Illuminate Community Church

12/2/18 - What Child Is This? - Luke 2:22-35

The Christmas season has arrived. This year a local radio station was playing Christmas music just after Halloween! The images of shepherds and wise men suddenly appear in front yards and in the mall. But before there were shepherds traveling to see Jesus and before wise men began to seek him, there was another. Close your eyes and picture an old man waiting to die but not before he experiences the greatest moment of his entire life. His name is Simeon and he was the first to recognize that little baby as the fulfillment of hundreds of years of Old Testament prophecy. In fact, this is why he was waiting to die. God promised he would see the Messiah before departing this earth. Simeon also proclaimed something unusual but it is part of the Christmas story: "This child is appointed for the rise and fall of many in Israel." He was right. Jesus attracted some and repelled others. Some rise and some fall. One rises by receiving the peace of Jesus when confronted with his or her sins and responds in repentance. Others fall because they reject his work on the cross. Simeon found his hope by focusing on the Messiah. He said, “I know the Messiah and nothing else matters on this earth, I can die.” This Christmas let's remember that Jesus is the one who causes us to rise!

11/25/18 - Jesus Prays For The Church - John 17:20-26

Jesus makes His final request for the church as He prays to the Father for our unity, testimony, and security in His love.

CHRISTIAN LOVE IS VISIBLE BECAUSE IT IS COSTLY.

CHRISTIAN LOVE BRINGS UNITY BECAUSE IT SHOWS NO PARTIALITY.

CHRISTIAN LOVE IS HEALING BECAUSE IT FORGIVES.

11/18/18 - Wholly Holy - John 17:6-19

Elite athletes understand the importance of setting themselves apart from others. To win Olympic gold you must have laser focus and total dedication to your sport. Everything else is secondary. In John 17:19 Jesus reveals the dedication of His life and death.

"And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth."

The word "consecrate" means, "to dedicate for the purpose of something divine." The divine purpose Jesus dedicated himself for is your sanctification. Both the Old and New Testaments use the word "holiness" to describe sanctification. So why would Jesus want us to be holy? Context is everything and this is where things get interesting. Jesus is praying for his disciples and for those who will believe in Him. He wants to equip his followers in order to help them accomplish their mission of attracting people to God. Does he send them out with a ten-step booklet on reaching the world? No. Does he give them a video series on how to win people to God? No. What does he send them with? He sends them with holiness.

What the people around you need the most is your personal holiness. What attracted people to Jesus? It was his joy, his patience, love and forgiveness; it was His holiness. Why should anyone pay attention to us? Because of the way we live our lives. If a sick person tries to sell you a program on how to be healthy, are you buying it? It’s the same program they’ve been using for years and yet they are dying. You’re not buying because it’s not working for them. We are made holy by the truth. The word of God is truth and looking to and acting upon God's word makes us holy. Seeing what Jesus did for us on the cross gives us motivation.

One more thing should be noted...when Jesus speaks of sanctification He’s not speaking to us individually, He’s speaking to the church. Holiness is meant for the community. It's a holy people living in unity and harmony that draws attention to a holy God. People on the outside ask, "How do they do it?" So the church is not a club, we're a movement forging a new humanity for all people to see.

11/11/18 - The Real Lord’s Prayer - John 17:1-5

After giving His disciples final instruction and just before He is arrested and crucified, Jesus turns to the Father in prayer. John 17 contains the longest prayer from Jesus recorded in the Gospels. Of all the things Jesus could begin to pray for, He prays for himself. “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, If it seems selfish for Jesus to pray for Himself notice closely the reason: “that the Son may glorify you,” Jesus asks the Father to glorify Him as He prepared to finish the work that would ultimately give glory back to God. So how does the death of Jesus bring glory to God? That’s an easy one…God’s sovereignty is seen over all of man’s plans, God’s power is seen through the resurrection of Jesus and God’s love is seen through the sacrifice of His son. There’s a powerful lesson for us in this prayer. When we pray, we too should be asking for God to show us His glory. That’s the thing you and I need most in our lives right now. We often pray to get God to give us things. Jesus prays to find God in things. The last personal request from Jesus is this… And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. John 17:5 It’s a remarkable thought…Jesus gave up his glory so you could have glory. Jesus gave up his glory so you could be with him. Let’s contemplate this truth together as we pray for God to show us His glory every day!

11/4/18 - Peace In Jesus - John 16:25-33

I think it's safe to assume that most everyone on the planet wants more peace in his or her life. The question is - Where do you find it? The internet is filled with information about how you can gain "inner peace." Relaxation techniques, meditation and boundaries are some of the more popular answers. The solution for most is to find peace from within. In John chapter 16 Jesus finishes a long conversation with his disciples. His final words are an exhortation for them to find peace. This is exactly what the disciples need in light of his departure. The one who has loved and led them is about to die on the cross. These men need lasting peace. But their source of peace is different than what most would expect. Jesus says, "…in me you may have peace." How do you find peace in Jesus? The key is found in verse 28. Everything Jesus has been saying about himself can be summed up in this one verse. “I have come from the Father and come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.” The disciples believe this, they have accepted His words as truth (vs 27.) You see, to find peace in Jesus is to accept His words as truth. This includes all that Jesus said about heaven, hell, preparing a place for you, and the truth about him being the only way to God and therefore dying on the cross for your sins. If you believe in what Jesus says then you will have peace that passes all worldly understanding because it is found in Jesus. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

10/28/18 - The Path To Joy - John 6:16-24

You are probably not familiar with the name Tracey Crouch. She is the answer to an epidemic recently identified in the U.K. – Crouch is the official “Minister for Loneliness.” There has been a general decline in happiness amongst Brits for some time – especially amongst the elderly. There is a relationship void for millions of people and it’s not only happening across the pond. The CDC reported the suicide rate in America has risen 25% between 1999 and 2016. The most common reason for taking one’s life is relational problems leading to feelings of isolation. The more connected we are technologically, the less we feel connected in meaningful relationships. The desire for hope and joy is an ever-increasing need. In John chapter 16 the disciples are in need of joy and of course, Jesus knew it. They were full of sorrow knowing Jesus is headed for the cross. This is why he gives them the path to joy by reminding them of what comes after the cross. “You will see me again.” And what a sight it will be! They will witness the resurrected Jesus and their sorrow will be turned into joy. The same is true for us. So here’s how you get more joy: You don’t have to ask for it, it’s already there. All you have to do is think on it, contemplate what Jesus has done for you on the cross. “Did you really do that for me?” According to Hebrews 12:2 the answer is ‘yes’ because we are Christ’s joy and nothing can take that away!

10/21/18 - How To Face Rejection - John 15:18-26; 16:1-4

It may seem odd to hear Jesus tell His followers they will be hated by the world. After all, Christians have brought the world some pretty amazing things such as education, hospitals, homeless shelters, help for the poor and the list goes on and on. So why would they be hated? Jesus says it's because the world hated Him first. The world hates Jesus because it does not want to be told what to do and it certainly does not want to be held accountable. The world likes options. But here's the thing…Jesus didn't give options. "No one comes to the Father but through Me." People get angry when they are told they are sinners in need of the forgiveness found only in Jesus Christ. If you love the one whom the world hates then you too will be hated. Hatred also comes because Jesus' followers are not of this world. What does that mean? It means our loyalty is not foremost to the company, our country, our family, our race, or our culture. Instead, our ultimate loyalty is to Jesus. This means there will be times when you will stand for what the world stands against and you will stand against what the world stands for. So let me ask you - Have you ever been hated for your faith in Jesus? If not, why? Are you keeping your identity a secret? Consider this: Jesus gave up His kingly name and position in heaven and He died to make a name for you, to write your name in the Book of Life for all eternity. Now, what threat, what embarrassment could possibly stop you from making His name known?

10/14/18 - The True Vine and The Vinedresser- John 15:1-11

One of the challenges of following Jesus is that we cannot see His physical presence. Imagine being one of the disciples when they hear Jesus say to them, "I am going to be with you just a little longer and then I must go to the Father." It's been three transformative years alongside their leader. They have given up everything to follow Him. The road ahead is tough. Peter will deny Jesus three times and the rest scatter upon Jesus' arrest. What these men need are words of encouragement and that's exactly what Jesus gives them. In John chapter 15 He speaks tenderly to His friends, assuring them that they will continue to experience His spiritual reality. He wants them to know that even though they won't see Him they are as closely connected as the branches of a vine are to its stem. Their desire to love Him and the energy to serve Him will keep flowing into and through them as long as they "abide" in Him. To abide is to remain, it is to stay connected to the true source of life and joy. God the Father is the vinedresser and He has one job - to care for the vine and ensure it produces fruit. There is none better. We aren't the best caretakers of ourselves. Oftentimes we don't see the things that need to be pruned and when we do see them we don't often have the courage to take action. Are you feeling as though the soil of your soul is dry? Are the leaves on your tree of life withering? Does the fruit of your labor taste like wax? What are you connected to? From what vines are you drawing nutrients? Jesus is our only connection with the God who gave life and who produces in us a fruitful life of righteousness and service. This is the life we've always wanted and the life that blesses others.

10/7/18 - The Advocate - John 14:12-31

9/30/18 - Let Not Your Hearts Be Troubled - John 14:1-14

"Let not your hearts be troubled." Few words in the Bible are more often quoted than these. To understand their significance we must step into the context in which they were spoken. Jesus has been telling his disciples that his time with them is coming to an end. The cross lies ahead. These are words the disciples don't want to hear. Their leader is leaving them. It's a dark time sure to be filled with confusion and doubt. Jesus adds two powerful reasons to let go of their anxiety. 1. "Trust in God, trust also in me." There will be much the disciples don't understand about their circumstances. Can you relate? Jesus reminds them of the source of peace and calm - the all-mighty, all-sovereign God and His Son who has loved them to the end. God's got the plans and is working them to perfection; for His glory and your good. 2. "I have a place for you." As difficult as things get remember, one day you will be with Jesus. Home is a place of comfort, safety, security. Home is filled with joy, laughter and it's a place where people love to be with you. In the Father's house there will be nothing lacking. Can you even imagine? This is a look beyond what we cannot see here and now to what we can see in the future. Jesus gives us that assurance!