Go! And Shine: The Light Has Come - John 1:5
John 1:5 (NLT): “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.”
Introduction: Only 12 Weeks to Christmas
Friends, did you know there are only twelve weeks until Christmas? For some of us, that thought brings joy. For others, it brings panic—shopping lists, decorations, endless planning. But for the Christian, Christmas is about far more than presents under a tree or turkey on a table. It is about celebrating the greatest truth in human history: the Light has come.
Christmas is not simply about a baby in a manger. It is about God Himself entering our world in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ. John 1:5 (NLT) says: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.”
This morning, in our Go! And… series, I want us to hear the call of God’s Word: Go! And Shine, because the Light has come.
Point 1: The Light Brings Hope
Isaiah 9:2 (NLT): “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.”
Isaiah prophesied these words 700 years before Christ, in a time when God’s people were living under the threat of invasion, fear, and spiritual decline. The Hebrew word for darkness here is ?ošek—it means not just physical darkness but misery, destruction, and death. Into this despair, God promised a light.
That light is Jesus. Matthew’s Gospel tells us that Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus began His ministry in Galilee (Matthew 4:16).
Our world feels dark, doesn’t it? Wars, economic struggles, personal battles with sin or depression. Yet the Light has come. Jesus shines hope where despair wants to dominate.
Max Lucado once said, “Hope is not what you expect, it’s what you would never dream.” And isn’t that true? No one dreamed God Himself would step into human history, born in a manger, to bring salvation.
Think of the way dawn breaks after the longest night. Hours of waiting, wondering if light will ever come, and then the sky begins to glow. That is what Christ has done—He is the dawn of eternal hope.
Point 2: The Light Brings Direction
Psalm 119:105 (NLT): “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”
In ancient Israel, a traveller would use a small oil lamp at night. It only lit a few steps ahead, but it was enough to keep walking safely. The Hebrew word for lamp here is ner—a small, steady flame.
God’s Word, and ultimately Jesus the Living Word, is our guide. John 8:12 (NLT): “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”
In a world full of confusion, shifting morals, and cultural darkness, the Light of Christ guides us. We don’t need all the answers for tomorrow; we need to trust the One who lights our next step.
John Piper once said, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” If we want direction, we must look to Him, not ourselves. The more we walk in His light, the more we glorify Him.
Imagine driving down a pitch-black country road with no headlights. Terrifying. But when the lights are switched on, the danger is exposed, and the path is clear. Jesus does that for our lives. He exposes what is dangerous and shows us the way forward.
Point 3: The Light Brings Life
John 8:12 (NLT): “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”
Jesus spoke these words during the Feast of Tabernacles when giant lamps were lit in the temple to symbolise God’s presence guiding Israel in the wilderness. Against that backdrop, Jesus declared, “I am the light of the world.” Not just for Israel, but for all people.
The Greek word for life is zoe—not just existence, but abundant, eternal life.
Jesus doesn’t just improve our lives; He gives us new life. The Light has come to rescue us from death and bring us into eternal life with Him.
Tim Keller said, “The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.”
Think of a seed buried underground. It looks dead, hidden in darkness. But when the sun shines, life bursts forth. That’s what Jesus does—He takes what is dead in us and brings new, eternal life.
The Gospel Presentation: The Light of the Cross
The greatest demonstration of the Light was not in Bethlehem’s manger but on Calvary’s cross.
Jesus lived the perfect life we could not live. He died the death we deserved, bearing the punishment of our sin. He was buried, and on the third day, He rose again—victorious over sin, death, and hell.
Romans 5:8 (NLT): “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”
Romans 10:9 (NLT): “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
The Light has come. The question is—have you stepped out of darkness into His light?
Call to Action: Go! And Shine
Jesus said in Matthew 5:14 (NLT): “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.”
Stop hiding your light. Stop letting fear or shame dim your witness. Shine boldly at home, at work, in your community. The world doesn’t need more darkness—it needs the light of Christ in you.
Charles Stanley once said, “God is not asking you to be the light; He is asking you to reflect the Light.” And that’s the call: to live as mirrors of Jesus in a dark world.
Invitation to Salvation:
Friend, maybe you’ve been walking in darkness. Maybe you’ve tried to find your own way but feel lost. Maybe the weight of guilt or fear holds you back.
Hear the good news: The Light has come! Jesus died for you, rose for you, and offers you forgiveness, freedom, and eternal life.
Will you repent of your sin? Will you trust Him as your Saviour and Lord? Today, you can step out of the darkness and into the Light.
Conclusion:
There are twelve weeks until Christmas. The decorations will go up, the music will play, and the lights will shine in our homes. But let those lights remind you of the greater truth: the Light has come, and the darkness cannot overcome it.
So, beloved, Go! And Shine. Live in hope. Walk in His direction. Celebrate His life. Reflect His light in a world that desperately needs Him.
Benediction:
“May the Lord bless you and protect you.
May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you his favour and give you his peace.”
(Numbers 6:24–26, NLT)
Go in His light, and go shine brightly for Him. Amen.
