10/18/09 Book of Esther
• Jews stayed because they had nowhere else to go
• Persia is in Charge, King Xerxes
• Megila: the whole 9 yards
• 7 out 10 chapters of Esther are parties
• Xerxes didn’t earn nobility, he was just born into the royal family
• Xerxes was the “tallest, handsome” man
Chapter 1:
• Verses 1-12:
King gave orders to how much wine one can have
He tries to impress guest
Has lots of parties, banquets
Verse 4: gold goblets, each different on purpose
• God is never mentioned in the whole book
But rather implied, understood
• God is working through her, it is implied
• After the wine, the king is in high spirits (drunk)
• Would Xerxes have done this if he weren’t young
• Verse 10: wearing royal crown “only” perhaps, and so she refused to come
This is implied, because it is a way for Esther
We get a picture of Xerxes because the queen refuses
• Verses 13-18:
Civil disobedience by women
Queen given all women kingdom an idea to disobey
• Verses 19-22:
Huge kingdom, there are different languages
Sends an order that man is the ruler of the household
Chapter 2:
• Verses 1-7:
Jew: Judah -ite, tribe of Judah
Esther – from tribe of Benjamin and was pretty
• Verses 8-14:
Went by the name of Esther (Anglo-Saxon, Persian name for Star)
Hebrew name was Hadassah
She didn’t want anyone to know she was a Jew
Mordecai (her uncle) instructed her to not tell
• Verses 15-18:
She wins, crowned queen, won favor with everyone who saw her
We can sense her destiny
She isn’t selfish (it’s a mark of her character)
Has a huge holiday to celebrate her and Xerxes gives gifts out
• Verses 19-23:
Strange coincidences
Mordecai is sitting at the gates (had the responsibility – which was an honor)
He hears a plot to assassinate the king
Esther followed instructions when she was brought up - she is obedient
She happens to have access to king with credit to Mordecai
It is recorded, Esther is firmly established and he really loves her now
Chapter 3
• Verses 1-7: pur is lot or dice, to decide when to kill
• Mordecai didn’t want to bow down because He was Jewish and Jews only bow down to GOD
That is the speculation
• Sometimes we bow down, give honor to other people than God
• Ex: athletes, we gave them honor
10/25/09
Chapter 3
• Mordecai didn’t bow down because only God deserves it
• Exodus 17:8-16, 1 Samuel 2
• Haman was an Amelekite (ancient rivalry)
• Verse 4: “day after day”
• Genesis 39:2-10:
Joseph/Podefer’s wife
• Daily temptations and addiction
• How were they able to buckle up
• A mind set and not a mood
• We have to get our mind set on it
Feelings are not trustworthy
• Colossians 3:2:
“set” – goal
So it is not an option
• Deuteronomy 33:25:
Gates have your mind
• Verse 6: Mordecai’s people were the Jews
• Haman didn’t want to get even with them an, but take it out on every one
• When we’re not obedient to God, then things get worse
• Why was Haman so angry?
Because he’s an Amelekite, and someone didn’t follow his order
• He planned a Holocaust (which means burnt whole)
• Verse 7: lots
• Proverbs 16:33: God sometimes let people use lots for directions
• They’re gambling on it (11 months)
• The months are in Jewish calendar
• God’s in control of our time
• Paranoia, total psychosocial damage
• Verse 8: he made a generalization
• He twisted it around and blamed all – stereotype
• The king does not know that Esther is Jewish
• Xerxes was already embarrassed (disgraced) publicly, found out about the murder on him, and he wasn’t going to take chances on anything at this point
• Haman offers to pay for it too!
• Verse 10: enemy of the Jews
• Verse 11: “Keep your money”
• Xerxes is trying to get Haman to call the shots
• He gives Haman his ring (Power)
• Its like Haman is in charge
• Verse 13: destroy, kill, annihilate
Use 3 words when could have used one
Revelation 9:11 – the king over the bottomless pit
• John 10:10 – thief comes to kill, destroy
• Satan is controlling Haman to destroy Jews
• Leviticus 23:4-5 – edict set out when Jews were celebrating Passover (deliverance of Jews)
• God is saying “remember who you are”
11/1/09 Chapter 4
• Verses 1-3: great mourning
• Reminds us of our human fragility
• Joel 2:12:
Joel was a prophet
Locusts destroyed everything
Fasting, weeping, mourning in Hebrew is sad, returning to God
God is talking
• There is a divine hidden-ness
• Sack cloth and ashes: sign of repentance
• Reaction among the Jews: they associated with sin or outside of being in fellowship with God
• They get the idea that the danger is a result of being away from God
• God’s covenant: I will love you, I will protect you if you obey
• Sack cloth is a change in status
Voluntarily wear
They humble themselves
• Sometimes our troubles drive us to God
• Repentance: not punishment, but right
Gift as the children of God
• Verses 4-8: streets were filled with wailing Jews
• Distance between Esther and her uncle
• She’s not like the other Jews, she does get what’s happening
• She’s becoming a pampered queen
• She wants to fix the problem without understanding why it is the way it is
• Mordecai said to show her the text
• She’s lost all the sense of responsibility
• We want our superficiality shattered
• Something will happen that will force you to remove the shell to be an authentic person
• Will be painful, but a butterfly will emerge
Death, divorce, something serious/painful
• Verses 9-11: She reminds Mordecai about the Law
• It’s a protection thing
• Thinks somehow Xerxes may know that she’s a Jew
• She’s not certain about what he’ll do
• Her concerns are for herself, not considered the consequences of NOT goinig in
• Verses 12-14: strong response
• Shakes her into responsibility, into who she is
• She is ultimately Jewish
• She may not be able to live either
• If she doesn’t not do it, someone else will do it
• God’s plan will not be thwarted by men
• We have a choice to do God’s work
• Why would an orphan Jewish girl be queen?
• Providential hand of God is at work
• She’s been blessed at all time
• No coincidences!
• We see what we think are series of coincidence resolutions, but it is God’s Providential Hand – God answers prayers!!!!
• Do we accept God’s promises spiritually or literally?
• We’ve been put here for such a times as today
• We can refuse to walk in God, but is plan moves on
• Ecclesiastes 3:2
• Acts 17:26
• Ephesians 1:11
• The hardest decisions to make are the right ones
• We are not called to an easy life, but a purposeful life!
• Verses 15-17: she get the message and she reacts
• She fasts for 3 days (don’t eat or drink for 3 days)
• Timing: fasting during feasting
• Celebrations of Passover being trumpeted by this news
• Fasting used to be limited by day hours
• How would a 3 day fast look for her?
• Significance of fast was to sacrifice and prayer whole heartedly
Act of desperation
• You receive much more than food during a fast
• Joel 2:12-13: wants real return in heart
• Esther id’s herself with the Jews now
• It is a defining moment for her
• She tells the world that she is not what she pretended to be
• Consequence: death, no compromise
• We need to ID ourselves with God’s people
11/8/09 Esther Chapter 5
• Verses 1-2: King is holding a scepter out
• Which means he will see you
• Usually coming uninvited is certain death
• Most of what we fear will never happen to us
• Once we trust God, we can and should be willing to accept the end
• Satan uses our fears to rob us of joy
• She wore a royal robe
• Mordecai told her to beg for mercy
• She’s not dressed as a beggar, but queen of the Persian empire
• We render God’s will and never even know it
• Verse 3: He’s obviously pleased with her boldness
• Historically Xerxes was psycho
• “What is it?” in Hebrew means “What is troubling you?”
• Verses 4-8:
• God loves our willingness and obedience
• She invites Haman
• She may have been observing their relationship
• She’s inciting jealousy in the king – she shows a little bit of affection to Haman
• God’s timing is perfect
• She invites Haman yet again
• Verses 9-14
• Haman leaves the first banquet and is in high spirits
• Mordecai even refuses to rise in Haman’s presence
• Mordecai doesn’t show fear
• Haman is a narcistic person – he goes home and has another party
• He has a pre-occupation with one person
• He loves to hate him and is addicted to it
• 2 Corinthians 10:5:
Only God can rescue us
God gets into our secret thoughts and heals us
We can try to fix it ourselves, but it will keep coming back
• Haman is obsessed with what Mordecai did
• Gallows: shows everyone what he is going to do
11/5/09 Esther Chapter 6
• Verses 1-3:
• “That night”
Night of the banquet
• Xerxes basically wanted a bed time story about himself
• Wanted the diary of his reign
• Coincidently Mordecai comes up
• (this is about 5 years later)
• Names of conspirators are mentioned and this gives credibility to historical records
• Verses 4-6:
• There are lots of uncanny coincidences
• Haman builds gallows, the same night that Xerxes realizes that Mordecai should be honored
• God’s timing is never too late, its perfect
• The king couldn’t sleep that night
• Circumstances
• The Lord took sleep from the king that night
• Sometimes we cant sleep –
Maybe God’s asking us to take notice of something He has to say
A tug on our hearts
• Just ask God what He wants you to know
• He originated a prayer in our hearts
• He uses our intercessory prayer to affect His will on earth
• God kept him awake to learn about Mordecai
• Xerxes wanted to hear about his reign
• God speaks to us about our issues and answer our thoughts
• Haman is pacing in the courts outside
• Maybe the sun isn’t even up
• The king asks for “whomever” is outside and it happens to be Haman
• King asks Haman what should be done to an “honorable” man
• Haman’s ego is HUGE
• Verses 6-9:
• “Man king delights to honor” is mentioned by Haman constantly
• He has a thought, breaks off, and starts another sentence
• Haman is fascinated by that phrase
• He’s almost unable to contain himself
• Haman suggests:
Bring robe that the king wore
King’s horse
King’s toothbrush
Parade around town
• Genesis 41:33-42
Joseph was honored by Pharaoh
Perhaps some similarities except that Joseph’s was a reality and Haman’s is a fantasy
• Haman fantasizes about king
• Persian robe was thought to have magical powers
• Sooner or later pride will destroy you by mouth
Pride goeth before the fall
• What is in our hearts will come from our mouths eventually
• Verses 10-11:
• Haman’s knees must have buckled
• V 11 leaves out so much
• 3 words that describe Haman:
Humiliated
Ashamed
Destroyed
• 3 words that describe Mordecai:
Perplexed
Confused
Confounded
• Verses 12-13:
• Mordecai returned to work
• It doesn’t effect him
• Haman went home
• Rushed in grief
• Verse 13: friends and advisors – ironic
• Haman’s wife tells him that his downfall started and is going against God’s people
• Verse 14: Eunuchs came to take Haman to banquet
Chapter 7
• Verses 1-7:
• Esther: master politician?
• How did she present this to the king?
• She asked him to spare her life
• She’s Jewish
• Finally tells the truth
• Sooner or later: who we are needs to come out
• Haman is terrified
• The king leaves
• Haman begs for his life
11/22/09 Chapter 7 Continued
• Verses 1-7:
• Haman was terrified before both of them
• Suddenly Esther is not one of them, she is powerful
• An order had been one of the people to be executed
• Xerxes leaves wine
He finds out that his wife is Jewish
Finds out that Haman is planning to kill the Jews and Haman is his right hand man
Feels betrayed by both
• Prior queens: instantly replaceable
• Verses 8-10:
• Haman looks like he is all over the queen
• King is upset
• Esther says nothing
• Did Esther do the right thing? Should she have shown mercy?
• Haman not showing real repentance
• King came in a confused fury
• God uses the character flaws in Xerxes to do His will
• The king is humiliated by Haman
Haman was duped into killing the queen
• Tradition was at the time that no one was allowed within yards of the queen(s)
• There is a reason all the Eunuch’s were eunuch
• Touching the queen was not even thought of
• Harbona: the Eunuch (est. Chapter 1:10-11)
Witnessed all the craziness
• Verse 9-10: King says to hang Haman on his own gallows
• The edict is still in effect
• King’s fury is subsided
• The king doesn’t really get it
Chapter 8
• Verses 1-6:
• First time the king and Mordecai are face to face
• Mordecai and Esther’ relationship is exposed
• Pleads before king now
• She held it together as long as she could and falls apart
• Xerxes gives his signet ring to Mordecai
• He doesn’t want to be responsible
• Verse : Esther avoids basically saying “you got yourself into this mess”
• Persian laws cannot be repealed
• She asks king to do something that is important
• Says it’s a “dispatch”
• She is downplaying his authority
• She uses his whole name
• Verses 7-8
• Says “as seems best to you”
• “you fix it”
• He isn’t being who he needs to be
• God wants to show us that we have to do things ourselves when we want someone else to do it
• Verses 9-13:
• Resolution: gives Jews a right to defend themselves
• What’s the purpose of this book? Why is it important?
God will protect the surviving remnant
• How to protect?
Come together
• At first, they were all integrated within the society
• Couldn’t distinguish them from others – almost homogenous
• Now that they unify, they will come together and become identifiable
• Will preserve, protect them, and they’ll go back
• 2nd Edict:
70 days after Edict
• Persian empire is so vast it would take months to get the edict out
• Verse 11: a deterrent
Don’t have the law behind them anymore
• Verses 14-17:
• God allowed suffering; became battle warriors
• Hebrews 10:24-25:
• Ephesians 6:10-18
• God allows suffering
• We have a right to defend ourselves
11/29/09 Esther chapters 9 & 10
Chapter 9:
• Verses 1-4: there is a big turnaround
• Mordecai: new power, dominion
• New verdict: Jews can defend themselves
• Verses 5-15: no reference to women and children
• The edict included to destroy women and children, but that is because it was copying/referring to Haman’s edict
• Haman’s sons also killed
There would be no more of the Amelekite lineage
Avoid someone to avenge the death of Haman
Public display since the sons were already dead
• Esther’s request is to carry out the edict for another day
Maybe some of the enemies escaped
Make sure the story was widely heard
• This wasn’t a call to slaughter
• They had the right to plunder, but they didn’t
• It makes it a just, holy war
• Viewed as a holy war, doing what should have been done
• Genesis 14:17-24: After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley).
Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand." Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. The king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself." But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and have taken an oath that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the thong of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, 'I made Abram rich.' I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me—to Aner, Eshcol and Mamre. Let them have their share."
• Abram didn’t take the spoils
• They don’t want to be enriched and to give them credit
• 1 Samuel 15:20:
Cant rob a bank and give to church
Restraint is demonstration of the people
Verses 16-19:
• Celebrate the day of rest
• Presents: translated as “special foods”
• Psalm 16:5-6:
Portion: the way his life has worked out so far
• Instead of destruction, we see our destiny one step at a time
Verses 20-22:
• “gifts to the poor”: reflection of God
• God delivered us by sending His Son as a baby
• Verses 23-28:
• Did God order them to celebrate? No
• Took it among themselves
• Esther: very beautiful, pampered, smart and gets along with everyone
• Yet, it wasn’t her beauty nor her personality that was remarkable, instead it was her courage
• To celebrate “To never cease to celebrate”
• Took it upon themselves
• Ironic? Yes
• Because the edict cant be reversed
• Verses 29-32 and Chapter 10:
• Some thought this book wasn’t historical
• Says written down in its history books
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Sermon: What are you dreaming?
01/03/2010 What are you dreaming?
Acts 2:14-18 – Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: " 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.
• We should be dreaming really big in 2010
• God provides a better life
• We need to dream again
• Keep having something to do
• Do you have something challenging you want to do
What are you dreaming?
God spoke to the prophet Joel about dreams –Joel 2:28-32.
This was a prophecy of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit upon individual believers.
Joel spoke about the gift of the Holy Spirit
• God spoke in a dream in prophecy
• Fulfillment of dreams and vision
From this point on, from Pentecost on, the mission of the Church is to give young people a vision of what this world can be, and of who they can be, and to keep old people DREAMING, not letting them get discouraged about the DREAM- dreaming clear to the end.
• God did not leave the old people out
I. What you dream reveals your deepest desires
• This is not referring to the dreaming you do when you are sleeping
• But of visions and ideas
• Deeper than the heart of the first century Jews who want a spiritual kingdom
• We want to be set free to be more spiritual, more in touch with God
• Isaiah 9:1-6
Speaks about dreams, ideas and visions
• Visions, ideas and thoughts are revealed
II. What you dream reveals your basic beliefs
• Hugeness of desires, and smallness of reality
• In pursuit of your dreams, you will experience defeat many times
• How big is this world you live in?
• Acts 4:13-20
• What are those beliefs:
Your belief about your own significance
Can you make a difference in this world as others have?
They were no different than you and me, they just went for their dreams and desires
Your belief in God’s plan
Does God care what you do with your life?
God cared enough to call Moses and Paul
God cares for others, does He care for you? YES
Your belief in God’s power to work in and through you
2 Corinthians 4:7:
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
Look in the mirror and see you and God within you
III. What you dream reveals your ultimate Hopes
• People in Scriptures reach beyond what others can even reason
• Hebrews 11:11-16
We get stuck in a path
There is the longing for a better country
• Vision of what you can be with God in you
• Be willing to pay a price for the vision
Challenge to re-dream the dream
• Listen to your heart
Listen to God speaking, read the bible, Psalms and Proverbs
• Give your life to something you care deeply about
• Be flexible
Don’t give up
• Believe that with God all things are possible
The major roadblock to dreams and visions is FEAR. Wafa Sultan has written, “Nothing tortures the human spirit more effectively than making someone a prisoner of her own fears.” Jesus has come to set us free to dream HIS dreams for us. We are to fear no man for HE is with us. DREAM ON! – Dr. Phil Lineberger
Acts 2:14-18 – Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: " 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.
• We should be dreaming really big in 2010
• God provides a better life
• We need to dream again
• Keep having something to do
• Do you have something challenging you want to do
What are you dreaming?
God spoke to the prophet Joel about dreams –Joel 2:28-32.
This was a prophecy of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit upon individual believers.
Joel spoke about the gift of the Holy Spirit
• God spoke in a dream in prophecy
• Fulfillment of dreams and vision
From this point on, from Pentecost on, the mission of the Church is to give young people a vision of what this world can be, and of who they can be, and to keep old people DREAMING, not letting them get discouraged about the DREAM- dreaming clear to the end.
• God did not leave the old people out
I. What you dream reveals your deepest desires
• This is not referring to the dreaming you do when you are sleeping
• But of visions and ideas
• Deeper than the heart of the first century Jews who want a spiritual kingdom
• We want to be set free to be more spiritual, more in touch with God
• Isaiah 9:1-6
Speaks about dreams, ideas and visions
• Visions, ideas and thoughts are revealed
II. What you dream reveals your basic beliefs
• Hugeness of desires, and smallness of reality
• In pursuit of your dreams, you will experience defeat many times
• How big is this world you live in?
• Acts 4:13-20
• What are those beliefs:
Your belief about your own significance
Can you make a difference in this world as others have?
They were no different than you and me, they just went for their dreams and desires
Your belief in God’s plan
Does God care what you do with your life?
God cared enough to call Moses and Paul
God cares for others, does He care for you? YES
Your belief in God’s power to work in and through you
2 Corinthians 4:7:
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
Look in the mirror and see you and God within you
III. What you dream reveals your ultimate Hopes
• People in Scriptures reach beyond what others can even reason
• Hebrews 11:11-16
We get stuck in a path
There is the longing for a better country
• Vision of what you can be with God in you
• Be willing to pay a price for the vision
Challenge to re-dream the dream
• Listen to your heart
Listen to God speaking, read the bible, Psalms and Proverbs
• Give your life to something you care deeply about
• Be flexible
Don’t give up
• Believe that with God all things are possible
The major roadblock to dreams and visions is FEAR. Wafa Sultan has written, “Nothing tortures the human spirit more effectively than making someone a prisoner of her own fears.” Jesus has come to set us free to dream HIS dreams for us. We are to fear no man for HE is with us. DREAM ON! – Dr. Phil Lineberger
Sermon: Light changes us
12/27/09
“Christ plays in ten thousand places.” Gerald Manley Hopkins
“We returned to our places, these kingdoms, but no longer at ease here, in this old dispensation.” – TS Eliot
• To the Magi, there was something different about this star
• God is speaking using a star
• God speaks human, He speaks to us
• The star announced a promised King, Messiah
• Their journey concludes in Jerusalem
• King Herod: victorious for killing family because he feared losing his throne
• New kingdom will include strangers
• Arrive at Mary and Joseph’s home
It has been two years since the birth of Christ
• Despite Him being a toddler, they see a messiah
• Christ comes in all sorts of ways
• No telling where we’ll find Him next
• Wise men have an alarming dream telling them to not return to the king
• The old was not enough, they need more
• Our lives change because of Christ
• Our encounter must alter us
• Want to find Jesus, try these:
Missions
Get involved with someone who cant give you anything
• God is everywhere
• Experience Jesus in a fresh, new authentic way
• Live a new adventure
• May our routes change
May each of us be Magi. May we be the strangers seeking Him. May we experience Him so fully that we cannot be the same, ever again. May our lives be different this year because of His life. May we find Christ playing in ten thousand places and as a result, may our routes change. – Griff Martin
“Christ plays in ten thousand places.” Gerald Manley Hopkins
“We returned to our places, these kingdoms, but no longer at ease here, in this old dispensation.” – TS Eliot
• To the Magi, there was something different about this star
• God is speaking using a star
• God speaks human, He speaks to us
• The star announced a promised King, Messiah
• Their journey concludes in Jerusalem
• King Herod: victorious for killing family because he feared losing his throne
• New kingdom will include strangers
• Arrive at Mary and Joseph’s home
It has been two years since the birth of Christ
• Despite Him being a toddler, they see a messiah
• Christ comes in all sorts of ways
• No telling where we’ll find Him next
• Wise men have an alarming dream telling them to not return to the king
• The old was not enough, they need more
• Our lives change because of Christ
• Our encounter must alter us
• Want to find Jesus, try these:
Missions
Get involved with someone who cant give you anything
• God is everywhere
• Experience Jesus in a fresh, new authentic way
• Live a new adventure
• May our routes change
May each of us be Magi. May we be the strangers seeking Him. May we experience Him so fully that we cannot be the same, ever again. May our lives be different this year because of His life. May we find Christ playing in ten thousand places and as a result, may our routes change. – Griff Martin
Sermon: Children of the Light
12/20/09 Children of the Light
John 12:36 – Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.
Philippians 2:14-16 – Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.
We are children of the Light by virtue of our personal relationship to Jesus Christ, who is the light of the world
• We can choose to be His children
• John 1:9-13: Christ was born into a Jewish community, but they rejected Him
As children of the Light, we are enlightened by the Spirit of Jesus in our inner person
• Ephesians 1:17
• Wisdom: mind and experience
• Knowledge and experience wielded together
• Revelation: revealed by God to us
• We didn’t think it up
As Children of the Light, we are to shine as lights “in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation”.
• Shine like stars
Why does it matter that believers are children of the Light?
I. We live in a world of darkness
• Deuteronomy 32:5
• Crooked: a generation that left the straight path that God gave us
• In this generation, Christians have declined
• Because we live in a world of darkness
• Evil is the influence of the evil one
• There are bad, immoral things that have become a part of everyday life
• We brush them off because society tells us its ok, even if it goes against the Word of God
• Why should we shine? Because we have a message of Light
II. We have a message of Light
• We are to always be visible in a dark world
• We should shine in the darkness
• Genesis 1:14-19: we are placed to provide a light for the world
• The light Jesus gave isn’t for us, but it is for others
• Ephesians 5:6-10: don’t live like the average person who does not know Jesus
• We must shine out for others
• Do it without grumbling so we can be blameless
• Philippians 1:27-28
• To be unafraid of those who oppose
• We don’t provide the light to the world as we should
• Philippians 2:15
• Numbers 11:1-6
• Numbers 1-14 – grumble against Aaron and Moses (because they shine)
• Matthew 5:14-16
• Never get comfortable where we don’t recognize the darkness we live in
• Hold out the word of life
• John 1:1: Word was God, God built it Himself through Jesus Christ
• The bible tells us that God loves us
• God is love
• John 6:63
• We’re the light that shines
• Hold out the word of life
Challenge:
• Become aware of the darkness
Tv
Internet
We live here to reach out
• Cultivate a servant attitude
know Christ, and be His servant
• Ask God to confront you with a need
• Share the Gospel with at least one person
We are Children of the Light by virtue of our acceptance of Jesus Christ, the light of the World. As children of the Light, we are shine as lights in a darkened world. Dr Phil Linerberger
John 12:36 – Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.
Philippians 2:14-16 – Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.
We are children of the Light by virtue of our personal relationship to Jesus Christ, who is the light of the world
• We can choose to be His children
• John 1:9-13: Christ was born into a Jewish community, but they rejected Him
As children of the Light, we are enlightened by the Spirit of Jesus in our inner person
• Ephesians 1:17
• Wisdom: mind and experience
• Knowledge and experience wielded together
• Revelation: revealed by God to us
• We didn’t think it up
As Children of the Light, we are to shine as lights “in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation”.
• Shine like stars
Why does it matter that believers are children of the Light?
I. We live in a world of darkness
• Deuteronomy 32:5
• Crooked: a generation that left the straight path that God gave us
• In this generation, Christians have declined
• Because we live in a world of darkness
• Evil is the influence of the evil one
• There are bad, immoral things that have become a part of everyday life
• We brush them off because society tells us its ok, even if it goes against the Word of God
• Why should we shine? Because we have a message of Light
II. We have a message of Light
• We are to always be visible in a dark world
• We should shine in the darkness
• Genesis 1:14-19: we are placed to provide a light for the world
• The light Jesus gave isn’t for us, but it is for others
• Ephesians 5:6-10: don’t live like the average person who does not know Jesus
• We must shine out for others
• Do it without grumbling so we can be blameless
• Philippians 1:27-28
• To be unafraid of those who oppose
• We don’t provide the light to the world as we should
• Philippians 2:15
• Numbers 11:1-6
• Numbers 1-14 – grumble against Aaron and Moses (because they shine)
• Matthew 5:14-16
• Never get comfortable where we don’t recognize the darkness we live in
• Hold out the word of life
• John 1:1: Word was God, God built it Himself through Jesus Christ
• The bible tells us that God loves us
• God is love
• John 6:63
• We’re the light that shines
• Hold out the word of life
Challenge:
• Become aware of the darkness
Tv
Internet
We live here to reach out
• Cultivate a servant attitude
know Christ, and be His servant
• Ask God to confront you with a need
• Share the Gospel with at least one person
We are Children of the Light by virtue of our acceptance of Jesus Christ, the light of the World. As children of the Light, we are shine as lights in a darkened world. Dr Phil Linerberger
Sermon: Walking in the Light
12/13/09 Walking in the Light
1 John 1:5-10 – This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.
• In Him is absolutely NO darkness
• He’s not hiding
• Not even one small shadow is found in Him
• 1 John 1:6-8: truth
• Verse 9: Faithful, just
• God wishes to be seen and known by men
• He makes the way clear
The Light of God is frequently found as a metaphor for the life or salvation that He imparts: Psalm 36:9, “For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.”
• We all want to be saved
Psalm 27:1, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?”
• Psalm 49:6
• Isaiah 60:19
• 1 John 1:1: says they didn’t make it up, but knew it, saw it, touched it
• John was an eye witness, companion of Jesus to pass on What God was like
• Something real, positive, not perfection
• John is not saying that we are perfect in our behavior
• One cannot be perfect (1 John 1:8-10)
• We tend to sin (verse 10)
It was passed onto us through Adam through behavior
We sin every day
The theme of this passage is that “walking in the light will have positive meaning for the life and conduct of the believer”. “Walking in the Light” means “believing and doing the gospel.” It does not mean “perfection”.
• There are certain sins we don’t commit, we are not tempted to them, but we do commit others
• We say we have no sin, then we make God out to be a liar
• It does mean a life lived primarily around the gospel teachings
• That is what is expected of us
• Conformity to the Will of God who is The Light
• What is in the should comes out in the body
• The life of practical godliness is expected of us
• All truth is moral truth
• We are called to walk in the light, to make steady progress in the life of conformity to the revealed will of God, who is the Light
If we are walking in the LIGHT:
I. We will have fellowship with God
• You cannot fellowship with someone you don’t know
• If God is hidden, always trying to find Him, then cant have fellowship
• John 10:27: “My sheep hear my voice” (Jesus says)
• Is it possible to hear the voice of God? Absolutely!
• Spirit reminds us of all those things
• We have HIS word (voice) & His Spirit comes from the inspiration illumination of Scripture
• We have others that God speaks through
• We have fellowship with someone we know
• He loves us and wants to share Himself with us
• We’re His children and He loves us
• John 12:46: we don’t have to be perfect
• Spend our lives in awareness of our obligation to Him
• Consciously seeking all the time that personal relationship with God
• Praying regularly, dropped quickly
• Discipline: Have a habitual practice of prayer
• Bible Study: God’s will to focus in our life
• Need regular corporate worship
• God is not relegated in the shadowy boundaries, He’s out there but not in the center if we don’t pray!
• 1 John 2:15: people who habitually pattern their live and values after the values of the world walk in darkness
• 1 John 2:21 -
• 1 John 3:4 – breaking God’s laws
• 1 John 4:20 – filled with hatred for others
• Difficult to have fellowship with God when walking outside those boundaries and on the periphery of life
II. We will have fellowship with other Believers
• Fellowship: sharing in common
• 1 John 3:23:
Don’t have to like every one, but have to love them
• 1 John 4:7 – love one another because Love comes from God
• 1 John 4:11 – love one another
• Fellowship: test of reality of truth; no belief can be fully Christian if it separates one man from another
• Christianity draws us closer to people and God, brings enrichment and encouragement
• In Christ’s time of darkest hour, he needed encouragement
• He drew around His disciples in Gethsemane
III. We will confess our sins
• If we say the same word about our sins that God says, we’ll be forgiven
• Our sins will be revealed and we’ll be more aware of our need to fix them
• To confess is to talk in the Light without any deception
• Confession is not some kind of act we have to go through to deny ourselves or abuse ourselves
• Confession is simply saying the same that about sin that God does
• Not an act we have to go through its saying about sin that God says
• Admit to God what He already knows
• God is Light, He doesn’t want us to hide
• He wants us to confess when we sin, and admit it
IV. We will be confident of forgiveness
• We’re required to admit our sins, we’re not condemned to bear them on our shoulders
• 1 John 2:8:
• If we confess, He’s faithful and just to forgive
• To send away our sins (in reference to guilt)
• Psalm 103:12
• Isaiah 43:25
• Acquits sin for the sake of Christ
• He is as righteous and just when he forgives us as He is when He condemns someone
• He is faithful (Isaiah 44:22)
• Micah 7:18-19:
• Constant justification
• Sins daily confessed, sins daily forgiven
• Blood of Christ cleanses us of ALL sins
• Ephesians 1:7
• Hebrews 10:23
• When we confess, God is involved and forgives us
William Barclay, “A man’s own character will necessarily be determined by the character of the god whom he worships.”
Walking in the light means that our daily conduct is consistent with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ
Walking in the light means caring about others on a consistent basis
Walking in the light means confessing our sins regularly and living positively in light of God’s continual forgiveness
Challenge:
• Pray everyday
Pray Psalms each day
• Do one good deed for someone in need
• Confess sin daily and specifically
• Accept God’s forgiveness as soon as you confess it
He removes them as far as the east is from the west
Puts them at the depths of the sea
Don’t carry them on your shoulders
Dr Phil Lineberger
1 John 1:5-10 – This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.
• In Him is absolutely NO darkness
• He’s not hiding
• Not even one small shadow is found in Him
• 1 John 1:6-8: truth
• Verse 9: Faithful, just
• God wishes to be seen and known by men
• He makes the way clear
The Light of God is frequently found as a metaphor for the life or salvation that He imparts: Psalm 36:9, “For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.”
• We all want to be saved
Psalm 27:1, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?”
• Psalm 49:6
• Isaiah 60:19
• 1 John 1:1: says they didn’t make it up, but knew it, saw it, touched it
• John was an eye witness, companion of Jesus to pass on What God was like
• Something real, positive, not perfection
• John is not saying that we are perfect in our behavior
• One cannot be perfect (1 John 1:8-10)
• We tend to sin (verse 10)
It was passed onto us through Adam through behavior
We sin every day
The theme of this passage is that “walking in the light will have positive meaning for the life and conduct of the believer”. “Walking in the Light” means “believing and doing the gospel.” It does not mean “perfection”.
• There are certain sins we don’t commit, we are not tempted to them, but we do commit others
• We say we have no sin, then we make God out to be a liar
• It does mean a life lived primarily around the gospel teachings
• That is what is expected of us
• Conformity to the Will of God who is The Light
• What is in the should comes out in the body
• The life of practical godliness is expected of us
• All truth is moral truth
• We are called to walk in the light, to make steady progress in the life of conformity to the revealed will of God, who is the Light
If we are walking in the LIGHT:
I. We will have fellowship with God
• You cannot fellowship with someone you don’t know
• If God is hidden, always trying to find Him, then cant have fellowship
• John 10:27: “My sheep hear my voice” (Jesus says)
• Is it possible to hear the voice of God? Absolutely!
• Spirit reminds us of all those things
• We have HIS word (voice) & His Spirit comes from the inspiration illumination of Scripture
• We have others that God speaks through
• We have fellowship with someone we know
• He loves us and wants to share Himself with us
• We’re His children and He loves us
• John 12:46: we don’t have to be perfect
• Spend our lives in awareness of our obligation to Him
• Consciously seeking all the time that personal relationship with God
• Praying regularly, dropped quickly
• Discipline: Have a habitual practice of prayer
• Bible Study: God’s will to focus in our life
• Need regular corporate worship
• God is not relegated in the shadowy boundaries, He’s out there but not in the center if we don’t pray!
• 1 John 2:15: people who habitually pattern their live and values after the values of the world walk in darkness
• 1 John 2:21 -
• 1 John 3:4 – breaking God’s laws
• 1 John 4:20 – filled with hatred for others
• Difficult to have fellowship with God when walking outside those boundaries and on the periphery of life
II. We will have fellowship with other Believers
• Fellowship: sharing in common
• 1 John 3:23:
Don’t have to like every one, but have to love them
• 1 John 4:7 – love one another because Love comes from God
• 1 John 4:11 – love one another
• Fellowship: test of reality of truth; no belief can be fully Christian if it separates one man from another
• Christianity draws us closer to people and God, brings enrichment and encouragement
• In Christ’s time of darkest hour, he needed encouragement
• He drew around His disciples in Gethsemane
III. We will confess our sins
• If we say the same word about our sins that God says, we’ll be forgiven
• Our sins will be revealed and we’ll be more aware of our need to fix them
• To confess is to talk in the Light without any deception
• Confession is not some kind of act we have to go through to deny ourselves or abuse ourselves
• Confession is simply saying the same that about sin that God does
• Not an act we have to go through its saying about sin that God says
• Admit to God what He already knows
• God is Light, He doesn’t want us to hide
• He wants us to confess when we sin, and admit it
IV. We will be confident of forgiveness
• We’re required to admit our sins, we’re not condemned to bear them on our shoulders
• 1 John 2:8:
• If we confess, He’s faithful and just to forgive
• To send away our sins (in reference to guilt)
• Psalm 103:12
• Isaiah 43:25
• Acquits sin for the sake of Christ
• He is as righteous and just when he forgives us as He is when He condemns someone
• He is faithful (Isaiah 44:22)
• Micah 7:18-19:
• Constant justification
• Sins daily confessed, sins daily forgiven
• Blood of Christ cleanses us of ALL sins
• Ephesians 1:7
• Hebrews 10:23
• When we confess, God is involved and forgives us
William Barclay, “A man’s own character will necessarily be determined by the character of the god whom he worships.”
Walking in the light means that our daily conduct is consistent with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ
Walking in the light means caring about others on a consistent basis
Walking in the light means confessing our sins regularly and living positively in light of God’s continual forgiveness
Challenge:
• Pray everyday
Pray Psalms each day
• Do one good deed for someone in need
• Confess sin daily and specifically
• Accept God’s forgiveness as soon as you confess it
He removes them as far as the east is from the west
Puts them at the depths of the sea
Don’t carry them on your shoulders
Dr Phil Lineberger
Sermon: The Light Within
12/6/09 The Light within
2 Corinthians 4:6 -For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
• Jesus: NT teaching that God brings to our life
• Life does harsh things to us on purpose
• Metaphor of darkness:
The harsh things in life
Things that frighten, intimidate, oppress us, cause us anxiety and worry, generally squeeze joy out of life and light out of life
• There’s physical darkness:
Relationships fail
Can get sick
Nations ruin economies
• Spiritual darkness:
Estrangement from God
• Darkness symbolizes the evils with which we are entirely too familiar
• Paul writes: “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ”
• Charles B. Williams translation: “For God who said, ‘Let light shine out of the darkness,’ is the One who has shone in my heart, to give me the light of the knowledge of God’s glory, REFLECTED on the face of Jesus.”
The light within is the presence of Jesus Christ in our Lives
I. The Light within will overcome our darkness
• John 1:4-5:
Darkness hasn’t mastered (overcome) it
The darkness will not, cannot over our master, The LIGHT
• Darkness cannot overcome our master – the Light
• The darkness is powerless to extinguish
• Jesus Christ (Light of the World) has pushed back the eternal darkness of death
• That last, ultimate enemy, the one we fear coming to us, Jesus has pushed back that darkness
• He did it through His resurrection
• Jesus has already conquered all
• He’s won the victory
• Romans 8:35-39:
Light has pushed back darkness
In all these things, we are conquerors, through Him who loved us
Nothing will bring us darkness of life
• 1 Corinthians 15:57:
God gives us “Victory” through Jesus
• Light brings hope, joy, love, forgiveness
• Pushes back the darkness of guilt, sin, hopelessness and anger
• 2 Peter 1:19:
Jesus (Light) that pushes back darkness
Our darkness: relationships, illnesses, spirit, emotions
• Jesus is the Morning Star that rises in our hearts
• Never forget in the dark what God has told you in the Light
• What has God told us:
Remember: darkness has not overcome the Light
II. Light within us will enlighten our own lives
• John 1:9:
True Light gives life to every man in the world
• Jesus is the dawn of a new day for everyone
• Jesus called Lazarus out of a tomb, death is not the last word, but that Light was
• Jesus called us out of our darkness
• Jesus called Paul out of his spiritual darkness
• We know more about Christ and see Him working in every day of our lives because Jesus is the Light in the darkened world
• Jesus didn’t come to punish us, but to protect us
• We can and are:
Fully exposed, and completely protected
• Cleansed by Light that casts no shadow
• Jesus is full of truth and grace
• The Light fully exposes, and yet fully protects
III. The light within will empower our lives
• Ephesians 3:16-19
The work of the Light: to empower us, to give us strength to live everyday
• I shall emerge one day – the Light of Christ
• There may be darkness pushing against me, but it cannot overcome me, for I have the Light
• Darkness cant overcome the Light
• Light sets boundaries
• Find strength “within”
Could be lonely, scared but use the Light of Christ
• Light is God’s gift in love in Christ pushing back darkness
• Shines in our hearts, darkness is powerless to extinguish
• Birth, is the beginning of assurance
• We know the dark corners, shadows, God is with us
• We know our sins, God is with us
NEVER FORGET IN THE DARK WHAT GOD HAS TOLD YOU IN THE LIGHT
(Pray, think, dwell each day)
• The Light of FAITH – the darkness is powerless to extinguish it
Romans 1:16-17
• The Light of HOPE – the darkness is powerless to extinguish it
Romans 4:18, 20-21
• The Light of LOVE – the darkness is powerless to extinguish it
1 John 4:9-11
• The Light of JOY – the darkness is powerless to extinguish it
John 15:11
Dr Phil Lineberger
2 Corinthians 4:6 -For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
• Jesus: NT teaching that God brings to our life
• Life does harsh things to us on purpose
• Metaphor of darkness:
The harsh things in life
Things that frighten, intimidate, oppress us, cause us anxiety and worry, generally squeeze joy out of life and light out of life
• There’s physical darkness:
Relationships fail
Can get sick
Nations ruin economies
• Spiritual darkness:
Estrangement from God
• Darkness symbolizes the evils with which we are entirely too familiar
• Paul writes: “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ”
• Charles B. Williams translation: “For God who said, ‘Let light shine out of the darkness,’ is the One who has shone in my heart, to give me the light of the knowledge of God’s glory, REFLECTED on the face of Jesus.”
The light within is the presence of Jesus Christ in our Lives
I. The Light within will overcome our darkness
• John 1:4-5:
Darkness hasn’t mastered (overcome) it
The darkness will not, cannot over our master, The LIGHT
• Darkness cannot overcome our master – the Light
• The darkness is powerless to extinguish
• Jesus Christ (Light of the World) has pushed back the eternal darkness of death
• That last, ultimate enemy, the one we fear coming to us, Jesus has pushed back that darkness
• He did it through His resurrection
• Jesus has already conquered all
• He’s won the victory
• Romans 8:35-39:
Light has pushed back darkness
In all these things, we are conquerors, through Him who loved us
Nothing will bring us darkness of life
• 1 Corinthians 15:57:
God gives us “Victory” through Jesus
• Light brings hope, joy, love, forgiveness
• Pushes back the darkness of guilt, sin, hopelessness and anger
• 2 Peter 1:19:
Jesus (Light) that pushes back darkness
Our darkness: relationships, illnesses, spirit, emotions
• Jesus is the Morning Star that rises in our hearts
• Never forget in the dark what God has told you in the Light
• What has God told us:
Remember: darkness has not overcome the Light
II. Light within us will enlighten our own lives
• John 1:9:
True Light gives life to every man in the world
• Jesus is the dawn of a new day for everyone
• Jesus called Lazarus out of a tomb, death is not the last word, but that Light was
• Jesus called us out of our darkness
• Jesus called Paul out of his spiritual darkness
• We know more about Christ and see Him working in every day of our lives because Jesus is the Light in the darkened world
• Jesus didn’t come to punish us, but to protect us
• We can and are:
Fully exposed, and completely protected
• Cleansed by Light that casts no shadow
• Jesus is full of truth and grace
• The Light fully exposes, and yet fully protects
III. The light within will empower our lives
• Ephesians 3:16-19
The work of the Light: to empower us, to give us strength to live everyday
• I shall emerge one day – the Light of Christ
• There may be darkness pushing against me, but it cannot overcome me, for I have the Light
• Darkness cant overcome the Light
• Light sets boundaries
• Find strength “within”
Could be lonely, scared but use the Light of Christ
• Light is God’s gift in love in Christ pushing back darkness
• Shines in our hearts, darkness is powerless to extinguish
• Birth, is the beginning of assurance
• We know the dark corners, shadows, God is with us
• We know our sins, God is with us
NEVER FORGET IN THE DARK WHAT GOD HAS TOLD YOU IN THE LIGHT
(Pray, think, dwell each day)
• The Light of FAITH – the darkness is powerless to extinguish it
Romans 1:16-17
• The Light of HOPE – the darkness is powerless to extinguish it
Romans 4:18, 20-21
• The Light of LOVE – the darkness is powerless to extinguish it
1 John 4:9-11
• The Light of JOY – the darkness is powerless to extinguish it
John 15:11
Dr Phil Lineberger
Sermon: Light of the World
11/29/09 “The Light of the World”
Witness of Scripture by Pastor Massar:
John 8:12, Matthew 5:14-17, Ephesians 5:14
• Jesus Christ said these words at the feast of the Tabernacle
• The people celebrate that in the desert God came to them as cloud by the day and fire during the night
• They saw God as Light
• Psalm 2:7:
• Isaiah 69:
• Job 29:3:
• Revolutionary Statement made by Jesus
• The people were astonished and asking, “who do you think you are?”
• The question is, who do you think he is?
• Mathew 5:14-17: “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
• Jesus Christ said that we are the light of the world
• Ephesians 5:14: “for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
• Last chapter talks to baptism
• Jesus Christ calls us to be the light
• What are we doing with it
• John 3:16-21: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.
• God isn’t condemning us, but offering us to come into the light
Sermon: Light of the World
• There’s an edge to Christmas
• Who is Jesus to you?
• Got to learn to deal with darkness
• We haven’t learned to deal with the darkness
• We live in the light
• There is a darkness we don’t want to see so we flood ourselves with artificial light
• Our calling is to be the light in the darkness, and we cant do that in here
• We’re called to go into the darkness
• We’ll never get the keys to the Kingdom in the artificial light
• Take the light we have here to the world out in the darkness
• Bring God’s good news to someone desperate for it
• It means coming out of our comfort zone
• Jesus came to change the world
• Jesus said “I am the Light of the World”
• What will you do with that light?
-Pastor Mike Massar
Witness of Scripture by Pastor Massar:
John 8:12, Matthew 5:14-17, Ephesians 5:14
• Jesus Christ said these words at the feast of the Tabernacle
• The people celebrate that in the desert God came to them as cloud by the day and fire during the night
• They saw God as Light
• Psalm 2:7:
• Isaiah 69:
• Job 29:3:
• Revolutionary Statement made by Jesus
• The people were astonished and asking, “who do you think you are?”
• The question is, who do you think he is?
• Mathew 5:14-17: “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
• Jesus Christ said that we are the light of the world
• Ephesians 5:14: “for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
• Last chapter talks to baptism
• Jesus Christ calls us to be the light
• What are we doing with it
• John 3:16-21: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.
• God isn’t condemning us, but offering us to come into the light
Sermon: Light of the World
• There’s an edge to Christmas
• Who is Jesus to you?
• Got to learn to deal with darkness
• We haven’t learned to deal with the darkness
• We live in the light
• There is a darkness we don’t want to see so we flood ourselves with artificial light
• Our calling is to be the light in the darkness, and we cant do that in here
• We’re called to go into the darkness
• We’ll never get the keys to the Kingdom in the artificial light
• Take the light we have here to the world out in the darkness
• Bring God’s good news to someone desperate for it
• It means coming out of our comfort zone
• Jesus came to change the world
• Jesus said “I am the Light of the World”
• What will you do with that light?
-Pastor Mike Massar
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