“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?
That you helped a single brother of the many that you passed?
Is a single heart rejoicing over what you did or said?
Does the man whose hopes were fading, now with courage look ahead?
Did you waste the day, or lose it? Was it well or sorely spent?
Did you leave a trail of kindness, or a scar of discontent?
As you close your eyes in slumber, do you think that God will say?
“You have earned one more tomorrow by the work you did today?”
I want to live my life in such a way that I help every hurting brother that I pass. I want to live my life in such a way that hearts are rejoicing and those whose hopes were fading are looking forward with courage over what I did or said. I want to be an encourager. I want to leave a trail of kindness in my wake – how about you?
Jesus did that. He was the Light of the world. I want you to notice how quickly things deteriorated after creation. God created man – and it didn’t take Adam and Eve very long before they fell. And when they did – darkness descended upon the world – not physical darkness – but spiritual darkness. No longer did man walk with God and fellowship in His presence. No longer was he able to walk in the Light. No longer was his mind and spirit pure. The human race became spiritually dark and inclined to do evil continually. The Word says,
“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:4
“The LORD saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The LORD regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled.”
Genesis 6:5-6
Can you imagine how God must have felt? What was once pure and perfect – was now naturally wicked. What was once naturally innocent was now naturally evil. What was created holy and inclined to do and be good – was now inclined to evil continuously. What a sad, sad story. But it doesn’t end there!
But there was hope. The prophets of God prophesied that a Great Light was coming. He would turn the peoples hearts back to God and increase their joy. This Light was Jesus. Jesus said,
John 8:12
“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.”
Do you remember when you walked in darkness? Do you remember how hopeless life seemed? Maybe you are feeling like that now. Maybe things seem dark and empty. Do you know why that is? It is because of a lack of Light. If you are a Christian – something is stealing your light. It may be that you are not going to our source of power enough and your spiritual batteries are growing dim. Let me tell you a secret of spiritual strength. The more time you spend in the Light – the more strength and hope you will have. If you aren’t a Christian you need to come to the Light of the World. He will bring light into your life.
Our Scripture promised Light. It was talking about Jesus. And when the Light comes – you will have a very pleasant result. You experience 2) laughter.
“on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. 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.”
Isaiah 9:1b-3
When the Light comes it is natural to experience joy. I think that laughter is the sound of heaven. When the Spirit brings you to the Light your heart will fill with joy and you will laugh in delight. The Psalmist said,
“When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”
Psalm 126:1-3
Are you filled with joy today? You can be. The more Light you have – the more Joy you will have. The more Jesus you have – the more Joy you will have. And that joy will bubble up in your soul and overflow in laughter.
Jesus brings light into our lives. Jesus brings laughter into our lives. And He brings 3) LOVE. I don’t know if you can remember your life before Jesus – but I can. And one of the things I remember very clearly was a lack of love. I didn’t love anyone and they didn’t love me. My attitude was “Just LEAVE ME ALONE!” I was lonely and broken and hurting. All that changed when I came to Jesus. He brought love into my life. In fact, that is the distinguishing thing about Christianity. There are a lot of religions that encourage people to do good things. Most religions have a set of instructions to bring you peace and make you a better person. But no other God loved the world so much that they died for it.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17
No other God values you; treasurers you; adores you – like Jesus. He has plans for you. Plans to prosper you; Plans to give you a crown and a scepter; plans for you to live with Him for all eternity.
And that brings me to the finial thing I want to say about our Lord this morning. Jesus brings you 1) Light; He brings you 2) Laughter, He brings you 3) Love, and finally – He brings you 4) Life. Did you notice that point in our last Scripture? Let me read it again.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16-17
Folks, we have ETERNAL LIFE. Now, I wouldn’t be so excited about that with the attitude I had before I came to Jesus. My philosophy of life was, “Life Sucks! You’re better off dead!” And life – just for the sake of living isn’t much. You can see so many people in life just hanging on until they die. They aren’t really living. There is no light, no laughter, and no love. Go to just about any rest home and you will see them. Old folks staring off into nothingness, minds dark, souls empty – just waiting for the end.
Go to any bar in the world and you will see them there. People hungering for love; hungering for laughter; hungering for purpose. But their eyes are devoid of light. Their hearts are empty. The laughter is hollow and bitter. They are looking for life – but it isn’t there.
Go to any ghetto or barrio in the world and see the drug glazed eyes; hopeless; hurting; hungering for something more – something that no drug can give.
Folks, our Lord is a Lord of Light! Our Lord is a Lord of Laughter! Our Lord is a Lord of Love. Our Lord is a Lord of ETERNAL life. But this eternal life is a life of joy. It is what all hearts are craving for. It is what we were created for. The Word says,
“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him”
1 Corinthians 2:9
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”
Revelation 21:3-5
I believe this with my whole heart. I believe it will be worth it to put my faith in Jesus, my Savior and my Lord. I believe every single thing I ever sacrificed for Him will be rewarded. I believe I will receive a crown of glory that will never fade away! (1 Peter 5:4) But not everyone will experience this. The Word warns,
“But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
“Nothing impure will ever enter (heaven), 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 21:8;27
A Day is coming when we will stand before the Great White Throne of God and one important choice in life will determine our fate for all eternity. It is the choice we made concerning Jesus. Did we accept Him or reject Him? Did we live for Him or not? I’m giving you a chance today to accept Him. Will you do it?
