Growing in Reflectivity | Listen to Sermon Audio
Growing in Reflectivity - SERMON NOTES
Below are Pastor Ben's sermon notes from this past Sunday, in case they may be helpful for further study. To listen to the sermon, click the link above.
Intro: (1) 5:1-2 — John 8:12 — Mt. 5:14-16 (2) “how has Christ brought light to my darkness, and WHO was pivotal in that?” (3) evangelism emphasis (4) read v.7-8 — four ways to reflect the light of Christ
Cultivate Fruit (9): (1) new life intended to produce new fruit — can only be produced by connection to God (cf. John 15:4-6, Gal. 5:19-24) (2) three specific fruits — goodness , righteousness , truth (3) we cultivate these things by choosing wisely who influences us— summer at AL Power (4) importance of being present/active in corporate worship, SS, shep group — glass of water under faucet
Discern truth (10): (1) discern — “examining/evaluating issues in order to determine right course of action” (2) Romans 12:2 — be alert to the values/priorities of the world (3) Philippians 1:9 — do not detach “love” from truth (4) Hebrews 4:12 — stay consistent and committed to God’s word (5) Hebrews 5:12-14 — refuse to stop growing (6) being noticed for skill at living — need example
Flee darkness (11a): (1) life apart from Christ like a plant that has no light (cf. Ps. 1, Jer. 17:7-10 (2) Mt. 13:22 — worries/anxieties of the world, desire for riches (3) Titus 3:14 — lack of response to help those in need (4) 2 Peter 1:5-9 — building exquisite character not grounded in Christ (5) Jude 12 —being influenced by false teachers posing (5) honesty about our own tendencies toward darkness (cf. communion passage) helps others be honest about theirs (cf. rescue dog chasing cars, Mt. 15:14)
Expose sin (11b-13): (1) “exposing” refers to the works of darkness, not the people — “being tough on an issue while gentle on a person” (2) 1 Peter 3:13-15 — commitment to Christ will bring social trials, but we can be a light not by negative badgering or angry condemnation or winning arguments, but rather by our external fruit earning us an opportunity to share our hope in Christ with gentleness/respect (3) difficult workplaces — what if God has placed you there to be a light?
Conclusion (14b): (1) “awake o sleeper” — application to Christians, non-Christians (2) shep group —what to do if you don’t know any non-Christians