3. Your Testimony – Jesus Bids Us Shine

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Hymns: RHC 522 Jesus Bids Us Shine 386 Be Thou My Vision 95 My Saviour’s Love

Colossians 1:9-23

9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled. 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; 

Your Testimony – Jesus Bids Us Shine

OUTLINE

In Your Testimony – Jesus Bids Us Shine (Col. 1:9-23)

  • Glowing For Jesus (v9-14)
    • In Knowledge (v9 cf. 15-23)
    • In Fruitfulness (v10)
    • In Testimony (v11)
    • In Gratitude (v12-14)
  • Grounded in Him (v15-23)
    • He is God (v15)
    • He is Creator (v16-17)
    • He is the Head of the Church – The Pre-eminence (v18)
    • He is Saviour (v19-22)
    • He is the Good News (v23)

INTRODUCTION

Do you know that “there is not enough darkness in all the world to put out the light of even one small candlelight cannot be snuffed out by darkness?”  –Robert Alden

Do you know that “no candle loses any of its light when it lights another one – sharing is not losing”? – Charles J. Milazzo 

Do you know that “you can’t shine your light until you first lighten up, therefore the encouragement for each one here is that we may lighten up?”–Kent Crockett

If you are sitting in a dark room with no windows, you can’t see the objects in the room.  Even though the objects are there, you aren’t aware of them because you’re in darkness.  However, if someone turns on the light switch, the things previously hidden from your eyes are now obvious. Don’t get angry at people in spiritual darkness for not being able to see what’s obvious to you.  Instead, bring them some spiritual light. (Matt. 5:14-16) –Kent Crockett

To shine for Christ, we need first be growing in Him. Christ needs be pre-eminent in our life. Is He pre-eminent in your life? What is the meaning of the word “pre-eminent”? This word simply means “to be first, to hold first place.” Is Christ first in your life? What do I mean when I say “Is Christ first in your life?” Is His mind, your mind? Is His priority, your priority? Is His love seen in your love? 

How is He shining through you? A pastor asked a reflective question to a congregation “Do you know what is a saint?” A little boy looked up at the stained glass window of the apostles and blurted out, “People who let the light shine through!” 

Is your light a flickering existence or is it shining brightly as the morning star? The light of the Christian is a reflected light. Unless the light of our Saviour is pre-eminently shining in our heart, we cannot reflect in our life. There are two ways of spreading light, to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it! 

Jesus tells His disciples that we are to be salt and light in the world. 

Light is also the greatest metaphor for God, an even more essential element of life in the home than salt. Salt has to keep its saltiness to maintain its usefulness. Light, for it to be useful, must be seen. “Light” shines forth the true knowledge and purity of God. It is aptly used to describe the life and witness of the Christian! 

How are you shinning for Him? Our Lord Jesus in His longest recorded teaching session on the lush plain of Galilee taught His disciples in what is commonly called the Sermon of the Mount describes the blessedness of godly character in what is called the Beatitudes. 

The Christian who is poor in spirit (one who realizes his/her spiritual bankruptcy) is blessed, he who mourns for his sins, who is meek – is one who has an attitude of quiet, reverent and humble submission to the will and purpose of God, a gentle, quiet spirit of selfless devotion to God, an enduring and obedient spirit, not a self-willed, rebellious and complaining spirit. He who waits upon the Lord in times of hardship and adversity, frets not, envies not, God’s peace abides and abounds in him. He also has a hunger and thirst after spiritual things, prayer is like breathing to him, studying the Word of God is like eating. He shows mercy, compassion towards others, a love that is sacrificial and divine. He is pure in heart, not that he is sinless but he is holy – what is holiness you may ask – holiness is not freedom from sin but having the power to overcome sin. He chooses to say “no” to sin. He is also a peace maker, an ambassador of God’s peace. The world is struggling to find that elusive peace within the human heart that the peacemaker seeks to enlighten by his testimony. He is double blessed for he/she is persecuted for standing firm in obedience to God’s Word. He would rather obey God than man. All that is described in the Beatitudes speaks of the blessedness of the Christ-like character that is employed toward keeping this light shining. It is likened to a city that is set on a hill which can be seen even from a far distance. It is the spirit-filled Christian testimony characterized by good works that bring glory to God. 

The pre-eminence of Christ in your testimony – Jesus Bids Us Shine, the pre-eminence of Christ in your relationships – What is friendship to you? The pre-eminence of Christ in your affection – In Christ, Off the World and the pre-eminence of Christ in your purity – Take Time to Be Holy. 

God was not aloft in heaven, not caring for the plight of dying men.  He sent His only begotten Son Jesus to dwell among men (Jn. 1:14). The Just for the unjust, the Pure for the impure, light shine forth in sin-darkened hearts. Jesus did not despise the publicans and the sinners but His mission was to reach out to save them. We must also learn the example of our Lord especially when we are well to look to the needs of others. This is how we can shine as light to share this “Light” with others by our time, our resources and most importantly our prayer. We cannot exist as secret Christians.

The Apostle Paul set this example by his witness throughout the Roman Empire. The church in Thessalonica was one such beacon of light. The Christians in Thessalonica were commended for exemplary conduct by believers in Macedonia and Achaia and wherever they went, they functioned as shining light for their Lord.

Hence, shining for Jesus involves first “To know Christ” and then to make Him known. 

Jesus bids us shine with a clear, pure light, like a little candle burning in the night;

In this world of darkness we must shine, you in your small corner, and I in mine.

Jesus bids us shine first of all for Him, well He see and knows it if our light is dim;

He looks down from heaven, we must shine, you in your small corner, and I in mine.

Jesus bids us shine, then, for all around, many kinds of darkness in this world abound

Sin, and want and sorrow: we must shine, you in your small corner, and I in mine.

Jesus bids us shine, as we work for Him, bringing those that wander from the paths of sin; He will ever help us, if we shine, you in your small corner, and I in mine.

  • Glowing For Jesus (v9-14)
    • In True (Precise and Correct Knowledge – knowledge of things ethical and divine) Knowledge (v9 cf. 15-23)

9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 

The Apostle Paul teaches us that “being filled with the knowledge of His will and in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” marks a glowing Christ.

Here it means to possess definite or true information about, possibly with a degree of thoroughness or competence – ‘to know about, to know definitely about, knowledge about spiritual things.  

Paul says, I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able.1 (2 Tim. 1:12) 

Able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.2 (Eph 3:20)

Able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.3 (2 Cor. 9:8)

Able to succour them that are tempted.4 (Heb. 2:18)

Able … to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.5 (Heb. 7:25)

Able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.6 (Jude 1:24)

Able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.7 (2Tim1:12)

Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.8 (Phil 3:21) 

Believe ye that I am able to do this? … Yea, Lord. According to your faith be it unto you.9 (Mat 9:28-29)

  1. In Fruitfulness (v10)

10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 

  • In Testimony (v11)

11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 

  • In Gratitude (v12-14)

12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 

  • Grounded in Him (v15-23)
    • He is God (v15)

15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 

  • He is Creator (v16-17)

16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they bethrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:  17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 

  • He is the Head of the Church – The Pre-eminence (v18)

18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 

  • He is Saviour (v19-22)

19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 

  • He is the Good News (v23)

23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; 

Do you know that light, even though it passes through pollution, is not polluted? (Saint Augustine of Hippo 354-430) Light is pure and light is unadulterated. When you use a prism to reflect light, it shows forth the beauty of rainbow colours. Such is the wonder of light. Remember the earth was without form and void and darkness was upon the face of the deep until God created light by His spoken word, “Genesis 1:3  And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.”