The Shining Face Of God

SERMON OUTLINE:

(1). Because the World Needs Light (vs 1-2).

(2). Because the World Needs Joy (vs 3-4).

(3). Because the World Needs Life (vs 5-7).

SERMON BODY:

Ill:

• Coca-Cola is one product that has far outgrown its humble beginnings.

• In 1886, Dr John Pemberton first introduced Coca-Cola in Atlanta, Georgia.

• The pharmacist concocted a caramel-coloured syrup.

• In a three-legged brass kettle in his backyard.

• He first distributed Coca-Cola by carrying it in a jug down the street to Jacobs Pharmacy.

• Where it was sold believe it or not as a brain tonic.

• After little more than 100 years,

• Surveys show that 97% of the world has heard of Coca-Cola.

• 72% of the world has seen a can of Coca-Cola.

• 51% of the world has tasted Coca-Cola.

• All due to the fact that the company made a commitment year ago.

• That every-one on the planet would have a taste of their soft drink

• As Christians we need to stand up and take note here.

• 97% of the world has heard of this sugar and water concoction.

• While 1.2 billion people world-wide have no access to the good news of Jesus Christ!

• While it is great, we are here this morning,

• The vast majority of people in this area may never enter our buildings!

• Note: The motto of Coca-Cola, posted in the company's headquarters, simply says:

• ‘THINK GLOBALLY, BUT ACT LOCALLY.’

TRANSITION: This Psalm is a call to mission:

• i.e., vs 2 (NIV): “All nations”.

• TLB: “for all mankind.”

• i.e., vs 4 (NIV): “The nations of the earth.”

• YLT: “Peoples on earth.”

• i.e., vs 7 (NIV): “Ends of the earth”.

• TLB: “peoples from remotest lands “

Ill:

• Most Sunday afternoons/evenings I head up the M3 to Hyde Park.

• Speakers' Corner is a traditional site for open-air public speaking, debate.

• It attracts the religious, the political, the weird and wonderful,

• Even the Flat Earth Society, who have members all around the globe!!!

• I love the fact that although I cannot physically go to the whole world,

• At Speakers Corner the whole world comes to me!

• People there Saudi Arabia to South America!

Quote:

“Everybody is either a missionary or a mission field.”

Quote: I like the words of John Wesley.

"All the world is my parish.".

• My emphasis may be Duncan Road Church and the wider area of Hampshire,

• Your emphasis may be this Church and your local community,

• But if we are to be biblical,

• We must always think world!

• To quote Coke-Cola, ‘THINK GLOBALLY, BUT ACT LOCALLY.’

Question: Why do we need to be missionaries (mission starts at home)?

Answer: According to this psalm is threefold:

(1). Because the World Needs Light (vs 1-2).

“May God be gracious to us and bless us

and make his face SHINE on us

2 so that your ways may be known on earth,

your salvation among all nations.”

• If those words sound familiar, you are right,

• They are part of one of the most best-known prayers/benedictions in the Bible.

• It is an echo or a paraphrase of the words of Moses,

• The priestly benediction of Numbers chapter 6 verses 24-26.

• That blessing crops up again and again in the Psalms – at least six times,

• (Psalm 31 verse 16, Psalm 80 verses 3, 7, 19, Psalm 119 verse 135)

Note:

• According to verse 1:

• The light of God is demonstrated in three ways:

FIRST: “MAY GOD BE GRACIOUS TO US”

Ill:

• Sometimes in life we experience grace.

• That is, we get what we don’t deserve.

• I remember once getting in a coffee shop enjoying a mug of black nectar.

• When I suddenly realised my car which was parked in a car park.

• The ticket had just run out.

• Tough choice, finish my mug of fresh coffee.

• Or try to get to the car before a traffic warden discovers it.

• I ran towards the car and get there with a traffic warden standing next to the car.

• I said, “Please don’t give me a ticket, I am only a few minutes late!”

• The warden replied, “You are late, but we allow a 10-minute grace period.”

• Now had I asked the warden, “Great, but what is grace?”

• She probably would have said:

• “I guess what it means is that even though you’re supposed to pay,

• You don’t have to.”

• TRANSITION: Now that would be a good definition of grace.

• God gives to us that we don’t deserve, and he fits the bill!

SECOND: “MAY GOD BLESS US”