Now What?
Light Summer Camp 2021 • Sermon • Submitted
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Haven’t we had a ton of fun this weekend!?!
Haven’t we had a ton of fun this weekend!?!
It’s been an amazing journey where we’ve been challenged physically, emotionally, and I Pray that you’ve been challenged Spiritually. But of course we know that we’re nearing the finish line.
Let’s take a second to reflect on what the Lord has shown us this weekend!
Winston - Evangelism - Really broke down what it means to become a Christian. To have that Light in your life.
John - Discipleship - Got down and dirty into what it looks like to be a Christian. How we are supposed to continue to learn and grow throughout our lives.
So tonight, We’re going to answer the question that can often be left out.
“What am I supposed to do, now?”
There are millions of people out there, who have only been introduced to a small portion of what being a Christian is.
The “Me” Stage
The “Me” Stage
Many have Prayed a Prayer and been baptized, many have attended church for their whole lives. But never really moved past the “Me Stage”.
You know the place where we are thinking about what we gain from a relationship, instead of what we can give to the relationship.
Many have come to a summer camp, just like this one, but then as soon as they get home they get sucked right back into the “Me Stage”.
Sports teams, Trips, romantic relationships, laziness, all of these things, and more, can and will derail us off of the course that God is showing us this weekend!
So tonight, We’re going to look at a few practical ways that we should be a light to our world.
We’re going to be bouncing around a little bit, so go ahead and grab your Bible’s and turn to Luke 8.
Object Lesson using Lantern? Maybe even a blindfolded guidance example.
Object Lesson using Lantern? Maybe even a blindfolded guidance example.
2 volunteers
Need Blindfold
Need Cones/Obstacles
Though this may seem like an obvious conclusion. This exercise teaches us two things.
We need the light in order to navigate this life. (Salvation, Discipleship)
We can help reveal the light for others, so that they can do the same. (Evangelism/Application)
The Bible talks about the light of Jesus a bunch of different ways. Let’s see what we can learn from Luke 8.
16 “No one, after lighting a lamp, covers it with a basket or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand so that those who come in may see its light.
17 For nothing is concealed that won’t be revealed, and nothing hidden that won’t be made known and brought to light.
Leading up to this passage, Jesus has been teaching in what are called “Parables” basically stories with meaning.
He has just finished up a story called the parable of the sower, where He is discussing a person’s salvation and what can hinder a person from truly living the Christian life.
I’m not sure if y’all have noticed yet, but some of the stuff in the Bible can be confusing. Don’t feel alone, the Disciples felt the same way sometimes. They even asked Jesus why He wouldn’t just say what He meant, instead of using these stories.
So let’s work together to see How we can be a light to those around us.
Luke 8 says:
Don’t Cover Up the Lamp, but Shine Bright!!
Don’t Cover Up the Lamp, but Shine Bright!!
16 “No one, after lighting a lamp, covers it with a basket or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand so that those who come in may see its light.
Why?
The light is Precious
The Light of Christ is more precious than anything else, but for some reason we pick and choose who we show it too. When we get a new car, a new video game, new clothes we do everything we can to make sure everyone sees and/or experiences this new thing!!
It’s Rebellious and Dangerous
17 For nothing is concealed that won’t be revealed, and nothing hidden that won’t be made known and brought to light.
When we choose to cover up the light of Christ, we are saying that we prefer the darkness of the enemy and that we are embarrassed by Jesus.
We will also cause ourselves and others to fall into the traps set up by the enemy.
WE CANNOT SUCCESSFULLY NAVIGATE LIFE IN THE DARK! AND WHY WOULD WE WANT TO?
WE CANNOT SUCCESSFULLY NAVIGATE LIFE IN THE DARK! AND WHY WOULD WE WANT TO?
So we must proudly hold the Light of Jesus above our heads no matter the situation and no matter the audience!
So we must proudly hold the Light of Jesus above our heads no matter the situation and no matter the audience!
The Bible then tells us that we must:
Be Urgent, We don’t have as much time as we think we do.
Be Urgent, We don’t have as much time as we think we do.
Hop over to Romans chapter 13
When i was a kid, i was bad to sleepwalk. I did this from child hood all the way to the age of 18.
I remember one time thinking that i had been kidnapped by aliens, because there was no way that i could have ended up on the couch downstairs with a blanket from a closet on the other side of the house.
The last time i can remember sleepwalking, i was 18. Well, i say “remember”. My dad says that i walked into his bedroom and told him bye. He said that i began walking through the house toward the front door, with my truck keys in my hand.
It’s crazy to think about now, and i laugh about it often, but I can laugh about it because no one got Hurt.
Let’s read romans 13:11-14 together
11 Besides this, since you know the time, it is already the hour for you to wake up from sleep, because now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.
12 The night is nearly over, and the day is near; so let us discard the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
13 Let us walk with decency, as in the daytime: not in carousing and drunkenness; not in sexual impurity and promiscuity; not in quarreling and jealousy.
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to gratify its desires.
Here, Paul is challenging us.
You see, when i was sleep walking my body was working, but I was just going through the motions of life. I wasn’t really living.
Are you a sleep-walking through your christian life?
We have allowed the enemy to lull us to sleep while there is a battle raging on, and the more of us that are sleep walking, the more battle Satan wins!
We Must Wake up, and be urgent!! This is important!!
We Must Wake up, and be urgent!! This is important!!
Finally, you must:
Know who God created you to be!
Know who God created you to be!
47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us: I have made you a light for the Gentiles to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.”
You’ve been made by God to do two things.
Worship God
Tell people about God
It’s that simple.
All of the Gifts and talents that the Lord gives us, He does so that We will Worship Him, and tell people about him!!
So back to our original Question: “What Now?”
So back to our original Question: “What Now?”
Are you the person who acts like a Christian sometimes, but acts completely different around other people?
Let the Light of Jesus shine through you, even after this weekend!
Do you opportunities to tell someone about Jesus because you are afraid?
Urgently tell people about Jesus! You may be vessel for God to save their life!
Do you tell yourself that you’re not good enough, or ready to be a light?
Know who God created you to be, not who the world tells you that you are.