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Reflecting the Glory of God. Pine Valley 2011 Saturday Adult Forum By George Miclea. Scorpions Glow. Scorpions have an interesting quality about them They “glow” when illuminated with a black light. Due to fluorescent chemicals in the cuticle. Why bring up scorpions?.
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Reflecting the Glory of God Pine Valley 2011 Saturday Adult Forum By George Miclea
Scorpions Glow • Scorpions have an interesting quality about them • They “glow” when illuminated with a black light. • Due to fluorescent chemicals in the cuticle
Why bring up scorpions? • Scorpions are great reflectors • They are “filled” with light and “reflect” that light very well • They can be easily defined in the dark when the right light is shown through them. • In the same way, the light of the glory of God shines in the hearts of believers and “illuminates” them • Thus defining who they are by that specific light
Illuminated by the Light “For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true…” Ephesians 5:8-9
Believers are illuminated and defined by the Light of Christ
What do people see when they look at you? What do you represent?
What is light? Dictionary Definition: The natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible Scientifically: Light is simply a name for a range of electromagnetic radiation that can be detected by the human eye.
What is darkness? • Darkness is merely a place where light is not present • Spiritual darkness is the inability to perceive light, though it exists
Light vs. Dark • There is no “battle” between light and darkness but rather, a non-relationship • Wherever light exists, darkness flees. • Darkness is never seen as pushing back against light for fleeing is it’s only option • Spiritual darkness is to be under the power of sin • John 3:19 Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. • Acts 26:18 …and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God
Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. Genesis 1:3-4 TheLight shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it… the true Light gives light to every man John 1:5;9
The Light of Christ has the power to expel all spiritual darkness REVISE?
Detecting the True Light • How can one detect the “true” light from a “false” light? • The basis of the true light resides in the Word of God and upon it all truth should be examined and qualified.
Recognize this guy? Harold Camping False Prophet How is it possible to determine whether or not he is genuine??
How can you detect a fake? Study and know the real thing
Detecting the True Light [Receive] the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things [are] so. Acts 17:11 Always being preparedto make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; 1 Peter 3:15-16 Warning: Did not even Satan marvelously transform himself into an angel of light? Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works. 2Co 11:14-15
The Word of God is the standard by which the true light is detected
Heat and Light Does anyone know how a regular incandescent light bulb gives off light? The resistance of the tungsten filament causes the flow of electricity to produce heat The filament gets so hot that it begins to glow and thus light is emitted as a form of visible radiation So, light is a by-product, or a “fruit” of heat At the same time, light produces warmth as is the case with our Sun
Heat and Light • How does our Sun provide warmth? • When radiation is absorbed by matter, the molecules get excited and vibrate vigorously thus producing warmth • We could say that warmth is the fruit of light. • In the same way, the “fruit” of the Spirit is a by-product of His light that shines within
Fruit of the Spirit • Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. • How much of the light of the Spirit is being converted into evident “warmth” in your own life?
Measuring your Warmth2 Corinthians 13:5 – Examine and test yourselves! Soul’s Well-Being LIGHT WARMTH Principles for Godly Living Relations with Others
Seeing the Light • Who specifically in your life do you see the light of Christ? • How have detected (seen or felt) the light of Christ in others? • How can you tell that this is the light of Christ. • What characterizes the light of Christ and how is that different from light that is sourced by others?
Types of light bulbs • Heat Lamp: High heat, low light • Incandescent bulb: Varied heat based on varied light output • LED: Very low heat, high intensity light Which one best describes you?
What hinders our radiance A believer’s warmth and radiance to those around them is one of the most important aspects of their lives. What can hinder that radiance? Our personal sin can distort, diffuse, or diminish the radiance of the Light that resides within He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no offense in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness, and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because darkness has blinded his eyes. 1 John 2:10-11
What hinders our radiance What else can hinder that radiance? Focusing on ourselves and having a temporal perspective on life Worry but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Mark 4:19 We need to “brighten” our light by repentance and confession If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness 1John 1:8-9 Remember then how you have received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. Revelation 3:3
Hide it under a bushel? No! • "No one, after lighting a lamp, puts it away in a cellar nor under a basket, but on the lamp stand, so that those who enter may see the light. Luke 11:33 • And we are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of the thing being done away. 2 Corinthians 3:13
Personal sin can diffuse, distort, and even hide the Light of Christ
Shine on • “This little light of mine” isn’t just a song for the kids! • For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light Ephesians 5:8
Living a “worthy” life • Colossians 1:9-10 [We] desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, that you might walk worthy of the Lord to all pleasing, being fruitful in every work and increasing in the knowledge of God…
Called to be a light • Israel was called and chosen to be a light • …I will appoint You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the nations. Isaiah 42:6 • I will also make You a light of the nations So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth. Isaiah 49:6 • Nations will come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising. Isaiah 60:3 • Jesus came to be a light to both Jew and Gentile • [Simeon] “…my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, A light of revelation to the gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.“ Luke 2:29-32
Need to “walk” in the Light • A man may think he has much light, but if it is only notional and doctrinal and is not the light which enlightens his nature and develops itself in his practical walk, he lies when he talks of being in the light, for he is in darkness altogether. • Nor is it truthful to pretend or profess that we have light within in the form of experience if we do not walk in it, for where the light is true, it is quite certain to show itself abroad. • Charles Spurgeon (Sermon 663) • REVISE SLIDE
A shadow of the cross will only be cast when one walks in the light of Christ
Campfires • What do you enjoy about a campfire??? • Warmth – Sitting close, warming hands and feet • Fellowship – Singing and sharing • The smell of the burning wood • Just “watching” the fire flicker with character • When was the last time you took time to love Jesus, “The Light”, as you do a campfire?
Where’s the Love? In your “loving to serve” have you forgotten to “love the one” you are serving?
Who’s influencing who? • Six Mega-themes Emerge from Barna Group Research in 2010 • “…the religious environment in the U.S. is morphing into something new.”
1. The Christian Church is becoming less theologically literate. • “…only a minority of adults associate Easter with the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” • “…few adults believe that their faith is meant to be the focal point of their life…” • “…a growing majority believe the Holy Spirit is a symbol of God's presence or power, but not a living entity.” illiterate
2. Christians are becoming more ingrown and less outreach-oriented. • “Christians are becoming more spiritually isolated from non-Christians...” • “…most…who become Christians…do so in response to a personal crisis or the fear of death.” • “most Americans are unimpressed with the contributions Christians and churches have made to society over the past few years.” • “As young adults have children, the prospect of them seeking a Christian church is diminishing--especially given the absence of faith talk in their conversations with the people they most trust.” isolated
3. Growing numbers of people are less interested in spiritual principles and more desirous of learning pragmatic solutions for life. Insignificant faith • “Faith is significant to [teenagers], but it takes a back seat to life accomplishments ...” • “Among adults the areas of growing importance are lifestyle comfort, success, and personal achievements…at the expense of investment in both faith and family.” • “Because we continue to separate our spirituality from other dimensions of life through compartmentalization, a relatively superficial approach to faith has become a central means of optimizing our life experience.”
4. Among Christians, interest in participating in community action is escalating. • “Christians are more open to and more involved in community service activities than has been true in the recent past.” • “However…Simply doing good works because it's the socially esteemed choice of the moment will not produce much staying power.” • “…churches have a window of opportunity to support such actions with biblical perspective” • Typifies the “Do good, feel good” culture • “Making others happy will make you happy” shallow
5. The postmodern insistence on tolerance is winning over the Christian Church. • “Our biblical illiteracy and lack of spiritual confidence has caused Americans to avoid making discerning choices for fear of being labeled judgmental.” • “The result is a Church that has become tolerant of a vast array of morally and spiritually dubious behaviors and philosophies.” • “This increased leniency is made possible by the very limited accountability that occurs within the body of Christ.” • There are fewer and fewer issues that Christians believe churches should be dogmatic about. • The idea of love has been redefined to mean the absence of conflict and confrontation, as if there are no moral absolutes that are worth fighting for. Tolerant
6. Theinfluence of Christianity on culture and individual lives is largely invisible. • “The primary obstacle is not the substance of the principles on which Christianity is based, and therefore the solution is not solely providing an increase in preaching or public relations.“ • “The most influential aspect of Christianity in America is how believers do--or do not--implement their faith in public and private.” invisible
“The most influential aspect of Christianity in America is howbelievers do--or do not--implementtheir faith in public and private.” invisible
The Light should be visible, attractive, and influential in a believer’s life
Are you influencing the culture by the Word of God, or is the culture influencing you?
Being an Influence • Everyone has a sphere of influence • Job, Friends, Family, Spouse, Parents, etc… • List five things you need to change in your life in order to be of greater influence to the culture around you • To whom can YOU be a source of light and warmth of the Light of Christ?? • List five people Everyone shines for something. What are you shining for?
