Give Me A Lighthouse

Text

John 8:12 KJV 1900

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 1:1–4 KJV 1900

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

Introduction

“Satan Is A Liar”

The Spirit of Chaos

Genesis 1:1–2 KJV 1900

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

“The Gap Theory” - Satan cast to earth?

Darkness = Chaos

One of Satan’s prime objectives is to inject chaos into creation.

He wants to make chaos by:

Removing the thought that there is absolute truth.

Complicating relationships.

Desensitizing people to the ways of the world.

Breaking down the family and breaking down the institution of marriage.

Turning a country of people against each other.

Normalizing lifestyles that are not of God.

Muddying the waters in the subject of genders.

The Devil is operating in chaos.

1 Peter 5:8 KJV 1900

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

He knows that he doesn’t necessarily have to drive you into this terrible, horrible sin you commit in order to drag a soul to hell - he merely has to orchestrate enough chaos and complicate your life to the point that you are out of God’s will and revival.

Order and Chaos

But can I tell you on this first Sunday night in December, that where the devil is orchestrating chaos, God is bringing together order in His church!

While the antichrist puts into place the chaos of a “New World Order,” God almighty is powerfully ordering fresh revival in His church!

I understand that this world has become so chaotic and complicated that sometimes it’s hard to understand it all, but my Lord, He is NOT THE AUTHOR OF CONFUSION!

He’s not mixing things up - He’s setting things straight!!!

We’re not trending toward spiritual restlessness - we’re trending toward spiritual understanding and direction!

We’re not roaming around in the wilderness like fools, but rather, we are taking sure steps navigated by His anointed word!

And in the midst of a chaotic, messed up world, I’m gonna lift my life up and let Him know, “Lord, order my steps! Set my priorities! Organize this according to your will! Thy will be done in me!!!”

HE’S NOT THE AUTHOR OF CONFUSION - HE’S THE AUTHOR OF ORDER!!!

Body

Chaos Is Our Enemy

The devil has lied to some and caused you to think that, because of recent chaos (unexpected turns in your life), God’s order is being lost.

Due to an injection of chaos (a sickness or an unfortunate event), you’re not allowed to have joy or peace.

Because you have been hit hard, your worship and your praise are not welcome.

Excuse me, but just because you find yourself dealing with all kind of chaos this week, doesn’t mean you can’t have a shout and a praise TODAY!

A 300 pound football player goes into a football game and gets hit 100 times from each and every direction. He’s hurting in more places than he can count, but as long as the score is ordered in their favor, the chaos of hurt and pain won’t be able to contain his excitement!

I said THE CHAOS OF HURT AND PAIN WON’T BE ABLE TO CONTAIN HIS EXCITEMENT!!!

You may be getting hit from every angle today, but I hope you’re not about to let all of that to stop your worship and your praise!!!

I hope that your struggle and pain won’t cloud your eyes to where you can’t find a reason to worship today!

The most famous sufferer outside of Jesus himself said:

Job 1:21 KJV 1900

And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return thither: The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Job 1:21

I wish there’d be somebody agree with a preacher today, and say, “In all this I see, He’s still a good God!!!”

Yes, there’s great pain, but my God is greater!

Yes, there’s great misfortune, but my God is greater!

Yes, there’s great chaos, BUT MY GOD IS GREATER!

Can I get a witness in this house today?

Look For A Lighthouse

John 8:12 KJV 1900

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Oh, what an important statement Jesus was making here!

That in darkness (chaos), “I am the only light [singular] of the world!”

Gulfport Lighthouse

Hear me today: When you find yourself in chaos, it’s time to look for the light.

Gulfport Lighthouse

There was a spot that we visited along the gulf coast. If was the location of a lighthouse that used to stand there. Now it was only flat ground and a sort of memorial.

As I studied the memorial and what had happened, I became quite interested.

Jefferson Lighthouse stood there years ago. And boats and ships from all around would look for Jefferson Lighthouse to know where they could park their boat. They would head straight for it.

But as years went by, a town just next to Gulfport called Biloxi was growing quickly. And, as the city grew, there were more lights, and at night it became a brighter city than Gulfport.

And over a years time, somewhere around the fifties and sixties, ships would head into Biloxi, thinking it was Gulfport, and they would have to back out and go a little further west to make it to their actual destination (Gulfport).

They were following the lights of the city and not the light of the lighthouse.

I’m gonna tell you something, finding myself in the chaotic waters and waves of this world we’re living in, I’m not looking for the lights of a city to show me the way, or some light that everyone else is trusting - GIVE ME A LIGHTHOUSE!

Jesus Is The Lighthouse!

And it’s Jesus who is the lighthouse today! Jesus is the lighthouse!

Parents, wanting to give their kids stability, will try to heavily involve them in a sport or extracurricular activity.

And their motives are good, generally. They know that young people face more temptation and struggle now than any time in history. Drugs, alcohol, and all other things create chaos in the life of young people.

But in their frantic rush to make sure their child is stable, and tethered to something strong, a parent will point a child in chaotic waters toward the lights of the world, and they’ll totally miss the lighthouse that was there, shining brightly the entire time!!!

The Bible says that every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights!

His light pierces through the darkness, and is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path!!!

It’s easy for us to get caught in chaotic waters (anybody there?).

But I want to encourage somebody to lift your head up today! Don’t believe the lie that there is no longer order and anointing being poured out for you!

Look ahead toward the light!

And I don’t mean just any old light!

Give me the lighthouse of Jesus!!!

Characteristics Of A Lighthouse

Solid Footing, A Lighthouse Never, Ever Moves

That lighthouse is a source of stability for the vessel tossed about!

You might ask, “Well, the light is going on and off! It doesn’t stay on! How can that be stable???”

Yes, but if you will time it, that light is actually going around in a circle, and it’s coming back around to shine in your direction, right on time, every time!!!

It may very well seem sometimes that God is nowhere to be found where you’re at.

There are times in which it seems He’s not even seeing what’s taking place in our lives.

But allow me to encourage you in the Spirit today: “If you’ll hold on and believe, the light of Jesus is going to come back around to you today! AND HE’S RIGHT ON TIME, EVERY TIME!!!”

It’s not time to tuck your tail and run - IT’S TIME TO JUMP UP AND SHOUT!

Our surroundings may change, and the storms and waters might get worse, but the God I serve never changes!!!!!

He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever! He’s not here, then gone! He’s everpresent, omnipotent, and almighty!

A Lighthouse Alerts Boats As They Approach Rocks

Yeah, you’re in the midst of rough waters and you’re facing trouble. But if you’re pointed toward the lighthouse, you’ll never know all of the trouble He’s keeping you out of.

I’ve said it several times, but I’ll say it again:

I’ll never understand those who would say I’m deprived for having to go to church.

I’ve never understood those who would say I’m deprived for paying tithes.

I’ve never understood those who say I’m deprived for not getting out in the world and enjoying myself in every way I can find.

Oh, I AM deprived! I’m deprived of drug addiction! I’m deprived of alcoholism! I’m deprived of depression! I’m deprived of hatred! I’m deprived of profanity! I’m deprived of jail! I’m deprived of the judgment of HELL!!!

My God, I want to worship Him just thinking about it!

What is it that God has so wonderfully deprived you of today that you may never know about???

The Lighthouse Will Help Navigate When The Storms Are Strong And You Can’t See

We’re human, and we’re not always going to be able to see things just right when it gets tough.

But just like turning on the foglights in your car - there’s a lighthouse that cuts through the fog!

It’s Time To Turn Our Eyes Upon Jesus!

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, and the things of this world, will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace!”

Conclusion

Stand, eyes closed, heads bowed.

I want you to be honest with God: If you’ve in the last month taken a hit - you’ve been met with some chaotic storms - something you God’s help in - I want you to lift your hand.

God is not the author of confusion, He is the author of order. In the next few moments God is getting ready to pour out a peace, an anointing, and he’s going to give order in your chaos...

Lift both your hands right now!

I want you to pray this: “I submit myself to the lighthouse that is Jesus right now!”