Weekly message: How to let your light shining in the
World?
By Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce Christian Arts Ministries: Biblical
Precepts & Gospel Music Ministry
Introduction
In John 1: 1 indicates, in the beginning was the Word, the
Word was God, he was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were
made; in him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in
the darkness, but the darkness has not understood. The truth light that gives
light to every man was coming into the world. (John1: 1-5, 9). this is
the verdict: Light has come into the
world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
(John3:19). Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me
will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John8:12). And urged disciples, “Put
your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of
light.” (John12:36).
We are sons of light by received the
spirit of Christ
In this generation, we became the sons of light by
believed and accepted Jesus Christ as savior, and received the Spirit of
Christ, which is the spirit of sonship,
by him we cry “abba, Father”. Those who are led by the Spirit of God are
sons of God. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s
children. Now if we are children then we are heirs---heirs of God and co-heirs with
Christ… (Rom.8:14-17). Jesus emphasized, “I am the light of the world, whoever
follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
(John8:12). But men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were
evil. (John3:19). The darkness cannot overcome the light. For “there is
nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made
known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight what is whispered in
your ear, proclaim from the roots.” (Matt10:26).
How to let light rise in the darkness?
Christians are called to be the light of world. How can
we keep our light shining in the dark world? In Isaiah 58: 7-14 unveils God’s
conditional term, if you do the
things as the Lord commands, then
your light will break forth like the
dawn and your healing will quickly appear. And your righteousness will go
before you. The glory of the Lord will be you rear guard.(v.8). What are these
commands?
A. First, if you share your food with hungry.(v.7)
Second, you provide
the poor wandered with shelter. (v.7)
Third, when
you see the naked to clothe him. (v.7)
B. Fourth, if you do not to turn away from your own flesh and blood. (v.7)
Fifth, if you do away with the yoke of
oppression with the pointing finger and malicious talk. (v.9)
Sixth,if you spend yourselves in behalf of
the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed. (v.10)
C. Seventh, if you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as
you please on Lord’s holy day.(v.13)
Eighth, if you call the Sabbath a delight and
the Lord holy day honorable. (v.13)
Ninth, if you honor it by not going your own
way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words. (v.13).
Then Your light will rise in the darkness, your night
will become life the noonday.(v.10) The Lord will guide you always he will
satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame, you
will be like a well-watered garden like a spring, whose water never
fail.(v.11).
Then you will find your joy in the Lord, and I will
cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of
your father Jacob. The mouth of the Lord has spoken. (v.14)
Does God love riches only? Does God
care about the poor?
There is wrong
concept and thinking pattern in our daily life, ‘God only loves the riches’
says my husband, when he was under financial stress and anxiety attacked, he
complained about God only loves rich. In contrary, the Prophet Isaiah stated the
commands of Lord in Isa.58 are to spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry, sharing
the food with poor, providing the poor wandered with shelter, give clothes to
those in needs. Based on these commands, does God loves the riches only? No! Even
Apostle Paul urged Timothy, “Command those who are rich in this present
would not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their
hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command
them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation
for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”(1Tim.6:17-19).
“There
is unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in
envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men
of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a
means to financial gain.” (1Tim.6:4-5). People who want to get rich
fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that
plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all
kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and
pierced themselves with many griefs.(1Tim.6:9-10). “But godliness with contentment is
great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out
of it, but if we have food and clothing we will be content with that.”(1Tim.6:6-8).
It seems Apostle Paul agreed on the prophet Isaiah’s vision and God’s commands,
“sharing food with hungry, providing shelter for poor and give clothes to the
needs.” Disciple
James confirmed, “God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in
faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But
you have insulted the poor, is it not the rich who are exploiting you?
Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones
who slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong? If you really keep the
royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing
right. But if you show favoritism, you sins and are convicted by the law as
lawbreakers. (James 2:5-9).
Matthew narrated the Words of Jesus, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet,
not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father and
even the very hairs of your head are all numbered so don’t be afraid you are
worth more than many sparrows.” (Matt10:29-31).God
demands us to seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness first, all these
needs, He will aid upon it.
Why there are many worries, anxiety and sorrow? to gain the
joy and peace of inner man, prophet Isaiah stated, “If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you
please on Lord’s holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord holy day
honorable. Not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words.”
(v.13). then you will find your joy in the Lord. Clearly, God urges his people
to abide in Him, dwell in Him, delight in Him and love the Lord with all our
hearts, mind and strength. Once men’s hearts are dominated by earthly riches
and wealth, the hearts become deceitful, and fall into temptation and a trap
and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge one into ruin and
destruction. Even King Solomon said, “Whoever loves money never has money enough;
whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income this too is
meaningless.” (Ecclesiastes5:10).
Apostle Paul gained his peace and joy in the Lord, because he discovered, “godliness
with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we
can take nothing out of it, but if we have food and clothing we will be content
with that.”( 1Tim.6:6-8).
Conclusion
Jesus indicated
that Christians are the light of world. To keep on shining in this world, we
shall willingly share our care, love and compassion with hungry, poor and in needs
people. Christians are to be called rich in faith and not rely on earthly
wealth, for it is uncertain. King Solomon said, “Whoever loves money never has
money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income this too
is meaningless.”(Ecclesiastes5:10).
The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether
he eats little or much, but the
abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep. I have seen a grievous evil
under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner, or wealth lost through
some misfortune, so that when he has a son there is nothing left for him. Naked a man comes from his mother’s womb,
and as he comes so he departs he takes nothing from his labor that he can carry
in his hand.”(Ecclesiastes5:10,12-15). The love of Christ, the light of
God, and eternal life cannot be valued nor replaced by the money and earthly
riches. Instead of pursuing worldly vanity, Christians shall pursue rightness,
godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness, and take hold of the eternal
life. For God himself is the richest reward to the children of God and we have
received the spirit of sonship by
him, we cry, Abba Father. Jesus
declared, “I am the light of the world, whoever follows me will never walk in
darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John8:12). So my friends “Put your trust in the light while you have
it, so that you may become sons of light.” (John12:36). Next time, when you see the elder people who walk to
Publix, Walmart for purchasing groceries, or walk to CVS to get their
proscription, if you are capable, just provide your care, compassion to help or
give them a ride. Do not value the person’s integrity base on the earthly
wealth, nor judge about the poor’s dignity. For you do not know what
circumstances they have been facing. May the light of Christ shining through
you and your good deeds!
Listen to video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Vsk8mW8ZaA
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