I am the Light

In the Home

Welcome to Celebration. We are so glad that you are here. My name is Keith and my wife Maegan and I serve as the Lead Pastors here and we want to thank you for joining us today. If there is anything we can do to serve you and your family, please don’t hesitate to let us know.

In the Home

I want to welcome you into our home and thank you for allowing us to join you and your family, friends…or even if you are watching by yourself, thank you for allowing us to be a part of your family and home. Right now, we are quarantined to the home. I am sure you have heard multiple times, but I will continuously repeat, that church is never cancelled. The people of God has been through many seasons and we are still here. Church isn’t something we go to, it is something we bring with us. Church isn’t a place, it is a people. My point is, it starts in our homes.

Deuteronomy 4:6–9 ESV

6 Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ 7 For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon him? 8 And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today? 9 “Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children—

Deuteronomy 6:4 ESV

4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.

This is not just a season we have to get through, it’s recognizing what this season is going to bring out of us. No matter how this turns out, we have to bring the growth and dependency on God with us. Ensuring our walk with God starts in our home, with our family, friends, community.

Season/Series

Active Participation

We are gathered as a family and community around the Word of God. I really want you to engage with us. At Celebration we are not spectators, we are participators.

Today, I am excited to continue in our series, I am where we will explore the 7 I am statements from Jesus in the book of John. These statements I am statements were significant because we have Jesus directly connecting Himself with the God of the OT. Yaweh, the self existent God, creator of the universe. These statements provide comfort and stability for us in seasons such as this. True Vine, Good Shepherd, the Door. Today, there is something that God has placed on my heart that I think can benefit my family and yours. Let’s pray.

Read out loud

Take notes; share your notes; tag us

Questions to process: family, friends, virtually...

Communion

Blessing and scriptures at the end

Prayer

Lord, we welcome you into our homes. We create space for you. We ask that you speak to us. We open our hands, open our eyes, open our ears, and open our hearts. Holy Spirit, fill this place in the name of Jesus, Amen!

Scripture

John 8:12

John 8:12 ESV

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.”

Season/Series

We have been talking about these I am statements from Jesus found in the Gospel of John. These statements I am statements were significant because we have Jesus directly connecting Himself with the God of the OT. Yaweh, the self existent God, creator of the universe. These statements provide comfort and stability for us in seasons such as this. True Vine, Good Shepherd, the Door. The passage we just read continues the thought, though not chronological, it is very fitting for us today. Jesus says that He is the light of the world and whoever follows Him will not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.

Illustration

When we think of light, several things come to mind. We can think of flashlights, spotlights, strobe lights, street lights…candlelight. Ultimately, light is meant to illuminate. Light is meant to lead the way. I remember when we moved into this house and we had to get acclimated to all of the light switches and even to this day I don’t know which switch does what, I literally just push everyone until I see light. Why, because I don’t want to stumble and fall. When there is a lack of light, it changes the atmosphere. Try walking around a peaceful environment when the lights are off. Home, church, amusement parks...Point is, when there is no light, it is hard to see, there is a lack of clarity, direction, lack of hope. We lack vision.

Transition

That sounds familiar when we think of today’s climate. I look at my 16 year old son and think about how this is impacting schools. Students are not able to attend graduation. This triumphant moment that illustrates all the hard work and there is nothing. I consider my daughter with student loans and you were telling that many of your friends lost their jobs and their parents…My son Keith Jr and his family and what does this all mean for him? I even think about us. We are selling one house and trying to buy another house and now we are sitting in the middle of a pandemic. We are pastoring a church and we are not able to gather. Easter? Many people who attend our church are directly impacted. What does this all mean? There is no expiration date. Where is the clarity? Where is the hope? What is the direction? In other words, where is the light?

Where is the clarity? Where is the hope? What is the direction? In other words, where is the light?

Context/Observations

This is the context of this passage. Jesus was attending the Feast of Tabernacle/Booths. It likely took place mid October and was meant to serve as a reminder of how God provided for His people throughout every season, specifically in the wilderness. Even during the plagues, God preserved and provided for them. Just because it is dark outside, it doesn’t mean there isn’t light inside.

Exodus 10:21–23 ESV

21 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, a darkness to be felt.” 22 So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was pitch darkness in all the land of Egypt three days. 23 They did not see one another, nor did anyone rise from his place for three days, but all the people of Israel had light where they lived.

Ex 10:21-23

We are in some dark moments and we can feel it. We have some of serious things going on and we can feel it. All of my friends that work at amusement parks, you can feel it. Sporting industry, sales, hotels, etc. there is a darkness that can be felt. However, just because it is dark outside, it doesn’t mean there isn’t light inside. Additionally, when they were leaving Egypt, He preserved them and He led the way with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.

Exodus 13:21 ESV

21 And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.

We are in some dark moments and we can feel it.

When they were leaving Egypt He preserved them and He led the way with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.

num 9:19

Numbers 9:19 ESV

19 Even when the cloud continued over the tabernacle many days, the people of Israel kept the charge of the Lord and did not set out.

This is why the lighting of lamps was a huge part of the celebration on the last day. It is on this canvas, Jesus says, you see all these lamps () that are meant to remind you of how God was with you in your darkest moments…that’s me. I am the light of the world.

That is what the Feast of Tabernacle/Booths was meant to represent; no matter the season on surrounding, God was with them. In real time, it was challenging but God was with them. In real time they were facing a new problem, but God was with them. You may be facing a new problem but is not new to God. God has been with His people through bondage, plagues, exiles, oppression…in our darkest moments, God shines the brightest.

This is why the lighting of lamps was a huge part of the celebration on the last day. It is on this canvas, Jesus says, you see all these lamps () that are meant to remind you of how God was with you in your darkest moments…that’s me. I am the light of the world. There may be darkness, but if you FOLLOW ME, you will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. That means, it may be dark outside, but you will have light on the inside. Joy inside, peace inside, hope inside, light inside. Maybe you’re following Jesus but it still feels dark. I have a simply complex thought for you…LET JESUS SHINE.

How do we experience

Point

Let Jesus Shine

It is simply said, but often complex to do. Let Jesus Shine! When you enter a dark moment, let Jesus shine.

Genesis 1:1–3 ESV

1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

Let is a verb that means come to pass, occur, happen. That means we are empowered to see the word it is connected to, come to pass. It is like yielding. Caleb is a new driver and he is learning the art of how to yield…letting people pass. It is the same idea, Jesus is showing up at the intersection of your life, LET HIM SHINE. That is an example of yielding the moment to God. Let Jesus shine because the alternative can be costly.

Maegan do you remember about 4 years ago in our other house how we had the open floor plan with all of the natural light? I remember it was amazing, but it took a lot of work to open the blinds everyday so we stopped letting all that natural light in. Well, that next month when I got our light bill, it went up almost $100 dollars. I was confused. Then I was able to deduce, because we kept our blinds closed, we were using our electric to illuminate the house. Pathways that were once illuminated by the sun, was substituted with light bulbs…manufactured lights. The lesson I quickly learned, if you don’t let the SON shine, it will cost you. It will cost you energy, emotionally, relationally. LET HIM SHINE. In dark moments, LET HIM SHINE. In chaos, LET HIM SHINE. When you lose your job, LET HIM SHINE. We got a phone call last night with news of a loved one in the hospital, it was overwhelming but we yielded and LET HIM SHINE and prayed. Don’t let fear eclipse His glory.

L.E.T.

Listen to God

Deuteronomy 6:4 ESV

4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.

John 15:3–5 ESV

3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

john 15

God is your single source. Jesus is our True Vine. Let your eternal God speak to your temporary situation. Are you letting temporary voices speak long term turmoil in your life? There is a difference between information and revelation. Facts inform our strategy, but they can’t form our faith.

Engage in Godly Community

Matthew 18:20 ESV

20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

Be fully present where you are. Invest in people and environments that will make you better. Husbands, engage your family. Singles, engage you community and friends/family. Use FaceTime, social media, Zoom. Whatever you invest in, will invest in you. Good investments require intentionality. Are the people you are investing in, good long-term investments?

Trust God with the Outcome

Proverbs 3:5 ESV

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

Our logic can hold us hostage. Be confident that God has it under control. You Put the work in, Trust God to work it out.

Closing

Philippians 1:6 ESV

6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Summary

We all are dealing with something. (Jobs, health, plans, etc.) Remember, Jesus is the light in these dark moments. (Esther, Rahab, David, Jesus) We are not scared of the dark, the dark is scared of us. When we show up, light shows up and darkness comprehends it not. Deacons, staff, care, prayer team, resources...

Matthew 5:16 ESV

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.

John 1:5 NKJV

5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

Be encouraged with this...

2 Corinthians 4:8–9 ESV

8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

2 Corinthians 4:7–8 ESV

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;

2 Corinthians 4:8 ESV

8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;

LET HIM SHINE

Questions

Are there areas of your life where you can feel the darkness?

What does actively listening to God look like for you?

Let Him shine in your marriage. Let Him shine in your finances. Let Him shine in your life…maybe you need to surrender your life to God. One of our pastors would love to pray with you.

How can you engage your family, friends, and community better?

What outcomes are you trusting God for?

What does mean?

What does mean?

Isaiah 45:7 ESV

7 I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things.

Closing

Closing

Questions

Are there areas of your life where you can feel the darkness?

What does actively listening to God look like for you?

How can you engage your family, friends, and community better?

What outcomes are you trusting God for?

Communion Blessing

Jesus’ Body (the bread): the leader(s) lifts the bread and prays: Blessed are you, Lord our God, king of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth. We thank you, Lord Jesus, for your body that was given for us and given unto us so that we can be whole.

Jesus’ Blood (the juice/wine): the leader(s) lifts the cup and prays: Blessed are you, Lord our God, king of the universe, who brings forth the fruit from the vine. We thank you, Lord Jesus, for your blood of the covenant which was poured out for the removal of all sin.

The Table Guide: This prayer and others like it can be found on our website and app. It is called The Table and really helps by walking you through communion, sabbath, prayers, declarations, etc. If you truly engage this in your home with your family, friends, or even you are single, in your home, it will change your life. There is nothing that will impact you more than truly putting the Word of God into practice in your life.

This prayer and others like it can be found on our website and app. It is called The Table and really helps by walking you through communion, sabbath, prayers, declarations, etc. If you truly engage this in your home with your family, friends, or even you are single, in your home, it will change your life. There is nothing that will impact you more than truly putting the Word of God into practice in your life.

Priestly Blessing

Blessed are you, Lord our God, king of the universe, who brings forth the fruit from the vine. We thank you, Lord Jesus, for your blood of the covenant which was poured out for the removal of all sin.

Numbers 6:24–26 ESV

24 The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

Numb 6:

Additional Scriptures

Blessed are you, Lord our God, king of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth. We thank you, Lord Jesus, for your body that was given for us and given unto us so that we can be whole.

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