3 – Behold And Become Christmas Series Behold What Light Has Come Facing Dark Days Sermon Blanks

CrossWay Church – Macky Shedd – December 29^th, 2024

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. John 1:9 (NIV)

• GOD DECLARES ON CHRISTMAS DAY LET THERE BE LIGHT.

DARKNESS APPEARS OVER 200 TIMES IN THE BIBLE.

DARKNESS = PAIN, SUFFERING, & BROKENNESS:

confusion, conflict, disappointment, lostness, loneliness, grief, stress, anxiety, fear, heartbreak, depression, & despair

Even though people may live for many years, they should enjoy every one of them. But they should also remember there will be many dark days… Ecclesiastes 11:8 (GW)

They will wander through the land, dejected and hungry. When they are famished, they will become enraged, and, looking upward, will curse their king and their God. ²² They will look toward the earth and see only distress, darkness, and the gloom of affliction, and they will be driven into thick darkness. Isaiah 8:21-22 (HCSB)

LIGHT = GOD’S ASSAULT ON GLOOM

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. 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. Isaiah 9:1-2, 6-7 (NIV)

I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark. John 12:46 (NLT)

BEHOLD! GOD’S LIGHT HAS COME TO HELP:

1. REVEAL TO ME WHAT GOD IS LIKE.

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. Hebrews 1:3a (NIV)

CHRISTMAS IS THE I AM SAYING THIS IS WHO I AM.

If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” ⁸ Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” ⁹ Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? John 14:7-9 (NIV)

Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. ⁵ You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake. ⁶ For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:4-6 (NLT)

2. SHOW ME THE VALUE OF LIFE.

• IF ALL WE ARE IS MATTER THEN WHY DO ANY OF US MATTER.

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. John 1:1-4 (NIV)

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. ¹⁷ He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:16-17 (NIV)

• THE GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE IS FREE BUT IT IS NOT CHEAP.

3. FREE ME FROM THE POWER OF DARKNESS.

He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News.  2 Timothy 1:10b (NLT)

But you are God’s chosen and special people. You are a group of royal priests and a holy nation. God has brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Now you must tell all the wonderful things he has done. 1 Peter 2:9 (CEV)

4. GIVE ME HOPE THAT DARKNESS DOESN’T HAVE TO WIN.

When life is dark, a light will shine for those who live rightly… Psalm 112:4 (VOICE)

• NO MATTER HOW DARK IT IS NOW THE FUTURE IS VERY BRIGHT.

The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. ²⁴ The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. ²⁵ On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. ²⁶ The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. ²⁷ Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Revelation 21:23-27 (NIV)

NOTE: THE LIGHT IS ONLY USEFUL IF WE STEP INTO IT.

God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. ²⁰ All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. ²¹ But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants. John 3:19-21 (NLT)

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  John 8:12 (ESV)