Scientists, in 2016 made an interesting discovery. When studying human conception, they saw something that they had never noticed before.
What they noticed was that when sperm meets an egg that there is a sudden flash of light. They describe it as “an explosion, or fireworks.” As a matter of fact, it was captured on film and is now published on a multiplicity of platforms on the internet.
For believers; this is no real surprise. The reason why? God has always used light to indicate that new life has begun.
Just as darkness is associated with death; light is associated with life throughout the pages of scripture.
In Genesis 1: 3-5 we see God initiating the first day of creation and guess what happens? Verse 3-4a explains: “And God said, Let there be light” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and morning; one day.”
The event in creative history recorded here has long been debated by atheists and agnostics.
Steven Hawking; a renown atheist prepared to debate a believer on the world stage made this statement. He said: “Christianity is a fairy tale for people who are afraid of the dark.”
When he said this, a believing reporter responded saying: “No actually, atheism is a fairy tale for people who are afraid of the light.”
Transition:
The light that was created on the first day of creation week is intriguing at best. The Bible records that light was created at God’s command and put on display on “Day 1” of creation week. And to finalize it out, the writer tells us that it was in a 24-hour period as it says: “and there was evening and there was morning, one day.” Vs. 5
Transitional Sentence: From this fact; let’s see what does the creation of light and the timing of its creation on day 1 reveal about you and your God?
I. When You Can’t Go On; God is Unstoppable
vs. 3- “Then God said, “Let there be light” and there was light.”
Explanation:
The first day of creation ought to be a reminder of how we should live every day. It should remind us that we are always dependent on God; our Creator.
God’s ability was immediately put on display in a powerful way. At the launch of creation this is obvious when He created light.
Let me show you how.
Notice there is something interesting about God’s creation of light: HE CREATED LIGHT BEFORE HE CREATED THE SUN. Did you notice that God created light on the 1st day, but He did not create the sun until the 4th day?
You might struggle with this and ask: “Wait a minute Pastor, does the Bible tell us in verse 5, “And there was evening and there was morning, one day.”
Absolutely! Listen, a day is not determined by the rise and setting of the sun, a day is dependent on the rotation of the earth 1time around on its axis!
Example: In Alaska, there are days in the winter when the sun barely rises and there are days in the summer when the sun barely sets! Yet, they have evenings and mornings, don’t they? Of course they do!
Do you know why God created light before He created the sun? To reveal to you and me that He does not rely on His creation; His creation relies on Him!
Listen: GOD NOT ONLY CREATED THE LIGHT; HE CONTROLS THE LIGHT.
Nowhere is that more noticeable than in the 9th plague in Exodus 10: 22-23 where the Bible says: “So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt for three days. They did not see one another, nor did anyone rise from their place for three days, but all the sons of Israel had light in their dwellings.”
Illustration: Blind people controlled by light
Did you know that you are impacted and controlled by light; even if you are blind?
In 1995 Jane Brody of the New York Times wrote:
“Just as the human ear controls both hearing and balance, they eye, not only permits conscious vision but also registers light impulses that regulate the body’s internal clock. Even people who are totally blind and have no perception of light have normal hormonal responses to bright light.”
The article explains:
“The study showed that 1/3 of blind people tested were able to synchronize their body clocks to day and night even without the conscious perception of light and dark.”
Application:
The reality is that we are impacted by the creation around us whether we want to be or not. Even blind people are impacted by something that they cannot physically see.
Yet, our God, is not, nor has He even been influenced or impacted by the things He created.
Jesus revealed this in His divine miracles as He, walked on water, spoke to the winds and waves, opened the eyes of the blind, and even rose from the dead!
Listen: Our God is unstoppable. He is unlimited and is not hamstrung by our human plans, nor time, or cosmic chaos.
In the same way God did not need the sun to create light; He does not need our intervention to accomplish anything in this world. Yet, by His grace, He invites us to be part of His plan. But, if we ever become dependent on ourselves and on human ability and understanding; God will let us get to where we always get; to a place where we can’t go on.
When God said: “Let there be light and there was light” He reminded us of where our power and ability comes from; it comes from the Creator who used one muscle to bring light into the world; the power of His tongue.
Transitional Sentence: From this fact; let’s see what does the creation of light and the timing of its creation on day 1 reveal about you and your God?
II. When You’re Confused; God Is Your Counselor
vs. 5- “God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and morning, one day.
Explanation:
People that believe the Bible, word for word, believe God. Do you know why? They understand the truth of His Word.
When God created, He created by speaking words. Four words are recorded that brought light into existence; those words were: “Let- there-be- light.”
It is interesting to note that in the creation event, the Bible tells us: “And God said” – 10 times.
Have you seen God speak 10 times anywhere else in the Bible? Of course we’ve seen this in the 10 commandments. Interesting enough, no one has kept all 10 of these except Jesus; who was God in the flesh.
God’s Voice is put on a platform and spotlighted at creation for a reason. God wanted us to know that not only does He speak His Word, but God keeps and accomplishes what He says. This was true in creation, and it was true of Christ. God’s never wastes a word nor wavers from it. What He says happens.
The Bible here tells us that God created in a 24-hour period. Some Christians that believe in an old earth and are confused by Darwinistic claims try to use are tempted to say that it was not a 24 hour and point to II Peter 3:8 that says: “ But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.”
What they are saying is that God was impacted by time and this does not fit Biblically nor does it fit practically.
Let me explain:
1. It does not fit Biblically- While in the Hebrew language, the word for “day” (YOM) is used to speak of a 24-hour day or a specific season of time, every time numeric numbers are used with days; it is only for a 24-hour period. (In the day God created – generic)
As a matter of fact, the Jews, in whom this language originated do not question the 24- hour period because they understand what their scriptures mean and they overwhelmingly agree that with the Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, etc..... this is a 24-hour day.
2. It does not fit Practically- Did you notice that God did not create plants until after the sun was created? Do you know why? Because God created plants with limitations. They depend on the sun to survive. The whole process of photosynthesis depends on the sun.
Likewise, plants need animals and animals need plants. Plants create oxygen and they take in carbon dioxide. God made His creation dependent on each other. No plants would mean no oxygen which means animals could not survive.
All of these were created in 24-hour periods and if it would have been ions; the creative and survival process would be interrupted as God made it and it operates today.
Therefore, God created in 24-hour periods.
That makes too much sense doesn’t it? It is amazing how simple things are when you begin to take God at His Word.
Yet, do you know how deception and confusion occurs in our life? It comes when truth is covered over with lies.
Illustration: Black light
I was reading about how a carpet cleaning business makes extra money. What they do is when a new home owner invites them to come clean their carpets, they bring a black light.
If the owner only wants a few rooms cleaned they ask the home owner if they would like a thorough inspection of the carpets of their home. If they agree, the lights are shot off and the black light comes out.
Pet urine has proteins in it that glow when a black light is present. Therefore, the carpet cleaner asks the owner to walk through the house for an inspection. When the proteins glow, the carpet cleaner just points it out.
100% of the time the owner almost begs the them to clean every square inch of the carpet saying: “No matter the cost, please clean that up!”
Truth is an amazing marketing tool isn’t it? It’s also the best life tool!
Application:
Listen: God’s Word not only the truth; but it’s the only way you’re life and heart will ever be cleaned up.
Satan’s desire it to cover over the truth and get you comfortable with the falsehood and filth of this world; yet here’s the fact: The truth will set you free.
Don’t doubt and try to dumb down God’s Word; take it from the mouth it comes from: It comes from God who made the heaven and the earth, as well as, created light in a 24-hour period.
Transitional Sentence: From this fact; let’s see what does the creation of light and the timing of its creation on day 1 reveal about you and your God?
III. If You’re Forgot Your Purpose, Jesus has the Answer
vs. 4- “God saw the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness.”
Explanation:
It’s no surprise that God created light first because He always uses darkness and light as a metaphor of what He wants to bring us out from and into.
Consider these verses:
1. John 1:5- “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness does not overcome it.”
2. John 8:12 – “And Jesus spoke to them saying, “ I am the light of the world. Whoever follows after me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
3. I John 1:7- “But if we walk in the light, as He is the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin.”
There is an additional reason why God created light before He created the sun. The reason was to reveal that God alone is the originator of light; physical and spiritual.
Physically God made it clear that He is the originator of light.
God made it obvious through creating light outside the influence of the sun. For example: light exists in radioactive glow, as well as, in the firefly. The firefly is a marvelous mystery of light. The light bulb emits 90% of its energy in heat; while the firefly emits 100% of its energy in light.
God physically was the originator of light.
Yet, God reveals Himself using the same term over and over to speak of Himself.
In I John 1:5 the Bible says: “God IS LIGHT, and in Him is no darkness at all.”
In James 1:17 the Bible says: “Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights...”
Even in our eternal home we read these words: “And the city had no need of the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb.” Revelation 21:23
Now don’t miss what you just read: “God illumines our eternal home and the lamp is the lamb.”
In Genesis 1:3 the word for light is the word “ore” which speaks of light all by itself, yet when God created the light of Genesis 1: 15 the Hebrew word is the word “ma’or” which means “lamp” or “lampstands.”
In our eternal home, the light will come from God himself and Jesus (the lamb) will be the lamp.
Yet, have you ever considered who Jesus has allowed you to be? HE EXPLAINED IT IN THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT.
He said: “ You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5: 14-16
What Jesus is in heaven; you and I are on earth. We are lamps that carry the light of the glory of God so that God can be glorified and illuminated in this world.
Do you know your purpose? God wants you to be a light bearer!
a) A lamp; instructed by the word that is a “lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path.
b) A lamp; that is illumined by the presence of Jesus Christ living in your heart and life.
Do you know why Jesus experienced the darkness of Gethsemane and Golgotha? So that the light of resurrection morning could come and that the living Christ could light us up with God’s glory!
Can you say today: “The Lord is my Light and my salvation?” Psalm 27:1
If you can, you know your purpose. You are here to glorify God and put light on this subject called “life” showing the world He who is the way, the truth, and the life.
Illustration: Who hung the lamp? Old North Church
Most who have studied American history have read the age-old poem, written my Henry Wadsworth Longfellow called: “Paul Reveres Ride” or “The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere.”
The poem speaks of a night on April 18, 1775 when Revere was said to have gone to the Old North Church in Boston and hung two lantern lights high in the steeple of the church.
If you go to the Concord Museum, you can look upon one of those famous lanterns.
Yet, you might be surprised that there’s a huge debate over who actually climbed the stairs and hung the lanterns. We are told that actually either a sexton named Robert Newman or vestryman Captain John Pulling Jr. climbed up and hung the lanterns.
Historians have decided to split the difference and give them both credit for one lantern, and since there is more than one, there’s obviously more than one hero in the story.
Perhaps that’s best. Do you know why? The real hero is not the lantern bearer, nor the lantern bearer itself; it was the presence of the light in the right place at the right time.”
Have you seen the world lately? It’s a pretty dark place; do you know the answer to the darkness? Having the presence of the light in the right place at the right time.”
That’s why we’re here.
Invitation:
Is Jesus your light and salvation?
Is God calling you to let your light shine with us? In this community and world?
II Corinthians 4:6- 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.
