LIGHT

Last week I ended my blog with:

One person changes their life, which can change a family, which can change a church, which can change a community, which can change a country, which can change the world.

That means we are ______________.

Did you figure out that this week would be “light” or were you wondering what I would come up with?

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.  Genesis 1:3

I do not know about you but I am sure glad God made light.  It would be terrible to be in the dark all the time.  Never knowing what was in front of you.  Being afraid to take even a baby step for fear of tripping or falling.  Yup.  Glad God made light.

Have you ever watched the light play on the floor or make rainbows on the wall?  Amazing how the light rays refract and change shape.  Interesting how the light will shine on one place and leave another dark.

Have you ever noticed the sun shining through a tree?  From over 91 million miles away, the light filters through the leaves and branches to change the world below.

Think about walking into a dark room and flipping the switch.  Such a small action.  Such a big difference.  The light comes on and suddenly there are no monsters in the corner.  Suddenly steps become easier because you can see the missed Legos before you step on them.

Jesus teaching his disciples:  “You are the light of the world.  A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.,  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:14-16

NEWS FLASH:  We are that light!  We have received our marching orders.

Mark 1:17 – “Come, follow me,“ Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

Matthew 28:18 – Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

(After being rejected by the Jews)  Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly:  “We had to speak the word of God to you first.  Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.  For this is what the Lord has commanded us:  “ ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’ “  When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.  The word of the Lord spread through the whole region.  Acts 13:46-50

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Like it or not we are the light of God!  Inside the church walls and outside, the Holy Spirit shines through us. 

Are we ready to be a light?

Are we ready to fish for people?

Are we ready to made disciples of all nations leading them to be baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit?

Are we ready to teach all nations to obey all Jesus commanded?

Are we ready to tell others Jesus is with them always?

Are we ready to bring salvation to others?

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Do you know our job will end?  Our job will end when Eden is restored.

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city.  On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month.  And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.  No longer will there be any curse.  The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.  They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.  There will be no more night.  They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light.  And they will reign for ever and ever.  Revelation 22:1-5

Do you know why we have to do our job?

If we are not the light, how will anyone find their way to Eden?