Be light

INTRODUCTION

John 9:41 “Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains.”

God wants you blind and knowing it.

This man was born blind that the works of God might be displayed in him.

Jesus blinded the the apostle Paul at his conversion.

“Blind leading the blind” (Matthew 15.14).

Born today, woke or traditional.

This is nothing new. Nietzsche discussed Apollo vs. Dionysus.

Order/logic vs Passion/instinct

All the culture around us offers is darkness, a corruption of good ideas.

“I was blind, but now I see.”

MESSAGE

The Bible’s restrictions can be broken down into three practical categories: sexual immorality, greed, and filthy language (5.3-6).

immorality - sexual activity of any type outside of marriage.

1 Thessalonians 4:3 “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;”

1 Thessalonians 4:7 “For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.”

Filthiness, Foolish talk, Crude joking

..in defiance of moral standards

...nonsensical talk that emerges at parties

...quick-witted, clever humor that is malicious and sexually vulgar

Colossians 3:8 “But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.”

Proverbs 4:24 “Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you.”

Matthew 12:34 “You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”

Covetousness - love, trust, and obey wealth rather than God (5.5).

Colossians 3:5 “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”

Luke 16:13 “No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.””

..it is self-love. We celebrate our identities.

This behavior is “out of place” among believers who server a good God (5.4).

“Let no one deceive you with empty words” (5.6).

Those who are unpersuaded will belittle the seriousness.

Our culture:

“God is not concerned with trivial matters. Wants us to be who we are inside.”

“Sexual perversion is wrong. Its OK to cuss and have sex outside of marriage.”

There are so many “logical”, first nature, reasons not to follow Jesus (Solomon’s experiments).

Sexual pleasure, world building/advancements, laughter and comedy

Live as people of the light (5.7-14).

The first recorded words of God - “Let there be light.”

Light existed before the sun, moon, and stars.

Psalm 104:2 “covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent.”

John 11:9–10 “Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.””

John 9:5 “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of 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.”

2 Peter 1:19 “And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,”

Genesis 44:3 “As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away with their donkeys.” (morning, awaken, do not sleep)

(5.11)

Speaks to sexual immorality, greed, and filthy/vulgar speech

We must expose them - by our conduct and words

(5.12)

It is shameful to speak of what they do (in secret/visible, darkness/light, asleep/woke). If speaking is bad, how much worse doing?

(5.13-14) - a song

Isaiah 26:19 “Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead.”

Numbers 6:24–26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”

CONCLUSION

Remember:

Jesus calls us to use our desires to serve Him, not ourselves.

When you are a new creation, your sexuality, purpose, and words are transformed.

There are so many "logical" reasons not to follow Jesus.

All of your unbelieving or unfaithful friends are in darkness. Be light.