Sunday, December 21, 2008

Pastor's Sermon Notes (Walk In The Light) & Carryout Challenge

Series Title: Hope: Seeing light during intense darkness
December 21st (3rd Sunday) Title: Walking in the Light

Key Verses


The Lord guided them by a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night. That way they could travel whether it was day or night. 22And the Lord did not remove the pillar of cloud or pillar of fire from their sight. Exodus 13:21-22 (NLT)

Sermon Theme: God didn’t save Israel from the wilderness-experience, however; God did provide light…and company!

Sermon Aim: To remind FOL partners that light in the midst of darkness is God’s assurance that we’re on the right track.


God doesn’t remove darkness---- He gives light!


The pillars never left their sight. (It is the Lord’s responsibility to direct us. He has obligated Himself)



· God equips us to travel @ night as well (Or, when conditions are less than favorable)
· He led over a million people out of Egypt and led them through wilderness territory)
· Light clarifies & helps us to judge correctly
· Light helps us to recognize our Source & our enemies
· Light helps to keep us from stumbling

Why would God, Who, gave Israel all the miracles of Egypt MERELY give pillars and not just airlift them to the safety of the Promised Land??

· The light was God’s essence! It was His very presence manifested (made clearly obvious and understandable) before Israel’s eyes.



· He revealed Himself in a very practical manifestation

What steps were taken right light was revealed

· God had a strategic plan that Israel followed
· God moved them to a place of total reliance upon Himself (an usual route)
· God moved them to a place of no return
· They began to remember the covenant (Gen 50.25/Gen 47:29-30) and carried Joseph's bones
· Then the Glory came!!


►Light=The Glory of the Lord
►We often crave God’s light (direction) but not His glory
►When we honor God--- His light shines all around us.
►If we want direction---we must seek to honor God.
►We don’t nee light to disobey. We need light in order to see and follow God correctly


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

John 1:1-5 In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3He created everything there is. Nothing exists that he didn't make. 4Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone. 5The light shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

John 8:12 (NLT) Jesus said to the people, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."


Matthew 5:14-16 (NLT)
You are the light of the world—like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. 15Don't hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. 16In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.


John 12:46 (NLT)
I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the darkness.

Scriptures about walking in the Light

Psalm 56:13 (NLT) For you have rescued me from death; you have kept my feet from slipping. So now I can walk in your presence, O God, in your life-giving light.

Psalm 89:15 (NLT) Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of your presence, Lord.

Isaiah 2:5 (NLT) Come, people of Israel, let us walk in the light of the Lord!

Isaiah 50:11 (NLT) But watch out, you who live in your own light and warm yourselves by your own fires. This is the reward you will receive from me: You will soon lie down in great torment.

Ephes. 5:8 (KJV) For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:


1 John 1:7 (NLT) But if we are living in the light of God's presence, just as Christ is, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from every sin.

Carryout Challenges & Application:

  • Using prayer & reflection, determine how prone you are to walk in your own light or the light/direction of other trusted people, rather than walking in the light of scripture or the voice of the Holy Spirit?

  • Do you believe that God wants to direct (not dictate) every area of your life?

  • Israel (Exod 13:17-22) had to follow God's wild winding path so as to keep Israel from the temptation of returning to Egypt. How has God done this in your life?

  • God is obligated (not to us, but to His own promise) to direct us; how obligated are you to obeying?

  • The light and glory of the Lord are synonomous. Are there things in your life that hinder the glory/honor of God? If so, the likelihood of receiving God's full light is greatly diminished. Think about it.


1 comment:

Unknown said...

Historically the Church has been a light to its communities...a place where people/the community would come for assistance, help, prayer, services, to be loved...and a Church the community would experience as the Body took the light of Christ into the community 7 days a week. I pray FOL and the Body of Christ as a whole in madison would once again become that cornerstone of our communities, that light on a hill not to be hidden, that "they would praise your Father in Heaven". (Matthew 5:16)