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).
C. A Christian researcher named Paul G. Hiebert, talked about that light in his writing called “The Missing Middle” or “The Flawed Middle”. The "light" or “Missing Middle” proposed that a dimension is missing. This "light/ middle" is the spirit realm, where evil spirits are conquered, unanswered questions are answered, and unrealized fulfillment is received from God. (Personally, I believe that God is inviting believers to subscribe to a higher level of belief, mentality, and responses... from a spiritual perspective).
D. Jesus himself put it this way in St. John 8:12, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (Personally, I believe that Christians are invited through this prophetic word to show people "Jesus" through their lifestyles).
In summary, I believe that Jesus came in order to usher that "middle" light into the world. “Thank God for Jesus” for providing a better perspective!
But before we can move to a new perspective, to the dimension of light that God has invited us…. let us consider the scriptures (Isaiah Chapters 1 and 2) whereas God first invited the Israelites to a moment of judgement before blessing. In short, we must see our darkness, before we can ascend to the dimension of light that God invited us, and is inviting us today....
II. Biblical Exposition
A. Pre-text: God declared judgement (Ch. 1:4-10). In these line of scriptures, God verbally assailed the Israelites as labeled them as forgetful, an outhouse, likened them to Sodom and Gomorrah, and the labeled them "Sodom and Gomorrah"! After reading this verbal chastisement, I asked the question within myself, "Lord why are you 'hatin' on the your people with such bad names? Then, answer was found following the focal scripture.
B. Post-text: God described the reasons for judgement (Ch. 2:6-8). After the many ways that God had benefited the Israelites, they became consumers instead of reproducers; they glorified their hand-made idols instead of Jehovah; and they worshiped themselves instead of YWH.
But, what “the house of Jacob” did not consider in this prophetic thought was that in the future... “That at the name of [The Lord] every knee shall bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:20-11). Therefore, they would change their ways and worship God ONLY.
Also, Israelites should have remembered the first 5 commandments which highlighted God's jealousy, and which is reverberated for us today in the Apostle Paul's letter to the Corinthians, “He who glories, glory in the Lord” (I Cor. 1:31). In other words, if you are going to marvel over "things" marvel over God who made "all things". If you’re going to clap (or praise), clap in the Lord. If you’re brag about somebody, brag about somebody in The Lord who is glorified through that person.
C. Periscope (Focal Scripture): BUT there is good news within God’s judgement through the scripture which culminated saying, “Let us walk in the light of The Lord” (v. 5). Because God’s judgement only for a little while. How do we know?
1. God's anger is temporary: In General, the Israelites should have remembered God's character throughout their forefathers' history, which was epitomized by King David: "For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning (Psalm 30:5).
2. God blesses his people after chastisement. Isaiah Ch. 2:2a - "...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. [God's anger is temporary].
3. You (or The Temple) are God's Selection. Isaiah Ch. 2: 2b - "...the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains..." – this mountain (Mt. Zion) literally is simply a hill standing before the entrance into Jerusalem. There are many taller and more beautiful mountains around it. But this is the hill or mount is the mount that the Spirit of the Lord has selected and led the biblical writers to write about: Mt. Zion.
4. You (or The Temple) are Destined for Future Elevation. Isaiah Ch. 2:2c – "...shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it...". [This prophetic word, prophesied this Zion (the mountain, the Temple, and the people) as where God will show his glory].
In short, church, God is chastising His people because they are His selection for future elevation. Praise God!
So what does The Lord sharing his light mean for us today in the 21st Century?
Religiously, it means that The Lord desires for God's people to move from justification to sanctification; from sanctification to glorification. Walking or moving in the light means that God through Jesus' coming, life & ministry, death, and resurrection, and sharing of His Spirit have all enabled us to walk/live in the light, which is another dimension…
III. Application: When we “walk in the light…
A. The enemy can be Spiritually converted to a friend… when they receive the light [from us].
B. The destructive gang member can become a constructive community partner… when they receive the light [from us].
C. Law Enforcement Agencies can begin loving their neighbors… when they receive the light [from us].
When we [Christians] walk in this light…. this Christmas will not be about money for purchasing or receiving gifts. But this season will be about the Advent of Christ, the Gift that we were given from The Lord. So now, instead of sadness about what one does not have…. Let us rejoice in what we do have. We have salvation through Christ Jesus, which has enabled us to "...walk in the light of the Lord"!
Song:
Walk in the light, beautiful light,
come where the dewdrops of mercy shine bright.
Oh shine all around us by day and by night,
Jesus is, Jesus is the light of the world;
Oh we shall walk in the light, beautiful light,
come where the dewdrops of mercy shine bright.
Oh shine all around us by day and by night,
Jesus is , Jesus is the light of the world;
Verse 1:
No need to worry, no need to fret,
all of my needs, the man named Jesus has met.
His love protects me from hurt and from harm,
Jesus is, Jesus is the light of the world.
Verse 2:
If the gospel be hid, it's hid from the lost,
my Jesus is waiting to look past your faults.
Arise and shine, your light has come,
Jesus is, I know that He is the only light of this world.
