LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

Gen 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
1 John 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
John 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
John 1:7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
John 1:8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
John 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
These are but a few of the passages which refer to the light which God IS and desires for His people.

We often seem to find a perverse pleasure in ‘looking on the dark side’, but this is NOT His desire for us.
Phil 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Only by doing this, can we hope to fulfill His purpose for us in the world.
Phil 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

I. There is a vast difference in overlooking sin [which we must not do] and in looking beyond it.

A.The example of Jesus.
He was aware of evil as only the Holy God could be, and yet he looked beyond it to Glory.
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

B. In this, He is our example.
Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,


II. Some practical applications of ‘looking on the bright side’.
A. It will help us in our perception of others. [Was George Washington a hopeless, juvenile vandal when he chopped down the cherry tree?!]

1. Jesus was aware of the weakness of Peter, but looked beyond it to the powerhouse he could be.
Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

2. He looked beyond Saul's persecution of the church, and saw his possibilities as an apostle.
Acts 9:13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
Acts 9:14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name Acts 9:15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
Acts 9:16 For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

3. Do we see our nation's young people as sneaky, rebellious creatures or as the stalwart citizens and men and women of God they CAN be?

4. Do we see the fumbling, new christian and the stumbling brother as creatures worthy of censure, or in need of our help? Learn to exhort; to strengthen; and not to destroy.

5. Do you see the world around you as filled with evil ones worthy of God’s wrath? 1 Cor 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
1 Cor 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Cor 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

B. Perspective provides perfect peace or parsimonious pusillanimity.
How does persecution affect you? Self pity?
1 Cor 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
1 Cor 4:6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.
1 Cor 4:7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
1 Cor 4:8 Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.
1 Cor 4:9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.
1 Cor 4:10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.
1 Cor 4:11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;
1 Cor 4:12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
1 Cor 4:13 Being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
1 Cor 4:14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.
1 Cor 4:15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
1 Cor 4:16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

C. One cannot see the dark side without taking his eye off of Christ, for He IS the light. To safely explore a strange city, one doesn’t explore the dark alleys but notes them only to avoid them.

III. What do YOU see?

A. When looking at the lost. Do you see only one who is justly condemned to spend eternity in hell, or do you see a soul for which Christ shed His blood and who might be led to repentance?

B. When I look at my fellow christians, I can see a bunch of complaining, lackadaisical, lukewarm, indifferent backsliders, or I can see blood-bought brothers and sisters who have the potential for being on fire for God and being spiritual powerhouses in prayer and witnessing.

IV. My objective in this message?
Eph 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
Eph 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
Eph 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
Eph 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Eph 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
Eph 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Eph 1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

THINK ON THESE THINGS!

SMILE!

Why the sad and gloomy face?
Why so many sighs?
Is serving God so wearisome,
To inspire such doleful cries?

Are smiles considered evil?
Is rejoicing such a sin,
That Christians must be sad of face
Like those without a friend?

If sadness were our heritage,
And gloom our way of life,
What man would want to turn from sin
To rush into such strife?

So let the love of God shine through,
It really is worth while
To you and all around you,
Smile! bless you, Smile!

fcc