Text: Genesis 50:1520; 2 Timothy 1:7

Topic: Satan wants to destroy, but God wants to give us power, love and clear thinking.

Introduction: In the wake of such a tragedy, we all want a word from God.

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good . . ." (Genesis 50:20)

• On Tuesday morning at Columbine, two suicides followed thirteen homicides.
• Satan left his calling cards—death, destruction and dread—from the pit of hell.

Illustration: Oudemolen arrived at the scene during the madness, where he says he "smelled hell." One student running by said, "He's shooting everybody." Oudemolen says he witnessed "terror on every face" at the scene.

Satan had a plan for Littleton.

• Satan planned for the community to be consumed by fear.

"God has not given us a spirit of fear" (2 Timothy 1:7).

• Satan planned for the community to be consumed by hate.
• Satan planned for the community to be consumed by inconsolable grief.

Satan's plan didn't work, because God also had a plan.

• Despite Satan's plans, "the Lord's purpose prevails" (Proverbs 19:21).
• God gives us a spirit of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

God wants the people of Littleton and the world to see and experience his power.

• Victims Cassie Bernall, Rachel Scott and John Tomlin were strong Christians.
• Tomlin's parents wanted his funeral to be an evangelistic service.
• God's plan is to turn evil into good, to bring people to the truth.

God wants Littleton to be a place where his love is displayed.

• "I've lived here 16 years, and I've never sensed this type of love. It's palpable."
• If this kind of love continues, just imagine what can happen in the community.
• Students are turning to God because they recognize their need for him.

Conclusion: God's plan—power, love, clear thinking, glory—triumphs over Satan's.