God Is Light

Introduction:

Many times coaches must illustrate what they are trying to illuminate to bring the transformation in the players.

Two examples:

Track: the weeble wobble

Football: The weever

What is light?

Light is illumination. Darkness is the absence of light. You don’t create darkness, it’s simply the absence of light.

God is the source of all light.

1 John 1:5 ESV

5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

It’s not surprising that people would worship the sun in the sky because the see it to be the illuminator and the giver of life. But we know from scripture there is light before the sun and light after the sun.

Genesis 1:3–5 ESV

3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

It’s not until the 4th day that God creates the lights in the sky to rule the day and the night.

When God makes the new Heaven and the new Earth there is no need for the sun, moon, or stars.

Revelation 21:22–25 ESV

22 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, 25 and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there.

Jesus is the manifestation of light.

Light is the illumination of the nature and character of God that transforms a individual into sons and daughters of God.

John 1:4–5 ESV

4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:9 ESV

9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

Social Media Quote:

“Salvation is the illumination of the Word, manifesting the life of Jesus, causing transformation in the believer."

Walking in the Light

1 John 1:6–7 ESV

6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

Illumination causes Transformation

The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to transform your heart and mind. (Romans 12:2)

As your heart and mind change your actions naturally follow.

“You can come as you are you just can stay as you is.”

Transformation is the Evidence of Fellowship

Sin is the obstacle keeping us from fellowship.

1 John 1:8–10 ESV

8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Everyone is in need of transformation

True transformation is the cleansing from all unrighteousness.

Positionally we are forgiven of our sin.

Functionally we are cleansed from all unrighteousness. Jesus redirects your path to walking in righteousness.

Ephesians 5:5–7 ESV

5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them;

Ephesians 5:8–10 ESV

8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.

Ephesians 5:11–13 ESV

11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible,

Our fellowship with God illuminates others

2 Corinthians 4:1–6 ESV

1 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

“If we are going to see “generational transformation” in our community it has to start with personal transformation.”

Questions to consider:

Has my heart and mind been illuminated by God, in Jesus Christ, through the Spirit?

Do you know God?

This is not a physical questions of church or bible reading, but a spiritual question of your heart.

If you know God you will be transformed by his presence.

What darkness am I walking in that is hiding the gospel from those around me?

When will you come into the light to dispel the darkness of your heart?