Out Of The Darkness

Have you ever lost power in the middle of the night? It’s kind of scary, isn’t it? When things are pitch black and you can’t see anything, it is hard to move around to find a flashlight or a candle. Every follower of Christ has been in spiritual darkness at one point in their lives. Peter wrote in 1 Peter 2:9 (NLT):

But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

We are no longer in the darkness because God called to us and brought us out of it. We belong to God. Instead of using this as a source of pride, we are to help others see the light. Instead of looking down on those lost in the darkness, we should love them into the light. Jesus is waiting for people to come to Him. He is calling to them to leave the darkness and find new life in Him. Who can you lead to the light this week? Is there someone you know who is stumbling in the darkness? Start by praying for an opportunity to share God’s love with them so that you can point them to the light.

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I’m Gonna Let It Shine

The world is a very dark place and it only seems to be getting darker. Who will shine the light of Jesus’ love in this darkness? Jesus said that that is the job of His followers. He said:

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.15 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. 16 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 (NIV)

Don’t hide the light of Jesus’ love, but instead let it shine by the good deeds you can do in His name. If we don’t shine His light, who will? The love of Jesus changes lives and lives changed by love can change the world. Think of a practical way you can love someone today in Jesus’ name. A single ray of light can begin to change a very dark world.

Shining Like Stars

In Philippians 2, Paul told the church to be like Jesus in humility and selflessness. He then said:

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. – Philippians 2:14-16 (NIV)

When we humbly serve one another without grumbling against one another or complaining about one another, we stand out. The world around us is a dark place. There is very little humility, service or love. There is much division and discord, arguing and complaining. If we, as Christ’s church, can learn to love one another and get along despite our differences, the world will take notice of Jesus. It is only by His power and grace that we can truly be united in service and love. So let us shine like stars so that others will see the light of Jesus.

Our Obligation

God has rescued us from the darkness. He has saved us by His grace through faith in His Son, Jesus. He has promised to raise us back to life and has promised us that we will live with Him eternally. So how do we respond? Paul wrote:

Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. – Romans 8:12-13 (NIV)

Our obligation is to live lives of holiness and righteousness by submitting to the leadership of God’s Spirit. Instead of surrendering to our flesh and its desires, we are to live according to the Spirit of God. We are to put to death the sins and misdeeds of the flesh, otherwise we will spiritually die. We are called to do this because God gave His Son for us to rescue us from the darkness and has given us life.

Jesus Is The Light Of The World

The latest message from Griffith First Christian Church in Griffith, Indiana. This message is based on John 8:12.

The Darkness Of Hate

As John continues to write about light and darkness, he says that if we hate each other in the church, we are still in the darkness. He says:

Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. 10 Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. 11 But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them. – 1 John 2:9-11 (NIV)

This is so timely for American Christians. We hear so much about hate on the news and social media. This group hates that group and vice versa. Hate is darkness. What if the church could set the standard for love? What if we could lead by example when it comes to people from all kinds of different backgrounds who truly loved one another as brothers and sisters in Christ? Let us commit ourselves to doing just that and let’s show the world what it means to do away with the darkness of hate.

Positioning Ourselves In The Light

The darkness is a scary place. It is a place with no light. Little children are afraid of the dark. Frankly, adults should be, too. This is what the Apostle John said about the darkness and the light:

If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. – 1 John 1:6-7 (NIV)

As a follower of Jesus, I need to position myself in the light because that’s where God is – in the light. If I want to be with God, I need to be in the light. Lies, lust, hatred, rage, greed, drunkenness and envy all belong to the darkness. If I want to be with God, I have to reject these deeds of darkness – and others – and walk in His light. We have to be filled with the Spirit of God and let Him take over and continually lead us to His light. Then we will be filled with the light of love, joy, peace and hope.