Reflecting the Glory of God

Pine Valley 2011Saturday Adult Forum

By George Miclea

Scorpions Glow

• Scorpions have an interesting quality about them• They “glow” when illuminated with a black light.• Due to fluorescent chemicals in the cuticle

Why bring up scorpions? Scorpions are great reflectors

They are “filled” with light and “reflect” that light very well

They can be easily defined in the dark when the right light is shown through them.

In the same way, the light of the glory of God shines in the hearts of believers and “illuminates” them Thus defining who they are by that specific light

Illuminated by the Light

“For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light for the fruit of light is found in all that is

good and right and true…”Ephesians 5:8-9

Believers are illuminated and defined by the Light

of Christ

What do people see when they look at you?

What do you represent?

What is light?Dictionary Definition: The natural agent that stimulates sight

and makes things visible

Scientifically: Light is simply a name for a range of

electromagnetic radiation that can be detected by the human eye. 

What is darkness?Darkness is merely a place where light

is not presentSpiritual darkness is the inability to

perceive light, though it exists

Light vs. Dark There is no “battle” between light and darkness but

rather, a non-relationship Wherever light exists, darkness flees. Darkness is never seen as pushing back against

light for fleeing is it’s only option Spiritual darkness is to be under the power of sin

John 3:19 Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.

Acts 26:18 …and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God

Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. God saw that the light was

good; and God separated the light from the darkness.

Genesis 1:3-4

The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it… the

true Light gives light to every man

John 1:5;9

The Light of Christ has the power to expel all spiritual darkness

REVISE?

Detecting the True Light How can one detect the “true” light from a

“false” light? The basis of the true light resides in the Word

of God and upon it all truth should be examined and qualified.

Recognize this guy?

How is it possible to determine whether or not he is genuine??

Harold Camping

False Prophet

How can you detect a fake?

Study and know the real thing

Detecting the True Light [Receive] the word with all eagerness, examining

the Scriptures daily to see if these things [are] so. Acts 17:11

Always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; 1 Peter 3:15-16

Warning: Did not even Satan marvelously transform himself into an angel of light? Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works. 2Co 11:14-15

The Word of God is the standard by which the true light is detected

Heat and Light Does anyone know how a regular

incandescent light bulb gives off light? The resistance of the tungsten filament causes

the flow of electricity to produce heat The filament gets so hot that it begins to glow and

thus light is emitted as a form of visible radiation So, light is a by-product, or a “fruit” of heat At the same time, light produces warmth as is

the case with our Sun

Heat and Light How does our Sun provide warmth?

When radiation is absorbed by matter, the molecules get excited and vibrate vigorously thus producing warmth

We could say that warmth is the fruit of light. In the same way, the “fruit” of the Spirit is a

by-product of His light that shines within

Fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is

love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

How much of the light of the Spirit is being converted into evident “warmth” in your own life?

Measuring your Warmth2 Corinthians 13:5 – Examine and test yourselves!

SOUL’S WELL-BEING

RELATIONS WITH OTHERS

PRINCIPLES FOR GODLY LIVING

Gentleness

Kindness

Love

Joy Peace

Patie

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Goo

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Faithfulness

Self Control

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LIGHT

WARMTH

Seeing the Light Who specifically in your life do you see the

light of Christ? How have detected (seen or felt) the light of

Christ in others?  How can you tell that this is the light of Christ. What characterizes the light of Christ and

how is that different from light that is sourced by others?

Types of light bulbs Heat Lamp: High heat, low light Incandescent bulb: Varied heat based on

varied light output LED: Very low heat, high intensity light

Which one best describes you?

A Spirit-led life will produce the fruit of a

genuine faith

What hinders our radiance A believer’s warmth and radiance to those around them is one of

the most important aspects of their lives. What can hinder that radiance? Our personal sin can distort, diffuse, or diminish the radiance of

the Light that resides within He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no

offense in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness, and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because darkness has blinded his eyes. 1 John 2:10-11

What hinders our radiance What else can hinder that radiance? Focusing on ourselves and having a temporal perspective on life Worry

but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Mark 4:19

We need to “brighten” our light by repentance and confession If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the

truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness 1John 1:8-9

Remember then how you have received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. Revelation 3:3

Hide it under a bushel? No! "No one, after lighting a lamp, puts it away in

a cellar nor under a basket, but on the lamp stand, so that those who enter may see the light. Luke 11:33

And we are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of the thing being done away. 2 Corinthians 3:13

Personal sin can diffuse, distort, and

even hide the Light of Christ

Shine on “This little light of mine” isn’t just a song for

the kids!

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light Ephesians 5:8

Living a “worthy” life

Colossians 1:9-10 [We] desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, that you might walk worthy of the Lord to all pleasing, being fruitful in every work and increasing in the knowledge of God…

Called to be a light Israel was called and chosen to be a light

…I will appoint You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the nations. Isaiah 42:6

I will also make You a light of the nations So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth. Isaiah 49:6

Nations will come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising. Isaiah 60:3

Jesus came to be a light to both Jew and Gentile [Simeon] “…my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You

have prepared in the presence of all peoples, A light of revelation to the gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.“ Luke 2:29-32

Need to “walk” in the Light A man may think he has much light, but if it is only

notional and doctrinal and is not the light which enlightens his nature and develops itself in his practical walk, he lies when he talks of being in the light, for he is in darkness altogether.

Nor is it truthful to pretend or profess that we have light within in the form of experience if we do not walk in it, for where the light is true, it is quite certain to show itself abroad.

Charles Spurgeon (Sermon 663) REVISE SLIDE

A shadow of the cross will only be cast when one walks in the light of

Christ

Campfires What do you enjoy about a campfire???

Warmth – Sitting close, warming hands and feet Fellowship – Singing and sharing The smell of the burning wood Just “watching” the fire flicker with character When was the last time you took time to love

Jesus, “The Light”, as you do a campfire?

Where’s the Love?

In your “loving to serve” have you forgotten to “love the one” you are

serving?

Those who love Christ will then joyfully

serve Him

Who’s influencing who?

Six Mega-themes Emerge from Barna Group Research in 2010

“…the religious environment in the U.S. is morphing into something new.”

1. The Christian Church is becoming less theologically literate.

“…only a minority of adults associate Easter with the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

“…few adults believe that their faith is meant to be the focal point of their life…”

“…a growing majority believe the Holy Spirit is a symbol of God's presence or power, but not a living entity.”

illiterate

2. Christians are becoming more ingrown and less outreach-oriented.

“Christians are becoming more spiritually isolated from non-Christians...”

“…most…who become Christians…do so in response to a personal crisis or the fear of death.”

“most Americans are unimpressed with the contributions Christians and churches have made to society over the past few years.”

“As young adults have children, the prospect of them seeking a Christian church is diminishing--especially given the absence of faith talk in their conversations with the people they most trust.”

isolated

3. Growing numbers of people are less interested in spiritual principles and more desirous of learning pragmatic solutions for life.

“Faith is significant to [teenagers], but it takes a back seat to life accomplishments ...”

“Among adults the areas of growing importance are lifestyle comfort, success, and personal achievements…at the expense of investment in both faith and family.”

“Because we continue to separate our spirituality from other dimensions of life through compartmentalization, a relatively superficial approach to faith has become a central means of optimizing our life experience.”

Insignificant faith

4. Among Christians, interest in participating in community action is escalating.

“Christians are more open to and more involved in community service activities than has been true in the recent past.”

“However…Simply doing good works because it's the socially esteemed choice of the moment will not produce much staying power.”

“…churches have a window of opportunity to support such actions with biblical perspective”

Typifies the “Do good, feel good” culture “Making others happy will make you happy”

shallow

5. The postmodern insistence on tolerance is winning over the Christian Church.

“Our biblical illiteracy and lack of spiritual confidence has caused Americans to avoid making discerning choices for fear of being labeled judgmental.”

“The result is a Church that has become tolerant of a vast array of morally and spiritually dubious behaviors and philosophies.”

“This increased leniency is made possible by the very limited accountability that occurs within the body of Christ.”

There are fewer and fewer issues that Christians believe churches should be dogmatic about.

The idea of love has been redefined to mean the absence of conflict and confrontation, as if there are no moral absolutes that are worth fighting for.

Tolerant

6. The influence of Christianity on culture and individual lives is largely invisible.

“The primary obstacle is not the substance of the principles on which Christianity is based, and therefore the solution is not solely providing an increase in preaching or public relations.“

“The most influential aspect of Christianity in America is how believers do--or do not--implement their faith in public and private.”

invisible

“The most influential aspect of Christianity in America is how

believers do--or do not--implement their faith in public and private.”invisible

The Light should be visible, attractive, and

influential in a believer’s life

Are you influencing the culture by the

Word of God, or is the culture influencing

you?

Being an Influence Everyone has a sphere of influence

Job, Friends, Family, Spouse, Parents, etc… List five things you need to change in your life

in order to be of greater influence to the culture around you

To whom can YOU be a source of light and warmth of the Light of Christ?? List five people

Everyone shines for something. What are you shining for?

Questions?