What light reveals

Introduction

Thanks Ross. As Ross stated when we think about Christmas we think about Gifts. But another thing we all think about is light

there are Tv shows, competations about christmas lights

We drive around to see lights

even right outside of where we are meeting tonight there is a tinsel trail of Christmas trees decroated by lights.

light is always intended to reveal something.

If you think about times in your life you have needed a flashlight the purpose wasn’t to look directly into the flashlight. In fact we are told not to look at the flashlight. We use a flash light to show us our way. It reveals where we need to go

So when thinking about the birth of Jesus we can see that light has dawned.

in Isaiah 9:1-8

Isaiah 9:1–8 ESV

But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. The Lord has sent a word against Jacob, and it will fall on Israel;

and when Jesus was born there was a star lighting the way to reveal his birth and he said about himself

John 8:12 ESV

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

so what does the light of Jesus reveal?

The first thing the light of Jesus reveals is there is darkness in the world.

It’s something we know and something the people in the day of Christ knew

but before Jesus people had adjust to the darkness. It wasn’t until the light of Christ dawned that they could realize just how dark the world was

and has the light comes we realize we have a need. We need help

this light wasn’t something developed

it’s actually something discovered

that’s what light at christmas reminds us of

that to be saved, to be rescued from our darkness we need hep

it’s beyond us

it’s God interveing.

Erupting into our situion to bring us light from the outside

yes thihngs are dark. Everyone in the world there is darkness and if we keep looking to the world for salvaiton and rescue things just get darker

but when you see Jesus as the light of the world he begins to reveal what we need the most

we need his love

and the light of Christ shows the world is a world God loves

So much that he sent his son

the light of christ shows we are people who need to be saved and God loves to save

and the light of chrisghts enlightens everything, and everyone

it shows us the relaity of our sin and our need for a savior

and the good news of the gospel is the light of the world Goes to the cross and defeats death and sin once and for all

its why Paul wrote this in

2 Corinthians 4:4–6 ESV

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Take light out of box

turn it on if you haven’t

and allow that light to remind you of the light that has dawned for you

let that light symbolize the light of Christ

and be reminded of

The love of Christ

The mercy of Christ

and the love of Christ

Let’s pray