They Had the Life and the Light
David Wilkerson emphasizes the need for the church to regain its spiritual authority by fostering a deeper relationship with Christ and operating in obedience to God.
David Wilkerson emphasizes that the church of Jesus Christ has lost its spiritual authority and relevance in society due to a lack of true spirituality and connection with Christ. He questions why government leaders and the media look down on Christians, attributing it to the church's failure to be a light in the world. Wilkerson draws parallels with the kingdom of Babylon, illustrating how God's authority was exercised through faithful servants like Daniel and his friends, who remained in communion with God. He highlights the example of Elisha, who, through his relationship with God, was able to discern and thwart the enemy's plans. Ultimately, the sermon calls for believers to regain their spiritual life and authority by yielding to Christ.
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The church of Jesus Christ lacks spiritual authority in society because it lacks spirituality.
Why are our government leaders and the media so condescending to Christians? Why has the church lost all meaning and purpose in the world's eyes? Why have young people written off Christianity as totally irrelevant to their lives?
It's because, for the most part, the church is no longer a light. Christ isn't ruling in our society because he doesn't reign in our lives. As I look around today, I see few in God's house who are truly in union with Christ. There is so little fellowship with heaven. And few ministers refuse worldly methods to trust God for their direction. We have lost our light because we have lost Christ's life. For God's authority to have any impact, it must be lived out in yielded, obedient vessels.
Consider the kingdom of Babylon during the time of Nebuchadnezzar. This was the mightiest empire on earth. Daniel prophesied that every succeeding king would be inferior, less powerful, less influential. Why? Because Nebuchadnezzar was not the real ruler in Babylon. The power behind the empire wasn't in the golden statue he erected. No, Babylon's authority rested in the hands of a small group of God-possessed men. The Lord had set up a secret, heavenly government and it was ruled by Daniel and the three Hebrew children. These men were God's governing instruments, because they operated in the heavenly realm. They refused to have anything to do with the world system. Instead, they shut themselves in with God.
As a result, these holy men knew the times. They could tell the people what God was up to at any given time. They were bright, shining lights to the whole nation, because they had the life of God within them.
In 2 Kings 6, we read of Syria making war against Israel. During this conflict, the prophet Elisha sat at home communing with the Lord. This man was God's secret government, and he ruled with authority. Elisha heard from the Lord, and sent messages to Israel's king, warning him of every move the Syrian army made.
When the Syrian king found out about Elisha's thwarting messages, he surrounded the prophet's hometown with a battalion of troops. But God blinded the Syrians, and Elisha ended up leading them captive into the Israelites' camp. Elisha had the light--and he knew Satan's every move--because he had the life.
Sermon Outline
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I
- The church's lack of spiritual authority
- The relevance of Christianity in society
- The connection between Christ's reign and our lives
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II
- The example of Babylon and Nebuchadnezzar
- The role of Daniel and the Hebrew children
- The concept of a heavenly government
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III
- The authority of Elisha during the Syrian conflict
- God's communication with His prophets
- The importance of spiritual insight and obedience
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IV
- The consequences of losing spiritual light
- The need for fellowship with God
- The call to be vessels of God's authority
Key Quotes
“The church of Jesus Christ lacks spiritual authority in society because it lacks spirituality.” — David Wilkerson
“We have lost our light because we have lost Christ's life.” — David Wilkerson
“These men were God's governing instruments, because they operated in the heavenly realm.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- Seek a closer relationship with God to regain spiritual authority.
- Embrace spiritual integrity like Daniel and his friends to influence society.
- Stay alert to God's guidance and be a light in your community.