Bible Text: Mark 4:21-23 | Preacher: Pastor Steve | Series: Abiding in the Lord, Transformed
Mark 4:21-23 Also He said to them, Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light.  If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.
Our Light is Shining
The Lord is speaking to us to “increase our visibility” in our community and become lights in the world, especially as the days are shorter and the nights longer.
Philippians 2:14-16 Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become 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, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
What we believe is that it is unacceptable for anybody in the life of this church to live in isolation or go through a trial of life alone!
Luke 19:8-10
Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have overcharged people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much! Jesus responded, Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a son of Abraham.  And I, the Son of Man, have come to seek and save those like him who are lost.
Jesus is the Bread of Life!
John 6:35 And Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.
1 Peter 3:15 And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.
Acts 4:20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
We ALL have a Story!
A UNIQUE story and we need to share it with others to let others know what the Lord has done for us.
John 9:18-25 …We know this is our son and that he was born blind, but we don’t know how he can see or who healed him. Ask him. He is old enough to speak for himself…So for the second time they called in the man who had been blind and told him, God should get the glory for this, because we know this man Jesus is a sinner. I don’t know whether he is a sinner, the man replied. But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!
Exodus 4:10-12 But Moses pleaded with the Lord, O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled. Then the Lord asked Moses, Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.
Luke 12:11-12 And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.
Acts 20:24 But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.
Share your story and BE YOURSELF!  BE NORMAL!
How can we not speak up!  Our silence is sin!
Mark 7:36-37 Jesus told the crowd not to tell anyone, but the more he told them not to, the more they spread the news, for they were completely amazed.
Joshua 24:15 I don’t know about you, but I know that as for me and my house, because of who God is, because of how wonderful he is and because of how benevolently he treats me, I’m going to serve the Lord!
Satan will do everything in his power to convince God’s people that they are spiritual orphans, impoverished and lost. 
Hell is Real!
The fact is hell is a real place where real people go for eternity! The reality of hell was a major theme in the ministry of Jesus.
Scripture on hell:
Job 24:19
Psalms 16:10
Isaiah 38:10
Matthew 5:22; 10:28; 16:18
Mark 9:43
Luke 12:5
James 3:6
Revelation 1:18; 20:9-14; 19:20;
The Word of God has the Power to Save Us
2 Timothy 3:15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.
The Word of God has the Power to Guide Us
Psalm 119:19 I am but a foreigner here on earth; I need the guidance of your commands. Don’t hide them from me!
The Word of God has the Power to Change Us
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
The Word of God has Power so We can Live Healthy Lives
2 Timothy 3:16-17 The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us to do what is right.  It is God’s way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone.
The purpose of the Bible is to teach us what we need for our faith and the practice of our faith
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.
We live best by THE WORD that God gave us!
1 Kings 2:3-4 …that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn, that the LORD may establish his word that he spoke concerning me, saying, If your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.
People who Follow Biblical Principles will Prosper
Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;  But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.  He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.