Is a Lighthouse

Intro

Wrapping up our series. the church is the ANSWER.

In God’s plan, the church isn’t intended to be some optional part or extra piece to life, but is the vital piece to plan on the earth.

Doesn’t it make sense that we value what God does.

Jesus did everything needed to restore the world to god and fulfill every heart longing.

When Jesus left the earth, he left his message of hope for the world to the church!

Each week we have looked at a different deep soul level longing that the church is the answer to.

Belonging. Lacking. Lasting.

Today, The Love Longing.

We all feel it because we’re made to need it!

So many have searched to figure out what it is, how to get it, how to keep it...

Lionell Richey sang about Endless love while Lady Gaga sang about Stupid Love

Beatles said All you need is love, J Geils Band wrote Love Stinks

Hallmark wold have us believe that love is when the greedy corporate man falls for the quaint small town shop owner and saves the city.

Plato says Love is a grave mental disease.

Webster says love is an emotion.

We come up with our idea of love from so many place.

What really is it?!?

We all know we need it.

We search, we long. to be wanted, cared for, accepted, cherished...

This longing can lead us to live the 1980 country song, Looking for Love in all the wrong Places.

Greatest understanding of love isn’t from songs or philosophers but from this one statement in 1 John.

1 John 4:8 ... God is love

Greatest expression of love is in

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

the world longs for a love that is only found through Him!

The church is to be the vehicle through which God’s love is poured out!

God sent Jesus, Jesus left the church.

This is our mission. to share God’s love.

Unfortunately, the church hasn't been known for this. But it is our primary mission!

Ephesians 5:1-2

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 5:8-9

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)

2 inseparable words.

Love and Light.

The light is simply the glow of God’s love for all to see.

People who don’t know God’s love are walking in darkness.

Those with his love with with light.

1 John 1:5

...God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.

The light of God’s love pushes back darkness, illuminates life, shows us who we really are, gives hope, gives meaning.

A world in darkness needs this light.

too often Christian’s complain about the darkness but never shine a light

This light is in us!

Not just for us to see life more clearly, but to shine for others to see.

Matthew 5:14-16

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.

The church is the light for the world to see and experience the love of God!

The Church isn’t a clubhouse, we are a lighthouse!

We are here to light up the world around us.

Not with just more programs, and events, and gatherings but with LOVE!

Church is never meant to just be about ourselves.

We exist to be the beacon of hope to a hurting world in need of the real love of God.

Song from the 60s, What the world needs now is love sweet love.

And that love is meant to shine through us!

The church is that answer.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

Martin Luther King Jr.

It’s time that we light up our world.

1. Can’t give what we don’t have

The church should be the brightest places in the world for love.

Is it possible that the church has lost it light because we have lost our love.

1 John 4:16-19

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us.

We can only love when we receive the Love God has for us.

Too many times we forget and our love gets divided.

1 John 2:15

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.

The church has to get back to our first love.

2. We shine through loving one another.

The Praying mantis has a very unique love relationship.

After they find their special soul mate, the female will bite off the head of the male!!

Why do I feel like God’s Praying people can do similar!

Ghandi was quoted to have said,

“I like your Christ, I don’t like your Christians. They are unlike your Christ. “

What a devastating blow!

John 13:34-35

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

1 John 2:9

Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness.

grow up get up when someone messes up. Pick them up and lift up

is how we treat and love each other an example of God’s love to others?

Care

Forgive

Pray

Build up

We can’t love others if we can’t love each other!!

3. Be a Place of Love

A gathering of believers should exude Gods love.

A place that anyone come come in, no matter who.

Our embrace and smile is an extension of God’s.

4. Put love into action

still walk in dark if we don’t take out the flashlight

Love isn’t an emotion, a philosophy, sweet words or even a mindset.

It’s an action.

Sweet words at the wedding are touching, but doing the dishes now that’s love!

Our light shines through how we live not just by what we say we believe but how we live what we believe.

the world needs the lighthouse!

Be Kind. So simple yet profound.

Show random acts of kindness.

Compassion. See needs and meet them.

Dare to be different. the world in darkness needs someone to be the light.

We try so hard to fit when we were made to stand out.

Share the gospel.

This is most loving thing we can do!!

Research shows that that majority (65%) of christians never or rarely share about Jesus to non christians.

We are commissioned as believers with sharing who Jesus is!

Our lives invite others to see the light as well.

Matthew 28:19-20

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.

So much can keep up from speaking up...

But we can’t allow fear to keep them from experience rescue from the dark.

its easy to recognize someone in the dark. Wandering, searching.

Pray for opportunity.

Tell what Jesus has done for you.

Tell them how to meet Jesus. (would you like to know Jesus too?)

If we have the light they need, why would we keep it from them??

CONCLUSION

Drunk man looking for keys near the light story...

We aren’t a clubhouse, we are a lighthouse!

Our world needs love. we are the lighthouse that shines the love of God.

Are we shining?

has it lost its shine?

God wants to pour out his love on the earth, We are the light for them to see that love!!!

This is our mission!