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Why are we named LIGHTHOUSE?
A lighthouse serves to warn those on the sea about the peril of jagged rocks around the shore's edge. In the same way, the church has been given the responsibility to warn all men about the peril that awaits them if they do not turn from their sin and turn to Jesus Christ. The rocks will destroy a ship if it gets too close to the shore. But this pales in comparison to the danger that faces every person that will come into the presence of God without the protection that is found in Jesus alone.
This is because God is holy, totally separate from sin or any impurity. And to put it bluntly, we are not! Amazingly, God loves sinners who are not holy and reaches out to them in kindness with this message: there is hope in Christ!
[This terrific painting is © Danny Hahlbohm, all rights reserved by the artist. For more images by this artist, visit www.inspired-art.com - many thanks to Danny Hahlbohm!] (Click on the image for full size)
- The PERIL: God's Judgment for Sin
Because we have all sinned and fall short of what God expects, every person is in danger of judgment. The Bible declares that God has set a day in which He will judge the world through Jesus Christ, and that even the secrets of men's hearts will be revealed. As people who have sinned in thoughts, words, and deeds, we are all in peril - a million times more than sailors nearing a rocky shoreline. Too often we shuffle through the days of our short lives without an awareness that this issue is so serious. Thus, our church wants to send out God's message like rays of light to all men: "Repent!" Simply stated, this means turn from the way of sin and turn to Jesus to be saved.
If you knew a ship was going to be dashed on the rocks, wouldn't you consider it merciful if someone flashed a warning light? The warning we are proclaiming about the coming judgment is much more important, so we are shining a light in order that everyone may be warned. Regardless of your response, this is a certainty - one day we will all have to face God. You do not want that day to arrive unexpectedly and discover that you failed to heed this warning. Jesus came from heaven to warn us of what lies ahead so that we might turn and be saved from certain peril.
- The PERSON: Jesus Christ the Savior
A lighthouse shines in the darkness, illuminating what was formerly unseen. The Bible shines a light on a central character, Jesus. Jesus made the unseen God seen! He is the eternal Son of God who came from heaven to "put God on display," confirming His deity with amazing miracles that no mere man could perform. But His primary mission was to seek and save the lost. God's mercy is most clearly seen in this - He loved sinners and sent His Son into this world to save them. Jesus called Himself the Light of the World - something this dark world cannot do without.
We want to warn people about the peril that awaits them if they do not turn back from their sin. But mostly we want to introduce them to the delightful person who is the only One that can save them - Jesus! The Bible declares that the Father loved sinners and sent the Son into this world. Jesus alone is both fully Divine and fully human and this unique person is the entire reason for history. At LIGHTHOUSE church, we are enthralled with God's supreme revelation to us - the beautiful Savior Jesus Christ!
- The PROCLAMATION: Good News for Sinners
The beacon in a lighthouse allows onlookers to see what they need to see. God's spotlight shines primarily upon a proclamation. What is highlighted is a central message about Jesus which is good news for sinners in peril. God has acted in history to save sinners by taking their judgment! Rarely will a good man even give his life for another noble person. But here is the heart of the proclamation: God gave His Son to bear the penalty due to sinners on the cross of Calvary. Jesus bore the righteous anger of God, the penalty we deserve, and suffered until He died. Although He had never sinned, He was fulfilling God's plan to be our substitute. Jesus suffered for those who deserve to be separated from God for all eternity - now that is mercy! The good news the Bible proclaims is that sinners can be spared the judgment because a substitute has been sent from God - the One who came to save: Jesus.
The light shines with more brilliance, for included in this wondrous message of good news from God is that death could not conquer this sinless One. After three days in the grave, Jesus was triumphantly raised to life. He had paid the full debt owed by sinners. This is why He cried out from the cross, "It is finished!" The penalty for sins is "paid in full." Jesus confirmed that He had risen by appearing to many people after He arose from the dead. This verified that God had accomplished what He intended. Jesus was exalted over death, ascended into heaven, and is now enthroned as the King over every king. The proclamation from God is that He commands all men to respond to King Jesus properly: repent of sin and trust Jesus for salvation. He promises that everyone who responds in this manner will not be disappointed. They will no longer be in peril. They will, instead, be forgiven, saved, and assured of eternal life with Christ.
- The PRIVILEGE: The Church Entrusted with with Gospel
Our church wants everyone to know that we do not have anything within ourselves that is worthy of boasting. We can't boast before men or God. But it is our privilege to boast about God's designated Savior for all the world: Jesus! We have been granted the wonderful privilege of telling other sinners about the One who brought us out of darkness, Jesus. We delight in the good news that there is salvation for sinners through faith in Him. We have learned that it is foolish to attempt to earn this wonderful salvation, so we can only share with you what we've freely received. We beg you to heed the warning that shines like the beacon's rays from a lighthouse before you face a holy God and be ashamed because of your sins. He is not expecting a response of good deeds to earn His approval - we could never do enough to pay for our sins. Rather, God is pleased with a response of faith. Faith is simply trusting in the person and work of Jesus. It is our church's privilege to communicate this good news to all men regarding the certain hope we have found in Jesus. It is hard to express what a privilege it is to be able to tell you about Him!
- The PRIORITY: How Will You Respond?
Priorities are the things that really matter in life. There can be no greater priority than considering this question: "Am I certain that I would not be in peril of God's judgment if I were to die this day?" Now that the light has illumined Jesus and His great salvation, what response will you make? It is our church's prayer that you will humble yourself before God, repent of your sins, and turn to Jesus in faith to be saved.
Some decisions can wait. Many sailors never dreamed that their ships would be dashed upon the rocks . . . until it happened. It was too late to turn another way. There is a pending perilous judgment that surely awaits all that refuse to repent. The consequences are too serious for you to put this off until another day. Today the light is shining upon the great salvation that is in Jesus. Before it is too late, trust Christ!