In The Midst of Darkness
Notes
Transcript
Let’s pray:
Holy God, you alone are sovereign. You alone know the number of our days. You alone truly know our hearts and our needs. As we have gathered on this communion Sunday, Lord, remind us of the light that is within us, remind us once again of your Son Jesus, and all that has been done for us. We invite you to speak here Lord; we your servants are listening. AMEN.
It’s a new day, September is already here. Part of the reason this is such a surprise is for the past 6 months most of us have severely limited our daily trips, as we’ve been hunkered down against an unseen enemy. An enemy that strikes seemingly without warning. Many of us know, and many more know of, individuals who have been infected with the virus that has been our nemesis for the greater part of 2020.
At the same time as we’ve been dealing with the challenges of trying to live our lives in such a way as to protect us from this unseen enemy, another enemy has raised its head and not so unseen. Humanity’s fallenness is in full view. The divisiveness of ever thinking one group of people better than another. Issues of racism, classism, sexism, ageism, religion, political views, and almost any difference we can think of divide us, and all too often in violent ways. Called to love our neighbors as our self there we see neighbors attacking neighbors.
Though Abraham Lincoln is often quoted it was Jesus who said, “a house divided against itself will not stand,” (Mk 3:25).
As if that hasn’t been enough in our country we have watched as multiple hurricanes have hit the US already, flooding in the midwest as storms have risen, and currently there are 74 active large wildfires burning in 13 states. This year alone according to the National Interagency Fire Center there have been over 40 THOUSAND fires since January 1st, covering 4 1/2 million acres - over 700 square miles!
It may seem like the world is coming to an end. Some have pointed out it sounds very much like what Jesus describes in Matthew 24 regarding Jesus return. Yet, we must also understand that even Jesus himself did not know the day nor the hour. So we need to be ready. Being ready means each one of us needs to examine ourselves.
Our text this morning speaks of who we are to be as followers of Christ:
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
God’s call on our lives is to one of righteousness, that we might be blameless before God. We are to work out our own (not others, but our own) salvation with fear and trembling. I’ve pointed out those verses by Jesus about removing the logs in our own eyes first before seeking to remove the speck in another’s eye. Remembering that it is God who is at work within us.
v. 15 stands out:
that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
First we need to remember that this was written by Paul to the people of his time nearly 2000 years ago. That doesn’t mean that it doesn’t apply to us as well. We too live in a time where the Gospel is being twisted by those who seek power. And like those in the time of Paul, we need to hold fast to the word of life as we shine the light of Christ in the world.
That means for us that we need to be students of the Word. Last week we wrapped our journey through the book of James and in the first chapter of that book we read:
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
In order to be a doer of the word, we must know the Word. As members of our Mission Woods congregation you have access to some really cool biblical tools that our session has purchased for you. There’s Bible software and commentaries as well as devotions. If you’re not connected yet, please check out Faithlife.com and search for Mission Woods Church. If you need help let myself or Lance, or Ruth know. We’ll work together to get you hooked up.
Even if you aren’t hooked up with these tools, you like no other generation have the ability to be digging into God’s Word. There are online groups like the Bible Project that our mid-week Bible Study has used. There are books and resources available to you that have not be available to previous generations. Seriously, there is just so much.
But it’s more than being in God’s Word or simply believing in God.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
The majority of people in the world still believe there is a God - that doesn’t pass for being a doer of God’s Word.
As we enter the Fall at Mission Woods there will be more opportunities for you to dig into God’s Word individually, and as groups. Even in the midst of this pandemic we are working to help you find ways to grow in your knowledge and application of God’s Word in your personal life, in the life of your family, in the life of the church, and in the life of our community.
The Christian faith is not a private thing; it truly is light in the midst of darkness.
Each of us is to shine the light. No matter what our age, our gender, our economic status, our political views, our family background or anything that might make us different from one another. The hard truth is there is not one of us here that has fully arrived, none of us is righteous, none of us is holy, none of us is pure. We have all fallen short of God’s glory.
However, seeking first the Kingdom of God, following after Christ will bring us together. We don’t have to agree on every issue - Scripture tells us as “iron sharpens iron so one person sharpens another.” One of my favorite John Maxwell quotes is: “If two of you agree on everything one of you isn’t necessary.” In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians he reminds us we are one body, but many members.
There is much in our culture that is crooked and twisted. Now as always the church must rise above the darkness and shine the light of Christ. That means the church is not a reflection of our culture, but of the Light of the World.
Again from Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
It was during a divisive time that Jesus gathered with his disciples and reminded them of all that God had done by celebrating the passover. He also pointed to all that God was going to do through his dying on the cross. The body broken, the blood poured out... for what? For all who would believe and follow, for us, and for all mankind.
As we prepare ourselves for communion today, in a divided country during a divisive time, let’s remember who brings us together. Let’s remember who Jesus is. Remember what Jesus has done. And not forget the promises of what Jesus will do. As we partake in communion today, may Christ’s light grow in us and give us a new boldness to speak and to share the love of Christ to all around us.
May the light of Christ shine in you.
To God be the glory. AMEN.