GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH

ISAIAH SERIES

A TIME TO SHINE

The Shining of Believers as the Lights of the World
Isaiah 60:1

Don Fortner

Introduction:

Some of God's saints appear to be like Elijah's sacrifice. The wood is laid in order upon the altar, and the bullock on the wood. But the fire from heaven is needed to consume the sacrifice. It is my prayer that this message may be, by the blessing of God the Holy Spirit, the match that will light the flame that will set the sacrifice blazing. The title of my message is A Time To Shine. My text is Isaiah 60:1.

I. Notice the first word of our text – "Arise!"

God's prophet calls for us to arise. He blows the reveille trumpet. Paul does the same thing (Rom. 13:11-14).

A. There is a great need for this arousal.

Some of God's saints appear to live in a land of slumber, in an enchanted city, on a boulevard of dreams. Now and then they rub their eyes, stretch their arms, look around, and then fold their arms again and sleep on. Many waste their lives, not so much doing evil as in neglecting good.

Am I describing you? Sometimes you are briefly startled and roused a little, being…

But your awakenings are only slight and do not last long – This Word is for you, "Arise." I hope that though you sleep, your "heart waketh."

B. The fact is, we are all guilty of a carnal proneness to laxity and indifference with regard to the things of God.

1. We are weak in the flesh.
2. Our flesh opposes all that is holy, good, and spiritual.
3. Our hearts are easily charmed by the word.
4. Satan is a clever deceiver.
5. And when we are sleeping we do not want to be disturbed, not even by Him who is dearest to our hearts.

C. It is high time we all did arise!

Loved of God from eternity, predestinated unto salvation, redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, regenerated, called, and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, it is indeed time for us to awake and serve our God in this generation.

"Soldiers of Christ, Arise,
And put your armor on,
Strong in the strength which God supplies
Through His eternal Son!"

D. This is God's command, "Arise!" And it is our duty and responsibility to obey. But we cannot and will not arise until he himself rouses us.

Come, O blessed Son of God, beloved of my soul, Put your hand into my heart. And turn me again to you. Raise me up and I will arise and run after you.

II. Notice the next word – "Shine!"

If you will arise, the Savior calls for you to shine. It is over duty, responsibility, and privilege in this world to shine as "the light of the world."

You cannot shine if you have no light. But if you have the Light, you must not hide it, but shine.

A. By Decided Doctrine - (II Tim. 2:13).

B. By Holy Happiness.

C. By Gracious Godliness – (I Pet. 3:1-3).

Like the stars of heaven, God's saints often to the most good not by speaking but by shining.

D. By Firm Faithfulness.

E. By Zealous Earnestness.

F. By Positive Peace.

G. By Steadfast Service.

III. Notice now how we are encouraged to both arise and to shine – "For thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee."

A. Your light has come.

Don't ever forget what God has done for you. We were in darkness. But now we are light.

What darkness he has delivered us from!

B. The light that God has given us in Christ is his glory (II Cor. 4:4-6).

C. That which God has given you, he will never take away and you can never lose! (v. 20).

Application: "Arise, shine!"

Don Fortner, Pastor
Grace Baptist Church
Danville, Ky.

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