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DUE to the COVID-19 pandemic FAMILY NEWSWELCOME TO OUR VISITORS: Like everyone else, we are trying to avoid COVID-19 among all of us. Some of us are more vulnerable than others. We ask everyone to keep six feet from others and wear a mask so that no one becomes ill by attending worship. Some of us will be participating virtually through Zoom at home and others will be in the building. If in the future you wish to participate on Zoom at home contact Karl Marcussen and he will help you join us. REMINDER ABOUT SNOW. We are in that time of year when it is possible that weather will prevent us from meeting at the building. One of the positives about the CORONA-19 virus is that we have a ZOOM system in place, so we can worship together even if we cannot get to the building. ZOOM can also be used when we are traveling or too ill to come to services or if you are quarantined. If you are not set up for ZOOM, and if you have a computer or smartphone that has camera capability you can be set up for ZOOM whenever you need it. Have Karl put you on his list. It is interesting that TV programs like “Funniest Home Videos” now have their audience present by ZOOM. GLYNN AND ANNE LANGSTON send their best wishes to the congregation here for joyous holidays and a wonderful new year. We help support Glynn in his outreach to the blind and visually impaired. OUR SUPPORT is also given to the Hope Prison Ministry and Shults-Lewis Children's Home. Each of those works gets $100 a month from us. The Does God Exist? Program has its own support so even though the M 51 church sponsors that outreach, no money is given to it. If you have doubts about any of this, contact Bill Gibson. TODAY'S LESSON
INTRODUCTION — MATTHEW 5:14-15
A. Have you ever been in total darkness?
I. ISAIAH 42:6-7 AND MATTHEW 5:14-16
1. The ancient world knew total darkness.
B. Genesis 1:3 — The creation is in darkness.2. Darkness brings insecurity, fear. C. Genesis 1:4 — says God saw the light — it was good. D. Losing light is terrifying. A.God's children bring light.
II. WE AS CHRISTIANS ARE TO BE LIGHTS.
B. Jesus is light — John 1:1-9 C. John 8:12 — There are many kinds of light. 1. Physically — Visible, X-ray, U.V., I.R. Gamma, etc.
2. Spiritually — family, business, recreation, etc. A. 1 John 1:6-7 — How do we “walk in the light?”
III. WHAT KIND OF LIGHT ARE YOU?
B. There are two kinds of light. 1. Emissive — the Sun
C. We can reflect Jesus or emit our faith — both
methods are involved in evangelism.
2. Reflective — the Moon 1. WWJD — Reflective
D. Matthew 25:40 — What kind of light is this?2. Preaching, media, TV, Web — emissive A. Illustration — The candle and the bucket.
IV. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE CONGREGATION?
B. Song — “This Little Light of Mine” — see THE BACK PAGE below. C. How do we let our light get snuffed out? 1. Fear;
2. money; 3. time; 4. peer pressure A. WORSHIP — Acts 2:40-42
V. WHAT KIND OF LIGHT ARE YOU?1. Evangelism — emissive.
C. Reflective — Acts 2:44-47
2. Public declaration — the entire book of Acts 3. How do we do this? 1. Acts 9:36-43 — Dorcas
2. How do we do this? John referred to our concluding song: “Send the Light.”
THE BACK PAGETHIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINEThis little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine. Most of you probably sang this children's song when you were a kid. I remember singing it with the kids here when we used to have a children's devotional before our regular worship. The fact of the matter is that this song repeats a biblical truth, that Christians are to be different. We are to be “the light of the world,” and that is not just a line in a song. It is a description of you and me. People around us should know who and why we are what we are. Christianity is something you work at. You do not inherit it. You cannot buy it or go through any procedure to be a part of it. We are Christians because, at least in theory, we are Christ-like. That is what the word “Christian” means. It is not a political title or the name of a place where we meet. It is what people see in us. Today's lesson and theme is designed to allow us to look at ourselves as we start a new year of life. The year 2021 needs to be a year in which we shine by what we do and what we do not do. — John Clayton Our sign by the street! Sign saying from the song "This Little Light of Mine" Scripture links/references are from BibleGateway.com. Unhighlighted scriptures can be looked up at their website. www.dowagiaccoc.org |
