📖 Scriptures to Read and Ponder

Main Passage:

Isaiah 60:1–5—

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you. and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the hip. Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy....

Additional Scriptures:

  • Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light shine before others…”

  • John 5:19 – “The Son can do nothing by himself… he can only do what he sees the Father doing.”

  • Revelation 21:3 – “God’s dwelling place is now among the people…”

  • Acts 16:31 – “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”

  • Psalm 30:5 – “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”

📝 Sermon Recap: Rise and Shine

Theme: God’s radiant people are called to shine in a time of deep darkness.

🔔 Introduction: A Wake-Up Call

  • Isaiah prophesied that darkness would cover the earth, yet God’s glory would arise on His people.

  • Today’s cultural, moral, and technological confusion reflects that darkness.

  • The message of Isaiah is a prophetic invitation to wake up and shine.

🔥 Point 1: Arise and Shine — You Were Made for This

  • God’s glory is not coming — it has already come upon His people.

  • “Arise” (Hebrew: quwm) means to get up, take your place, become powerful.

  • God starts with you, not with the darkness.

  • We are to live contrary to the world’s ways — the “Jesus Way.”

💡 Point 2: Glory in the Midst of Darkness

  • Darkness is real, but it’s also the backdrop for God’s glory to shine.

  • Don’t deny or dwell on the darkness — declare and reveal the light.

  • Christianity is about the presence of God dwelling in His people (Rev 21:3).

  • We are not reactors to darkness — we are revealers of the Father.

🌍 Point 3: You Carry an Attractive Light

  • Isaiah 60:3 says nations will come to your light — God’s glory is magnetic.

  • This promise includes cities like Gibraltar: people will be drawn to God’s presence in us.

  • Jesus said, “Let your light shine…” (Matt 5:16).

👁️ Point 4: Lift Up Your Eyes — Get a Kingdom Perspective

  • Isaiah commands: “Lift up your eyes” — a call to prophetic vision.

  • Don’t live with your head down in discouragement.

  • God is restoring families. Sons and daughters are returning — spiritually and literally (Acts 16:31).

  • The Kingdom multiplies through generations, not isolated individuals.

💖 Point 5: Joy Returns — Hearts Swell with Hope

  • Joy is the signature of God’s glory.

  • God’s radiant people are not miserable or burned out — they are joyful.

  • Psalm 30:5 promises joy in the morning. The dawn of God’s glory is rising.

💬 Memorable Quotes

  • “God does not raise people into religion — He raises them into radiance.”

  • “Stop reporting the darkness — start revealing the light.”

  • “You are not waiting for the glory — the glory is waiting for you.”

  • “Joy is the sign that the glory is here. Joy looks good on you!”

  • “When God’s people become a lighthouse, nations come to the light.”

❓ Questions for Discussion

  1. Where do you see “thick darkness” at work in the world today? How do you respond to it personally?

  2. What does it mean in practical terms to “arise and shine” in your home, workplace, or church?

  3. How is the concept of being a “glory-carrier” different from simply being a Christian?

  4. Why is joy so essential to the Christian life? How can we cultivate it even when things are hard?

  5. What “sons and daughters” are you believing to return? How can your faith stand in the gap?

  6. Have you become too focused on the darkness? How can you start lifting your eyes to what God is doing?

📚 Further Reading

Scripture Study:

  • Isaiah 58–61 – for context around God’s promises to restore and anoint His people.

  • Romans 8:18–25 – about creation waiting for the revealing of God’s children.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:6–7 – the light of Christ in jars of clay.

Books & Resources:

  • The Glory Within by Corey Russell – on carrying God’s glory.

  • Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer – for practical spiritual formation.

  • God on Mute by Pete Greig – a reflection on hope in the midst of darkness.

🙏 Prayer Points

  1. Personal Awakening

    Lord, wake me up spiritually. Let me arise and shine for You in this generation.

  2. Glory Carriers

    Holy Spirit, empower me to carry and reveal the presence of Jesus in my everyday life.

  3. Healing for Families

    Father, I lift up my household. I believe in Your promise to restore and bring prodigals home.

  4. Joy Restored

    Let the joy of the Lord be my strength. Replace heaviness with holy laughter.

  5. Kingdom Vision

    Give me eyes to see what You are doing and boldness to walk in it.

  6. Revival in Gibraltar

    Let Gibraltar see the light of Jesus shining through Your people. Raise up a radiant Church.

Let’s continue walking in The Jesus Way — shining brightly in the darkness, full of glory, joy, and hope.