Shine Bright - Pastor Will Roos

The title of this message today is Shine bright.

Somebody says shine, right? I mean just picture trying to

find this house in the dark St. and driving down the street and

all the houses is dark. How you find this street and

this particular house, It's light is on the porch.

So the porch light is on and the number is glowing.

Oh yes, there it is. And we pull up.

That's what the star did for the wise man.

The star gave them direction, clear direction for their

destination. That's what the star did for the

wise man. God used a star to guard the

wise man, his magi to Jesus. And so today God uses star.

He uses people as stars, men and women of God shining with the

light of Jesus. OK, become tribal guides leading

others to the Savior. Oh, somebody's going to get

this. Somebody's going to get this

drive. Hallelujah.

Praise God because he wants your life to be a shining beacon, a

light in your community, in your street, just like that house

with the lights on. He wants your life with the

light on so that the lost people can see, or there's hope, or

there is peace, or there is torment.

Pointing them to Jesus. Oh, there is Jesus.

Hallelujah. Somebody, are you with me?

Why is this going too far? Are you with me?

Because I want you to see how one star changed the direction

of their lives. It changed the direction of

these wise men. One star, one person shining

with Jesus can change someone's direction for eternity or

somebody give God some praise for that one person shining for

Jesus that is powerful. And so a star.

Listen, this Christmas season, it's your time to shine.

It's your time to be a Christmas star, A star that leads people

to the Savior, A star that leads people to Jesus.

Now say that would be God. Make me a star that leads people

to Jesus. Go and say to get God.

Make me a star that leads people.

Keep going. Some place in this blood is

somebody very excited. Now let's go to the word.

I'm going to read this to you Matthew chapter 2 and so Jesus

Matthew 2 · chapter mention

was born in Bedford Geo during the time of King Herod Magi,

which is the wise man from the East county Jerusalem is where

is the one who has been born king of the Jews.

We saw his star, everybody say star when it rose and has to

come to worshipping. Now I want you to see this

because this is very powerful. After they had heard the King,

they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose,

when the head of them, and so it stopped over the place where the

child was. This is where Jesus.

When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.

On the coming to the house they saw the child with his mother

Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.

Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts,

gold, Frankenstein's. And having been worn in a dream

not to go back to here, they returned to their country by

another roots. Hallelujah.

Let's pray. Father, we thank you for your

word. Lord, we open our hearts wide.

Speak, Lord. Lord, we pray that you will give

direction through your words and guidance.

Lord, let your lights shine in our past and give clear

direction to everyone here and those listening.

And Lord, we thank you in advance what you're about to do.

And Lord, we thank you that no one will leave the same way we

can, but we will go out here in a different way.

Refresh, revive, strengthen, anointed in Jesus mighty name.

Somebody shout a man handed here.

Now we live in the world where there's information everywhere.

We've information more than ever, Social media, online,

podcast opinions, so much information, but less direction.

There's a lot of we scrolling. We keep on scrolling.

We've got navigation systems online, everything, so much

information, but less direction. And so this year maybe you have

wrestled with some questions about your career.

God, about my job. This is now the end of the year.

What about my job about do I stay in this job until next year

or is it time for me to move? Job, Lord, what about moving to

a different region? I've been living in this real

Lord. What about moving to a different

city? What about moving to a different

country? Lord is what do you have for us?

What about the school? What school should we put our

kids in? And so, God, what is it that you

actually have for me to do? What is my job, my assignment

and purpose and the calling that you have for my life?

And in our culture, we are surrounded by a lot of

distractions, a lot of noise, a lot of things that's pulling for

our attention, things going on. But a lot of hearts are saying,

Lord, I need direction in a world.

A lot is going on. I need direction.

I don't want to mess your world where you want me to be in this

time. And I'm here today to to

minister a word that the Lord has given me to bring direction

to his people. And I really believe if you

apply this word and not just be a hero, but actually do apply

this word, there will be direction in your life.

You'll walk out today with a fresh revelation and you'll walk

out of this place because this is what the Lord showed me.

You will walk out of this place. You'll have the best Christmas

ever that you've had with direction.

Come on, somebody with direction.

It's the word of God that changes us and gives us

direction and guide us. Hallelujah.

So here's the good news. God is not confused.

God is not walking up and down, left, right and center, pacing

up and down heaven and saying, well, I don't really know what

to do with you. No, God is a shepherd, and a

Good Shepherd knows how to lead his sheep.

He knows how to lead the flock. Jesus is the head of the church.

He knows how to lead his people. He's a faithful, loving father.

And so God knows exactly how to guide his people in a very

confusing world, in a very, very dark worlds.

And so the wise men, they didn't understand every detail of their

journey, but they made a very, very powerful decision.

I want you to see this principle in the word of God.

We will follow the star. Somebody say follow the star.

So I just love that song of David.

That's one of us. That's amazing.

Follow the light. It's very powerful.

It's one of the soundtracks on the David movie that's coming

out. Follow the light and I was just

listening to this whole weekend. It's just like God, like follow

the line. It's like constantly over God.

Just keep on speaking to me in a very Dark World.

What's going on around us? We don't have to.

We just turn on the news and see what's going on.

But Goddess and follow the lines keep on follow because this is

what these wise men, they don't understand.

And so you don't have to know all the details of God's journey

of where we're going or how and what all that you just need to

do is follow the lines in a dog will just follow the light and

you'll come to the destination. We got us follow the light.

Okay, follow the lights, the Holy Spirit that that Scripture

that what got that direction that God is giving follow the

lights. Come on, somebody say follow the

lights. Yeah, because God knows how to

get you to the right destination, to the right place

for your life. Hallelujah.

And so just a few simple observations here from Matthew

Matthew 2 · chapter mention

chapter 2, which is so powerful when it comes to direction for

our lives. The very first thing that Bible

says is that I saw his star and there was something different

about the star. There was something, and that

star was ahead of it. So that means it LED.

So that's the leading of the Holy Spirit, the leading of

God's presence. He's he's light.

OK. And then it says #3 that it

stopped exactly where Jesus was. God's light will always point to

Jesus, 'cause like God's stars, God's word, God's direction will

always point to Jesus, always directing to Jesus.

That's where Jesus was. And they were overjoyed.

The Bible says they bowed down, they worshipped, OK, They said

they gave, OK, generosity, which we have an accountable God

generosity, OK. And by the way, gold Franken

season, OK, it wasn't just a little Christmas card.

Sorry to blow the the religious little things.

OK We are talking about wealth. OK We are talking about wealth

so much so that that was a wealth gift that was fit for a

king. We are not talking about towns.

I will never give God leftovers. I'll always give God my very

best. I started tithing when I got

born again when I was 19. I've never stopped since and

I've given my first 10,000 when I was 2110 thousand over and

over. I've given my everything I've

over and over and over and about my time.

So for me so and I said to God, Lord, I am the most generous

person in this church. I'm the leader and I want to

lead well and I want to set an example of being the most

generous giver in this just I've given a lot even recently that

God, we've given everything I said to someone.

I don't even have money on my bank account, but thank God,

God's always provided for us by chicken microwave for us always.

I didn't have a problem to give everything away.

I've done it many times. God knows what my wife, I give

it 10 grand. Yeah, I wrote that 10,000 for

the church because that's where God is in this church.

So for me it's not a problem to give like these magi, these wise

men, they did not give a little Christmas little bow to gift.

They gave everything load of Jesus, so much so that he went

to Egypt and that funded his entire journey and years of

living in Egypt and loaded. They've done studies.

They are talking millions. Listen church, we are not more.

These guys were loaded. I love to give, I love to show

and you get somebody, OK, they've got 100,000 in the bank

and they give 1000. So that means now I've got,

let's say I've got paid like 10,000 in banks and I give 500.

Who's given more, the one that's given 1000 or me 500?

Now in the National, looks like this person that's given 1000 is

given more money. But really out of this 100,000

is given 1000. That means only given 1% when I

have like 1000 or 10,000. So I give 500.

That means I've given 50%. So that's why Jesus said the

weather gains more than all the others, but it's so little.

She only gave her a little. No, she gave more than all the

others because the others gave out of their wealth.

So you've got a millennial power.

You give just 1000. Oh wow, I'm a big church give,

but I give. No.

In fact, you're giving lesser the part I'm actually given

more. So when I enter my bank account

and I give everything, I've given God 100%.

When people come and they both post the well, I'll give you

1000, I'll give you this, OK, well, you've got malins in the

back. Actually, that's nothing.

It's very little. But if you've got me for God, he

said, God, you've got everything, frankincense, myrrh,

everything. I give you everything.

That's the highest giver. That's the highest giver.

And I said to God, as the pastor of this church, I want to be the

most generous, the highest giver in this church.

And that's how it started. It started this church started

by two South African people sowing into this church.

Great is their reward. 1 is in heaven.

They started this church with funding this church from South

Africa, not the UK. Since then we have seen people

gave us a car, a house. And you know what's amazing?

The person that gave us a car is not even in this church.

They're not even you see if if we are not giving, God will

raise up somebody else at another church to give to the

man and all because God says so and feed your man and woman of

God give. So will you get fed like when

you get your spiritual food. That's where I when I go to

McDonald's and I eat I don't need for free.

I when I go to the gym, there's a gym membership.

So I I make sure we pay the gym membership.

I make sure I tithe and I cover everything in God's house so

that there's food in God's house.

Now the star wasn't decorated in the sky.

The star was full direction divine guidance.

Now out of all the stars, God hadn't kicked that stuff.

It wasn't just random. That's also something about God

is very intention. Yeah, God chose and he arranges

guardians. He arranges direction in your

life. OK.

So he's very, very intentional. And these wise men, they

followed the star. And so heaven was saying, follow

the star and you will find the king.

That's what Evan was saying. Just follow the star.

Come on the the stars from him I'm leading you to the Savior of

the world. So you just follow the lights

and you will find the king, the Savior of the world.

And so if God did it for them, God will do it for you.

If God, with all that trouble to arrange that star to give

guidance and direction, God cares about guiding and

directing your life. And then.

And so God knows how to light up the next step in your journey.

Yeah. Next steps.

Lord, where are we now? We end of the year, We thank God

we are ending on a high. Yeah, we're ending on a high.

What's next steps for next year? Because we're going to hit that

ground running now. We're going to go higher.

We're going to go from glory to glory.

So just get ready for the best Christmas we've had.

Hey, come on. He was ready for a breakfast.

Now we're going to have a great Christmas.

It's going to be a Power Pack Christmas.

Now something made that star stand out because you know, it

had a different shine to it. And so these wise men then look

in the wow, something about that star.

There's something about we, it stands out.

We're going to follow that star, and that is how God's stars work

today. God puts a different shine on

His people. He puts His blessing on His

people, His presence, His shining light, His peace on His

people, His favor on His people. It's a different shine of favor

that He put, not to puff us out, not to make us proud, but to

give us purpose so that when others look just like Moses said

it, God, how would they know the difference?

If your presence doesn't go with us, how would people know the

difference between us? God says, I'll put my presence

on you. So when people look, they're

like wow about their life and they look at you and they're

like wow, peace, joy, happiness in a Dark World.

It's shining in a Dark World. I mean, somebody.

Now just remember that this star, because we are talking

about this star, this star did not save the wise men.

Jesus did. OK, so but there's Jesus, but

they would never have found Jesus without the star.

Someone, somebody, you're getting this today.

So that's how God wants our lives to, for us to shine so

that other people, that we can lead others to the Savior.

So we are not the Savior. Jesus is the Savior, but we can

point people to the Savior. We can point them to the Lord

Jesus. One conversation, one invite

flier at the Peel Center, reaching out to somebody, talk

to somebody, send them an invite.

You know, one act of kindness, one smile, one small prayer.

Could be a star that turns somebody's heart towards Jesus.

Yes, Hallelujah. And so you may think, well, you

know, it's just some small little flyer or some little

small conversation. It may seem small, but heaven

sees that as a star, as a light shining in their darkness.

You know that one friend on Facebook, keep on posting.

The churchlit keep on posting the church services and that

friend on Facebook, keep on posting.

Come to church, It's great to come to church.

The friend on on a, on a WhatsApp group.

Keep on posting the church link on the podcast, spreading it.

Come to church. Church is great.

And so they're like, oh, well, OK, it's a bit annoying.

You know, what's the big deal about church?

Why church? But then all of a sudden they go

through something and then the church friend puts again said

text, come to church. I have a seat for you.

And then that person. Oh, OK.

Well, maybe this week. Yeah, I'll.

I'll go to church this one day. And God meets them.

Come on, somebody. Hallelujah.

Yeah. Glory to God.

And so, you know, do you laugh? And we call them the over king

friend. You know, the over King church

friend. OK.

But here we call superstars that might be the other keen church

friend keep on nagging about come to church and inviting.

But heaven calls her stars. Yeah, a star that using their

little light to pull you into a life changing encounter with

Jesus. Yeah.

Now Daniel 12 is amazing. This field says those who are

wise. OK, we are talking about some

wise people. Yeah, right.

So wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens and

those who will lead many to righteousness like that.

OK, somebody says forever. OK, so who is wise?

OK, somebody with a lot of degrees and and clever and all

that That's all good at the problem with that.

But who's really wise? Who is the stars in today's

life? We are the stars.

OK, stars, OK, we're we're not talking about Hollywood stars.

We're talking about Christmas stars stars who is stars stars

is oh, this is amazing. Just grab hold of this, OK?

Because many people, you know, they, it's so simple.

It's helping people to find Jesus in your star.

Any people want to be a Hollywood star one day.

Listen, we are wise when you link people to Jesus, when you

help people find you're a star. We are talking about heaven

stars, OK, the star of Beckham, the first Christmas star.

It wasn't just for a nativity scene on a Christmas tree, but

God is giving us a symbolic picture of what God wants to do

with people. And so he stole, uses his

people. God still lights up stars and

puts his presence on his people, ordinary men and women, boys and

girls, everyday life. He puts his presence on us to

carry His peace, His joy, His light in a Dark World.

And we shout forth kindness, and we shout forth his light.

And so the wise men followed a *.

And I found a savior. They'd follow the star.

They found the savior. People are meant to follow your

light. Yeah.

And find the same savior. Come on, our lives.

You are the light of the world. Yes.

People are made to follow your star and find the same savior.

Hallelujah. Let's say it again.

God make me a * that leads people to Jesus.

Yes, this Christmas, God's not just asking you to look at the

Christmas tree, to start on the Christmas tree.

God is inviting you to be a Christmas star, to shine in your

world, your community, your street and family, your

workplace, your school. Shine bright.

Be a Christmas star. OK.

We're not a Hollywood star. A Christmas star.

So you didn't just end up in church today.

Maybe you thought, well, you know, somebody invited me.

I saw something online. I've got a fire appeal sensor.

Mom dragged me to church. Or, you know, a friend from work

invited me. You.

Maybe you just. But really, Heaven was directing

your steps. Heaven was orchestrating us to

be here today through a star person.

Listen, we can all think of at least one star person that

brought us closer to Jesus. Yeah, for me, it started with my

parents. My parents brought me when I was

young to church. Now I love this about my mom

because my mom never, never take no for nonce.

I brought it funny. See you later.

I'm sleeping on a Sunday morning.

Mom, I'm tired. I'm not going to church.

My mom would never take no for answer.

I would argue. OK.

I'm just real honest here today. I'm just honest.

I just argued with her. I complain.

I'm like, mom, I just don't feel like going to church.

But my mom kept at it. I put it on his Sonny, you know,

she was just on the phone. My mom, she's like, and I thank

God she did. She kept on bringing me, driving

me to church. Now that I look like I'm so

thankful for my mom. She was one of the first stars

in my life that God used in my life.

And so later when I finished school in Pretoria, I lived

there in Sunnyside. I liked the next Sunnyside or

sunny, but at that time my life wasn't that sunny in my life was

very dark. I was in clubs, partying, drugs,

my before Christ's days, very confused, very lost in the

world, no purpose. I was just living there for the

world. Better.

Now, what is the direction for my life?

Very, very confused. And then one day this guy from

school, we have his house and he puts on gospel music, Michael W.

Smith, and he's on his knees worshipping God.

I've never ever in my life heard somebody worship and prayed with

that kind of a passion my age because we were bad.

He was one year older than me. And so he was.

And so that in that very moment, he became a shining star to me.

And he invited me to a church in Hadfield in Pretoria, the first

spiritual church that I've ever attended, where they clap hands,

praise God, and we are their spirit for for the first time.

I was only 19. And there I am getting fault

with the Holy Ghost. Come on, somebody.

Hallelujah. I'm so thankful.

And after that, after that, many students became stars to me

because I did not have transport to get to church.

I'm like where we're going to get A and so they would travel

all the way from the other side of town, come and pick me up at

Sunnyside to take me to church. And so they would pick me up

and, and they became stars. And then I got married to my

shining star, Michelle. And when we when we got married,

she started calling me pastor when all I wanted was his career

in sports because that's my, I'm like, I'm having a sports

career. And she started calling me

pastor. And so she's my star shining * I

will not be here if it wasn't for her.

The only reason I am standing here today, it is because of my

shining star, my wife. The only reason because car has

put stars in my life. That's why I am here to die.

Come on, somebody. I have tried to have silent

star. She's an amazing.

Come on, let's keep it up for my shining view of my star.

She's amazing. She's amazing.

I thank God she was badly for God that yes, God used her as a

travel guide. He typed in.

That's wrong. That's the honesty.

Yeah. I mean, he might be seated.

And so God used her as a travel guide to my destiny direction.

I mean. And so the same for you.

If I would ask you, how did you end up in church?

Yeah, on a Sunday night. You in church.

How did you? OK.

Who was the stars in your life that brought you closer to

Jesus? Oh, my God.

Who's the stars in your life? Yeah, Come on.

Let's just be real now, OK? And be honest, because most of

us have at least one person we can name.

And I thank God for my mom and my dad, for Michelle, my by for

people, for stars of my life. I thank God for that.

At least one person, a star in your life, OK, At least one a

praying mop or dad, a grandfather that's been praying

for you, your star. Come on now, let's be honest.

Let's be real now in this place, OK?

A granny that's been praying, that's in heaven now.

And by the way, they are in heaven during us all now and

they prays are still working. Yes, someone reached out to you

with a flyer at the Peel Centre. Somebody talked to you.

Somebody invited you to church, a friend at work who kept on

inviting you. A youth leader, a pastor that

never have given up on a star in our lives.

And so at that time, it might have just felt like, no, this is

just my mom nagging me to go to church.

Oh, mommy's nagging me. Come to church, come to church.

OK, that's fine. But now we realize, listen, it's

not just another invite. It's not just my mom dragging me

to church. She is a heavenly star.

She's a star that has LED me closer to Jesus.

This is this is the thing. We think it's small, but heaven

sees it. The heaven sees the star shining

in your direction. Now, what's this very powerful

verse? Philippians 2, verse 15.

Philippians 2:15

Then you will shine. OK?

You will shine out. I'm going to take it slow.

I want you all to get this. You will shine.

OK. We talk about shine right among

them like stars in the sky. OK, Hallelujah.

Have you ever seen the Scripture like that?

Because God is trying. I said you're a star.

We are his stars. Yeah, that is our flesh.

He's talking about us. We are his stars that shine in a

Dark World, in a confusing world, that you are a star and

you shine how much your family, in your world, in your school,

in your business, in your workplace.

And I just love that song, this little light of mine.

I'm going to let it shine. This little light of mine.

I'm going to let it shine. Let's let all out of mine.

I'm going to let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let

it shine. Now some of you are awake this

morning I woke up. I'm like, oh, we're out of

coffee. I'm like, where's the coffee?

I'm like, Gee, are we going to preach a lot of coffee?

So my boy says only where's my coffee?

And I'm like, OK, well, we'll just have some more.

Say that. We'll just pray over it.

Well, multiply the one into one, multiply into coffee.

But thank God. From Starbucks.

Starbucks. Yeah.

Oh, you got it. Come on, Somebody shared.

Hallelujah, Starbucks, please be talking about the stars.

Oh, my God. We've got the prophet in the

house. She's already pointing out the

direction in this place. Start.

Yeah, the stars of God, the day star.

I'm just super excited. Let it start.

You know, think of, we've had loads of like, load shooting in

South Africa. I think of like a power outage,

power failure. Powers are OK.

TV's off, gone. Wi-Fi gone.

All up black darkness. And so you light up 1 little

candle and the family gathers around that little light.

How everyone all of a sudden gathers around such small one.

That's how it works in your workplace where there is stress

and difficulty and challenges in the place, on the boardroom, in

the school, in the challenges in the world.

People are drawn even to a little one.

The times we're living it, people are drawn to a little

light. Hallelujah.

And so when things feel so dark and you turn on the news, a

little light, people gather to that little light.

So don't underestimate your small act of kindness.

Smile, greet, talk to somebody to reach out.

Small act of kindness. Same smalls.

Simple pray, but pray, family, pray for that simple pray.

It's brighter than you think. What's this verse in Matthew 5?

Jesus saying you are the light. OK, let's just stop there, OK

everybody right? Jesus is saying what you are the

light of the wall. That's how hold on a hill cannot

be hidden. Neither do people light a lamb

or put it under a bottle. Instead they put it on its stack

and it gives light to everyone in the house the same way.

Let your light shine before others that they may see your

good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

OK knows when he says you are the light of the world, that

doesn't mean you have your own life.

We know that Jesus is the source of light.

So what happens is he's the source of light, but we reflect

his light, so he shines his light in us, upon us, His glory,

His famous presence in and through our life.

So that is what it means by that.

You are the light of the world. Because listen, most people in

your world never read the Bible yet, but they read your life.

Yes, yes, so true. They see your joy under

pressure. They see your peace in

uncertainty. And so you might say, well, you

know, possible. I'm not a preacher.

But really, your life is a message, You are preaching a

message, your pulpit at work, at your place of work with people,

that's your pulpit, that's your preaching, that's your sermon.

Your life is a sermon and message with your life.

And so, yes, churches, of course, this is powerful.

We gather, we come together, we worship God, we hear the Word,

we are encouraged. But this is not the assign.

The assignment is when we walk out of this church, there is our

assignment, there is our place. That's when we reach outside of

the four walls of the church when we leave this building.

So this is like we fuel up like a fueling station, pulling up

the petal and the fuel in our light.

And then we go out into the mission field, our workplace.

Now a little boy had a brand new flashlight.

And so it ran for the flashlight outside into the bright sun.

Turn it on. It says Daddy, the flashlight is

not working. The problem is he couldn't see

the flashlight because the sun was so bright.

And the Daddy says this is my sun.

This flashlight is working, but it's not made for the light.

The flashlight is made for the dark.

So when you get out at night in the dark, you'll really see what

the flashlight could do. So our lights are not just made

for church on the. So there's enough light here.

It's dark in the world. There's more than enough light.

Our light is made for Monday morning out there, out in the

world. That's where our light shines

the greatest. Where there's pressure in the

office, where there's difficult challenges and decisions to be

made, that's where we are under the we are peaceful under the

pressure. That's where your light shines

the best is in the difficult, stressful tension situation out

there in the world where it's negative and fearful.

That's where your peace stands out.

And the darker it gets out there, the more obvious our

light is. What was somebody?

We don't have to worry about the darkness and worry because it's

gonna get darker and darker in the world, but it will get

brighter for the church, for us. Don't get discouraged when we

turn on the news and we get wars and woo rumors of wars and

difficulties and challenges. Don't get discouraged.

That is your moment to shine brighter, to shine so bright.

And yes, law, that is where your light is more obvious in a dark

place. Tell your neighbor it's time to

shine, it's time to shine, it's time to shine, it's time to

shine. This is our time to shine, the

end of the war. So you're not made to drift and

just go through the motions. Just go through everything.

Just try and survive. There's greatness in you,

there's purpose in you, there's right.

You carry the glory. The glory of God is upon your

life. This is our fight.

This verse, Heziah 16. Watch this arise.

Come on, let's read it together. Arise, shine before your light

has come and the body of the law is risen.

I thought, OK, the Bible says that your light has come.

Not one day when we are perfect, not one day when we have our

lives shorter than we are a better person.

Not one day now, but God. Sometimes they make mistakes.

God's like my light has already come past and it's already the

glory of God is already not one day when we get to heaven, when

we all perfect right now. God says now the glory of God is

oh, but you know, I feel I've made mistake.

I just feel like I've disqualified myself so many

times and Lord, you know, I, how can I be a * but God is not

looking for perfect people. He's looking for willing hearts

and if God could use that star in the sky, he can use a heart

that is openly willing and says, oh God, use me, use me, I'm

available. Send me.

Let your light shine through my life.

Hallelujah. Somebody say use me, Lord,

somebody say it's my time to shine.

Yeah, yeah, that's right. Just come on, put challenge

together. That's that's how I'm doing.

OK. And so how do we shine?

How possible, you know, how do we practically live this out?

OK, the closer and I want you to give us, the closer you get to

Jesus, the more brighter you shine.

Titus, if you look at the galaxies in the space,

scientists will tell you that it's star because there's so

many galaxies and stars. You see some some are you them

and some shine brighter than others.

It's because it's a star does not have its own light.

If you look at it, it only gets light from the sun.

So the star reflects this this light from the sun.

So the brighter the star shines depend on the proximity, the

position of the star. Now somebody is going to get us

today, OK? That's what scientists tell us.

The closer the person, the brighter they shine.

So stars don't shine because they try hard.

They shine because you're close to Jesus.

That's why you shine, because the closer you stay to Jesus,

the brighter you shine. So stars you are.

It's not about acting religious, acting all spiritual.

That's stars don't show. We don't show about acting

religious. Try to to be good, OK?

We shy by staying close to Jesus.

This is right. It's the closer.

It's by your position, your proximity to Jesus.

That's how bright you shine. Come on, somebody, somebody is

going to get this. Yeah.

That's why you shy. It's because of where you are

positioned. That's why you brought.

It's not trying harder, it's not performance, it's proximity.

You shine brighter of where you are close to Jesus.

So, Pastor, how do we stay close to Jesus?

OK, Jesus said something very powerful here in John 15.

I have the vine, you are the bronzes.

If you remain in me and I and you, you will bear much fruit.

Apart from me you can do nothing.

So the bronze don't stray to produce fruit.

It doesn't try harder. The bronze stays connected, it

remains in it. How do we remain in the Lord?

We spend time in his prisons, yes, but we talk to the Lord.

Oh, come on, If I don't have communication with my wife,

okay, Our marriage is going to be distant.

If I don't talk to my wife, if there's no open communication,

Love you, how are you today? How's the kids?

Love you. You're amazing.

I mean, we have upper communication.

That's why we are close. That's why we have a bliss

matter. I've just given you some

marriage, OK. You know, can I give some

counselling? Yes, it's OK.

I mean, you know, it's like the guy who is like, oh, he's just

been married for six months. I want to write a book on

marriage. OK.

You want to write a book on marriage?

OK. You've been married for six

months. OK.

You know, we've married for 620 years, you know, 30 years.

OK, You know, then we'll write a book on marriage.

When you've had some experience where you know some principles

in life where you talk to your wife.

The iceberg wives talk to each other.

Same principle with our relationship with the law.

Talk to the law in Prague. It's so simple.

It's a relationship. It's like, oh, you know, we want

to shine. I had a conversation with the

Lord and like one last, you had a nice chat with the Lord.

I mean, last night, I love my chat with the Lord.

I mean, Saturday night, this is my highlight.

And then Sunday mornings, you know, I'm barely 4:00 in the

morning talking to the Lord. I mean, my God, talking to the

creator of the entire, you know, what a privilege.

I love it because with prime ministers and big president, you

have to make an appointment to go and see.

And I don't even know if you could go and see people standing

queues to actually go and see a big Prime Minister.

I mean, who who's going to? But yeah, I have.

I'll put that. I don't even have to dial us.

I'm like, God, you know, you want me to You mean I can.

I don't have to book an appointment to come and see you,

God. I'm like God, can I, when can I

come and see you? Are you not too busy?

You are. You've got the entire hot

universe. Well, it's like anytime.

So Jesus, Mike, what type of God do they serve?

Who's open like that? My children can come to me

anytime, Daddy. I can be busy with something.

They walk in like, here's my son, that's our father.

He stops. I'm like, why do you stop the

whole universe to just listen to me?

Whoa. My God, that's a mystery.

That's a mystery. And so, yeah, we just stay close

to the Lord. We just had that up of

conversation, those natures, those from this, we obey the

Lord. We say yes, Lord.

And so the closer you live to him, it's the more you shine

bright. Now think about the star people

in your life that God has used you, bring you close to the

Lord. Now those people, those stars in

your life, how many? Come on, who's the star people

in your life? Yeah, come on.

I see it all. Library.

It's stopping Jesus. I feel that.

When did you go to church? I live, Jesus.

Why did I feel that wanting now? And he said ever now.

Hey, same with Paul. Was your dad also a star person

in your life? Yeah.

And so the dad's now in heaven cheering us on.

Yeah. I just feel we need to give some

honor to our parents. And the Bible says honor your

parents. Just come on now.

Who's been a star person? You're not talking about you.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Star people.

You uncle. Your uncle since young or when

the team and he he told you about the yeah he's in heaven as

well. They're looking over the balcony

cheering us on. The press are still working you

also I'll call Craig Howson that meet you at all.

Craig Howson When was that 19731973 * So many stars in my

life. People picking me up to take you

to church young student. I remember that I'll remember

and heaven records it against every single one.

Next time somebody follows this and I'm going to pay all your

rent for you because star people yours.

But my dad and I've met your dad as well.

Nice down there. What minister?

My dad was like a preacher there.

We go dance the preacher Jay, come on somebody.

And he's a neighbor now. Oh fly kind of film with you.

He's cheering you on and look at your transformed life.

I'm sure he's very proud of you. There's some stars that's very

proud of you. Oh, my God.

Come on, Ted. And it's so simple.

That was it. Asking us to be stars to others.

They weren't perfect. There's those people.

They weren't perfect, but there was something different.

The way they love, the way they care.

They believed in you when others walked away.

Those stars in our lives. Parents.

Yeah, because of their closeness to the sun, they shot, right?

That's the kind of star that God is calling you to be.

Some of you thinking, well, poster, you know, I've made so

many mistakes. I've made so many failures.

I don't feel qualified. Now, let me tell you, the other

day I gave my son some glow sticks.

Now kids love these glow sticks, but just the thing about a glow

stick is that they don't shine until with the glow stick until

you snap, yeah, until you bend it right.

But the glow sticks you until they bend and and snap.

They all of a sudden, oh, is this bright colours glowing and

shining. Now some of you have felt baked,

some of you felt shaken, and you have felt broken this year, and

you feel that that has disqualified you with God.

Those broken places, that's where his light shines the

brightest. It's true that difficulty

challenges those hard places where it felt you've been bedded

and broken and stuff. That's where His light shines

the brightest. That's where your testimony

shines and glows in the somebody shall give God surprise in this

place. He said that.

He said listen to it, let your light shine before people.

So that means you have got an assignment, you have got a

purpose and a call on your life to shine amongst your people,

amongst your family at home. Speak life, play together, bless

your home at work, bring encouragement, bring solutions,

bring hub, reach out to somebody.

It's often the small acts that open the big doors like just buy

coffee for a struggling Co worker.

Just a small act of kindness, reaching out kind words to it.

I but one little beam of light can lead someone to Jesus.

Now let me show you something powerful again in Daniel Chapter

Daniel 11 · chapter mention

11. God has got big things in mind,

but the people who know that God shall be strong and carry out

great exploits. God has got great things.

He wants to do big, great exploits through your life.

Now think about a dream in your heart that feels too big.

OK, now that dream that feels to be is actually what if it's it's

so big? But it is one of these great

exploits. It's one of these awe inspiring

stories that God wants to do through your life.

Like someone who just decides I'm going to help, Let's say,

for example, help out the church at the kids church.

And she decides to get involved with the craft cutting, teaching

children memory verses. And that child years later grow

up to become the next pastor or the next Billy Gray or Arnold

Bonky or Catherine Cullman or Benny Hinn.

OK, now she never preaches on a stage.

She never preaches on front of crowds like Billy Graham.

She never, but heaven records every part as part of every

sermon that child ever preaches. She's part of it.

Heaven records, Heaven records the people that picked me up and

transported me to church, Heaven record those stars.

Those people in our lives is part of these sermons that I'm

preaching right now. Those people, the one person,

one of the biggest stars in the beginning of the ministry, he

found out, he said God spoke to me, I'm going to wire money from

South Africa. He didn't even know anything

what was going on. He said I, God spoke to me to

sell off a property and give you all the money.

So we had for one or two years, not money coming in from the

congregation because we had a small congregation.

Nobody was tithing at that point, but we had somebody that

got raised up in South Africa, funded this job.

Now that person is in heaven right now and he's got a great

reward. It's recorded somebody now, yes,

I'm twitching you behind the pulpit, but he's got the reward

as well. It is together.

Who is the stars? Somebody's funding, somebody's

sorry somebody's doing. It seems so small to help out a

kid at church, but that kid might be the next Billy Graham.

Yeah, it just feels like I'm sure I'm small.

It's like, oh, I'm just serving a church or I'm sowing a seed or

I'm helping to transport somebody or set up the sound

system or help with the money or finances, whichever way.

Like come and worship and try be part of the choir.

It seems like all little small things handing out Flyers at the

Peel Centre. But in heaven this is doing

great and mighty exploits before mine.

Come on somebody this flight and spawns.

Now let's bring this message to a close where we started with a

wise man because there was a clear before and after before

the star stopped over Jesus. The wise man was searching that

were last direction, searching asking questions.

Where is Jesus? Where is the one?

This is now before the star stops.

I want you to see a clear before and after they're searching,

they're answering questions. The stars that uncomfortable the

Bible talks about joyous, they bow down, they worship, they

gave they everything. Now when you apply that, because

when I've given money into God's Kingdom, my life's always

changed. Always when I gave offerings,

ties and offerings, I come away from that a changed person.

I've seen it again now with Rodney old Brown when I gave

everything and then somebody walked up and they gave some

more dollars. So I said, Lord, I I actually

want a more seat, so I put that seat in as well.

Every time I've given an offering, I've antifa bank

account. I had zero in my bank account.

Zero. I walk out a change person, but

possible you can buy heaven. No, what this is Bible.

God gave his son. He gave everything I've got

worth holding nothing back. It's easy to show a seed now.

There's still savings in the account I'm talking about

nothing worth of family past the world, but that is it.

Listen, I'm asking you, you ask God what to do.

You do what you say, the Holy Spirit, what do you want me to

do? What do you want me to give?

This Christmas, please don't leave this place without sowing

what God tells you. Say God, what do you want me to

show? What do you want me to give?

God is the one He will direct you.

And so I want you to see because they walked out different, the

Bible says they went out a different route, a different

direction. After all of that, those

principles that I've mentioned, all of them, a new direction.

Somebody's walking out of this place today with new direction.

New direction in your marriage, your finances, your family, your

career. You're walking out this place

and calling. Come on, free up.

We've got preachers here, people that's going to have churches,

ministries. We've got people in business

here. We've got stars in this place.

You can walk out of it. You can shake the UK, You can

shake garnish one. What star?

What if I could find one star in this place?

It was 14 in history. One person, one person, one

person that will shine. You can shake it, You can shake

it. You can be the next Pilgrim.

The sky is the limits. You just come close to Jesus.

Nothing's going to stop you. Oh, I feel the wanting in this

place. Somebody, somebody's going home

with direction today. But there should be a clear

dividing light in your life. And I know when I've encountered

the Lord, I was like this before.

I was poaching. I was in the world.

I was doing that when I encountered Jesus.

I'm different. There has to be a line everybody

could see. Oh, whoa.

His life has changed everybody in my high school end of his

inventory of their time. Time.

Have you heard what happened to whoa?

Listen, the days of secret enclosure.

Christianity is over. I am not.

I am not saying no family names of nothing that always hoping

true has lost its rookies. This guy's crazy.

Years later. Now, who is it to become a

preacher? I'm not ashamed.

I'm not. We are.

We're not ashamed of the gospel we associate with Jesus in

public. There's No Fear.

There's No Fear. I don't care what they want to

do in the political arena. We will stand for Jesus.

He will stand until the death. When our time comes, we'll be in

heaven. Like Rodney said, we've got 36

months to get this thing sorted very quickly in this country. 36

months, Judge, We cannot delay. We've got to act now.

We've got to shine right now. We've got to stand for

Christmas. We've got to stand for these

things. And so before and after Christ

there has to be a direction of the Christ.

Now God is with us, there's purpose.

God flows through us. Now I want you to see this in

2nd Corinthians 570 because this keeps it very, very clearly

about this living with new direction.

It says, therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has

come, the old has gone, the new mesio.

That means there's a clear dividing line before and when

I've encountered Jesus, there must be a chance.

So I'm not walking out of this place.

It's just another Sunday. The same way going back to the

same motions, the same. I'm walking out of this place.

I'm meaning business with God, You meaning business with God.

And we're walking out of this place different.

Shining bright. Come on, there's about just

another Sunday. Because what happens is that we

are not supposed to bleed in with the wolf.

We are not supposed to act in like the world.

We are supposed to shine, right? OK, the Bible talks about do not

be conformed like the culture of the world and be like everyone

else. OK?

So that if we just act like the world, talk like the world, live

like the world exactly blending in, then our stars get them fade

and it fades and the world doesn't need faded Christians.

The world doesn't need them Christians.

The world needs shining Christians shining like hey,

that that person is something amazing about that person.

That act of kindness, that peace in the store.

There's something amazing about the praises of God is upon that

person. That person has been changed.

He was 1 like this, struggling with drugs in the world.

But now that addiction is broken, Now it's different.

I'm walking a different way. I'm talking that person is

marked with Jesus. There has to be a dividing line.

We can, I cannot live like I'm used to live and do the same

things. There has to be a change.

And so there should be a clear dividing line.

And some of us would say, well, yeah, poster, you know, that

line used to be clear. I used to be.

But because of disappointment and compromise and busyness of

life, now it's faded and it's dumped my life.

But the good news is Jesus is not yet to condemn you.

He's yet to invite you to come back and draw nearer because the

Bible says draw near to God and go go near to you God, trust you

to Jesus. Oh my goodness, and he will

shine you. You'll shine.

He will let the Lord is like, let me brighten your stock.

Let me redraw that line. So in closing, we talked about

the stars, the best them star the stars in your life and the

call to shine. Now I want to show you something

that also shines in heaven, the scars of Jesus.

Now Jesus after his resurrection appear to Thomas and he says in

the book of John chapter 20, Thomas, that's what feel see the

John 20 · chapter mention

scarf now resurrected body. OK, so resurrected now in his

glorified body, what I keep the scarf so that he can forever

stretch out his hand and say, I know your pattern.

I understand what you are going through in your life, the

struggles, the difficulties, the challenges in this world.

I'd go, I feel, I know the pain, look at the scars.

I know what it is to be rejected, to feel misunderstood.

And that's what the Bible says. Hebrews 415 For we do not have a

high priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our

weaknesses and temptations. He understands our pain.

He knows he feels our pain. All the difficulties that we're

having in this war, this challenges the storms of life,

the force, addiction, depression, the loss, the shame,

the betrayal, the rejection. He knows the pain.

He feels the pain, the scars. He still had the scars.

It's shining, he shows. And so those scars says you were

loved, your sins are paid for, you are forgiven, you are

forgiven, your shame and your pain washed away.

And so the reason he's is so glad how that we as stars can

shine, he's scarred made it possible that our stars can

shine because he took our darkness so that we can carry

light and shine and bright. Come on, let's all start.

Let's invite some fight something more image to God.

So as we get ready to pray, I believe God speaking today.

Maybe you're here today and your light is dimmed.

You love Jesus, but I said don't shine like I used to pass them.

My passion is cooled and my life between my before half does blur

business disappointment, offence, compromise.

He's saying draw near again, come closer.

Let me brighten your stone. So if you want to shine brighten

for Jesus today that you put your hand on your heart.

Pray this with me. Lord Jesus, thank you for the

stars that you use to guide me to you.

Thank you for the scars in your body that show you understand my

pain today. Lord draw a clear line in my

life. I before and after give me new

direction that use my life. Make me a * that change for you

and leads others to you in Jesus name.

Come on somebody give God some praise.

So who is ready to be a Christmas star for Jesus?

Come on somebody shout yes, shout yes, shout yes if that is

you. Now declare I will be a star for

Jesus. Come on say it again.

I will be a star for Jesus. Come on you guys of phrase.

Now lift your hands and just see if a good Father let your face

shine upon them. Let the light shine with the

light of Jesus. Use them this week as stars in a

Dark World to guide many to the Saviour.

In Jesus mighty name we pray and everybody said Amen.

So this we go and shine brights for Jesus.