THE LIGHT OF CHRISTMAS

TEXT: Isaiah 9:2 -7 2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. 3 Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. 4 For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. 5 For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire. 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

INTRODUCTION:

I.          The character of light.

A.        Light is bright and obvious.

1.      Light is bright.

a)      When you see light, you don't need any additional confirmation.

b)      I never had to teach my children what light was.

2.      Light is obvious.

a)      You know it is light.

b)      It is obvious what it is.

c)      No one has to tell you that it is light. You just know.

3.      Jesus, as the light of the world is bright and obvious.

a)      The Hebrew writer says that Jesus was the "brightness of God's glory." Hebrews 1:3.

b)      2 Corinthians 4:6 "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

B.        The source is known.

1.      When there is light in the room, it is not hard to find the source.

2.      Even a blind man knows what the sun is.

3.      The works which Jesus did made His source obvious.

a)      Confession of Nicodemus--"The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him." John 3:2.

b)      Confession of the healed blind man. "The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. If this man were not of God, he could do nothing."

4.      The source of this light should be obvious to us as well.

C.        It is virtually unlimitable.

1.      Light shines a great distance in the dark. Stars in the sky.

2.      Even when you try to block light with something it can go through our around.

3.      The only thing that can really block light is something hard, thick, and solid, like lead.

4.      The light of Jesus is unlimitable if we let it have free course in our life.

5.      What can stop the light from entering our heart? Our own heart!

a)      Remember, to block light you must have something that is thick, solid and impenetrable.

b)      We can make our hearts like this so that God's light will not penetrate our lives.

II.        The action of light.

A.        It dispels darkness.

1.      There is no such thing as the presence of darkness. Darkness is the absence of light.

2.      When we turn on the light, darkness disappears.

3.      John 1:5 "And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not."

4.      John 3:19, 20 "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved."

5.      Light reproves the darkness.

6.      Jesus teaching approves that which is right and reproves what is wrong.

B.        It illuminates objects--both good and bad.

1.      You turn on the light to see what is there.

a)      Have you ever stubbed your toe on something in the middle of the night?

b)      Have you ever wondered whether there was a pathway for you in which to walk in the dark?

2.      Psalm 109:5 "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." It is there so we can see both things that get in the way and the clear path itself.

3.      Matthew 5:15, 16 "Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house." To see the objects in the house, you need light.

4.      Jesus himself illuminated both the good and bad in his life.

C.        It enables sight.

1.      Without light, we are blind.

2.      With light, we can see.

3.      Ephesians 5:14 "Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light."

4.      2 Peter 1:9 "But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins."

5.      Do you want to have spiritual sight? Jesus gives it today! To the blind he gives sight!

III.    The extension of light--Jesus is the light OF THE WORLD!

A.        It is available to the whole world.

1.      John 1:7-9 "The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world."

2.      John 9:5 "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

3.      John 12:46 "I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness."

4.      Jesus extends his light to the whole world.

B.        We must be light reflectors.

1.      1 Thessalonians 5:5 "Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness."

2.      Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

3.      Jesus wants us to follow his example.

C.        All will be held accountable to this light.

1.      In order to judge something you need light.

2.      Ephesians 5:8 "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light"

CONCLUSION: What will you do with the light of Christ today?  Will you recognize the character of this light? Will you undergo the action of this light in your life? Will you extend the light of Christ further into the world today?

If you are a Christian but have fallen away You cannot walk with Christ except you walk in the light (1 John 1:7). Come back to the light today.

If you are not a Christian this morning . . .You are in darkness. Don't harden your heart to make your life impenetrable to the light of life.