The Lamp
Rebuild the neverland ceiling joist.
Mariah.
It's a fun song to sing in my love that message because again, will take up her a tambourine and go out to dance with the Joyful, We may go through struggles. But you know, what will dance with the joyful. All right. Let's seeing that him. Once again, we come to the house of God tonight, in Songs of Praise.
Play Darkness.
Adventure.
Story mode.
Might have been new to some of you, I'm guessing.
All right. Well, I reading this morning is. In Matthew chapter 5, verses 14 to 16. We're starting a new series titled, Jesus. And so, I will be focusing on him for the next four weeks.
And anyway, the light.
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead. They've put it on his its stand and it gives like the everyone in the house in the same way. Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your father in Heaven. Okay. A couple of prayer requests. Well, once Thanksgiving, I guess, you know, Joanne back told Mary sister has she? Yeah, I had covid and she went into the hospital. 8 days ago, and then she got to start recovering. But then they had a snow storm that happened. They wouldn't let her out of the hospital because traffic was, literally stopped in the Cincinnati. And so, finally, she's ready to come home. And hopefully today, she'll be able to get out and come home. So that's a phrase j.d. And Shannon many of you know that it started attending here are several months ago. They both have covid in for their going through it right now. So we need to be in prayer for them. Okay. Well, let's go to prayer.
Our gracious, father almighty, you are and worthy to come to for you and Thanksgiving. Praise and request. And so father, we gather together now to seek your help and your guidance. In the needs of the people of our community and ourselves. And so, father, we pray for your Mighty hand to be active in the hearts and lives of the people of our community, particularly those who do not know you was Lord and Savior, who are lost, who are bound for Eternal pain and suffering, a part from understanding and knowing you. So father, we pray for the moving of your spirit in our hearts and in their hearts are hard to present the gospel, to them, and their heart to understand and receive that wonderful message of Open forgiveness that we alone have because we know you as Lord and savior. Father, we do pray for the The needs that are out there, we think of Jay-Z, and, and Shannon is, they are battling this covid that you would be there to protect and strengthen them and restore their bodies. We also thank you for the work is that you have done and Joanne and your healing hand upon her life. Father, we do pray that you would be with those who have needs that haven't been spoken and yet they're there, we do, pray that your Mighty hand would be moving in heart to help them. Find the piece that they can find a loan in you, the trust that you will guide through each and every circumstance. That is so unspoken. Pray for your Mighty hand to guide us. Now, as we continue to Worship, You, may we enjoy that wonderful Fellowship in song and in your word, in Jesus name. Amen.
LMS continue.
David Benji.
Have a good day. He make payments.
I go blind man. You got to get back to you soon.
Whip and Nae Nae.
In Christ Alone.
Facebook.
Marian is body.
Hey, man. All right, what we are starting a new series called Jesus, and today is the lamp. And its really is kind of the, it should be something like a lamp that holds the life of the world, and that's what you are. You're the lamp and you hold the light of the world. If you know, Jesus Christ as your lord and savior. And that's important for us to remember, as we go along, we have something that is powerful in our lives, more powerful than anything. Anybody else could have. You know, if we have something that we are excited about, we want others to know you think about doctors, you know, they want to be called doctor why? Because I put in a lot of effort to become a doctor and so they want that recognition, you know. Same with a Somebody who is a senator or somebody who is a judge, you know, they want to be called by what they are because they worked hard to become that and they want the recognition for that. Well, you and I are believers in Jesus Christ and it is far greater to be a believer in Jesus Christ than to be a senator, or to be a judge, or to be a doctor. Those are important things, but they're not near as important as being a child of the Living God because that exalts, you fart before, anything else in this world and yet when it comes to our willingness to Show that life. It is within us. We are kind of hesitant very often. We kind of even throw a blanket over that that part of our Lives because it's scary to present the gospel. And we don't know if it's going to be received and we fear that somebody will be angry with us or hurt us or something like that. And so we don't present it as we ought to present it. Now. I'm coming to you and telling you this today. And so you get a half an hour, 20 minutes message. Remember I have that got this message pounded into me for the entire week. So if I'm presenting it to you and you're feeling a little gritty about all I have to do, I'm not sure I want to hang into that. Remember. I've been, I've gotten this message all week long. And so I'm presenting to you. What the God has given me a week. Worth in 20 minutes. So bear with me. As I present, this message to you and recognize that God is powerful in your lives. And you have something that is absolutely necessary for everybody. For more than any doctor. Could give far more than any judge could give far more than any Senator. Our president could give you, you have a powerful thing that literally changes life for all eternity and yet we are so afraid. We fail to be ready to present that gospel when we have the opportunity. So let's take a look at it. Only three versus today that we're going to look at from Luke chapter 9. And the first one is verse 16, the light. Who is that line? And we know that the light is Jesus Christ, says no one light the lamp and hides it in it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed instead. They put it on the stand so that those who come to see who come and see the light. It's like you do you invite somebody over for a meal at your house and it's at night and all the lights in your house are off. And you tell him come on in and you know it and they say go find the table and sit down and you know, they don't know where the table is. They can't see anything. They're trying to find the table and then you present the dishes, before them is go ahead and eat this food. It's wonderful, and they can't even see it. That's what it's like to try and present the gospel. I want people to see the gospel. Oh, you fear for their lives, you fear for their eternity and yet, you kind of hiding that light under a blanket are as it says in this into a jar. And so that the light can't get out. And we need to be willing even though it's fearful and scary to do. So. We need to be people who are willing to resent that white. Because the people that need that light are blind and they cannot see, and they have a need, a desperate need for all eternity. Jesus is that line, as the scripture says, John 14, it says in him was life. And that life was the light of mankind. We were living in darkness. We had no hole down through the centuries. People had not found the truth of God and then Along Came Jesus Christ, and he did the work that you and I couldn't do. No matter how many sacrifices the Jews made over the centuries. Those sacrifices didn't change, destiny. It was only through the blood of Christ. That Destiny is changed and changed in an instant. Because when we receive Jesus Christ, that life for the world, we are changed. We are made new, we're different. Bible says, we are a new creation when that light comes upon us and we have the opportunity to present that creation. We received at light, very simply. Wow, that light is presented to us. I remember when I received the light. I was a little five-year-old sitting in a church. That was very similar to the size of this one. And the pastor was preaching a message, and he talked about our need to know Jesus Christ, as Lord and Savior, and of course, I'd heard it a little bit before, you know, from parents and from the teachers, but it hit home. And I thought, wow, I'm lost. And I'm in need and they gave an invitation and being a little five-year-old. So I jumped up out of my seat and I ran forward and they ushered me into a back room and I kneeled and asked Jesus Christ to be my Lord and Savior. And it's that simple and it changed my life and my destination for all eternity, many of you have similar stories where you can talk about how God reached out and touched your life, because he is the light. Romans describes it very simply. The receiving of life, if you declare with your mouth, Jesus is Lord. In other words, you recognize that Jesus is God, had that he did something that can change your life. You recognize that and believe in your heart, that God raised him from the dead. You will be safe. Are you simply? I believe the Jesus Christ did what he did? And that he was raised from the grave. He is living and I too can be raised from the grave and live. And when I asked Jesus Christ to come into my life, he does come in. He forgives me and changes me for all eternity. And that's what we need, but it changes us. We become a new creation and we have a new obligation. Then, as Believers in Christ to present the word of God. In 2nd Corinthians 5:20. It says we are there for Christ and bassadors as though, God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf be reconciled to God. And that's our grade call as Believers in Christ. Not one of us is God comes to us and says you don't have to do that. You don't have to present me to the world know. When God saved you, he gave you the opportunity to present the Living God, to a world that is in desperate. Need of Salvation. We have that obligation. And we need to consider that wherever we go. We have the opportunity to help somebody change their eternity. Only God can change their hearts, but he wants to do it through you. That's what it says right here in 2nd Corinthians 5. Then God has the desire to change the world through you because you are an ambassador of the Living. God. You're a Heavenly Ambassador here on this Earth. Okay, we'll continue on Luke 8:17. It says for the exposing of the light for there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed and nothing concealed. It will not be known or brought out into the open. Light exposes truth. And when we present the light of the Living, God to people who are in sin, it exposes, who they are where they need to recognize that. Yeah. I'm a sinner and I need forgiveness, and that forgiveness can only come. Not because of work. You can't do enough work. You know, for centuries people thought while you if you'll do this and make so many of these and somehow you'll gain repent, where you don't gain it. That way, you'll gain it. Because your trust that God did the work already. He performed what needed to be performed to forgive your sins. And all that you have to do is ask him to forgive you. The work. The light exposes that work, the line of Jesus Christ exposes the sand and allows us to realize. I need I need help. I need help.
Marca 422 says for whatever was hidden is meant to be disclosed and whatever is concealed. His men to be brought out in the open. In other words. God wants us to see that were sinful so that we realize that we need to repent and hopefully everyone here has done that has come to the Living God and repented, if you haven't, you can make that change today. I just coming forward and asking God to help you find repentance. But if you have repented, if you are saved, then you have taken on that obligation to listen to the call of Jesus Christ in your life to present in the world, a world in need. You have the greatest gift that can be given. And we have the opportunity to do that. The call is this who ever acknowledge. It was me before others. I will also acknowledge before my Father in Heaven. Matthew 10 32. That's a challenge to each of you. You know, do you really believe that Jesus Christ saved your life? Do you believe that? Well, then here, he's saying, if you really believe that you'll acknowledge. You only acknowledge me before the world. So it becomes our responsibility for each of us to be willing to present, God, to the world present, the love of Jesus Christ, and his willingness to die for us to a world. That is in need. Where Whenever Wherever God calls you, that's the place Acts 5:42 says day after day. All the people that were saved at Pentecost and the disciples when the Holy Spirit came upon them. These These are these people after day in the temple courts in from the house. They never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the messiah. Okay, we get fearful and afraid of how people are going to receive it. And whether they'll be upset or angry. I would rather have somebody be angry with me and upset with me for presenting the gospel, then for them not to hear the gospel and have an opportunity to make a decision to change.
Because that could be the difference between them living with God. For all eternity are living in hell. That's a pretty tough choice. Continue on Luke 8:18, therefore, consider carefully. How you listen? Whoever has has, will be given more, whoever does not have even what they think they have will be taken from them. In other words, you have been given something precious that great Pearl. That is more important than any parole in all the world. And God says, okay, you have that 40 presented to the world. Show that light. Did everyone needs? Don't hide it. Don't hide it. John 633 says, the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. I have life In Me. Jesus Christ is living in me, and he's living in you and we have the responsibility to give that life to the world. Tube resent him as we can to a world in need.
Jesus is at the end of his time here on Earth and he's giving some information to the disciples and he's talking about, you know, those things that are important for life and how God will look at life and judge your efforts in your desires in this world, and he talks about the spirit, and he talks about his gifts to you, and he talks about your willingness to live out the character of Christ in the world. And here's one of the things he says in Matthew 25:21. Talking about using what God has given us. Is that his master replied. Well done. Good. And faithful servant. You have been faithful with a few things. What I have given you.
I will put you in charge of many things come and share your Master's happiness. In other words. God has given you something of value in importance. And if we share. God is really pleased with us. But if we fail to share it, please. God is not pleased at all. And he says, this, in verse 29 of the same chapter for whoever has will be given more and they will have an abundance, whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.
That's a scary thought, isn't it? The things that God has given us an abundance of blessing. And if I fail to present it to the world.
We're going to struggle with that is. We stand before the Living God? It's a challenge to each of us. And as I've said, you know, why I've fought through this for, not only this week, but for weeks that I've gone through and you can look at my life and you can say, well, I don't see you presenting the gospel all the time. And, yes, amen. I admit that I do know there's times when I have feared but that doesn't change the fact that God has called each and everyone of us. To be willing to give what he is giving us to a world, that is in me. He is the light. You're the lamp. You're the lamp that can hold that line and presented to the world and God wants you to take off the covering and expose the light.
Part of that is what we do with our relationship with the Living. God. Are you living to help god grow in your life? You know, I have this lamp actually, I have it in the office and it's one of those lamps that they use on ships. And what they did was they put a light inside the lamp and then they shine it towards the shore or other ships. And it's kind of gives an indication of what I need or whatever they have. Well, what they do is for this lamp, if if it's dirty inside, the glow is not very strong, right?
It it doesn't blow out very strong. But if you clean the inside and you shine up the inside of that lamp, the light that goes out as more powerful and far easier to see.
It's a part of what God calls us to do in terms of revealing. That light is to help that light grow stronger in our lot. And that's part of what we do each communion, is we taking that bread will taking that bread is building in ourselves the life of Jesus Christ. Taking on the fruit of the spirit, the love that you enjoy the peace, the kindness and do all of those things, take on the compassion that God has for us soon. As we take those things in, it makes us feel more powerful and more ready to present. What? God has given me a lot.
So, part of the call, is that you seek to grow? In God don't be a baby grow up, be a man, a woman in Jesus Christ so that you will have that ability. To take on the words that the spirit of God gives you, you know, his all says, in Ephesians 6:19. I believe it is where he says, pray for me that when I open my mouth. The spirit of God will give me the words, you know, you're not always ready to give the word. But if the spirit of God is really working in you, those words will pour forth from you to change the hearts and lives of the people, your ministering to. That's what God wants to do in all of our lives. He wants to use us as vessels of mercy and Grace to a world. That is in desperate need. And so yeah, this call is for me to change my life a little bit more. Each day become a greater vessel. Of the Living God, but it's also a call to each of you that you be willing to change your life to the point where God can use you as an instrument of grace and mercy to a desperate World in need.
Breakthrough that it should go through this week. And think about what you can do to grow in Christ and then resent him to a world and desperately.
A gracious. Father. We thank you for the precious gift. Father. We can rejoice and rejoice in what you have done in our lives that you have changed us. And you've given us an eternal. Hope. The father. We also have the ability to grow in you and to be able to present you to a world in need. And so, may you minister to our hearts, may you work on us and change us more and more into the visible image of our Lord and Savior Jesus. We ask this in Jesus name. Amen.
God Sanchez.
Bye. Bye. Bye.
Nico, di Angelo.
And life is.
And then ask is wait.
I'll see you then.
just because
You, oh, lord, for living in us and may we walk with you and live for you in this week as we go forth in Jesus precious name. Amen.