Arise and Shine: Hope in Challenging Times
Summary
In this Easter message, we are reminded of the profound opportunity and responsibility we have as the church to be a beacon of hope and light in a world facing unprecedented challenges. Drawing inspiration from Isaiah 60, we are called to "arise and shine" because our light has come, and the glory of the Lord is upon us. This is a time to embrace innovation and creativity in spreading the gospel, reaching more people than ever before. The current global crisis has heightened people's hunger for hope, faith, and prayer, as evidenced by the surge in online searches for these terms. This presents a unique opportunity for us to share the message of Jesus with a world that is searching for answers.
In Isaiah 7, we find encouragement in the words given to King Ahaz: "Be careful, keep calm, don't be afraid, do not lose heart." These words are a powerful reminder for us today as we face our own fears and uncertainties. We are called to stand firm in our faith, trusting that God will not let us down. The Hebrew word for faith, "Amen," signifies a firm standing in our belief, and it is this steadfastness that will see us through.
As we approach Easter, we are encouraged to be bold in our proclamation of the gospel, confident that God is with us. The message of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection is more relevant and needed than ever, offering hope and transformation to a world in crisis. This is not a time to retreat but to advance the kingdom of God, empowered by the Holy Spirit to preach the good news.
Key Takeaways:
- Be the Light in Challenging Times: In a world filled with uncertainty, we are called to be the light, drawing from Isaiah 60's call to "arise and shine." This is our moment to step out in faith and bring hope to those around us, using innovative ways to reach people with the gospel. [34:48]
- Stand Firm in Faith: Isaiah 7 reminds us to be careful, keep calm, and not lose heart. Standing firm in our faith, or our "Amen," is crucial. It is this unwavering belief that will enable us to face challenges with confidence, knowing that God will not let us down. [36:28]
- Embrace Innovation for the Gospel: The current crisis has opened new avenues for spreading the gospel. With people more open and searching for hope, we have the opportunity to reach more individuals than ever before. Let's embrace this chance to be innovative in our approach. [38:53]
- The Power of the Gospel in Crisis: The message of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection is a beacon of hope in times of crisis. Just as God turned the tragedy of the cross into triumph, He can bring transformation and hope to our current situation. [42:08]
- Empowered by the Holy Spirit: We are anointed by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the good news. This Easter, let's pray for a fresh infilling of the Spirit, empowering us to boldly share the life-changing message of Jesus with those who are searching for hope. [44:03]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[34:18] - Encouragement to Be the Light
[34:48] - Arise and Shine
[35:16] - Innovative Gospel Outreach
[35:50] - Hunger for Hope
[36:08] - Words of Encouragement from Isaiah
[36:28] - Standing Firm in Faith
[37:00] - Prophetic Assurance
[37:18] - The Power of "Amen"
[38:07] - Facing Fear with Faith
[38:53] - Easter 2020: A Unique Opportunity
[39:10] - Confidence in God's Promises
[39:40] - Anointing of the Holy Spirit
[40:09] - Baptism and New Beginnings
[41:16] - The Gospel's Relevance Today
[42:08] - Triumph Over Tragedy
[43:46] - Prayer for Empowerment
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Isaiah 60:1-3 - "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you."
2. Isaiah 7:4 - "Be careful, keep calm and don’t be afraid. Do not lose heart."
3. Romans 1:16 - "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes."
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#### Observation Questions
1. What does Isaiah 60:1-3 call us to do, and how does it relate to the current global situation? [34:48]
2. In Isaiah 7:4, what specific instructions are given to King Ahaz, and how might these apply to us today? [36:08]
3. How has the current global crisis affected people's search for hope, faith, and prayer according to the sermon? [35:50]
4. What role does the Holy Spirit play in empowering us to share the gospel, as mentioned in the sermon? [44:03]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How can the call to "arise and shine" in Isaiah 60 be interpreted in the context of the church's mission during challenging times? [34:48]
2. What does standing firm in faith mean in practical terms, especially when facing fears and uncertainties? [36:28]
3. How does the sermon suggest we embrace innovation in spreading the gospel, and why is this important now? [38:53]
4. In what ways does the message of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection offer hope and transformation during a crisis? [42:08]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt called to be a light in a challenging situation. How did you respond, and what might you do differently now? [34:48]
2. What are some practical ways you can stand firm in your faith this week, especially when faced with fear or uncertainty? [36:28]
3. Identify one innovative way you can share the gospel with someone in your life who is searching for hope. How will you take action on this? [38:53]
4. How can you incorporate the message of Jesus' resurrection into your conversations with others who are experiencing crisis or loss? [42:08]
5. What specific steps can you take to seek a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit to empower your witness this Easter season? [44:03]
6. Consider the current global crisis. How can you use this time to deepen your own faith and encourage others in their spiritual journey? [41:52]
7. How can you ensure that your actions and words reflect the hope and transformation offered by the gospel in your daily life? [42:08]
Devotional
Day 1: Arise and Shine in Darkness
In a world filled with uncertainty and challenges, we are called to be a beacon of hope and light. Drawing from Isaiah 60, we are reminded that our light has come, and the glory of the Lord is upon us. This is a time to step out in faith, embracing innovation and creativity in spreading the gospel. The current global crisis has heightened people's hunger for hope, faith, and prayer, presenting a unique opportunity to share the message of Jesus with those searching for answers. As we arise and shine, we can bring hope to those around us, using innovative ways to reach people with the gospel. [34:48]
Isaiah 60:1-2 (ESV): "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you."
Reflection: Who in your life is currently experiencing darkness or uncertainty? How can you be a light to them today, offering hope and encouragement in a practical way?
Day 2: Stand Firm in Faith
Isaiah 7 offers us encouragement with the words given to King Ahaz: "Be careful, keep calm, don't be afraid, do not lose heart." These words are a powerful reminder for us today as we face our own fears and uncertainties. We are called to stand firm in our faith, trusting that God will not let us down. The Hebrew word for faith, "Amen," signifies a firm standing in our belief, and it is this steadfastness that will see us through. Standing firm in our faith is crucial, enabling us to face challenges with confidence, knowing that God is with us. [36:28]
Isaiah 7:4 (ESV): "And say to him, ‘Be careful, be quiet, do not fear, and do not let your heart be faint because of these two smoldering stumps of firebrands, at the fierce anger of Rezin and Syria and the son of Remaliah."
Reflection: What specific fear or uncertainty are you facing today? How can you practice standing firm in your faith, trusting in God's promises despite the circumstances?
Day 3: Innovate for the Gospel
The current crisis has opened new avenues for spreading the gospel. With people more open and searching for hope, we have the opportunity to reach more individuals than ever before. This is a time to embrace innovation and creativity in our approach to sharing the message of Jesus. By using new methods and technologies, we can connect with those who are seeking answers and offer them the hope and transformation found in the gospel. Let's embrace this chance to be innovative in our outreach efforts. [38:53]
1 Corinthians 9:22-23 (ESV): "To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings."
Reflection: What is one innovative way you can share the gospel with someone in your life this week? How can you use your unique gifts and resources to reach out to those who are searching for hope?
Day 4: The Gospel's Power in Crisis
The message of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection is a beacon of hope in times of crisis. Just as God turned the tragedy of the cross into triumph, He can bring transformation and hope to our current situation. The gospel offers hope and transformation to a world in crisis, reminding us that God is with us and that He can bring good out of even the most difficult circumstances. This is not a time to retreat but to advance the kingdom of God, empowered by the Holy Spirit to preach the good news. [42:08]
2 Corinthians 1:8-10 (ESV): "For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again."
Reflection: How has the gospel brought hope and transformation to your life during a time of crisis? How can you share this testimony with someone who is currently struggling?
Day 5: Empowered by the Holy Spirit
We are anointed by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the good news. This Easter, let's pray for a fresh infilling of the Spirit, empowering us to boldly share the life-changing message of Jesus with those who are searching for hope. The Holy Spirit empowers us to be bold in our proclamation of the gospel, confident that God is with us. As we seek a fresh anointing, we can trust that the Spirit will guide us and give us the words to speak as we share the hope of Jesus with others. [44:03]
Acts 1:8 (ESV): "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit? How can you seek His empowerment to boldly share the gospel with those around you today?
Quotes
I love challenging our church to step out there and actually be the light when in Isaiah 60 the Bible says arise and shine for your light has come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you and Kings shall come to the brightness of your rising and it goes on in that fashion. [00:34:46]
I think we with confidence and with faith in our heart need to hold close to the message that we have and realize that people need people want what we have already the Google searches for words like prayer and faith and hope have skyrocketed because people are hungry right now and we have the chance to be the light. [00:35:31]
I was just reading in Isaiah 7 where the king of Judah a house was under attack other armies were conspiring against him other Kings were conspiring against them and he naturally got fearful started to feel afraid but then the word of the Lord came to him and the word of the Lord sounded like this be careful keep calm don't be afraid do not lose heart. [00:35:57]
If you do not stand in your faith you will not stand at all if you do not stand firm in your faith and you know that the Hebrew word for faith here is our main or our Amen it's saying if you do not stand firm in your Amen you will not stand firm at all. [00:37:06]
We're gonna report of reaching more people than we've ever ever reaped before we're gonna ask God to make us so innovative the people have drawn people are hungry in the middle of it let's not be fearful there's not be nervous let's remember that God is on our side that when it looks like the enemy is going to try and attack us and rob us it will not take place. [00:37:48]
I find that when we live with a message of hope, not just grumbling and complaining about the situation but we've got such a chance to be giving people hope but faith inside of people encourage them to rise up and be all that God's called them to be this Easter is a fantastic and exciting challenge because we're not just doing more of the same. [00:38:23]
And as we all together combine our forces I'm gonna pray that more people will be reached in this Easter 2020 than ever before in the history of the world and we have the technology we have the ability we've got the prayer of our fellow Saints we've got all the people around us so what are we going to do. [00:38:50]
The message of the gospel is that God took the greatest tragedy of all time the cross and turned it into the greatest triumph of all time through the resurrection and this message of the life death and resurrection of Jesus is a life-changing message that is more relevant than ever and it's also more needed than ever. [00:42:12]
I've never known a time in my life when people are more open than they are now there are no other distractions there's no football there's no sport there's no entertainment and people have time to hear the gospel and people who would never have gone to church ah the church is coming to them in their homes people who would never have explored faith are coming to explore faith online. [00:43:09]
This is the most extraordinary time to see the there's not a moment to retreat this is the time for the kingdom of God to advance and you have been anointed by the Holy Spirit to reclaim this message and I want to pray for you right now that the Holy Spirit will refill you reinvent you as you proclaimed this message this Easter. [00:43:49]
The Spirit of the Lord is upon you because he's anointed you to preach good news Lord that's our prayer right now come Holy Spirit and fill each person who's watching this right now I encourage you if you'd like to just maybe to open your hands as a way of saying Lord come and refill me re-indict me this Easter to proclaim the most powerful message in the world. [00:44:40]
Come Holy Spirit. [00:44:48]
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