Arise & Shine

This morning we are wrapping up our three part series the coming king. Over the past few weeks I have shared with you about the battle of two kingdoms, and the signs of his coming.

Our anchor verse for this series is found in Isaiah 60:1–2 which says,

“Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you.”

It is easy to look around and see the darkness in the earth, along with the gross darkness on the people. The truth is that as people choose to reject the knowledge of God darkness and depravity abound. Romans 1:21-32 gives us a picture of what that looks like.

Romans 1:21–27 “because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.”

It goes on to say, Romans 1:28–32 “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.”

The foundational issue of darkness is the rejection truth. When people profess to be wise apart from the knowledge of God they become fools. As we recognize the signs of his coming we know that these thing will take place in increasingly greater ways. Many will turn away from the truth.

What are we to do? Arise and Shine.

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Submit:

Yes the spiritual battle rages. Yes it is intensifying seemingly by the day. Yes darkness abounds, but I can also tell you with the upmost certainty and confidence that God will not be overcome. His kingdom purposes will prevail. We do not need to be afraid. The darkness in this world pales in comparison to the strength of His glory!

We don’t need to focus on the darkness in the world. We need to shine! You see Isaiah went on to say in Isaiah 60:3-4.

Isaiah 60:3–4 “The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising. “Lift up your eyes all around, and see: They all gather together, they come to you; Your sons shall come from afar, And your daughters shall be nursed at your side.”

The evidence of the kingdom in your life will draw people. They won’t be drawn to you as a person, but to the Jesus that is in you. When you arise and shine they will begin to see a difference and desire it.

When they see you in a situation and know that you should be stressed, but you seem to be at peace. They will ask how is that possible and you are able to tell them the promise of God in Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.”

Living out the truth shines the light. Our greatest need is to keep the fire burning by devoting ourselves to prayer and worship. The priest in the temple were responsible to keep and maintain the fire burning on the altar daily. Leviticus 6:12.

Leviticus 6:12 “And the fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it; it shall not be put out. And the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt offering in order on it; and he shall burn on it the fat of the peace offerings.”

To arise and shine you and I need to stoke the flame of the Spirit in our lives. We need to continually tend to the flame in our hearts, so that we will burn for the Lord. The more intense the flame the brighter the light.

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Apply:

Letting our light shine is simpler than you might think. It is not about having it all together. It is about the work of the Holy Spirit in us. When we submit to his leading we will shine.

We shine when we surrender. Salvation – Psalm 85:9

“Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, That glory may dwell in our land.”

We shine when we turn From Evil – Psalm 34:14–15

“Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry.”

We shine when we know God’s will – Psalm 25:12

“Who is the man that fears the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses.”

We shine when we walk in Wisdom – Proverbs 9:10

““The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

We shine when others see his provision in our life. – Psalm 34:9

“Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him.”

We shine when they see His Protection in our lives – Psalm 34:7

“The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.”

We shine when he gives us Fulfilled desires – Psalm 145:19

“He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them.”

There are so many more areas concerning Health, longevity, happiness, prosperity, riches, honor, and life. The goodness of God in our lives reveals His glory. When we seek His face and follow His ways the world will see the glory of the Lord in your life, and be drawn to it.

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Closing:

As I close this message I want to remind you of the importance of your pursuit and life before the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:20 reminds us, “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.”

If you have placed your trust in Christ you are an ambassador of the kingdom of God.

Share your story Revelation 12:11

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”

Share the gospel Romans 1:16

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”

Pray for people Ephesians 6:18

“praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—”

Study the word so you are equipped 2 Timothy 3:16–17

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Serve Ephesians 2:10

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

Serve through outreaches Matthew 25:40

“And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’”

Walk in love & love your neighbor Mark 12:30–31

“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.””

Learn to hear his voice Psalm 29:4

“The voice of the Lord is powerful; The voice of the Lord is full of majesty.”

Live a life of obedience. John 14:15

““If you love Me, keep My commandments.”

Lead your family well: Ephesians 5:22–29

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.”

Raise your kids and grandkids in the fear of the Lord: Deuteronomy 6:7

“You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.”

I cant guarantee that everyone will turn to the Lord, but you can be an effective witness simply by the way you live your life. To Arise and Shine is to allow the effects of the kingdom in your life to be seen by all.