GOD’S LIGHTHOUSE IN THE WORLD

GOD IS LIGHT

“ This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.”(1 John 1:5)

GOD GIVES LIGHT

• The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.(Rev. 21:23)

JESUS IS THE RISING SUN

• Because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven.(Luke 1:78)

JESUS IS THE TRUE LIGHT

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. (John 1:9)

JESUS, THE LIGHT CAME TO THE WORLD

• This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.(John 3:19)

JESUS IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

• When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”(John 8:12)

JESUS IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

• While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (John 9:5)

• I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. (John 12”46)

JESUS IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

• While Jesus was in the world, He was the light of the world. (John 9:5)

• He came as the light of God to the world. • But before He left the world, He told His

disciples that they would e the light of the world.

• The disciples would reflect the Light of Christ to the world and would bring to the light those who are in the darkness.

YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built

on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Mat. 5:14-16)

CHRIST WAS GOD’S LIGHTHOUSE IN THE WORLD

THE CHURCH IS CHRIST’S LIGHTHOUSE IN THE WORLD NOW

THE CHURCH IS CHRIST’S LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE WORLD

WHAT DOES A LIGHTHOUSE SERVE FOR?

1. It is built in a high place

1. It is built in a high place

• It is built upon a rock, so the boats can see it from a distance.

• It is built in a place where it is easy to be seen.

2. It provides permanent light• There is no shortage

of light, because a lighthouse is built to provide light in the middle of darkness.

• The light is needed in times of darkness for boats and ships that need some direction. That is one of its main functions.

3. It is a place of refuge for travelers

• It is safer for travelers to sail when they know there are lighthouses on the coast ready to take them if it is needed.

• Especially when the seas are rough and the storms hit.

4. It is ready & prepared to rescue the lost

• Boats often times need to be rescued when they are lost in the sea.

• Lighthouses rescue the lost and even people who are in risk of death.

5. It is always watchful to help the lost

• Because of its higher place and of its sharp light it can see further

• It has powerful equipments to watch over the rough waters and through the night

6. It has powerful communication equipments

• It is usually equipped with powerful radio equipments to ask for help and to be called upon.

• One of its priorities is to work out a good communication, because lives may be depend on it.

YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLDWHAT DOES IT MEAN IT?

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Mat. 5:14-16)

The light is for the world.The world is in darkness and the church brings light from God to the world.

We are called to shine the light into the dark world

The Bible says the world is in darkness: • “78 because of the tender mercy of our God,

by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven 79 to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” (Lk.1:78, 79)

People are lost about marriage, sexuality, morality, life in general, children education, money, spiritual life, the future, etc.

Even many who profess to be Christians are confused, looking for worldly things acting like worldly people; their lights have stopped shining.

The Bible says we are children of light

• For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.(Eph. 5:8)

We are the children of light• 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in

the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said:

“Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

The light cannot be hidden.God lightened the church and it cannot be hidden.

The light is put on its stand.God puts His lighthouses in stands all around the world to shine His light.

God has put us on this stand in Houston to shine His light to this community.

It gives light to everyone in the house, and to everyone in the community, and in the city and around it.

The shine has to shine before others who will realize the good deeds

• The good deeds of God’s people is what makes His light shine before the others.

• And The people of the world will see the good deeds and glorify the Father in heaven.

CHRIST’S DISCIPLES ARE THE LIGHT NOW

• “so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky”. (Phil. 2:15)

CHRIST’S DISCIPLES ARE CHRIST’S LIGHTHOUSE

• The world needs to Know that this light is from heaven; it is supernatural; it is sent and supported by heaven

CHRIST’S DISCIPLES ARE CHRIST’S LIGHTHOUSE

• The world needs to see that this light comes from Christ and that the church is in communication with the living Christ

Christ is the LIGHT for the world

CHRIST AND USWE SHINE THE LIGHT TOGETHER AS THE BODY OF

CHRIST

IT IS NOT THE BUILDING THAT IS THE LIGHTTHE LIGHT COMES FROM JESUS AND REFLECTS

THROUGH US TO THE WORLD

LET’S SHINE FROM OUR STAND HERE IN HOUSTON AND THE NAME OF GOD WILL BE GLORIFIED.

PROPHETIC WORD FOR 2011:Go up on a high mountain.

”You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain.

You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout,

lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah,

“Here is your God!” (Is. 40:9)