1. 2019 Theme
Lights in a Dark World
Philippians 2:15

2. The Darkness Around Us (1)

3. Spiritual Darkness
Physical light and darkness – Genesis 1:2-5
John 1:4-5 – the light shines in the darkness
John 3:19-20 – men loved darkness
Luke 11:34-36 – the lamp of the body is the eye

4. Spiritual Darkness
Ephesians 6:12 – our battle
Proverbs 4:19, “The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble”

5. The Wisdom of this World
1 Corinthians 3:18-20, the world’s wisdom is foolishness to God
We are living in a time of heightened enlightenment. Often it leads to men rejecting God’s wisdom
1 Corinthians 1:18-26
1 Corinthians 2:13-14

6. The Wisdom of this World
Romans 1:20-25, futile thoughts and foolish hearts darkened. Changed the glory of God into idols Exchanged the truth of God for the lie
Realize that not everything that we learn today is true
Naturalism teaches there is no God

7. The Wisdom of this World
Romans 1:21-25
Schools reject the possibility of God
Our entertainment leaves God out of the picture, or blasphemes Him
Humanism is promoted with little resistance
The morals of scripture rejected or changed

8. The Wisdom of this World
Romans 1:21-25
Worldly wisdom says do whatever you want
There is no absolute morality (except theirs)
Promotes selfishness (though they would deny this)
Pick and choose which laws you ought to follow
Provokes intolerance (while supposedly demanding tolerance)

9. The Wisdom of this World
Isaiah 5:20-21, Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil. Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness. Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight.

10. The Wisdom of this World
James 3:13-18
The wisdom of this world:
Has bitter envy and self-seeking in its heart
Boasts and lies against the truth
It is earthly (worldly goals), sensual (appealing to lusts), and demonic (of the devil)
Confusion and every evil thing is there

11. Dealing with wisdom We need wisdom!
It will help us identify worldly wisdom
Proverbs 4:5-7
Proverbs 2:1-15, describes wisdom
James 3:17-18, the wisdom from above: First pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, merciful, full of good works, without partiality or hypocrisy

12. Dealing with wisdom
1 Corinthians 1-3
1 Corinthians 2:4-5, Paul’s speech not based on human wisdom
Colossians 3:16, let the word of God dwell in you in all wisdom
Colossians 4:5, walk in wisdom toward those who are outside

13. Dealing with wisdom
James 1:5-6, if anyone lacks wisdom, ask of God, in faith

14. Am I wisely shining my light?