2. Our response to what’s happening Is 60:1-2 “Arise, shine, for your light has come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold darkness will cover the earth, and deep darkness the peoples; but the Lord will rise upon you and His glory will appear on you” Is 60:1-2 “Arise, shine, for your light has come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold darkness will cover the earth, and deep darkness the peoples; but the Lord will rise upon you and His glory will appear on you” Mt 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world, a city on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel basket, but on the stand & it gives light to all who are in the house” Mt 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world, a city on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel basket, but on the stand & it gives light to all who are in the house” 1Jn1:5 “God is light, in Him there is no darkness at all” 1Jn1:5 “God is light, in Him there is no darkness at all”

4. Reveal the emptiness of materialism Mt 16:26 “What does it profit a man if he gain the whole world but loses his soul? What will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mt 16:26 “What does it profit a man if he gain the whole world but loses his soul? What will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Francis Schaeffer: “When the dull ache of the human soul can no longer be filled w/material prosperity, people will begin to look for a substitute.” Francis Schaeffer: “When the dull ache of the human soul can no longer be filled w/material prosperity, people will begin to look for a substitute.” They will look for peace – Jesus is the Prince of Peace They will look for peace – Jesus is the Prince of Peace Is 9:6Jn 14:27Eph 2: 14 Is 9:6Jn 14:27Eph 2: 14

5. Shine on the vanity of pleasure Eccl 1:2;12:13: “Vanity of vanities…the conclusion is fear God, keep His commands…” Eccl 1:2;12:13: “Vanity of vanities…the conclusion is fear God, keep His commands…” Ravi Zacharias: “Surely the loneliest moment in life is when you have just experienced what you thought would deliver the ultimate, and it has let you down” Ravi Zacharias: “Surely the loneliest moment in life is when you have just experienced what you thought would deliver the ultimate, and it has let you down” St Augustine: “You have made us for yourself & our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee” St Augustine: “You have made us for yourself & our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee” “I have come that you might have life, to the full, till it overflows…” “I have come that you might have life, to the full, till it overflows…”

6. Reveal that man is a spiritual being Gen 1:26 “Let us create man in our image…” Objective truth cannot be found thru human reason Objective truth cannot be found thru human reason Post-modern world: truth is subjective to whatever works for you (secular humanism) Post-modern world: truth is subjective to whatever works for you (secular humanism) “Spiritual” experiences salve a guilty conscience “Spiritual” experiences salve a guilty conscience We need to shine a light on WHY they feel guilty We need to shine a light on WHY they feel guilty Guilt reveals sinfulness/need to repent Guilt reveals sinfulness/need to repent Jesus IS the truth (the way, the life) Jesus IS the truth (the way, the life)

7. Reveal the reality of a personal God Jn 1:1,14: “In the beginning was the Word, & the Word was w/God & the Word was God…and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory…” Jn 1:1,14: “In the beginning was the Word, & the Word was w/God & the Word was God…and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory…” No other religion offers RELATIONSHIP No other religion offers RELATIONSHIP

8. Bring an answer to evil/injustice Ps 14:1 “The fool has said in his heart ‘there is no God’” Ps 14:1 “The fool has said in his heart ‘there is no God’” The #1 reason given by skeptics for not believing in a God is the apparent evil in the world – How can a good, loving God “allow” for such misery? The #1 reason given by skeptics for not believing in a God is the apparent evil in the world – How can a good, loving God “allow” for such misery? Gen: The story of God’s created order, His glory resting on man; the fall; the curse, the promise of a Redeemer Gen: The story of God’s created order, His glory resting on man; the fall; the curse, the promise of a Redeemer

9. Declare the offer of mercy from judmt Rm 8:1 “There is therefore no condemnation (judgment) to those who are found in Christ” Rm 8:1 “There is therefore no condemnation (judgment) to those who are found in Christ” Eph 2:4 “God, being rich in mercy…even when we were dead in our sin….” Eph 2:4 “God, being rich in mercy…even when we were dead in our sin….” God’s law of sowing and reaping is sovereign BUT God’s law of sowing and reaping is sovereign BUT We can take what is common to the culture & explain the consequences of sin, and offer the hope of His mercy through repentance & redemption We can take what is common to the culture & explain the consequences of sin, and offer the hope of His mercy through repentance & redemption

10. Declare an eternal life of glory Persecution cannot stop the church of Jesus Christ Persecution cannot stop the church of Jesus Christ 2 Cor 4:18 “For the things which are seen are temporary but the things not seen are eternal” 2 Cor 4:18 “For the things which are seen are temporary but the things not seen are eternal” 2 Cor 4:8 “We are hardpressed on everyside, yet not crushed; perplexed but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsake; struck down but not destroyed.” 2 Cor 4:8 “We are hardpressed on everyside, yet not crushed; perplexed but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsake; struck down but not destroyed.” Phil 1:12 “But I want you to know that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel” Phil 1:12 “But I want you to know that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel”

11. The challenge… Are you a reflection of the culture or a reflection of Jesus Christ? Are you a reflection of the culture or a reflection of Jesus Christ? Are you in the world but not of the world? Are you in the world but not of the world? Are you proclaiming, defending, instructing, and living the truth? Are you proclaiming, defending, instructing, and living the truth?

12. The encouragement…. Let your light shine before men! Jude 3: “…contend earnestly for the faith…” Jude 3: “…contend earnestly for the faith…” 1 Pet 3:15 “..be ready in season and out to give an account for the hope that lies within you ” 1 Pet 3:15 “..be ready in season and out to give an account for the hope that lies within you ”