"Piercing The Darkness: Week 2"
Dean AngellOctober 30/31, 2004
I remember being 14 years old and on my 1st deer hunting trip with my Dad and brother . . . Cold November morning (Beechy, Sk) . . . lying on this hillside in the darkness . . . just before dawn . . . Every one in a while my Dad and my brother Dale and I would pop our heads up over the hill and look below . . . . because in the pre-dawn light . . . we could see some deer below us . . . We didn't know how many or what kind yet . . .but they were there . . . but only in shadows . . . only in the darkness . . . not fully exposed by the light . . .
I remember that feeling of waiting and excitement and anticipation and energy . . . Just wishing the light would come . . . awesome memories . . . for my brother and I . . . 45 minutes we sat there in ever- increasing levels of brightness . . .
Every morning . . . it always amazed me . . . how . . . the darkness always gave way to the light .
Let me read to you the very 1 st words of the bible - written 1000's of years ago.
Genesis 1:1-5 (NIV)
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep , and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning-the first day."
When you read those verses (billions of people - 1000's of years) . . . a few thing pop out at us . . . that maybe we haven't even really thought about before . . . the 1 st one is - pretty obvious -
Darkness does not co-exist with light - they are separate . . . in fact the bible says that is was God that separated them from one another . . . (2ndly) Notice also that He did not create the darkness . . . He created the light, He only separated the light from the darkness . . . (in fact darkness is the only thing that exists when God was not present) . . . light was the very lst thing He created in the whole world . . . Here's the point . . . darkness can exist without God . . . but light can't.
And so God created the light and the light was good . . . and He separated it from the darkness . . .
Last week we talked a lot about darkness . . . and about how the enemy of our souls attacks and tempts us into the darkness . . . and how he desires to keep us from the light - in fact, we said last week, that he will do whatever it takes to ensure we stay accustomed to the dark as long as we can . . . And last week we intentionally left you hanging . . . because we wanted you to be aware of the power the darkness can have in our lives . . . Last week we read this verse . . .
I Peter 5:8 (NIV) (set the tone)
"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."
We wanted you to know that the spiritual war being waged around us is not something we can see . . . but this war is about powers and principalities in the spiritual realms battling daily . . . and its our souls their fighting for - for all of eternity and we wanted you to know that they're in this war to win . . .
During the past few days I came across a verse that I think wraps up last week well . . . but also gets us started in this week . . .
I Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)
"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man (everyone). And Godis faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."
Folks, there is much comfort written into this verse . . . it speaks about reality . . . and the reality is, temptation and darkness is a very common thing, we all have to deal with it . . . and we can't escape these forces of darkness - they will attack and we will be tempted to be lured off the path God has chosen for us . . . ( but) , (and this is a huge but statement) . . . (hear this)
The promise is for those who follow Christ . . . we will never be tempted beyond what we can bear . . . and in fact even more good news - no matter what darkness happens to us, or around us spiritually . . . God will provide a way out.
He will cut through the darkness in our lives with His light . . . and that's really what I want to talk about today . . . How to very clearly separate . . . light from darkness in our hearts and minds and souls .
Today I want to show you two easy to understand steps to separate darkness and light . . . but when I say easy . . . it must not be mistaken for quick . . . These steps may take years of our lives . . .
Remember - it's a spiritual journey we're on (not a sprint) . . . and here's the line (we must not mistake a clear view for a short distance) You may get a very clear picture of how to walk in the light - but it . . . could take you awhile to get there . . .
Here is the first step . . .
1. Exit The Darkness
I John 1:5(b), 6, 8, 9 (NIV)
"God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have friendship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. "
So what's that saying? . . . (think with me - listen close here)
God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all, (ok) . . . then it says . . . If we claim to be friends with God and then continue to walk in the darkness - we must be lying . . . . . but on the other hand if we claim to be without sin - we're just deceiving ourselves . . .
Think with me for just a minute about the reality of these truths . . . Think about the goodness of God . . . and then contrast that with the darkness we so very often find in our lives . . . . . . and then . . . Notice the conundrum these verses put us in . . . If we claim to walk with God yet live in darkness we do not live by the truth . . . And yet if we claim to be without sin . . .the truth is not in us . . . seems like a paradox doesn't it? Well - let's talk about it . . .
I think the word we should use here is paradox . . . because we ourselves want to walk in the light of God and yet sin and darkness is a constant - daily aspect of who we are There is darkness and light within us all the time . . . see the paradox - the mystery? Let's go a little further in, "If we claim to be with out sin . . . we deceive ourselves . . . "
Folks, the truth is that we all live in the darkness much more than we are willing to admit.
I mean we all want to walk with God - but we have this sin around
us all the time . . . we've all done things we wished we wouldn't have done . . . and we've all said things we shouldn't have said . . . and we've all thought things we shouldn't have thought . . . and we want to hide them. I mean . . . we don't even really want to think about our sins let alone have someone else see or know about them . . . (This may help drive this home a bit)
Imagine this . . . . . . Picture next week being in church (got it) . . . and then picture these screens (ok) . . . and now picture if all of your sins were displayed on the screens. I mean every bit of darkness you've ever been part of (on the screens). Every dark thought you've had - every word you've spoken in anger or jealousy - or selfishness - and then every dark thing you've done shown in full color . . . (on these screens) . . .and then (one more thing) picture all the people that you talked about - or thought those dark thoughts towards or did those dark things to . . . picture all of them sitting in these rows - watching . . . those screens . . . I for one wouldn't show up for church next week . . . . .
I heard this story at Alpha this week.
Story - Sir Author Conan Doyle - creator and writer of Sherlock Holmes
. practical joke - 10 - very influential men in England - sent them a note
. "all is found out - flee at once" - (unsigned) . . .
. within 24 hours - all of them had left the country
Folks, the truth is . . . . . . our natural bent is towards darkness we all
Have these things in our lives that would make a great movie - (as long as we weren't in the room) . . . And the verse says . . . If we claim to be without sin - we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us . . . So what's the answer to this paradox and mystery of sin and darkness we have going - when our desire is to walk in the light . . . Verse 9 is the answer . . . it says,
If we confess our sins - He is faithful and just and will forgive us and purify us . . .from all unrighteousness
There lies the key to this mystery In order to be friends with God - in order to have fellowship with Him - to be in relationship with Him - we must be forgiven . . . . . . The dark parts of our lives have to be removed . . . The answer to the paradox happens when Jesus steps in and takes the darkness away . . . Let me try and make this clearer . . . .
2 Ideas . . . about he power of Confession . . .
1. Flashlight - bright light - makes darkness disappear
Confession and forgiveness is like a very bright light being shone into our souls . . . when that happens - the darkness simply disappears - it dissipates . . . It is swallowed up by the light . . . That's why confession and forgiveness is so powerful . . . By shining the light of God brightly inside us . . . our sins disappear . . . They are swallowed up by God's grace . . . never to be remembered again . . (at least by God . . . )
. Spray and Wash - stain remover
This is stain remover . . . laundry stuff. Amazing . . . big dark stain . . . This stuff soaks right into the material and completely dislodges . . .kinda digs out the stain . . . and makes the material like new again . . . like it was meant to be . . .
Folks, some of you have very dark stains from very dark stuff in your past . . . They can only be cleaned up in one way . . . (confession and forgiveness) is a gift . . . right from the hand of God to our lives . . . And it is the only way to remove stains . . .
Here's all I'm saying - if you want to exit darkness and really fast forward your life towards God and light - start with confession and forgiveness . . . " God - This thing is holding me back from seeing your clearly - This habit - that relationship - or this addiction or that pride . . . and I don't want it there anymore . . . it's dark and I want to confess it to you " . . . (Friday morning - this alter 6 am - me on my knees - confessing before I could finish this deal . . .)
And folks, (again) if you've got a few stains in your life that have left some dark patches on your soul . . . forgiveness is the only thing that can remove those stains . . .
See . . .the answer, . . . is to confess and receive forgiveness - and that in it self is a miracle . . . it's the best gift you can imagine I get up here 20 times a year and say the same thing . . . and yet it's still amazing - every time you confess - God works a miracle . . . and brings light into darkness . . . and gives us yet another new start and yet another second chance.
Whoever you are - what ever you've done - today is your day - confess - receive forgiveness. Get prepared to walk in the light. (You'll have a chance to respond to that yet today )
That's the first step . . . again - it might be easy to understand - but it's not simple to do, it takes time for us - to see the darkness clearly and actually get tired of it enough to want it removed . . . The spiritual life is a life long journey - and it's a very good thing we don't have to figure it all out the first day . . . (Here's the 2 nd step after you exit the darkness) - Ready?
2. Enter Light
Let me read some verses to you and some of them will remain on the screen. Ephesians 5:8, 9, 10, 11a, 15a, 16a, 17 (NLT)
"For though your hearts were once full of darkness, now you are full of light from the Lord, and your behaviour should show it! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness. So be careful how you live. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good. Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do.
Now . . . here is the just, of what those verses are saying . . . . . . Once your enter the light - it changes everything - light changes everything .
Ever notice how in poor light (Dim lights on me). Everything lacks definition - and in dim light we're only able to see general shapes . . . and those shapes we see in dim light provide little sense of what the actual object really is . . . no edge or focus or colour . . . but in the light - it all changes and we see with great clarity and definition and distinctive colour and depth . . . In the light we see everything as it really is - nothing hidden . . . nothing disguised - L ight changes everything .
These verses transfer the same principle to our spiritual lives . . . In God's light - everything changes inside us . . . In fact, as we walk in God's light we can expect everything to be transformed with us Broken behaviour that once hurt us and the people around us - will begin to changed for the better as the light hits us . . . Distorted attitudes from past hurts or chips that we're carried on our shoulders for years will begin to fade . . . and change . . . and you'll actually notice how good it feels to have that rotten attitude weight lifted off . . . Weaknesses will be made known to you so you can shore them up and not be dragged down by them.
Strengths will also be more clearly defined and . . . as you begin to walk in your strengths . . . . . . your confidence will be heightened . . .
In fact . . . as the light of Jesus Christ begins to shine brightly in you - your whole personality and countenance will change - everything about you that was once darkness will begin to change for the better. It really is good news . . . . . . the message of Jesus Christ is Great News for our lives . . .
Now I've said a few times today that this spiritual journey were on is not a sprint we're in it for the long haul . . . and a clear view is not to be confused with a short distance . . . Here's why I say that . . . because the light we walk in will get brighter and brighter and brighter as we continue to follow Christ . . . and so with that in mind - we must understand that this transformation and change will happen over a life - time - as well not just every thing all at once . . .
But how does it actually happen? - As we enter the light - how can we best see this transformation take place? 3 quick things we can do to enter the light more fully.
2. a) Find out what it looks like to walk in the light.
Ephesians 5:10 says this, if you want to walk in the light, "Try to find out what please the Lord" . . . another place in scripture it says - be imitators of Christ.
Folks, we must not forget one of the most basic of steps . . . to seeing our lives transformed.
We've got to have a picture of where we're headed - we must have an understanding of what life looks like . . .(or what it is supposed to look like) in the light.
Kaden is 7, he started hockey this month. Awesome - all these kids learning how to skate - priceless . . .
Kaden's coaches are these 3 or 4 young guys that really know how to play hockey - skate - shoot - pass - heck . . . they're really good.
Now, for Kaden - without those 3 or 4 guys to follow (into hockey) . . . I'm not sure he'd every really learn the game . . . He has to be able to learn to get a picture of what it looks like . . . in order to learn
Here's my point - If we want to walk in the light we've gotta get a picture of what that means - we've gotta ask questions and read up on what a Christ follower really is . . . and connect with some people that are ahead of us spiritually so we can learn what it looks like to walk in the light . . . Paul said . . .Try to find out what please God . . . How?
-read you bible
-book ministry
-small groups
-classes (basics)
-alpha
Paul says . . . we have some work to do . . . try and find out what pleases God.
That's the 1 st step to take as you enter the light . . . find out what it looks like to follow Christ.
2nd step . . .
2. b) Don't step into the darkness . . . In the very next verse Paul says . . .
Ephesians 5:11 (NLT)
"Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, rebuke and expose them."
. . . and really he was gently reminding us of where we are now walking . . . (in the light) . . . "Be careful to not step into the darkness again"
Last week we talked a lot about . . . now important it is that we understand some of our weaknesses - the areas we will fail 1 st at . . . spiritually. What are they? Can you name them?
-addictions
-pride
-envy What area of your life can you name, that
-arrogance will take you out of the light? . . .
-self-esteems issues
And then . . . the next question is . . . What are you doing to strengthen your resolve against that named weak area?
Do you have someone who is willing to keep you accountable in an area of addiction? . . . .
Do you have some people around you (in a small group who you can watch and learn from about how they deal with their weak areas? . . .
Are you focused on learning more about walking away from temptation . . and what God's work has to say about that . . .
. . . That's what Paul is saying here . . . If you want to walk in the light . . . make sure you continue to protect yourself from stepping off the path and into darkness again . . .
If you want to really enter the light. . .
3. Turn light into action (a verb)
Ephesians 5:15a, 16a and 17
"So be careful how you live. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good. Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do."
Paul says . . . turn your faith into action . . . make the light within you a verb . . .(idea) (why not) make a list of things you want to do that will bring light to those around you (list)
-invite a neighbour for supper
-take their kids for ice cream
-buy lunch from someone
-send someone a note or a flower
-go out of your way to encourage someone
-lead a small group of jr. high (zoo) kids
-when you come here - try and get involved in some ministry that will help this amazing God-sized life changing machine called Lakeview Church . . . work better
Here's the point Paul is trying to make. If you are a follower of Jesus Christ and you've been forgiven and if the darkness is gone and the path you're walking on is full of God's light . . .then make the most of it - walk boldly and strongly in the light and take that light and spread it around to other people.
Be Jesus to others . . . make a difference in the world around you. Turn the light within you into action.
Let me close with this verse - one of my favourite's . . . This has been my prayer . . . that you would experience this in your lives . . .
Proverbs 4:18 & 19 (NIV)
"The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. "
That your souls would be lit up with the light of Jesus Christ . . . and that as you walk with him . . . the path in front of you would get brighter and brighter and brighter and brighter . . . and that the darkness would fade . . . and that you would feel his smile as you follow.