This sermon emphasizes the importance of depending solely on Jesus for salvation and turning away from sin. It highlights the spiritual poverty in the nation and the need for Jesus to fill the emptiness in our hearts, not money, sex, or worldly pursuits. The message calls for a personal relationship with Jesus, citing His promise of rest and acceptance for those who come to Him.

A life independent of God is the greatest evil of all. My hope of being saved on Judgment Day must only depend on Jesus and that I turn from sin to Him. Have you made this choice? If not, I plead with you in this sober hour, turn to Christ. In closing, I'd like to say that we are in a nation that has spiritual poverty. We have a God-shaped hole in our heart that only Jesus can fill. Money will not fill that emptiness in your heart. Sex will not fill that emptiness in your heart. The honor of men, the American dream will not fill that emptiness in your heart. If not, only Jesus can. And I'm not talking about religion. I'm talking about a relationship with Jesus. Jesus said in Matthew 8.23, Come unto me, all you who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you because I'm humble and gentle at heart and you will find rest for your soul. John 6.37, A promise from Jesus, All that the Father gives me shall come to me, and him that comes to me I will never cast out. Jesus is saying to you today, If you come to me, if you come to me, I will not cast you out. That is a promise from him. And as I close this sermon with a song, I would ask that you make the decision to turn to him. Let's pray. Father in heaven, I come to you this morning in the name of Jesus. I cry out to you with a broken heart, knowing that your heart is broken as well, for you love Josh far more than any of us can comprehend. I know that your heart is also broken for this nation, for you see it drifting more and more away from love, peace, and dependence upon Jesus. Please somehow use this tragedy to show us all the need for you in every aspect of society. We need you, Heavenly Father, to rule and have free reign in our homes, our communities, churches, and most of all, in our hearts. Please show all of us here any way that we have grieved your Holy Spirit, and then give us all a chance to turn from our sinful ways so that we can have clean hearts open for you to live in. Please give us hearts of love, forgiveness, peace, and rest. Guide and bless the police officers here today that serve the local communities. Lead the politicians of this great state back to the wisdom of your word. Grant them the humility to seek your wisdom so that they can rule in a way that is pleasing to you, and may their decisions direct us to the center of your will. Teach us all here to depend on the Lord Jesus more now than ever through this situation. Bring peace and rest to the many souls who are grieving Josh's death today, especially Holly, Minda, Veronica, and Paul, and his closest friends and relatives and my classmates from high school. Somehow use this sad day to open our eyes to the reality of eternity and the need for your son, Jesus. Bring your Holy Spirit, the Comforter, here now, and bring comfort to us all. In Jesus' name. As I sing this song, please consider the things that have been shared.