Shining Light in Turbulent Times: Our Mission as Christians
Summary
### Summary
Praise God for His unwavering love and the sacrifice He made at Calvary. In these turbulent times, we as Christians have a unique opportunity to shine as lights in a dark world. We must engage with those around us, regardless of their stance, and be the testimonies God has called us to be. We should pray for our country, its leaders, and the victims of recent tragedies, asking God to turn hearts back to Him. Despite the chaos, it's an exciting time to be a Bible-believing Christian and an American.
We must stay focused on our mission, just as Jesus did. When faced with opposition, Jesus withdrew from the disgruntled mob and focused on ministering to the desperate multitude. He healed, preached, and exercised His authority over demonic forces, demonstrating His power and compassion. Jesus didn't waste time arguing with those who were blinded by their own agendas; instead, He focused on those whose hearts were open to His message.
We should follow Jesus' example by not engaging in futile arguments with those who are agenda-driven and closed off to the truth. Instead, we should focus on the opportunities God places before us, ministering to those who are desperate for His love and truth. We must also recognize the spiritual battle we are in and engage in it through prayer and dependence on the Holy Spirit.
As we navigate these challenging times, let's stay laser-focused on our mission, engage with the needy multitudes, and fight the spiritual battle with the authority we have in Christ. May we be the Christians God has called us to be, shining His light in a dark world.
### Key Takeaways
1. Shine as Lights in a Dark World: In these turbulent times, Christians have a unique opportunity to be a beacon of hope and truth. Engage with those around you, regardless of their stance, and be the testimony God has called you to be. Pray for our country and its leaders, asking God to turn hearts back to Him. [21:08]
2. Stay Focused on the Mission: Jesus demonstrated the importance of staying focused on the mission. When faced with opposition, He withdrew from the disgruntled mob and focused on ministering to the desperate multitude. We should follow His example by not engaging in futile arguments and instead focusing on the opportunities God places before us. [22:18]
3. Minister to the Desperate Multitude: Jesus healed, preached, and exercised His authority over demonic forces, demonstrating His power and compassion. We should also focus on ministering to those who are desperate for God's love and truth, recognizing the spiritual battle we are in and engaging in it through prayer and dependence on the Holy Spirit. [39:12]
4. Recognize the Spiritual Battle: We are in a spiritual battle, and we must engage in it through prayer and dependence on the Holy Spirit. Jesus exercised His authority over demonic forces and silenced them, demonstrating His power. We must also recognize the subtle craftiness of Satan and be wary of his devices. [56:33]
5. Engage with the Needy Multitudes: Jesus didn't allow Himself to be consumed by those who opposed Him. Instead, He focused on those who were seeking Him. We should also focus on the opportunities God gives us to minister to the needy multitudes, recognizing that we have a bigger mission to accomplish than simply winning an argument. [01:02:54]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[21:08] - Shine as Lights in a Dark World
[22:18] - Stay Focused on the Mission
[39:12] - Minister to the Desperate Multitude
[56:33] - Recognize the Spiritual Battle
[01:02:54] - Engage with the Needy Multitudes
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Mark 3:1-12 - Jesus Heals on the Sabbath and Withdraws to the Sea
2. Matthew 5:14-16 - Shine as Lights in the World
3. Ephesians 6:10-18 - The Armor of God and Spiritual Warfare
#### Observation Questions
1. In Mark 3:1-12, what actions did Jesus take when faced with opposition from the Pharisees?
2. According to Matthew 5:14-16, what are Christians called to be in the world, and how should they act?
3. In Ephesians 6:10-18, what are the different pieces of the armor of God, and what is their purpose?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why did Jesus choose to withdraw from the Pharisees and Herodians instead of engaging in further debate with them?
2. How does the metaphor of Christians being "lights in the world" in Matthew 5:14-16 relate to the current turbulent times mentioned in the sermon?
3. What does it mean to "put on the whole armor of God" in Ephesians 6:10-18, and how can this help Christians in their spiritual battles?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you faced opposition. How did you handle it, and how might Jesus' example of withdrawing to focus on ministry change your approach in the future?
2. Think about your daily interactions. How can you be a light in your community, especially with those who may not share your beliefs?
3. Identify a specific way you can pray for your country and its leaders this week. How can you make this a regular part of your prayer life?
4. Are there any futile arguments or debates you find yourself engaging in? How can you redirect your focus to more fruitful ministry opportunities?
5. Consider the spiritual battles you face. What steps can you take to put on the full armor of God and rely more on the Holy Spirit in these struggles?
6. Who are the "needy multitudes" in your life that you might be overlooking? How can you intentionally minister to them this week?
7. Reflect on the sermon’s call to stay focused on the mission. What specific distractions do you need to eliminate to better fulfill your role as a testimony for God?
Devotional
Day 1: Shine as Lights in a Dark World
In these turbulent times, Christians have a unique opportunity to be a beacon of hope and truth. We are called to engage with those around us, regardless of their stance, and be the testimony God has called us to be. This means actively praying for our country, its leaders, and the victims of recent tragedies, asking God to turn hearts back to Him. Despite the chaos, it's an exciting time to be a Bible-believing Christian and an American. We must embrace this opportunity to shine brightly in a dark world, reflecting God's unwavering love and the sacrifice He made at Calvary. [21:08]
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: Think of one person in your life who is struggling or in need of hope. How can you be a light to them today, showing them God's love and truth?
Day 2: Stay Focused on the Mission
Jesus demonstrated the importance of staying focused on the mission. When faced with opposition, He withdrew from the disgruntled mob and focused on ministering to the desperate multitude. He healed, preached, and exercised His authority over demonic forces, demonstrating His power and compassion. We should follow His example by not engaging in futile arguments with those who are agenda-driven and closed off to the truth. Instead, we should focus on the opportunities God places before us, ministering to those who are desperate for His love and truth. [22:18]
Luke 4:42-43 (ESV): "And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them, but he said to them, 'I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.'"
Reflection: Identify a situation where you have been tempted to engage in a futile argument. How can you redirect your focus to minister to someone in need instead?
Day 3: Minister to the Desperate Multitude
Jesus healed, preached, and exercised His authority over demonic forces, demonstrating His power and compassion. We should also focus on ministering to those who are desperate for God's love and truth, recognizing the spiritual battle we are in and engaging in it through prayer and dependence on the Holy Spirit. By following Jesus' example, we can make a significant impact on those who are seeking hope and healing. [39:12]
Matthew 9:36-38 (ESV): "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.'"
Reflection: Think of someone in your community who is in desperate need of God's love and truth. How can you reach out to them and offer support and compassion today?
Day 4: Recognize the Spiritual Battle
We are in a spiritual battle, and we must engage in it through prayer and dependence on the Holy Spirit. Jesus exercised His authority over demonic forces and silenced them, demonstrating His power. We must also recognize the subtle craftiness of Satan and be wary of his devices. By staying vigilant and prayerful, we can stand firm against the enemy's schemes and walk in the authority we have in Christ. [56:33]
Ephesians 6:12-13 (ESV): "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm."
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you feel spiritually attacked. How can you use prayer and dependence on the Holy Spirit to stand firm against these attacks?
Day 5: Engage with the Needy Multitudes
Jesus didn't allow Himself to be consumed by those who opposed Him. Instead, He focused on those who were seeking Him. We should also focus on the opportunities God gives us to minister to the needy multitudes, recognizing that we have a bigger mission to accomplish than simply winning an argument. By engaging with those who are open to God's message, we can make a lasting impact and fulfill the mission God has given us. [01:02:54]
Mark 2:15-17 (ESV): "And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, 'Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?' And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, 'Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.'"
Reflection: Identify a group or community in your area that is in need of God's love and truth. How can you actively engage with them and share the hope of Christ?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We have an opportunity to shine as lights in this world. And we're here for such a time as this. We're here to be a light in a dark place. And we all have our own feelings and our own strong opinions and everything else. But the bottom line is, We want to be the Christians God's called us to be, to be the testimonies for him, and to have an opportunity to get the gospel out as people will no doubt have questions and opinions and dialogue will take place." [21:08] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "It's a sobering time, but it is an exciting time to be alive. It's an exciting time to be a born-again, Bible-believing, church-going, gospel-preaching Christian, and to be an American. To be an American on top of it is just an extra blessing. So let's see what God will do through his church in these days of opportunity." [22:18] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We don't need to become like the fool that we're trying to reach in his folly and pull out of that folly. It's not spiritual. Also, another note here, it's not spiritual or practical or helpful to be martyred before your time, okay? Jesus has this group, the Pharisees aligning with this other group, the Herodians. This is a powerful alliance. One is connected to King Herod himself. They can pull some strings. And he says, all right, this is our ground, disciples. We're staying here. And we're going to take them on. No, he didn't need to do that." [54:38] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We must recognize, as Jesus did, that we have a bigger mission to accomplish than simply winning an argument, or getting the last word, or fighting some futile battle with those who have asked us to do something. We must recognize that we have a bigger mission. It's to win the world. And sometimes, folks, as Jesus showed us, sometimes it's okay to say your peace humbly, biblically, with authority and power, and then walk away and let God do the work." [01:00:01] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Jesus bears no prejudice or favoritism. His blood was shed and his ministry reached out to every creature. Again, he did not allow himself to be consumed by those who opposed him. He was consumed by those who were seeking him. As he saw one door of opportunity closing, he did not focus on the closed door. He immediately looked and there's doors of opportunity opening all around him." [01:07:55] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Jesus knew what he was here to do. He knew what he was called to do. He knew what he had to accomplish. He knew he had a short time and Jesus Christ stayed on task. And we as Christians also, if there's ever been a time where we have to be laser focused, it is now." [35:49] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We shouldn't argue with angry agenda-driven people. We've got better things to do. Now you look at what Jesus did in Mark at the very end he does defend his his position with his disciples and he does defend his position with his disciples he says have you never read how David did when he had need and was hungered he and he that were with him how they went to the house of God that is a biothar the priest and did the eat the show bread which is not lawful to eat but for the priests then he says the sabbath is not made for man but man for the sabbath then he has a third statement the son of man's the lord of the sabbath then he defends uh uh healing the guy with the withered hand am i supposed to do evil or good on the sabbath day he did give defense he gave biblical defense he gave reason defense and then he let it he let it lie." [51:28] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We must stay humbly engaged in the gospel, advance, depending on the spirit of God, crying out for the spirit of God to do a work in the heart of men. Isaiah 42, 7 says to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. That's what we're praying. Pray that verse. It's repeated in Acts 26, 18 with a little bit different nuance. To open their eyes, to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith that is in me." [56:33] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "How many times do we miss the multitude? Because all we can see is this one guy. This one guy. Ah, forget about the multitude. I've got to win this argument with this guy. You know what that is? That's pride. No, I'm jealous for Jesus. I'm jealous for God's glory. You are self-deceived. You are not jealous for anyone's glory other than your own. God's got people all around you. You've got a family that needs you. You've got people asking you questions. What must I do? What must I do? What must I do? What must I do? What must I do to be saved or whatever? You have opportunities. You have multitudes. You have hungry hearts. You have desperate people. You have people thronging. And I get out of here. Get out of here. I got to take on the Herodians and the Pharisees, and we got to win. Who has to win and why?" [01:01:27] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Jesus was laser focused, folks, laser focused. When the opportunity there was done and the Herodians and the Pharisees were plotting their plots, He had said His peace. He had demonstrated the power of God. And He withdrew. He withdrew from the disgruntled mob. He ministered to the desperate multitude, healing and preaching to thousands from all over the world. And He clearly exercised His authority over the devil's minions. And folks, today, that's what we need to stay laser focused. We need to fight the spiritual warfare. We need to disengage from the devil's minions. We need to fight the spiritual warfare. We need to disengage from time-wasting entanglements and focus on the real opportunities with the multitudes that are right around us." [01:23:55] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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