Candlelight 2020
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
Great singing tonight. Thank you all for coming out and enjoying this wonderful evening.
Open your Bibles please to John 8:12
We are going to examine this one verse in light of other parts of scripture and see how Jesus is the light of the world and we are meant to follow and share that light.
John 8:12
12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Let’s Pray
Have you ever noticed that candlelight services are not mentioned in scripture? I sought to find out their origins this year. There are many different ideas but what I could find to be their purpose in 21st century America is to light a candle to reflect on the year and to look forward to the new year.
That’s a good purpose. For me, I want us to use this time to reflect on Jesus as the light of the world and how that should affect our lives.
Jesus in His own words, as we just read said He is that light. I want to help our understanding tonight of what the implications are of that doctrine.
Follow me as we look at some other verses of Scripture to find application of Jesus being the light of the world.
John 1:1
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:14
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John describes Jesus as the Word of God, I believe we could say He is the living Word. We also have the written word of God.
We call that, the Bible.
2 Tim 3:16
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
We se the purpose of the written Word here.
Doctrine-means teaching
Reproof- for conviction
We take the teaching and develop a conviction from it. For instance, the Bibel says
Ps 101 :3
3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
The doctrine or teaching that is that we should not have wicked thing before our eyes. Then you develop a conviction off of that.
Does that mean no R-rated movies? Does it mean no TV at all? You have the liberty of the Spirit to determine your convictions but not to determine the doctrine.
Then we have correction-This is the part that shows us we are wrong in our thinking or actions.
And then instruction in righteousness is the means by which we should conduct ourself to glorify Christ. We know our righteousness is as a filthy rag but His righteousness his so much more.
We find His righteousness in the written Word.
Now what does all of this have to do with Jesus being a light?
As the living Word of God we have his teachings to provide us with doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness.
We find all of those in the written Word.
And the written Word of God is referred to as a light and a lamp.
Ps 119:105
105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.
When I’ve read this, I’ve had to ask…what is the difference between a light and a lamp? Doesn’t a lamp put off light? Yes, but not as much.
here on the platform I have a flashlight and a lamp.
Now, if I turn the lamp on…I can see my feet. I can see whats right in front of me. Now, if I turn ym flashlight on, I can see my path. I can see clearly down the way. But notice this…I can’t see what’s right at my feet. I can’ do both at the same time.
I have to be looking at my feet or in front of me. I can’t go through ym day thining about the future and being effective in the present.
Nor can I focus on the present and prepare for the future.
So what do we do? Do we pick? Nope....we do both.
There is a time and place to focus on what is happening right and front of you and the Bible is the best thing to help you gaint eh wisdom you need for today.
There is also a time to look to the future and make plans based upon the Word of God.
Tonight…we are going to take the light that is Christ and we are going to look in three directions.
First…I’m going to ask you to look at 2020 and as crazy of a year as it has been, we are going to reflect on what God has done.
Second, we are going to look to today and Praise God for what we have. Praise God for the moment. Praise Him for His grace, mercy, and all that He is.
Third, we are going to look to the future. We are gonna pray to God and ask Him to guide our thoughts as we think toward 2021 and what the year could hold.
Before we do though let’s continue with what Jesus said in
John 8:12
12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Jesus is the light of the world but what keeps us from being in darkness?
Following Him.
Now that sounds great but what does that look like? How do we follow Jesus?
Many may say we read our Bibles and pray…and that’s not a wrong answer but it is only half of the answer.
The word follow means to accompany and is a verb. It requires action. It requires doing something with that light.
The living and written word of God.
Following Jesus isn’t just about checks in the boxes it is about taking the light of the World and bringing it to others through living for Him.
You’ve heard the great song of old “this little light of mine” it says at one point “put it under a bushel no” I’m gonna let it shine.
How do we let our light shine?
Taking in the Word of God and spending time with God are what fills us with the light. Allowing it to shine is living out the principles and truths that are found in scripture.
So to pass your light from one to another is not only to share the gospel with them but it is also to live out the truths of the gospel in your life.
Those truths, I believe, are manifested as the fruits of the Spirit
Gal 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
That fruit is manifested and developed as you yield to the spirit in the moments you need to apply them.
Tonight, as we light our candles I ask that you reflect back on the great things God has done this year.
I’d like to ask you to take a moment and pray, asking to to help guide you today and each day as you seek to shine your light to others
Then I’d ask for you to pray for Him to bless the coming year as you make a commitment to not just pass the light of this candle on to others tonight, but to pass the light of Jesus on to those around you in the year to come.
Music plays
Deacons help
Time of prayer
Time of singing
Closing prayer
Extinguish candles.
