LIGHT FORCE.

Bruce Chant

generation-j

3 August 2001

Intro.

The story of South Sydney RL Club / George Piggins, Chairman.

South Sydney exlcuded by Murdoch from NRL despite massive support. George was determined to do something about it.

He was moved by passion to see what he knew was right and true be revealed.

He fought for 2 ½ long years – court battles, devoted hours to preparation, investigation and organisation because he so believed in the cause.

He was an ordinary bloke – poor beginnings, not greatly educated – but he became a leader of an army of people who others wanted to follow

- Kerry Stokes, Channel 7 - $1 million per year

- Russell Crowe, Andrew Denton, Mike Whitney

They all stood by this man who had a passion to see his club returned, to see light come to a dark situation.

After a massive struggle, the high court finally agreed the club should be allowed back in.

This is an inspiring story about what can happen when an ordinary person, driven by passion, can bring light and change to a dark situation.

Life without Light

Do you ever wonder what it’d be like to live in a world without light?

<<Lights Off – complete darkness>>

It’d be dark, lonely, fearful, depressing, hopeless, constantly dull and painful

After a while you get used to it and don’t notice that there is no light. You forget the colours, textures, movement and vibrancy of life.

Life becomes something to endure – everything is the same. DARKNESS invades everything – especially the lives of those caught in it.

This is what life is like to those people who don’t know Jesus Christ as Lord and saviour.

<<Lights On>>

Are you a fulfiller of the Great Commission?

Here at generation-j we talk a lot about God having a plan for your life, the things we are going to see and do and the great commission to go into all the world and make disciples of Jesus Christ. That’s our job – make devoted followers of Jesus – whereever we are.

But how are we going? Are we on track? Are we individually carrying out God’s plans? Are we taking forward steps?

Are we, like George Piggins from South Sydney RL Club, making a difference?

Change Agents. I was talking to my friend Luke Mayer the other day and he was talking about how we as christians get to be agents of change – Change Agents. Where ever we go, whatever we do, we get to bring positive, life giving change to our situation, our environment, our friends, family and acquaintences lives through the power of Jesus Christ’s legacy.

But are we doing that? Is it happening? Does it work?

Of course it works – “God is not a man that he should lie” – “The sum of God’s word is truth”. The bible – 2 parts OT, NT, 66 books comprising of history, poetry, prophecy, written letters recounting the story of God and Us is TRUE.

Is it more because we are being secret agents or under cover agents rather than change agents?

Light Shiners. One of the most basic things the bible directs us to do – a vital part of following Him was:

“Let your light shine before men.” Matthew 5:14, 16 Not let your light shine before me where it is safe and warm and everyone I know I goes to church with me on Sunday.

If you are a follower of Jesus, if you are “in” then He has, He must have made a difference in your life. It’s this difference that is the light that we must shine before people. It’s this life changing power, joy, peace and healing that we must shine in the darkness! The light in our lives is the truth that Jesus is Lord and we are complete when we live for Him.

Tonight is a Reality Check – and I want you to ask your self the question – Is my light shining into the darkness around me?

Reality Check 1: THE FUTURE

When you think about your future – do you see Jesus at the centre of it all?

“Without vision people perish” – they cast off restraint. Don’t let serving Jesus become a restraint.

2 Corinthians 4:6 – God shines His light on us – so we can shine it on others.

We as Christians should be the most HOPE Filled People on the Planet beause of all God has promised us. Let our light shine because we have something to live for.

Reality Check 2: OUR PAST

Ephesians 5:8 says “We were children on darkness” but we aren’t now! We severe ties with our dark past – we have no relationship with Darkness. 1 John 1:5-9 – forgiven of our sins.

The past is gone – Paul says “He leaves it behind and pushes on toward the goal”.

But “All things work together for the good of those who love the Lord”. Your experience of hurt, pain, shame, guilt, need can be used to shed light on other’s troubles.

Also somethings you don’t want to forget – all that God has done!! Use your testimony – everything you’ve experienced and how God helped you, delivered you, healed you to light up the darkness of someone else’s situation.

Reality Check 3: THE NOW!

Are you making a difference where you are NOW?

Jesus taught in the NOW – not when you are old enough, smart enough, mature enough – somethings wait but there is plenty you can do now!!

Is your life any different (in belief and action) to your friends who aren’t christians? Do those differences point to the hope in Jesus?

Is your christian-ness confined to this building or is it see elsewhere?

When did you last speak up or take a stand on something that cuts your convictions?

When did you last read your bible or pray?

E.g. Toastmasters

Man pushing the car on Freeway.

Ruth and her mum – shining the light.

Offering for camp

Walk in the light – be a Luke LIGHTWalker 1 John 1:5-8

Summary.

DARKNESS brings deception. Ever been in a room at night as a little kid and in the shadows you see what looks like a bogeyman? Then it wasn’t – it just takes light to reveal to you the deception you are facing.

LIGHT brings the truth out of the Shadows. You can see the light – it is obvious. No one says are the lights on or off – you know. Same should be true of our lives.

Takes Jesus’ light to be shone into our lives to realise our deception.

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