Get Your Shine On

Your job at a time like just your needs met financially you are there to make a difference in somebody's dark world. Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven is Matthew 516 and this is destined for victory with pastor Paul Shepherd wherever you are and how you may be listening. Thanks for making this part of your day of the world is a dark place and as believers in Christ we been called into that darkness to brighten up the place. But how can we do that for some practical steps for letting your light shine before others answers come your way. Next stay with us here or listen to the podcast on demand pastor Paul.net and Apple podcast or wherever you go to get now. Let's join Pastor Paul for today's destined for victory message get your shine. I will invite your attention to the gospel according to Matthew chapter 5 go with me to Matthew's gospel chapter 5 and were going to begin looking at verse 14. Jesus is speaking and here's what he says you are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden, nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven. I've entitled this message get your shine all get your shine: we are living in interesting times circumstantially life is interesting economically. Life is interesting socially, politically, and many other ways life right now.

Here is our present this message in the summer of 2020 life is interesting and I'm using the term interesting intentionally because what I'm suggesting is not everything is bad and not everything is good life right now is interesting. The opening line of Charles Dickens classic book, a tale of two cities is this, it was the best of times it was worse of times. Fact of the matter is that kind of suits where we are right now in the world. Both phrases can be simultaneously true, and I hope to take the next several minutes and unpack that for you and help you understand why this is in the midst of the bad things in the midst of the pandemic that is horrible I mean thought that we would experience a wide pandemic that of such a grievous nature. That is, I present this message here in the summer of 2020. There are already more than 150,000 people who have been killed by COBIT 19 here in America. So far in just this calendar year, more than 150,000 people are dead because of COBIT.

19 and God only knows how many more unfortunately are going to lose their lives in the coming months until and unless a vaccination is developed is approved and then is manufactured to the point where people not only throughout the country. But around the world will be able to be vaccinated against such a horrible virus so these are bad times, no doubt about it. This pandemic is one, as it were, for the ages. As a result of it. Of course you know that it economy that was going very well has now completely tanked and we got a rebuild and were trying to figure out how to educate our children and this time when they can't have closeness, physical closeness and were trying to figure out what distancing is going to do and what mask where it is going to do to help us as we try to figure out how to move forward before a vaccination is developed. These are interesting times physically and economically. These are interesting times politically seems to me that we have more political division than ever before. The United States has never been united in the whole history of the country, we've never been united and it seems to me now, we are more divided than we've ever been before. And if this isn't the worst. It is certainly among the worst times that we've had as a nation in terms of the vision and certainly that makes it what I call interesting times. Because these are not all the kinds of environments that I would prefer to live in, and probably the same is true for everybody listening and watching, but in the midst of that. Let me give you a very clear ability so word right from the pages of Scripture and that is to tell you this, that in the midst of these interesting times, God has equipped you and equipped me for such a time as this.

I want to let you know we have no business. We were followers of Christ we who are people who name the name of the Lord Jesus. We have no business being part of the problem God has called us to be part of the solution. We have no business being people who are full of despair and depression. We are people who can believe God to lift our heads and to help us to see about the shadows and to know that God is going to bring us through and bring us out of all this and make us a blessing to others.

While we are on this journey. Let me tell you something world is dark and the Lord knew the world would be dark and that's why he declared in this passage in Matthew five you speaking of us. We were followers of Christ Jesus looked at us and said you are the light of the world.

I want you to let that message be driven home in your heart right now you are the light of the world you do not walk in darkness, you are not uncertain about what's happening you all a child of the light, we are children, not of darkness but children of the light because Jesus made us to be just that, look at this passage again you walk in the light of the word. You know me personally, Jesus said you are the light of the world. It's the worst of times only because darkness prevails all around us, but I repeat, the darkness didn't catch Jesus all guard is not like before the pandemic things were going well. We were in darkness just circumstances were better than they were godly men were in darkness just means that the darkness now is showing up in new window in dramatic ways, but darkness has always been characteristic of people who don't want in the light of the love and the word of God and so darkness is normative in this world.

One of the reasons why you and I have to look forward to going to heaven is because when we get there. That will be no more darkness. In fact, the Bible says in Revelation that Jesus himself is going to be the light of heaven, we will need artificial light because we were in the presence of heat is the light… Have light God in his life in him is no darkness at all. When we get to heaven you won't have a PG&E bill because Jesus is the light of heaven, as well as the light of our lives right here and right now and so you are people of the life I want you to get you that you all a child all the light will be right back with more today's destined for victory message from Pastor Paul Shepherd, senior pastor, destiny Christian Fellowship in Fremont, California. Remember you can always listen to the broadcast on demand@pastorpaul.net that's Pastor Paul.net will also find a host of great resources and online store where you are the light of the world.

A city set on a hill cannot be hidden is Pastor Paul and the rest of today's destined for victory message get your shine has always been around and were seeing darkness in certain pronounced way because of the pandemic.

Because of the division because of the destruction that's all around us but don't be so darkness has always been around us. And ever since you've been saved. You have been part of the light. Now here's the thing we gotta do what Jesus said in this passage and I will like shine. You are light question is, is your light shining brightly or do you have it under a basket, you have it under a bushel.

Are you covering up are you a secret agency. Are you a 007. Christian are you saying that nobody knows that you walk with Jesus. Are you one of those people was a little bit intimidated a little bit embarrassed you need to let the Holy Spirit you went crazy.

Baldness you need to go to the website just like you 120 back then God fill me all over again and do me a bold witness that I can proclaim the name and the love of the Lord Jesus.

I believe these are days when we have to intentionally our light shine. Now let me tell you something, I need you to understand that the only reason darkness prevails in any setting is because there is no light that has been raised in that situation this way, darkness is not a force. There is no course that results in darkness. Darkness has no power.

Darkness has no fourth, darkness is not something generated. Think about this with me, why is there darkness. One reason and one reason only because there's no light around light is a full course darkness is not a force. Light is a force. Darkness is off all when darkness is there, it's because of the fall and the floor with nobody brought the light that's the only reason why there is darkness because there's no line around. As soon as somebody shows up with a life darkness is dispelled and I came to tell you.

Jesus just told us here in Matthew five you all are the light of the world. So brother and sister I need you to know in no uncertain terms you have no business being part of the problem you are part of the solution because you Jesus said about light of this world. We are to proclaim the nature the love the power of God, and God has been really intentional about causing these things to bring to the church for challenges, I believe, since we can't worship in our little two churches and we can't do business as usual. I believe that's a blessing because God has set us up to say okay you can't do what you usually do, but when you finally decide to go to do what I called you to do all along. Which of the B light in a dark world that the matter is we are called to the darkness. You only like what is already light and yet most of us have been sitting for years in churches and we been having like conventions like we all just sit around looking at one another's light just like this nice but worship is nice that God's people get together. Bible tells us what they cannot do something about self together. I'm not saying someone would save get together but I'm saying the whole reason why we get together so that we worship God so that we receive his word that we serve people and so that we all empowered. So when we leave the sanctuary.

We all take our individual lights and gold to the darkness of our homes in the darkness of our communities in the darkness of our school, and the darkness of our job. God knows you got darkness on your job wherever you want.

That's why God has you there to make a paycheck on the light to just get your needs met.

Financially you are there to make a difference in somebody's dark world fact of the matter is God has called us.

I'm starting to realize that this pandemic is really an opportunity. That's why I started this message telling you. In some ways it's the worst of times, but in other ways it is the best of times, because I think it is time for the charts to figure out what you think you're in the world for you to make a difference when jobs where our profession.

We live where we live, we know we know so that we can our light shine. It is the calling of God on our lives untroubled by Christians who still are not used with people who don't know the Lord untroubled by folks who are say and they are scared to know unbelievers life is so you would take it where there is darkness in you and I'll call them intentionally make a difference in the lives of people wants to use you and use me so that the light that he's put in us will shine and make a difference in the lives of other people, darkness is not a force. Don't be scattered darkness. Darkness is not a US get dark with you autographed by now.

Don't be scared of the dark in the dark doesn't get you. You are light and show which are light in the darkness is dispelled that matter.

I'm here to tell you that God has called you to be a difference maker to be a planet shaker. You are to be a world changer and you so I don't have a worldwide visible platform.

I'm not talking about having a worldwide one world is what needs to be shaken nor planted the planet of your sphere of influence is what needs to be shaken. God will make God through you if you will just let your light shine now look at this passage again Jesus said you're the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill. He said can you not be hidden has placed us on a hill. God has placed you in conspicuous places in your life and your lifestyle and your sphere of influence begin to look at your life as something that God has strategically set up. You are not to be a hermit you are not to be somebody who lives just me my floor and no more is not God's will for you.

All I do is go to my job.

I sit in my cubicle I do my little work in the course now going to pandemic. Most of us aren't even working physically and other places of employment. Some are but others of you are working right from home and so it is easier than ever for you to be just silo and just focused on his mother work and send it to them and then I get my paycheck was then called you to do that. That's a means that job is a means all the provision but your real work is to let your light shine.

God has called you to make a difference be intentionally a difference maker in the lives of people. He said a city set on a hill cannot be hidden. You are supposed to be conspicuous. I grew up in a holiness tradition where I often heard the saints saying things like Lord hide me behind the cross hide me behind the calls I hear preachers they get the bridge and they say Lord I want you to hide me behind the cross. I don't want to be seen.

I want Jesus to be seen. I know what they meant. I applaud the desire of their heart to not be in their flesh as they preached.

But I'm at a point now where I'm sevenfold, no, no, you need to be intentional about wanting to be seen. Why, because Jesus said the light of the world. So yes, you should be saying you shouldn't be in your class while your BMC you should be acting carnal while you're being seen, but for God's sake. The world leads us. Think of it this way. One is one of the titles given to saints in the Bible. One of the titles. One of the terms given the people who know the Lord.

We are called the body of Christ.

What guess what is going to seek wise they've gotta see him through his body. Because Jesus as a person is in heaven.

And so it is going to see him. They've gotta see him through us.

That's why we're called the body of Christ. We all want to be seen will be conspicuous. We all know you shouldn't be hiding somewhere scared of the world you are in the world but you're not on the world.

God calls you to make friends everywhere you go for his glory. Thanks so much for joining us for today's message get your shine on every day here in Destin for victory. We asked people to stand with us financially. That's because we are a listener supported ministry.

Let me underscore that for just a moment. This means the only way we exist is through the prayers and financial support of people just like you and in 2021 are prayers that you might consider if you've not done so already becoming a Destin for victory partner partners are a special group of people that give a monthly gift of at least $20 if you can make that commitment. Today we have some special gifts I tell you about a just a moment, but Pastor Paul joins me right now pastor take a moment and tell us why partners are so important to this ministry you I'm glad you brought that up when partners are really the lifeline of this ministry without those people committed to giving regularly. We literally could not continue doing what were doing. I guess people hear that a lot, but it is really true without partners. We simply can't get the gospel out to the world. The gospel is free but the plumbing cost an awful lot of money and we want to continue preaching. As I've said in times past we've got generations to reach that have never heard the gospel and they misunderstand when they hear people talk about things like serving the Lord and we need to make it plain to them. The only way I can do it is with my partners, helping us reach them through their generous gifts.

I'm so grateful for every single partner and I'm praying in 2021. That God will give us thousands more.

There are many more outlets and many more opportunities we could take advantage of in our ministry but the only thing that holds us back is lack of income. So I'm praying that God is going to touch the heart of many more people to realize that we just your gift of $20 or more. You can help us remain strong on the stations and outlets where on and reach many more with the gospel of Jesus Christ. I think you pastor.

That's what it's all about reaching more people with the gospel. If you make that commitment by pledging $20 or more per month to help us do that will send you with our thanks a couple of great gifts including one of Pastor Paul's most popular CDs. The best of let my people smile. It's a compilation of some of pastor's most humorous illustrations and stories, something that will be sure to make you laugh and learn at the same time, call 855-339-5500 or mail your gift letting us know you wish to become a partner. Our address is Destin for victory PO Box 1767, Fremont, CA 94538.

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Pastor Paul.net or by calling 855-339-5500 and don't forget, for any generous donation to Destin for victory today will be glad to send you by request Pastor Paul's booklet. Your purpose is calling that your purpose is calling a booklet from Pastor Paul. Our gift to you by request for your gift to Destin for victory. If you ask the average person who doesn't know Jesus what they think of the Christians in the world.

Most of them see all judgment and I see very little in the way of good works and it is time for us to quit being in the bad news, business, and it is time for us to just do a good works that Jesus and the word of God talk about that's next time it Pastor Paul Shepard's message get your shine on until then, remember he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion. In Christ, you are destined for victory