It’s Time To Arise

Arise And Shine

Isaiah 60:1–5 “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations 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 carried on the hip. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and exult, because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you.”

Isaiah 60:11 “Your gates shall be open continually; day and night they shall not be shut, that people may bring to you the wealth of the nations, with their kings led in procession.” 11

WAKE UP

It’s Your Moment Of Change

"Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon you."This verse is a powerful call to action, urging believers to wake up and let their light shine, reflecting God's glory. 

The phrase "arise and shine" in Isaiah 60:1 is a call to action, urging God's people to awaken from spiritual slumber and reflect the glory of the Lord. It signifies a transition from darkness to light, a new beginning, and a call to share God's glory with the world. 

When you’re young and energetic, you tend to be on high alert every waking moment. Your ability to move about is never in question as long as you are “up and at ‘em,” as they say. It’s the waking part that tends to present us with the greater challenge. That is to say, even if you consider yourself, as I do, an “early riser,” you like to get up on your own. You don’t want anybody pressuring you to jump out of bed, at least not before you’re ready. Indeed, for most of us, the hardest words for any of us to hear are those three that too often come to us in our moments of greatest slumber: “Rise and shine!” “Rise and shine!” Especially is that the case that when the morning light that comes your way doesn’t find you particularly excited about whatever you have before you.

But if there’s anything worse than having somebody else rouse you before you’re ready to get up, it’s being in a position where you have to convince somebody else to do so.

That’s the position in which the prophet Isaiah found himself in this passage before us this morning. The 60th chapter of Isaiah comes at a point in his prophecy when Isaiah found himself facing the challenge of encouraging the returning exiles that God had not given up on His promise to make them a “light to the nations.” God had roused them from their seven-decade sentence in Babylon, and though they had returned to Jerusalem excited about their future, the dark reality of beholding a city in ruins, a city that bore no resemblance to its former glory, a city that was nothing more than a shell of its former self, the reality of that bitter sight and what would be required to rebuild it was more than they could stand. They had come to a place where they just wanted to pull the covers back over their heads and go back to sleep. But God had told Isaiah in no uncertain times that He was not going to allow that to happen.

Thus Isaiah speaks out those three words that a sleepy, slumbering people never want to hear: “Rise and shine! For your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. Behold, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and His glory appears over you.”

What Isaiah is telling the people is that in spite of the fact that nothing to these returning exiles looked as if they had thought it would be and there didn’t seem to be any chance of anything changing for the better in the near future, God was about to draw near to them to do in their midst what only God could do – to bring to bear His light and salvation upon their gloom and darkness and to restore them to a place where they might bear witness to the nations the difference that trusting in God always makes.

CONTRAST

Darkness and Light:The passage contrasts the darkness covering the earth with the light that has come to the believers, highlighting God's presence and the hope He offers. 

God's Glory:The phrase "the glory of the LORD" emphasizes God's radiant presence and His divine power and majesty. 

Nations Drawn to the Light:Isaiah 60:3-5 speaks of the nations being drawn to the light, indicating a future where people from all walks of life will be attracted to God's people and their faith. 

Restoration and Abundance:The passage also speaks of a time of restoration, with people returning, bringing abundance, and offering praise to the Lord.

CONCLUSION

In essence, the sermon on Isaiah 60:1-5 focuses on:

God's initiative: God is the source of the light and glory that believers are to reflect. 

Believers' response: Believers are called to actively arise and shine, reflecting God's light to the world. 

Hope and restoration: The passage points to a future where God's light draws people to Him and brings about restoration and blessing.

Rise and Shine: Embracing the Light of God’s Deliverance

Bible Passage: Isaiah 60:1-7

Summary: Isaiah 60:1-7 is a prophetic call to arise and shine, as the glory of the Lord shines upon His people. It speaks of the coming restoration and deliverance that God will bring to His people, transforming darkness into light and gathering nations to witness His glory.

Application: This passage encourages Christians to awaken from spiritual slumber and step into the light of God's presence. In times of despair or disillusionment, recognizing God's light can provide hope and direction, motivating believers to reflect His light in the world.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that God’s light breaks the chains of darkness and disappointment, calling believers to actively participate in His mission of restoration and hope. It emphasizes the transformative power of God's presence in the lives of individuals and communities.

How this passage could point to Christ: In the broader biblical narrative, Christ embodies the light of the world (John 8:12), fulfilling the prophetic promise of Isaiah. His coming brings not only deliverance but also invites all nations to come to the light of salvation, establishing a new covenant where all can share in the glory of God.

Big Idea: Awakening to God's light transforms our lives and empowers us to impact the world around us with hope and purpose, reflecting His glory.

Recommended Study: As you prepare, consider exploring the historical context of Isaiah's prophecy and the relevance of light imagery in Scripture. Utilize Logos to examine how this passage relates to New Testament themes, particularly in the context of Jesus as the light and the implications for the church's mission. Additionally, look into commentaries that discuss the eschatological significance of Isaiah 60 in relation to current cultural challenges.

1. Awaken to Illumination

Isaiah 60:1

Perhaps you could inspire your congregation with the call to 'Arise!’, reminding them that God’s light has already come into our world. Encourage them to see themselves as carriers of this light, catalysts in their communities, who bring hope and renewal to dark places, reflecting the radiant light of Christ, the true Light of the world.

2. Overcome the Shadows

Isaiah 60:2

You might emphasize that though darkness covers the earth, God’s light shines distinctly upon His people. Maybe explore how believers can stand firm and resist this darkness, relying on God's presence as their guiding beacon. Point to Christ's victory over darkness at Calvary, offering a foundation for steadfast living.

3. Attract Through Radiance

Isaiah 60:3

Highlight that nations are drawn to the light of God’s people, just as we are drawn to Christ, the ultimate source of light. Suggest ways the church can become attractive witnesses in the world, embodying God’s truth and love, drawing others closer to Him through their transformed lives.

4. Gather in Unity

Isaiah 60:4

Encourage a hopeful outlook by pointing out that God’s salvation will gather people from afar. Perhaps challenge the congregation to look beyond their current struggles and envision a future where God’s promises are fulfilled, fostering unity and peace among diverse peoples through Jesus Christ.

5. Rejoice in Abundance

Isaiah 60:5

Maybe you could illustrate how the heart swells with joy at the influx of abundance—symbolizing the spiritual blessings poured out in Christ. Urge believers to open their hearts to God’s generosity and let this joy overflow to others as a testament to the abundance found in Christ’s kingdom.

6. Invest in Kingdom Treasure

Isaiah 60:6

You could explore the prophetic vision of wealth and resources coming to enhance God’s people’s mission, pointing out that the true treasure is the Good News of Christ. Encourage the church to invest their resources wisely in kingdom efforts, reflecting generosity and Christ’s self-giving love.

7. Worship in Restoration

Isaiah 60:7

Perhaps focus on God's ultimate purpose: glorifying His house with restored worship. Invite believers to commit to lives of worship and service, where their actions continually display the beauty of God’s holiness, much like how Jesus expressed perfect devotion to the Father.

The smallest light still shines in the darkest night.

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ILLUSTRATIONS

In a world overshadowed by despair, we face the question: How do we arise amidst turmoil? Just as Gideon rose from the oppression of the Midianites to lead God's people (Judges 6), we must recognize our calling. God sees potential in our darkness, asking us to trust in Him and step into His light. Our daily decisions, rooted in faith, can lift not only ourselves but also those around us.

Think of the story of Lazarus, a man who had been dead and buried for four days. When Jesus called him forth, he emerged from the tomb, grave clothes still wrapping around him. Sometimes, we are like Lazarus—caught in the deadness of our circumstances. Yet, when we heed the call of Christ, we can arise anew, shedding our burial clothes of despair to embrace life abundantly.

Imagine a bird struggling to break free from its shell. It must fight and push to be free, and it’s a painful process. Yet, if we hurry to help it, we hinder its ability to fly. In our Christian walk, we must also face struggles, realizing they strengthen us. Rising in the world means embracing our challenges, knowing God uses them for our growth and transformation.

Reflect on the life of Peter, who was once a fisherman feeling inadequate. After a miraculous catch of fish, Jesus called him to lead (Luke 5:10). Peter had to arise from his identity of inferiority to embrace his new purpose in Christ. Similarly, God calls each of us to rise above our limitations and doubts, inviting us to serve others and fulfill His mission.

In the parable of the prodigal son, we see a young man who wandered far from home. When he decided to arise and return to his father, he was met with open arms and unconditional love (Luke 15:20). This illustrates how each of us has the ability to arise from our wayward paths, reminding us that no matter how far we strayed, God is always waiting to embrace us back into His fold.

APPLICATION IN YOUR SPACE

At home, you might be facing a difficult relationship with a family member who is resistant to change or forgiveness. To let your light shine, take time to write a heartfelt letter expressing your love, understanding, and willingness to work on the relationship. By initiating this process, you not only demonstrate Christlike love but also create an opening for meaningful conversation and healing.

In a challenging work environment where negativity and gossip are rampant, your light can shine by intentionally being a source of encouragement. Start each day thinking of at least one colleague to uplift with a compliment or acknowledgment of their hard work. This small act can foster a more positive atmosphere and encourage others to reflect God’s love in their interactions.

In your public life, you may encounter moments of tension or anger, such as during a heated debate in a community meeting. To shine your light, practice active listening and respond with grace instead of reacting impulsively. Take a moment to pray before you speak, aiming to articulate your thoughts in a way that promotes respect and understanding, even amidst disagreement.

If your home is marked by stress due to work or finances, consider starting a family prayer night. Invite everyone to share their worries and pray together for peace and provision. This not only strengthens family bonds but also allows everyone to see God at work, reinforcing that He is in control during challenging times.

While engaging in community events, you may struggle to find ways to connect with others. Make it a goal to introduce yourself to someone new each week and ask them about their lives. Sharing your faith story naturally in these conversations will shine a light on your life in Christ, making your faith a living testimony to those around you.