SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES
(Isaiah 60:1-2) (1) “Arise, shine; for thy light comes, and the glory of the LORD rises upon thee.” (2) “For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.”
(Matthew 4:16) "The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
PREFACE SUMMARY
Have you experienced the transformative power of the Light of God’s glory? It shines in the hearts of those who seek to understand and follow God, guiding them on their spiritual journey and filling them with a sense of purpose, peace, and joy. It symbolizes hope and inspiration, reminding us that even in the darkest times, a light always shines to guide us toward a brighter future.
This light symbolizes the most significant news on earth, representing God's love for humanity. He gave his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the price for our sins so we may return to Him. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross paved the way for us to reconcile with God and experience His boundless love.
Beloved, the light of the sun that we see in the world today is not just a testament, but a living embodiment of God's love and grace. It doesn't just illuminate the path ahead, but it pierces through the darkness, providing guidance when we feel lost. It's a constant reminder that we are never alone, for God is always with us. Beloved, sometimes, we can be overjoyed after a long, restless night; the light has brought a new dawn, filling us with hope and joy.
In a world that often feels dark and uncertain, the arrival of the light of the gospel is a powerful symbol of hope and renewal. When we see the first rays of sunlight peeking over the horizon or the soft glow of a candle in a dark room, we know that something new is beginning. The light has come, and with it comes the promise of a brighter future.
Beloved, this light is not just a physical presence; it represents something deeper and more meaningful. It is a symbol of the Spirit of Christ resonating in our human spirit, which enables us to persevere even in the face of adversity. When we embrace the light of God’s Spirit, illuminating the love of Jesus within, we are embracing the purpose of God's call on our lives, which drives our vision to keep moving forward.
Let us take a moment to appreciate this light shining out of darkness, to bask in its warmth and radiance. Let us use it as a guide as we navigate the challenges and uncertainties of life. And let us remember that no matter how dark things may seem, the light will always find a way to shine through. He promised that he would never leave us but would go with us all the way, even to the end of the world.
My wife Tin once delivered a message in a church in Iligan City, Philippines, based on Matthew 5:16's theme: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
To start her message, she asked the attendees if they had ever been afraid of the dark or been in a dark cave with only a tiny pinhole of light piercing through the darkness. She then spoke about how their minds would play tricks on them, trying to feel for the door or entrance, only to be disappointed.
In her powerful sermon, my wife recounted a personal experience where she had some matches with her. Despite realizing that she had been mistaken about the location of everything, she lit one up, and the flickering of the little lit match brought hope to an otherwise hopeless situation.
In her closing, she urged the congregation to remember that even the most minor actions they take for God in a dark world can be compared to the flickering of that little match, which can serve as a beacon of hope for those seeking answers and a reason to live.
"COME OUT OF THE DARKNESS INTO THE LIGHT."
Beloved, the darkness cannot take, apprehend, or overpower the light" refers to the idea that light and darkness are opposing forces. The Light represents good, hope, and positivity, while darkness represents evil, hopelessness, and negativity.
The word declares in John 3:13, “Men love the darkness more than the light because their deeds were evil. When the light comes, the darkness must submit to the light." this implies that some individuals may prefer to dwell in the darkness because it provides comfort in their misery.
Our message to a lost, confused world looking for answers, with some even looking for a reason to live, should be, “You do not have to live in the darkness." Move away from the darkness and move into a brighter, more positive place that can only be found in Christ, for in him, we discover that the light of his love offers hope, encouragement, kindness, and compassion in times of darkness. By being a beacon of light, we can inspire others to overcome their struggles and become a source of positivity themselves.
Beloved, the gospel can provide hope and guidance in a world of confusion and uncertainty. It is a message of salvation and redemption that offers light in the darkness of sin and brings people into a relationship with God. It can transform lives and bring clarity and purpose to those who feel lost.
For those struggling with spiritual darkness, the light of the gospel can provide a sense of direction and meaning. It offers hope and the promise of a new beginning, free from the burdens of past mistakes and failures. Through the gospel, individuals can experience forgiveness, healing, and transformation and find true joy and peace.
The light of the gospel is a powerful message that can change lives and bring hope to lost people. It provides comfort and security, even during life's darkest moments. It illuminates the path forward and helps us find our way out of the shadows, offering guidance and support.
So, what does the light of the gospel mean? It represents a chance to start afresh, embrace a life of righteousness, and find meaning and purpose in our existence. With the gospel light as our guide, we can confidently navigate life's ups and downs, knowing we are never alone. It allows us to connect with something greater than ourselves and live a life grounded in love, compassion, and forgiveness.
In a world constantly struggling with various issues, it's essential to be a beacon of hope and positivity for those around us. By spreading love, kindness, and compassion, we can help others overcome challenges and inspire them to make a positive difference. We can all create a more hopeful and compassionate world through small acts of kindness or significant initiatives. So, let's strive to be the light that shines in the darkness and become a source of hope for those who need it most.
The light of the gospel represents a chance to start afresh, embrace a life of righteousness, and find meaning and purpose in our existence. With the gospel light as our guide, we can confidently navigate life's ups and downs, knowing we are never alone. It allows us to connect with something greater than ourselves and live a life grounded in love and compassion.
By spreading love, kindness, and compassion, we can help others overcome challenges and inspire them to make a positive difference. We can all create a more hopeful and compassionate world through small acts of kindness or significant initiatives. So, let's strive to be the light that shines in the darkness and become a source of hope for those who need it most.
"FIVE WAYS TO LET OUR LIGHT SHINE."
1. The glory of God can shine through our words and actions.
2. Realize that we can do nothing without the Holy Spirit.
3. We must be ready to go where the Spirit leads and do what he bids.
4. Be more ready to listen than attempt to have all the answers.
5. We must realize that financial giving is a way to fulfill the great commission, partner with others to finance missionaries, and spread the gospel to a hurting world. When we cannot be somewhere to spread the gospel physically, we can still play a vital role in saving and changing lives by giving to his work and trusting God to provide the means for us.
"MY PAST DOES NOT HAVE TO DEFINE ME."
Mark 10:46-48) (46) " And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and many people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging." (47) "And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me." (48) "And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me."
(Mark 10:49) ( "And Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying, " Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee."
(Mark 10:50) " And he, casting away his garment, rose and came to Jesus."
(Mark 10:51-52) (51) "And Jesus answered and said, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said, Lord, that I might receive my sight." (52) "And Jesus said to him, Go thy way; thy faith has made thee whole. And immediately, he received his sight and followed Jesus in the way."
Beloved, Bartimaeus's story is an inspiring example of persistent and unwavering faith. Despite facing discouragement and opposition, Bartimaeus refused to give up on his quest to find Jesus. He demonstrates remarkable determination and energy in his prayers, refusing to let anyone stand in his way.
During Christ's time in the Roman Empire, the blind, the lame, and disabled individuals were often issued identification that allowed them to beg for money daily at the side of the road. This identification, commonly called a "beggar's coat," gave them a legal right to solicit help from passersby. Although Bartimaeus had such an identification, he didn't come to Jesus asking for money or alms; he came asking for mercy. Blind Bartimaeus recognized that he was entirely dependent on God's grace.
Beloved, notice how the scriptures speak in the forty-ninth verse, that Bartimaeus kept crying for Jesus to have mercy on him, and see how verse fifty says that the Lord stood still and called for him.
When Bartimaeus laid aside his beggar clothes and came to Jesus, the Lord asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" This question, asked in front of others, allowed Bartimaeus to activate his faith and glorify God. Bartimaeus' transformation is a testament to the power of faith and the transformative impact that Jesus can have on our lives.
My dear friends, we have witnessed many attacks on churches around the world, leading to the loss of an entire generation. Every day, numerous pastors resign due to peer pressure and fear of sharing their struggles with others who might break their trust and spread their privacy to make themselves look better.
The question before us today is whether we will learn from the lesson of the blind man who, upon hearing that the Lord was calling for him, laid aside the beggar clothes issued to him by a man who labeled him a legal beggar.
We who know Christ in the free pardon of sin do not have to live in bondage because the word states in Romans, the eighth chapter, that the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and death. We can let go of the labels and societal expectations that hold us back and realize that we were born at this time for a reason - to become a positive influence in a hurting and confused world, searching for answers, looking for hope, and a reason to live.
As human beings, we all make mistakes and experience missteps in our lives. However, it is essential to remember that these mistakes and missteps do not have to define our future. We can learn from past experiences, grow from them, and chart a new course toward a brighter future.
By acknowledging our past mistakes, we can gain valuable insights into what went wrong and what we can do differently. This self-reflection allows us to make better decisions and align with our goals and values.
Creating a brighter future requires courage, determination, and a willingness to take risks. It also involves setting clear goals and taking intentional steps toward achieving them. By doing so, we can create a path toward a future that we are proud of.
Let us embrace our past mistakes and missteps, learn from them, and chart a new course toward a brighter future. The possibilities are limitless when we are willing to take action and work towards a better tomorrow.
MY CONCLUSION
The phrase "Arise, shine" signifies a call to believers to awaken from spiritual darkness and let their light shine before others. The glory of God can shine through our words and actions. This means that we are responsible for sharing the light we have received with others to help them find their light and guide them toward the path of righteousness.
First, we receive God’s light of the gospel, and then we have a service to perform (arise, shine). This statement implies that receiving God's light is not enough - we must also use that light to serve others and spread the good news worldwide.
Beloved, "You can’t shine until your light has come. The phrase "And the glory of the Lord rises upon you: This is no earthly light; this light emanates from the glory of the Lord." This light is powerful and transformative, and it can help us to become better people and give us boldness to inspire others.
"Sometimes the harsh, bright light of the sun can be disturbing or uncomfortable, but not this warm, wonderful light that pulsates from the glory of the Lord." This gentle light comes from a place of love and compassion from the heart of God. This light can bring comfort and peace to help us overcome even the darkest times."
Isaiah the fifty-ninth chapter goes into detail to describe a dark time in history when God's people showed no interest in justice or righteousness. This prompted God, through His Prophet, to make the statement that He was displeased and that there was no intercessor for the people. This chapter also speaks about the darkness dwelling among the people, indicating that the people were living in a state of moral darkness.
Interestingly, the chapter depicting the darkness looming over God’s people comes before chapter sixty. In chapter sixty, we are commanded to arise and shine for the glory of the Lord has risen upon us. This call to action is a clarion call for us to become the light that will shine out of the darkness because the light of the gospel can provide a sense of direction and meaning for those struggling with spiritual darkness.
The light of the gospel offers hope and the promise of a new beginning, free from the burdens of past mistakes and failures. Through the gospel, individuals can experience forgiveness, healing, and transformation and discover true joy and peace.
Saints, the fifty-ninth chapter of Isaiah reminds us that God desires justice and righteousness. It also emphasizes the importance of mediation, as no one interceded for the people in this dark time. As God's people, we must strive to live in the light and respond to the call to arise and shine when the light comes.
Beloved, let us take a moment to reflect on Jesus's great sacrifice, which restored the fellowship with God that was lost through Adam. Through His death, burial, and resurrection, we have been given hope for the future and the promise of eternal life, and as we commemorate this special occasion, let us do so with joy and gratitude, looking for that beautiful day when our Lord will soon return to fulfill His promise and complete His redemptive work. In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that the light of God's glory is here, and the promise of a brighter future comes with it.
International Evangelist
Jerry W. Hulse, Ph.D.
Miracle Life Church International
