I AM the light of the world (chapel sermon)

Here is the sermon I gave on March 3rd in Chapel for those who wanted to read it! It originally had slides to go with it. Contact me if you want them. I believe that this is one of the best sermons God has had me do yet. It is really exciting to see what he is teaching me, and the perspective that he is giving me when I speak. May this be to God's glory and not my own.

· As Christians we believe that Jesus is the light. That goes really without saying. I used to wonder, does he light our paths wherever we go? What does it mean to be in the light of Christ? And lastly, how does this happen? Today I will tackle these questions.

· In JOHN 8:12 Jesus said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’

· When Jesus says “I AM” he is telling people that he is God. As God, Jesus has merit to say that he IS the light and the source of all the light for the world. This means that we ourselves are not the light, nor do we create it. If light were to come from us it would only be from Jesus who is inside of us as Christians.

· In the part of the verse where it says, “I am the light of the world”, the word “world” refers to all the people of the earth who walk in darkness. Those who walk in the darkness do not know God or even the things of God. Ironically, it is possible for someone to be a Christian who has a PHD in theology to be walking in darkness. That person may not have an authentic relationship with God or even know what the Spirit is trying to communicate through Scripture. They may employ exegetical methods and be thoroughly educated on the original contexts in Scripture, but still miss the Spirit. As we shall soon realize, only as we abide in Christ are we able to walk in the light of life.

· “I am the light.” Jesus says. Light means life and it signifies life-giving power. I found a great example of this from Adrian Dieleman. He says, “Think, for a moment, of the everyday miracle we know as photosynthesis. In photosynthesis light means life. In the presence of light, green plants convert water, carbon dioxide, and minerals into carbohydrates and oxygen. If there would be no light, there would be no photosynthesis. If there would be no photosynthesis, there would be no more life. Light means life. Jesus says, "I am the light." This means Jesus is the source of life and the well-spring of being. All life comes from Jesus and stems from Jesus.”

· Keeping with the plant image, is an example that Jesus gave to us in John 15 of the vine. This example builds on the idea of walking in the light because in order for us to walk in the light we must abide in Christ. Jesus tells us,

“‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. 2He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes* to make it bear more fruit. 3You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. 4Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. 5I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. 6Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become* my disciples. 9As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. 10If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.”

· Like branches, we carry (bear) the fruit. We can never make the fruit. It does not say in the Bible that we must produce much fruit, but instead bear much fruit by letting Jesus work through us. Jesus is the vine, we are the branches, If we abide in Him, He will abide in us. What does that mean? How can we do this? Where are God’s commandments found? They are found in His Word. It is only by listening to God’s Word that we can know His commandments. This Word is Jesus, as described in (John 1:1-3). Therefore in order to abide in Him (also 1 John 3:24), we must obey the Word in all it’s entirety and learn from it. Also, John 4:24 says that, “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” Worship includes obedience. Truth in this verse is the equivalent to the word, but what is meant by the Spirit? So in order to abide in Christ we have two elements: Abiding in the Word, and abiding in the Spirit who illuminates God’s will and the Scriptures to us. We are God’s vessels, and Jesus is the power that (if we abide in Him) flows through us. We allow that power to flow through us like nutrients flows through branches, so that as branches we can “bear” the fruit of the Spirit. From this we can see that Jesus is the only source of illumination to the Scriptures, and thus to God’s will.

· What is the fruit that Jesus wants us to bear for him? The fruit is not simply the amount of souls that are won in Christ through us. They are also not simply nice Christianly character traits. Those may be a part of what the fruit is referring to. In its entirety, the fruit is anything that we do for Christ while we abide in him; while we are in the light. Nothing we do outside of abiding in Christ can possibly be fruit.

· When we get back to the idea of Jesus being the light and life of the world we can see that since Jesus is the light only he can create the fruit. We only bear it. If we were the creator of the light we would be able to make the fruit. We cannot live the Christian life without abiding in Christ. Our role is to allow Christ to work through us, and to do as we are commanded by him in his will for us.

· Abiding in the light of Christ is not a new thing. It’s all over Scripture. In the Old Testament we find many examples of the Israelites following the light of God. One example of this is in Exodus where God led Israel by the cloud of his glory. The cloud illuminated Israel’s path by night and led them by day. Here Israel had to stay in the light of God. No amount of knowhow would have saved them if they were not following the light. God will lead. Where the light of God went was not based on what Israel wanted to do but rather, it was based on God’s divine will. Another example in the Exodus was that Israel had to rely on God to provide food and water for them. Since we know that Jesus is the light that brings life, we can see that God here was also the light that brings life to the Israelites. In the desert God tested Israel constantly to see if they would trust in Him. When they would not, Israel would face judgement. However, when they would obey God they would receive life from him. In this case God gave them manna for food and water from the rock Moses struck. Abiding in Jesus today is no different. Jesus is our spiritual food and our spiritual drink. (This will be a great thing to remember when we take communion later). If we are Christians he is also within us in the form of the Spirit. Like Israel, Christians can choose not to live on the sustenance of Christ who is the GREAT I AM. As long as we rely on another source for our sustenance rather than on Christ we can never walk in the light. Just as God illuminated the path for Israel in the form of a cloud, if we do not follow that cloud (who today is Jesus) we can never walk in the light. Following God is NOT a matter of qualifications or ability – rather it is a question of our obedience.

· Now to take this one step further. When Jesus died and rose again, he tore the curtains to the most holy place in the tabernacle where God was believed to reside. God is now accessible to every Christian relationally. In fact we should remember the first and most important commandment that Jesus gave us, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30). We can see here that obedience to God is that we love him with every ounce of our being. Obedience to God is to follow him in love. How can we not love a God who has taken the time for us; who has chosen to live inside of us to teach and guide us on a personal level? The Spirit is jealous for our love and obedience! He is jealous for us to walk in his light! God knows that apart from him we can do nothing. Our knowledge and education is ONLY given value when it is abiding in Christ. When we are not abiding in Christ we are working against Christ. If we truly love God we will obey him.

· Since Jesus is the light that gives life, anything apart from abiding in him cannot be in the light. Even the most noble of things, if they are apart from Christ cannot be in the light. This includes Bible knowledge and Christian education. This has no bearing on how good of a Christian we are as we can see in 1 Corinthians 8:1-2, “Knowledge puffs up but love builds up. The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. But the man who loves God is known by God”. We cannot operate on our education and knowledge alone. When we are we can only operate in the darkness. When we rely on ourselves rather than on God we make ourselves into the ultimate mediator of truth. This is not to say that we don’t do our part. Because when we follow God we each have our side to fulfil. Rather, if we are to walk in the light which is abiding in Christ we must operate as one with Christ; who is willing to lead us. Knowledge can be very use-able, but is only valuable as it is being applied by the Spirit. The Spirit is the only one who can make changes in us and in others according to God’s will.

· In conclusion, as Christians we must abide in Christ who is the light of life. Just as God fed the Israelites through manna and water from the rock, God gave us Jesus who is our spiritual food and drink. As we abide in Christ we get this sustenance, just as abiding in the vine sustains the branches and produces fruit. This idea is not new. Christ is not presenting a new idea. This was God’s will for his people since the beginning. As part of God’s will for your life, abide in Christ who is the light of life.

· I would like you to ask: are you walking in the light or are you in darkness? Are you abiding in Christ who is the only source of life? Or are you trying to live off your own light which is really just darkness?

· PRAYER::::: God please teach us to abide in Christ who is the only light of life that we can bear much fruit. Please help us to recognize that we can do nothing in God’s will apart from Christ. Help us also, to remember that just as you gave Israel life through the manna and the striking of the rock for water in the desert God, you have given us Christ Jesus who today is our spiritual food and our spiritual drink. Please also help us to remember what was heard today and God please apply and press this to our hearts and minds. In Jesus’ name Amen.

What is Biblical Worship? Part 6

CONCLUSION

The worship leader’s responsibility is to point the people towards worshiping in the Spirit and in truth. This means that the worship leader must not take any of the glory for themselves, but instead must always redirect it towards God. Thus the worship leader(s) must be careful not to detract or distract the people from worshiping God. Worship ministry is about relationships. The songs that the leaders choose must be communal, build up the church and bring them closer to God rather than making their perceived needs or worldly desires the forefront (self). There is a time and a place for that. The leaders must have a nourishing relationship with God where He is at the forefront of their lives. They must not be prideful, arrogant, boastful, but instead humble, surrendered to God, and give God the glory at all times.

The role of the Godhead is simple. We worship and commune with God (Rev. 4.9-11). This is made possible because Jesus died for our sins and enabled us to approach God (Isa. 53.3-5). The Holy Spirit guides us to all truth, steers us towards God and allows us to worship in the Spirit (Jn. 16.7-11). The Holy Spirit is our direct connection to God.

In conclusion, we can see that true worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth. We can see that worship is surrendering ourselves to God and serving him in our everyday life. In worship, Christians give the glory to God, and in the process, build up each other in Christ. It is not merely a matter of our own taste or preference. We can see that worship in the Spirit cannot be done without worship in truth and vice-versa. Finally, we must remember that true worship is to God and for God. God is at the forefront.

What is Biblical Worship? Part 5

TWO DEVIATING EXTREMES

There are two main extremes that pull Christians away from true worship. One of these extremes is primarily a result of the influence of enlightenment thinking. This side focuses mostly on the truth portion but leaves out worshiping in the Spirit. Their worship is almost entirely intellectual. When one element in the Scriptures is left out, the “followers” tend to deviate more and more until they are no longer serving God at all. When worship is primarily or entirely intellectual, it loses its power and worth. It seems (and is) empty. However, people want to ‘get it right’. So, they override God and seek to find concrete answers that are consistent and observable. Ironically, since this method makes people the ultimate mediator of truth, it also blinds them to the truth. They do not offer their bodies as a living sacrifice to God but instead rely on a worldly way of thinking where their own self is the center, not God. In these circles, the main focus is on the sermon (like Puritans for example). One terrible aspect of this extreme is that understanding the Scriptures is seen as far beyond the understanding of the average person. People who lack the specific education are not credible, and the role of the Spirit is severely diminished. It is almost like people are trying to eliminate the need for faith and the need to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit. What we have are people who think that they know something; people who deny others passage to understanding and who severely limit spiritual growth (1 Corinthians 8:1-2). They do this by creating a reliance on human methods and knowledge to dictate truth above the role of the Spirit. This makes those learning under this extreme just as blind as their teachers. They become disconnected from the Spirit. This is the modern day Pharisee. Things are done just for the sake of doing and are devoid of the spiritual aspects. The matters of the heart are diminished.

The other extreme relates primarily to seeing worship as contingent on emotions rather than on the truth of the Scriptures. Whether or not one has worshiped is based on how someone “feels”. If they do not get happy feelings or extreme feeling(s), they do not see it as worship. These groups tend to gravitate towards great performances and positive, worry free worship that makes them feel good. Granted, not all are like this but many are. This extreme usually leaves out the intellectual aspects in favour of emotional gratification. They are prone to deviate because their worship is not grounded in truth. This extreme usually becomes merged with the culture and features a lot of “I” language. Since the truth is not emphasized, worship becomes for the people and not for God. This extreme gradually undergoes secularization. Worship is then, “unable to feed, nourish, enhance, challenge, inspire, and shape the collective and individual life of our congregations in the way it should” (John Mark Ministries). This is an “I feel therefore I am” mentality. It is like they think, “I do not feel God; therefore, something or someone is wrong” (John Mark Ministries). Truth is equated with their emotions. If they cannot “feel” God then the “truth” must be wrong. This is why so many non-believers and even “intellectual” Christians frown upon those who say that they are following God! They do not know how to distinguish between their own thoughts and feelings and the leading of the Spirit! The Bible is not a manual to fulfill our needs. This extreme is very prone to Narcissism. Much of their music contains thin theology, which is aimed to satisfy the self, the sermons are more focused on “self help” to fulfill self needs rather than focusing on God. Christianity is not a religion that focuses on making life easier. Christianity is quite the opposite. Here, tradition is frowned upon, and the newest technology/method always seems to be better. However, worship does not depend on our personal taste, but on our obedience. The two extremes in worship described each leave out a vital element that makes true and acceptable worship impossible. It must be in both the Spirit and in truth.

What is Biblical Worship? Part 4

WORSHIP MUST BE IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH

When we get down to the core of worship, we find the command for us to worship in the Spirit and in truth. Those who worship in the Spirit and in truth are called “true worshipers” and are “the kind of worshipers the Father seeks” (John 4:22-24). If we are not worshiping in the Spirit and in truth, then we are not worshiping; we “must worship in the Spirit and in truth”. No other way is acceptable to God. Despite this command, much of the church in the western world is moving away from true worship and trying to worship through worldly means, which is not worship at all. Although this may not be intended, this is what is happening. Also, why would the Spirit mention that “God is Spirit” unless it was significant? God is not subject to the physical or time limitations of this reality. This means that we can worship Him wherever, and whenever. Worship is not contingent on the fanciness of the church building, what instruments are used, or even on the technological advances of humanity. These things only work to impress those who visit or attend the church. This is not to say that the church building should be sloppy, but simply that worshiping is not contingent upon this. The only thing He is really concerned with is that we worship Him in the Spirit and in truth.

What is worshiping in the Spirit? Worshiping the Lord in Spirit means that the worship must come from our hearts. It is an intentional and cognitively aware process in our minds that is authentically directed towards God. Worshiping in the Spirit is devoid of distractions; be it insecurity, worries or obligations in life; anything that will detract us from focusing on God. Nothing (including customs or traditions) can take the place of this worship and be worship. They can be used if it complements worship in any way to the degree of cognitive processes in Christians. In other words, customs and traditions are valuable only as it as it points our hearts and minds towards God. Our thoughts must be on God, and not on distractions. 1 Chronicles 28:9 says, “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever”. God searches all hearts (motives) and knows what is behind our every thought and action. The physical manifestations of worship have no value to God if they do not come from the heart. Worshiping in the Spirit is central to worship as it is done in truth.

What is worshiping in truth? When we worship in truth we are worshiping in accordance to Scripture. If we do not do this, our worship will not be acceptable to God. If a person is merely sincere in their worship, but does not follow the truth of Scripture, it is worthless to God. When we worship in truth, we live and obey in accordance to the Scriptures. Our worship should never be limited to certain timeframes. Our worship is meant to be a lifestyle that brings God glory (1 Corinthians 10:31). This means that Christians need to live the whole week in worship to God rather than understanding just the singing at church (or at a chapel or listening to Hillsong for that matter) as worship. Worshiping must be done in the Spirit and in truth.

What is Biblical Worship? Part 3

WORSHIP PRACTICE AND THE CHURCH

Worship must build up the church (1 Corinthians 14:26-27). It is not exclusive. Everyone is involved. Some modern churches tend to limit worship on Sundays to a few songs and deny the flexibility that the Scriptures ask for (elaborated on later). Worship should never become dictated by a few people. This hinders the communal development between believers.

Certain terminologies used in modern praise and worship songs isolate the worshippers mentally from each other through disassociation. When songs use “I” language rather than “we” language the listeners think of themselves in terms of their individual self, rather than communally with other Christians. This is particularly prominent in the western world where the individual is highly valued. Although it may be seen as a “personal” relationship with God, worship is meant to be done in a community of believers; in unity to God. We are the church. We should worship as the church and not deny the community around us. At no point are we at this alone. The Bible is all about relationships and reconciliation in love. When possible we should worship in community. It is not just about us, or even about our own personal development. It is all about how we can serve and bring glory to God. The very fabric of this involves unity between believers (John 17:20-23). This means that there should never be worship where participation becomes exclusive. It should always include everyone in the congregation.

Enlightenment thinking preconditions Christians, and those entering Christianity to seek the self. It’s like they’re asking the question, “What can I get out of this service?” rather than what they can offer God or the other believers. It’s a perversion of worship. Seeking the self primarily detracts Christians from true worship. They are NOT worshiping God when the self is at the forefront. Since worship is about obedience and “sacrificing” ourselves to God in loving relation to Him, seeking self would be the opposite of worship. How can Christians surrender their wills and serve God when all they can think about is what they can get out of it? Yet many churches today are governed by the perceived needs of the congregation. On the surface there may seem to be nothing wrong with this. However, it still communicates that the church is made to fulfill our own needs. This makes it easy to see why the Bible is seen as, or is reduced to being just a manual on fulfilling perceived needs rather than on service and worship to our Lord. Pursuing the self and perceived needs as worship are one of those lies that seem to be one hair from the truth but have great implications.

When people truly worship God, there will always be a change in their hearts. This change will give the person a greater desire to get closer to God in love, and to obey him. If there is not a longing for better obedience towards God then we must question the authenticity of either (or both) the individual, or the “method” of worship itself. Since obedience is how we worship God, if we are not being pulled towards him we are not worshiping him. Worship is an act of obedience. If we claim that we love and worship God, yet choose to not live in obedience, John 14:21 says that our worship would be pointless. If we do not follow and serve God, we do not really love Him nor can we worship Him.

What is Biblical Worship? Part 2

TRADITION'S PLACE IN WORSHIP

Tradition is a hot topic in worship. It has both its positive and its negative uses. Prior teachings should not be ignored because the Spirit has spoken to people in the past. If we were to only accept new “current” insights and leave out the wealth of knowledge from the past, we disregard much of what the Spirit has set up over the centuries. This is a very dangerous thing to do. Rather than building on the foundation that has been laid, many “modern” Christians pay attention to only the newest innovations, insights and methods which have a great tendency to build on another foundation that is not on Christ. I am not against anything new as far as it does not detract from Godly worship that is in both spirit and in truth, which will be discussed later.

Scripture has a lot to say about tradition. Traditions in Scripture have some value, but once it is followed just for the sake of following or doing, tradition becomes meaningless: when the substance is lost behind the worship. Matthew 15:8-10 says, “These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.” The real matter is not in the tradition, but in the heart. If our hearts are not after God, all our traditions are done in vain. We need to safeguard that we are actually worshipping God and not merely following a tradition (other passages: Isaiah 29:12-14 Colossians 2:18-23).

What is Biblical Worship? Part 1

BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE

The Bible has a lot to say about worship. The goal of this blog is to give the reader some biblical and possibly spiritual perspective on worship so they can grow closer to God. Our purpose on this earth is to serve, bring glory to God, and to worship Him in communion (Mark 12:29-31). Acceptable and unacceptable worship will be focused on while using the Bible as the source of truth, and the Spirit as the discerner of that truth.

Not all worship is acceptable to God (Matthew 15:9). Hebrews 12:28 tells us that we must “serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear”. In Greek “serve” is a form of the word “worship”. Worship is intertwined with service to God. In order to worship, we must serve God with reverence and respect. “Paying homage” and giving honour can also be translated as worship (1 Corinthians 14:25, Romans 1:25).

On an individual level, true biblical worship is a way of life; it is not just when people get together to sing. That is only a small part of it. Romans 12:1-2 says, “I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice”—this means obedience—“holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” We do this by “[Not conforming] to the pattern”—pattern is also translated as sequence and is an ‘A leads to B’ mentality for self—“of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind”—re-dedication, repenting, and learning a Godly, spiritual perspective. Verse 2b continues: “Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will”—and thus, further worship in obedience. In other words, this passage tells us that we need to be obedient to God in all walks of life, and not follow the “sequences” of the world which is in opposition to God. This passage is a call to sacrifice our wills and life to God daily; to take up lifestyles that live in obedience and thus worship God. Only when we do this can real unity exist among believers; otherwise they are simply disconnected from the source: God.