THE LINC COLLECTIVE

IT’S A SMALL WORLD AFTER ALL – TES JAHNIG

Scriptures:
Ephesians 1:23 MSG
John 8: 12-16 NIV
Genesis 1:1-3 NIV
Psalm 139: 7-12 MSG
1 John 1:5 NIV
1 Thessalonians 5:5 NIV
Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

Points:
1. Jesus is THE light
2. We are the LIGHT OF THE WORLD, too.

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BIG PEOPLE
Kingdom people – CHOOSE to – live in God’s family, by His system and economy.

THE SIGNATURE TRAITS OF BIG PEOPLE:
1. SONSHIP
2. SURRENDER
3. SOWING

We are partnering with this Word to shape and build something profound and dynamic in us in 2024.

One of the greatest challenges in realising the BIGNESS inside ourselves is our view and our mindsets – of ourselves and the world around us.

Most of us see a really BIG WORLD – SMALL ME.
We see it this way because we see ourselves from within the world rather than from a position in Him.

Eugene Petersen said it so well in His MESSAGE paraphrase of the Bible:
“The church, you see is not peripheral to the world but the world is peripheral to the church.” Ephesians 1:23

We are going to put the world in its rightful place: because it’s a small world after all. WE’RE GOING TO DO THAT by growing in our understanding together of WHO JESUS IS AND WHO WE ARE BECAUSE OF HIM.

1. JESUS IS THE LIGHT

John 8: 12-16

Genesis 1:1-3

WHAT DO WE KNOW?
GOD (Father, Son and Spirit) made the WORLD. It all starts because of GOD.

WORLD – no form or substance, nothing to it, small, malleable, part of a bigger
picture, constructed.

“without form and void”- Hebrew TOHU WABOHU – chaos.
We’re told it’s dark. THE WORLD without LIGHT is dark.

And yet the Spirit is still present – hovering over the darkness.

Only when LIGHT is created – does order, clarity, form and substance ENTER IN.

In the beginning, God chooses to separate light from darkness. He distinguishes between the two right from the start.

The darkness spoken about in John is more than just a physical reality. It’s a spiritual void and an absence of light. Jesus is the only solution to the darkness of the world.

SO IF JESUS IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD, it makes sense that He would then call us what… THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.

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2.WE ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD, TOO.

Matthew 5:14-16
1 Thessalonians 5:5

How do we put the world in its place?
How do we remind ourselves that we are BIG PEOPLE IN A SMALL WORLD?

1. We receive Him as the LIGHT OF THE WORLD
2. We live as the LIGHT OF THE WORLD by bringing:

– CLARITY AND ORDER
“His Word in my mouth is as powerful as His Word in His mouth.”

– WARMTH
BIG PEOPLE place the utmost value on ALL people because HE PLACES the utmost value on ALL PEOPLE. We are the light of the world we carry the WARMTH of the Father’s heart.

– LIFE
Be a bucket filler! OUR MANDATE, OUR PURPOSE, OUR MISSION – our unified Assignment it to be light by bringing LIFE.

When our light shines into the darkness of the world?
EVERYONE sees Him.

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Discussion Questions

1. Understanding Jesus as the Light: Reflect on the significance of Jesus being described as the Light of the world. How does this imagery shape our understanding of His role in bringing clarity, order, and purpose to our lives?

2. Our Identity as the Light of the World: Discuss the idea that as followers of Jesus, we are also called to be the light of the world. How does this responsibility impact the way we interact with others and navigate our daily lives?

3. Bringing Clarity and Order: In what ways can we bring clarity and order to the world around us through our words and actions? Share practical strategies or habits that help you reflect the light of Christ in your relationships, workplace, or community.

4. Radiating Warmth: How can we embody the warmth of the Father’s heart in our interactions with others? Discuss the importance of valuing and affirming the dignity and worth of every person we encounter.

5. Bringing Life to Others: Reflect on the concept of being “bucket fillers” by bringing life and fatih to those around us. How can we actively seek opportunities to uplift and encourage others in their journey? Share experiences where you have been inspired or impacted by someone who radiated the light and life of Christ.

6. Living Out Our Mandate: How does recognizing our identity as the light of the world inspire us to live with purpose and mission? Discuss practical ways we can collectively shine our light into the darkness of the world, pointing others to the hope and love found in Jesus.