Shining Lights in A Dark World
Shining Lights In A Dark World • Sermon • Submitted
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As I get started this morning, I want to speak to those who watch online.
First, I am extremely thankful to our media booth volunteers — led by Patty Sills, Dave Davenport and Christine Huber work really hard — they deserve an applause of appreciation.
Please understand, they have an extremely complex and difficult job.
They are controlling a 32 channel, 16 bus digital sound board that not only ports sound to the sanctuary, but also to 6 different mixes on the platform, 2 different sets of hearing assistance headphones, AND to the computer to be sent through to video software to be then sent online.
That’s just sound.
Friday night I was running the Media Booth for the first part of the service where we showed the Chosen Christmas concert & drama.
I wanted the volume to be higher and so I turned the channel for the computer up higher and higher with what seemed like little effect.
Several minutes into the concert I figured out the problem — one button was in the wrong position. I was turning up volume for the worship team speakers — NOT the main speakers.
That’s how complex running sound is. One button!
But these wonderful volunteers do more than adjust sound.
They also control lighting (which is very complex in and of itself), the slides you see on the screen, the camera through which you see the service and they also monitor the multiple security cameras for our facility to keep us all safe.
They have to adjust a few different software applications to get the audio and video online.
They not only control the slides, but Patty, Christine and I also have the challenging job of creating visual content every week.
There is a lot going on in that media booth! It isn’t easy!
They have an extremely complex job made more difficult by constantly changing software AND software that can be “buggy” at times.
Sometimes we have technical problems — like not having sound during the sermon last week.
Please don’t give up on us.
If you want to see us continue to live stream, then pray for us — that the equipment will work and that our volunteers will be able to handle the challenges they face.
Thank you again Media Booth volunteers.
Shining Lights in A Dark World
Shining Lights in A Dark World
This morning I would like to challenge us as we face the possibility of a new year.
I say possibility because none of us are guaranteed our next heartbeat or our next breath of air.
I say possibility because Jesus could come at any moment — in fact it will be a moment when the world least expects Him — a moment like we are living in right now.
The world isn’t looking for and doesn’t expect Jesus to return.
3 Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.”
9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.
In light of the possibility of a new year, I challenge us to be as we sang a few minutes ago, FEARLESS because we are continually walking in His Presence.
Fearless because we sense He is all around us.
Fearless because as God told the Apostle Paul in:
2 Corinthians 12:9–10 (NASB95) … “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” [In response Paul says] Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
Fearless because we know what ...
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the Lord surrounds His people From this time forth and forever.
The challenge is to just to be fearless in existing, but fearless while doing.
While being light in a dark, crooked and perverse world.
Let’s look our text this morning:
Text: Philippians 2:14-18
The Mission
The Mission
I believe the Apostle Paul’s challenge is just as valid today as when he spoke it to the Philippian church almost 2000 years ago.
Jesus Himself called us to be Light Bearers:
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
He called us to be light even though a world apart from relationship with Jesus is hostile to the Light:
19 “This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 20 “For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
A lost world hates the Light. It spits on the Light — and all those who shine it.
But their hostility does not negate Jesus’ call on our lives.
Because at the same time the vast majority hate the light, there are some who are drawn to the light.
They are hungry for the light.
Let us hear their cry and live lives that MAGNIFY the Light of Jesus shining in our lives.
Too often we live lives that diminish or dim the light of Jesus burning in our lives.
We are like houses with dirty windows covered with shades and curtains barely allowing any light to escape.
In our text, the Apostle Paul is telling us to remove all hindrances to the light — to in fact, magnify the light like lighthouses of old.
One of the things Sandra and I enjoy doing is visiting lighthouses.
We have toured lighthouses in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York.
One of the things you see in lighthouses is a device that takes the light of an oil lamp, or now an electric light source and magnifies it.
The device is called a Fresnel Lens.
According to the National Park Service:
The Fresnel lens (pronounced "Frey Nel"), as it came to be known, represented a monumental step forward in lighthouse lighting technology, and therefore also in maritime safety. In a Fresnel lens, hundreds of pieces of specially cut glass surround a lamp bulb. This design intensifies the glow from the light, focusing rays of light that would normally scatter into a single, intense beam of light, which shines out in a specific direction. The lens could produce an unlimited number of flashing combinations and intensified the light so it could be seen at greater distances, allowing mariners a greater deal of safety in their navigations near shore.
The job of a lighthouse keeper among other things, was to:
Keep the light burning bright.
To vigorously clean the windows and lens.
To wind the mechanism that turns the lens so that the light is seen in ever direction.
Folks there are people out there on the sea of life.
They are floundering in the waves of sin.
They are headed for the rocks of shipwreck and destruction.
Their only hope is for us to shine our lights so they can navigate to the safety of salvation in Jesus.
That’s our mission — to shine the light of God.
The Methods
The Methods
How do we do that? How do we accomplish this impossible mission?
In the coming weeks I want us to dig into the Word to understand the methods God gives us for spreading the Light of Jesus.
The methods that are given in this passage.
If we will use these methods we will transmit the Light without dimming or diminishing it at all.
We will shine the Light so that people will not see us, but as Jesus said, they will see the Father.
They will glorify Him.
They will be drawn to the light of His love.
The Light of His grace.
the Light of His salvation.
The Light of eternal life.
What are these methods?
Vs.14 - doing ALL things (YES, ALL things! Even the hard things, the distasteful things, the unseen, unappreciated things) without grumbling or disputing
This is such a tall order that, starting next Sunday we will be fasting and crying out to God for a week for Him to help us!
I mean, come on, man, grumbling and arguing is the American way!
But it’s NOT the Bible way — may the Holy Spirit help us!
Vs. 15 - being blameless and innocent children of God who are above reproach
Vs. 16 - holding fast the Word of Life
And, finally in Vs.18 - shining the light while rejoicing and sharing that joy with others.
Are You Willing?
Are You Willing?
So the question this morning is not:
Does the world need light?
Of course it does!
The question is not CAN we BE light in a dark world?
The question is: Will we CHOOSE to shine the light of Jesus? Are we willing?
Will we choose to sustain and shine the light of Jesus in the hostile conditions of crookedness and perverseness?
And the answer to that question is: Yes we can and we will — through the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit.
And really, THAT is what we will be fasting and praying for: a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit — for a revival in the church that will transform us into Harvesters for Jesus.
At the end of February we will have Evangelist Bill Juoni and his wife Beth with us.
But evangelists don’t bring revival in their pocket.
Revival comes one way — when God’s people do what
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NASB95) ... humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then [God tells us as He told Israel of old] I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
14 and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Oh, how the church needs to be healed and revived !
Healed of spiritual lethargy
Of spiritual indifference — an indifference to souls that are lost and facing a Christ-less eternity of hell.
Of a lack of zeal for reading the Word of God
Embark on a Bible reading plan in 2022 — make the Bible a part of your life.
Even as the church is healed from a spectator attitude about praise and worship — instead of a participatory attitude.
On Christmas Eve one of the actors from the Chosen spoke of Silos of Discord.
How accurately that describes too much of the church today!
Discord about what color to paint walls, whether to have carpet or wood floors.
Discord over petty things devoid of eternal value.
The church needs healing from discord!
For what purpose are we here on this earth?
Let us be united in this:
We are here on this planet to please God, to accomplish His will,
To make His Name, His salvation, His glory known.
If you are not in right relationship with Jesus you are not sure what I am talking about.
You thought you were here for personal prosperity, comfort, convenience, ease.
Yourself.
But it’s not about US, it’s about the One who
was born in a stable and laid in a manger
who experienced all the trials, heartaches and temptations we do — and yet lived a sinless life
Who willingly surrendered to be questioned, mocked and beaten by first the Jews and then the Romans
Who willingly carried OUR Cross down the Via De La Rosa, the way of suffering, to Golgotha, to Calvary
Who willingly carried OUR sins, NOT His sins because He was sinless
Who willingly died separated from His Father BECAUSE of our sins — something He had NEVER known for all eternity
This life, our existence, is not about our preferences or our opinions. It’s about the One…
Who, even though His body, laid in a borrowed tomb for 3 days and 3 nights, arose a glorified body after having taking control of the keys of death and hell from the devil
Who arose and showed Himself alive for 40 days before He ascended to the Father where He sits at the Father’s right hand, a place of honor and influence
From where Jesus intercedes for us.
He prays to the Father, “Father, anoint them with the Holy Spirit to shine in a dark world.”
To shine so that all can see and SOME will respond.
Give them victory over the enemy, the accuser
Give them victory over spiritual darkness and depravity so their light, OUR light will shine through them
Let the devil be under their feet as they march forward to accomplish Your perfect will on earth as it is done in heaven.
Are you onboard with that?
If not I encourage you to repent of your sins.
Surrender to God’s will being done over your own will, your own desires.
If you agree with what I am saying, then pray this prayer with me:
Father, I am a sinner in need of a Savior.
I repent of my sins.
By faith I receive forgiveness of my sins.
By faith I receive cleansing from my sins.
By faith I receive the hope of eternal life that repentance and surrender give to me.
I surrender my life.
No longer me, but Thee.
No longer my will, but Yours.
I ask you to do these things in the Name of Jesus.
If you have done this:
And you are here, please come and let me know.
If you are watching online, please contact me.
Altar
This morning, as the worship team comes — if you need prayer for anything, these altars are open for you:
For physical, emotional, relational healing — come.
For situations that you are facing.
For a closer walk with God — come