Crestwood Church Blog

For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. 2 Cor 4:6-7

After a few glorious weeks of sunshine, our local micro area of the world seems to have all gone dark and cloudy. Our shorts and short sleeved T-shirts are put on one side once more and give way to sweat shirts or another layer of something.

That maybe physically what its like, but what about spiritually. Over the past few weeks we have been looking at the person and work of the Holy Spirit. How he brings about fellowship with the Father and power to do ministry on his behalf.

Through the Holy Spirit we also have another great possibility. The very presence of God who illuminated this world at creation is still illuminating it today. The same one who shone out brightly from the face of Moses as he received the Law on top of Mount Sinai, the same one who shone out to the disciples at his transfiguration, the same one who shone out after his resurrection, is the same Lord Jesus who wants to shine out of us.

Its not they we are special in ourselves, it’s he that is in us, who makes us shine. A sweet wrapper is useless without the sweet, as is a torch without batteries and a bulb.

God through his Spirit wants to bring the best out of each of our lives, he wants to bring out this great treasure hidden within our lives. Without it, our lives can go dark, just as creation would have stayed dark if God had not intervened.

If Jesus were to appear today on earth, his face would shine so brightly that we would be blinded, his “glory” his physical greatness, would be too much for our sinful bodies. But because we are born again of his Spirit he is the treasure in our lives, he is the best in our lives and he wants to shine out of you, so that you through his power may reach others and radiate the light of God to others. Without his light, his glory we are like dull pots of clay, but with him energising us and shining brightly through us, we can impact our community.

Some people say when they have been with Christians who are close to God that they look like they have been with Jesus, but its more than just a glow or a sparkle, its how we conduct ourselves and how we treat others around us. Shining out Jesus, means we act like Jesus, our minds are like Jesus and our conversation is true. Lets get out of the dark and let the light shine from you.

Labels: Brightly, Conversation, Light, Shine

posted by Andy Hodson - Tuesday, 20 May 2008, 17:01
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Jesus said "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life." John 14:12

Last night I watched the film Luther based on Martin Luther, the 16th Century German Monk who brought about the reformation. This was a time when true Christianity was practised outside of an immoral Roman Catholic church which was based on idolatry and money grabbing. Through his persistience and his devotion to his Saviour, he took on the greatest power of his day and won. He made the Bible accessible to the common man by translating it into German, paving the way for our own English versions. It was his search for the truth that underlined his passion to achieve this mammoth task. He found the truth as he read the illuminated words of his Saviour.

It was the light that gave him power and strength. Before he was blinded to the truth, but the more he studied the word the more he was convicted not just to believe it, but to act upon it. It wasn’t out of duty, but it was born out of love for God. In his time the Roman church scared the people into conforming to its way and left them empty, frightened and without hope or certainty. But the true gospel is about liberty and not suppression, it is about hope and truth — and truth sets you free (John 8:32)!

What hit me about Luther’s story was how ordinary our lives are compared to his. We know precious little of this way of life, but how we should want it. To be so overwhelmed by the love of God and so consumed by his light or truth that we will not rest until that which concerns us has come out of darkness and into line with his light.

It may not be a reformation of the church, it maybe a person, an area, something that needs illumination. Something that is dead because Christ isn’t Lord of it and you are determined that with God’s help it may have life.

Labels: convicted, Determined, Light

posted by Andy Hodson - Thursday, 14 June 2007, 22:32
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The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those
who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. Isaiah 9:2 (NLT)

"Hope" in it truest form is a lost word in today's culture. What real hope is there in this dark world? Many look for false lights to find the truth and sadly find it darker than before.

Christmas is a celebration of light coming into our darkness, hence the candles and Christmas lights we hang on the tree. (Interesting isn't it, the only true light that did come into our world we hung on a tree..). The true light of Christmas burns brighter than Jacob's Star that once shone in the skies over Bethlehem.

Today close on a billion people have been drawn to the light and celebrate the Light, not just at Christmas but throughout the year. The light brings warmth and healing, salvation, direction and truth, and this light will never flicker or go out. It burns as bright today as it has always done.

What lightens your path? What light gives you hope and a future? What light speaks truth to you? Could it be that you are still living in the dark without any real hope?

Jesus said, "I am the Light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have
to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."

Labels: Christmas, Jesus, Light

posted by Andi - Thursday, 21 December 2006, 14:25
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