Arise and Shine: from 10/11/20 sermon notes

"Arise and Shine" Pastor R. Bruce Miller
We will see How to let our light so shine and let our voices be heard
Like the sons of Issacar (I Chronicles 12:22) understand the time and what Israel ought to do.
Know and see what's going on around us and know what to say
Understand the time we are in.
Know what to do, say, respond and how to react.
What action should we take to go forward and advance the kingdom?

We know that we are in the last days as the Bible makes it very clear!
Isaiah 60:1-5  "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. 2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. 3And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. 4Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side. 5Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.

Darkness on the earth and in the people,  as referred to in Isaiah 60
What should be our response to the darkness we see?
 (Romans 5:20) Where sin abounds  grace much more abounds 

We have an adversary, the devil, the prince of darkness
The enemy is trying to blind us to the truth of Gods word and eternity
blinding people to the truth of God's word, truth of God's love' truth of what eternity really holds after this life is over" (2Cor 4) seeing we have this ministry we faint not
(2 Corinthians 4:1-4) 1Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
We need to let our light shine so men can see the works of God. (Matt. 5:16)

let our voice be heard  so they can hear the voice of God, 
develop a bold confidence, boldness to speak forth in the midst of persecution, threats and attacks
the spirit of antichrist is  on the rise to stop the word of God
word being challenged like never before

takes the power of the Holy Ghost in us in this hour in order to declare the works of the Lord!
(Matt 24)  love of many wax cold because iniquity abounds even amongst those who name the name of Christ

There is confusion and apostacy in the church.
people turning away from God
confusion even amongst the people of God
they wrongly focus on the fear of men instead of God
accomodating the world system rather that being faithful to the word of God
we are in the kingdom of God

stand in unity regardless of what the world says!
we must stand in agreement with one another
agreement according to God's word
the enemy tries to to bring distractions destruction
people destroyed for the lack of knowledge

God always has a remnant
people who will stand
called to be lights, salt of the earth, responsibility to bring men out of darkness
let them know the truth of God's love for them.   (John 3:16)
without God, no hope in the world
technology, strength, outside of God only brings fear
sound mind

We have a ministry, called to be lights, salt in the earth
2cor. 4:1 having this ministry... renounced hidden things
if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost
lest the light should shine unto them

responsibility to let our light shine
he looked out upon the multitudes and saw them as sheep, fainting
falling into the ditch
not here to preach ourselves, but to preach Christ
servants of the Lord
tell others the knowledge
we are blessed with all spiritual blessings
we have the light, have this wisdom, mind of Christ,  blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places,
in order for the light to shine (works to be revealed, word to be heard, and our voice to be heard :
There must first be a breaking of the flesh in order for the light to shine.
Jesus says, seek first the kingdom of God 
 
3 things that hinder our witness  (Galatians 5 )  works of the flesh
Get rid of selfish motives, pride, and fear!

1) selfish motives:  " if any man come after me he must first deny himself, take up his cross      and follow me.  self image, self worth, self gratification, selfish pleasure, not a true witness
      cares of life - lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, pride of life, deceitfulness of riches, cares of this world,  lust of other things.  (Mark 4)  seed sown amongst thorns 
2) pride:  "pride - goeth before destruction, haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18)
exalt others before ourselves (Phil. 2:3)
               by grace are ye saved, nothing to boast in!
we must be humble and grateful
the anointing of the Holy Spirit inside us makes the difference
only because of the mercy of God that we can admit our sin and ask forgiveness. (Ephesians 2:8)


3) fear of rejection - timidity fear of man, that they won't hear what we have to say,
fear of man greater than fear of God - Let God be true and every man a lie 
     apostacy falling away, iniquity,   church causing distortions, hardening of the hearts,
     men believe a lie, spirit of deception
  be clear on what the bible says,  true to what it commands so that men can see these good works and glorify the Father

There is a higher level of persecution coming to the church, holy boldness and discernment needed  to stand when threatened, intimidated
will take a greater boldness and confidence, be firmly established, fully committed
the enemy has seducing spirits and enticements to cause many to lose focus and faithfulness to the things of God
enemy is becoming more intense in our nation

3 ways God judges sin - famine, pestilence, war

Gideon:  persecution in his day (Judges 6:13) - children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord and he delivered them into the hands of Midian 7 years
- if the Lord be with us, why then all this trouble?...where are the miracles?
Call unto me and I will answer!
who hath believed our report?  where are the miracles?
God will manifest himself
These last days: We will see greater miracles even in our day
-this is war for the souls of men!
we must keep our eyes ahead, keep watching
greater warfare in the realm of the spirit
Strategies to overcome are found in Judges 6 and 7  
only 300 qualified for battle in Gideon's army
those who would watch and drink/watch and pray
lantern inside clay pots
trumpet in one hand
break lantern/earthen vessel
sound the alarm with trumpets
break the flesh - 
selfishness and fear broken for light to shine
we have treasure in earthen vessels
after breaking the flesh/the earthen vessel/lantern, 
let light of God shine and lift your voice like a trumpet
let them know what sin leads to
let them know God's grace
be bold and declare the works of the Lord!

THE ENEMY TRIES TO SILENCE YOU
Acts 3:2 Peter and John go to the temple - a man begging alms, Peter says silver and gold have I none, but such as I have...
have a word of knowledge and the gift of healing to share with the world!
miracle working power of 
God has to be demonstrated

These signs shall follow: Mark 16:17-18  17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

lay hands on the sick
gifts of healing are a great eye opener
word of knowledge:  reveals something about a person or situation that is currently happening that no one else can know
Your personal relationship with Holy Spirit is of utmost importance

How to gain strength and boldness
- pray much in the Holy Spirit
spirit of discernment when and how to say what God says!
He will precisely identify and cause heart of a person to receive
a word of knowledge and gifts of healing necessary!
- in the name of Jesus rise up and walk
Power of God, healing power, authority
trust in the name of Jesus!!

let people know!  blessing in the name!
no other name by which man can be saved
can't be timid, back off, be politically correct

Acts 4:8 (Acts 4:8,16,17; 5:40)  
they were commanded not to speak threats coming
in every case - filled with the Holy Ghost
times of refreshing, new infilling, all filled again!   
- go on a fast to break the flesh
be continually filled
for a mighty light to shine, continue to worship, pray in the Holy Ghost, get acquainted with His power
get acquainted with His power
know the difference, speak with authority
when they saw the boldness they marveled that they had been with Jesus

Spend time with Jesus.
Acts 4:18  they were commanded not to preach the name of Jesus.  Henceforth speak to no man in that name or teach in the name of Jesus...
whether it be right in the sight of man or God,  we speak what we have heard concerning our lord

Grant unto thy servants boldness that we many speak thy word by stretching forth thy hand to heal  (confirm your word)

Why do the heathen rage...gathered together against the Lord and HIs Christ!!  increase like never before!  They do not know the love of God.

We must Identify Jesus as the only way out!
Lord, wake us up.  We will stand up and speak up
Strength to stand in the evil day against the wiles of the devil.  Open our eyes, Lord!