Light Walking in Dark Times!
Lenten Sensason • Sermon • Submitted
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· 6 viewsWith evrything surrounding the COVID19 Pandemic what is God calling us to do.
Notes
Transcript
Opening
Opening
We are in the four Sunday of Lent. What a time in history to reflect on who God is to us and who we are in Him. Have you stopped to ask yourself, do I trust God to bring me and my family through? How can I be a light for those who are afraid? I understand that there are significant health concerns but what is puzzling to me is how is the faith community responding. How are we leading people to trust that God is with us. There are some that act like God has gone on vacation and does not know what is happening.
I believe that not only does God know what is happening He is wondering where are my children in the midst of this time. In the church at other times we often hear the words God has not give us a spirit of fear, but I wonder do we really believe it because people are just plain ‘afraid’. Now, I want to be clear I am not saying throw caution to the wind. Yes, wash your hands, if you are sick stay in but to be cautious and safe versus being scared is two very different things.
— 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
Listen again to what is being said here:
— 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
In these times walk not as one that is afraid but one that is assured. As we walk into the word this morning the message is entitled.
Light Walking in Dark Times!, Light Walking in Dark Times!
Please stand with me and let us read the text together.
Therefore do not be partners with them.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said:
“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
Point 1: Have you moved from the dark to the light?
Therefore do not be partners with them.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said:
“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,
Ephesians 5:7-15
Point 1: Have you moved from the dark to the light?
Ephesians 5:8
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light
Point 2: What fruit is showing?
(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)
Point 3: Is your light walking pleasing to God?
The New International Version Chapter 5
9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)
Point 3: Is your light walking pleasing God?
Ephesians 5:10-
and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
Point 4: Don’t get caught sleeping!
This is why it is said:
“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
Life Application: God has called us to be children of the light because those in darkness will be lost! How are you walking?
1 Thessalonians 5:1
Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.