I am bright! Who am I?

From the scriptures below, see if you can figure out what this week's message is about.  Once you do, explain what it could possibly have to do with our over all theme, "It's About Time."

Genesis 1:1-5

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.  God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning — the first day.   

           Genesis 1:14-19   And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so. 16 God made two great lights — the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. 17 God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, 18 to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening, and there was morning — the fourth day.

          Revelation 21:22-25    I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. Rev 22:5 They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

          Hebrews 1:1-3a   In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being.

Matt 11:27 No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

Col 1:15  He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

          1 John 1:5-7    This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.  If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.  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.

          John 8:12   When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

          Matt 5:14-16   You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  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.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Have you discovered any treasure lately?

Matthew 6:19-21

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Notice this is about action – it is not where your heart is there your treasure will be.  But where your treasure is, that is where you will find your heart.  Like basketball, dance, tv, computer, family, Church, etc.

Look at your calendar, your check book, your leisure time, your health, etc.  How you spend your TIME and resources reveals what you treasure.  One of the things I treasure is my boat.  It cost money to buy it, to put gas in it, to get the “stuff” you need for it, and it takes time to get it ready, to repair, to launch, to enjoy on the water, and to clean and put away.  I enjoy this because my dad always had a boat on the Scioto river and my grandparents had one on Lake Erie where I spent weeks every summer growing up.  I love the water and love boating on the water.

Before you get to spiritual and say you treasure your bible or your relationship with Jesus, consider one “earthly” thing – like a boat, that you treasure – revealed by how you spend your time and resources.  If you are willing, share with me about that thing in the comment section of this blog.

Matthew 13:44-46

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.  When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

Two stories of searching for treasure, and when the person found that special treasure, they were willing to do anything and give all they had to get that treasure.  Is there anything you really wanted that you had to make major sacrifices to obtain – a treasure worth more than all your stuff?  In the stories above they wanted “that” treasure more than all their other possessions.

Isa 33:5-6

The Lord is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness.  He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure. 

Obviously our real treasure is Eternal Life which we receive by putting our faith in Jesus.  Our faith is the key to unlocking that treasure once we have finally discovered it.  How and when did you discover your real treasure?  Please share below.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Do you know what this is a picture of and what it used to be used for and how it is used today?