Morning is Coming

Let us pray…

Today’s scriptural lesson is taken from

How many of you are afraid of the dark?

Occasion : Sunrise Service 2018

Are you afraid of the dark? If you are, you are not alone…

Location : Ang Mo Kio Methodist Church (TRAC)

Let us pray…

Well, I confess that I too am afraid of the dark and I am glad that I am in good company…

According to a survey carried out in Australia last year, 72% of adults are still afraid of the dark…

There is just something about darkness that many of us associate with evil things, bad things or monsters, and is something that has not gone unnoticed by moviemakers…

MPP : Be encouraged, for our LORD has overcome the “darkness”

There is just something intrinsic about darkness that many of us associate with evil things, or monsters, and it is something that has not gone unnoticed by moviemakers…

Are you afraid of the dark?

Let us pray…

Well, according to a survey carried out in Australia last year, 72% of adults are still afraid of the dark…

Many of the traditional vampire shows have the same formula, such as that of Dracula staring Christopher Lee in the 1950s…

Many of the traditional vampire shows have the same formula, such as Dracula in the 1950s…

How many of you are afraid of the dark?

There is just something intrinsic about darkness that many of us associate with evil things, or monsters, and is something that has not gone unnoticed by moviemakers…

The days are usually pass quite uneventfully, perhaps with a grossly find or two but nothing too scary…

The days are usually quite uneventfully, perhaps with a grisly find or two but nothing too scary…

Well, I confess that I too am afraid of the dark and I am glad that I am in good company…

But when the night comes…

Many of the traditional vampire shows have the same formula, such as that of Dracula staring Christopher Lee in the 1950s…

then you get all the scary scenes

That’s where the action begins…

The days are usually quite uneventfully, perhaps with a grisly find or two but nothing too scary…

There is just something intrinsic about darkness that many of us associate with evil things, or monsters, and it is something that has not gone unnoticed by moviemakers…

and if you’re like me, that’s where you peak through the gaps in your fingers…

and if you’re like me, that’s where you peak through the gaps between your fingers…

Many of the traditional vampire shows have the same formula, such as that of Dracula staring Christopher Lee in the 1950s…

But when the night comes…

The days are usually pass quite uneventfully, perhaps with a grossly find or two but nothing too scary…

and the person beside you would complain that you’re wasting money, not watching the movie that you paid for…

and the person beside you would laugh at you for wasting money…

That’s where the action beings..

But when the night comes…

and if you’re like me, that’s where you peak through the gaps between your fingers…

then the movie progresses with alternations between day and night

Anyway… this alternation between light and dark, day and night,

the day in which the good people are getting closer and closer to finding out the truth and being able to find out the evil person’s secret

and the person beside you would complain that you’re wasting money, not watching the movie that you had paid for…

then you get all the scary scenes

the day in which the good people are getting closer and closer to finding out the truth and find out who the killer is….

then the movie progresses with alternations between day and night

and the night in which the evil person continues to do his evil deeds with increased frequency…

and if you’re like me, that’s where you peak through the gaps in your fingers…

and the night in which the evil person continues his evil deeds…

the day in which the good people are getting closer and closer to finding out the truth and find out who the killer is….

and the person beside you would complain that you’re wasting money, not watching the movie that you paid for…

Until the climax of the movie in which the hero and the vampire confront one another

Until the climax of the movie in which the good and evil confront one another

the struggle between the hero and the vampire,

and the night in which the evil person continues to do his evil deeds with increased frequency…

In the struggle between good and evil

Anyway… this alternation between light and dark, day and night,

And when it seemed like evil will triumph,

that begins at night but ends with the hero finally removing some sort of covering in the wall

the day in which the good people are getting closer and closer to finding out the truth and being able to find out the evil person’s secret

Until the climax of the movie in which the hero and the vampire confront one another

and the night in which the evil person continues to do his evil deeds with increased frequency…

In the struggle between good and evil

though injured and it seemed like evil will triumph,

the hero though injured is able to remove a covering in the wall and fingers of light pierces through the deep darkness

Until the climax of the movie in which the good and evil confront one another

And when it seemed like evil will triumph, the hero though injured but with great determination and desperation,

but with great determination and desperation,

and the vampire turns to ashes and is destroyed

the hero was able to remove more and more of the covering and more and more fingers of light pierces through the deep darkness and the vampire is finally destroyed

the struggle between the hero and the vampire,

And goodness finally triumphs over evil…

Would be able to remove more and more of a covering in the wall and more and more fingers of light pierces through the deep darkness and the finally, the vampire is destroyed

<pause>

that begins at night but ends with the hero finally removing some sort of covering in the wall

And goodness finally triumphs over evil…

Well, the same idea is portrayed here in the creation story we just read in which God created light, he declared that the light was good…

<pause>

though injured and it seemed like evil will triumph,

Well, the same idea is portrayed here in the creation story we just read in which God created light, he declared that the light was good and went on to separate the light from the darkness…

but with great determination and desperation,

Here, other than the depiction of how the world was created,

Well, the same idea is portrayed here in the creation story we just read in which God created light, he declared that the light was good and went on to separate the light from the darkness…

Other than the depiction of how the world was created, weaved into this was the inherent message that our God is the one that is able to overcome evil and this we know because in verse 2 we read about how the world was described… formless, emptiness, darkness and deep waters

the hero was able to remove more and more of the covering and more and more fingers of light pierces through the deep darkness and the vampire is finally destroyed

The Hebrew word for formless here suggests that earth was totally empty, barren and was a picture of utter destruction, the same word used is to describe how Israel was a place of desolation and hopelessness[1] and hence was a picture where joy is nowhere to be found, only gloom and sadness

weaved into this was the inherent message that our God is the one that is able to overcome evil and this we know because in verse 2 we read about how the world was described… formless, empty, dark and with deep waters

Other than the depiction of how the world was created, weaved into this was the inherent message that our God is the one that is able to overcome evil and this we know because in verse 2 we read about how the world was described… formless, empty, dark and with deep waters

And goodness finally triumphs over evil…

Let us now look closer at three Hebrew words seen in the text… תֹ֙הוּ֙ וָבֹ֔הוּ וְחֹ֖שֶׁךְ

Next, the Hebrew word for emptiness is likewise used in which describes a utter chaotic state[2] – one that is disorderly and the result of destruction – and an appropriate picture would be like a warzone or 很乱.

(tohu va vohu ve hoshek)

Next, the Hebrew word for darkness is the same word used in which describes a time of distress, and is used extensively by the Jews as figurative for distress, mourning, perplexity, confusion and evil, sometimes more explicitly used to describe something that is anti-God and anti-good[3]

In particular, I would like to introduce you to some Hebrew words to help us appreciate the text better…

Well, the same idea is portrayed here in the creation story we just read in which God created light, he declared that the light was good and went on to separate the light from the darkness…

Other than the depiction of how the world was created, weaved into this was the inherent message that our God is the one that is able to overcome evil and this we know because in verse 2 we read about how the world was described… formless, emptiness, darkness and deep waters

תֹ֙הוּ֙ וָבֹ֔הוּ וְחֹ֖שֶׁךְ (tohu va vohu ve hoshek)

And finally, the for the Jews, the deep waters is the realm of sea monsters, death and Hades, this concept is similarly captured in where we can read of the beast, who came to wage war, and it is the place where the dead and Hades were kept which you can read about in … It is a place where no one wants to be near… it is a place that evokes fear and anxiety in a person… it was a place of nightmares and it was a place which you say choy to, when someone mentions it…

The Hebrew word for formless here is the word תֹ֙הוּ֙ (tohu) suggests that earth was totally empty, barren and was a picture of utter destruction, the same word used is to describe how Israel was a place of desolation and hopelessness[1] and hence was a picture where joy is nowhere to be found, only gloom and sadness

The Hebrew word for formless here suggests that earth was totally empty, barren and was a picture of utter destruction, the same word used is to describe how Israel was a place of desolation and hopelessness[1] and hence was a picture where joy is nowhere to be found, only gloom and sadness

Next, the Hebrew word for emptiness is בֹּ֫הוּ (vōʹ·hu)[2] which is the same word used in which describes an utter chaotic state[3] – one that is disorderly and the result of destruction – and an appropriate picture would be like a warzone or 很乱.

Formless, emptiness and darkness

In summary, this was a picture of utter emptiness, chaos and hopelessness…

Next, the Hebrew word for darkness is חֹ֫שֶׁךְ (hoshek), which is the same word used in which describes a time of distress, and is used extensively by the Jews as figurative for distress, mourning, perplexity, confusion and evil, sometimes more explicitly used to describe something that is anti-God and anti-good[4]

The first word here, תֹ֙הוּ֙ (tohu) which sounds like 豆腐 (dou fu) suggests that earth was totally empty, barren and was a picture of utter destruction, the same word used in to describe how Israel was a place of desolation and hopelessness[1] and hence was a picture where joy is nowhere to be found, only gloom and sadness

Emptiness, chaos and hopelessness…

Next, the Hebrew word for emptiness is likewise used in which describes a utter chaotic state[2] – one that is disorderly and the result of destruction – and an appropriate picture would be like a warzone or 很乱.

Next, the Hebrew word for darkness is the same word used in which describes a time of distress, and is used extensively by the Jews as figurative for distress, mourning, perplexity, confusion and evil, sometimes more explicitly used to describe something that is anti-God and anti-good[3]

The next word, is בֹּ֫הוּ (vōʹ·hu)[2] which means emptiness and is the same word used in which describes an utter chaotic state[3] – one that is disorderly and the result of destruction

This is perhaps a good way to describe the mood on that first Holy Saturday… the day after the hope of many seemed to be dissipated into thin air, after Jesus was crucified on that cross on Calvary…

And finally, the for the Jews, the deep waters is the realm of sea monsters, death and Hades, this concept is similarly captured in where we can read of the beast, who came to wage war against humanity, and it is the place where the dead and Hades were kept… It is a place where no one wants to be near… it is a place that evokes fear and anxiety in a person… it was a place of nightmares and it was a place which you say choy to, when someone mentions it…

Just imagine a warzone or 很乱.

And finally, the for the Jews, the deep waters is the realm of sea monsters, death and Hades, this concept is similarly captured in where we can read of the beast, who came to wage war, and it is the place where the dead and Hades were kept which you can read about in … It is a place where no one wants to be near… it is a place that evokes fear and anxiety in a person… it was a place of nightmares and it was a place which you say choy to, when someone mentions it…

Emptiness, chaos and hopelessness, such was perhaps how Mary, the mother of Jesus felt that first Holy Saturday, while everybody else was celebrating the Passover, the national holiday which commemorated the deliverance of Israel by God, deliverance from slavery, she definitely, did not feel like celebrating… she was grieving because she had just lost her firstborn… her son… her precious son…. Who had died a cruel and painful death on the cross… drawing his last breadth before her eyes.. as recorded for us in Matthew 28:56

In summary, this was a picture of utter emptiness, chaos and hopelessness…

Next, the Hebrew word for darkness is חֹ֫שֶׁךְ (hoshek), is the same word used in which describes a time of distress, and is used extensively by the Jews as figurative for mourning, perplexity, confusion and evil,

Emptiness, chaos and hopelessness was perhaps how the disciples felt because the great Rabbi whom they followed for the last three years was no more… the one on whom they put their hope one… the one whom who recognised as the Son of the living God… the one whom declared that he has overcome Hades and who said to Peter “upon this work I will build my rock and the gate of Hades will not overcome it”… what happened? What happened to all the declarations that Jesus was the promised messiah, the fulfilment of the Davidic covenant whose kingdom will know no end… suddenly, all these things seemed very far away… very distant, it feels as if darkness becomes overwhelming…

Emptiness, chaos and hopelessness…

sometimes used to describe something that is anti-God and anti-good[4]

Emptiness, chaos and hopelessness…

This is perhaps a good way to describe the mood on that first Holy Saturday… the day after the hope of many seemed to be dissipated into thin air, after Jesus was crucified on that cross…

Emptiness, chaos and hopelessness…

Emptiness, chaos and hopelessness, such was perhaps how Mary, the mother of Jesus felt that first Holy Saturday, while everybody else was celebrating the Passover, the national holiday which commemorated the deliverance of Israel, from slavery by God…

And finally, the for the Jews, the waters הַמָּֽיִם (ha mayim) is the realm of sea monsters, death and Hades,

Perhaps that’s something that some of us if not all of us can relate to sometimes… perhaps, like Mary you have lost someone close to you… and you are still grieving… and the grief does seem to be able to go away…

This is perhaps a good way to describe the mood on that first Holy Saturday… the day after the hope of many seemed to be dissipated into thin air, after Jesus was crucified on that cross on Calvary…

But not for Mary, she definitely did not feel like celebrating… she was grieving because she had just lost her firstborn… her son… her precious son…. Who had died a cruel and painful death on the cross… drawing his last breadth before her eyes…

Perhaps you’re like the disciples… the source of your hope is no longer around… and you don’t see a meaning in life anymore…

Emptiness, chaos and hopelessness, such was perhaps how Mary, the mother of Jesus felt that first Holy Saturday, while everybody else was celebrating the Passover, the national holiday which commemorated the deliverance of Israel by God, deliverance from slavery, she definitely, did not feel like celebrating… she was grieving because she had just lost her firstborn… her son… her precious son…. Who had died a cruel and painful death on the cross… drawing his last breadth before her eyes.. as recorded for us in Matthew 28:56

this concept is similarly captured in where we can read of the beast, who came to wage war against humanity,

Emptiness, chaos and hopelessness was perhaps how the disciples felt because the great Rabbi whom they followed for the last three years was no more… the one on whom they put their hope on… the one whom they recognised as the Son of the living God… the one whom declared that he has overcome Hades and who said to Peter “upon this work I will build my church and the gate of Hades will not overcome it”… what happened?

Emptiness, chaos and hopelessness was perhaps how the disciples felt because the great Rabbi whom they followed for the last three years was no more… the one on whom they put their hope one… the one whom who recognised as the Son of the living God… the one whom declared that he has overcome Hades and who said to Peter “upon this work I will build my rock and the gate of Hades will not overcome it”… what happened? What happened to all the declarations that Jesus was the promised messiah, the fulfilment of the Davidic covenant whose kingdom will know no end… suddenly, all these things seemed very far away… very distant, it feels as if darkness becomes overwhelming…

it is the place where the dead and Hades were kept…

Perhaps you have lost your job or your health is deteriorating, or you are facing some sort of relational issues with your family members or you were backstabbed or cheated at work…

Perhaps your child had started to mix with bad company or picked up some bad habits…

Emptiness, chaos and hopelessness…

This messianic figure, the hope of the people, who had been prophesised by the prophet Isaiah by describing God mustering a great divine army to finally vindicate His oppressed people, which we can read in …. is dead

It is a place where no one wants to be near… it is a place that evokes fear and anxiety in a person… it was a place of nightmares…

This messianic figure, the fulfilment of the Davidic covenant and a divine warrior who will lead the final battle that will end all wars, after which we will welcome the everlasting reign of God that will last forever and ever in which there will be no more evil and no more suffering as is recorded for us in the books of Hosea, Joel and Jeremiah… is dead

In summary, this was a picture of utter emptiness, chaos and hopelessness…

Perhaps that’s something that some of us if not all of us can relate to sometimes… perhaps, like Mary you have lost someone close to you… and you are still grieving… and the grief does seem to be able to go away…

Or perhaps you have an overwhelming sense of loneliness and you don’t seem to have anyone you can talk to…

Emptiness, chaos and hopelessness…

What happened to all the declarations that Jesus was the promised messiah, the fulfilment of the Davidic covenant whose kingdom will know no end… suddenly, all these things seemed very far away… very distant, it feels as if darkness has overcome the light…

Darkness seems to be the theme of your life, and it is characterised by emptiness, chaos and hopelessness…

Perhaps you’re like the disciples… the source of your hope is no longer around… and you don’t see a meaning in life anymore…

This is perhaps a good way to describe the mood on that first Holy Saturday… the day after the hope of many seemed to be dissipated into thin air, after Jesus was crucified on that cross…

Perhaps you have lost your job or your health is deteriorating, or you are facing some sort of relational issues with your family members or you were backstabbed or cheated at work…

What happened? Why is it we only see now, emptiness, chaos and hopelessness…

Well, listen to this my brothers and sisters in Christ…

Perhaps your child had started to mix with bad company or picked up some bad habits…

In verse 3 of our text today, God said “let there be light, and there was light…” and God he saw that the light was “good”

Emptiness, chaos and hopelessness, such was perhaps how Mary, the mother of Jesus felt that Friday, while everybody else was commemorating the Passover (paschal), the national holiday which commemorated the deliverance of Israel by God from slavery…

Did we get it wrong?

Or perhaps you have an overwhelming sense of loneliness and you don’t seem to have anyone you can talk to…

In the Genesis account of creation, in the very first day,

emptiness, chaos and hopelessness… Perhaps that’s something that some of us if not all of us can relate… perhaps, like Mary you have lost someone close to you… and you are still grieving… and the grief just does not seem to be able to go away… where is the hope?

But not for Mary, she definitely did not feel like celebrating… she was grieving because she had just lost her firstborn… her son… her precious son….

Our God created light and light pierces through the deep darkness

Darkness seems to be the theme of your life, and it is characterised by emptiness, chaos and hopelessness…

Who had died a cruel and painful death on the cross… drawing his last breadth before her very eyes…

Perhaps you’re like the disciples… the source of their hope and security is not there anymore? For them, the leader that is supposed to bring them security is gone… where is the hope?

Emptiness, chaos and hopelessness was perhaps how the disciples felt because the great Rabbi whom they followed for the last three years was no more… the one on whom they put their hope on… the one whom they recognised as the Son of the living God… the one who declared that he has overcome Hades and who said to Peter “upon this rock I will build my church and the gate of Hades will not overcome it”… what happened?

Well, listen to this my brothers and sisters in Christ…

and light overcomes darkness…

Perhaps likewise, the source of your hope for a more secured future may seem to have disappeared because of you have lost your job, some bad investment or the volatile economy?

This messianic figure, the hope of the people, who had been prophesised by the prophet Isaiah, who is supposed to muster a great divine army to finally vindicate His oppressed people…. is dead

In the very first day of creation, God has already declared that good had already triumphed over evil and this is the similar account captured in the prologue of John, John chapter 1:1-9 that says in describing Jesus

Perhaps your health is deteriorating, or you are facing some sort of relational issues with your family members or you were backstabbed or cheated at work…

In verse 3 of our text today, God said “let there be light, and there was light…” and God he saw that the light was “good”

This messianic figure, the fulfilment of the Davidic covenant…

Perhaps your child had started to mix with bad company or picked up some bad habits…

In the Genesis account of creation, in the very first day,

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it…He is 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.”

Or perhaps you have an overwhelming sense of loneliness and you don’t seem to have anyone you can talk to…

Our God created light and light pierces through the deep darkness

A divine warrior who will lead the final battle that will end all wars, after which we will welcome the everlasting reign of God that will last forever…

The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not and cannot overcome it…

Darkness seems to be the theme of your life, and it is characterised by emptiness, chaos and hopelessness…

in which there will be no more evil and no more suffering… recorded in the books of Hosea, Joel and Jeremiah… This messianic figure… is dead

That morning of the first Easter, when it was still dark, the two Marys went back with spices and heavy hearts to Jesus’ tomb to finish the burial preparations but they found the tomb empty….

and light overcomes darkness…

Though they were not aware, their source of hope had never been diminished

Suddenly, all these promises and hope seemed very far away… very distant, it feels as if darkness has overcome the light…

In the very first day of creation, God has already declared that good had already triumphed over evil and this is the similar account captured in the prologue of John, John chapter 1:1-9 that says in describing Jesus

Well, listen to this my friends…

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it…He is 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.”

They went thinking that Jesus is dead, but they were told “why do you look for the living among the dead”[4]

What happened? Why is it we only see now, emptiness, chaos and hopelessness…

Darkness did not triumphed over good…

In verse 3 of our text today, God said “let there be light, and there was light…” and God he saw that the light was “good”

Did we get it wrong?

The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not and cannot overcome it…

Unknown to them, the inevitable had already happened…

emptiness, chaos and hopelessness…

That morning of the first Easter, when it was still dark, the two Marys went back with spices and heavy hearts to Jesus’ tomb to finish the burial preparations but they found the tomb empty….

In the Genesis account of creation, in the very first day of creation,

The victory had already been won…

Though they were not aware, their source of hope had never been diminished

Our God created light and light pierces through the deep darkness

Perhaps that’s something that some of us if not all of us can relate to…

Jesus had resurrected!

They went thinking that Jesus is dead, but they were told “why do you look for the living among the dead”[4]

and light overcame the darkness…

perhaps, like Mary you have lost someone close to you… and you are still grieving… and the grief just does not seem to be able to go away… where is the hope?

Death could not hold him down…

Unknown to them, the inevitable had already happened…

Perhaps, like the disciples, your future suddenly feels so insecure, so uncertain….

The darkness that manifested in the selfish pride of the Pharisees and the Sadducees in getting rid of the person that caused them trouble, getting rid of the one that preached about a new Kingdom, was overcome… Light overcame the darkness of their hearts… Death could not hold Jesus down…

In the very first day of creation, God has already declared that good had already triumphed over evil and this is similarly captured in John chapter 1:1-5 in which John in describing Jesus declared that…

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it…”He is 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.”

The darkness that manifested in the insecurity of the governor Pilate thereby working with the Jewish authorities to get rid of this person Jesus so that any chance of an uprising is quelled… deciding that it was worth sacrificing one man so that his power could be maintained… But Light overcame the darkness of his insecurity… Death could not hold Jesus down…

For them, their leader, the King who was supposed to lead them and the whole of Israel to victory and usher in the Kingdom of God… is dead…

The victory had already been won…

The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not and cannot overcome it…

Friends, do you, like the Mary and the disciples in that first Holy Saturday, the morning will come…

For them, the leader their source of security is gone… where is the hope?

Jesus had resurrected!

Are you feeling the emptiness, chaos and hopeless they felt that first Holy Saturday?

Death could not hold him down…

Perhaps likewise, the source of your hope for a more secured future may seem to have disappeared because of you have lost your job, because of some bad investment or because of the volatile economy?

That morning of the first Easter, when it was still dark, the two Marys went back with spices and heavy hearts to Jesus’ tomb to finish the burial preparations but they found the tomb empty….

Though they were not aware, their source of hope had never been diminished

Are you grieving because of the loss of a loved one? Are you battling depression? Have you lost your job? Are you facing issues at home? Is your child in bad company?

Perhaps your health is failing, or you are facing some sort of relational issues with your family members or you were backstabbed or cheated at work…

The darkness that manifested in the selfish pride of the Pharisees and the Sadducees in getting rid of the person that caused them trouble, getting rid of the one that preached about a new Kingdom, was overcome… Light overcame the darkness of their hearts… Death could not hold Jesus down…

Perhaps your child had started to mix with bad company or picked up some bad habits or is simply struggling with life…

In fact, their source of hope just became reinforced…

Don’t lose hope… the morning is coming…

The darkness that manifested in the insecurity of the governor Pilate thereby working with the Jewish authorities to get rid of this person Jesus so that any chance of an uprising is quelled… deciding that it was worth sacrificing one man so that his power could be maintained… But Light overcame the darkness of his insecurity… Death could not hold Jesus down…

Just like how light will push back the darkness soon, where the fingers of light will come forth and overcome the darkness, morning will come in whatever situation you are facing…

They went thinking that Jesus is dead, but they were told not to “look for the living among the dead”[5]

Friends, do you, like the Mary and the disciples in that first Holy Saturday, the morning will come…

Or perhaps you have an overwhelming sense of loneliness and you don’t seem to have anyone you can talk to…

Unknown to them, the inevitable had already happened…

Darkness seems to be the theme of your life, and it is characterised by emptiness, chaos and hopelessness…

Just as how God created light in that first day of creation and darkness got pushed away… the morning is coming…

Are you feeling the emptiness, chaos and hopeless they felt that first Holy Saturday?

Just like how Jesus was resurrected that first Easter and over darkness… the morning is coming

The victory had already been won…

Just like how even though the earth was empty that first creation day, it was soon filled with wonder and God’s creation over the next six days of creation… Are you feeling emptiness? Ask God to fill you with His love, joy and peace…

Just like how even though the earth was chaotic that first creation day, it was soon put to order with seasons and regularity when then till now… Are you feeling like your life is chaotic? Ask God to bring order to your life once again…

Jesus has come and overcome the darkness and will continue to overcome the darkness in your lives…

Jesus had resurrected!

Well, listen to this my friends…

Darkness did not triumph over good…

Our savior who was and is and will be is here among us… He is risen! Amen!

Just like how everything seemed overwhelmingly hopeless after the Fall of the first couple, God sent us a messiah, a savior to give us hope once again… Look upon Jesus our risen savior….

Death could not hold him down…

The darkness that manifested in the selfish pride of the Pharisees and the Sadducees in getting rid of the person that caused them trouble has been overcome… Light had overcome the darkness of their hearts… Death could not hold Jesus down…

In verse 3 of our text today at the pivot of our text, God said “let there be light, and there was light…”

Are you grieving because of the loss of a loved one? Are you battling depression? Have you lost your job? Are you facing issues at home? Is your child in bad company?

Don’t lose hope… the morning is coming…

[1] James Swanson, Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), 9332.

In the Genesis account of creation, in the very first day of creation,

The darkness that manifested in the insecurity of the governor Pilate who worked with the Jewish authorities to get rid of this person Jesus so that any chance of an uprising is quelled… the darkness that manifested in the decision that it was worth sacrificing one man so that his power could be maintained… had been overcome… light had overcome the darkness of Pilate’s heart… Death could not hold Jesus down…

Just like how light will push back the darkness soon, where the fingers of light will come forth and overcome the darkness, morning will come in whatever situation you are facing…

Our God created light and light pierces through the deep darkness

In the midst of deep darkness, the brightest light of God shines through and we witnessed the greatest victory in human history… Death itself had been defeated… Death has lost it’s sting my friends…

and light overcame the darkness…

The Jewish traditions were expecting a physical, localized Kingdom of God, but Jesus brought forth a universal Kingdom of God that spans time and space… And we as the members of the universal Church is part of the Kingdom of God… we are called to be a tangible representation of God, bringing God’s light into a very dark world and even into the darkness of our lives… and we can do that because of that morning… when the tomb was emptied out… because Christ has risen….

Just as how God created light in that first day of creation and darkness got pushed away… the morning is coming…

[2] James Swanson, Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), 983.

In the very first day of creation, God has already declared that good had already triumphed over evil and this is similarly captured in John chapter 1:4-5 in which John declared that…

So, friends, do you, like Mary and the disciples in that first Holy Saturday, feel as if that is no hope? We’ll, listen to the lyrics of this song…

Just like how Jesus was resurrected that first Easter and over darkness… the morning is coming

[3] Francis Brown, Samuel Rolles Driver, and Charles Augustus Briggs, Enhanced Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1977), 365.

“4 In [Jesus] was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it…”

Friends, are you weary and troubled?

Jesus has come and overcome the darkness and will continue to overcome the darkness in your lives…

Our savior who was and is and will be is here among us… He is risen! Amen!

<pause>

No light in the darkness you see?

[4]

The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not and cannot overcome it…

There’s light for a look at the Savior,

[1] James Swanson, Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), 9332.

That morning of the first Easter, when it was still dark, the two Marys went back with spices and heavy hearts to Jesus’ tomb to finish the burial preparations but they found the tomb empty….

And life more abundant and free!

Though they were not aware, their source of hope had never been diminished

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

In fact, their source of hope just became reinforced…

Look full in His wonderful face,

[2] James Swanson, Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), 983.

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

They went thinking that Jesus is dead, but they were told not to “look for the living among the dead”[5]

In the light of His glory and grace.

Unknown to them, the inevitable had already happened…

[3] Francis Brown, Samuel Rolles Driver, and Charles Augustus Briggs, Enhanced Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1977), 365.

The victory had already been won…

the morning will come…

[4]

Jesus had resurrected!

Are you feeling the emptiness, chaos and hopelessness they felt that first Holy Saturday?

Death could not hold him down…

Just like how even though the earth was empty that first creation day, it was soon filled with wonder… Are you feeling emptiness? Ask God to fill you with His love, joy and peace…

Through death into life everlasting

The darkness that manifested in the selfish pride of the Pharisees and the Sadducees in getting rid of the person that caused them trouble has been overcome…

He passed, and we follow Him there;

Light had overcome the darkness of their hearts… Death could not hold Jesus down…

O'er us sin no more hath dominion-

The darkness that manifested in the insecurity of the governor Pilate who worked with the Jewish authorities to get rid of this person Jesus so that any chance of an uprising is quelled… had been overcome…

the darkness that manifested in the decision that it was worth sacrificing one man so that his power could be maintained had been overcome…

For more than conqu'rors we are!

light had overcome the darkness of Pilate’s heart… Death could not hold Jesus down…

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

In the midst of deep darkness, the brightest light of God shone through and we witnessed the greatest victory in human history… Death itself had been defeated… Death has lost its sting my friends…

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

Those who were against Jesus thought that Jesus was trying to bring forth a physical localized kingdom and tried to stop it by killing him….

In the light of His glory and grace.

But it was through his death that Jesus brought forth a universal Kingdom of God that spans time and space…

Just like how even though the earth was chaotic that first creation day, it was soon put to order… Are you feeling like your life is chaotic? We may not know how, but God will bring order and light into your life once again…

Can’t you see? We as the members of the universal Church is part of the Kingdom of God… we are called to be a tangible representation of God, bringing God’s light into a very dark world and even into the darkness of our lives… and we can do that because of that morning… when the tomb was emptied out… because Christ has risen….

His Word shall not fail you-He promised;

We all have a hope and a future because of that morning…

And we can bring to others a hope and a future because of that morning…

Believe Him, and all will be well:

Then go to a world that is dying,

So, friends, do you, like Mary and the disciples in that first Holy Saturday, feel as if that is no hope? We’ll, listen to the lyrics of this song…

His perfect salvation to tell!

Friends, are you weary and troubled?

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

No light in the darkness you see?

Look full in His wonderful face,

There’s light for a look at the Savior,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

And life more abundant and free!

In the light of His glory and grace.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

No matter how dark your world feels like...

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

Don’t lose hope… the morning is coming…

Just like how Jesus was resurrected that first Easter and triumphed over darkness… don’t lose hope…trust in God, for the morning is coming

In the light of His glory and grace.

And

Are you feeling the emptiness, chaos and hopelessness they felt that first Holy Saturday?

Because He lives, you can face tomorrow

Just like how even though the earth was empty that first creation day, it was soon filled with wonder…

Let God fill you with His love, joy and peace and know that because of Him, we are now more than conquerors…

Because He lives, all fear is gone

Through death into life everlasting

Because you know He holds the future

And life is worth the living, just because He lives

He passed, and we follow Him there;

Our savior who was and is and will be is here among us… He is risen! Amen!

O'er us sin no more hath dominion-

For more than conqu'rors we are!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

[1] James Swanson, Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), 9332.

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

[2]Christo van der Merwe, The Lexham Hebrew-English Interlinear Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2004), .

In the light of His glory and grace.

Just like how even though the earth was chaotic that first creation day, it was soon put to order… Are you feeling like your life is chaotic? We may not know how, but God will bring order and light into your life once again as he had promised… His words will not fail you…

[3] James Swanson, Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), 983.

His Word shall not fail you-He promised;

Believe Him, and all will be well:

[4] Francis Brown, Samuel Rolles Driver, and Charles Augustus Briggs, Enhanced Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1977), 365.

Then go to a world that is dying,

[5]

His perfect salvation to tell!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace.

No matter how dark your world feels like...

Don’t lose hope… the morning is coming…

Just like how Jesus was resurrected that first Easter and triumphed over darkness… don’t lose hope…trust in God, for the morning is coming

And

Because He lives, you can face tomorrow

Because He lives, all fear is gone

Because you know He holds the future

And life is worth the living, just because He lives

He is risen! Amen!

[1] James Swanson, Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), 9332.

[2]Christo van der Merwe, The Lexham Hebrew-English Interlinear Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2004), .

[3] James Swanson, Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), 983.

[4] Francis Brown, Samuel Rolles Driver, and Charles Augustus Briggs, Enhanced Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1977), 365.

[5]