The King Is Coming in Light

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Opening Prayer

Lord God, as we gather this day, we open our hearts to you, seeking your healing and transforming love. Our world cries for justice for all people, yet the leaders seem intent on bantering with one another, unmindful of the peace-bringers and those who would heal and teach the ways of peace. Be with all of us. Prepare us for this bright light of love which you are sending to us, for we ask this in Jesus’ Name. AMEN.

Lighting of the Advent Candle

Opening Songs

Pleasant Grove - “Light of the World”

Bailey - “Joy to the World,” Christmas song medley

Chrismon Ornament - Shepherd’s crook

Pastoral Prayer

Give peace to our racing hearts, O Lord. Bring your healing love into our lives. Help us to be those who will bring justice into all of our lives! We have gathered here to sing our praises to you; to celebrate the fast-approaching coming of Your Son; to learn ways of justice and hope for all your people. It is just barely over one week until our families and friends gather for Christmas services and yet during that time there are people who live in hopelessness, for whom there is no one to speak justice. There are those who do not dare raise concerns for fear of retaliation. There are those who have chosen not to believe in you, who can only respond to concrete, visible demonstrations to your presence. They dare not think that in everyday living there are people who truly do care and respond for each other. This is a darkness that is difficult to overcome, but you have called us to this. Empower our hearts and spirits, O Lord, to be strong witnesses of your presence in our lives. Lay your loving hands of healing on all those people who struggle with health issues, who grieve over the loss of loved ones. Dance with those people who have found your love and power in their lives and who are involved in ministries of justice and hope.

Songs

Pleasant Grove - “Here I Am to Worship”

Bailey - “Mary Did You Know?”

Scripture Reading

John 1:6–8 ESV

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

John 1:19–28 ESV

19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” 24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, 27 even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28 These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Sermon: “Light”

Introduction

The early part of the reading, part of John’s preface to his Gospel, shows again how John may have been great, but he was not the center of attention. It clearly says, “He was not the light” (v. 8). “Light” is a major motif in John’s Gospel. “The prologue links the logos, life and light so powerfully that it dominates the symbolic system of the entire narrative. The logos incarnate in Jesus is described as ‘the light of men’ (1:14) and where there is light there is truth. Thus, from the beginning, John points out that the logos is and always was the exclusive source of light” (Clyde Muropa, “The Johannine Writings: Symbolism and the Symbol of ‘Light’ in the Gospel of John,” The Asbury Journal 67, no. 2 (2012), 110,

In our world today, it seems that we are just shouting into the darkness. There is so much division and chaos that exists that people are looking for something more. We have that something more. We have that which gives true joy and peace in our lives when things are the most chaotic.

Sermon Outline

1. The Light overcomes the darkness of the world. (vs. 6-8)

John 1:6–8 ESV

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

John 1:5 ESV

5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Deuteronomy 18:18 ESV

18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.

Jesus came into the world to bring light into the darkness. Darkness is something that is very powerful. Evil is real. Satan is trying his best to destroy lives, families, churches, communities, and even nations. But Jesus has overcome the darkness in our world.

2. We are not the light. We point to the Light. (vs. 19-23)

John 1:19–23 ESV

19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

Acts 1:8 ESV

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

We point to the one that is the light.

3. The Light of God is above all things seen and unseen. (vs. 24-28)

John 1:24–28 ESV

24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, 27 even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28 These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Ephesians 1:21 ESV

21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

Philippians 2:9–11 ESV

9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Those sent from the Pharisees have an interesting question in verse 24: If you are not any of these major characters in the life of the Jews, why are you baptizing? John never actually answers the question. He merely tells them that his baptism is lesser than the baptism to come, once again pointing to the light to come. 4. The Pharisees were looking for the Messiah to come, but the Messiah that John was preaching didn’t look like what they were expecting. Their preconceived notions of who would be bringing the message did not match up with who was actually bringing the message, much like our introduction to Yoda in the Star Wars series (happening in The Empire Strikes Back). Luke is on Dagobah, looking for a great Jedi master, and here appears an old, wrinkled, green-skinned alien guy, who starts poking around in his stuff. Luke tries to dismiss him, not knowing that this is the very master he is looking for. 5.

Announcing an arrival is an important duty but the general public is often unaware of the name of the messenger. For example, do you know the name of the person who announces the arrival of the president for the State of the Union address?

Closing

John served an important purpose in the coming of the Messiah, but he didn’t claim any status for himself. The same should go for us in this season of preparation. Our preparations usually have to do with us, our families, and the things that we would like to see happen during the Christmas season. John gives us a strong reminder that the season of preparation is ultimately not preparing us; it is preparing the world for Jesus. We know that by him we will all see the truth. We continue to point to him, as a way of preparation.

Closing Song:

Pleasant Grove - “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”

Bailey - “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”

Benediction

The trumpet of peace is sounding in the land. We have heard God’s word of healing love and are challenged to go forth into God’s world with the good news of God’s abiding presence with us. Go in peace and may God’s peace always be with you. AMEN.