The Light Of Truth

The light of truth

Mark chapter 4:21-25

Introduction-

Good Morning everyone, if you would turn to Mark chapter 4:21-25.

We will be listening to advice Jesus gives us from the Gospels concerning our lives, concerning our behavior, concerning things that should be important to us as we live out our purpose on this earth.

Red letters in the Bible means that Jesus spoke these words and should be a flag that we are paying attention to what He has said.

If you look at the gospels, you see all those red words, you realize real quick that some of Jesus messages were not 20 minute sermons. He declares blessings, He declares ethical behavior, and He declares what it is like to be a follower of Christ.

Jesus says - you are to be the light of the world!

As a believer, we have a responsibility to the gospel, it is not just good reading, or a suggestion, it is a mandate of how we are to operate as believers.

Jesus in the gospel of Mark

Jesus talks about

Sowing seed and growing seed

Talks about calming storms in your life and in others

Talks about doing more than what your talent level is and doing what God has asked you to do.

He tells us to be light! That is our text and you will see that being a light is being an example but it also is a whole lot more than just walking around like a billboard that says come to Jesus.

Mark chapter 4:21-25 read from Bible

The gospel of Christ talks about light- Jesus himself talks about light.

He tells us to be the light- a testimony to others of what God has done and is doing in your life.

He tells us to shed His light- To have a hunger to spread God’s Word and His love.

Believers should be living in His light/ the world living in Satan’s darkness.

He declares His light to be good/ Satan’s light to be darkness.

His light to be what chases the darkness of Satan away.

With His light, you and I are able to do more than we could ever do in ourselves.

He tells us that His light is truth!

Understand this-

People are always watching you- whither you like it or not.

We are always influencing someone positive or negatively.

It is not about perfection, it is about obedience.

We are called by God to be authentic- the real deal. In the light of God we are to impact others in a variety of ways.

We are the church sign

We are the church sign of Rosedale Church of the Nazarene.

We are the banner of Christianity to those that are struggling to find the truth of God or the banner of why they do not come to Christ. We are the sign.

We do not want to just be an irritant to people- we want to be the light that changes how they look and respond to God and His love. We cannot let the world affect our usefulness and we need to know that we are being watched and graciously desire to be a blessing instead of a stumbling block to those journeying around us.

Light must be seen

Jesus Himself tells us that the function of a lamp is not to be hidden under a bed but put up on a stand that the light shines and gets the most coverage.

A light is revealing- it shows us and it shows our surroundings and exposes those things that are in the darkness.

Must remember that in Jesus day they did not flic a switch and turn on a light. They had to light a candle.

John 8:12

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Jesus light is also truth- truth must be expressed and seen!

God’s truth cannot be concealed- it is not meant to be hidden under the bed of our lives.

That is why I have such a problem with secret agent Christians that believe that just living the life is enough- it must be seen and shared with those that we come into contact with.

There will be times when it is dangerous and awkward to share your faith. Persecution and troubles may happen because of your faith.

The true women and man of God (Christian) will stand by the truth of God even if there is persecution or heartache.

The reformation of 1517 was started by Martin Luther and other Protestant reformers. They believed that it could not be business as usual. They believed and lived out that if you believed something strongly that you are willing to die for what you believe.