Is Your Light On??

Mat 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

The purpose of light

To shine so that others will see

Light attracts and shows the way; light house

The Source of our Light is Powerful

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.

John 9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

2 Corinthians 3:18 AMP. And we all with unveiled face, continually seeing as in a mirror the glory of the Lord are progressively being transformed into His image from [one degree of] glory to [even more] glory, which comes from the Lord, [who is] the Spirit.

Our Light has Great Abilities

·        It can keep you

2 Corinthians 4:1-2

Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not. 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

·        It saves lives

2 Corinthians 4:3-7

3 But if our gospel is hid, it is hidden to them that are lost:

4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them, which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the Excellencies of the power may be of God, and not of us.

·        It gives us hope

2 Corinthians 4:8-10

8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

We are not only light bearers but also standard bearers

1John 1:7-9

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Four Ways to Reflect your light

1.     Behave differently from the world

Phillippians 2:14-16

 Do all things without grumbling or disputing

15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

John 1:9

that was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

2.     Be Culturally Relevant and Speak Truth

Romans 13:12-14

We live in a dark world, full of lies, hate, and confusion. But God’s Word tells us to “cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.”

14, but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.

3.     Walk by Faith and put yourself out there.

Luke 8:16

A lamp is meant to be placed on a stand to give light to everything around it. Being timid is not an excuse.

Matthew 5:15

nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.

4.     Remember your source

Give God the glory and the praise

Matthew 5:16

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Three things that can hinder your light from shining

1.     Selfishness - Having an excessive concerned or exclusively, for oneself or one's advantage, pleasure, or welfare, regardless of others

2.     Being Judgmental –

a.      Denotes an attitude in which judgments about other people's conduct is made

b.     A decision based upon a particular set of values or on a particular value system.

c.      Making an expedient evaluation based upon limited information at hand

Matthew 7:3

Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but does not notice the log that is in your own eye?

3.     Entangling in sin

Hebrew12: 1

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

1 Corinthians 10:23

The Apostle Paul put it this way: "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not." 

ENTITLEMENT II

Matthew 20:1-16

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. ² Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. ³ And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, ⁴ and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. ⁵ Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. ⁶ And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ ⁷ They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.’ ⁸ “So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’ ⁹ And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. ¹⁰ But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. ¹¹ And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, ¹² saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’ ¹³ But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? ¹⁴ Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. ¹⁵ Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’ ¹⁶ So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.”

I.                  ENTITLEMENT THINKING

1.     An attitude of being special -“I’m exceptional — and in fact, I’m of far greater value to this marriage (or family, or company, or church) than the rest of them, and that’s why I deserve special treatment. They’re lucky to have me.”

2.     An attitude of being _ owed, or of deserving something.

3.     A refusal to accept responsibility.  Ex.  “Why do they want me to pay rent? I didn’t ask to be born. Besides, this will still be their house after I move out. And I can’t pay rent anyway because I don’t have a job. None of the dead-end jobs around here are worth my time and effort. And there’s no reason I

should do my laundry — Mom has to do hers and Dad’s anyway — she can just do mine at the same time. It’s no extra work.”

4.     A denial of one’s__ impact on others — “Sometimes my husband and kids’ lack of responsibility bothers me, and I say exactly what I feel. I’m telling them the truth. I don’t sugarcoat it, and I don’t tone down my language, my volume, or how long I talk. They overreact to what I’m saying, and that’s their problem. It’s a free country, and I can say what I need to say.”

II.               SYMPTOMS OF ENTITLEMENT

1.      You impose unrealistic demands onto your family, children, friends, acquaintances, employees, and employers.

2.      You tend to feel sorry for yourself if things don’t work out the way you wanted (self-pity), and openly advertise this in attention-seeking ways.

3.      People have called you a “bully,” “manipulative,” “ruthless,” “egotistical,” “vain,” or a “liar.”

4.      You believe that you deserve happiness and go to great, sometimes extreme lengths to ensure that happens, often at the expense of others.

5.      You punish people when they don’t do what you want either passively

6.      To “succeed” in life, you believe in going to any lengths.

7.      You regularly see other people as competition or “threats.”

8.       You tend to exhibit many double-standards in the way you behave/interact with other people.

9.      You tend to take more than you give in friendships and relationships.

10.  You tend to look out for yourself, your needs and desires more than anyone else almost 100% of the time.

11.  You have a hard time negotiating or compromising.

12.  You have a deep-seated conviction that you have priority and should always come first, even at the expense of stepping on others.

13.  People always seem to be offended or upset by what they do or say.

14.  You think that you are better, or more important than other people and other people should see this and unquestioningly respect you.

15.  You crave admiration and adoration.

16.  You like to assert your dominance or superiority over other people, finding it second nature.

III.            LIMITED ENTITLEMENT

1.     There is general entitlement.

2.     There is Limited or Seasonal entitlement

3.     Entitlement is not just for young people.

IV.             THE PLIGHT OF ENTITLEMENT

Entitlement has profound ___ negative impacts __

1.     Companies that must deal with unmotivated employees

2.     Parents faced with raising self-centered children

3.     Dating relationships that don’t work because of an “I’m special, and I deserve more than you’re giving me” attitude

4.     Young adults who refuse to grow up and so go nowhere

5.     Leaders who expect special treatment because of their position, not because of their character

6.     Marriages torn apart by the narcissism of a spouse

7.     Ministries saddled with “prima donna” leadership

8.     Professionals who wander from job to job looking for a place that will see them as the “gift to mankind” they consider themselves to be — whether they’re productive or not.

V.                JESUS ON ENTITLEMENT

Matthew 10:14

¹⁴ And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.

VI.             PAUL THE APOSTLE TEACHES AGAINST ENTITLEMENT

1.     Learned Behavior

Philippians 4:10-13

¹⁰ But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. ¹¹ Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: ¹² I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. ¹³ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

2.     Christian Living

Romans 12:9-16

⁹ Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; ¹¹ not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; ¹² rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; ¹³ distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. ¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

VII.          ENTITLEMENT: THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE

2 Timothy 3:1-7

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: ² For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, ³ unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, ⁴ traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! ⁶ For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, ⁷ always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

VIII.       HOW TO OVERCOME ENTITLEMENT

1.     Ban _ Self Pity _

1 Kings 19:9-10

⁹ And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place, and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” ¹⁰ So he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they seek to take my life.”

2.     _Embrace _the teaching of Scripture that Jesus is enough

Colossians 2:9-10

⁹ For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; ¹⁰ and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power

Complete means to fill up or make full

3.     Embrace  Self- Denial _

Galatians  5:16-17

¹⁶ I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another so that you cannot do the things that you wish.

4.     ___ Pray _for God to Show You Entitlement Within You and _ Remove it

Psalms 19:12-14

¹² Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. ¹³            Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression.¹⁴     Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength, and my Redeemer.

ENTITLEMENT I

Luke 17:1-10

Offenses

Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! ² It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

Deal with Offenses

³ Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. ⁴ And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”

Faith

⁵ And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” ⁶ So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

Entitlement Mentality

⁷ And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? ⁸ But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’? ⁹ Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. ¹⁰ So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’ 

I.                   ENTITLEMENT THINKING

Entitlement is the belief that I am exempt from responsibility and I am owed special treatment.

The online definition states, “An entitlement mentality is a state of mind in which an individual comes to believe that privileges are instead rights and that they are to be expected as a matter of course.”

1.      An attitude of being special — “I’m exceptional — and in fact, I’m of far greater value to this marriage (or family, or company, or church) than the rest of them, and that’s why I deserve special treatment. They’re lucky to have me.”

2.     An attitude of being owed, or of deserving something

3.      A refusal to accept responsibility.  Ex.  “Why do they want me to pay rent? I didn’t ask to be born. Besides, this will still be their house after I move out. And I can’t pay rent anyway because I don’t have a job. None of the dead-end jobs around here are worth my time and effort. And there’s no reason I should do my laundry — Mom has to do hers and Dad’s anyway — she can just do mine at the same time. It’s no extra work.”

4.      A denial of one’s impact on others — “Sometimes my husband and kids’ lack of responsibility bothers me. I say what I feel. I’m telling them the truth. I don’t sugarcoat it, and I don’t tone down my language, my volume, or how long I talk. They overreact to what I’m saying, and that’s their problem. It’s a free country, and I can say what I need to say.”

Entitlement attitudes resist pain. The culture of entitlement continually presents options to avoid the pain of all sorts.

II.                SYMPTOMS OF ENTITLEMENT

1.      The ability to impose unrealistic demands on your family, children, friends, acquaintances, employees, and employers.

2.      When a person expresses sorrow for oneself, (self-pity), and openly advertise this in attention-seeking ways.

3.      People have called you a “bully,” “manipulative,” “ruthless,” “egotistical,” “vain,” or a “liar.”

4.      When you believe that you deserve happiness and go to great, sometimes extreme lengths to ensure that happens, often at the expense of others.

5.      Another symptom of entitlement is when you punish people for not doing what you want. Either you punish them passively (e.g. silent treatment, gossiping, spreading rumors) or aggressively (e.g. shouting, verbally/physically abusing).

6.      When you believe in order  “succeed” in life, you must go to any lengths.

7.      You regularly see other people as competition or “threats.”

8.       You tend to exhibit many double standards in the way you behave/interact with other people, Ex. I can be late and forget my duties and commitments, but YOU can’t; I can treat myself, but YOU can’t; I can abuse or disrespect you, but YOU can’t to ME.

9.      When you tend to take more than you give in friendships and relationships

10.  You tend to look out for yourself, your needs and desires more than anyone else almost 100% of the time.

11.  You have a hard time negotiating or compromising.

12.  You have a deep-seated conviction that you have priority and should always come first, even at the expense of stepping on others.

13.  People always seem to be offended or upset by what you do or say.

14.  You think that you are better, or more important than other people. Other people should see this and should have an unquestioningly respect you.

15.  You crave admiration and adoration.

16.  You like to assert your dominance or superiority over other people, finding it second nature.

III.             LIMITED ENTITLEMENT

1.       There is a general entitlement.

a.       Entitlement is the lens through which people see the world

b.      It’s the norm in every category

2.       There is Limited or Seasonal entitlement

a.        There are certain areas where people feel entitled

b.      Entitlement can also be brought on by stress, mid-life crisis, etc.

3.       Entitlement is not just for young people.

Carleton University psychology professor Janet Mantler says she’s found evidence to suggest entitlement is going up across the western world, among every age group. In her decade of researching the phenomenon of entitlement in the workplace has been found, but the people conducting the studies tend to only measure it in youth.

“We haven’t looked at other generations,” she says. “So, are people in their 60s more entitled today than they were in the 1960s? We don’t know because we don’t have those surveys to compare. But we do have a culture of entitlement, and I have seen it in older people as well as younger people.”

IV.              THE PLIGHT OF ENTITLEMENT

Entitlement has profound negative impacts:

1.       It causes companies to deal with unmotivated employees

2.       It causes parents to raise self-centered children

3.       It causes unproductive dating relationships because of an “I’m special, and I deserve more than you’re giving me” attitude

4.       It causes young adults to refuse to grow-up.

5.       It causes leaders to expect special treatment because of their position, not because of their character

6.       It causes marriages to be torn apart by the narcissism of a spouse

7.       It causes ministries to be  saddled with prima donna leadership

Professionals who wander from job to job looking for a place that will see them as the “gift to mankind” they consider themselves to be — whether they’re productive or not.

In short, entitlement has become a serious problem in our society, and it’s not getting better. It is impossible to calculate its cost in lack of company productivity, family success, relational love, emotional health.

Entitlement ultimately leaves you proud, alone, empty, and functionless

V.                 ENTITLEMENT THINKING IN THE BIBLE

1.      Nebuchadnezzar

Dan 4:28-37

²⁸ All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. ²⁹ At the end of the twelve months, he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon. ³⁰ The king spoke, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?” ³¹ While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice fell from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! ³² And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen, and seven times shall pass over you until you know that the highest rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.” ³³ That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws. ³⁴ And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom is from generation to generation. ³⁵ All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven And among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand Or say to Him, “What have You done?” ³⁶ At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me. ³⁷ Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.

2.      Adam and Eve

Genesis 3:1-6

Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” ² And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; ³ but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ” ⁴ Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. ⁵ For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” ⁶ So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.

3.      Lucifer

Isaiah 14:12-15

¹² “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! ¹³           For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; ¹⁴ I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ ¹⁵ Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit.

VI.              JESUS TAUGHT AGAINST ENTITLEMENT OVER AND OVER

1.      Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5:1-11

³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. ⁵ Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. ⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. ⁷ Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. ⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. ⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. ¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.¹¹ “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. ¹² Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matthew 5:21-22

²¹ “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ ²² But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.

Matthew 5:38-42

³⁸ “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ ³⁹ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. ⁴⁰ If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. ⁴¹ And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. ⁴² Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.

Matthew 5:43-48

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. ⁴⁶ For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax-collectors do the same? ⁴⁷ And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? ⁴⁸ Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

2.      Social Expectation

Luke 14:7-11

⁷ So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them: ⁸ “When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; ⁹ and he who invited you and him come and say to you, ‘Give place to this man,’ and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place. ¹⁰ But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. ¹¹ For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”