Lord Of Light

“Lord of Light”

November 4, 2012

Isaiah 9:2-7

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

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.”

This time every year we go on “Daylight Savings” time. I trust you all turned your clocks back last night and got an extra hour of sleep. I dutifully turned all our clocks back – but I have to tell ya! I don’t think it really saves time. It doesn’t even save daylight. There are still 60 seconds in a minute; 60 minutes in an hour and 24 hours in a day. And when I turned my clock back – I didn’t notice anymore daylight out there. You can’t save light – BUT the Light can SAVE you! We are going to talk about that a little bit this morning.

The Bible begins with a testimony of God creating heaven and earth – but it was without form and empty. It was kind of like those canvases Julie paints on. She gets one out – and it is empty and formless. It’s blank, uninspiring, and void. But then she goes to work putting lights and colors on it. And that is what God did. He created the heavens and the earth – but they were empty. Listen.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he 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.” Genesis 1:1-5

The light was good. We like light. Who was ever afraid of the light?

1. Jesus is the Light of the World. Notice that this was ‘PRE-fall’. Sin had not entered the world yet. Everything was as it should be – perfect! And notice that God did not create darkness. Darkness is simply that state that is without light. Before God created light there was darkness over the creation. Darkness is kind of like cold. Cold is not a creation - it is what is without heat. It is a measurement of a lack of warmth. We start at absolute zero – and measure from there. In the same way, darkness is simply an absence of light.

God created light – and it was good. He created plants and it was good. He created animals – and it was good. But then He created man – and it was very good. God did a good job with man. He was pleased. This creation was more than good – it was very good. Man was and is the best of His creation. That is hard to believe in this day and age where fallen man produces his fallen fruit. But God created man and declared that it was VERY good!

Do you ever evaluate your work at the end of the day? Do you ever lay there in bed before you fall asleep and think about what you did during the day? Most people don’t – but we should. God did. And we should be able to say – it was good. I learned a poem a number of years ago that I like to repeat. It keeps me on track. It’s called “At Days End” by John Hall. It goes like this:

Is anybody happier because you passed his way?

Does anyone remember that you spoke to him today?

The day is almost over, and its toiling time is through;

Is there anyone to utter now a kindly word of you?

Can you say tonight, in parting with the day that’s slipping fast?