"Putting It into Action"

We want to take one last week to reflect upon our seminar with Earl and what he had to say by examining the "next step" in our congregational and individual goal of being spiritual people living out our faith.

A Light To The World

(John 1:1-9)

Introduction:

A.   The Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was one of the annual celebrations of the Jews.  It was sometimes called “the feast of booths” because the people moved out of their homes and for 8 days lived in booth/huts formed from branches of trees.  It was done to remember the time of the wilderness wandering when for 40 years.  During this time they would light two colossal golden candlesticks in the center of the temple court, recalling the pillar of fire in the wilderness that the Jews called the Shikinah Glory.  It was the manifestation of God to the people.  They could see His glory and know he was guiding them.

B.  It was in that setting of the Feast of Tabernacles that Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  Jesus is saying to these people that he is the glory, the manifestation of God to the world.  He calls the people to follow him.  This word “follow” means to be in an exclusive relationship and to have total commitment to the one you follow.  Jesus says that you were not made for darkness.  We are made for light.  We were created to see in the light, to walk in the light and to become a light to the world just as Jesus is THE light of the world.

C.  The weekend with Earl Lavender was wonderful.  I gained so much from that weekend and was really deeply challenged.  I was challenged to live in the story of God.  So often I have thought about good things and desired to bring God into my good works, but the challenge began as I realized that God is the one at work and I am simply to join God in his good works.  It was a paradigm shift.  I not only needed to see Jesus as the light of the world, I had to decide if I was committed to following him.  There is a difference between searching for the light and following the light.  For some, the journey to find truth is more important than the truth.  Jesus calls us to start with him, the light, and then journey in him, the Shikinah.

D.  What I want to do today is simply recap some of the thoughts that I took away from our seminar with Dr. Lavender and being to explore the next step.

I.  Creation

A.  Let’s begin where Earl began on Friday night.  Most people can quote Gen. 1:1.  Genesis 1:3 tells us the first thing God spoke into creation was light, “Let there be light, and there was light, and God saw that the light was good.”  Creation.  We live in the song of God, the creation.  Our story does not begin with us, but with God.  Paul says in Eph. 2:10 that “we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  We are a part of God’s creation and workmanship.  God has created us in Christ Jesus to do the works planed for us.  The only way that can be done is to “see” Jesus.  Creation starts with light shining in darkness and it is good.

B.  So I go back to our text in John 1.  Creation begins with Jesus at work as the light shining in darkness, but the truth is that we like the darkness.  Examine what Jesus says in John 3:19-21.  The world does not want to change their framing story.  Sin goes against everything good that God created as light.  Sin is darkness and if we claim to fellowship with the light of the world, but walk in darkness we lie and do not live by the truth.  I have to change the way I think about me.  I have to get off of the throne of my life and abdicate it to a new king, Jesus.  For it is only through him can I really see.  Without Jesus I will continue to be blind, to walk in darkness.

C.  Look with me at verses 6-9.  John’s mission was not about his own glory.  His mission was to testify about the light, to point men to the light.  You see it doesn’t make a difference if you are an engineer, a mill worker, a preacher or retired.  The only thing that makes a difference is being a light to the world.

D.  We all know the children’s song “This little light of mine.”  But are we willing to live that wonderful teaching.  Here is the way Jesus put it to us (Matt. 5:14-16).  This is who you are.  You are the light of the world.  Let me tell you what you are not suppose to be.  Jesus did not call you a rheostat.  I normally call them a dimmer switch.  It is one of those light switches that allow you to determine the brightness of the light.  Jesus did not call me a rheostat, my job is not to control the brightness.  I am to be the light to the world.  I am to be exactly what Jesus was to his world.  When the world sees you, they need to see Jesus.  If you are different tomorrow than you are today you are a rheostat and not a light.

II.  Redeemed

A.  If the story of creation and being a light was center on Friday night, then the idea of redemption and being a witness was the key to Saturday night.  Earl took us back to Isaiah 43 and wanted us to realize that God’s dream for you is greater than any dream you could have for yourself.  If we choose to live only for us, we are losing out on something far greater.  I love the way Paul puts it in Eph. 3:20, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.”  Isn’t that a great?  God is able to do so much more than I could ever do on my own and he desires to do that work through you.

B.  Listen to Is. 43:1-2.  Isaiah told them the same thing Jesus would tell his disciples and us.  “Do not fear, I have redeemed you.”  I have value.  God sees value in me and redeems me for his purpose.  I know my sin and I understand how much I have messed up.  But God steps into my life to bring about the creation he desires and makes me valuable again.  So what are you going to do with your life now that God has made you so valuable?

C.  Look at verses 10-12.  We are God’s witnesses.  We are that light to the world.  God chose you and what he seeks from you is to believe and understand that He is God and not you.  God wants to release you to live out your life in holiness.  God has made a stream in the desert.  He gives living water to the thirsty.  Become a witness of your redemption.  Become water to the world around you.

Conclusion:

A.  So what is the next step?  Where do we as a church go from here?  Life tomorrow should be no different in your words, actions and thoughts, than life today.  That is the first next step.  Then we need to understand that we are all ministers of God to the world.  We often try to become something other than what we are.  Not everyone is a Bible teacher, but everyone is light.  I would encourage you to talk less about church and more about Christ.  Our role is to bring people to Jesus, he will add them to the church.  Sometimes I find myself bringing people to the church hoping they find Jesus along the way.  Finally, I believe our next step is to become intentional Christians.  Jesus did not die by accident.

B.  I want to close with Luke 9:23-26.