Spectrum Series

Spectrum

Series: Turn on the light

Sunday Sermon / November 18th 2007

Intro: Have you noticed yet that different people see the world differently? Sometimes these differences cause serious clashes and even wars. Democrats and Republicans, white collar and blue collar, one race from another, one religion from another and even children and adults see our world very differently. Different people can look at the same thing but see something completely different.

We have all seen the marvel of the Rainbow. The rainbow is God’s promise to never destroy the Earth again with water. The rainbow is a promise.

“The word spectrum was introduced into optics, referring to the range of colors observed when white light was dispersed through a prism...Violet at one end has the shortest wavelength and red at the other end has the longest wavelength of visible light. The colors in order are violet, blue, green, yellow, orange, red. As the wavelengths get bigger below the red visible light they become infrared, microwave, and radio. As the wavelengths get smaller above violet light, they become ultra-violet, x-ray, and gamma ray.”

A black light enables us to see things we are unable to see otherwise. The wavelengths our eyes are designed to see are limited. Other living things in God’s creation are able to see different wavelengths. Bees for example and other insects are able to see Ultraviolet. Therefore, their perception of the world is quit different. Snakes see in infrared, the “light” put off from heat. We simply don’t see it.

2 Corinthians 4:18 Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting.

Text: 1 John 2:8 “…the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining…”

I. God enables His children to see a whole New World

a. A new perspective on life and a new light. God’s children see the world very differently.

i. John sees the world in darkness and light. No middle ground

ii. The Kingdom of God OR the kingdom of Satan.

iii. Different pursuits, goal and passions.

b. When you walk in the light as he is in the light…you see the world completely different.

i. It may appear to the world as foolishness

John 1:5 NKJV “And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”

Text: 1 John 2:12-17

12I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake.

13I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.

I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.

I write to you, children, because you know the Father.

14I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.

I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you and you have overcome the evil one.

II. We grow in our perception

a. New Christians - Little children (sins are forgiven / you know the Father)

i. Immature, new, just starting out.

ii. There is difference between an immature 5 year old and an immature 50 years old.

iii. Little children are expected to make mistakes and they are expected to grow

iv. Things are all new

v. How many here have only been a Christian for a short amount of time, 1 or 2 years?

vi. This is the “just starting to learn” stage of spiritual growth.

vii. What is most important at this stage?

1. Your sins are forgiven

2. You have been introduced to your new Father

viii. Does this person have a mastery of the Scripture?

ix. Does this person have a mastery of walking in the Light as He is in the Light?

x. No and No. But they are learning.

xi. Their former life is no too distant. (pains and perceptions)

xii. Main characteristic: They have learned of and accepted God’s Love for them.

b. Mature Christians - Fathers (You know Him who is from the beginning)

i. The fathers of are mature believers who have an intimate personal knowledge of God

ii. Stable, confident and not given to sin. Sin no longer reigns in them.

iii. They not only know about God they know God.

iv. They LOVE God (This is John major point!!!)

v. They are strong in the faith; strong in their convictions, they have learned wisdom in living and are mentoring others.

vi. These are leaders and good examples of solid Christians.

vii. Their lives aren’t perfect but they know Him who is from the Beginning.

viii. These people are desperately needed in the Church today.