Bright Lights in Dark World | Part 1

What were fighting studios in Memphis Tennessee a Byron Tyler here with Yuri war machine you'll blow providing jury today Adrian Rogers message part one bright lights in a dark world. Yes, let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven. We of the first century Christians were accused of subversion of being an economic threat and also condemning others that sound familiar, it does doesn't sound like today. To be honest with Will these accounts are a clear warning of the days ahead. First Peter says we are instructed to be real to be ready and to be those bright lights in a dark world you write Byron and what better time to take a look at this and say we need to be a reflection of the Savior in a dark world but saying that in doing that are two different than he really is and I think some of this is is really to phone number one we have an invitation to repent and present ourselves holding a humble so God can shine through us right and then secondly, we must be transformed. We don't need to look like the world. We need to look different from the world and I think that is up to us every single day to be set apart right to pull away to be set apart from the world and to be the bright light in a dark place where my suit, Adrian Rogers says you're not saved by the plan of salvation received by the man of salvation and his name is Jesus.

In a man right on the we know that God is made all things new, old things are passed away behold all things have become new.

We are new creature in Christ. That doesn't happen by anything else. But the man of salvation and we must hold on to carry to our only hope including dark times. It's easy to have our vision blurred and think you know there's no hope we have hope in Christ Jesus has met the deepest needs of our heart. Therefore, we have incredible hope we have incredible hope and I would say this to that when we suffer we suffer for righteousness sake, and we are to chalk it up that we've been blessed was during these dark days are some of the greatest days to share the gospel. You know, this is the time for the church of Jesus Christ to shine in light of our current climate around the world. We should be those bright lights with this is the time that people are willing their open there available to listen right and we have the chance to earn the right to point them to the cross.

All that such a good word there.

We always love hearing from her liver fighting listeners and I believe you have a listener from Maryland whose respondent I do and it says this I cannot tell you what Pastor Rogers means to me. I live in a resort town and can't find a good Bible preaching church so Pastor Rogers became my pastor via love or finding he is the greatest preacher you can see the love of Jesus in Pastor Rogers.

He genuinely cared about souls and wanted people to know the truth no matter what you don't find many preachers that will do that in this day and age. I just thank God that Pastor Rogers obeyed God's calling you about not I want to obey God's calling. I want our listeners to obey God's calling and I think the best time to do that is fiscal year-end, we are wrapping up one year were taking you know were tipping the hats off to the past were taking the coats off to the future, segueing into a new year and were looking back saying what God is done, but now is the time to come alongside this ministry and just give him is that simple.

You just give, and you get for two reasons.

Number one to introduce people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and number two to mature them in their faith. We that's that's our core value. That's our mission and so you have the opportunity to say I want to be a part of this ministry in a financial way so I'm gonna give as I just want to encourage.

If your listing the day you been blessed by this ministry or you've been impacted by this ministry.

The best thing you can do is give back to love or finding will now here with today's message bright lights in a dark world part one appears Adrian Rogers project I God's word and turn first Peter chapter 3 rethinking today on the subject, bright lights in a dark world about the person for world was very dark when Peter wrote the Scripture that I'm about to read to your friend I want you something. It was open season on Christians. They despise Christians number one.

They accuse them of insurrection and subversion because they would not bow down and call Caesar Lord number two on Christians as an economic threat because there was a great business and idolatry and so forth and they saw them somehow, as a roadblock block and impediment to progress in number three. Their lifestyle condemning others and they accuse them of all kinds of things incest because they called one another brother and sister and number two. Even people are married to. They thought it was a sister or brother. They accuse them of cannibalism because of the Lord's supper. They said they were eating and drinking the body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ and they would take anything and twisted and use it against these early Christians and so Peter wrote the Scripture and I want you to read it now.

First Peter chapter 3, beginning in verse 13 he asked this question. Who is he that will harm you if you be followers of that which is good. The word followers is the word we cut outwards a lot from. If you you be zealous of that which is good but a nifty suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye, and be not afraid of their terror. I just underscore that.

Be not afraid of their terror, neither be ye. Trouble has got to work for you this morning but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts and be ready always to give an answer to every man that ask you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.

Having a good conscience that where as they speak evil of you as evildoers, they may be a shame that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ know what we do in a time with those who want to terrorize us. We just hunkered down. Close up shop but I had between our knees and pray Lord keep us safe till the storm passes over. Not at all. There's never been a greater day, a greater age a greater time to preach the glorious gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In this day and this age and read only the sinkhole before spring. We need to sing onward Christian soldiers not not armed with bullets not armed with bombs, but armed with the glorious gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with a mighty mighty mighty demonstration of love but we cannot be silent back in Hitler's time when Hitler was trying to rule the world. It was a pastor named Martin.

I'm Martin my mother began to preach and as a result of an Hitler had put in the concentration camp and then finally in solitaire but finally Martin, my mother was released and he began to preach and he always ended his messages with the state. First they came for the socialist and I did not speak out because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, but I did not speak out because I was, not a Jew. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for anyone.

Now the time has come for us obviously and Peter tells us in this passage that number one we need to be real. We need to be followers of that which is good. We don't need a card some sort of a plastic cardboard mentality in Christianity and number two. We need to be ready verse 15 he says you be ready to give an answer to anyone at that ask you of the hope that by the way was the last time anybody asked you of your faith. When's the last time anybody rescue say what makes you different. There was a cynic named Nietzsche didn't learn much from Nietzsche. Nietzsche didn't believe in Jesus Christ and a lot to look in Christians face and sneer them and save you want me to believe in your Redeemer, you going to happen with little more again well you look pretty once last time somebody said what makes you tick. What that smile on your face. What gives you peace in the midst of the storm what they see what drives you how you have this. Would you be able to even answer would you shine as bright light in a dark place. I would imagine six things that Peter mentions right here things that we need to be in this dark day number one we must enthrone Christ as Lord. Look in verse 15 but sanctify the Lord God in your heart word sanctify means to set him aside as special above all as reigning Lord rescue personal question, don't say yes because I'm on ask it anyway is Jesus Christ Lord in your life, and I didn't say do you admit that he is Lord. In the generic sense, have you ever bowed the knee to him and never taken the crown off your head and put it upon his head with a breach of yesteryear's name was Charles Spurgeon. Most preachers agree together that Charles Spurgeon was probably the greatest preacher outside the apostle Paul that ever lived. I copy down something that Charles Haddon Spurgeon said I want to listen to Them and read it carefully. Here's what he said if the professed convert distinctly and deliberately declares that he knows the Lord's will that he knows the Lord's will, but does not mean to attend to. You are not to pamper his presumptions, but it is your duty to assure him that he is not say prevents a lot of what God wants me to do it on negative's prejudices Mr. you need me say do not suppose that the gospel is magnified our God glorified by pandering to the world lanes and telling them that they may be saved.

At this moment by simply accepting Christ as their Savior while they are still wedded to their idols and our hearts are still in love with sin.

It is interesting to note that the apostles preached the Lordship of Christ. The word Savior occurs only twice in the acts of the apostles.

On the other hand, it is amazing to notice that the title Lord is mentioned 92 that often we are peeps that well you need to accept Christ as your Savior will friend you cannot have what he gives unless you accept who he is and he is Lord is Lord. Now I'm not asking you baptize.

I'm not asking you, you know, plan of salvation you're not saved by the plan of salvation is saved by the man of salvation. His name is Jesus is the Lord of your life. Imagine the scene.

The wedding marriage is taken place the cake is been cut. The gifts have been exchanged and that Susan and John, now or in the car driving away. They just been married. Susan says John would you please take me home a says when I Susan I was going on a honeymoon. You know that our home is not going be ready for several weeks. I'll take you there when we get that when the contract is finished house is not mean that home.

Would you please take me to my mother's house. I want to go back to my mother's house that John.

I want to understand something you and I are married and John, I appreciate your love for me and John.

If you have any luck for me. Don't fail to get. I most grateful for. And John, if I have a need. If I get sick. I'll call you if I need money for expenses because you're my husband. I expect you to supply my every need, but don't think I'm in a change my lifestyle just because I'm married to you, John. Take me home and keep your hands all my life like on the merger that that's the same kind of salvation. Some people think they have a call upon the Lord Jesus Christ and say the Lord Jesus, thank you that you're going to take care of me but I'm going back my old lifestyle.

I'm going back to my always take your hands off my life and you can have it that way you can have it that way as a been a radical change in your life is Jesus Christ the Lord of your life number two. Not only must you sanctify the Lord but number two.

We must be ready with an answer look in verse 15, but sanctify the Lord in your hearts be ready always to give an answer to every man that ask you the reason of the hope that is in you. Are you ready for an answer. I mean, suppose somebody came to you and said what is the reason for your home and they will come to you. If you have a changed life back on ask you if they did on the day of Pentecost want mean that this one means this now.

The problem is that the and then asked what must we do the reason many people don't ask what must we do, they haven't seen anything that is different, but they can say what means this on the day of Pentecost there was something that was not explainable. Is this something about you that is not explainable.

Can you explain my life apart from Jesus Christ friend has anybody ever ask you a question.

What is the reason for your hope. Suppose somebody today. Maybe in an automobile accident would ask you what is the reason for your help help you to just stay right there. Don't die on the go get past Rogers know you are the sanctify the Lord in your heart and you are to be read. I'm appalled at how little the average Baptist knows about what he supposed to believe one man asked Colón what he believes is that I believe what the church believes was a church way.

What metrics please what I believe what you both believe what we believe the same thing. Are you ready do you have an answer friend there are some good and the word to given answers the word that that that we get our apologetics from doesn't mean that we sing along so sorry. It's a word that is used in the courtroom apologia it means to give a defense of your faith, just as a lawyer would defend that a client can you defend your faith. I want to something friend that people out there have some big questions right now our world is swimming in questions and somebody says how can you have faith in God. Are you ready to give an answer to the person asking what is an answer in the word of God believes in Scripture Matthew chapter 22 beginning in verse 36 there was a lawyer asked Jesus master. What is the great commandment in the law. Jesus said, thou shalt love_this, thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart with all my soul and with all thy mind bring. That is it. That's the bottom line. By the way, the faith of Jesus Christ is built on love not hate life not death, thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all our being. This is the first commandment. This sums it all up. Now, when God made man God made man a free creature.

Why did God make man a free creature because God wanted man to love, to love him and to love one another forced love is a contradiction in turn for a person to be able to love. He has to be able not to love. If we were created where we could only love and do nothing else, it wouldn't be love at all.

We would be on the times we would just simply be bought, machine God gave man the freedom of choice. We cannot choose to be disloyal unless we can choose to be loyal. We cannot choose to live in less we can choose not to love and what is love. Love is the highest good and for God to take away choice would be for God to destroy the highest good, and if he did that if God were to destroy evil that is to give man a choice.

That act itself would be no God allows evil in this world. God does not destroy evil God deficiency by putting his son upon the cross and taking that sin into his own heart, his own life and that I answers to these things. The Bible says in John chapter 15 verse 13. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man laid down his life for his friends now. Thirdly, listen friend if we would be a bright light in a dark world. We must practice genuine humility.

This is no time distraught and arrogant. Notice again what Peter says in first Peter chapter 3 verse 15 but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts be ready always to give an answer to every man that ask you a reason of the hope that is in you not notice this with meekness and fear with meekness and fear.

Meekness is not weakness into strength under control. Fear is not being trembling at what is happening around us. It speaks of a holy reverence for Almighty God. Now you can have the reasons but America is not going to be one by arguments alone, not by the ballot box, not by organization and and there's so many people think of those of us were Bible believers as people of arrogance that say that about us that think of us as hatemongers. They will think of us as intolerant and we must be very careful that we do not use angry rhetoric when we respond to them.

Listen to the Scripture put it into Marge and James one verses 19 through 20.

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath for the wrath of man work is not the righteousness of God.

During your wrath does not bring about God's righteousness. Now Jesus showed anger against those who were persecuting helpless people.

He showed anger toward the religious hypocrites of his day, but to those who were victims of sin, the prostitutes, the thieves, the tax gatherers and that they were guilty of extortion, he show them love. He was a friend of sinners. That's why they crucified him. Below we need in this day in this age we dear friend need a full heart and a bright head both together.

Be ready to give an answer, but also show love in genuine humility.

Now, when Nero when this was written, Nero was damp you say. Well I had it easy in those days.

I know that it Nero wanted to remodel Rome so I had the sums burned the people rose up because the homes were destroyed.

He had to have a scapegoat. Somebody said once a blameless Christian there was talk about setting the world on fire, and so they blamed it on the Christians, and again it was as I said was open season on the Christians they would take Christians in that day may Olympic crosses cover them with boiling oil and set them on fire to light the gardens for the benefits and imagine such a thing these people, these are people who love the Lord Jesus Christ. They read in the mouths of lions with their own blood.

They had to fight with gladiators in the Coliseum. Many of them would not fight, they were just simply give their lives. What would happen to some of us if we had to make those kind of choices these early Christian friend. They had to make those kinds of choices and I want to say that they had meekness and fear, and their humility, their humility, their ability to suffer for Christ brought that Roman Empire crashing down was an uprising in China. A Chinese student wrote these words lies written in any cannot obscure truth written in blood now focus is possible for us to be so arrogant they will win the argument and lose the audience. I'm calling upon you that genuine meekness genuine reference in this day and in this age. This is not the time to go pointing fingers at everybody else.

The Bible says the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God, and I tell you, folks. All this happened in America today is happened on our walk and we need to confess the sins of the church. We need to confess our indolence, our laziness, our selfishness, our pride, our refusal to live a separated life and to share the gospel the glorious gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Number four. We must live if we would be a bright light in the dark world. We must live a superior lifestyle a superior lifestyle. Notice the next verse we been in verse 15 look in verse 16. Having a good conscience.

Where's David speak evil of you as evildoers may be a shame that falsely accuse your conversation in Christ and be falsely accused, but it's going to become evident is going to be to their shame because your lifestyle will be superior. You will be blameless. I didn't say sinless, but you would be blameless to see. Verse 15 says they're going to be asking us questions of the hope why because they can see something different about us and will you part two of this message coming up tomorrow on the broadcast.

Maybe today you have questions about who Jesus is about what he means to you. How to begin a relationship with him go to where Discover Jesus page@lwf.org/radio you find resources and materials that will answer questions you may have about your faith again go to LWF.org/radio and click Discover Jesus, so glad you joined us for today's studying God's word. If you'd like to start receiving daily devotions and links to our program sign up for our daily heart emails LWF join us tomorrow for the conclusion of bright lights and dark were right here online where