Our Theme Verse for 2015 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 1
Rainbow Forest Mission Statement Connecting the Disconnected to Christ, Community and the Call Our Purpose To glorify God in everything we say and do Connecting to the Call The Commands of Jesus Let Your Light Shine Matthew 5:11-16 2
11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. 3
Darkness Darkness was one of the first elements identified in creation. Genesis 1:1-2 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God created light and separated the darkness. Genesis 1:3-4 Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. God calls the Children of Light to Create a Contrast and a Contact for those in Darkness. Throughout Scripture, God creates and uses both darkness and light for His purposes. Darkness inspires awe Exodus 20:21 So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was. 4
Darkness reveals God s power to create it Exodus 10:21-22 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, darkness which may even be felt." So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days. Darkness is a form of God s protection Exodus 14:19-20 And the Angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud went from before them and stood behind them. So it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel. Thus it was a cloud and darkness to the one, and it gave light by night to the other, so that the one did not come near the other all that night. Darkness is a motivation to seek the hidden things of God Job 12:22 He uncovers deep things out of darkness, And brings the shadow of death to light. Isaiah 45:3 I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden riches of secret places, That you may know that I, the LORD, Who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel. Darkness confounds the wicked Proverbs 4:19 The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble. 5
Darkness is used for punishment Proverbs 20:20 Whoever curses his father or his mother, His lamp will be put out in deep darkness. Matthew 22:13 Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' Evil men see darkness as a facilitator of their wicked deeds and a protection from punishment. Evil men exploit darkness Proverbs 2:12-13 To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things, From those who leave the paths of uprightness To walk in the ways of darkness; Isaiah 29:15 Woe to those who seek deep to hide their counsel far from the LORD, And their works are in the dark; They say, "Who sees us?" and, "Who knows us?" 6
John 3:19-21 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God." How did God form Light? 2 Corinthians 4:6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. God the Father sent God the Son to give light and life John 1:3-5 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. 7
Jesus also stated: John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." Those who follow Jesus actually become reflectors of His light and are then called the children of light. Matthew 5:14 You are the light of the world. Ephesians 2:10; 5:8 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. 8
Our Light is of no Benefit unless it is Displayed for all to see!!!! Colossians 1:12-13 Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, How Does God Use Our Light? Throughout history, God separates for Himself a people of light who will show forth the praise of His glory Peter described it this way: 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 9
The uniqueness of a child of light is in his zeal to do works of love to all those in darkness as well as those who are living in the light. Titus 2:14 Jesus, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works A Grateful Heart Reflects The Glory of God. A Murmuring Heart Communicates the Gloom of the World! Philippians 2:14-15 Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 10
Ten Ways to Brighten Our Light Lights have different intensities of brightness. This is true of the stars, and this is true of believers. The brighter our light, the farther it will reach and the more people that will be drawn to the Lord through it. 1. Turn Away From All Darkness Every person is endowed at birth with the light of conscience. That light is responsive to the Law of God that is written in every man s heart. This is what John is speaking of in: John 1:9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? 11
The commission that Jesus gave to Paul at his conversion was: Acts 26:18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.' 2. Expose All Things to the Light Any hidden sins diminish the light that could be in our lives: Psalm 112:4 Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. God wants all our thoughts, words, and deeds to be exposed to the light of Christ; 1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God. 12
3. Look Unto Jesus When our hearts are clear of any secret sins, or willful transgressions, we can look up to the Lord in our prayers and enjoy intimate fellowship with Him. It is significant that when Jesus prayed, He looked up to His heavenly Father. David speaks often of the light of the Lord s face upon us. Psalm 4:6 LORD, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us. Psalm 89:15 Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O LORD, in the light of Your countenance. 4. Forgive All Offenders. Nothing produced greater darkness than bitterness and hatred toward those who have offended us. The Apostle John reminds us: 1 John 2:9&11 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. 13
5. Engraft the Word of God By reading Scripture and memorizing key passages, we bring into our lives the light of God s Word. That was the Psalmist testimony: Psalm 119:105, 130 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. 6. Put on the Armor of Light Romans 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Paul then continues with practical ways to protect from darkness. Romans 13:13-14 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. 14
7. Have Set Times of Fasting Isaiah 58:6-8 6 "Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? 8 Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. 8. Have a Generous Eye Matthew 6:22-23 "The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! The scripture teaches that an evil eye is a stingy eye. Proverbs 28:22 A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, And does not consider that poverty will come upon him. 15
9. Show Love With Good Works 1 John 2:10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 1 John 3:17 But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? The reward of these good works is more light. Isaiah 58:10 If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday. 16
10. Gather With Other Believers 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. The Good Works That We Do To Others Will Cause Them To Look Up To God And Behold His Glory!!!! 1 Peter 2:12 Having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. 17
The most powerful way to overcome darkness in a room is to let the light in, and the most powerful way to express the light of Christ is by doing Godly works in such a way that He will get the glory for them. As we become zealous for good works, we fulfill a vital purpose for Christ s redemption of us. What are ways we can perform good works to those around us Romans 12:17-21 17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. 20 Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. 18
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