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Shining as Lights – The Darkness Around Us

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr

Passage: Philippians 2:15

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As we noted in our lesson last week, God calls us to be examples.  Philippians 2:15 reminds us that we are to be lights “in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation.”  We should never underestimate the power of a godly example (Matthew 5:13-16).  Last week we noted how Jesus is the one whom we are to imitate.  (NOTE: This lesson complemented the lesson of Jason Fox the prior week, “Lifting the banner of Christ in Service”)

Even though the New Testament was completed nearly 2000 years ago, it is just as timely and true today as it was back then.  So much of what it addresses is in terms that describe this generation.  Consider a few verses that describe this generation.   There are many areas that we could focus on: Galatians 5:19-21 – the works of the flesh; 2 Timothy 3:1-9 – a list of selfishness; Romans 1:22-32 describing the depraved conduct back then AND now; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 – another list, etc.  Together these describe many attitudes and actions that constitute the darkness around us.  We could talk about the sins of comprise and ungodly attitudes.  We could address false doctrine.  But tonight, we will focus on the wisdom of this world.

1. Spiritual darkness in scripture
   1. The Bible contrasts physical light and darkness in various places, including creation (Genesis 1:2-5)
   2. Men loved darkness – we also know that there is spiritual darkness which is where our light is to shine.
      The gospel of John introduced Jesus as the Light of the world at the very beginning – John 1:4. Vs. 5 – addresses darkness. While Jesus was that Light that shines in the darkness, the darkness did not comprehend it.
      John 3:19-20, this is the condemnation, men loved darkness rather than light.
   3. Luke 11:35,“The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness. Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, the whole body will be full of light, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light.”  (34-36)
   4. Ephesians 6:12– our battle is described as darkness, the rulers of the darkness of this age… we are living in “hostile” territory.
   5. Proverbs 4:19says, “The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble.”
2. The wisdom of this world
   1. 1 Corinthians 3:18-20, the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.
      We are living in a time of heightened “enlightenment”.  We have access to so much knowledge and wisdom.  With electronic media, we have access to virtually anything at the tip of our fingers.  That can be a good thing, if we are wise in our pursuit of wisdom AND especially, if we seek the wisdom of God.
      But what typically happens is when man’s wisdom increases, he begins to reason away God, His will and accountability.  That is what we are seeing today.
   2. Paul in 1 Corinthians 1-3 contrasted the wisdom of God with the wisdom of this world.   There are several passages that address worldly wisdom:
      1. 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 speaks of the foolishness of the message of the cross to those of this world.  Paul deals specifically with Jews and Gentile and how it is a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to the Greeks
      2. 1 Corinthians 1:26 – warning, not many wise, noble or mighty according to the flesh are called
      3. 1 Corinthians 2:14 – the natural man does not receive the things of the spirit of God, they are foolishness to him.  And he cannot know them.  THIS text is not saying it is impossible for the natural man to understand God’s word, but he often puts up a barrier that will not allow him to hear.  It is like the hardened heart in the parable of the Sower.  Satan comes and snatches the word away before it can do anything.
      4. Back to 1 Corinthians 3:19-20 – the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God.
   3. Romans 1:20-25– as Paul begins his letter to the Romans, he describes the depraved wisdom of this world.  They reject God and exchange his truth for “the lie”.  Professing to be wise, they became fools.
   4. As noted, we have access to great knowledge and education that gives us the ability to investigate and learn.  But we must understand that not everything that is said is true.  Just because a supposedly reputable website says something doesn’t mean we should not investigate, nor that it is completely true.  Far too many sources are highly biased and that needs to be taken into consideration.
      – We find that in our school systems with their attempts to promote naturalism TO THE EXLUSION of other alternatives.
      – We see that in news media and resources that “conveniently” leave out certain facts that might alter one’s perception of a particular occasion.
      – The wisdom of this world says, “There is no God” or that He is powerless.  Humanism is openly promoted with very little resistance or challenge.
      – The wisdom of this world says that we don’t need God, and especially His message to us.   Like Paul said, the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing.
      – It says that all there is, is what you see – advocating naturalism.   Much of what is presented by the “experts” of naturalism is inaccurate or extremely biased.  It is often presented as facts rather than theory.  But we are seeing the product of this teaching.  When man says we are nothing but a highly developed animal, with nothing beyond this life, is it any wonder we have a generation that is acting like mere animals?
      – The wisdom of this world says that you should do whatever you want.
      – The wisdom of this world says, “he who has the most toys wins”
      – The wisdom of this world says, “What’s in it for me?”
      – The wisdom of this world says you can choose which laws to obey and explain away or justify those you do not like.
      – The wisdom of this world provokes intolerance, especially toward those who dare to challenge their definitions of whatever they believe OR even the word tolerance itself (the world has a skewed definition of tolerance which, I believe, is a major contributing factor to the darkness around us.  If you can silence open and honest discussion on any subject, you can lead the majority down whatever path you want to take them.  We see too much of this today in our dark world!
      – The wisdom of this world says, “Believe what you want, and everyone else needs to accept it.”
   5. The world calls good evil, and evil good– Isaiah 5:20-21.  And many other things they teach and do.
      When a legislature can vote to murder a child at 9 months in its mother’s womb, AND THE BILL is applauded, we ought to grieve.
   6. James 3:13-18 – James contrasts the wisdom of this world with the wisdom of God.
      The wisdom of this world is selfish and often bitter. It is earthly (with worldly goals), sensual (appealing to our own lusts and fleshly desires), and demonic (of the devil).   It is wisdom that destroys and does great damage.  We see it all around us.
3. Dealing with the darkness around us:
   1. Learn about the darkness around us without being enveloped by it – be alert to it. 1 Peter 5:8, 2 Corinthians 2:11, etc.
   2. Prepare to answer to the best of your ability – 2 Peter 3:15, 2 Timothy 2:15. Learn how to answer their ways, with scripture when possible, and ALWAYS by applying God’s standards.  That is what Jesus did.
      Use the word of God – 2 Peter 1:19, though specifically dealing with “the prophetic word confirmed”, we are called upon to heed it as a light that shines in a dark place.
      Use godly wisdom – Proverbs 2:10-13, When wisdom enters your heart, And knowledge is pleasant to your soul, Discretion will preserve you; Understanding will keep you, To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things, From those who leave the paths of uprightness To walk in the ways of darkness;   Be reminded of Colossians 4:5 – we are to walk in wisdom toward those who are outside.   Ephesians 5:15 speaks of walking circumspectly (mindfully, alert) with wisdom.
      Remember Jesus in Matthew 10:16 as He sent out His apostles to teach.  He warns them that they are being sent out as sheep in the midst of wolves.  “Therefore, be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”
   3. We need to be different and willing to be different. We cannot take fire into our bosom and expect to not be burned (Proverbs 6:27).  Tomorrow night we will address what different looks like.
   4. We are to have no fellowship with it – Romans 13:12- calls for us to cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light.
   5. Love one another – 1 John 2:9-11 – we need each other in all of this. God intended brethren to be a source of strength in a world that is often against us.
   6. Learn self-discipline – an attribute we have emphasized often in times past because it is foundational. It takes self-discipline to not get caught up in the darkness of this world.   1 Corinthians 9:25 (temperate); 2 Peter 1:6 – added to our faith, virtue and knowledge…
   7. Pray!!!! – Remember Jesus in the garden – Luke 22:40, 46 – watch and pray lest you enter into temptation. 1 Peter 4:7 – the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers…   James 1:5 – if anyone lacks wisdom
   8. Understand – we need godly wisdom!   In fact, it is godly wisdom that will help us distinguish the wisdom of this world from that which is pleasing to God.
      1. James 3:17-18– After James described the wisdom of this world, he then describes the wisdom from above – from God.  It character includes: First it is pure, THEN peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
         THOUGHT: These are all undeniably good qualities, that EVEN the world admits are best.  IF that is so, WHY is there so much ugly wisdom prevalent?  Could it have anything to do with the rejection of God as the true source of that wisdom?
      2. Paul in 1 Corinthians 1-3 appealed to the wisdom of God in contrast to the wisdom of man.  1 Corinthians 2:4-5 – Paul is clear that his preaching was not human wisdom, but in the power of God, so that their faith would NOT be in the wisdom of men.
   9. Finally, it goes without saying that dealing with the darkness around us starts with being a proper example – John 8:12, He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness,
      1 John 1:5-6 – do not walk in darkness.  If we say we love and have fellowship with God and walk in darkness, we lie….  We are not practicing the truth.
      If one is not striving to live the gospel, all else is moot.  You will be hiding your light under a basket, rather than putting it on a lampstand (Matthew 5:14-16).

This dark world has its own wisdom.  It rejects God, His ways and His people.  IF we are to shine as lights in this dark world, we need to beware of what that wisdom looks like, and WITH wisdom from God we can make the distinction.  Are you WISELY shining your light?