IDOP Persedcuted Church

Light up the Darkness

If we would make this room completely dark, has anyone ever been in a cave where when the lights go our it is completely dark? Why do we often fear utter darkness? Because what was in the room before we turn the light off and when we turn it back on is the same. So why do we fear? It is really a fear of the unknown right? If you can’t see you don’t know if something dangerous is coming. Back to the cave illustration. Before the lights went out there were no rats or snakes in the cave with you, but while the lights are out who knows right? But if we are in this room in utter darkness, what happens if someone strikes a match in the furthest corner of the room? We all see it right? Even though it is the tiniest light, why? Because the light over powers the dark and that same truth governs the spiritual world as well Amen?

At this time I want to share Sejun’s story. I want you to pay attention how the light over powers the darkness.

Did you see it? Did you catch the darkness of Buddhism? Sajun mentioned that the texts of Buddhism teach peace and tranquility but what did he experience? Anger and beatings. We need to be very careful here. Because Jesus made some very strong statements about the Christian faith and peace.

Philippians 4:7 ESV

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

We must take stock of our hearts this morning. We are not immune to the hypocrisy that Sajun experienced are we?

Galatians 5:22–23 ESV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Check the fruit of your life this morning, are you overflowing with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control or are you overflowing with anger, strife, worry, unforgiveness, arguing, complaining, self centeredness, sexual immortality, or addiction? Is your life producing good fruit in greater quantity or is your life producing bad fruit.

Ephesians 5:8–13 ESV

for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible,

If you remember back to the video what reached Sajun? A fellow brother in Christ showing him kindness. I think it is heartbreaking to think about how many people need kindness.

ILLUSTRATION: You met Sejun of Nepal in the video and were introduced to his life as a child in a Buddhist culture. Global missiologists know that over 500 million people globally (6.3% of the population of earth) are trapped in the spiritual darkness of Buddhism. They are not simply following an alternate spiritual light that may result in salvation; they are utterly lost. Of that 500 million people, more than 385 million live in areas that are considered unreached, which means that less than 2% of the population is considered Christian. Additionally, nearly 18 million people following the darkness of Buddhism live in areas on the mission frontier — areas with virtually no followers of Jesus and where pioneer cross-cultural workers are needed. Over two thousand years have passed since Jesus spoke these words: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” However, many places on our planet remain where this source of light, Christ Jesus our Lord, is not known among Buddhists. In places like Nepal, men and women, boys and girls have little to no opportunity to live in the light of Christ.

As we have been studying through John, what has been your impression of Jesus? The word that has really stuck out to me is compassion and love and WOW what a difference that made in Sajun’s life. His teacher show compassion on him and kindness made a huge difference, before Sajun met that teacher, he was lost in the darkness. And what power did one believer have when he allowed the light of Jesus Christ to shine through him?

In closing I want to spend some quit time in prayer, you can see the request on the screen. (Read them)

So prayer for these silently and then I will close.