Sermon Manuscript011106

Sermon Manuscript – 1/11/2006                         Robert Hutcherson, Jr.

Sermon: “Rise and Shine”

TEXT

Isaiah 60: 1-6

Our theme for today is “Rise and Shine”…

Several of us struggle with the winter months, not because of the blistering cold we “enjoy” here in Nebraska, but because of the fact that as the days get shorter we notice an increase of darkness. We seem to go to work in the dark, come home in the dark, and unless we are lucky enough to get out for lunch, we begin to doubt if it ever was anything BUT dark!! In our text for today Israel has been in a period of “darkness”. Conquered, subjugated, scattered throughout the lands. Then here comes my favorite part…

“But God…”

One of our commonly used phrases to wake someone is “Rise and Shine”…to which my response used to be “I may rise, but I’ll NEVER shine!” But the beauty of this situation is that we now shine with the glory of the Lord. In our text it is written “For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people” We have only to watch CNN, or our local news, or sometimes just simply “lift up our eyes round about, and see…” to know that this most definitely is true. But God promises to rise upon us, and allow His Glory to be seen on us. WE have the awesome task

of bringing His light to this “darkened” world. But God goes farther than THAT!! He promises that His brightness will attract others…have you seen someone that seems to have the “Joy of the Lord? You just want to be around them, don’t you? Sometimes you don’t even know WHY…you’re just attracted and at peace with them, as opposed to some of those we all know who don’t seem to be happy unless they’re upset or upsetting somebody...

…even in the midst of suffering and punishment, God still loves us and cares for us. At this point the Lord is preparing to lift the burden of His judgement from His people and will gather them once again and give them “comfort and joy instead of sorrow”, and “turn their mourning into gladness” His message applies to us, His people today as well. You may be asking yourselves “What does he mean?” “How can this apply to us?”

Let me bring it a little closer to home. Maybe today somebody is still mourning and crying over past events. Maybe you’ve been ever so close to achieving a dream, yet it seems like you will never complete it and it does not matter how much closer you get to that dream; it seems like it just moves farther and farther away.

Or maybe you’ve been so close to achieving the dream; only to watch it being crushed right in your face. Maybe you’ve had high expectations in someone, but your heart was broken because they failed to meet your expectations. Maybe you lost someone who you loved dearly and they were your biggest inspiration in life. And it does not matter if it was by natural causes or by tragedy; the reality is that they died and they will no longer be a presence in your life and it’s almost enough to make you stop pursuing your goals in life and stop living. Maybe you’re working on a job where it used to be a joy to clock in, but now your dread every moment you go into work. It seems like you can barely get along with your boss; and your co-workers always starting some kind of mess. You are looking for a change, but you can’t quit because it seems like this is the best thing going. Or maybe you’re a slave to a sinful habit that you know it is hurting you and/or your family, but you cannot seem stop it no matter how hard you try. And the fact you haven’t stopped it is taking all of your joy and happiness away.

To make this work, we have only to “Hear the Word” with an open heart, believing in The One who created ALL that we see. We are to “declare it in far places”…maybe we need to start with places not quite so far…beginning with our own hearts and minds!! Instead of focusing on what is going WRONG…we need to look at what God has ALREADY DONE in our lives. AS the verse from the song says “If you have trouble going to sleep…try counting your blessings instead of your sheep…” It’s ALWAYS easier to see and believe in what God will do when viewed through the lens of what He has done!!! Yes, I struggle to make a mortgage payment…but Praise God…I DO have a house! How many this year had their homes destroyed? No I DON’T make as much money as I would like or even NEED…but Praise God…I DO get a check!! Yes, someone I loved dearly has died…but Praise God…they were a precious part of my life while they were here…and I CAN cherish their memory!!! The list goes on and on…and you’ll be SURPRISED at just how long that list IS when you look at things that way.

We are to “flow together to the goodness of the Lord”. Note this means “TOGETHER”…not trying to get “mess” started…but to build each other UP! WE hear the Word say “Young and old TOGETHER”…that doesn’t mean being resentful and distrustful of each other, but gaining from one side’s youth and energy and the other side’s knowledge and experience…

It may seem to you that YOU are in a period of darkness, whether it is health issues, money issues, job issues, the list can and often does FEEL LIKE it will always go on!! However, remember that no matter what…God DOES GO ON!! While He may allow suffering and strife (Let us not forget that some of that suffering and strife is often due to our own choices!), He promises that when we come to Him, His glory will shine through us, he gives us an abundance of what we need, that we will enjoy a heightened sense of community and that people will come from all over to receive what we have, and they too will sing the praises of the Lord!

Arise and Shine…for your light…OUR light…Jesus, the Light of the World…has COME!!

 Maybe someone here has never tasted those waters…The Lord loves you and wants more than anything to shine His Glory upon you, restore you, and “gather you to Him”…will you come…?

He says ”Arise…and Shine…”