1-17-99 Shining Stars Is 49

By Ronald E. George Jr.

Who are the shining stars of the Universe? Who are the true stars of society? Could Michael Jordan, who is reportedly worth 10 billion a year, be one of the brightest stars that has ever been? When I was growing up the 6 million-dollar man was one of the brightest stars that have ever been? The price of stardom has increased over the years. That is probably due to inflation. The true shining stars of society are not those who excel at sports or acting. The brightest stars of society are those who are energized by the creator of the universe. Just take a look at the night sky and you can see the stars still shining as they have done for thousands of years. Just take a look around you at those believers in Christ as they have lived for the Lord being empowered by His Spirit if you want to see the brightest stars of the world.

Scripture Text: Isaiah 49:1-7

Isai 49:1 (KJV) Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. 2 And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me; 3 And said unto me, Thou [art] my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified. 4 Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: [yet] surely my judgment [is] with the LORD, and my work with my God. 5 And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb [to be] his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength 6 And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth. 7 Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, [and] his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful,

The True Stars of Society are:

1. Those who were created by God and called by name. They have been given a place to shine. They like Israel are given by God to bring him the glory. They cause people to wonder about God and Point others to the King. As the Wisemen followed the star to see the Christ Child, wise people today can follow them to find God. Next to the Apostle Paul, perhaps the greatest personal worker of all time was a man familiarly known as Uncle John Vassar. In a large railroad station one day he saw a lady with a serious look on her face sitting by herself. He went to her and began to talk to her, found she was unsatisfied, and urged the claims of Christ upon her. She did not yield although her eyes were filled with tears. Just as he left, her husband came up and, seeing the tears, demanded to know what was going on. She told him that a man had just been telling her of her need to be saved. "Why didn't you tell him to go about his business?" said the indignant husband. And she answered, "Husband, if you had only been here you would have seen that he was about his business." ("Choice Illus." W.W. Clay pg. 48)
2. Those who are given a purpose: to be a sword, to be an arrow, and to be a light(Star): to dispel the darkness, to invade the enemies fortress to set the captives free, to break the grip of sin on the lives of others. The purpose of God is to bring people into a relationship with Him. He wants to bring people back to him and to give salvation to all. He chooses the stars of the universe to become his testimony of his power and presence in the world of darkness. The people of Israel were chosen by God to bring salvation to the world, and now the people of the new Israel have that same privilege and mission. It is time to storm the gates of Hell with purpose and with power. Set the captives free from their sin.
3. Those who are energized, empowered, and propelled by God.

Matt 5:16 (KJS) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Phil 2:13 (KJS) For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure. 14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

In the early days of rail travel, crossing guards warned travelers of approaching trains. These men were especially important at night. When trains came, they stood in the middle of the road, swinging a lantern to warn coach drivers of the impending danger. One night, there was a terrible accident at a particular crossing. A coach collided with a train, killing a family of six. An inquest by the railroad authorities subpoenaed Ben, the guard on duty that night. "Ben," the chairman of the review board asked, "were you on duty the night of the accident?" "Yes, sir, I was Ben replied nervously. "Did you know the train was coming?" "Yes, sir, I did." "Did you take your place in front of the crossing?" "Yes, sir, I did." "Did you have your lantern with you?" "Yes, sir, I did." Then the chairman thanked Ben and told him to step down. The inquest closed the case without knowing the cause of the accident. Speculation was that the coach driver was drunk or blind.

Many years later, Ben lay on his deathbed, surrounded by his family. Softly he began to moan, "Those poor people. Those poor, poor people." His oldest son leaned down to hear his father. "Are you talking about the people in that coach, Dad?" "Yes. Those poor, poor people." "But, Dad! Don't you remember? There was an inquest. You were cleared; it wasn't your fault!" "They forgot to ask one question," Ben gasped. "What didn't they ask?" "They forgot to ask," Ben whispered, "if my lantern was lit." --Chris Wiley

The answer from the chosen:

Isaiah says I am honored v.5……..God is my Strength…….God is Fatihful Nevertheless He has chosen me. [and] the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.

2Cor 4:4 (KJS) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Shine for the Lord, Go with the Lord, and Cut with the word of the Lord which the sword of God. Give the Good news that people may be brought back to God and that people may be saved. This is the work of the church the people of God. Get in touch with him today. Let him energize you for the task. That your batteries may never get low on power. Continue to shine. Begin with a prayer for power and for courage.

A story is told of two men who got into conversation on a boat when returning from India. One was an English sportsman and the other was a missionary. The sportsman said, "I've been in India for 25 years, and I never saw one of the natives converted." "That's queer," answered the missionary, "did you ever see a tiger?" "Hundreds of them," was the reply, "and I have shot dozens in the hunt." "Well, I have been in India for many years," said the missionary, "but I have never seen a tiger. But under the power of the Gospel of Christ, I have seen hundreds of the natives of India turn to the Savior!" You see, one loved hunting and was looking for tigers. The other loved individuals who needed God and was looking ways to bring them to Jesus! The Bible says, "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." Dan. 12:3 <Knight's Illustrations> 252

Christians, it is your duty not only to be good, but to shine; and, of all the lights which you kindle on the face, joy will reach farthest out to sea, where troubled mariners are seeking the shore. Even in your deepest grieves, rejoice in God. As waves phosphoresce, let joys flash from the swing of the sorrows of your souls.

-- Beecher

Are you Ready to Shine for the Lord?