But the Kingdom of God is not island life
No man is an island, Entire of itself, Every man is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main… (John Donne)
Kingdom Life is a “together” lifestyle when the light shines the result is deep – deep connection and fellowship.
I John 1:7 - 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. (ESV)
The light of the Kingdom is the light of love that is happening between Christ and his body and its the New current. It’s the new culture. It is the power that changes lives – it is the power that changes the world!
I Corinthians 4:6
For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
If you are the light of the world, you are going to stand out. We live in a hostilelov, eless world.
Here’s what we’re up against: We live in a world of darkness. We live in a culture of Light Killers:
LIGHT KILLER #1: ATTITUDE OF DISHONOR AND DISRESPECT
Matthew 5:21-22
"You have heard that it was said to those of old,`You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.' 22 "But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother,`Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says,`You fool!' shall be in danger of Hell fire."
Raca – Fool: means: empty-headed; senseless; you are worthless; stupid – insinuates a person’s inferiority
It’s the idea of cut- downs, insults, calling people names. These words and actions are hurtful fruits that reveal hateful roots! Jesus warned that it is equal to murder. The attitude/hatred that causes a person to hurl insults is the same hatred that motivates another person to commit murder. The attitudes are the same – and that’s a LIGHT KILLER
Light Killer #2: PATTERN OF BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS
Matthew 5:31-32
it has been said,`Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' 32 "But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery. (NKJ)
The relational cracks can start as different ideas, different beliefs, different values, but have the potential to turn into a disagreement, arguments and distance in the relationship. Lack of belonging, lack of support, lack of care, communication issues, difference in expectations, broken trust, abuse (verbal, emotional, physical, sexual, manipulation, control, dominance, hurtful words and actions can lead to hardened, bitter hearts. When there is bitterness in your heart, there will be bitterness in your relationships and it will affect how you show up in every single relationship – other people will experience your bitterness – not your God!
Light Killer #3: Steady flow of Selfishness & Greed
Godh as called us to be givers. But a stance of stinginess - not giving, not trusting, sparing blessing, giving if it doesn’t cost us too much Is a light killer.
LIGHT KILLER #4: CONTENT WITH SIMPLE LOVE
Matthew 5:43-48
"You have heard that it was said,`You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy."
That is an easy, convenient, simple form of love. But, Jesus called us to a deeper form of love, selfless, agape love.
Let's not settle for simple! Good has called us to a greater form of life.
Here's one final Word to sum it up:
Jesus continued... But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers,[i] what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles
do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.