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  • Acts 13:2 ESV
    While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
    So they did.
    The Story of Redemption Ordination of Paul and Barnabas

    They were now authorized by the church not only to teach the truth but to baptize and to organize churches, being invested with full ecclesiastical authority.

    Paul’s theology
    questioned by others.
    This was
    authority
    veracity
    of the calling.
    Church went further
    than God wanted
    with ordination.
    The Story of Redemption Ordination of Paul and Barnabas

    The ordination by the laying on of hands was, at a later date, greatly abused; unwarrantable importance was attached to the act, as though a power came at once upon those who received such ordination, which immediately qualified them for any and all ministerial work, as though virtue lay in the act of laying on of hands.

    The Story of Redemption Ordination of Paul and Barnabas

    Paul and Barnabas had already received their commission from God Himself; and the ceremony of the laying on of hands added no new grace or virtual qualification. It was merely setting the seal of the church upon the work of God—an acknowledged form of designation to an appointed office.

    Melody has
    already been serving.
    We recognize her gift
    and charge to to
    continue serving
    now as a deaconess.
    Jim Young
    Jaime Nito

      • Acts 13:2NKJV

  • Rock of Ages

      • 1 John 1.5-6NKJV

      • 1 John 1.7-9NKJV

      • 1 John 1.10NKJV

      • 1 John 2.1-2NKJV

  • Walking down half dome in dark.
    Hiking in the dark
    can be scary
    the lights were welcome sign.
    We were out of darkness.
    Continue series 1 John
    expository sermons
    few verses at a time.

    The Message

    Pick up at:
    1 John 1:5 ESV
    This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you...
    Review from last week:
    See same words:

    Message - ἀγγελία

    Proclaim - ἀναγγέλλω

    ἀγγελία - message
    ἄγγελος - messenger/angel
    εὐαγγέλιον - gospel
    ἀπαγγέλλω - proclaim/ preach
    εὐαγγελίζω - evangelize
    We have a message.
    So we are messengers.
    Our message is:
    the gospel.
    We share the gospel by
    proclaiming it.
    evangelizing.
    1 John 1:5 ESV
    ... we have heard from him and proclaim to you...
    Last week,
    talked about
    seen
    heard
    experienced.
    We must each
    have experience
    with God.
    Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations (5901 Hayes’ Red-Light Exhibit)
    Evangelistic worker James Hayes didn’t stand on a box and preach hellfire-and-damnation at the fair in Carroll County, Maryland, but he got the point across anyway—through modern technology. Hayes, who managed an evangelistic booth at the fair, administered an electronic test to the curious who visited the booth. The test consisted of five questions on the New Testament. If all were answered correctly, sky-blue lights came on spelling “Heaven.” If there was one wrong answer, fiery, red lights flashed the word “Hell,” ending the test. Only twenty out of 220 persons passed the test, Hayes told Washington Star reporter William F. Willoughby. That means a lot of people are going to hell, he commented. Willoughby suggested that maybe God isn’t using the same computer.
    God’s measurement is
    knowing him.
    “eternal life is to know him”.
    Natural result
    of experiencing Christ
    is to share it.
    1 John 1:5 ESV
    ... we have heard from him and proclaim to you...
    That was review.
    Let’s see what
    is new.
    The verse continues:
    1 John 1:5 ESV
    This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
    What is the message?
    What are we proclaiming?
    What is this good news?

    God is Light

    God is...
    many things...
    “God is love” (1 John 4:8)
    “God is Spirit” (John 4:24)
    “God is God” (Deut 7:9)
    “God is a consuming fire” (Deut 4:24)
    “God is a refuge” (Ps 62:8)
    “God is merciful (Deut 4:31)
    “God is witness” (Gen 31:50)
    “God is with you” (Gen 21:22)
    “God is jealous” (Deut 4:24)
    “God is mighty” (Job 36:5)
    “God is great” (Job 36:26)
    “God is God of gods and Lord of lords” (Deut 10:17)
    “God is not man” (Num 23:19)
    Let us ponder:

    God is Light

    Light...
    This word light:

    φῶς φωτός

    We have words:
    photos
    photograph
    photosynthesis
    photocopier
    This metaphor of
    light vs. darkness
    abundant in scripture.
    71 times in NT!
    37 times by John
    52% of time!!!
    I’ll give you a sample:
    John 1:4–5 ESV
    In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
    Few verses down.
    Speaking of John the Baptist:
    John 1:7–9 ESV
    He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
    2 chapters later...
    Words of Jesus:
    Right after
    John 3:16-17:
    John 3:19–21 ESV
    And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
    Light...
    To John,
    not just central theme.
    not just common metaphor.
    it is everything!
    It is the:
    “light of life!”
    Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations (2690 That Speck of Light)
    An artist once drew a picture of a winter twilight—the trees heavily laden with snow, and a dreary, dark house, lonely and desolate in the midst of the storm. It was a sad picture. Then, with a quick stroke of yellow crayon, he put a light in one window. The effect was magical. The entire scene was transformed into a vision of comfort and cheer.
    Let’s go back
    to our key passage:
    1 John 1:5–7 ESV
    This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
    John’s powerful metaphor
    metaphor of
    comparison
    contrast.
    Light
    God
    truth
    fellowship
    righteousness
    Darkness
    lies
    sin
    separation
    Perhaps the most
    clear lesson from
    metaphor is:
    Light vs. Darkness
    Opposites
    Can’t have both
    One or the other.
    You can’t
    walk in darkness
    walk in light.
    You can’t
    live lies
    practice truth.
    You can’t
    have fellowship
    be separate.
    You can’t
    live in sin
    be cleansed.
    English Standard Version Chapter 1

    God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

    With God,
    no sliver of darkness.
    100% light.
    There is a tale told of the great English actor, Macready. An eminent preacher once said to him: “I wish you would explain to me something.”
    “Well, what is it? I don’t know that I can explain anything to a preacher.”
    “What is the difference between you and me? You are appearing before crowds night after night with fiction, and the crowds come wherever you go. I am preaching the essential and unchangeable truth, and I am not getting any crowd at all.”
    Macready replied: “This is quite simple. I can tell you the difference between us. I present my fiction as though it were truth; you present your truth as though it were fiction.”
    Question:
    Do you believe
    light of life?
    Is it life to you?
    1 John 1:6 ESV
    If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
    The word

    Fellowship - κοινωνία

    It means:
    A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. κοινωνία

    close association involving mutual interests and sharing, communion, fellowship, close relationship, experience of altruism

    If we say,
    that we have
    a close relationship
    with Jesus Christ
    we cannot also
    walk in darkness.
    The two are incompatible.
    That would not
    make us Christians
    but liars.
    (Taking the Lord’s
    name in vain).
    This is not speaking
    of the occasional
    good or bad actions.
    Notice words:
    1 John 1:6 ESV
    If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
    Again,
    Next verse:
    1 John 1:7 ESV
    But if we walk in the light...
    There is a difference
    between making a mistake
    and walking in darkness.
    What does that word
    “walking suggest?
    Share a quote with you:
    The Signs of the Times March 27, 1884: Erroneous Doctrines Dangerous

    The character is revealed by the works, not by

    To walk in the light,
    is not something that
    can be a part-time job!
    It is a way of life.
    As the wiseman wrote:
    Proverbs 8:20 ESV
    I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice...
    To walk in something
    means it is your usual
    means of behavior.
    customary attitude.
    Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations (979 “Light the Night” Campaign)
    In the late 90’s the mayor of Toronto launched a “Light the Night” campaign. The idea was for residents to leave their lights burning overnight in order to discourage crime. A similar campaign was carried out in the Oakland, California, area, and reports show that crime was greatly reduced—in fact, reduced fantastically.
    Light dispels darkness
    even crime itself!
    How can we
    develop the practice
    of walking in the light?
    John seems to indicate
    it is somewhat natural:
    1 John 1:6 ESV
    If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
    You cannot have
    deep relationship with God
    and walk in darkness.
    So,
    How do we
    walk in the light?
    Have deep fellowship
    with God!
    John 8:12 ESV
    Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
    Jesus is the light
    if we follow Him
    we walk in the light.
    But He goes further.
    Later Jesus says:
    Matthew 5:14 ESV
    “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
    Apparently,
    if we walk with God
    deeply enough
    His light becomes
    a part of us.
    So much so....
    that it is no longer
    Jesus being the light
    but we are the light.
    What a tremendous
    privilege and
    responsibility.
    To be partners with God
    in lighting the world!!!!
    Philippians 2:15 ESV
    ... you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
    We shine as lights
    in a dark world.
    Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations (2338 The 50-Year Light)
    At a seaport in Maine, a young woman promised her sailor-lover one night that she would keep a light burning in her window every night until he returned. He sailed next day, and his vessel was never heard of afterwards; yet she kept the light burning in her window for 50 years until her death. —W. F. Allan
    We shine as lights
    in a dark world.
    But we must remember
    with great power comes
    great responsibility.
    It reminds me of the
    quote shared by
    Nathan Kraus
    from IT IS Written
    last week:
    In Heavenly Places “What Manner of Persons?”, November 21

    In a special sense Seventh-day Adventists have been set in this world as watchmen and light bearers.

    We are assigned
    as light bearers.
    Why?
    Because we are better?
    No.
    We have special
    message
    truth
    for last days.
    Wow,
    what a privilege...
    We must take it
    very seriously!
    But if we don’t...
    What if we
    neglect
    mistreat
    de-value
    special light???
    Jesus says:
    Luke 11:35 ESV
    Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness.
    Walk from darkness
    into bright room
    feels uncomfortable
    at first.
    You get used to light.
    Walk out of bright room
    into dark room.
    The darkness is
    darker than before!!!
    The same is true
    spiritually for those
    who leave the light.
    Look at this quote:
    Maranatha Former Brethren Worst Persecutors, July 7

    As the storm approaches, a large class who have

    Maranatha Former Brethren Worst Persecutors, July 7

    By

    Maranatha Former Brethren Worst Persecutors, July 7

    Many a star that we have admired for its brilliance will then go out in darkness.

    We must hold on
    to the truth with
    all of our strength.
    Just like this story:
    In April of 2011, a line of deadly tornadoes ripped across the state of Alabama, leaving some 250 people dead in its wake. Near Wellington, Alabama, the Hardy family realized the storm was coming too late to find a permanent shelter. They considered trying to take shelter in a metal clubhouse, but it had already been turned on its side by the strong winds. So in desperation, they took shelter in a small stand of trees. They tied a rope around the children and huddled around them in the trees as the storm passed. A family member said that while they had been scratched by flying dirt and debris, none suffered any serious injuries.
    Imagine how tightly you would cling to the trees and rope in such a situation. Knowing that your life or the life of your child might depend on your grip would give you all the motivation you needed to hang on with every ounce of power you could muster!
    Although there are no warning sirens or news alerts, each of us is living in the path of destructive storms. There are temptations and destructive philosophies abounding around us, and if we do not have a secure place of protection, we will be destroyed.
    Because the Word of God is so readily available to us, we often take it for granted rather than treasuring it as the precious resource it is. When you view the Bible as a lifeline designed to keep you safe through the storms of life, you begin to take it more seriously.
    We must hold on
    to the truth with
    all of our strength.
    Continuing our study...

    More Fellowship

    So far we learned
    if we fellowship with God
    we walk in the light
    not in darkness.
    Be John speaks of
    additionally fellowship:
    1 John 1:7 ESV
    But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another...
    Walking in the light
    is fellowship with God
    “but wait”
    “there is more”
    “for the low price”
    of walking in the light
    We’ll throw in
    double the fellowship
    “order now.”
    As a pastor
    I see a lot
    lonely people!
    In Christianity
    “walking in the light”
    God solves that problem.
    Not only do we
    greatest communion in world
    (fellowship with God)
    but also,
    deepest friendships
    available on planet Earth.
    1 John 1:7 ESV
    fellowship with one another…
    God does not promise
    life is easy
    ceaseless blessings
    without trials.
    He does promise
    meaningful community
    to share life with.
    If you feel alone...
    May I suggest,
    You are not churching right.
    WE are not churching right.
    The word church
    compound word.

    ἐκκλησία

    Root
    κλητός
    means “called”
    Ek -
    prefix
    means “out.”
    Church is:
    group of people
    “called out”
    of the world.
    I admit that
    first stage
    can be lonely.
    When you are called out
    you lose friends.
    Drinking buddies
    Drug Friends.
    But that is incomplete
    meaning of the word.
    Yes we are
    called out
    of something.
    But we are also,
    called into
    something else.
    A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. κλητός

    to be called or invited to something.

    Church is,
    the fellowship of
    the called ones.
    God intends that
    the power of this
    new fellowship will be
    more rewarding that
    what we lost
    in the world.
    I have visited
    many churches.
    Somehow most feel
    they are really friendly.
    50% of them
    are not very welcoming.
    For many,
    people have been connected
    been there long time
    have lots of friends.
    But for
    guests
    visitors
    new members
    church is lonely.
    The long-timer
    with all the friends
    many connections
    doesn’t feel that sense.
    What happens,
    few people talk to
    the new ones.
    Let’s not be that way!
    Let other into
    gift that you have.
    Don’t hoard fellowship!

    Cleansing

    Let’s finish
    our key passage.
    1 John 1:7 ESV
    But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
    If we
    walk in the light
    fellowship with god
    fellowship with each other
    we are cleansed.
    John is explicit
    as to the meaning
    of the cleansing.
    English Standard Version Chapter 1

    the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

    What cleanses us?
    the blood of Jesus.
    What is cleaned?
    All sin.
    I suggest that this is more
    than ritual forgiveness.
    Cleansing indicates
    removal of
    not just the guilt
    not just the punishment
    but the
    item
    thing
    that caused defilement:
    sin!
    When God cleanses us
    he doesn’t just say,
    “Don’t worry about it.”
    “You are forgiven.”
    He separates the sin
    from the sinner.
    If I spill jam
    on my counter
    I don’t clean it
    by saying,
    “it’s okay counter,
    “I forgive you.”
    No!
    I get a sponge
    clean the jam off!
    God’s cleansing
    is both
    declarative.
    creative.
    When He cleanses us.
    We are declared clean.
    Meaning: we are exonerated.
    Declared not guilty!
    But he does not only
    call us something
    that we are not.
    “Righteous”
    Within His forgiving grace
    within the declaration
    of exoneration
    is creative power.
    He re-creates our
    sinful
    broken self
    into His image.
    He takes not just
    our guilt and punishment
    but our sin and defilement!
    This is the cleansing
    of our God.
    This is
    walking in the light!
    Story of Shackleton
    August 1914: The expedition departed England.
    Ship Endurance
    December 5, 1914: They left South Georgia Island.
    January 1915: The Endurance became trapped in pack ice.
    November 21, 1915: The ship was crushed and sank.
    Stuck on Elephant Island

    800 miles to South Georgia Island
    Tiny life boat
    James Caird
    Whaling Station - Stromness
    When he saw the lights

    Appeal

    Shine
    Walk in the Light
    Fellowship with God
    Fellowship with each other
    Cleansing from Sin.
    Experience the Light
    Then become the Light.
    Give it away.

      • 1 John 1:5NKJV

      • 1 John 1:5NKJV

      • 1 John 1:5NKJV

      • 1 John 1:5NKJV

      • John 1:4–5NKJV

      • John 1:7–9NKJV

      • John 3:19–21NKJV

      • 1 John 1:5–7NKJV

      • 1 John 1:6NKJV

      • 1 John 1:6NKJV

      • 1 John 1:7NKJV

      • Proverbs 8:20NKJV

      • 1 John 1:6NKJV

      • John 8:12NKJV

      • Matthew 5:14NKJV

      • Philippians 2:15NKJV

      • Luke 11:35NKJV

      • 1 John 1:7NKJV

      • 1 John 1:7NKJV

      • 1 John 1:7NKJV

  • Redeemed!
  • Risen For Me
  • He Lives Again

      • Philippians 1:21NKJV

      • Hebrews 2:14–15NKJV

      • Philippians 1:19–20NKJV

      • 2 Corinthians 11:23–28NKJV

      • 2 Corinthians 10:3–5NKJV

      • Philippians 1:21–24NKJV

      • Philippians 1:25–27NKJV

      • Matthew 5:3–10NKJV

      • Ephesians 1:9–10NKJV

      • Philippians 1:28–30NKJV

Auburn SDA Church
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