Level Up, Multiply!

1 “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. 2 See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. 3 Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

In this passage, God is speaking to the city of Jerusalem and he describes the glory that it is going experience in the future.

A few translations, such as the Message, explicitly add “Jerusalem” in verse 1: “Get out of bed, Jerusalem! Wake up. Put your face in the sunlight. God’s bright glory has risen for you.

Furthermore, concerning this chapter of Isaiah, Faithlife Study Bible teaches that:

When the ultimate redemption of Israel is accomplished, the glory of Yahweh will visibly dwell in Zion as a light (vv. 1–2) so bright that the sun and moon will not be needed (vv. 19–20), drawing the nations en masse (v. 3).

The nations will bring their wealth to Yahweh in response to the irresistible draw to the light (vv. 5–6, 11).

In addition to their wealth, the nations will bring the children of Israel back (v. 4).

Israel will have a special status in this new era of peace as a priestly class (61:6); they and the temple will be the primary beneficiaries of the material tribute from the nations (v. 7,13; 66:12, 18–20).

John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Is 60:1–22.

Purpose of the passage

"Arise and shine, Jerusalem" is a metaphor that compares Jerusalem to a sleeping or seated person who is being called to action and transformation.

Jerusalem is being encouraged to awaken from a state of obscurity, rise to prominence, and shine brightly.

Jerusalem is being called upon to embrace and maximize its potential, become a beacon of light or excellence, and make a positive impact on the world.

It's a poetic way of urging progress, growth, and the fulfillment of potential, the fulfillment of destiny.

Reflection Questions

What is the main message conveyed in Isaiah 60:1-3?

How can you relate the metaphor of Jerusalem "arising and shining" to your own life and spiritual journey?

What do you think the "glory of the LORD" represents in this passage?

1. The world is in deep darkness

What is that deep darkness look like today?

Romans 1:18–32 NIV

18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. 24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. 26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. 28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

People suppress the truth about God's existence and power (verse 18)

Some people ignore the beauty and complexity of nature, like the way flowers bloom or the stars in the sky, and not think about how it might be evidence of a Creator.

While science is important, some people might think only science can explain everything, and not consider the possibility of a higher power.

With busy lives and technology, people might not take time to reflect on bigger spiritual questions and instead get caught up in daily routines.

People engage in wickedness, evil, greed, and hate (verse 29)

Unrighteousness means doing things that are wrong, unfair, or not morally good. It's the opposite of being honest, fair, and morally right.

People worship idols and created things rather than the Creator (verse 23)

People engage in lustful desires, including same-sex relations (verses 24-27)

People have minds that are depraved and full of ungodly thoughts (verse 28)

A depraved mind is when a person's thoughts and ideas become very twisted and wrong, often leading them to do harmful or bad things.

It's like their thinking becomes really messed up, and they might not make good choices because their thoughts are so distorted.

People are full of envy, murder, quarreling, and hatred (verse 29)

People are disobedient to their parents and to authorities (verse 30)

People lack understanding, break their promises, and are without love or mercy (verse 31)

People not only engage in sinful behavior but also approve of others who do so (verse 32)

Reflection Questions

According to Romans 1:18-32, what are some ways in which people suppress the truth about God?

How can you see elements of the "deep darkness" described in Isaiah 60:2 in today's world?

In what ways does society exchange the truth about God for other things, as mentioned in verse 25?

2. You are the light of the world

Jerusalem represents God’s people, who are being called to out of slumber and play their role.

We are God’s people.

Israel was sent as a light to the nations. But it failed to shine. That role was transferred to Jesus.

Light is a metaphor for the salvation and spiritual revival brought by Jesus to the world.

Jesus is the light of world

John 8:12, 9:4-5

John 8:12 NIV

12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 9:4–5 NIV

4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

Jesus is referring to the darkness Isaiah mentioned in verse 2a: For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people;

We are experiencing that darkness right now, with values turned upside down.

Jesus gathered around him 12 disciples and gave them his authority. As the Father sent, to replace Israel, Jesus is sending his disciples.

Jesus transferred that role to us:

Matthew 5:14–15 NIV

14 “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.

Reflection Questions

What significance does Jesus being referred to as "the light of the world" hold for Christians today?

How do you interpret the command in Matthew 5:14-15 for believers to be the "light of the world"? What does it mean for your daily life?

3. Destined to shine

Ephesians 5:8–14 NIV

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Just as the glory of God will shine upon Jerusalem in the future, Christ is shining upon us right now!

About your destiny

Your destiny is beyond your natural ability to fulfill

That’s why God has given us both grace and gifts, which empower us to function in our call to shine.

God’s grace, combined with our gifts, enables us to overcome our natural limitations.

Reflection Question

Your calling/destiny is beyond your own natural ability. Why did God design it this way?

4. Grace and gifts to shine

Romans 12:6–8 NIV

6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

God gives us gifts so we can build up his church.

God's gifts differ in nature, power, and effectiveness according to his wisdom and graciousness.

God gave you and I gifts and talents to help you represent him correctly and precisely.

Correctly: This adverb refers to doing something accurately or in a manner that is free from errors or mistakes. It means that the action is done in a way that is right or accurate according to a particular standard or expectation.

Precisely: This adverb indicates doing something in an exact and specific manner. It implies a high level of accuracy, attention to detail, and adherence to specifics. It emphasizes the absence of ambiguity or vagueness in the action or information.

Here is an example:

Shammah

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2 Samuel 23:11–12 NIV

11 Next to him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. When the Philistines banded together at a place where there was a field full of lentils, Israel’s troops fled from them. 12 But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the Lord brought about a great victory.

Here is another example:

Bezalel and Oholiab

Exodus 31:1–6 NIV

1 Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills—4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 5 to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. 6 Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you:

Easy English Bible Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 ‘Look! I have chosen Bezalel, the son of Uri and the grandson of Hur. He belongs to the tribe of Judah. 3 I have filled him with my Spirit so that he has special skills. He knows how to make many kinds of things. 4 He can draw pictures of beautiful things that he wants to make. Then he uses gold, silver or bronze to make them. 5 He knows how to cut valuable stones and make them look beautiful. He knows how to cut wood into different shapes. He is very clever at all kinds of work. 6 I have also chosen Oholiab to help Bezalel. Oholiab is the son of Ahisamach. He belongs to the tribe of Dan. I have also helped all the workers who have special skills. They will be able to make everything that I have commanded you to make.

Another example

Tabitha (aka Dorcas)

Acts 9:36–42 NIV

36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!” 39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. 40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.

To use gifts effectively, we must:

Realize that all gifts and abilities come from God;

Understand that not everyone has the same gifts;

Know who we are and what we do best;

Dedicate our gifts to God's service and not to our personal success;

Be willing to utilize our gifts wholeheartedly, not holding back anything from God's service.

Reflection Questions

Biblical grace is not only God’s gift of salvation, but also His empowerment for our lives. How do you view God’s grace?

Do some, many, or even all of God’s children receive gifts? What gifts and abilities have you received? How do you see these gifts as beneficial to others?

5. Take care of the gifts!

Each of us are caretakers of the gifts God has given us.

If we don’t administer them properly, then others would not experience the benefit, and would even suffer the loss of what God intended for them to receive.

Read:

Matthew 25:14–30 NKJV

14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ 26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

In the Isaiah passage a command is given to arise. A command is an order, a call.

In Matthew the master called his servants: he commanded, ordered them to arise and come to him.

In Isaiah, the Lord promises to give his light to his people after the command to arise.

In Matthew, the master gives his wealth; and it is considerable wealth.

A talent was the largest unit of currency used in Jesus’ day. The talent measure the value of money in either silver or gold.

1 talent of silver = $22,000 current day US dollars

1 talent of gold = $1.8 million current day US dollars.

A few truths about gift caring:

A caretaker oversees what belongs to another.

They carry authority to manage what has been entrusted to them.

They will give an account to the owner.

It’s dangerous to neglect our God-given gifts.

1 Corinthians 9:16 NIV

16 For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!

Your gift is not for you; it’s to be given to others: You carry what God wants others to have.

1 Peter 4:10 NIV

10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

Reflection Questions

Why is it important to take care of your gifts faithfully? What’s are the consequences of neglecting to take care of your gifts?

What are some reasons why you might neglect your gifts? How can you overcome these challenges?

6. Faithfulness

1 Corinthians 4:1–2 NIV

1 This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.

According to the Bible, one thing is required of the caretaker of God’s gift: Being faithful.

According to ChatGPT:

"Faithful" refers to being steadfast, loyal, and consistent in one's commitments, actions, and beliefs. It involves a sense of reliability and trustworthiness, where a person remains true to their promises, responsibilities, and principles over time. Being faithful implies a strong sense of dedication and devotion to a person, cause, belief, or duty, and it often involves showing unwavering support and reliability even in challenging or difficult circumstances.

A few years back, Pastor Freddy shared with me that while many individuals attend church, give, and serve with dedication, these actions still fall short of the kind of faithfulness that Jesus praises.

All these are important and necessary, but they are comparable to only eating the appetizers of a full course meal, or only visiting the lobby of a building.

In the account of the talents, Jesus doesn't associate faithfulness with qualities like loyalty, consistency, reliability, or trustworthiness, dedication and so on.

Only the servants who multiplied what was entrusted to them were called faithful.

6.1 Jesus measures faithfulness through our productivity and fruitfulness.

6.2 Those who multiply are considered good and faithful. (Ver. 21, 23)

1. They are obedient to the master’s command

Genesis 1:28 NKJV

28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

2. They have faith in their master who gave them the talents: He said he was coming back and they believed him.

3. They know their master, and they meet his standard of excellence, discerning what's good from what's not.

6.3 Those who simply maintain are considered lazy and wicked. (Ver. 26)

1. They are disobedient

2. They lack faith in the master

3. They don’t really know their master

What do we confess about Jesus, yet fail to live by that?

The wicked and lazy servant knew and confessed about the character of his master, yet failed to act in a way that aligns with what he knew of him.

We confess Jesus’ Lordship, but do we live by his standards

Prioritizing Self-Interest: When individuals prioritize their own desires, ambitions, and interests above God's will and the well-being of others, they may not fully acknowledge Jesus as Lord.

Lack of Submission: Submission to Jesus' lordship implies surrendering one's will to His. When people resist God's guidance or attempt to control their lives independently, they may not fully submit to Jesus' authority.

Ignoring His Teachings: Neglecting or disregarding the teachings of Jesus in daily decision-making can indicate a failure to acknowledge His lordship.

Selective Obedience: Some may obey certain aspects of Jesus' teachings while disregarding others that are inconvenient or uncomfortable, demonstrating a partial acknowledgment of His lordship.

Idolatry: When people prioritize and worship material possessions, relationships, or other idols over Jesus, it signifies that His lordship is not fully recognized.

Living in Sin: Persistent engagement in sinful behaviors without repentance or a desire for transformation may indicate a lack of submission to Jesus as Lord.

Neglecting Prayer and Worship: Failing to maintain a consistent prayer life and engage in regular worship can signify a distance from acknowledging Jesus' lordship.

Failure to Love Neighbors: Jesus emphasized love for one's neighbors, including acts of kindness, compassion, and forgiveness. Neglecting to demonstrate such love can suggest a gap in acknowledging His lordship.

Walking by Fear: Making decisions and taking actions primarily driven by fear rather than faith in Jesus' guidance and protection may indicate a lack of trust in His lordship.

Cultural or Societal Pressures: Succumbing to societal norms and cultural values that contradict Jesus' teachings may lead to behaviors that do not fully align with His lordship.

Lack of Discipleship: Not actively seeking to grow in one's faith, knowledge of God's Word, and discipleship can hinder the acknowledgment of Jesus as Lord.

Reflection Questions

How have you viewed faithfulness? After listening to this sermon series, how has your perspective changed?

How does Jesus measure faithfulness? Why is productivity and fruitfulness important?

Why do you think it’s important to God that you multiply the gifts He’s entrusted to you?

How can you avoid a maintenance mentality and begin cultivating a multiply mentality?

7. More will be given

A lot of believers have missed the full scope of what it means to be faithful.

Due to this misunderstanding, many have settled to maintain rather than multiply.

In an attempt to play it safe, many have failed to achieve the impact that God has planned for them to accomplish.

7.1 God’s way is to reward those who multiply with more, and He has no problem with them having an abundance.

7.2 God desires His children to have an abundance as long as their heart is to build the kingdom and to use their abundance for the benefit of others.

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