Shining Hope: Proclaiming the Gospel in Dark Times

 

Summary

In this season of Easter, we are reminded of the incredible opportunity we have to be the light in a world that is facing unprecedented challenges. The call to "arise and shine" from Isaiah 60 resonates deeply as we navigate these stormy times. The world is hungry for hope, and we, as the church, are uniquely positioned to offer the message of faith, hope, and love. The surge in searches for prayer and faith is a testament to the world's longing for something greater, and we must rise to the occasion.

Reflecting on Isaiah 7, we see a powerful message delivered to King Ahaz: "Be careful, keep calm, don't be afraid, do not lose heart." These words are as relevant today as they were then. We are called to stand firm in our faith, to hold onto our "Amen," and to trust that God will not let us down. The challenges we face will not overcome us if we remain steadfast in our belief.

This Easter, we are not just continuing with business as usual. We are called to be innovative, to reach more people than ever before, and to do so with confidence and faith. The message of the gospel is more relevant now than ever, as people are isolated, fearful, and searching for meaning. The story of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection is a beacon of hope in these dark times.

We have the technology, the community, and the Spirit of God to guide us. As we proclaim the gospel, we must do so with boldness and assurance that God is with us. This is our moment to shine, to bring the light of Christ into the world, and to see lives transformed by the power of the gospel. Let us embrace this opportunity with open hearts and a renewed commitment to our calling.

Key Takeaways:

1. Be the Light in Dark Times: In a world filled with uncertainty, we are called to be the light. Isaiah 60 encourages us to "arise and shine," reminding us that our light has come. This is our opportunity to bring hope and faith to those who are searching for meaning in these challenging times. [34:48]

2. Stand Firm in Faith: The message to King Ahaz in Isaiah 7 is a powerful reminder to stand firm in our faith. We are encouraged to be careful, keep calm, and not be afraid. By holding onto our "Amen," we can trust that God will not let us down, even when faced with adversity. [37:03]

3. Innovate and Reach Out: This Easter, we are called to be innovative in how we share the gospel. With the world in lockdown, we have a unique opportunity to reach more people than ever before. Let us embrace technology and creativity to spread the message of Jesus' love and hope. [39:00]

4. The Gospel's Relevance: The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus are more relevant now than ever. In a time of crisis, the gospel offers a message of triumph over tragedy. We must proclaim this message boldly, knowing that it has the power to transform lives. [42:00]

5. Empowered by the Holy Spirit: As we share the gospel, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit. We are anointed to preach good news, and we must rely on the Spirit's guidance and strength. Let us pray for a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit as we proclaim the message of hope this Easter. [43:54]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[34:18] - Encouragement to Be the Light
[34:48] - Arise and Shine
[35:17] - Innovative Gospel Outreach
[35:52] - Lessons from Isaiah 7
[36:47] - Prophetic Words of Assurance
[37:22] - Standing Firm in Faith
[38:08] - Overcoming Fear with Faith
[39:00] - Embracing Technology for Outreach
[40:13] - Baptism and New Beginnings
[41:06] - The Power of the Gospel
[42:00] - Triumph Over Tragedy
[42:51] - Seeking Jesus in Crisis
[43:39] - Anointed to Proclaim the Gospel
[44:15] - Prayer for the Holy Spirit's 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 say about the role of light in the world? How does this relate to the sermon’s call for the church to "arise and shine"? [34:48]
2. In Isaiah 7:4, what specific instructions are given to King Ahaz, and how are these instructions relevant to us today? [36:11]
3. How does the sermon describe the current global situation, and what opportunities does it suggest this presents for the church? [35:17]
4. What evidence does the sermon provide to show that people are searching for hope and faith during these times? [35:36]

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How might the call to "arise and shine" in Isaiah 60 be understood in the context of the current global challenges? What does it mean for the church to be a light today? [34:48]
2. What does it mean to "stand firm in your faith" as mentioned in Isaiah 7:9, and how can this be applied in the face of adversity? [37:03]
3. The sermon mentions the surge in searches for prayer and faith. What does this suggest about the spiritual state of the world, and how should the church respond? [35:36]
4. How does the sermon interpret the relevance of the gospel in times of crisis, and what implications does this have for how we share our faith? [42:00]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt called to be a light in a dark situation. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? How can you apply this experience to current challenges? [34:48]
2. In what ways can you "stand firm in your faith" in your daily life, especially when faced with fear or uncertainty? [37:03]
3. The sermon encourages innovation in sharing the gospel. What are some creative ways you can think of to reach out to others during this Easter season? [39:00]
4. How can you personally contribute to spreading the message of hope and faith in your community? What specific actions can you take this week? [35:36]
5. Consider the role of technology in your spiritual life. How can you use it to deepen your faith and connect with others in meaningful ways? [39:00]
6. The sermon speaks of being empowered by the Holy Spirit. How can you seek a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit in your life, and what impact might this have on your actions and decisions? [43:54]
7. Identify one person in your life who is searching for hope or meaning. How can you support them and share the message of the gospel with them this week? [42:51]

Devotional

Day 1: Arise and Shine in Uncertain Times
In a world filled with uncertainty and challenges, the call to "arise and shine" from Isaiah 60 is a powerful reminder of the role we are to play as bearers of light. This is not just a passive suggestion but an active call to bring hope and faith to those who are searching for meaning. The world is hungry for hope, and as followers of Christ, we are uniquely positioned to offer the message of faith, hope, and love. The increase in searches for prayer and faith is a testament to the world's longing for something greater, and we must rise to the occasion. This is our opportunity to be the light in dark times, to bring the message of the gospel to those who need it most. [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 tangible way?


Day 2: Standing Firm in Faith Amidst Adversity
The message delivered to King Ahaz in Isaiah 7 is a timeless reminder to stand firm in our faith. In times of fear and uncertainty, we are encouraged to be careful, keep calm, and not be afraid. By holding onto our "Amen," we can trust that God will not let us down, even when faced with adversity. This call to stand firm is not just about personal resilience but about trusting in God's promises and His faithfulness. As we navigate the challenges of life, we are reminded that our faith is not in vain, and that God is with us every step of the way. [37:03]

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 challenge are you facing today that requires you to stand firm in faith? How can you actively choose to trust God in this situation?


Day 3: Innovating to Reach the Isolated
This Easter season, we are called to be innovative in how we share the gospel. With the world in lockdown, we have a unique opportunity to reach more people than ever before. Embracing technology and creativity allows us to spread the message of Jesus' love and hope in new and impactful ways. This is not a time to continue with business as usual but to think outside the box and find new methods to connect with those who are isolated and searching for meaning. The gospel message is timeless, but the methods we use to share it can and should adapt to the times we are in. [39:00]

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 creative way you can use technology or other resources to share the gospel with someone who is isolated or searching for hope?


Day 4: Proclaiming the Gospel's Relevance Today
The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus are more relevant now than ever. In a time of crisis, the gospel offers a message of triumph over tragedy. We are called to proclaim this message boldly, knowing that it has the power to transform lives. The story of Jesus is not just a historical event but a living reality that speaks to the deepest needs of the human heart. As we share this message, we do so with the assurance that it is the answer to the world's longing for hope and meaning. [42:00]

2 Corinthians 4:6 (ESV): "For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

Reflection: How can you share the relevance of the gospel with someone who is experiencing a personal crisis? What specific aspect of Jesus' story can you highlight to offer them hope?


Day 5: Empowered by the Holy Spirit for Bold Proclamation
As we share the gospel, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit. We are anointed to preach good news, and we must rely on the Spirit's guidance and strength. This empowerment is not just for our benefit but for the transformation of those we encounter. As we proclaim the message of hope, we do so with the confidence that the Holy Spirit is working in and through us. Let us pray for a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit as we embrace our calling to be the light in the world. [43:54]

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 area of your life do you need the Holy Spirit's empowerment to boldly proclaim the gospel? How can you seek a fresh infilling of the Spirit today?

Quotes


I love challenging our church to step out there and actually be the light when in Isaiah 16 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. [00:34:45]

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]

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 great great words for us in this time we're going to be the light so we must be careful we must keep calm we refuse to be afraid and we're not gonna lose heart. [00:36:16]

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 there 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. [00:37:05]

We're gonna report of reaching more people that we've ever ever read 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 let's not be nervous let's remember that God is on our side. [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. [00:38:21]

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 we're gonna be careful that the word says we are going to keep calm we're not going to be afraid we're not gonna lose heart. [00:39:40]

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. [00:41:52]

I've never known a time in my life when people are more open than they are now they're 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've would never have gone to church ah the church is coming to them in their homes. [00:43:07]

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 realize you as you proclaimed this message this Easter the Spirit of the Lord is upon you because he's anointed you to preach good news. [00:43:41]

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 come Holy Spirit. [00:44:12]

The gospel is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes I discovered that myself when as an 18 year old atheist I encountered Jesus I heard the gospel and my life was changed for the last 46 years I've had the privilege of proclaiming that good news and seeing that immense change in people's lives. [00:41:00]

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Transcript
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