Does God Care About Brownsville?

We have lived in Brownsville for over a decade, in that time we've witnessed Brownsville’s 40 year slide, deep cynicism, the little hope or false hopes of the community, the poverty, the addiction, the oppression, depression and apathy and all of their scorching effects.

Does God Care About Brownsville?

And in that decade we have seen homes burn, buildings collapse, police departments close, friends come and friends go, we’ve been robbed, vandalized and sued, we’ve witnessed tragedy and… worst of all…we’ve witnessed the erosion of hope.

Does God Care About Brownsville?

To answer this question, I ask you to consider “Biblical Proportions”.

There are three Old Testament geographies to think about: the cities of Sodom and Gomorra, the land of Egypt and the entire Earth. These were bad times and circumstances, this is what the bible has to say about each of them.

Sodom and Gomorra
The cities were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy (Ezekiel 16:49)
The Land of Egypt
The Egyptians held the Hebrew people in slavery for 400 years of which God said.. I have seen their misery…I have heard the cries of my people… and I am concerned about their suffering (Exodus 3:7)
The Entire Earth
The thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The Lord was grieved that he had made man and his heart was filled with pain. (Genesis 6: 4-6)

In the end, S&G was destroyed by fire, ten plagues were brought upon the land and people of Egypt, and a flood was brought upon all the earth.

Before we discuss what God has brought upon Brownsville and what he will destroy… let me assure you that the fire, the plagues and the flood are images of a God who cares.

S&G demonstrates that God is merciful and just. The plagues illustrate that God liberates his people and redeems his creation while the flood teaches us that God rescues the righteous and covenants with all living creatures.

Let us pray that God is merciful and just with Brownsville, that he will liberate Brownsville and redeem his creation and rescue the righteous while remembering His covenant. Amen.

You could say that God smote S&G, the land of Egypt and the entire earth. The OT talks a lot about smiting. Smiting enemies, armies, etc. Smiting – to completely and utterly destroy. In the OT, he brought catastrophe of biblical proportion… now he has brought love of biblical proportion.

The fullness of His compassion and love become manifested in the giving of his son Jesus to a lost and dying world…

Does God care about Brownsville? The answer is … yes.

God brought his love upon Brownsville.

For God so loves the world, that he gave us his only begotten son, so that whoever shall believe in him will not perish but have everlasting life.

While we are still sinners, Christ died for us…

God does want to completely and utterly destroy you… with his Love. He will free you from the penalty of sin, set you free from the power of sin and one day he will free you from the very presence of sin.

This is the picture of a New Creation in Christ. God is the Great Liberator and Redeemer. He cares so much for Brownsville that he was willing to die for Brownsville.

For God so loved Brownsville, that he gave his only begotten Son…

But Yet… There is darkness in Brownsville; physics tells us, and more importantly, the bible tells us that darkness cannot overcome light… and speaking to his people, God tells us that you are the light of the world

The Erosion of Hope and False Hope needs to be placed with the Hope of the Resurrection.

I encourage you to read and meditate on the following passages.

Job 19: 23-27
2 Peter 3: 8-14
Matthew 9: 35-38

You, are the workers in his harvest. You are the light of the world.

William Wilberforce, who led the fight to bring the abolition of the slave trade in the English Parliament , proclaimed “the national difficulties we face result from the decline of religion and morality among us. I must confess equally boldly that my own solid hopes for the well-being of my country depend, not so much on her navies and armies as on the persuasion that she still contains many who love and obey the Gospel of Christ. I believe that their prayers may yet prevail."

I know that God cares about Brownsville. May those who love and obey the Gospel of Christ in Brownsville prevail.

If you want to see and know a God who cares about Brownsville. Try four things this week…

(1) Forgive a friend or relative who has harmed you
(2) Reach out to a neighbor with some great or small kindness
(3) Pray for a friend in need
(4) Live in the hope of resurrection

God cares about Brownsville. Do you?