Outshine – Penetrating Light

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S.O.A.P. – “Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer”

What is your favorite light in your residence, and why?

Scripture:

Jesus told the crowd in the Sermon on the Mount: “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 NIV

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

The Pharisees replied, “You are making those claims about yourself! Such testimony is not valid.”

Jesus told them, “These claims are valid even though I make them about myself. For I know where I came from and where I am going, but you don’t know this about me. You judge me by human standards, but I do not judge anyone. And if I did, my judgment would be correct in every respect because I am not alone. The Father who sent me is with me. Your own law says that if two people agree about something, their witness is accepted as fact. I am one witness, and my Father who sent me is the other.”

“Where is your father?” they asked.

Jesus answered, “Since you don’t know who I am, you don’t know who my Father is. If you knew me, you would also know my Father.” Jesus made these statements while he was teaching in the section of the Temple known as the Treasury. But he was not arrested, because his time had not yet come. John 8:12-20 NLT

Sermon Insights:

Jesus is the light of the world who penetrates our wayward hearts and reveals truth.

It is important that we know WHAT to believe. Equally important is to know HOW to live.

When do you remember the “light of Jesus” beginning to shine in your life?

What was Jesus’ delivery method for showing you his light?

Light is to be spread and shared, not secretly hidden. How are you sharing Jesus’ light?

What are the preferred outcomes of sharing Jesus’ light?

Is there any area of your life that you prefer to remain dark and hidden?

Lord, thank you for generously sharing your light with me. Help me to be honest about what it reveals so that I can believe AND live righteously. Use me to help others see your light!

If you could get something back that you no longer have, what would it be and why?

Scripture:

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. I’ve promised it once, and I’ll promise it again: I will obey your righteous regulations. I have suffered much, O Lord; restore my life again as you promised. Lord, accept my offering of praise, and teach me your regulations.

My life constantly hangs in the balance, but I will not stop obeying your instructions. The wicked have set their traps for me, but I will not turn from your commandments. Your laws are my treasure; they are my heart’s delight. I am determined to keep your decrees to the very end.

I hate those with divided loyalties, but I love your instructions. You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope. Get out of my life, you evil-minded people, for I intend to obey the commands of my God. Lord, sustain me as you promised, that I may live! Do not let my hope be crushed. Sustain me, and I will be rescued; then I will meditate continually on your decrees.

But you have rejected all who stray from your decrees. They are only fooling themselves. You skim off the wicked of the earth like scum; no wonder I love to obey your laws! I tremble in fear of you; I stand in awe of your regulations. Psalms 119:105-120 NLT

Sermon Insights:

“I cannot tell you how many times people come to me living in sin and want God’s blessing.” One of the main functions of light is to illuminate our path.

Is there anything or anyone in your life you trust more than God’s Word to “light your path”?

“I’ve promised it once, and I’ll promise it again” – do you need to recommit yourself to God as David did?

“I have suffered much, O Lord; restore my life again as you promised.” What are you asking God to restore in your life?

“Lord, accept my offering of praise, and teach me your regulations.” To express gratefulness to God in the midst of difficulty is a powerful act of trust. How can you do this today?

Lord, thank you for giving me guidance and lighting my path through your Word. I recommit my life to you—again—asking you to restore what’s been lost and stolen. I am grateful for your love and light and life that you’ve given me. Help me be continually grateful!

When have you desperately needed a flashlight or candle?

Scripture:

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Don’t participate in the things these people do. For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.

Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” Ephesians 5:1-14 NLT

Sermon Insights:

YOU are the light of the world! Once we are in tune with Jesus, he entrusts and empowers us to be his light in the world today!

“Imitate God in everything you do…” That is an awesome command! How will you live this out?

“For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!” How are you going to celebrate the light in your life?

“Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.” How will you determine this in your life?

Lord, thank you for saving me out of darkness and giving me your light. Thank you for not only exposing what is dangerous and shameful in the world…thank you for what is dangerous and deadly in my own soul. Guide me as I carefully determine what pleases you!

Who did you look up to as a hero and role model when you were growing up?

Scripture:

The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Philippi: “Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.

But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.” Philippians 3:17-21 NLT

Sermon Insights:

Your role is simply to be excited about your faith and your church!

You carry the highest likelihood that your un-churched friend will check us out…you have that much influence!

“Eighty-two percent of the unchurched are at least somewhat likely to attend church if invited.” Dr. Thom Rainer, The Unchurched Next Door

Christianity is an experience of faith that becomes a message of light.

Your choice to light God’s light shine both IN and THROUGH you is for the purpose of everyone praising our Heavenly Father. Isn’t that an incredible outcome and a powerful motivation?

Can you, in good conscience, say to people in your life, “Pattern your lives after mine”? Why or why not?

What makes people an “enemy of the cross of Christ”?

What do we look forward to as “citizens of heaven”?

Lord, I look forward to you coming back and changing my body into a glorious body like your own! Help me to pattern my life after Jesus so I can invite others to follow my example.

Who was your favorite teacher and why?

Scripture:

The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Philippi: “Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.

But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.” Philippians 2:12-18 NLT

Sermon Insights:

Jesus has called us to “remove the bowl.” Your “bowl” is whatever is in your life that is holding you back from following Jesus. Whatever it is, remove the bowl! Trust and surrender so that you too may function as salt and light to help coordinate what God is doing in the world!

It does not matter what you have done or said in the past or how far out of bounds you have lived: Jesus stands with arms widespread ready to welcome you to the family of God and to a new beginning.

It is God who brings the harvest and God who determines the size of a church and God who determines the time we expand further. It is ours is to be faithful and follow as he leads!

What is your “bowl”?

Do you need to return to Jesus?

“Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.” What is your next step?

Lord, thank you for giving me the desire and power to do what pleases you. Thank you for equipping and empowering me to be “salt” and “light” in my corner of the world!

Outshine – Penetrating Light

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