Message: A BURNING AND A SHINING LIGHT 2

Ministering: Pastor Dr. Raf Otono

Date: 23rd April 2023

Text: Phil 2:13-15, John 5:3

Last week, I started by saying that burning and shining aren’t the same!

I said – To burn, is to set ablaze from within while to shine is to emit that which is within from outside for others to see.

To burn from within speaks of passion and the intensity of the fire of God you carry

To shine speaks of illumination and transfiguration – ie, how much of God’s light you have encountered begins to manifest for others to see – Luke 9:29

We also established last week that in order to activate this fire to burn and shine perpetually- You must:

1. DWELL IN HIS PRESENCE – 1 Kings 17:1 – (Before God whom I stand) Ps 91:1

The Hebrew word for Dwell is Yashab and it means To sit down, To settle in and To remain there

2. A PERPETUAL LIFE OF PRAYER – Luke 18:1

• John was a man of prayer – Luke 11:1
• Elijah was a man of prayer – James 5:17
• Jesus was a man of prayer – Luke 18:1
• The apostles were praying when the fire fell – Acts 2:1-4

You cannot spend time with God in prayer and not shine! – Luke 9:29

No prayer, no fire! No prayer, no shining!

Today, I want to challenge and open your thinking faculties as we dive deeper into the life of John and see why Jesus made that statement about him – John was a burning and a shining light!

Question:

• Was John still alive when Jesus made this statement?
• If he was dead, that explains why Christ used WAS (Past tense) that means he is no more
• If he was still alive – why did Christ use WAS? and not just that, HE said – you were willing to rejoice in his light for a season –
• That means that light was for a season and temporary! Ah?!
• A whole John? Why would Christ demean him like that?

Listen: Whether John was alive or dead when Christ made that statement, it doesn’t matter because Jesus Christ is the only true Light! When He stepped into the scene John’s light had to expire! – John 1:6-9

The Light of John was not self-fulfilling, it wasn’t to glorify himself but to glorify Christ!

LET ME JUST SAY THIS BEFORE WE CONTINUE – OUTSIDE CHRIST EVERY OTHER LIGHT IS COUNTEFEIT! HE IS THE TRUE LIGHT AND OUR LIGHT IS TO GLORIFY HIS NAME AND NOT OURSELVES!!

John the Baptist is worth studying because Jesus spoke highly of him, in Matt 11:11 – Jesus said- Verily I say unto you, among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist;

WHAT?! John greater than Abraham? Moses, Elijah? Elisha? Isaiah? Not one miracle or sign was recorded to his name? How is he the greatest? – John 1:29

Listen: Greatness in the kingdom is determined by your revelation of Jesus Christ

But Pastor, Jesus didn’t stop there – He also said – the least in the kingdom of God is greater than John. I know! But understand the context of scripture before you draw conclusions.

Question: Greater in what context? GREATER IN PRIVILEGES NOT IN WORTH!

John operated in the old covenant, under the law, he didn’t have the opportunity to be born again because Christ must die before men can be redeemed and be born again. Being born again gave us access to the Father and the gifts of the spirit which are the privileges we enjoy today as sons.

See- Matt 11:11 AMP – I assure you and most solemnly say to you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist, yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater (In privilege) than he.

John was the greatest man that ever lived before us and he was a burning and a shining light as evaluated by Jesus Himself. So let us see the characteristics of John in order for us to born and shine like he did.

1. He knew his purpose & assignment – Isa 40:3 – Matt 3:1-6

• Nothing sets a man on fire and to burn as a shining light like when he discovers his purpose in Christ. (John Wesley)
• John was burning in the wilderness, yet the whole region went there to meet him! (Vs 5)
• He knew he wasn’t the true light and never claimed to be but pointed men to it – even his own disciples – Matt 3:11, John 1:19-23,35-37

You want to be a burning and a shining light? Find your purpose in Christ!

Sometimes you might have to align with another man’s purpose in Christ for you to burn and shine!

John never projected himself, but projected Christ and he began to burn and shine!

2. He was not envious, competitive but HUMBLE – John 3:25-31

• Show me a man or woman that is envious of others, I will show you a man that does not know who they are or their purpose

• Most times pride is born out of envy, insecurity and lack of purpose

Listen: Humility is the mother of light while pride is a murderer of light!

You cannot burn and shine when your heart is filled with envy and pride!

Brother, you want to shine? Humble yourself before men and God – James 4:6

Some of us are even proud towards God, we cannot bow down, knee to worship him.

3. He wasn’t moved or driven by signs, wonders and miracles – John 10:41

Now, listen there is nothing wrong with miracles but John’s focus was not in that, his focus was in men truly encountering Christ and turning away from their sins and that is the greatest miracle! – That should be our real focus!

• John had the power to perform miracle because he came in the spirit of Elijah but he never did! Why? He didn’t want to shift the attention and focus off JESUS!

Listen: God doesn’t want to give you a miracle, He wants to make you a miracle!

Miracle seekers are principle breakers! So, they need a miracle for what ought to be theirs naturally.

You want to burn and shine? Seek for God instead of His miracles!

4. He was a man of truth – Matt 3:7-10

John the Baptist was bold and fearless, he preached the truth and spoke about what others are silent about, what others are scared to talk about! He spoke the mind of God without looking at anybody’s face or status! He spoke truth to power! Mk 6:17-20 – Lev 18:16,20:21

Listen: Light and darkness cannot coexist, when light comes darkness must be exposed! If your light isn’t exposing darkness then your light is of the devil, the angel of light (False light) – Eph 5:1-14 NIV

All manner of rubbish happening in the body of Christ today, and they cover it up with who are you to judge another? Why condemn when you are not perfect! Sir we are not condemning you but we must speak the truth! – Immorality in the church has graduated from men sleeping with women but with men and other people’s wives – Prov 6:26-29 NLT

My brother, you want to be a burning and a shining light? Speak the truth at all times! Speak the mind of God not the opinion of men!

5. He came in the spirit of Elijah – Luke 1:17

If you really want to burn and shine in your generation, you need to covert the mantles of fathers that has done it before you. The mantle of Apostle Babalola, Arch Bishop Benson Idahosa, John G Lake, DL Moody, Charles Finney etc – These are men that walked with God and shone very bright to their generation!

When the mantle of Elijah fell on Elisha, he began to burn and shine!

Today, receive the mantle to BURN AND SHINE!

Prayer:

Father, break me, build my character and make me a burning and a shining light in the name of Jesus

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