The Power of Light

The Power of Light Sunday Service – 12/10/2017 Introduction: …the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible. …understanding of a problem or mystery; enlightenment. …spiritual illumination by divine truth. • Our world and also our life are growing darker by the moment. Ignorance, defiance, rebel-violence, greed, anger, dishonesty, immorality and murder have become almost commonplace. • The solution can only be found in God and through His word, starting from the first book Genesis – Gen. 1:1-3. • With formless nature of the earth then, the first word that God spoke was not, “Let there be love, or “Let there be hope” or Let there be faith.” • But His first words were, “Let there be light.” As a result of this, this planet and the cosmos were forever changed. • God’s response to the darkness was to turn on the light! • Thousands of years later, on a dark, starry night outside of Bethlehem, once again God spoke into the darkness and in essence said, “Let there be light.” And a baby was born - a Baby who was Himself the Light of the world – John 8:12 (NLT) • And human history was forever changed. The Big Question! What should be our response to the darkness in our world? • For me, I want to turn on the light. Because… 1. LIGHT DISCLOSES When a light is turned on, it immediately makes itself known, and it reveals objects not seen in the darkness. a. Light reveals itself: • How is God described in 1 John 1:5? What do you think this means? • Would it be possible to know God if He chose not to reveal Himself? – 1 Tim. 6:15-16 • Which two ways does God reveal Himself to us? John 1:1-2, 14; Rev. 1:1-2, 16; 19:11-13 • What are some primary things God has revealed about himself? – Gen. 1:1; Isa. 40:28; 43:15; Exo. 3:13-15; Mark 1:9-11; John 3:16 • Who specifically is the Light? – Matt. 4:16; John 1:3, 18; Col. 1:15-17; John 8:2 • When Jesus said that His disciples – you are and me – are to be the light of the world, explain what he meant simply, as to a child – Matt. 5:14-16. Action: Is there anything God has revealed to you personally in the last 12 months about Himself through His word or through His son? Do you care to share? b. Light Reveals Ourselves: • What has His Light revealed to you about yourself that you hadn’t known previously? – Psalm 90:8; Proverbs 20:27; Psalm 139:23-24 • What have you done about the revelation? – 1 John 1:8-10 • If the Light has come, why is the world still so dark? John 3:19-21 • Is there anything or anyone that can hide from the light? Luke 12:1-3; 1 Cor. 4:5; Psalm 139:11-12 Action: When did the light penetrate the darkness of your life? – Col. 1:13-14 The Power of Light - 2 Sunday Service – 12/17/2017 Introduction • Luke 22:53 (NLT) • John 12:35-36 (NLT) Light Dispels: If you want to make a different in our world, instead of attacking the darkness with more darkness, we simply need to turn on the Light. So how do we dispel the light? This is possible by: • Believing that He is the light – 2 Sam. 22:29; Isa 42:16 • Never use the earthly methods – 2 Cor.10: 3-4 • Destroying proud obstacle that is challenging the light of God in you – 2 Cor. 10:4-5; Eph.6:17-18 • Continue to live in the light and be the light – 1 John 1:7-8; Matt. 5:15 Lights Divides: Light and darkness cannot abide together Gen. 1:3-4; 14, 16-18 • Jesus Christ also put a difference between the darkness and light in our world – John 7:40-43; 1:4-5; • Be separate – 2 Cor. 6:14,17 The Light Directs: Anyone who gets up in the middle of the night understands the necessity of turning on a light. When the children of Israel where in the wilderness, God uses light to guide their path - “The Lord went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or by night.” – Exo. 13:21; Neh. 9:2 So, how do God direct us? • By going ahead of us – Exo. 13:21 • By teaching us what is good for us and leading us on the path to follow – Isa. 48:17 • By speaking directly into our ears – Isa 30:21 • By his word – Psalm 119:105 What do you need to live and walk in His light? • Deliverance from our darkness – Psalm 56:13 • Determination to walk in His light – John 10:1-5; Isa 2:5 • Fellowship with each other – 1 John 1:7 Lights Draws: Like moths drawn to a flame, people are attracted to light. Jesus Christ is the light who attracts others - “Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” – John 8:12. So how do we become the light drawer? • By being a God’s magnet – Isa 60:1-3 • By being irresistible – John 6:44 • By lifting Jesus up in our lives on daily basis – John 12:32 Conclusion: What will be my gift to the King this Christmas? • My gift to the King this Christmas is to renew my commitment to persevere in punching holes in the darkness … exalting Jesus, sharing the Gospel, speaking the truth, living a holy life … by simply turning on the Light in me. – Romans 1:16-17