Shining Light: Embracing the True Jesus

Devotional

Day 1: God's Heart for Gathering

God's heart is to gather His people under His wings, offering protection and growth in grace. This divine invitation is extended to everyone, regardless of their background or past mistakes. It requires a willingness to open one's heart to His love and guidance. In Matthew 23:37, we see Jesus lamenting over Jerusalem, expressing His desire to gather His people as a hen gathers her chicks. This imagery reflects God's nurturing and protective nature, longing for His people to find refuge and growth in Him. Yet, many have historically rejected this invitation, choosing instead to build walls of self-righteousness and religion that exclude the true light of Christ. This rejection is not just a historical event but a present reality for many who have crafted a version of Jesus that does not shine in the darkness of trials and tribulations. [03:38]

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!" (Matthew 23:37, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you resisting God's invitation to gather under His wings? How can you open your heart to His protection and guidance today?

Day 2: The Danger of Self-Made Religion

Many have crafted a version of Jesus that aligns with their desires rather than the truth of Scripture. This self-made Jesus does not shine in the darkness, leaving us blind in times of trial. The real Jesus offers true light and hope, transforming lives and providing indisputable evidence of His presence. However, like the people of Jerusalem, we can become blind to this reality if we wrap our deeds in religion and self-made righteousness. The call is to seek the real Jesus, who offers true light and hope, and to open our hearts and say, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord," which means desiring what God wants for our lives over our own desires. [12:34]

"For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened." (Romans 1:21, ESV)

Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you have created a version of Jesus that aligns with your desires? How can you seek the real Jesus and His truth today?

Day 3: The Call to Humility

Humbling ourselves and recognizing our need for the true Jesus is essential. This involves surrendering our desires and embracing God's will, trusting that His plans are higher and better than our own. In these dark times, marked by global turmoil and personal trials, the real Jesus offers light and hope. He is the King of Glory, mighty and powerful, who desires to indwell us with His Spirit, transforming us from the inside out. This transformation is the greatest blessing, leading us to a life of miraculous multiplication and divine purpose. The challenge is to humble ourselves, recognize our need for the true Jesus, and open the gates of our hearts to Him. [15:19]

"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you." (James 4:10, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

Day 4: The Power of the Indwelling Spirit

The greatest blessing is to be indwelt by the Holy Spirit, who transforms us from the inside out. This transformation leads to a life of miraculous multiplication and divine purpose, enabling us to shine in the darkness. The evidence of Christ's presence is indisputable, seen in transformed lives and testimonies of His power. However, like the people of Jerusalem, we can become blind to this reality if we wrap our deeds in religion and self-made righteousness. The call is to open our hearts and say, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord," which means desiring what God wants for our lives over our own desires. [22:44]

"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26, ESV)

Reflection: How can you invite the Holy Spirit to transform an area of your life today? What steps can you take to allow His indwelling presence to shine through you?

Day 5: A National Call to Prayer

In these dark times, we join a national call to seek God's mercy and healing for our land. By opening our hearts to the real Jesus, we become lights that shine in the darkness, offering hope and guidance to a world in need. The challenge is to humble ourselves, recognize our need for the true Jesus, and open the gates of our hearts to Him. In doing so, we align ourselves with His will, speak well of His ways, and experience the indwelling of His Spirit, which empowers us to shine in the darkness. As we gather in prayer, we join a national call to seek God's mercy and healing for our land, trusting that He will shine through us as we declare, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord." [38:00]

"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14, ESV)

Reflection: How can you participate in a national call to prayer today? What specific prayers can you offer for your community and nation, trusting in God's mercy and healing?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound question: "Does your Jesus shine in the dark?" Reflecting on Matthew 23:37, we considered the heart of God, who longs to gather His people under His wings, offering protection and growth in grace. Yet, as history shows, many have rejected this invitation, choosing instead to build walls of self-righteousness and religion that exclude the true light of Christ. This rejection is not just a historical event but a present reality for many who have crafted a version of Jesus that does not shine in the darkness of trials and tribulations.

We are reminded that the evidence of Christ's presence is indisputable, seen in transformed lives and testimonies of His power. However, like the people of Jerusalem, we can become blind to this reality if we wrap our deeds in religion and self-made righteousness. The call is to open our hearts and say, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord," which means desiring what God wants for our lives over our own desires.

In these dark times, marked by global turmoil and personal trials, the real Jesus offers light and hope. He is the King of Glory, mighty and powerful, who desires to indwell us with His Spirit, transforming us from the inside out. This transformation is the greatest blessing, leading us to a life of miraculous multiplication and divine purpose.

The challenge is to humble ourselves, recognize our need for the true Jesus, and open the gates of our hearts to Him. In doing so, we align ourselves with His will, speak well of His ways, and experience the indwelling of His Spirit, which empowers us to shine in the darkness. As we gather in prayer, we join a national call to seek God's mercy and healing for our land, trusting that He will shine through us as we declare, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord."

Key Takeaways

1. The Heart of God: God desires to gather us under His wings, offering protection and growth in grace. This invitation is extended to all, regardless of background or past, but requires a willingness to open our hearts to His love and guidance. [03:38]
2. The Danger of Self-Made Religion: Many have crafted a version of Jesus that aligns with their desires rather than the truth of Scripture. This self-made Jesus does not shine in the darkness, leaving us blind in times of trial. We must seek the real Jesus, who offers true light and hope. [12:34]
3. The Call to Humility: Humbling ourselves and recognizing our need for the true Jesus is essential. This involves surrendering our desires and embracing God's will, trusting that His plans are higher and better than our own. [15:19]
4. The Power of the Indwelling Spirit: The greatest blessing is to be indwelt by the Holy Spirit, who transforms us from the inside out. This transformation leads to a life of miraculous multiplication and divine purpose, enabling us to shine in the darkness. [22:44]
5. A National Call to Prayer: In these dark times, we join a national call to seek God's mercy and healing for our land. By opening our hearts to the real Jesus, we become lights that shine in the darkness, offering hope and guidance to a world in need. [38:00]
** [38:00]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:14] - Introduction and Prayer
[01:19] - Does Your Jesus Shine in the Dark?
[02:02] - The Visible Appearance of God
[03:24] - God's Desire to Gather Us
[04:13] - The Counsel of the Nations
[05:14] - The Rejection of the Son of God
[06:25] - Indisputable Evidence of Christ
[07:05] - Men Loved Darkness Rather Than Light
[08:43] - The Consequences of Rejection
[09:45] - Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment
[11:59] - False Prophets and Deception
[13:32] - The Foolish and the Wise
[15:02] - A Game-Changing Prayer
[17:11] - The Real Jesus is Mighty
[19:00] - Wanting What God Wants
[22:44] - The Greatest Blessing: Indwelling of God
[25:23] - Miraculous Multiplication
[28:24] - David's Declaration of Faith
[30:18] - Opening Our Hearts to the Real Jesus
[33:31] - A Call to Open Our Hearts
[37:28] - National Day of Prayer
[40:11] - Closing Prayer and Worship

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Matthew 23:37-39
Psalm 33:10-12
2 Chronicles 7:14

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Observation Questions:

In Matthew 23:37, what imagery does Jesus use to describe His desire for Jerusalem, and what does this reveal about His heart for His people? [01:19]
According to Psalm 33:10-12, what does the Lord do to the counsel of the nations, and what is the significance of this in the context of global turmoil? [04:13]
How does the sermon describe the evidence of Christ's presence among His people, and what are some examples given? [06:25]
What does 2 Chronicles 7:14 suggest is necessary for healing and restoration, and how is this related to the sermon’s call to humility and prayer? [15:02]

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Interpretation Questions:

What does it mean to have a version of Jesus that "does not shine in the darkness," and how can this affect a person's faith during trials? [12:34]
How does the sermon interpret the phrase "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord," and what does it imply about aligning our desires with God's will? [19:00]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that self-made religion can blind us to the true light of Christ, and how can this be avoided? [07:34]
How does the sermon describe the transformation that occurs when one is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and why is this considered the greatest blessing? [22:44]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you may have crafted a version of Jesus that aligns more with your desires than with Scripture. How can you seek the real Jesus who offers true light and hope? [12:34]
The sermon calls for humility and recognizing our need for the true Jesus. What specific desires or plans might you need to surrender to align more closely with God's will? [15:19]
Consider the evidence of Christ's presence in your life. What are some personal testimonies or transformations that demonstrate His power, and how can you share these with others? [06:25]
In what ways can you open the gates of your heart to the real Jesus this week, and how might this change your approach to personal trials or global turmoil? [18:18]
The sermon emphasizes a national call to prayer. How can you participate in this call, and what specific prayers can you offer for your community and nation? [38:00]
How can you cultivate a desire for what God wants over your own desires, and what practical steps can you take to speak well of His ways in your daily life? [19:00]
Reflect on the concept of being indwelt by the Holy Spirit. What changes might you need to make in your life to allow for this transformation, and how can you seek this greatest blessing? [22:44]

Sermon Clips

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her, how often I wanted to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. See, your house is left to you desolate; for I say to you, you shall see me no more till you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.' [00:01:27]

The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; we're seeing that happen all around us today. He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. I don't know if we've ever been in a bigger tailspin than we are in globally today. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he has chosen as his own inheritance. [00:04:07]

He came to his own, and his own wouldn't receive him, and the latter part of that verse is his men love darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. In other words, what they had become, what their religion had produced, was less than it was supposed to be according to the true definition of God. [00:07:10]

He said the gospel of the kingdom would be preached in all the world. There'd be a sudden gathering together to him of those whose hearts are right in the sight of God according to the words of God. In chapter 25, he said there's going to be a type of people who only realize in the darkness that they don't have light. [00:12:00]

To be blessed means that we believe that to be indwelt by God is the greatest blessing of all. To be indwelt by God, I shouldn't even have to be making this point. It seems ridiculous to have to preach this and try to convince people that to have God come and actually indwell your physical body is a good thing. [00:22:44]

I want to be indwelt, and I believe this is the greatest blessing of all. To say blessed, the fourth thing means that we believe that in him, that is in Christ, we will be miraculously multiplied. We believe that with all of our heart. I do with everything inside of me. It has been the most incredible journey. [00:25:23]

I never want to get into the place where Jesus is standing outside of my life saying, "O Carter, Carter, how I've longed to gather you. I wanted to draw you close to my heart. I wanted to give you authority and power and protection, and you wouldn't come, so now you won't see me. I'll be hidden from you until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'" [00:28:24]

The Lord has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death. Open to me the gates of righteousness, and I will go through them, and I will praise the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous shall enter. I will praise you, for you have answered me and become my salvation. [00:30:18]

I speak well of you and all that you're doing. When it causes pain, I speak well of you. When I don't understand it, I speak well of you because I trust and believe that everything I've placed in your hand has a divine purpose. I believe that to have the Holy Spirit of God is the greatest blessing that any human being, myself included, could ever experience on this side of eternity. [00:38:00]

I believe that in you, I will be miraculously multiplied, and you will give me everything I need for what you've called me to be and what you've called me to do. And so today, I'm not gonna, I'm not willing to be among those who are going to wall off Christ. I'm not willing to be among those whose ears are gonna be open to be deceived by another Jesus. [00:40:11]

We ask for forgiveness for America for literally doing what is in the scripture today, for building a wall around ourselves and creating a righteousness that doesn't conform to truth. God Almighty, we ask you, Lord, these walls will come crashing down, Lord, Father God, that we might once again behold the face of our Christ in our towns and our churches, Lord, among our communities. [00:38:00]

We welcome you, Holy Spirit. We welcome you to the city. We welcome you, Jesus. We open the gates, O God, of our hearts, Lord, and of everything and all that we are, over all that you've given us authority, and we say blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed are you, Jesus. We bless you, Lord. We bless you in the sanctuary. [00:40:11]

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Shining Light: Embracing the True Jesus

Devotional

Day 1: God's Heart for Gathering

Day 2: The Danger of Self-Made Religion

Day 3: The Call to Humility

Day 4: The Power of the Indwelling Spirit

Day 5: A National Call to Prayer

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Shining Light: Embracing the True Jesus

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