THE LITTLETON TRAGEDY

INTRODUCTION:

1. As many of you are already aware, on Tuesday, April 20 in Littleton, Colorado, two teens dressed in black trench coats and wearing masks, entered their high school with guns and homemade bombs. They walked through their campus killing innocent victims. After the rampage ended, at least 24 people were injured and 15 people, including the gunmen, were dead. Tuesday's shooting at Columbine High School may have been one of the worst instances of school violence in American history.

2. Our prayers go out to all the people who were directly affected by this tragedy.

THIS MORNING, SINCE OUR HEARTS AND MINDS ARE FOCUSED ON THIS EVENT, I THOUGHT THAT IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE TO TALK ABOUT SOME SPIRITUAL LESSONS THAT WE CAN GLEAN FROM THE LITTLETON TRAGEDY.

I. FIRST, YOUNG PEOPLE, ALTHOUGH YOU MAY NOT BE ACCEPTED INTO CERTAIN SOCIAL GROUPS, YOU ARE ALWAYS ACCEPTED INTO GOD'S GROUP. YOU ARE SPECIAL AND WORTH A LOT TO GOD.

1. According to reports, the two gunmen, Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris were apart of a group called the "Trenchcoat Mafia." This group, who wore black trench coats and wore swastikas, were classified as the outcasts in their school. Johnna Nelson, 17, a junior who described herself as a preppie, said, "Our school is very status structured. People would yell comments to them, like weirdo or outcast." Dylan and Eric felt that no one liked them and that they didn't belong in their school environment.

2. In fact, they were so bitter about being the outcasts that they singled out those who infuriated them the most: athletes who occupied the top of Columbine's social ladder. One gunman yelled in the library "All jocks stand up! We're going to kill every one of you." These gunmen, who of course had no right to kill others, unfortunately felt isolated and ostracized from their classmates. This feeling of isolation partly led to their violent acts of revenge.

3. Young people, I am sure that at times you feel a little isolated from certain groups of kids. When kids make you feel that you do not belong in their group, please remember this: you belong to God's group. You may not be accepted into certain social groups at school, but you will always be accepted into God's group. You are special and worth a lot to God. You belong to the highest and most awesome social group around--the Lord's church.

4. God loves you so much, that He created you in His own image.

• (Gen. 1:27) “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created Him; male and female He created them.”

5. Since you are created in the image of God, you are precious and valuable in His eyes.

ILLUSTRATION:

Annie was a large, rather unattractive girl.

A member of a youth group, Annie regularly attended most of the youth functions and Bible studies. During one of those meetings, the youth leader introduced a situational learning game called, "The Lifeboat."

He instructed the dozen high school kids present to form their chairs to resemble the seating on a lifeboat. Then he said, "You twelve are the only survivors of a shipwreck. You have managed to make it to this lifeboat. Once you are aboard, however, you find to your horror that there are only provisions for eleven. Also, the boat can hold only eleven survivors. Twelve people will capsize the boat, leaving you all to drown. You must decide what to do."

The group stared blankly at each other for a few moments before bursting into lively discussion. They decided that for the good of the majority of the members of the group, one person must be sacrificed. But who?

As the group discussed who would be left to drown, they eliminated various individuals perceived to be of value to the survivors. The strongest and most athletic boys couldn't be sacrificed-their strength would be needed to row. Naturally, the boys wouldn't think of letting any of the pretty girls become shark food. Slowly each individual in the group, with the exception of Annie, was mentioned and then discarded as a candidate for sacrifice. Some were too smart, too talented, or too popular. Finally, Annie, who may not have been attractive but who was not dumb, blurted out, "I'll jump."

"No, no!" protested the group. But when pressed, they couldn't think of one good reason why she shouldn't jump-so they remained silent.

When the time to play the game ran out, the group members announced that they couldn't reach a decision on what to do. The youth worker went on to teach a lesson using the example of the lifeboat. But Annie had already learned a lesson.

The next day, Annie jumped off of a building. She committed suicide. Her youth group had affirmed her worst thoughts about herself. She truly was of no value. Her "friends" in the youth group were baffled and deeply saddened by her suicide. After all, she had so much to live for. They just couldn't think of what it was.

6. No matter what other kids say, or no matter how they treat you, you must realize that you are special to God and apart of the coolest and most important groups around. You belong to God's Group. You are apart of His mighty church.

7. So if you ever feel isolated and not accepted into certain social groups, don't get angry--be thankful that you belong to God's Awesome Group.

II. SECOND, YOUNG PEOPLE, YOU CAN SUCCESSFULLY TRIUMPH OVER YOUR PROBLEMS.

1. These two gunmen definitely had some problems. They were full of anger and rage. They hated Jews, blacks, Hispanics, and athletes. They didn't like their classmates and they didn't like themselves. They felt that the best way to handle their problems were to kill their enemies and themselves. They didn't know how to deal with their problems.

2. Young people, I promise you that you will experience problems. You will have difficult times. You will encounter the storms of life. Everyone does. We face all sorts of painful experiences: being cut from a team, being dumped by a girlfriend or boyfriend, being sick, losing a valuable possession, seeing a loved one ill or die, and so forth.

3. When you encounter tuff times, you must learn how to successfully triumph over your problems.

a. Please note that you cannot escape your problems by taking your own life. This doesn’t solve your problems. You cannot solve your problems by taking other people's lives. You cannot solve your problems through violence. You cannot take your anger out on others.

b. You cannot escape your problems by drinking alcohol or doing drugs.

4. The proper way to deal with your problems is outlined in the Bible.

5. Here are a few ways to successfully triumph over your problems:

A. TO SUCCESSFUL TRIUMPH OVER YOUR PROBLEMS, YOU MUST LOOK FOR THE VALUE IN THEM.

• (Romans 5:3, 4) says, "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."

1. Young people, God wants your character to be like His. He wants you to grow and not to cave in when faced with difficulties. As always, changing, especially your character, takes time and lots of work. Your problems are designed to help you be a better Christian. Through your problems God is developing your character.

2. The next time you experience a difficult situation, rejoice in the fact that God is making you a better and more perfect person.

B. TO SUCCESSFUL TRIUMPH OVER YOUR PROBLEMS, YOU MUST PRAY AND FIX YOUR EYES ON JESUS.

1. When you have a problem, don't focus all of your attention on that problem, instead, pray, and fix your eyes on Jesus and allow Him to handle your burdens.

• "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Mt. 11:28-30).

2. Since Jesus is your friend, He will help you cope with your problems. He will provide you with peace and comfort. So please remember that the next time you are hurting over a problem, you can find relief in Jesus.

C. TO SUCCESSFUL TRIUMPH OVER YOUR PROBLEMS, TALK TO YOUR PARENTS AND ASK THEM TO HELP YOU.

1. Things may have turned out different in Littleton, Colorado, if the two gunmen would have talked to their parents about their problems. Instead, they probably held their problems inside and didn't reach out for help.

2. Kids, talk to your parents about your problems. They can help you. They can sympathize with you. They understand what you are going through. Parents, take your children's problems more seriously. Be there for them. Listen to them. Allow them to vent their dilemmas. They need your guidance and your love. You may not be able to solve all of their problems, but at least you can hug them and let them know that you care. You can make a big difference in their lives by simply reaching out to them with tender loving care.

D. TO SUCCESSFUL TRIUMPH OVER YOUR PROBLEMS, YOU MUST HANG IN THERE AND NEVER GIVE UP.

1. Some people get so tired of dealing with life's problems that they give up on life. In fact, statics show that each year, 25,000 people take their own lives. The majority of these deaths are teenagers.

2. No matter how bad your problems seem to be you must never give up on life. Young people, listen to me. When you get discouraged and Satan tries to convince you it is better to die than to live--don't listen to him. Instead, hang in there and never give up. Your problems are only temporary--things will get better -- I promise.

III. LASTLY, PARENTS, YOU MUST BE MORE INVOLVED IN THE LIVES OF YOUR CHILDREN.

1. Some parents are so out of touch with their children's lives that they do not even know where they are or what they are doing. They don't even know what kind of music they are listening too. They don't know what they are watching on television. They don't know what web sites they are visiting. They don't know what their children are involved in.

2. Reports say that Dylan and Eric were making the bombs in a garage. In fact, they were making so much noise that some of their neighbors heard them. Where were the parents? Didn't they know what their kids were doing? How could this take place right under their noises?

3. In fact, one of the gunmen had a web site that taught others how to build pipe bombs. Why didn't their parents know about this and put a stop to it? I am not saying that these parents are directly responsible for what happened in Littleton, however, they must not have known what was going on in their children's lives because if they did they would have certainly put a stop to it.

4. Unfortunately, some parents are so out of touch with their children's activities that they do not know what is going on. They don't know that people like Marilyn Manson are raising their kids to hate and love evil. They are not aware that movies like "Natural Born Killers" are influencing their children to engage in violent acts.

5. Parents, we need to realize that our children are growing up in a violent world, with violent images.

6. We need to keep a better hold on what our kids are doing, who our kids are with, where they're going, and monitor all their activities.

7. We as parents are the most important teachers in our children's lives, and we must make sure that we are providing a good example.

8. We must do our very best in raising our children. We need to intervene in their lives and make sure that we are training them in the ways of God. We are not here to be our children's friends; they have a lot of friends. We are here to lead them down the paths of righteousness. We are here to take care of their needs and provide them with spiritual counsel. At times, we may have to discipline our children like God disciplines us. We must discipline them because we love them. We must do everything we can to get our children on the road that leads to heaven.

9. If the world has taken your child, get him or her back before you lose them to Satan.

CONCLUSION:

1. Brethren, our love and our prayers go out to the people of Littleton, Colorado. This was a tragic event that has affected all of us.

2. This morning, we have examined a few lessons that we can glean from this tragedy.

a. First, young people, although you may not be accepted into certain social groups, you are always accepted into God's group. You are special and worth a lot to God.

b. Second, young people, you can successfully triumph over your problems.

c. Lastly, parents, you must be more involved in the lives of your children.

3. I hope and pray that this lesson has been beneficial to you. We never want to close a service without offering an invitation so if you would like to respond please come now as we stand and sing.