“you GO be LIGHT!”
Last Sunday was without a doubt one of the most powerful times we have had in this building… God’s power, Spirit, presence and comfort were here in a mighty way…AND when Marie came up second service and said – “I’m ready to be baptized..” - well what more can we say… except, “yeah baby!”
Last week we answered – 3 questions that many were and still are asking; in regards to the events in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.
The 1st question was;
WHY - Did these events happen? Answer - because God has given mankind free-will and often times the innocent suffer the consequences of the evil choices of wicked men..
Question # 2 was;
WHERE – Are we to turn in times like these? Answer - we are to turn to the unshakable, the unmovable king of kings and lord of lords – we are to turn to the rock that is higher than we are, to the fortress that is mighty and strong, to the refuge that will always shelter us from life’s storms -–we are to turn to God…
The last question was;
WHAT – are we to do in response to this event? And remember to answer that question we took the word pray and made an acrostic of it. What are we to do in response? PRAY!
P – pray for our country and countrymen
R – remember what matter most – (loving God and loving the people God has placed in
our lives…
A – always put your trust in God
Y – you GO be LIGHT
“You are the light that gives light to the world. A city that is built on a hill cannot be hidden. And people don’t hide a light under a bowl. They put it on a lampstand so the light shines for all the people in the house. In the same way, you should be a light for other people. LIVE so that they see the good things you do and will praise your father in heaven.” Mt 5:14-16
Today, I feel that the most appropriate thing we can do is to pick up our discussion where we left off… The title for our message today IS – you GO be LIGHT!
Show clip from video....
The words that Jesus spoke on the mountains in Galilee are known as the Great Commission....it is the marching orders, the agenda, the mission, the purpose for His church & His people.
(Prayer.....)
You know, I really like that video clip we just looked at; BECAUSE it helps me sense the excitement that Jesus must have felt....at that moment. The words that He spoke on the cross were TRUE, “It is finished!” His death, His blood had become the substitute.... And Jesus is pumped! WHY? BECAUSE, now there is nothing standing in the way of man coming back home to the Father.
That final freeze frame with Jesus’ arm in the air, and with that look in his eyes, It is as if - Jesus is telling them & us; “Hey guys it’s time! The bell has sounded! Everything is ready. The world is waiting..It’s time! Let’s do it! Follow me and I will make you fishers of men....”
You know that word mission – is taking on a new meaning to so many in our country today. Across this great nation men and woman – of the armed services – both active and reserve are being called to fulfill their mission… in a military movement that is being called “Operation Infinite Justice.”
Understand that everyone of those men and women at one time, raised their right hand and took an oath to defend this country against all enemies both foreign and domestic… When they took that oath they became part of the crew, they became one of the troops – AND at that moment the mission of the US military became their mission…
Now - BEFORE – they took that oath it was not their mission; but once they did they had new marching orders, they were no longer their own – they were and literally are property of the U.S.A. I and some in this room, at one time took that oath… AND I and most in this room today – have taken another oath… A more important oath – Listen - we are a part of an even greater mission than national defense. On December 30th 1979; I was immersed into the name of Christ – and I received the forgiveness of my sins…
And at that moment, as God’s word says in 1 Corinthians 6:20; “You are not your own, you were with a price…” ON that day the mission of the church became my mission… I had new marching orders – I became part of a movement, a movement that could be called, “Operation Infinite Grace.”
If you are a Christian imagine with me…think back to the day you were immersed into Jesus Christ.... Now imagine, Jesus immediately coming up to you - and He asks you to step into His office. Now, you’re a little nervous but Jesus quickly makes you feel at ease and then He says something like this to you; (close your eyes and picture Him...)
I am so glad - I am so pumped - that you have made this decision to be one of my followers... It’s awesome! I have been waiting for you to make this decision for a long time. And let me tell you I was getting a little antsy. It is always hard for me to wait to be in someone’s life.
I want you to know that you are totally forgiven - your past is canceled/deleted/it’s gone - and I also want you to know that I will be with you to help you live life in all it’s fullest. So, how do you feel - pretty good huh.
Listen, I am coming back real soon to take you with me (and heaven is going to blow your mind)- BUT until then I want you to understand what I want you to do.. It’s really simple - tell others....tell others about me and what I want to do in their life.
There are so many people who ARE just like you WERE, lost - headed for condemnation (so many people who have bought satan’s Lies). They need to know that there is hope, that there is life, that there is; purpose, fulfillment and forgiveness... AND I’m counting on you (your one of mine now) I am counting on you to make this THE priority of your life...THE thing that drives you...
Well, I’ll be seeing you soon, stay strong, stay focused AND do your best...AND remember I’ll be with you always until the very end of the ages..
Listen; Our greatest task - The ‘Christian’s life mission - is to share the good news of New Life & New Beginnings in Jesus Christ. There is no higher purpose. AND - that is what we are to do HERE - until - we go THERE
And like we said last week; It is past time for the church to be the light, that God wants her to be… THERE is a world, a nation, a people who are immersed in darkness, that needs to see that city on the hill, that needs to hear the teaching that gives life, THERE is a world full of people who need to know that they can be born again, into a living HOPE, and into an inheritance the can never spoil, fade, or pass away…
THIS time, THIS moment is perhaps the greatest opportunity for the light of Christ to shine in our lifetime… And that’s what I want us to talk about today... you going OUT to be LIGHT!
AND - listen when we are the light in the world Almighty God will begin to rule in the hearts of men… “His will, will be done on earth as it is in heaven… “
OKAY - for us to be effective at being the light of Christ – requires that we do at least 4 essential things – AND – to help us remember what those things are, them I made an acrostic of the word RULE… Because as I said – WHEN we are the light, the result will be that God will rule in the hearts of men.
Question – do YOU want to be an effective light for Christ? If so you need to rule…
R – Recognize Who You Are
“for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed ourselves with Christ…” Gal 3:27
I know exactly where I was 23 years ago today. I was in boot camp at the Naval Base in Great Lakes, Illinois. I’m not sure what I was doing – but I know what I was wearing, the uniform of the day was always utilities, ball cap and raincoat at the carry…
I’ll never forget heading to boot camp on August 23, 1978. I met my recruiter early in the morning, with a long hair, wearing civilian clothes… BUT by the next day, the hair was no more, my clothes were gone and I was wearing a navy uniform. And as I looked back at the person in the mirror I recognized who I wasn’t, and who I was…I was no a civilian – I was a sailor… When I put on that uniform some things changed… I was now living by a different set of rules…
In like manner – when I was baptized into Christ, some things changed in a major way. Listen - on the day I put on Christ. I took off my civilian clothes and put on the uniform of a Christian – as Paul’s says in Galatians 3:27; I put on Christ
There was a time, when most of you in this room with me, did the same thing… AND – if you, if we; are to be successful in our mission as a Christian, like a US soldier, we need to recognize who were aren’t, and who are… Many passages in the NT refer to this change that takes place when we come to Christ.
“If anyone is in Christ, he is a NEW creation; the old has gone the new has come!” 2 Cor 5:17
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me…” Gal 2:20
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitudes of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God is TRUE righteousness and holiness..” Eph 4:22-24
“Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did.” 1 John 2:6
“And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again” 2 Cor 5:15
“Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. And as Christ’s soldier, do not let yourself become tied up in the affairs of this life, for then you cannot satisfy the one who has enlisted you in his army…” 2 Tim 2:3,4
we are a new creation, we no longer live – the old is gone the new has come
we are people who have taken off the former way of life and put on the new
we are people who now walk as Jesus did and no longer live for ourselves
we are soldiers of Christ – who endure suffering, who refuse to get tied up in the affairs of this life – in order that we may live to satisfy Christ – who enlisted us in His army!
IF we are to be successful in winning this world for Christ we must recognize who we are…
U – Understand the World You Live In
The United States of America – our country, is engaged in a war against terrorism. And though as President Bush said this week – it is a different kind of war then we have ever fought, as with all previous wars there is still an enemy.
AND a major part of our war effort will be the gather intelligence information. Listen - our president and military leaders in order to achieve victory in this effort must understand the world we NOW live in…and they are trying to do just that.
In 1 Chronicles chapter 32; the Chronicler is listing all the warriors who were armed and ready for battle for King David... One group of men were from Issachar. Listen to what God said about them; “men of Issachar, who UNDERSTOOD the times, and knew what Israel should do...” What a great compliment - these men understood the world that they lived in, and because they did, they knew what God’s people needed to do...
God needs the same kind of warriors today... If we want to win the world for Christ - we need to understand our world.
Let’s talk about the world we live in and the people we live with...
We Live In A Fast Changing World
First, we need to understand that our world is a fast changing world. Would you agree that our world is changing?
Now understand that change is not necessary bad - if fact change is normal - Change is really a sign of life. Do you know, what the medical definition of death is? a body that does not change...
During my sermon your body is going to change - about ½ million cells in your body are going to die and be replaced with a half a million new cells during my message.
Our skin replaces itself every month... Did you know that 70-80% of the dust in your house is dead skin that has flaked off.
Your stomach lining undergoes a complete change every 5 days; your liver every 6 weeks; your skeleton every 3 months.... your whole body every 5 years for men & 7 for women.... So you see, change is natural - to not change is to die....
But understand that our world today is in a warp drive kind of change...
Did you know that the digital watch you have on your wrist contains more computing power than existed in the entire world in 1961.
Your car? It has more computation power to get down the street than all the computers combined in the Apollo 11 space craft that carried Neal Armstrong to the moon.
And the pager they give you at Outback. Listen; we are now living in a world where it is cheaper, faster and safer to a send a signal over 20,000 miles to a satellite and back again than it is to walk the 20 feet to tell you that your table is ready...
We live in a fast changing world...
It has been estimated that more information has been generated in the last 30 years than in the previous 5,000 years. The average consumer will see or hear 1 million marketing messages in a year - that’s 3,000 per day...
Have your kids ever ask you, “Hey dad tell me what it was like in the olden days when you had to walk across the room to change the TV channel...”
Not long ago people cooked on wood stoves... And when grandma said, “Log On” she meant make the wood stove hotter.” And when she said :download” she meant, “You boys go down & get the firewood off the pick up...
When I was born the United Nations had about 60 member nations. There are now 185 nation states in the world, over a 100 of which did not exist when I was born.
When I was born, a “crack salesman” meant someone was really good at what he did.
When I was born weather forecasting was a joke - well some things never change.
I think you get my point - we live in a changing world.
Now for Point #2 about our world; not only do we live in a changing world;
We Live In A Post Christian World
The western world used to be a world strongly influenced & shaped by Christianity. If someone said; “You’re acting like a Pharisee, most people knew what you meant...they knew what it meant to call a city Sodom & Gomorrah and to call someone a Judas or a Thomas...” But all that has changed, for example..
Jay Leno periodically does “man on the street” interviews. One night he asked questions about the bible. “Can you name one of the Ten Commandments?” He asked 2 college aged woman. One replied, “Freedom of speech?” Leno then asked the other student, “Complete this sentence: Let him who is without sin...” “Have a good time” was her response..” Leno then turned to a young man and asked, “Who according to the bible, was eaten by a whale?” The confident answer was “Pinocchio..”
We live in a post Christian world...
Listen; The attitude of western world towards Christianity is this “been there done that - we gave you a chance to create a society and we didn’t like what you created...” And not only is our culture Post Christian - it is anti-Christian... Christian have been demon-nized in our culture as fanatics and hate mongers...
3rd the world we live in is a world Where
The Enemy Has Had The Upper Hand
satan has done an effective job, convinced many in our world that truth is relative that there is no right or wrong; that people can basically choose to live anyway they want – and he has also convinced our world, that those who hold to moral absolutes are; outdated, out of step, unloving and even dangerous…
In many ways these words in 2 Timothy 3:2-5 describe our times…
“For people will only love themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control; they will be cruel and have no interest in what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will acts as if they are religious, but they will reject that power that could make them godly. You must stay away from people like that.”
4th we live in;
An Uncertain World
The events of the past weeks – have rocked the foundations upon which many have built their lives on and placed their trust in… SO many are uncertain, unsure and afraid. Therefore they are looking for and open to something or someone that is unshakeable (sure, steadfast and true)
5th we live in a world
Where People Are Still Basically The Same
Listen - though the people in our world - though the unbelievers have been effected by this fast changing - post Christian world – satan upper hand - uncertain world. There are still some things about them that remain the same...
They are still people made in God’s image (they can plan, reason, think, they have a desire for relationships and they are inescapably self-conscious and God-conscious).
And they are still fallen people - and we need to understand - the fall has an effect on man in at least 3 ways;
1) Fallen man knows good & evil - you see, when man followed satans advise in the garden, he gained powers, that he did not possess before (the knowledge of right & wrong) - but what satan didn’t tell man was that he wasn’t equipped to deal with that knowledge..
You see, because of the fall; self-centeredness was born which gives birth to guilt. And Because man now knows right from wrong, his conscious continually convicts him
2) Fallen man also experiences futility - God told Adam that life after the fall, would become a struggle, and it has been SO.
And the things man plans and looks forward to never quite measure up to his expectations.. Marriage, family, career, vacation..etc ALL things fall short...and man experiences futility.
3) 3rd Fallen man experiences death - Scripture says that God has placed eternity in the hearts of man..” You see, though man wants to live forever he knows that he will not. He knows the sands are running out in his hour glass...
And listen man w/o God fears, runs and tries to deny death; mummies, pyramids, freezing bodies..
Bottom Line; The people in our world, are still people who whether the realize it or not, whether culture has changed or not - They STILL need Jesus....and they still need what only he & his church have to offer; hope, security, purpose, fulfillment, relationships, peace, joy, love -- salvation
Listen; We need - if we are going to be effective in carrying out our mission - we need to be like the men of Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what God’s people should do....
TO be an effective dark destroying light for Christ you need to
R – Recognize who you are
U – Understand the world you live in
L – Live a Life that attracts attention
“You are the light that gives light to the world. A city that is built on a hill cannot be hidden. And people don’t hide a light under a bowl. They put it on a lampstand so the light shines for all the people in the house. In the same way, you should be a light for other people. LIVE so that they see the good things you do and will praise your father in heaven.” Mt 5:14-16
Understand - the life that Jesus lived attracted attention. Wherever Jesus went there were sure to be people around. Followers, the curious, the hurting, the sick, even His enemies would flock to his presence... You need to live a life that attracts attention.
Question; What are some positive ways that we can stand out in this world? I can think of at least 5 ways or, 5 things, about our lives that will attract attention.
Our Hope Will Attract Attention;
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone for the hope that you have...” 1 Pe 3:15
Much of our world today is without hope. WHY - Because they have nothing stable to believe in - no anchor to hold them. They put their hope in a marriage and they get divorced - in a career and they are laid off - in their health and they get sick....In the economy and it heads south. Listen; Our rock solid/unwavering hope in THIS uncertain world, will attract attention.
Our Consistent Life will attract attention - when we say one and thing AND actually DO that one thing. When our yes means yes and our no means no…
3rd;
Our Servants Heart will attract attention - A true servants heart in this, “ me generation” and in this, “ just do enough to get by society” will certainly attract attention. Especially of those we work with and for.
Our Love will attract attention, Listen; genuine sacrificial love for people AND for each other will attract the attention of the world.... “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another...” (Jn 13:35)
Finally, Our Faith In God will attract attention - when as the Hebrew writer says, “we are sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see…” Listen – when the world doesn’t just hear someone talk about Jesus - but live like AND trust in Jesus.....When we live a life of victory, when we live like Children of the King, when we live a life of power, love & self-control and NOT fear & timidity, all eyes will be on us – because that kind of faith moves mountains…
R – Recognize who you are
U – Understand the world you live in
L – Live lives that attract attention
AND
E – Equip Yourself For Victory
Listen – just as there is certain equipment that soldiers need in order to fulfill their mission – there are attitudes and actions that you need to equip yourself with in order to fulfill your mission for Christ…
Be Efficient In The Use Of Your Weapons
Listen – You can be certain that every pilot in an F-16 or apache Helicopter, every submarine commander who launches a cruise missile, every solder behind an M-16 or surface to air missile, has spent days, weeks, months & years becoming proficient with their weapons. WHY? So they will be ready for battle.
And understand that we as soldiers of Christ have weapons as well, Paul writes about them...
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” 2 Cor 10:3,4
Now I could talk all day about our weapons, BUT I can’t – but let my just mention what our 2 most important weapons are; the word of God & prayer… I’ve included in your outline some scriptures for you to study about this weapons… (S/S, wed night, 22-15)
Word - Eph 6:17; 2 Tim 2:15; 3:16,17; 4:4-5; Hebrews 4:12; 1 Pe 1:22;
Prayer – Pr 15:8; Mt 7:7-11; Lk 18:6-8 Phil 4:6,7; Heb 4:16; James 5:16; 1 Pe 5:8;
Keep An Open Mind To All People
Everyone needs Jesus in their life - the rich, the poor, the educated, the uneducated, the pretty - the not so pretty... Don’t ever pre-judge people and say to yourself; “Oh they would never be interested in the gospel...” You’d be surprised, who might just be ready for Jesus; on the way to the cross a crooked tax-collector came to Jesus, and on the cross a thief and a Roman centurion came to Him, and then there is the proud Pharisee named Paul... A tax collector - a thief a roman solderer and a Pharisee...
Equip yourself with an open mind toward all people…
Be Willing To Go Into Their Comfort Zone
Listen - For someone who has hardly or never, been to church, church is not a place where they feel comfortable. It’s our comfort zone not theirs.
Therefore we need to do 2 things... FIRST - we need to meet people in their comfort zone; go out to dinner, lunch, have them over, ball park, tennis court..etc
SECOND - we as a church need to try to make church a comfortable place for those who do not know Jesus, AND for those who have never really been in church... We need to remove as many barriers as possible in order to make it easy for them to find Jesus...
Years ago when the Personal computers were just getting hot -- the 2 main players were Apple & IBM; Apple I understand had a better product then IBM, but Apple basically said if you want to use our stuff, you need to speak our language IBM on the other hand - made it their goal to be compatible to make it easy for people use their stuff... Who had the best game plan - whose stock would you like to have had a bunch of...
At Central it is our primary goal is to build a church that at the same time both, attracts the lost to Jesus Christ, and provides a way for the saved to grow in their walk… It is not our desire to just create a comfortable place for the saved to hang out on Sunday.. Bring them in and grow them up…
That’s one of the things I love about this church - we are willing to color outside the lines to reach people for Jesus... We are willing to try new and different things/push the envelop >>> in order to save people.... People here are willing to give up personal comfort for the sake of the lost... Listen; Jesus told us what to do - reach the lost world for him - he did not tell us how to do it....
Keep the fire burning
How?
Stay in love with Jesus - Remember where you were and where you were headed before His love rescued you - remember where you were without His grace. Hang out with people who are on fire… Encounter God in worship, Listen to Christian CDs; DO things like QT’s and go to bible studies…
Be Ready
George Bush told the US military on Thursday night – “be ready!”
Raise your hand if you know anyone; family member, friend, neighbor..etc who does not go to church and does not know Jesus. Write their names down in your outline... And tell God - “You can use me to reach them - I’m ready...”
Don’t you love singing about dancing on streets that are golden, about going to a much better place, about being with Jesus forever… I love picturing heaven in my mind…
BUT there is another picture….
THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS COMING -- THEY WERE TOTALLY UNAWARE OF THE DANGER.... THEY CAME TO WORK THAT DAY, THEY KISSED THEIR WIVES, SAID GOOD BYE, DROPPED THEIR KIDS OFF AT DAY CARE....SAT DOWN AT THEIR DESK, WENT TO GET A CUP OF COFFEE AND MADE SOME COPIES AT THE XEROX MACHINE. WITH NO IDEA WHATSOEVER OF WHAT WAS ABOUT TO OCCUR. THEY HAD EVERY INTENTION OF RETURNING HOME THAT NIGHT SITTING IN THEIR FAMILIAR CHAIR -- SLEEPING IN THEIR OWN BED. BUT THEIR IGNORANCE OF THE DANGER, DID NOT IN ANYWAY CHANGE IT’S REALITY, NOR ALTER IT’S SEVERITY.... THE THREAT WAS VERY REAL.. IT WAS INDEED A HORRIBLE SCENE IN
LET ME ASK YOU SOMETHING, IF YOU HAD KNOWN WOULD YOU HAVE WARNED THEM ABOUT IT? WOULD YOU HAVE LET YOUR LOVED ONES ENTER IT -- WOULD YOU HAVE WARNED THOSE DROPPING OF THEIR LITTLE CHILDREN? OR WOULD YOU HAVE LET THEM ALL JUST BE BLOWN UP? AFTER ALL THEY MAY NOT HAVE LISTENED TO YOU ANYWAY....
Understand all time is marching toward one event – the second coming of Christ. When all will stand before the judgment seat of Christ…
We sang about our future…
BUT let me read about the future of those you just raised your hand about who do not know the Lord…
Rev 6:14-17
