The Distinctive Nature of Light--Part 1
Distinctive Nature • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction:
1. The light of the sun is a vital part of our existence.
A. Physically.
1. The sun provides heat to warm our world.
2. The sun provides solar energy to power our world.
3. The sun provides light to illuminate our world.
4. The sun even provides vitamin D which our body needs.
B. Spiritually the light of the Son is just as vital to our spiritual existence.
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
1. He lights our world.
12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
2. He lights our path.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
3. He is the source of our light that is to shine from us.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
2. Light is distinctive from darkness.
A. God is light and He is distinctive from the darkness.
5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.
B. Today we are going to start looking at the question—If light is a vital part of our existence then, what makes light distinctive from darkness.
Body:
1. Light and darkness are distinctively different.
A. It takes light to be able to see.
35 Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going.
1. Without light a person cannot see.
B. It takes light for plants to grow.
1. Without light man cannot grow.
25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: 29 “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation 31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, 32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”
2. Plants cannot grow in darkness.
A. Man is just like the plant as long as we walk in darkness we cannot grow.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
B. Plants have a tendency to grow toward the light thus they seek it out.
1. Man needs to have a tendency to grow toward the light.
17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
2. Man needs to seek out the light.
12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
C. Light illuminates and darkness conceals.
19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”
A. Every child playing hide and seek knows you don’t hide in a well lite room.
1. A child playing hide and seek looks for the darkest, most hidden away corner to hide, so that they won’t be seen.
2. This is what sin does in our lives but light exposes it.
13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.
Conclusion:
1. Light and darkness are distinctively different.
A. In concluding this lesson to illustrate how distinctive they really are I have asked several people to help me.
1. Children turn out the lights.
2. I light my candle.
A. Discuss the light of one candle.
3. Adults light your candles.
A. Discuss the light of many candles.
B. Ask the audience if they can see the difference.