Sermon: Embracing God’s Light
Scripture Lesson: John 3:16-21 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. “He that believeth in Him is not condemned; but He that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 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 everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” (21st Century KJV)
John 3:16-21(The Message) “This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.
“This is the crisis we’re in: God-light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness. They went for the darkness because they were not really interested in pleasing God. Everyone who makes a practice of doing evil, addicted to denial and illusion, hates God-light and won’t come near it, fearing a painful exposure. But anyone working and living in truth and reality welcomes God-light so the work can be seen for the God-work it is.”
Introduction: We should embrace the light! Isaiah 60:1-3 calls the people of God to shine. Listen to this, “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.” The people of Jerusalem fail to recognize that Jesus of Nazareth was God’s Son, God’s Light and God’s offer of salvation. Nicodemus, hearing the teachings of Jesus, seeing the miracles performed, started to believe despite the opinion of other.
The conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus is probably one of the best-known events in the gospel that appear in only one text. Many events covered by John only appear in His book. Almost in every case, Jesus must respond to questions posed by his adversaries. Nicodemus comes as a serious inquirer. Nicodemus begins by saying, “Now 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.” Is that true? Then “Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?” Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?”
Trying to explain heavenly things to Nicodemus was challenging, but Jesus knew what was on his heart. Nicodemus wanted to know, “how can a man be right with God?” “Is man under judgment or condemnation?” So in John 3:16-21, Jesus clarifies God’s attitude and position towards man; clarifies the role of the light in the world; and gives the bottom line for condemnation. First, Jesus tells us how greatly God has loved us in giving us His only begotten Son. He teaches us that salvation is God’s free gift to be received only by believing in Jesus Christ. He says, that believing in God’s son offers the most wonderful and comprehensive blessing any person can ever hope for - eternal life.
Jesus informs Nicodemus that God has sent light into the world. The light shines for all people but this shining can lead to different outcomes, depending on how people respond to the light. The coming of the light brings vindication or judgement. As the light shines in the darkness, it has a dividing function. Jesus is the light of the world, and light has come into the world to expose our need for God. These verses do not give the world a pass on being judged. Jesus indicates to Nicodemus that most people will try to find darkness to hide away from God because they fear the light.
I used to believe that cockroaches were afraid of the light. When the light comes on, they scatter. The truth is cockroaches seek out light in certain situations, like how moths do. Where the notion of them being afraid of light comes from is their behavior when humans turn on light: they run away, quickly. However, it's not the light they're scared of – it's the humans that can kill them!
In the same way, sinful men fear exposure. Christ wasn't sent to judge the world, but to bring salvation. This is an expression of God's incredible love. However, those who do not believe in Jesus Christ are condemned in the eyes of God. Human sinfulness causes many to choose darkness over the Light, to run from God instead of running to Him.
Plato once said that we can forgive a child for being afraid of the dark, but the real tragedy is when people are afraid of the light. While he was not speaking from a Christian perspective his words have real meaning when we come to John 3:19-21. One of the methods John uses to help his readers understand who Jesus is and what he came to do can be viewed as a trial. John presents a case for Christ by highlighting witnesses and allowing us to hear their testimony. He presents his case and calls for a judgement or a verdict. Throughout the Gospel we see Jesus put on trial by his opponents. Evidence is introduced and weighed. Judgments are made and sentences pronounced.
One of the interesting questions that comes up as we read the gospel of John, is who exactly is on trial? On the surface it looks like Jesus is on trial but time and time again he turns the tables on his accusers. Jesus answers a question with a question. He might ask, “What does the Law say? Or “How readeth thou?” Many times, his accusers were left speechless. Jesus puts the Jews and all unbelievers in every age on trial for refusing the light, rejecting him and his testimony to God. As we read the Gospel we too are drawn into the trial, and we find ourselves as readers also on trial. We must decide who we think Jesus is? We must decide what to do with Him. We must decide if we will reject him or receive him. We must decide if we will embrace the light or run for the cover of darkness. John 3:19-21 is a place where this trial language comes to the surface. John says, “This is the crisis we’re in: God-light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness.”
The King James Version says, This is the condemnation! This is why men are judged, it is simple but devastating. The light has come but people have preferred darkness. John returns to an image that he started the Gospel with, that of light. In John 1:4-5, “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
John described Jesus and His Word as the light and highlights a battle between light and darkness. In John 1:9, “The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.” John tells us that God light was sent to every person and that the light enlightens every person is coming into the world. Yet, the light shines for all people but this shining can lead to different outcomes, depending on how people respond to the light. Since the light shines on every person, every person must respond to God’s light.
1. God’s Bright Shining Light Brings Clarity. As the light shines in the darkness, it has a dividing function. Some flee from the light and love the darkness. John tells us this is because their deeds are evil, and they cannot bear the exposure. Jesus’ words expose the sinfulness and rebellion of people. Preaching the gospel can provoke a strong response as people are exposed by its light. We need to pray for boldness in the face of this response and resist the temptation to water down its message to make it less bright.
On the other hand, the one who lives by the truth comes to light. This description is parallel to the statements concerning the ‘one who believes’ earlier in the passage. The one who believes, who lives by the truth, embraces the light. Jesus knows that people living in the light will respond by doing the things God requires. The light helps them see the difference between righteousness and unrighteousness. They draw close to God that God might enabled them to both desire and do good works according to the pleasure of His will. Believers therefore come to the light. In that light, they see themselves as sinners saved by grace, and they also see God as the truly loving and forgiving God he is. 1 John 1: 7 reminds us that this frees the children of God to walk in the light as He is in the light, and to have fellowship with one another, knowing that the blood of Jesus cleanses from all sin.
2. Man’s Desire For Darkness Breeds Deception. In darkness, men are deceive about their own spiritual condition. They hide in darkness and unbelief. They see themselves as too weak to obey God. They see God as harsh and judgmental. Yet John’s gospel says, “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.”
1 John 1:6-7, If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
To walk in darkness denotes living a sinful lifestyle, persistently engaging in actions that God hates. The term walk refers to our daily lifestyle. So, John is addressing those who profess to believe in God but carry on with ungodly living. Scripture lists many behaviors commonly associated with living in darkness, such as “sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these.” Living in darkness revolves around self-centeredness, satisfying personal desires, it means pleasing ourselves and not our God. This raises the question: Are we seeking to please God or only ourselves? It is expected that those who reject God would live for themselves and walk in darkness. But it is also possible to identify with Christ yet live in a self-serving manner. This was the temptation that led Eve and Adam astray. The serpent invited them to turn from God and pursue self-rule, saying, “You will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5). Throughout history, humanity has since desired to be like God, establishing their own notions of reality and morality. The problem is, in our fallen state, what we view as good, God calls evil and what God view as good we call evil. Man’s Desire for Darkness Breeds Deception.
3. Embracing the Light Leads to Victorious Living. Psalm 119:105, reads, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
God’s Word is the light. To walk in the light is to trust Jesus Christ as Savior and then bring your life into alignment with the Word of God. Allow God’s Word to become the guiding light of your life and avoiding everything that conflicts with the Word of God.
“This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” 1 John 1:5-6.
Darkness is associated with sin, guilt and shame. The light is associated with forgiveness, peace and hope. Light shows us our true selves and exposes any sin still lurking in our heart. Once we accept Jesus, God’s only Son as the way, the truth and life, we must choose to walk in the light and to love the truth it reveals, to acknowledge any sin in our life that needs to be cleansed out. Repent, confess and forsake sin because in Him is no darkness at all. Walking in the light, living by God’s Word allow us to fully experience the abundant life Jesus promised to give. Embracing the light shows us the way we should be and allows the Holy Spirit to empower us to choose God’s way over our own desires in the time of temptation. Then His Word becomes life and light in me.
Embrace the light because the light exposes sin and shortcoming. It exposes dangers and fears. Embrace the light because light directs our paths. God’s Word and His Holy Spirit guides us through the paths of life. In our life we will experience times of great light and great darkness. As believers, we will still “walk through the valley of the shadow of death”, but we have the hope of Christ so that we fear no evil (Psalm 23:5). There are shadows in life that pass by us, but we have the Word of life to guide us when we can’t see our feet in front of us. Sometimes in life, we literally have to go step by step, clinging to the hand of God. Embrace the light because the light adds color to life. When we embrace God’s light, we can see the colors of God’s presence and works all around. In Christ we have peace, hope and joy. These are the rainbows of the Christian’s life. We are the “light of the world” (Matthew 5:14) because the love of God lives in us. Our life should not only embrace the beauty of life in Christ, but shine onto those around us.
Ephesians 5:8-9 commands us to “walk as children of light” when it reads, “For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. Believers should not only embrace the light, but shine light onto those around us. What does embracing the light truly look like? Regular confession of our sins, Fellowship with other believers. Knowing and cherishing Scripture and Living in the freedom and joy of Christ!
May we “walk in the light” today and have fellowship with God, our Father, and Jesus Christ. In His light, we behold the beauty of the Lord. We know where to go, what to do and we are striving to live free from sin. In His light Life is good. Embrace the Light and let it shine.
Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” AMEN.
