By your example, could you
persuade someone to be a Christian? Do your friends, and coworkers,
even extended family members see how you live your life and
think, "Boy, I want some of that"? Remember what God told Ancient Israel? "If the other nations see how you're blessed
by keeping My commandments, they'll want to do the same." Unfortunately, Ancient Israel didn't
live up to the task as we know in many instances. In the book of Acts 25 and 26,
the apostle Paul appeals to Caesar for freedom. I'm going to quote you a
verse from Acts 26 here in a minute. He appealed to Caesar to be released from the
chains of which Governor Felix had him shackled. Paul gets to tell his whole life story, and
that's told throughout chapters 25 and 26. He talked about his path to
conversion to King Agrippa. So there he is before King Agrippa in Acts
26:27. At the very end of this whole story of his life and call to conversion, the apostle
Paul says, "King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? Do you believe what I've just been
telling you?" He said, " I know you believe." And then, Agrippa said to Paul, "You
almost persuade me to become a Christian." If you were brought before your country's
president or prime minister, before the King Agrippa's of our
day, before the king or queen, could you persuade him or her to keep the
commandments, to keep the Sabbaths of God? Or will they look at your Facebook
feed and figure otherwise? How positive is your outlook on life? Are you filled with hope and joy that comes
from being filled with the Spirit of God? Do people see your attitude of hopefulness
and wonder, "How can I be like that? Why are they so joyful and hopeful?"
Are you a joy to be around? Do people wish they could be as happy as you?
Do you exude positivity about your future or, on the contrary, do you show
negativity and hopelessness? In the sermon today, we're going to look at the
hopefulness that comes from knowing God's truth, from being called to salvation, having chosen God's way of life. We must
never forget what God has offered us, never lose sight of the vision of the Kingdom.
Every day, we look forward to our resurrection to eternal life to immortality to never die
and that would be in the spirit family of God. So the title of today's sermon is “Look on
the Bright Side.” “Look on the Bright Side.” I've put together five main
points for this sermon. And they build from negativity at
first, because I'm making a point, and move towards hope at the end. And I
want to begin with a focus on negativity and how so many people just don't focus
on the bright side of their calling. And so, point one is simply titled, “Negativity
All the Time.” “Negativity All the Time.” You wake up and instantly think about
everything that needs to get done. You walk into your kitchen, your
office, your living room, your garage and see only what's out of place. You believe
you can always do more and so should your family. You're not looking on the bright side. You
hyper-focus on unchecked tasks, problems, flaws, mistakes, rainy days, health
problems, COVID-19, dust, dirt. You can't help but be negative, and many times,
you don't even notice it. It's just how you are, how you live. You don't even realize you're doing
it. You're grateful for what you do have, yes, your loved ones, your family, your life, but you're just not climbing
out of the negative mindset. What is a negative person and why are they
negative? Here's a definition of negativity from the Web Dictionary, "Negativity is a tendency
to be downbeat, disagreeable, and skeptical." There are a lot of skeptics out there, aren't
there? “It's a pessimistic attitude that always expects the worst, negative outcomes,
or bad outcomes like losing a game, getting a disease, suffering injury, or getting
something stolen.” So that's the negative definition from the Web Dictionary. This description of negativity
sounds very much like the sadness, irritability, hopelessness, and catastrophic
thinking that are part of depression and anxiety. All you have to do is visit Facebook or your favorite social media platform, and
you know who to go to for a negative spin on almost any issue, don't you?
And when you go to their feed, you know what they're going to be saying,
what they're going to be complaining about, what the issues will be. And we can be
so quick to judge the motives of others. The most negative, confrontational, and hurtful
messages we get at info@ucg.org are from our own membership, not from our
general readership or TV viewers, those are normally very cordial and courteous
when they write to us. But for some reason, our members feel like they get a
right to vent to the home office. And they get very demanding when something's
not fixed immediately or a feed doesn't work. They don't seem to understand that our limited
team of technical workers is stretched very thin. They want a fix right away. And it seems that our members feel it's
okay to vent to our home office receptionist and, you know, berate her on the phone. And, of
course, our personal correspondence staff as well. So you look around at the whirlwind of
life, recently defined by crazy politics, racial injustice, COVID-19. You see lawlessness
increasing in our cities, evil being called good, people getting married, having babies, slicing and dicing each other on
social media and in the actual streets, and pretty much living as in the days of
Noah. What's not to get negative about, right? Look at Matthew 24 with me, verses 4-6. Jesus gives us an overview of what to expect in
the last days, kind of like how we're living now. And He says it isn't going to be
pretty, easy to get negative about. And He tells us that when we
see these things happening, we are not to become troubled or anxious. Matthew 24:4, "Jesus answered and said
to them: ‘Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying,
“I'm the Christ,” and will deceive many.'" He's talking about the end time, right, and a
list of other things as well in the chapter. Verse 6, "And you will hear of wars and
rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come
to pass, but the end is not yet." He says, "Don't be troubled by the world."
He's saying have faith in a higher calling, see the vision of the Kingdom.
Look on the bright side. Don't be negative all the time. Some things
must come to pass but the end is not yet. Turn with me to Philippians 4 for a moment and
look at the solution to negativity all the time. In Philippians 4, let's read
verses 4-7. Philippians 4:4, "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again,
I will say, rejoice!” He didn't say be negative. He says rejoice. "Let
your gentleness be known to all men." Let people see how you live your
life and say, "I want some of that." “The Lord is at hand.” And in
verse 6, "Be anxious for nothing. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by
prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."
Remember, Christ said that His yoke is light, put our burdens upon Him. “Let your requests
be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard
your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." That's the solution to negativity, isn't it, that we see around us in the world
and that can so easily get us down? “Be anxious for nothing,” rejoice in what God
has given you, and then, you'll have peace. Let me list a few simple ideas for
you to consider. If you see a lot of negativity in your life. What are some of
the practical things you can do that is in addition to letting God know how you feel and
making your request known to Him in prayer? Firstly, practice gratitude. Remind yourself of
what is good in your life. Practice gratitude. Also, stop complaining. Where does complaining
get you? Nowhere, usually, it doesn't help. How about telling someone you'd love
them? You know, go to a higher plane. Don't gossip or listen to gossiping because
gossiping is toxic. You don't want to get wrapped up in it or involved with other
people who enjoy this negative activity. Say thank you. If someone
does something nice for you, say thank you, no matter how small it is.
Show them that you are grateful. It makes you feel better and it makes the other person
feel better. It's a true win-win, right? Stop mind reading. You know, we like to make assumptions and
try to read other people's minds. But that only increases the negativity in your mind.
Never assume that someone is doing or not doing something because it's something
you did or you said. It's so easy to do. How about this one? Take a
break from watching the news. There's way too much negativity in the news.
Spend your time watching something more uplifting or better yet, get involved in a hobby that
makes you happy, gives you a sense of purpose. We do have to keep up on the news, obviously,
but you don't have to go overboard. How about reducing your social media time? A lot of time is being wasted
on social media, as you know. But what happens on social media is people
compare themselves among themselves. And the other person's life always looks better. The grass is always greener on the
other side of the fence, isn't it? Let me just give you one more. Live your life, not
theirs. Don't worry what other people are doing, what they have in their lives. Live your life the
best you can and don't compare yourself to others. So anyway, point number one, don't be negative all
the time. Watch out for that in today's society. See that you're not troubled, as Christ
said. Be anxious for nothing, as we read, and look on the bright side. The second point I've titled, “Are You on the Path or in the Ditch? Are You on the Path or in the
Ditch?” As you go through your day through your week from Sabbath to Sabbath, what is your general
path or trail? Are you skating on thin ice? What detours does Satan put on your
way? Are you on the straight and narrow? There's a good description of the
straight and narrow in Matthew 7. I'm going to turn to Matthew 7, read
verses 13 and 14 for you. Matthew 7:13, what is the straight and narrow? Matthew
7:13, "Enter by the narrow gate." That's how the New King James puts it, the
narrow gate. The Authorized Version or the King James Version says, "Enter by the strait
gate," S-T-R-A-I-T, the strait gate. You've heard of the Strait of Gibraltar, right? It's
like a narrow entrance, a strait. "Enter by the strait or the narrow gate; for wide is the gate
and broad is the way that leads to destruction." You don't want to go that way. And
there are many who do go that way, is what it says at the end of verse
13. Many who go in by it. Verse 14, "Because narrow or strait is the gate and
difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are a few who find it." So we're
told the easy way leads to destruction. By contrast, the narrow way leads to life.
It leads to eternal life, eternal life. Yes, it's more difficult,
but the reward is so great. Listen to this 1828 dictionary definition
of strait. Strait is an old English word, not use much today. Strait means narrow. It
means close. It means strict. It means difficult or distressful. And it can mean straight not
crooked, as in S-T-R-A-I-G-H-T, not crooked. Narrow or strait is the gate
that leads to eternal life. In speaking of our need to live a narrow,
straight, righteous life, notice Hebrews 12:12, Hebrews 12:12. The writer of Hebrews says in
Hebrews 12:12, "Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees,
and make straight paths for your feet,” make straight paths for your feet “so that what is
lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed." So we have to ask ourselves, where do my feet
take me? Where do your feet take you? Who do you follow? Who do you respect? What is their
perspective on life? Are they leading you on the straight and narrow to God? Or into the ditch?
Are you making straight paths for your feet? Going into the ditch is mentioned in Luke 6, among
other places, but let me read to you from Luke 6:39-40. Here's where Jesus spoke
a parable to those gathered. And in Luke 6:39, he said,
“Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch?"
Won't they both walk off the cliff? He says verse 40, "A disciple is not above his
teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher." And by extension,
we must be like our teacher, Jesus Christ. We must receive that perfect training. That
is how we see. That is how we avoid the ditch. We cannot follow the blind of this world. Then,
it's just the blind leading the blind. That's not looking on the bright side that's going to
the dark side, that's being on the dark side. The gate to the Kingdom of God is narrow.
And it has a requirement for entrance, faith, and obedience in Jesus Christ. Salvation is
found only in Christ. He is the only way. Jesus made an astounding statement when He
was here on earth. He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one… No one comes to
the Father except through Me." It's in John 14. Christ is the only way. That
is the path we have to follow. And when faced with the choice between a
narrow, bumpy road and a wide paved freeway, most of humanity chooses the easier road. Human nature gravitates toward comfort and
pleasure. Many people are not willing to pay the price to follow God, and they're
not willing to obey Him completely. God will eventually offer salvation
to everyone, but on His terms, not on our terms. We must follow the way He has
provided, the path He has given us to follow. We cannot create our own paths or
come to God based on our own ideas. Eternal life cannot be found off the path.
Eternal Life will not be found in the ditch. And in our self-centered, literally, sin-saturated
world, there are not many who desire the truth of God enough to obey Him on His terms. Satan
has paved the highway with temptation, worldly attractions, and moral compromise.
It seems to be a much easier way, doesn't it? Most people allow their passions and desires
to dictate the course of their lives. They choose temporary, earthly pleasure over
the self-sacrifice required to follow God, and the narrow gate is ignored. Most people
would rather create their own religions and design their own gods and do it their way. So
don't be let off the path of righteousness. Don't follow the darkness of this world.
Look to the light, the bright side. So point number two, and think carefully about
this, are you on the path or in the ditch? And only you can answer it, only you know
your heart. Are you on the straight and narrow path of true righteousness or you're
compromising and heading towards the ditch? And so those first two points are more on the
negative side. I'm trying to make a point here. But now, let's move on with point three,
have a daily vision of the Kingdom of God. So here's the antidote to all of this,
have a daily vision of the Kingdom of God. Do you have that? Or are you mired down in the cares of this
life? What do people see of your life? How are you representing the family of God? If you're filled with the Spirit of God, you are
a son, a daughter of the Father in that family. Jesus Christ is your elder Brother. You know, I think of or you
can think of your family name. So, Eddington. So my dad is
living his life in Australia, how am I representing the
Eddington family name over here in the United States of America? How are my
kids representing the Eddington family name? How are you representing the God
family name? When people see how you live realize you're living differently
and here is, you represent something else. You represent the family of God. How are
you living up to the ideals of the family? You know, many of us have siblings. A few are
an only child, but many of us have siblings. So, who's the eldest sibling that you have? Jesus Christ is your elder
Brother. You're part of His family. You have an older Brother that you
can be proud of, be thankful for, you can look up to. He's part of the
family that you've been grafted into. Go to Romans 8:14-17. Romans 8:14, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God,
these are sons of God," in other places we read, daughters of God, "If you're led by the Spirit
of God, the Spirit of God is dwelling in you, you are part of the family." Verse 16 of
Romans 8, "The Spirit… the Holy Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit," the
human spirit, "that we are children of God." We've already received a down payment on
that inheritance into the family. We are children of God, “and if children, then
heirs—” Heirs of what? “Heirs of God.” So I'm an heir of my mom and dad in the
family, right? If they have anything left one day, I'm an heir. We are heirs of
God's promises “and joint heirs with Christ,” that says “if indeed we suffer with
Him, that we may also be glorified together.” We read elsewhere that it doesn't yet
appear exactly what we'll look like upon the resurrection, but it says, but we
will look like our older Brother Jesus Christ. We'll be glorified like Him. What a future. It's so different
than this physical world. What a vision of where we're
headed, a vision of the Kingdom. We must live each day as a citizen of
the Kingdom of God, first and foremost. We must project a daily vision of that Kingdom
as we go about our lives. We must project a bright side of life that gives others hope of a
better way to live and a better world to come. Like I said at the beginning, by your example,
because of your vision of your future, could you persuade someone to be a Christian?
Do your friends and coworkers see how you live your life and think,
"Boy, I want some of that"? If we don't act like a Christian if we
don't act like we're part of God's family, why would anyone follow what we do? Listen to this fact, this is becoming more
and more apparent, as each day goes by. While not yet able to accept the truth of
Christianity, more and more atheists are passionately defending Christianity as necessary
for the survival of the world as we know it. Even atheist, Richard Dawkins has
now admitted that Christianity may be preferable to all the alternatives. He
once called for Christianity to be destroyed. Now, he begrudgingly sees the
good effects it has on society. Charles Murray is an American social scientist and sociologist and he's an agnostic. He
doesn't even know if God exists at all. Yet he believes the American Republic will not
survive without a resurgence of Christianity. He said, and he said this just in
April of this year, on April 8, to the National Review, he said,
"You cannot have a free society with a constitution…” he's talking about
the American Constitution. "You cannot have a free society with a constitution unless
you're trying to govern a religious people." So these are atheists and agnostics that are like King Agrippa believers, right?
As King Agrippa told Paul, "You almost persuade me to become a Christian. I'm an atheist,
but you almost persuade me to believe you. Because I see how you're living your life. I
see what difference you're in making society." These unbelievers almost believe it.
They believe Christianity is good. And somebody who believes it's necessary, even though
they're not believers. As Charles Murray put it, he “believes in belief.” You
have to believe in something. Not only did the faith of Christ's
followers transform the world, but without it, the Western World
as we know it would not exist. This would be a very, very different place
without the Judeo-Christian values that many countries and many societies follow, nor would
its values of love, sanctity of human life, fidelity and marriage, tolerance,
compassion, and justice. Quite honestly, wokeness would not exist without Christianity.
Those who make arguments based on love, tolerance, and compassion are borrowing
fundamental, godly Christian arguments. If the West had not become Christian,
no one would have gotten woke. These values are Judeo-Christian values, they do
not exist outside of our religious foundation. Just look at a history of the world without God in
the Bible. You can study it and find places that… and how that it's worked out without any belief in
God at all. This is the realization that atheists are coming to in a world that is fast destroying
the values that make civilization possible. And so, are you and I promoting these
values ourselves? Are we setting the preeminent example of it? Are we imparting
a daily vision of the Kingdom of God? Do others see the bright side of life
through us? Do we walk worthy of our calling? That's in 1 Thessalonians 2. I read it to you 1
Thessalonians 2:12, "You would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory."
Listen to those words there, “walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and to glory.”
There's a lot packed in 1 Thessalonians 2:12. And we're called to be the salt of the
earth, to be the lights in the world, Philippians 2:14. Let's turn there, Philippians
2:14. We're called to be lights, to show the bright side of life. We must show the vision
of that kingdom into which we have been called. As Paul said, we are to project love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Philippians 2:14,
"Do all things without complaining and disputing,” right off the bat, he says
get rid of the negativity. Then verse 15, "that you may be blameless and
harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation,
among whom you shine as lights in the world." And so, we must be different. We must shine
as lights. We have to show the bright side of the future for this world. So point number three, have a daily
vision of the Kingdom of God. Grasp onto what you've been given and promised. Shine
as a light in this world and be different. Point four, think on these
things. Think on these things. What do you think mostly about? What
are you filling your mind with each day? Is it the negativity? Do you remember the cartoons and graphics
shown in our church literature many decades ago of the funnels in the heads of
schoolchildren? In the cartoons, the teacher is pouring all kinds of thoughts
through the funnel into the heads of our children. What is the funnel effect in your life?
What is being poured into your brain? Of course, the danger in our educational system
today, especially in higher education, is that the professors and teachers are mostly anti-Bible,
anti-God, and even atheists. So what are they pouring into the funnel? There is a definite bias
in what our young adults and teenagers are taught, especially philosophically. Universities have
more than 90% of their professors with very liberal values. And they funnel all kinds
of questionable ideas into their students' minds. What are you filling your mind
with, day after day, hour after hour? It doesn't only affect high school
students and college classes. Go forward to Philippians 4, look at verses
8 and 9. Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things
are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are
lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there's any virtue, if
there's anything praiseworthy— meditate on these things." That's
what you pour into your mind. And verse 9 in Philippians 4, "The things
which you learned and received and heard and saw, these do, and the God
of peace will be with you." So yes, if you want true peace in life, the peace
of God, you have to meditate on these things. That we've all been taught through
Scripture and by godly men. We have to fill our minds with
truth, noble thoughts, just things, pure motives, lovely expressions, good reports,
virtuous activities, and praiseworthy behavior. We must not live like the rest of the world. We must think differently. We must
meditate on the things of Philippians 4. And when we do think higher, when we do think on
the things above, on the things of heaven, we gain a different perspective on life. And
then, our worries are not so overwhelming. Then we're not negative all the time. Then we
are focusing on our vision of the Kingdom of God. Then we're not falling into the ditch.
Then we're able to look on the bright side. Remember, we read earlier in Matthew 24:6,
"You'll hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled. For all these things
must come to pass, but the end is not yet." Here's how some other translations render, "See that you are not troubled." The
NIV says, "See that you're not alarmed." See, you're not alarmed. Amplified Bible says,
"See that you're not frightened or troubled." The Message Bible says, "Keep your head and
don't panic when you see all these things." Amid the hot mess of society, Jesus is telling us
to intentionally respond differently than the rest of the world. He says don't panic, don't be overly
anxious, because you know the end of the story. We must think on a higher plane. We must
think, meditate on different things. Let's turn to 1 Peter 2 for a moment, 1 Peter 2. And remember, we are expected with our godly,
Judeo-Christian values to calmly act and be different than the rest of this crazy world. And
we, above all Christians, having God's Holy Spirit should truly act differently than
the rest of Satan's insane world. 1 Peter 2:11, "Beloved, I beg you as
sojourners and pilgrims…" You see were citizens of another kingdom, right? “…abstain
from fleshly lusts which war against the soul," Verse 12, "having your conduct honorable among
the unbelievers… honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as
evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of
visitation." Glorify God when Christ returns. So, yes, our good conduct should glorify God. That's the goal. “God help me glorify You and
everything I do this day.” Others, even as they speak evil of your beliefs, pooh-pooh you keeping
the Sabbath, make fun of you for not eating pork, will come to realize in the end that they
want some of that, just like King Agrippa. Because others are truly looking to us for answers. They're looking to us to not be
anxious. They're looking to us to hold steady. And we are looking to our elder Brother,
our eldest sibling, who is our Savior, and soon-coming King, Jesus Christ. And
when He returns, when He revisits the earth in that day of visitation, as it says here,
will your life have given glory to God and your conduct of being honorable
among the unbelievers or the Gentiles? And so point number four, think
on these things. Keep your head. Don't be frightened, alarmed,
troubled, or panicked by the birth pains of the end of this age. Look on
the brighter side of God's ultimate plan for you. And then, finally, point five, I have
simply called Look on the Bright Side. Back in the 1970s, there was a very popular song
published by Monty Python. Those of you who have been around long enough will remember Monty Python
was one of the most successful British television comedy shows of all time. The famous song was
titled, "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life." Even now, as I mentioned, the tune jumps
into my head. It's stuck there again. Always look on the bright side of
life. Who's heard that? Good 50%. One kid heard it, that's good. His
parents must watch Monty Python. Okay. And so, look on the bright side and that's our sermon title today and
what I've been trying to get across. Do we exude hopefulness and joy? Do others see
the light of God in us? Do we shine brightly? Romans 15:13 is a good verse to
read in this regard. Romans 15:13, Paul tells the Romans, "May the God of hope
fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the
Holy Spirit." By the power of the Holy Spirit, it's the Holy Spirit dwelling in
us that makes all this possible. Yes, it makes us sons and daughters in God's
family. And it gives us joy and hope and peace and the other fruits of the Spirit. That's where the
brightness comes from. It's not our brightness. That's the bright side of our life is God
living in us, His Spirit dwelling in us. And so each day, we must be mission-driven. What is your mission in life? You should
ask yourself, what is your mission in life? Ultimately, my mission is to be
granted eternal life in God's Kingdom. That's truly where I'm headed. That's what I'm
working towards. That's what I think about. That's why I try to live my life the way I do. I try to stay out of the negativity. I try to
stay out of arguments about masks or no masks. Ultimately, that's not part of my mission in life. Look at 1 Peter 1. I want to read
about nine verses here in 1 Peter 1. The apostle Peter outlined in chapter 1 hereof his
first epistle, how to rejoice and shine brightly on our path to salvation, how to
look on the bright side of life. 1 Peter 1:3 and listen to the verbiage here,
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to His abundant mercy
has begotten us again to a living hope, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,"
Okay, so our God is alive, our Savior is alive. And we have a living hope. Verse
4, "to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled that does not fade
away, reserved in heaven for you." So we talked about our family inheritance.
Here's our family inheritance in the family of God mentioned here. A reservation is there in your
name at the front desk already, reserved in heaven for you. Of course, you've got to show up for
it right? You can't just live however you want. Verse 5, "You who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation…" This
is what salvation is all about. “…ready to be revealed in the last
time." So we will receive that salvation at the last, at the end time when Christ
returns. Verse 6, "In this you greatly rejoice," you don't walk around sad and negative all the
time. No, because of this, “you greatly rejoice, though now even for a little while, if you have
been grieved by various trials,” and COVID-19. Verse 7, "that the genuineness of your faith, being even more precious than gold, which can
perish, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation
of Jesus Christ," when Christ returns. Of course, Christ, verse 8, "whom having not
seen, you love." You love your elder Brother, your Savior. "Though now you do not
see Him, yet believing, you rejoice." And Peter says, "You rejoice with joy
inexpressible and full of glory.” The kind of joy that should be hard to explain
to people, when you see your future, “receiving the end of your faith—”
verse 9, "the salvation of your souls." So these first eight verses here
explain this in such a magnificent way, our future, our glorious future. And look what
it says in verses 10-12, "Of this salvation the prophets inquired and searched carefully,"
they wish they understood it like we do, "who prophesied of the grace
that would come to you." So the prophets wrote things
that only now we understand, "searching what, or what manner of time, the
Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of
Christ and the glories that would follow." So they prophesied of Jesus Christ, and the suffering
and then the glory that He would receive back. Verse 12, "To them it was
revealed that, not to themselves, but to us…" We have a much more complete
understanding than even they did. "But to us, they were ministering the thing which
now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you…” We've learned
through the Scripture, those who have taught us, we've learned from the leaders in the
Church who have taught us upon Scripture, and it’s all “by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven— things which angels wish they understood… things
which the angels desire to look into," it says. Nowhere in Scripture are the angels offered
to be sons and daughters in God's family. They have a different responsibility. And this
looked into and marvel at what God is offering us, things which angels desire to look into
and excited to see happening in our lives. This here in 1 Peter 1 expresses
beautifully what we have been granted, what we are seeking, what
we are looking forward to. We, of all people, have to see the bright
side of life, even when suffering trials when we have this vision of our future, it says,
the salvation of our souls. And so, we press on. I'd like to read Hebrews 12, the first
two verses to you. Hebrews 12:1-2, here the writer of Hebrews says, "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a
cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which easily ensnares us, and let
us run with endurance the race that is set before us," now let's get out there and hit the
track. Let's start doing those laps. "Looking," of course, "to Jesus, the author and finisher
of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him," when He saw the salvation of
His soul, so to speak, "endured the cross, despising the shame, and has now sat down
at the right hand of the throne of God." Can you imagine having that kind
of vision that Jesus Christ had, seeing the joy to come while being crucified? Christ knew of the restoration of His glory
that would come. And He had 100% belief and faith and trust in that, knowing He would
be back at the right hand of God's throne. We too have glory to look forward to. We too will see the Father. We too
will see His throne and be glorified. Our physical lives, what we're going through here
right now with masks on, will be a faint memory, a distant memory, especially in comparison. So
point number five, we must look on the bright side of life that God has given us now, and
which He's offering us at the resurrection. So let's conclude with this. Where your path
takes you is such a glorious destination. Think daily on what you and I have to look forward
to. Think on what a different world that will be with justice for all, true peace, joy, hope,
and love. Don't be negative all the time. Stay on the straight and narrow path
of righteousness, have a daily vision of the Kingdom of God, think on the
things of God, look on the bright side. Why? Despite every precaution we take physically, life is fleeting. You don't
know what's coming tomorrow. There are far greater risks in life than even
COVID-19 or whatever may be worrying us the most right now. But we are paralyzed by them. Fear and
discouragement are abounding in our world today, and they have one source. Where
does fear come from? The devil. During this most recent crisis, have
you found yourself in a bad mood, fearful about the future or wondering what is
going to come next, or when it will all end, when is this going to be over with? Well,
here's our best defense in Ephesians 6, my final passage here today. I just want
to read three verses or four verses. Ephesians 6, starting in verse 10. Paul tells the church at Ephesus, "Finally, my
brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might." So our strength comes from the
power of God, right? "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the
wiles of the devil" so that you won't be fearful. Verse 12. And here's the truth of the matter,
right? "We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual beings of wickedness in the
heavenly places." That's the true battle, isn't it? It's a spiritual battle. Even when you look at
around the world today, you know, there's a spirit at work. This is not normal. There's a spirit
at work, “wickedness in the heavenly places.” "Therefore," verse 13, "take up the armor
of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."
Our real enemy in this and most other crisis in the world is not man or virus, it's the devil.
That's the biggest virus for us to look out for, that spiritual virus. And his strategies
include discouragement and division. The apostle Paul here encourages
the empowerment of a defense system and armor that cannot be stopped. It
includes the truth of God's Word listed here to guide our daily living. This helps us to
activate righteous living, walking in the truth, believing the good news of God's coming Kingdom, in faith, being able to render the fiery darts of
the devil to no effect through the armor of God. The use of God's Holy Word and our regular
effective prayer is the most powerful force in all of creation. The negative forces
that compete for control of our minds are many. Turn off the sources that
negatively affect your thinking and actions, replace them with right thinking. Guided
by the Word of God, filled with His Spirit, and allow His thoughts to fill your
mind, think on the bright side.
