A City On A Hill – 230225
1 John 1
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our joy complete.
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
We have sometimes had a week in Pembrokeshire and have stayed on a lovely site very near the sea. When you look out of the front window there is a beautiful view of a small mountain… In West Wales, it rains sometimes… The first signs of it are when a mist gradually hides the mountain from view – like someone has drawn a grey curtain or a veil across it. You wouldn’t know there is a mountain.
But I’ve seen the mountain in the bright sunlight too. I associate it with wonderful holidays, family being together, good things. You can climb to the top and see the beach and the sea.
Our chapter begins with John saying, “We’re telling you now: we’ve seen it!” What we’re proclaiming we have seen and heard. We’ve touched it. John wasn’t just writing a good encouraging letter or establishing doctrine. Not just a good sermon. Much more exciting than that. We sing the song “There must be more than this”…
In John 8:12 Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” He also said Matt 5: 14 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
We just read a minute ago that God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all! But we can veil it, the lamp covered, the city hidden. The mist obscuring the mountain… this light wants to break out in God’s kingdom children, those who wish to be seen as his. The light doesn’t go out. But it can be veiled… When you have had a true encounter with the Father’s love, you are never the same. You can’t help but love him back. You want more. His light is precious to you. When Moses went up the mountain to receive God’s commandments, he came down with his face shining. The Lord’s light can make our lives shine.
There is something unmistakable about a person who lives in the Lord’s presence. There is enthusiasm, faith, hope and boldness because they have seen the light. They’re not drumming it up. It comes from within. Don’t be veiled like the mountain is when the rain comes.
2 Cor 3:17 “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
Jesus has purchased freedom for all who believe. This freedom is not just freedom in meetings. It is certainly not freedom to do whatever I want. It is the freedom to become more like him, to shine the light out of a heart that is liberated, with no guilt, no fear, and a certainty of where I am going. I talked a few weeks ago about our life being like a play on a big stage – and I asked you whether Jesus had the starring role in your play. Have you given the main role over to him since we talked about it?
But also, by the grace of God, we all have a part in God’s play. It’s a walk-on part. Or maybe a “walk-in” part. John says something important about this, we already read from the first chapter of his first letter at the beginning. v6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
There is a call here for our secret life to be the same as our seen life. God sees everything. We know that. But the life we’re talking about does not work with secrets. Part of the meaning of walking in the light is being transparent, having nothing to hide. Yes, we want to shine the light, but we must walk in it ourselves. If we obey and do that, the light will shine ON us.
We had a power cut once on holiday and Sarah said, “It’s a good job that we have candles” From being in the pitch black, we could suddenly see again. We could see the room and we could see each other. But we could have stayed in the darkness. Safe from anyone else seeing us. Often, the veil that hides the light or the mist that obscures the mountain is caused by our attitudes or unbelief. Attitudes that put conditions on what God wants to do, such as ” it mustn’t be this that or that…
Our passage goes on to say- v8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
David confessed his sin to the Lord and then this was his prayer – Ps 51:10 — “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” A pure heart, full of the grace of God, is a shining light in the darkness of this world. It is something God creates but it is given to those who desire it, and are honest with God, and who go after it. Are you walking in his light today?
What’s the best way to be free from the mist? Go up the mountain. Breathe the air! Enjoy the view. Be transformed into his likeness. Let your light shine… LET your light shine. In our country, the mist is sweeping in. Don’t get so you can’t see the mountain. Get right with Jesus and give your life afresh to him. Let the veil be lifted from your face. Let the mist be removed from your mountain. Choose to Walk in the Light!
We read the following as a prayer together:
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. I agree with your Word – I am the light of the world. I want to walk in the light and shine it out. Restore to me my first love! Let my light shine from this day!
Amen