Advent 2006 -1- Coming Light: A Light Shines in the Darkness

Reading: Isaiah 53:1-6; 10-12; John 1:1-9
The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.                                        John 1:9 (NIV)

I.    Jesus is the True light (Jn 1:9a)

      A.  Don’t settle for Artificial light

            1.   When we’re in the dark, we’re tempted to make our own light (Is. 50:10-11)

                   a.   In the Bible darkness usually stands for sin, death, lack of wisdom.

                   b.   Because we are in the dark (because of sin), we look for some kind of light.

                   c.   We find the true light, or a substitute.

            2.   Satan tries to trick us with darkness disguised as light (2 Corinthians 11:14)

                   a.   Sometimes what we think is the true light isn’t!

                   b.   Satan and his hosts deceive us with counterfeit light.

            3.   Don’t settle for anything but the true light!

      B.  In Him is Life (Jn 1:4a)

            1.   He is the source of life (Jn 5:25)

                   a.   We mope around in death looking for life–Jesus has it!

                   b.   For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself.

            2.   He gives us full life in the present (Jn 10:10)

                   a.   Not “pie in the sky, by and by.”

                   b.   I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full

            3.   He gives everlasting life (Jn 11:25-26)

                   a.   The life Jesus offers finite/temporary

                   b.   The purpose of Jesus advent was to give us everlasting life. – life w/o end!

      C.  His life is the Light of our life (Jn 1:4b)

            1.   Light is the 1st act of creation

                   a.   He creates it 1st in Gen. 1

                   b.   He creates it 1st in us who believe.

                   c.   Light stands for holiness, wisdom, life and the presence of God.

            2.   He sheds light on our path

                   a.   Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. (Jn 8:12b)

                   b.   He helps us find our way in this confusing world.

            3.   The true light gives true life (Jn 12:46)

                   a.   Artificial light can’t yield a good life

                   b.   I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

                   c.   Jesus empowers us to come out of our darkness–i.e.–to really live!

II.   He shines on Everyone (Jn 1:9b)

      A.  “I am the light of the World” (Jn 8:12)

            1.   He gives light to everyone (Jn 1:9b)

                   a.   We call it common grace: God’s way of enlightening all people with His Truth

                   b.   Christians don’t have a corner on what is true, or even honorable.

            2.   He gives the light of everlasting life to all who believe His message (Jn 5:24)

                   a.   There is another kind of light, everlasting light, that He also gives

                   b.   This he gives to all who believe His message (Believe = stake your life on!)

      B.  He shines in the Darkness (Jn 1:5a)

            1.   See Isaiah 53:1-12 (especially v.11)

      C.  Darkness can’t Understand light (Jn 1:5b)

            1.   Those who love the darkness don’t want the light. (Jn 3.19)

                   a.   They’ve been in the dark so long and so deeply, the light seems unreasonable.

                   b.   The light hurts them: it exposes the darkness for the emptiness it is.

            2.   Without God’s help we can’t understand

                   a.   None of us can understand the light unless God helps us.

                   b.   See 1Corinthians 2:14

            3.   The princes of darkness didn’t understand what He was up to either

                   a.   See 1Corinthians 2:6-8

III.  He is Coming (Jn 1:9c)

      A.  He Came

            1.   The Father sent Him to us

                   a.   Jesus did not become divine by living a righteous life, or by doing great deeds.

                   b.   Jesus left heaven, sent by the Father

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. (1Jn 4:9)

            2.   Though God, He was born as a human being (Lk 2:10-11; Jn 1:14)

                   a.   This is, I believe, the most astounding truth of the Bible, except for God’s love

                   b.   How astounding: “The word became flesh and lived among us.” (Jn 1:14)

                   c.   Isn’t it amazing that God was born?!

            3.   He came to give us life (Jn 6:51)

                   a.   What would make Jesus go through such a great self-humbling?

                   b.   He came to give us everlasting life!

      B.  He’s Here

            1.   His name is Immanuel (Mat 1:23)

                   a.   This name means God with us–not for a little while, but permanently.

                   b.   Not a God who resides only in the great, unreachable beyond

            2.   He’s wherever we gather in His Name

                   a.   For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them. (Mat 18:20)

                   b.   Jesus is present always, but in a special way when His followers gather.

            3.   He promises to stay with us

                   a.   He will never abandon us, or leave us to wallow in our ignorance and shame

                   b.   We don’t have to battle the prince of darkness alone and unarmed.

                   c.   And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.  (Mat 28:20b)

      C.  He’s coming Again

            1.   He will return (See Acts 1:11)

                   a.   In advent we especially celebrate Jesus’ 1st coming–but also his 2nd.

                   b.   As surely as he ascended, he’s returning

            2.   He will come back for us (Jn 14:3)

                   a.   John 14:1-3

            3.   We will live with Him in the new heaven and earth forever (1Thes 4:16-17; Rev.21:3-4)

                   a.   1Thes 4:16-17

                   b.   Rev.21:3-4

The Bottom Line:

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