(Easter Short - Acts 26:22-23, 18) The Light to the World!

I asked you a question a few minutes ago - why does it matter to you that we have a risen savior?

We might say because it is the most shocking event we have ever heard of.

The resurrection is perhaps the most shocking event we have ever heard of.

>>>> Can you remember when you first heard that Christ had risen from the dead?

Certainly, the parting of the Red Sea was amazing.

Certainly, the parting of the Red Sea was amazing.

But even more so is a person who was dead, and now is living and walking again.

Certainly, the resurrection is such a profound event -

that it quite literally demonstrates God’s blessing upon the message of Jesus.

And demands us to believe in that message.

But this morning - I would like to remind you that the resurrection demonstrates that we now have Spiritual light in our lives.

Paul makes a similar point while standing before King Agrippa in .

While standing before King Aggripa,

Before King Agrippa,

Paul describes the risen savior as a light to the world.

Acts

Acts 26:22–23 ESV

22 To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: 23 that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”

The resurrection of Christ was meant to be a bold proclamation of the Gospel light that had come.

It was meant to verify and astound the world that - the light of the world has come.

What does it mean - that the resurrected Christ is a light to the world?

Light symbolizes many things.

Light can refer goodness.

Light

Help or aid to the hurting.

Wisdom or knowledge.

Divine approval.

But

Paul clarifies what he means by the Gospel light in v. 18.

Acts 26:18 ESV

18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

It was meant to open the eyes of the Spiritually blind.

It was meant to turn us from darkness to goodness. (that is turn us from wickedness to goodness)

It was meant to transfer us from the power of Satanic rule to the power of God’s rule. (Christ becomes our king)

It was meant to turn us from doomed sinners to redeemed people. (the idea of forgiveness.)

And it was meant to turn us from wickedness >>>> to sanctified and transformed believers.

The Resurrection was meant to be a bold proclamation - that the blessed Gospel light had come into the world.

May we gather hear this morning - and celebrate the Gospel light that the resurrection shines into our lives.