What is my light and life?

Over this past month, we have had a # of deaths—Joan Liechty died recently last month. This past week—Jim Scott died, the Reverend Bob Liechty died, and some younger people died-

Turner Schwartz

and I-win (Sophie) Taylor

can we take a moment and pray for those...

Recently, I saw one of the best Christmas movies ever, part of Home Alone 2, a famous movie, where McKauley Kaulkin, who is a young boy, gets lost in NY City. (although it is a little more stressful now that my kids are that age and thinking of it as a parent)

and the Home Alone movies always take place at Christmas time.

One of the things the movie does a good job showing is how NY City is just beautiful at Christmas with decorations, and also lots of beautiful Christmas tree lights.

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is one of the most famous Christmas trees.

Do you know how tall it is—at least 75 ft. This year’s model is 79 ft. tall.

weighs 12 tons.

is a Norway spruce… (that was my guess)

from Maryland

roughly 85 years old

and most importantly—do you know many lights get put on it?

50,000 PLUS! that brilliantly light up the tree...

that’s a lot!

while we don’t have the Rockefeller tree in Berne, we have a pretty impressive tree—every time we drive by it our 4 year old—says “Look at the Christmas tree!!”

do you know who is credited with decorating the first Christmas tree with lights—Martin Luther—the reformer who started the Protestant reformation from the Catholic church—is credited with adding lighted candles to a tree (sounds dangerous).

Why do you think he did?

well most historians think he was awed by all the stars he saw outside.

but whatever reason he did--bright lights at Christmas time—should recognize that during this dark time, we have the true light of the world.

in fact, how many of you decorated a Christmas tree with light?

how many of you hung lights?

oh yes—we love light around Christmas time when darkness lasts longer each day!

Well, this theme of light—is what I am focusing on today.

and we are looking at the question—what is my light and life, this Christmas—what do I mean by that?

let me read some verses that show it.

Let me start in Isaiah. this is over 700 years before Jesus came.

Isaiah 8:19–22 NIV

19 When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? 20 Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn. 21 Distressed and hungry, they will roam through the land; when they are famished, they will become enraged and, looking upward, will curse their king and their God. 22 Then they will look toward the earth and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom, and they will be thrust into utter darkness.

Isaiah and his people were facing a scary time—as foreign powers were threatening to come in.

war was coming...

they had bad leadership...

they needed hope.

they needed guidance.

direction!

joy!

life.

truth.

beauty.

and they were looking in the wrong places.

but look at what Isaiah 9 says:

Isaiah 9:1–2 NIV

1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan— 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

Isaiah 9:3–7 NIV

3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. 4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. 5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

the world was and is a pretty dark place.

When we say the world is dark, we mean it is tough, full of suffering, and evil, and hopelessness.

The Israelites were facing that—and we are, too.

This is one of the things i appreciate about the Bible—it is pretty honest that our world can be a dark place in need of light—war, suffering, poverty, injustice, conflict, tornados and tsunamis...

and to make matters worst—we often look for light in all the wrong places.

For example, what are some examples of the kinds of things humanity looks to for solutions:

government or political leaders—if we just get the right people in power

technology and science—as long as we have more advances—but do scientific advances equal greater light? just study history and know that greater technological advancement does NOT equal world peace or more light.

experts in the world; if we get a lot of smart people - the Israelites were looking to their religious experts.

instead of looking out there---if we just look within and love each other—and stay unified. but can you and I just look within and manufacture hope and light.

but look at what John in the NT--

and then John 1:1-5

John 1:1–5 NIV

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:9 NIV

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

so what does Scripture say our light and life are?

and where is yours?

when we ask the question—what is our light and life—think about light—what does light symbolize in Scripture, and even in our world:

(Light is 3 things (From Tim Keller - Hidden Christmas; chapter 1)

Light = life! It is scientifically and physically true that we need light to survive. if we didn’t have the sun—life would cease to exist. we’d freeze out. no photosynthesis…all of life would be in trouble. same with the true light—Jesus Christ. without him—no life—in every aspect, physically and spiritually. Look what it says about Hebrews 1:3

Hebrews 1:3 NIV

3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

Jesus Christ sustains all things by his powerful, life-giving Word.

the reason the world stays together and atoms stay together—Jesus.

why does your heart keep beating—Jesus.

we also know that in creation—in Genesis—that God the author of life spoke the world into existence. and when Adam and Eve sinned, they were separated from the author of life, thus introducing physical death, but also spiritual death. it’ why we struggle now with identity, addiction, meaning, hope and purpose.

so where are you looking for life? is it in Jesus or something else?

2. another thing that light = Truth (right and wrong), direction, guidance, shows what is evil in contrast to good

If you turn on your headlights at light—it shows you where to go. It illuminates the path forward. If you don’t, crash.

or if you go in a dark room, the first thing you need is light to show you where to go.

same is true of God, or Jesus Christ—he is our light, showing us where to go, and also showing us what is really reality.

we are a world in darkness—of confusing—Jesus turns on the light—brings clarity.

we are in a world of darkness—evil—Jesus is the Light and dispels the darkness.

God’s Word is a light...

Psalm 119:105 NIV

105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

so where are you looking for truth, direction, guidance, reality...

3. Light = Beauty

this is true if you have a diamond ring—and the lights reflect...

this is true of Christmas lights...

we need light this time of year when some of us struggle with a lack of the sun and vitamin D

Scripture says this about God:

1 Timothy 6:16 NIV

16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.

there is something glorious and beautiful of light, especially the true light of the World.

Hidden within this is beauty, purpose, meaning, the reason for our existence, and compelling drive.

Joy, hope...

where are you looking for beauty?

our souls ache for it...

so where is your light...

—your life, your truth, your beauty...

Isaiah 9:6-7 reminds us of where our light—our life, truth, and beauty...

Isaiah 9:6–7 NIV

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

notice—the son—is given—it’s a gift from God!

and since it is a gift, it must be received.

sometimes it is hard to receive a gift. if someone gives you a gift, you feel like what—I got to give them something.

or if someone gives you a dieting book and exercise equipment, what are they saying..

or if they gave you a book on overcoming selfishness…what are they saying—it would take some humility to receive it.

same is true of this—we need this gift—this Son—to do all the roles He said he would—we are desperate.

and there is a humbling to admit we need help from the outside.

while we don’t look to any political ruler or system—we look to Him-our counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Let me tell you---

Why Jesus is the best source of all these things:

a reason of the brain; I have a book here—by Rebecca McGlaughlin—short…but answers some tough questions.

b/c there is some good reasons of the brain to believe that what I am telling you is true. that we don’t just believe a fairy tale, or a cool story like Avengers or superheroes.

for instance, was Jesus even a real historical figure or just made up? In 2012, New Testament scholar Bart Ehrman (not a believer) wrote a book on this question: Did Jesus Exist? The Historical Argument for Jesus of Nazareth. Ehrman doesn’t believe in God. In fact, he’s made a fortune writing books that question the historic Christian faith. But as Ehrman explains, “The reality is that whatever else you may think about Jesus, he certainly did exist.”[2] Ehrman says this view “is held by virtually every expert on the planet.”[3] Rather than it being naïve to believe that Jesus walked the earth 2,000 years ago, it’s actually naïve not to. (and he gives a few quotes from other sources outside the Bible that show Jesus existed)

McLaughlin, Rebecca. Is Christmas Unbelievable?: Four Questions Everyone Should Ask About the World's Most Famous Story . The Good Book Company. Kindle Edition.

or can we really trust the Bible—especially Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—how do we know they are telling the truth—and that this happened. and she talks about how the Gospel stories came to be. It was not like one big game of telephone. eye witness testimony was very important and carefully recorded. and it was quickly after Jesus’ life and death.

in fact, one of the best reasons to believe in the Bible —is that the Gospel writers tell so many embarrassing details. For instance, Peter, one of the apostles—it would be embarrassing for the whole world to know for the rest of history that you denied Christ—but it’s there b/c it happened.

or this: As we saw earlier, the resurrection of Jesus is the engine driving Christianity. If I was concocting a story, I’d try to make it sound as convincing as possible. But in all four Gospels, the first witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection were women. In 1st-century Jewish culture, if you had wanted a story to be believable, the last thing you’d have done was point to the testimony of women, which wouldn’t have been accepted in court. Even the apostles were skeptical.

or take science—hasn’t science disproved Christianity?

she reminds us that modern science was developed by Christians. it was because Christians believed in a rational, logical, consistent God, that they could believe in an ordered universe with laws....atheism doesn’t give a philosophical basis for science.

And because the God of the Bible is unchanging and in charge of all of time and space, they believed you could do the same experiments at different times and in different places and get the same results. What’s more, the biblical claim that God made humans in his image explains why we mere mammals can understand the laws of the universe at all. As the 17th-century pioneering astronomer Johannes Kepler put it, “God [created us in] his own image so that we could share in his own thoughts.” Christianity is the basis of all modern science. (she does spend time on the origin of the universe, the star, the virgin birth)

these reasons of the mind help support that Jesus really is the light…and life...

but they may not be ultimately convicting...

which takes me to a 2nd category...

2. a reason of the heart—

if you think about why you believe what you believe—in life…there are several things that have to line up:

it makes intellectual sense (the reasons of the mind or brain)

it makes social sense — that is—we see a community of people, people we respect and look up to that make it seem like a good idea to believe in it.

but it has to make emotional sense. it has to fit with how life seems to work. it has to best describe life, the problem with life, and the solution—it has to give meaning, hope, joy, life, truth, beauty...

and this is the amazing thing about Jesus compared to other religions and other things.

first of all think of other religions—pretty much every other religion says at some level—you have to do something, and then you will be accepted. Follow this and then you will have salvation or the afterlife or even Karma. it’s all works.

Jesus and Christianity says the opposite. You can’t do anything to earn it. that’s how fallen you are. no, receive the gift. don’t earn it—you can’t. receive the gift of Jesus, admit your need for help, and then you will be accepted. that’s hard to accept—but it’s freeing. Jesus will give you rest.

every other religious system points the way to be received and accepted. Jesus says I am the way, the truth, and the life.

or even if you say, “well I am not religious.” actually all of us are—we may not follow other religions—but all of us put our hope and joy in something. all of us look to light and life in something or someone…thus all of us are religious in some sense. and if you say—I don’t believe in nothing or no one—then your hope is yourself—which is not lasting or good.

even if you put your hope and joy in something good—if it becomes the ultimate thing of your life, it becomes a bad thing.

every other thing will not fulfill; it will enslave, even good things. it will disappoint and let you down. (Is. 8:19-22)

money won’t; relationships won’t (even the best end); jobs won’t; even ministry won’t.

only Jesus will. Jesus is given to us (“a son is given...” (best gift yet). to receive this gift, involves humbling ourselves—we need help! (Like receiving a dieting book or exercise equipment as a gift!) but this reflects Jesus—who humbled himself—came down. Jesus’ greatness is seen in coming down…the announcement of his birth was a star, lighting up the night sky .

the same God who said Let there be light in Genesis—was announcing that Jesus, His Son, was born, lighting up the world.

It was Jesus who said in John 8:12

John 8:12 NIV

12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

He showed us life, truth, and beauty.

and most of all on the cross, Scripture records as he was hanging there—darkness came over the land.

He took all the darkness we deserved (It actually became dark on the cross), he took all our sin, he took on the forces of evil, all so we could have light.

and he died—so we could have life.

“light and life to all he brings...”

when we admit our need for help and look to Jesus—look at what Scripture says happens:

2 Corinthians 4:6 NIV

6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

God turns the lights on in our hearts so we will receive him.

and when we have that light and life—Scripture says that we are go and let our light shine before men.

so he can turn the lights on—and see the life, truth, and beauty of Jesus.

Are you looking to Jesus for all these things or to something else?

let’s pray...

Ending...

Where am I looking for light? (Life, truth, beauty…)

(Meaning, hope, joy)