Invitation To Advent Season: "Let Us Walk In The Light Of The Lord”

Isaiah 2:1-5

The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord.

Invitation to Advent Season: “Let Us Walk In The Light of the Lord”

Introduction:

As we approach our Christian Advent season, we (as believers and followers of God in Christ) sit on the steps of anticipation in worshiping God in the celebration of Jesus - who came into the world to save the world from it’s sin (John 1:29).

Therefore, instead of inviting us only to a party-like worship service as we celebrate the "light" coming into the world, through the prophet Isaiah - God invited us to the action of participating in Christ's Spiritual perspective of "walking in the light of the Lord".

Instead of inviting us to light up our Christmas seasonal lights, through the prophet Isaiah - God invited us to the action of participating in Christ's life-style perspective of letting our inner-light shine, by "walking in the light of the Lord".

Also, instead of the turning on our outer light of Christian acts of love, through the prophet Isaiah - God invited us to the action of participating in Christ's sacrificial perspective of causing our earthly perspectives to die, and allow our Christmas spirit to resurrect through him [Jesus] in us, by "walking in the light of the Lord".

Saints "use ta" sing a song: This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. (3x). Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine".

This morning God is inviting us, “Let Us Walk In The Light of the Lord”

Joke about changing a light bulb:

How many Charismatics does it take to change a light bulb?

Five. One to change the bulb, one to speak in tongues throughout the process, and three to bind the spirit of darkness in the room.

How many neo-evangelicals does it take to change a light bulb?

No one knows. They can't tell the difference between light and darkness.

How many TV evangelists does it take to change a light bulb?

One. But for the message of light to continue, send in your donation today.

How many liberals does it take to change a light bulb?

At least ten, as they need to hold a debate on whether or not the light bulb exists. Even if they can agree upon the existence of the light bulb, they still may not change it to keep from alienating those who might use other forms of light.

How many Anglicans or Catholics does it take to change a light bulb?

None. They always use candles.

How many Methodists does it take to change light bulb?

Ten. One to form a "light bulb changing committee"; three to debate (intellectually argue) whether a man, or woman, or LGBT, or citizen, or immigrant will lead the meeting; two elders to determine whether an elder or laity will be required to change the bulb; one member to make arrangements, programs, and send out invitations to the vigil of the burnt-out bulb the week following the bulb-changing service; and three members who will bring coffee and donuts to serve after each of the bulb services.

How many Baptists does it take to change a light bulb?

Baptists: CHANGE, WHAT’S THAT???????

But, in the scripture of our outline, Isaiah 2:1-5, God did not invite us to change an physical light bulb per-se; God is inviting us to ascend to another level of lifestyle, or another dimension of worship, or another type of glorification, called "light".

I. Contemporary Thoughts

A. In a section of a Jewish Rabbi's (Abraham Joshua Heschel) writing, “Who Is Man”, he wrote, "Worship is a way of seeing the world in the light of God.” (Personally, in this 21st century, I believe that God desires for the world to view the world and it's cultures differently.)

B. In a similar quote to his book called, “The Holy Dimension” Rabbi Heschel described God himself as the light saying, "In the realm of the ineffable, God is not a hypothesis derived from logical assumptions, but an immediate insight, self-evident as light. He is not something to be sought in the darkness with the light of reason. He is the light”. (Personally, I believe that God desires believers and followers to reacquaint themselves with God in Christ; instead of only observing Jesus (only), we should "walk" by acquiring the embodiment of Christ's Spirit and lifestyle).