HOW TO LIGHT UP A DARK WORLD

Services

Sunday: In-person @ 9:00AM & 10:45AM. FB & YouTube Live @ 9 AM.

Jan. 17, 2021

 N/A
 N/A
 N/A

HOW TO LIGHT UP A DARK WORLD                                     Pastor Sam   1-17-21                                                                                     

“You have shaken this nation and split it open. Now Lord, heal the cracks before it completely collapses.”   Psalm 60:2 (NLT/LB)

“Heal the breaks! Everything is coming apart at the seams.”                                                         Psalm 60:2b (MES)

14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.                               Matthew 5:14-16 NLT

STEPS TO BEING THE LIGHT

“If MY PEOPLE who are called by MY NAME will humble themselves and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will HEAR from heaven and will FORGIVE their sins and HEAL their land.”  2 Chron. 7:14 (NIV)
1. I MUST HUMBLY CONFESS MY SINS

“If my people who are called by my name will HUMBLE themselves . . .”                                        2 Chron. 7:14 (NIV)

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”                                                                James 4:6b (NIV)

“If we claim that we are not sinning, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.”        1 John 1:8
THE PROBLEM: WE SPEND MORE TIME ACCUSING OTHERS AND EXCUSING OURSELVES

“God gave us his Laws so he alone can rightly judge us. And he alone has the right to save or destroy. So who do you think you are to judge and condemn your neighbors?”      James 4:12 

“So when you, a mere human, pass judgment on others and yet you do the similar sins, how do you think you will escape God's judgment?”  Romans 2:3 (NIV)                     

 “For it is time for judgment to begin and it must begin with us. Judgment must start with the Family of God.”    1 Peter 4:17

“People who try to cover up their sins will not succeed. But if they confess and forsake them, they will receive mercy.” Prov. 28:13 (NLT)

“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be HEALED.”     James 5:16a (NIV)

2. I MUST PRAY AS IF MY LIFE DEPENDS ON IT

“If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and PRAY . . .”       2 Chron. 7:14 (NIV)
THE PROBLEM: WE COMPLAIN MORE THAN WE PRAY

“They do not cry out to me with sincere hearts. Instead, they sit on their couches and wail (complain loudly).”   Hosea 7:14a (NLT)

 “Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer, being alert and intent in your praying with thanksgiving.”  Colossians 4:2 (AMP)

“Pray in the Spirit at ALL times with ALL kinds of prayers, asking for ALL you need. To do this you must ALWAYS be ready and never give up! ALWAYS pray for ALL God's people.”  Ephesians 6:18 (NCV)
3. I MUST PURSUE GOD PASSIONATELY

“If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and SEEK MY FACE . . .”  2 Chron. 7:14 (NIV)

“God rewards those who EARNESTLY seek him.”                                                                            Hebrews 11:6b (NIV)
THE PROBLEM: WE SPEND OUR TIME PURSUING EVERYTHING ELSE

“If you seek the Lord your God, you will find him IF you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, you will return to the Lord your God and obey him. For He is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you . . .”   Deut. 4:29-31a (NIV)                                                                   

“Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”  Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
4. I MUST HAVE A COME TO JESUS MOMENT WITH MYSELF

“If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS . . .”      2 Chron. 7:14 (NIV)                                                              
THE PROBLEM:  WE SEE EVERYONE ELSE AS THE PROBLEM AND DON’T SEE OUR WICKEDNESS

“People will be self-absorbed, loving only themselves. They will be greedy for money. They will be boastful and arrogant, insulting to God, rude and disrespectful, even to parents. They will consider nothing sacred. They’ll be unkind and unforgiving. They will enjoy slandering others. They will have no self-control. They will love violence and be cruel. They will be cynical, despising anyone and anything that is good. They will betray those loyal to them. They will be reckless and rash. They will be inflated with self-conceit. They will love pleasure more than God. They’ll claim to be spiritual but will reject the true power that could make them godly.”   2 Timothy 3:2-5 (Multiple versions)

THE PROMISE OF GOD

“IF . . . then I will HEAR from heaven and will FORGIVE their sins and HEAL their land.”     2 Chron. 7:14 (NIV)
14“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.                                Matthew 5:14-16 NLT