SERMON GUIDE: RISE AND SHINE
Out of Darkness, Into Destiny
(Ephesians 5:8–14)
1. Scriptures to Read and Ponder
Main Teaching Text
• Ephesians 5:8–14 (NIV)
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said:
“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
Supporting Scriptures
• 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
• Matthew 5:16 (NIV) – “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
• Isaiah 60:1 (NIV) – “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.”
• Malachi 4:2 (NIV) – “But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays.”
2. Sermon Recap
Introduction
• The sermon focuses on the call to spiritual awakening—moving from darkness to light.
• Paul warns believers against remaining spiritually passive or compromising with darkness.
• Like soldiers responding to a reveille (morning wake-up call), believers must rise to their true identity in Christ.
Key Points from the Sermon
1. Our Identity Shift – From Darkness to Light
📖 Ephesians 5:8 – “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.”
• Paul doesn’t say we were “in” darkness but that we were darkness.
• In Christ, we are no longer defined by our past—we are light!
• Challenge: Stop letting the enemy define you by your past! Walk in your new identity.
2. The Fruit of Light – Goodness, Righteousness & Truth
📖 Ephesians 5:8–9 – “Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth).”
• Goodness – A generous, compassionate heart.
• Righteousness – Living rightly before God and others.
• Truth – Integrity, authenticity, and faithfulness to God’s Word.
🔹 Challenge: If we are truly children of light, our lives must bear fruit!
3. Exposing Darkness – Light Confronts and Transforms
📖 Ephesians 5:11 – “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.”
• Our lives, not just our words, expose darkness by contrast.
• Light is not passive—it reveals, heals, and transforms.
• Personal Reflection: Are there areas in your life where darkness still has a hold?
4. The Power of Light – Making Everything Visible
📖 Ephesians 5:13 – “But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.”
• Light spreads like a “good infection”—one transformed life leads to another.
• C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity: “Every Christian is to become a little Christ. The whole purpose of becoming a Christian is simply nothing else.”
5. “Wake Up, Sleeper!” – The Call to Spiritual Awakening
📖 Ephesians 5:14 – “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you!”
• The Greek word ἐγείρω (egeirō) means to arise, awaken, or be resurrected—a spiritual resurrection is needed!
• This echoes Isaiah 60:1—God’s light is rising over His people.
🔹 Challenge: Are you spiritually awake or sleepwalking through your faith?
3. Memorable Quotes
🗣️ Mahatma Gandhi:
“You Christians look after a document containing enough dynamite to blow all civilisation to pieces, turn the world upside down and bring peace to a battle-torn planet. But you treat it as though it is nothing more than a piece of literature.”
🗣️ D.A. Carson:
“Darkness is nothing other than the absence of light.”
🗣️ C.S. Lewis (Mere Christianity):
“[Jesus] came to this world and became a man in order to spread to other men the kind of life He has — by what I call “good infection.” Every Christian is to become a little Christ. The whole purpose of becoming a Christian is simply nothing else.”
🗣️ John Wesley:
“Give me one hundred men who fear nothing but sin, and desire nothing but God, and I will shake the world.”
4. Questions for Discussion
🔹 Personal Reflection Questions
1. In what ways have you experienced the shift from darkness to light in your own life?
2. What areas in your life still need to be illuminated by God’s truth?
3. How can you cultivate the fruit of goodness, righteousness, and truth daily?
🔹 Group Discussion Questions
4. What does it mean to “expose darkness” in a world that often embraces it?
5. How do we balance grace and truth when confronting spiritual darkness?
6. What are practical ways we can let our light shine in our workplaces, homes, and communities?
5. Further Reading
• John 1:4-5 – “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
• Romans 13:11-12 – “The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber…”
• Philippians 2:15 – “Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.”
• Book Recommendation: Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis – A powerful book on transformation through Christ.
6. Prayer Points
🙏 Pray for Spiritual Awakening:
• “Lord, shake us from spiritual slumber. Wake us up to Your call and purpose.”
🙏 Pray for a Life of Light:
• “Father, may my life reflect Your goodness, righteousness, and truth.”
🙏 Pray for Boldness to Shine:
• “Holy Spirit, help me to shine the light of Christ in a dark world.”
🙏 Pray for Transformation Through Illumination:
• “Jesus, illuminate my life so I can help others walk in Your light.”
🙏 Pray for the Church:
• “Lord, let Living Waters Church be a beacon of light in Gibraltar, a city on a hill.”
Conclusion
📢 Final Call to Action:
• This week, make a conscious decision to wake up spiritually.
• Let your light shine in your conversations, relationships, and workplace.
• Remember: You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord!
🌟 Live like it. Shine like it. 🌟
God bless you, Living Waters Church!