Three Fundamental Principles of Life

Luke 8:16-18

The ministry and message of Gospel is one that ushers in true and abundant life—a life not found in the passing pleasures of this world, but a life found within the confines of a relationship with Jesus Christ. Through the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ, those who have entrusted their lives into His hands, see their former lives put to death, being born again into new life as new creations (See John 3 and 2 Corinthians 5:17 for more)

This is what has been discussed over the past several weeks. Jesus now, upon the completion of The Parable of the Sower, shifts the disciple’s (and our) attention to three (3) fundamental principles of life. These principles are given not just for the minister, but for ANY and ALL believers, from the layperson to the pastor/elder himself.

We’ve been given light (life) for a purpose

We must know that nothing (no thing) is hidden from God; secrecy is impossible (if we believe the cross put our sin to death, then their should be no fear in confession/Numbers 32:23 “But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out.” )

Truth is narrow

(READ Luke 8:16-18)

I. (v.16) Principle #1—To Know the Purpose of our Light

Luke 8:16 ““No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light.”

What does light do and what does this teach us about Jesus? For the sake of our time this morning, I will list these and then give you the verse which corresponds

Light is clear and pure..as clear and pure as light is, the light of Christ is perfectly pure and perfectly clear (John 8:12)

Light penetrates, it cuts through and eliminates darkness…when we are made alive in Christ (Eph 2:5), His light tore through the darkness and brought is into His light (life) (1 Peter 2:9)

Light enlightens and enlarges one’s vision and knowledge of an area…the more we expose ourselves to the light (life) of Christ, the more we will grow in knowledge of life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3)

Light reveals, it uncovers things which are hidden in darkness…when light exposes those things hidden by darkness, not only are those things dealt with, we know what paths to avoid (Ephesians 5:11–14)

Light guides, it directs a person on the path in which they should go…without the light (truth) of God’s Word, a person most certainly walks down the wrong path (Psalm 119:105 and Proverbs 16:9)

Light strips away what darkness has covered (Romans 13:12)

Light brings peace from the chaos of darkness (Luke 1:78–79)

To begin, what does Christ mean when He says “lamp,” or “candle?”

(FIRST) A candle/lamp represents a person’s life—a life which God Himself has given, it is not a purchased or earned life:

Genesis 2:7 “then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.”

(SECOND) A candle/lamp—a person’s life—can only be lit by God—we cannot give light (life) to ourselves, it is given only by God, through Jesus Christ

John 8:12 “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.””

(THIRD) A candle/lamp—a person—cannot fulfill their Biblical purpose until the lamp has been lit; otherwise a person merely exists in this world, in other words, a person, apart from salvation merely exists in the world, void of knowing, understanding, and living to their true and Biblical purpose.

With that understood, what is the purpose of the believer’s light (life)?

(FIRST) A person’s life (light) is to be in a conspicuous and obvious place, not covered, hidden, or obscured, flickering or shuddering, What are some reasons for a believer’s light to become covered, hidden, obscured, or shuddering?

Sin: It is most difficult, if not impossible, to rightly shine the light of Jesus Christ if a person if you living with unrepentant sin (there’s a stern warning about this in our next point)

Sin distracts and divides our hearts/minds, hindering our light

Sin (depending on the severity and circumstance) can damage, ruin, or otherwise void our testimony

NOTE: While God can, will, and does restore a person who repents and turns from their sin(s), often times the light which once shined bright, takes time to stop flickering and shuddering

Unwillingness to move beyond the point of salvation: This refers to a believer who knows they are to be a light, yet struggle to move forward from the point of salvation (either out of pride, fear, or partiality); here they keep for themselves the light of salvation others so desperately need:

When Paul instructs the Philippian church to “work out their salvation with fear and trembling,” the picture he was painting was that God’s salvation—which was like that of a rare diamond which He planted in us, was to shine brightly for others to see:

Philippians 2:12–13 “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

When God instructed the Israelites to cross the Jordan, it wasn’t so they would mingle about with those other pagan nations—it was to march forward in the strength of HIs name—and as they were conquering these enemies—they were also exposing pagan nations to the truth—”the light” of God; note what happened with Rahab:

Joshua 2:10–11 “For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction. And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath.”

Lack of understanding: I believe so many people fall short in not understanding they’ve been created for a purpose and they’ve been saved for a purpose

Each of us, in being created in God’s Triune image, has been created for the purpose of being image bearers

Genesis 1:26–27 “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

Every believer—who’s life has been redeemed—has been saved for purpose of good works, works that edify, exalt, minister, and serve the Lord

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.”

(SECOND) Where are these “conspicuous places,” where should our light “stand,” for others?

In families

In the confines of our marriages

Husbands—are you putting and leading your wives in the light of Christ? Does your marriage stand in and on the foundation of Christ, or is there another foundation in which you are leading your family?

Wives—are you putting and submitting to your husbands, “as to the Lord,” in the light of Christ? Are you allowing Him to lead you the way Christ has called him to, and is Christ the bedrock of your relationship with him, or is there another foundation in which you are relating to him?

In the context of parents and children

Parents—is Christ on the mantle of your parenting? Do you children know and recognize that Christ is leading you in how you are raising them, or are you raising them according to worldly standards and teachings?

Children—is Christ reflected in your honoring and obedience to your parents

In our homes

When others come to your house (family or friend)m what is the impression they will have

Will they know they you serve the Lord or serve idols?

Joshua 24:15 “And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.””

Will they know the audience that your serve?

Galatians 1:10 “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

In the world, specifically in the neighborhoods, towns, and communities we live in; in our comings and goings

The light we bear is the light we carry—the light which goes with us

Workplace and job-sites?

Schools—students, are you more concerned with popularity and making yourself known, or making Christ known?

Athletic field

Within the church:

Is the light of Christ being shown to the unbeliever, the first time visitor, the single-mom, the addict, or the outcast or is their partiality or prejudice which has rooted itself in your heart

James 2:1–5 “My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?”

Note the why? God never tells us something to do, without having a purpose behind it, especially when it come to being a light in the world

Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

A believer’s true and Biblical purpose is to set themselves aside, so all that’s left—all that people see is the light of Jesus Christ shining straight through them

II. (v.17) Principle #2: All things will be uncovered—there are no secrets

Luke 8:17 “For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.”

Ever since sin entered man’s heart, the inclination, or the leaning, of man’s heart is to hide things—to keep things secret

It happens with out sin: In that we know about sin, what it does, what it causes—there exists a tension b/t the conviction of the Holy Spirit and the temptation to hide our sin b/c of the misery and feelings of guilt, shame, and condemnation

Genesis 3:6–8 “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.”

It happens with our possessions and wealth: People hide possession and wealth in order not to give, live selfishly, or to justify spending more

Acts 5:1–2 “But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”

We keep secret our gifts/talents: People keep to themselves, keeping the gifts/talents/abilities God has given them so serve Him and others locked away. Why? Because it’s too much of a sacrifice to live sacrificially. In preferring the complacency of comfort and living in the plenty, or out of fear—the needs of others go unmet

Judges 6:11 “Now the angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the winepress to hide it from the Midianites.”

We even keep quiet about the Truth and Light we have come to know: For whatever reason (laziness, complacency, embarrassment, apprehension, or fear), people lack the vision, willingness, commitment and sacrifice to set their “lamp on a hill,” for others to see

People think the things they do in secret will never get found out

The arrogance of man believes that if secret sins and hidden things remain secret and hidden,

Bad consequences will never happen, and they will escape

Suffering and punishment

What the Bible teaches is

God’s question of Adam, “Where are you?” could be viewed as a rhetorical question—but more so, in God’s sovereignty and omniscience (His knowing all things), His question was designed to draw out Adam’s acknowledgement and confession of sin

Genesis 3:9 “But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?””

Peter, under the inspiration of and with the discernment of the Holy Spirt responds to Ananias (and soon after, his wife)

Acts 5:3–5 “But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.”

Christ Himself (a pre-incarnate Christ) came to Gideon as he was hiding from the Midianites

Judges 6:12 “And the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.””

Christ stated that nothing—NO thing—will go unseen forever (everything comes to light)

David teaches us that nothing is hidden from God and He knows the motivations of our thoughts, words, and actions

Psalm 139:1–5 “O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.”

When it comes to your sin(s), God knows them—even the hidden/secret ones you are too ashamed to confess, yet God’s Word has promised you (us) a number of things:

Psalm 103:10–13 “He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.”

1 Peter 3:18 “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,”

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

When it comes to conviction of our sin, we must see the value and purpose of conviction

God’s conviction of our sin—through the Holy Spirit—should be seen as fatherly love:

Hebrews 12:5–7 “And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?”

God’s conviction serves to “intersect” us in the middle of our sin:

Acts 9:1–5 “But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”

God’s conviction stings the more we resist it

Acts 26:14 (Paul retelling his testimony) “And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’”

God’s conviction is designed to draw us to Himself

James 4:8–9 “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.”

Lastly, when it comes to conviction—we must understand that what the Holy Spirit is calling us to repent of, the cross has already put to death, therefore there should be no fear in confession

What the Bible warns is this—not a single thing will be hidden forever, they will be brought to light—if not by men, then by God, on the day of judgment if not before:

1 Corinthians 4:5 “Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.”

Romans 2:16 “on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.”

Numbers 32:23 “But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out.”

Jeremiah 23:24 “Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord.”

III. (v.18) Truth is narrow

Luke 8:18 “Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.””

What’s wrong the truth of this word? Let’s define to types

Absolute:

Truth which does not change regardless of what one thinks, hopes, or feels about it

Truth which is based on reality

Truth which is discovered

Truth which is “outside” of us

Relative

Truth relative to the individual, society, or historical context

Truth based on personal preference

Truth which is created

Truth which is “inside” us

According to a study conducted by “The Portland Bible Group,” almost half of those that were polled believe truth is relative

Where 35% believe truth is relative, 44% believe truth is relative (or what you make of it—that it’s dependent upon oneself)—the remaining 21% seem to just not care

According to this same study, the effects of relativism on the church is also telling: (while these number may not seem high, remember—they are coming from the church)

28% of people say it doesn’t matter what name we pray to. All people pray to the same God. (JUST LOOK AT THE RECENT QUOTE FROM THE POPE)

23% of people agree “What is morally right and wrong depends on what an individual believes.”

24% make moral choices based on what feels right or will make most people happy.

The effects of relative truth in the church are seeing the effects in the culture around the church; it’s a culture that says:

“If there is no absolute truth, then I don’t have to obey God’s truth”

What is it about Biblical truth

(FIRST) The word “truth” is taken from two Greek words that are very similar, yet posses a different shade of meaning

“Alethes” means true—what is opposite of false

“Alethinos” means true—the genuine and the real; it is the opposite of what is unreal/fictitious/counterfeit/or imaginary; it is also the opposite of the imperfect/defective/frail/and uncertain

What John, Paul, and others are saying then is this: Biblical truth is the opposite of worldly truth—God’s Word is real, a work of perfect non-fiction, that is not made up, but rather perfect, effective, foundational, and certain

(SECOND) God’s truth is absolute truth—it is THE truth

Even if no one knows about it

Even if no one admits it

Even if no one agrees with it

Even if no one follows it

Even if no one, but God fully grasps it

(THIRD) Truth

Is something we must do; something we are to live under and something we must gird (fasten ourselves with)

James 1:22–24 “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.”

Ephesians 6:14 “Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth….”

Is both knowledge and experience

While we gain knowledge by reading and studying, we gain experience in obedience to the truth

Is something known and experienced in the “inward person,” in our hearts

Is what sets a person free

John 8:32 “and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.””

Abstains from even the appearance of evil

1 Thessalonians 5:22 “Abstain from every form of evil.”

(FOURTH) Truth is found in the deity and person of Jesus Christ

John tells us in John 1:9, “The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.”

Jesus Himself tells us in John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Biblical truth is narrow truth

The truth of Biblical salvation is narrow one, which Jesus Himself speaks of in Matthew 7:14

“For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

The truth of Biblical salvation also shows us that sanctification—a person’ growth as a Christian, is also a narrow one

What does this teach us?

We must take heed (be careful, pay attention to, be attentive to) to what we hear (read) from God’s Word

2 Corinthians 13:5 “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!”

We must measure every circumstance/decision in our lives against the truth of God’s Word

1 Thessalonians 5:21 “but test everything; hold fast what is good.”

We must trust the Words we are reading—and the proving grounds of our trust in obedience

Moses, over and over again instructed the 2nd generation of Israelites, before they crossed the Jordan River, to be careful to obey, to take heed to God’s law (some 28 times or more in Deuteronomy). How do we do this?

As we read Scripture we ask God, through prayer, to enlighten and teach us the truths we read in His Word

We read passages through and through, sometimes more than once (new believers or those curious about Christ I encourage to read the Book of John at least 7 times)

We seek counsel, ask questions, give ourselves to study

The reason we need to watch how we hear

Truth will be rewarded, while the seemingly true will be stripped away; in other words if we use (obey) what we hear, we will be given more

Matthew 5:6 ““Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Matthew 7:7–8 ““Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”

Luke 16:10 ““One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.”

The truth, found in Jesus Christ and His Word draws us back, yet again, to the ministry and message of Jesus Christ—that of the salvation of man

Matthew 1:21 “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.””

—————(CLOSING AND WORSHIP)—————-

(FIRST)

It is my belief, that so many people live today, without a right and Biblical understanding of their purpose. Our “lamp”—our life is a gift from God, in His sovereignty and grace He created us to be in fellowship with Him, He created us for worship, and He created us in order than we might experience the love which exists in the Godhead. From that foundation, we were created in order that we might be His workmanship in and through Christ Jesus

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.”

A person who misses this—who neglects or rejects this, finds themselves searching for a purpose amidst the fleeting and passing pleasures of this world—always striving for something only God can fulfill.

Contained in Jesus’ statement in John 14:6 is where we find the source of life, truth, and the path we are to take: “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

In Christ our lamp is lit and our purpose is found

(SECOND)

In order to rightly live to Divinely given purpose, we must allow nothing to be hidden—we must allow the light of Christ to expose the darkness in our hearts. We must not think that we can keep our sin(s) or our selves, hidden from God. God requires a clean and contrite heart, an complete canvass for which to weave His plan into our lives

(THIRD)

We must not resolve ourselves to think that truth is relative—but rather live in the light of the absolute truth of God’s Word.

God’s truth—His Word—is His Word regardless of what we think, feel, or hope. We can look at look at His Word one of two ways:

Restrictive: We can allow God’s Word to become claustrophobic, infringing on us, restricting and burdening us with a list of do’s and don’ts

Restorative: We can allow God’s truth to help us walk in liberty, to be aware of where we should not go, but focus on living on where we should be—in the will of God

Has your lamp been lit?

Have you put your lighted lamb in a conspicuous place or has it been hidden through sin, fear, or some unwillingness.

Have you allowed some weeds/thorns to encroach, which threaten to hinder the truth which set you free and has helped you walk in liberty?