TURN THE LIGHT ON
TURN THE LIGHT ON
CLAY NESMITH | NOVEMBER 21 & 22 John 12:44-50
Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. 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 dark. I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it. But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken. I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it. And I know his commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say.”
Matthew 5:14-16
Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
Effective lighting can change a room’s entire atmosphere. When you live in a dark place and can’t see beyond where you are, you begin to think that’s all there is. But Jesus came to shed light in the darkness so that we can see past the place we’re at right now, and learn what life is all about. Jesus has called us to be lights in our world—and not incandescent lights, but LEDs. We’re created to turn the lights on so that people can see our heavenly Father. To do that, we have to be hospitable and generous so those around us know they matter. As light-bearers we’re to be the most generous people on the planet. And be authentic; by opening up to others, they will be prompted to open up with God.
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TURN THE LIGHT ON
CLAY NESMITH | NOVEMBER 21 & 22 Wherever we go and whatever we do, it should always be about being the light so the light can be turned on for somebody else. How can being a light make a difference in our community? How does being hospitable turn the light on? What are some ways that you can be generous with what you already have? What does it mean to be authentic? This week, how can you focus on being the light in your community?
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TURN THE LIGHT ON
CLAY NESMITH | NOVEMBER 21 & 22
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CLAY NESMITH | NOVEMBER 21 & 22 John 12:44-50
Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. 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 dark. I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it. But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken. I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it. And I know his commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say.”
Matthew 5:14-16
Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
Effective lighting can change a room’s entire atmosphere. When you live in a dark place and can’t see beyond where you are, you begin to think that’s all there is. But Jesus came to shed light in the darkness so that we can see past the place we’re at right now, and learn what life is all about. Jesus has called us to be lights in our world—and not incandescent lights, but LEDs. We’re created to turn the lights on so that people can see our heavenly Father. To do that, we have to be hospitable and generous so those around us know they matter. As light-bearers we’re to be the most generous people on the planet. And be authentic; by opening up to others, they will be prompted to open up with God.
Page 1
TURN THE LIGHT ON
CLAY NESMITH | NOVEMBER 21 & 22 Wherever we go and whatever we do, it should always be about being the light so the light can be turned on for somebody else. How can being a light make a difference in our community? How does being hospitable turn the light on? What are some ways that you can be generous with what you already have? What does it mean to be authentic? This week, how can you focus on being the light in your community?
Page 2
TURN THE LIGHT ON
CLAY NESMITH | NOVEMBER 21 & 22
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