Being light in the darkness

Glory to God!

Yesterday we had a brilliant time with God and one another as we worshipped together and enjoyed a BBQ together after the service. It was a wonderful opportunity to get to know one another a bit more and to meet new people to the church.

The Lord spoke to us about not just looking like a Christian but being a Christian in this world. Looking at the life of Jesus here on earth we noted the following:

• Jesus left His place of glory and entered the darkness of mankind. Luke 1:78,79; John 1:1-9
• Jesus came as an ordinary man. Isaiah 63:1-6; Phil. 2:6-8; Heb. 2:17
• Jesus changed His form to reach into the darkness. John 1:14
• Jesus came to reveal the Father and to minister the Father's love to man. John 17:26
• Jesus' priority was not to look like a religious leader but to communicate the Father's love to man.
• God calls the Church to be flexible in form but uncompromising in essence - we are called to reveal God and communicate His truth and love but in a way that won't separate us from the darkness but rather enters the darkness for man's sake and God's glory.
• The Church must not be so rigid in form that the form becomes a barrier to reaching into the darkness.
• The apostle Paul was flexible in form but uncompromising in essence. 1 Cor. 9:19-23
• The Church is called to be incarnational - the embodiment of God's truth and love. John 1:14
• When the Church becomes a sub-culture because of its form, it's form becomes a barrier to reaching the lost. 
• When the Church is flexible in form but uncompromising in essence, she can reach into the darkness with God's truth and love to bring people to the path of peace. Luke 1:78,79

We praise God for His revelation to us and for helping us to be light in the darkness as we live the Kingdom life wherever we are.

Quote of the week

"Because of God's tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace." Luke 1:78,79

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