TOPIC: ARISE AND SHINE IN THE WORLD OF DARKNESS

TEXT: Isaiah 60:1

INTRODUCTION:

God wants His children to shine as light wherever they are. They are not to shine by themselves but through the reflected light of God where they have a relationship with Him.

I. GOD WANTS HIS CHILDREN TO SHINE AS LIGHT:

In our text,God commands the people of Judea, where light had been dimmed by the Seventy years of captivity in Babylon to arise and shine as they would be restored from exile. This light was the light of God's glory to be manifested in their righteousness, national prosperity and excellence in all their endeavors.

It would be recalled that Jerusalem and the entire City of Judea had become desolate for seventy years because they were punished by God for their persistence in sin. The Bible says that righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach to any people (Prov.14:34). Although they were punished and covered with darkness, God would not forsake them because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel). Thus, God would raise them from the darkness of captivity and cause their light to shine brightly to the attraction of the surrounding nations.

I I. GOD HAS NOT ABANDONED THE CHURCH:

This is a message of hope and encouragement to all people of God,the Church who may have fallen short of God's glory due to sin have become darkness instead of light, that God has not abandoned them because of the sacrifice of His Son for their redemption. Through God's forgiveness and mercy, they will be restored completely to become bearers of light of God.

I I I. NO STRUGGLE TO SHINE:

We are familiar with the fact electrical bulbs do not struggle to shine by themselves.
They automatically shine when they are switched on as they have been properly connected to source of power. In the same vein, neither people of Judah nor the Church will struggle to shine by themselves. God is their light (1 John 1:5). The Lord Jesus Christ the is light (John 1:1-4; 8:12 and 9:5).

By their relationship with God the Father and the Son through the power of the Holy Spirit. Believers become light also (Matt.5:14). This is the light of righteousness, good deeds, and professional excellence which would attract praise to God and drive away darkness since it is impossible for darkness to overwhelm or overcome light (John 1:5). For light to overcome darkness. God's children are not to take part in or have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness (Eph. 5:11).

There is no communion between light and darkness (2 Cor. 6:14), because they have been called out of darkness into God's marvelous light.

IV. OUR LIGHT CANNOT BE COVERED (Matt. 5:15).

If light is meant to illuminate a place,it should not be covered but exposed to fulfil its purpose.

Satan will be try to cover our light through sin, discouragement, trials and tribulations but God will not allow it to succeed instead, God will raise other lamp stand for the world to see, beat tractive and sided in a world of darkness. Know and do the right for God's glory.

The assurance is that the light of the righteous shall not be covered or quenched (Prov.4:18).

V. WHAT TO DO TO SHINE:

As the people of Judah were risen to shine by the command of God,believers should by faith rise from their fall.They should abide in Christ as the branch abides in the stem(John 15:4).

Christ should dwell in their hearts by faith (Eph. 3:12).

The word of God should dwell in their hearts richly(1 Cor.3:16).
Nothing should separate them from God (Rom. 8:35-39).
They should be constantly filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18).
They should avoid bad company(1 Cor. 15:33; 2 Cor.6:14-18).
They should constantly confess their sins to God.
Pray constantly and allow no room for the wicked to enter in. They should preach the word everywhere to dismiss the works of darkness (Eph.6:13). Strive to overcome temptations (James 1:12).

CONCLUSION:

The glory of the Lord is upon the Believers to shine everywhere in all their pursuit as it was with the people of Judah, No Believer should allow his/her light to be covered anywhere they are, they should shine as light in politics, business, workplace, family, school or ministry to the glory of God.

The exclusive publication of the General Council of Assemblies of God Nigeria.