A Guiding Light in a Time of Crisis (Christmas Eve Eve)- Isaiah 50:10-11 and 2 Corinthians 4:7-11

Isaiah 50:10-11; 2 Corinthians 4:5-11

©Copyright December 23, 2020 by Rev. Bruce Goettsche

This is not our normal Christmas Candlelight Service. Usually, the sanctuary is filled to overflowing by families who have gathered for the holidays. People from our community make this their place to celebrate Christmas. However, this is a different year. We are wearing masks, many people are worshipping with us online rather than in person, and we have to refrain from some of the hugs and other warm greetings we would like to extend. The covid virus has altered everything we have done this year. Family gatherings will be smaller, and some will even be cancelled. There are many churches who have cancelled their major Christmas service entirely. We respect those decisions.

We have gathered here tonight (wherever you are) to rise above the virus concerns to acknowledge and celebrate the gift of God in the person of Christ. Christmas is not about the virus; it is about God taking the initiative to do what was necessary for us to obtain forgiveness and new life in Christ.

During this advent season we have been looking at various passages that draw a contrast between the light of Christ, and the darkness of the world. Christ is said to bring light into the darkness of the world. This light helps us to see clearly. It helps us see our need as well as the path ahead of us. Tonight, we take one last look at this subject. We start with the prophets in Isaiah 50:10-11.

Who among you fears the Lord

and obeys his servant?

If you are walking in darkness,

without a ray of light,

trust in the Lord

and rely on your God.

11 But watch out, you who live in your own light

and warm yourselves by your own fires.

This is the reward you will receive from me:

You will soon fall down in great torment. (Isa 50:10-11)

We Must Trust God, Not Ourselves

There is a contrast in these words drawn between trusting God (10) and trusting ourselves (11). As Americans, we are especially vulnerable to trying to “live in our own light.”

The Bible continually reminds us “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) We are told that “no one seeks God” and “no one does what is right” (still Romans 3). In Ephesians 2 we are told we are all “dead in our trespasses and sin.” We are used to walking in the darkness. The problem is, if you get used to where you are, you start thinking this is the best place to be . . . because it is familiar. Most of us resist change . . . especially if it means we have to say we were previously going in the wrong direction. We don't like to admit we are wrong.

Think about this! It is like saying, “I am used to my teeth hurting and keeping me awake each night. There is no reason to go see a Dentist. I might not like the change He brings after my cavities are taken care of.”

We want to figure things out on our own. We trust the scholars, the scientists, the leaders, and sometimes even our trusted friends more than we trust the Lord. We would rather be led by our desires than by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. We would rather edit God's Word and "pick and choose" what we like rather than do all that it says we should do. it's in our human nature to try to live by our own light.

Since we live in darkness, you would think we would run to the light, but we actually prefer to live in the darkness. Alistair Begg writes,

Of course, we tell ourselves, "It's not that dark." Ours is not the darkness of sordid dens of crime . . . C.S. Lewis points out the great evil isn't done is such places. "it is conceived and moved, seconded and carried and minuted, in clean, carpeted, warmed and well-lighted offices, by quiet men with white collars and cut fingernails, and smooth-shaven chins who do not need to raise their voices." This is not unique to our time. In the fourth century, Chrysostrom said this about his culture: "Like men with sore eyes; they find the light painful, while the darkness which permits them to see nothing is restful and agreeable."

Trapped in the darkness, many lives are barely illuminated by the dim glow of the TV or computer screen, which invites them to escape into a world of virtual reality where images take the place of words, reason is replaced by emotion, and relationships are controlled by a password. (What Angels Wish They Knew)

But, there is a better way! It is to trust in the Lord and rely on our God. He is the true light that gives life to everything. He sent this light into the world by coming to earth as a baby, in a manger.

Some would say it is a ridiculous story. The thought that a supreme being would humble Himself is such a way stretches the mind in ways that seem absurd. Why? Because we think of "gods" as aloof and eager to punish us when we get out of line. Every time something goes wrong in your life isn’t there a part of you that immediately wonders what you did to deserve this? We have grown up thinking of God as a slave master who is only concerned to keep us in line. Where do we get this image? I think it is because this is what we would do if we were God.

But . . . what if God is not like that? What if He loved us and wanted us to know Him and love Him as He loves us? Then the idea of God becoming man to communicate with us and to help us know Him is not all that crazy. Such a thing would still be hard to believe but not because it didn't make any sense. Now it is hard to believe because we find it difficult to think that anyone could love THAT much. And certainly no one could love US that much. Or could they?

The message of Christmas is incredible news. It turns out, the real celebration is not about family or gifts, or even holiday traditions. It is about being loved by God who has provided for us a way out of our sinful prison. Jesus came as a baby, grew up as a man, and then taught and cared and loved like no one has ever done before. Each of His miracles was a sign that verified His message. God came to live among us! And when Jesus was beaten and humiliated and finally unjustly executed, we knew He had experienced the worst that life has to offer. Mankind had sunk to its lowest point. And when Jesus rose from the dead . . . that triumphant act meant there is hope for all of us. If love remained after all of that . . . His love could certainly reach beyond our foolishness and failures also.

So the choice before us is: Will you try to be god or will you run to the One who IS light? God summons us to confess our sin and our need for mercy and grace and then cling to the work of Jesus who died in our place. He asks us to show that we really believe, by following Him. We show faith by letting Him be the leader in our life.

Have you done this? Have you dared to put your trust in the God who became a man to reach you? Is He not worth trusting? Are you willing to believe that you matter that much to Him? Are you willing to stop trying to earn His love and simply let His love wash over you and make you clean and new? This is the goal of Christmas and the true reason to celebrate.

Perhaps you say, "I don't know how to do this!" It's not complicated. There are no magic words or specific rituals to perform. What is necessary is for you to recognize your need for a Savior and to see Jesus as that Savior. In simple, yet genuine belief, turn to Him and say, "Lord Jesus, please forgive my sin and build your life in me through the leading of your Spirit so that I may live with you forever." His promise is simple: "Anyone who comes to me I will not turn away."

Following the Light into Daily Living

Sometime people make the mistake of thinking the sacrifice of Jesus is only about going to Heaven after you die. He did not come only to give us life beyond the grave. He came to set us free and to enrich our lives right now. Remember, Jesus said, "I have come so you might have life and have it abundantly.: (Jn. 10.10) The life and light Jesus wants us to have; the relationship He wants us to enjoy; is something that is for right now.

Listen to these words from 2 Corinthians 4:

We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.

8 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.

11 Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. 12 So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you. (2 Corinthians 4:5-11)

We read about the Shepherds and think, "Wow, it must have been something to witness the glory of God as the angels sang, "Glory to God in the Highest and on earth Peace and Goodwill to men." We think about how moving it would have been to look at the baby Jesus and realize that they, common Shepherds were given the first audience to the Messiah. Yet . . . what God has done through Christ is greater!

We have been given the very light of God not only so we could shine, but also so we could know God intimately through the Holy Spirit who lives within us. People in the past yearned to live in our day. It is a privilege and an honor that is far too often overlooked.

Our Power in Life Comes from God

Paul says we are like fragile clay jars. We still carry flaws and weaknesses. We can still get sick, discouraged, and overwhelmed by life. However, the Spirit that lives inside of us because of Jesus, gives us a strength that is supernatural. It does not originate with us. And it changes us and strengthens us to face the things this life throws at us.

One of the greatest finds in archaeology were the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947. They contained copies of the Hebrew Bible that were 1800 years old! And do you know where they found them? They were in clay jars. Common clay jars housed great treasure!

That's us! We are common ordinary people that are indwelt by God Himself! He empowers us to face the mean and sometimes abusive world in which we live. Paul does not deny that hard times will come. Instead, he acknowledges how hard life can be and states that no matter what tries to knock us down . . . we will, by the power of God that now lives in us, get back up. We will keep going no matter what.

We Honor Him by Enduring

These times of hardship are opportunities. They are opportunities for others to see the power of God in and through us. The thing about light is that its radiance can best be seen in the darkest places. It's difficult to notice the light of a candle outside or in a brightly lit room. However, if you light even a match in the darkness, every eye will be drawn to that light.

The hard times of life are a platform for us to shine our lights. And it is in those difficult times others are looking for and most receptive to the light. When we shine in hard times, the message of the gospel shines like a beacon.

The question is, In the trying times of life do we look to create our own light (when we generally try to "fix" things, and find ways out of trouble, or meet hostility with our own hostility heated up just a little more)? Or will we let the light of God shine through us?

· Are we faithful to the Lord even in a world filled with panic over a pandemic?

· Are we continuing to share the love of Christ even when others are pulling away?

· Do we forgive when others would fight back?

· Do we show love even to those who hate us?

· Do we continue to be generous even though it would be more profitable to save all our money so we have plenty for ourselves?

· Are we working through difficulties with others, or do we simply give up on those relationships?

· Do we remain positive and confident of God’s perfect plan even when things aren’t going the way we wish they would?

In each of these situations we have the chance to bring glory to God and shine His light in the darkness. It is an opportunity to bring honor to the Lord who has saved us from sin and from ourselves.

Yes, the message of Christmas is that God came to earth to save us. He came to earth so we could be filled with light and then in turn could share that light with others until the world is ablaze in His glory. That first silent night was majestic. But it was only the beginning. What God was doing in Christ is still going on in you and me. The story of Christmas is not really a past event! It is very present.

Conclusions

What does all this mean as we approach a strange and different Christmas? First, our circumstances should not diminish our joy coming from the reality of what happened in Bethlehem. Our Christmas traditions may be impacted this year, but our reason to celebrate is not impacted at all. What we celebrate is the birth of our Savior. If we keep our focus on Jesus, nothing, not disease, grief, poverty, or anything else should distract us from the truths of Christmas:

1. God loves us . . . we need not doubt His plan for us

2. Jesus shows us the way to godly living and abundant life

3. Through Christ we are forgiven and made new

4. We are indwelt with God's Spirit to guide us today

5. We will live forever even though our bodies wear out in this life.

The Good News of the Gospel does not change because of circumstances. In fact, in difficult circumstances, we see the wonder of the gospel most clearly.

In the book Tortured for Christ, Richard Wurmbrand tells the story of endless beatings and the horrible torture he experienced for being a Christian in Romanian prisons. He remained faithful through all those horrible times and now his example has inspired thousands to help persecuted Christians around the world. His faithfulness in a time of hardship became His megaphone to testify of God’s grace and faithfulness.

Second, even in times of heartache we can rejoice. This is not the natural course. Holidays often become times that can be depressing because our griefs are magnified. Loneliness at the holidays is often profound. The message of Christmas, when rightly understood mitigates these feelings because,

our joyful Savior is now with us to the end of the age, strengthening us in every fear, cheering us in every grief, holding us in all our suffering. Until the day when he unseats every sorrow, he promises, “No one will take your joy from you” (John 16:22). (The Christmas We Didn't Expect)

These times of loss can also be times of gratitude for the way our lives were blessed and impacted by those who have gone on. Jesus promises that all who believe in Him will live even though they die. Christmas therefore becomes a time of anticipation rather than despair.

Finally, to allow the exchange of material goods and the gathering of family to overshadow the wonder of Christmas is to miss the point entirely. The real celebration of Christmas should lead us to hearts filled with wonder, prayers of gratitude, and a focus on God's love expressed through Christ.

To this end, I encourage you to

· Stop at the beginning of your Christmas celebration to remind yourself (and your family) of what it is all about.

· Carve out some quiet time to spend with the Lord in worship and gratitude.

· Deliberately try to see the trials and burdens through the eyes of grace. See the blessings and opportunities rather than dwelling on the pain.

· Celebrate those who have gone before you and left their mark on your lives. Tell young children about those they will someday meet in Heaven.

· And use this time to reaffirm your faith in Christ so you do not neglect the greatest gifts Christmas has to offer.

It is a different Christmas but it should still be a joyous Christmas for those who understand what Christmas is really all about.