SHINING AS LIGHTS IN THE WORLD SHINING AS

SHINING AS LIGHTS IN THE WORLD

SHINING AS LIGHTS IN THE WORLD 2016 YEAR END SERIES • Key Texts – Ephesians 5: 11 -14; Matthew 5: 13 -16 What do Jesus’ Salt, City, and Lamp metaphors teach us about our place in the world? • Difference • Drawing effect • Light is active • Creates Improvement/Betterment • We are Light (our character) not only in the way we live especially how we respond.

SHINING AS LIGHTS IN THE WORLD 2016 YEAR END SERIES We shine when …. . we expose unfruitful works of darkness/not participate in we display what is light, good, right and true we respond to darkness with light our character reflect God’s character who is the source of our light.

SHINING AS LIGHTS IN THE WORLD 2016 YEAR END SERIES The purpose of living lives as light in essence represent a positive ambition to be pleasing to a loving God whose character His children long to share with the hope that others would see our Father in us and join in this transformation.

SHINING AS LIGHTS IN THE WORLD 2016 YEAR END SERIES • Key Texts – Ephesians 5: 11 -14; Matthew 5: 13 -16 • Goals of Studies 1. Highlight key character traits of children of Light 2. Understand specific, practical steps required to adopt the character of Co. L 3. Consider evangelistic effects of Co. L

SHINING AS LIGHTS IN THE WORLD 2016 YEAR END SERIES Daniel Holiness

SHINING AS LIGHTS IN THE WORLD 2016 YEAR END SERIES Holiness • HO'LINESS, n. from holy. The state of being holy; purity or integrity of moral character; freedom from sin; sanctity. Applied to the Supreme Being, holiness denotes perfect purity or integrity of moral character, one of his essential attributes. • Applied to human beings, holiness is purity of heart or dispositions; sanctified affections; piety; moral goodness, but not perfect.

SHINING AS LIGHTS IN THE WORLD 2016 YEAR END SERIES Holiness • We In Daniel call a we mansee holy, a young whenand his heart well as is an conformed old man whose in some degree heart is to conformed the imageinofsome God, degree and histo lifethe is regulated image of God by the divine and hisprecepts. life is regulated by divine precepts the purposes of Godconsecrated set apart foror Hisset sacred • which Hallowed; apartuse. to a sacred use, or to the service or worship of God

SHINING AS LIGHTS IN THE WORLD 2016 YEAR END SERIES Daniel History Daniel is a part of the first wave of exiles taken in captivity because God’s people as a nation failed to be a kingdom of priest that he wanted Exodus 19: 5 -6. God gave them statutes and rules, commands mostly found in (Exodus, Num, Levi, Deut) not only for their good always Deut. 6: 24 but also if they were obedience to those words it would make them different than the nations (in appearance and practice) around them, they would expose things that were evil (because they would not practice them) and in doing so they would show the character, the wisdom and justice of God and draw/attract peoples from those nations around them to know the one true God.

SHINING AS LIGHTS IN THE WORLD 2016 YEAR END SERIES Children of darkness Nebuchadnezzar • Foolishness 2: 36 -37 • Pride 4: 28 -30 • Cruel 2: 5 • fits of anger/wrath 2: 12 -13 • Idolatry 3: 1 -7 • Belshazzer • Satraps • Pride 5: 2 -4 • envy • Drunkenness 5: 2 -4 • jealousy 6: 3 • Foolishness 5: 22 • rivalries 6: 3 • Sexual immorality 5: 3 • Idolatry 5: 2 -4 • Enmity • strife Galatians 5: 19 -21 ESV Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, (20) idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, (21) envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these.

SHINING AS LIGHTS IN THE WORLD 2016 YEAR END SERIES Children of Light • Wisdom/discretion – Numerous examples can be seen throughout the book of Daniel. He was never one to act hastily, but he was patient and prayerful. He waited for the right time and opportunity to act and then he did so with humility and respect. See the example of his dealings with the commander of the officials in chapter 1 (1: 8 -16). See his example when Arioch came to execute him and all the other wise men (2: 14 -15). James 3: 14 -17; 2 Tim 24 -26 • Humility - In the eyes of the world Daniel had an amazing talent. He could have used it for his own gain, but he didn’t. It would have easy for him to become prideful, but he never did. Every time he had an opportunity to praise himself he gave all the credit, glory, thanks, and praise to God (2: 28 -30, 4: 19). When he approached the commander of the officials he also did so with humility and respect. He didn’t care about gifts (5: 17). James 4: 10, 1 Cor. 4: 7 Galatians 5: 22 -23 ESV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) gentleness, self-control

SHINING AS LIGHTS IN THE WORLD 2016 YEAR END SERIES Children of Light • Reliance on God – Daniel faced a number of very difficult situations, trials, and temptations. He never relied on himself or trusted in his own strength or wisdom (though he was very smart and good looking too!). When faced with a dilemma, he prayed to God and asked God to show him His favor and compassion (1: 9, 2: 17 -18, 6: 10 -11, 9) Philippians 4: 6 • Steadfast/uncompromising – Daniel lived in a foreign culture and was continually pressured to give in to sinful customs and practices (peer pressure). In each situation he chose instead to follow God unwaveringly. He wasn’t brash or prideful or rude about his beliefs, but he stood by his convictions with courage and boldness (1: 8, 6: 10 -11). 1 Cor. 15 -58, 1 Cor. 6: 18 -20 Galatians 5: 22 -23 ESV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) gentleness, self-control