street threw Molotov cocktails at a peaceful walk for Israeli hostages, injuring our Jewish brothers and sisters; one of them, Karen Diamond, later died. It was a planned antisemitic attack.

Then on August 22nd, Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee who had fled the war in her homeland to find peace and opportunity in America, was stabbed to death while riding the light rail in Charlotte, North Carolina. She came here seeking safety, and her life was tragically cut short in an unprovoked act of violence.

Just days later on August 27th, the unthinkable happened at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis during a morning Mass. Two boys, Fletcher Merkel, age 8, and Harper Moyski, age 10, were killed when a gunman opened fire through the stained-glass windows of the sanctuary. Investigators later found disturbing writings—magazine clips with hate-filled messages scrawled across them, and a journal where the shooter described conversations with a demon. It’s chilling, but it reminds us of the reality of spiritual darkness, and it’s a sobering picture of how sin and evil seek to destroy innocent life.

Then on September 10th, news spread across the nation when Charlie Kirk, just 31 years old, was assassinated while speaking at Utah Valley University. It was a public, targeted attack that has left many grieving and shaken.

That same week, here in our own state, at Evergreen High School, two students were shot and wounded by a classmate before he took his own life.

And then in just the last few days, the fear has landed close to home. Fairview High School and Southern Hills Middle School both went into lockdown after a report of a possible gunman. It turned out not to be true—but the fear in the hearts of those students and families was very real. And the very next day, CU Boulder had to evacuate three buildings after a bomb threat. Thankfully, it proved false, but not before thousands of students and staff had to flee classrooms and offices.

This has been a season marked by tragedy, heartbreak, tears, fear, and so many unanswered questions.

Moment of Lament

Before we rush to answers, I want us to pause. The Bible doesn’t just tell us to rejoice—it also teaches us to lament.

Psalm 46 says:

“God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble. Therefore we will not be afraid, though the earth trembles and the mountains topple into the depths of the seas.”

Let’s take 15 seconds of silence together—to grieve, to breathe, and to invite the Spirit to meet us in our pain.

[Pause for silence.]

Why We Gather

In moments like these, many of you have felt a pull in your spirit: “I can’t wait to get to church on Sunday.” That’s not an accident. That’s God at work in you.

Your presence in this place lets evil know it does not win.

I was reminded of this when my grandma passed away. My family didn’t hesitate—we booked flights, packed bags, and gathered with family. Soon after we arrived, we circled up in the living room and worshiped.

Why? Because in the heaviest moments, what we need most is family.

That’s what today is. This is God’s family—gathered to worship, to grieve, to encourage one another.

Hebrews 10:24–25 says,

“And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.”

We don’t gather because it erases our pain. We don’t gather because it answers every question. We gather because it lifts our perspective and reminds us that this world is not our home.

Sing: It Is Well

A Word to Seekers

If you’re here today and you wouldn’t call yourself a follower of Jesus, maybe you felt that same pull: “I need to be in church today.”

That’s not random. It’s because you see this world is broken. You feel the weight of it. And maybe you’re asking: “How can we have hope in times like these? Where is love in the midst of so much hate and pain?”

Friend, I want you to know—you came to the right place. Today, God wants to show you that there is hope.

Introducing Jesus (Early and Clear)

From the very beginning, let me be clear: the answer to the sin problem in this world is JESUS.

He is our hope.
He is our peace.
He is the only way.

And in the face of so much bad news, the best news you could hear today is this: Jesus is alive, and He is at work—even now.

So today, I want to share three truths that will anchor us in hope.

Point 1: We Are Created in the Image of God

Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female.”

Every human being carries the image of God. That means every life matters deeply to Him.

That’s why we feel such weight when innocent lives are lost. These are not just names in headlines—these are image-bearers of God.

And Scripture reminds us in Ephesians 6:12:

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.”

What we’re seeing in the world is not just human conflict—it’s spiritual warfare. Jesus said in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.”

So what do we do? We pray. We fight for life—from the unborn to the elderly, from every background and story. When innocent life is taken, yes, we cry out for justice. But we also cry out for revival.

And we say: “Lord, what would You have me do? I’m listening. Here I am. Use me.”

As Charles Spurgeon once said:

“Let us pursue truth without a tremor… fear is not for us. Fear is only for those who do ill and fight against the Lord of hosts.”

Point 2: Jesus Came to Save

Luke 19:10 says, “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.”

What did He come to save us from? From sin.

This is not a left or right issue…. It’s an up and down issue. Evil is no respecter of political party, ethnicity, background, or age… this is an up and down issue.

Sin is not just bad behavior—it’s bondage. It blinds us, traps us, enslaves us. And the enemy uses it to destroy lives.

But Jesus came to rescue us. He came to free us from the trap of self-rule. He came to break the chains of Satan. He came to bring us back into a relationship with God.

This salvation is not just for eternity someday—it’s for now. Jesus doesn’t just save us from hell later, He saves us from hell on earth today.

Think of a lifeguard. They don’t just promise to keep you safe someday—they pull you out of the water when you’re drowning. That’s what Jesus does. He saves us now.

Point 3: God Is Always at Work

John 5:17: “My Father is still working, and I am working also.”

Even in chaos, confusion, and the comment section… God is moving.

The question is not, “Is God at work?” The question is, “Am I joining Him?”

To join Him, we must:

• Submit to His authority.
• Obey the Spirit’s promptings.
• Fear God more than man.

And I want you to see this: God is at work around the world right now. People are coming to Jesus in unprecedented numbers. Entire regions once closed to the gospel are opening. People are encountering Jesus in dreams and visions. Ordinary conversations in coffee shops and Uber rides are becoming divine appointments.

The world is waking up. The question is: will we wake up too?

Psalm of Hope

And this is why we can live without fear. Psalm 112 says:

“Hallelujah! Happy is the person who fears the Lord, taking great delight in his commands. His descendants will be powerful in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed… He will not fear bad news; his heart is confident, trusting in the Lord. His heart is assured; he will not fear.” (Psalm 112:1–2, 7–8)

Monday Handles

So what can you do this week?

1. Pray with urgency. Pray over your kids before they go to school. Pray for your neighbors and your city.
2. Show radical love. Invite a neighbor to dinner. Be present in someone’s pain.
3. Proclaim hope. Share the Good News with boldness. Don’t keep Jesus to yourself.

Corporate Call to Prayer

Church, we’re not just going to talk about revival—we’re going to pray for it. Right now, I want you to gather in groups of 3 or 4 and take 2 minutes to pray for:

• Our schools.
• Our city.
• Our nation.

Because prayer is not our last resort—it’s our first response.

[Pause to allow prayer in groups.]

Closing: Victory in Christ

Yes, the times are heavy. But Jesus is greater.

This is not the time to shrink back in fear—it’s the time to rise up in boldness.

Romans 1:16 says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.”

And 1 Corinthians 15:57 reminds us:

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Here’s the good news, church: Jesus died, Jesus rose, Jesus reigns, and Jesus is coming again. That’s our hope. That’s our anchor.

Altar Call: Invitation to Salvation

And before we close in worship, I need to speak directly to those of you here who don’t yet know Jesus.

We’ve named the brokenness of our world. And maybe you’ve asked, “Where is hope in all of this? Where is love in the midst of so much hate?”

Hope has a name. His name is Jesus.

Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for your sin, and rose again so that you could have forgiveness, freedom, and eternal life.

Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Friend, this is your moment. You don’t have to walk out of here carrying fear, shame, or uncertainty. You can walk out forgiven, free, and alive in Christ.

I want to lead you in a prayer. If you’re ready to give your life to Jesus, pray this with me:

“Jesus, I give you my life. I believe you died for me, and I believe you rose again. Forgive me of my sin. Make me new. Fill me with your Spirit. And help me follow you all the days of my life. Amen.”

If you prayed that prayer, we celebrate with you right now. You’ve just made the most important decision of your life.

But don’t keep it private. Tell someone. Come down to the front, meet one of our leaders, or connect with our prayer team before you leave. Because salvation is personal, but it’s not private—you need a family to walk with you.

Church, can we celebrate those who just said yes to Jesus?

[Pause for celebration.]

Now, let’s all stand together. In a world filled with brokenness, we are the people of hope. Let’s declare it as we worship one last time.

Amen.