"experiencing The Light Of God's Glory."

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES

(Isaiah 60:1-2) (1) “Arise, shine; for thy light comes, and the glory of the LORD rises upon thee.” (2) “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.”

(Matthew 4:16) "The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.

PREFACE SUMMARY

Have you experienced the transformative power of the Light of God’s glory? It shines in the hearts of those who seek to understand and follow God, guiding them on their spiritual journey and filling them with a sense of purpose, peace, and joy. It symbolizes hope and inspiration, reminding us that even in the darkest times, a light always shines to guide us toward a brighter future.

This light symbolizes the most significant news on earth, representing God's love for humanity. He gave his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the price for our sins so we may return to Him. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross paved the way for us to reconcile with God and experience His boundless love.

Beloved, the light of the sun that we see in the world today is not just a testament, but a living embodiment of God's love and grace. It doesn't just illuminate the path ahead, but it pierces through the darkness, providing guidance when we feel lost. It's a constant reminder that we are never alone, for God is always with us. Beloved, sometimes, we can be overjoyed after a long, restless night; the light has brought a new dawn, filling us with hope and joy.

In a world that often feels dark and uncertain, the arrival of the light of the gospel is a powerful symbol of hope and renewal. When we see the first rays of sunlight peeking over the horizon or the soft glow of a candle in a dark room, we know that something new is beginning. The light has come, and with it comes the promise of a brighter future.

Beloved, this light is not just a physical presence; it represents something deeper and more meaningful. It is a symbol of the Spirit of Christ resonating in our human spirit, which enables us to persevere even in the face of adversity. When we embrace the light of God’s Spirit, illuminating the love of Jesus within, we are embracing the purpose of God's call on our lives, which drives our vision to keep moving forward.

Let us take a moment to appreciate this light shining out of darkness, to bask in its warmth and radiance. Let us use it as a guide as we navigate the challenges and uncertainties of life. And let us remember that no matter how dark things may seem, the light will always find a way to shine through. He promised that he would never leave us but would go with us all the way, even to the end of the world.

My wife Tin once delivered a message in a church in Iligan City, Philippines, based on Matthew 5:16's theme: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

To start her message, she asked the attendees if they had ever been afraid of the dark or been in a dark cave with only a tiny pinhole of light piercing through the darkness. She then spoke about how their minds would play tricks on them, trying to feel for the door or entrance, only to be disappointed.

In her powerful sermon, my wife recounted a personal experience where she had some matches with her. Despite realizing that she had been mistaken about the location of everything, she lit one up, and the flickering of the little lit match brought hope to an otherwise hopeless situation.

In her closing, she urged the congregation to remember that even the most minor actions they take for God in a dark world can be compared to the flickering of that little match, which can serve as a beacon of hope for those seeking answers and a reason to live.

"COME OUT OF THE DARKNESS INTO THE LIGHT."

Beloved, the darkness cannot take, apprehend, or overpower the light" refers to the idea that light and darkness are opposing forces. The Light represents good, hope, and positivity, while darkness represents evil, hopelessness, and negativity.

The word declares in John 3:13, “Men love the darkness more than the light because their deeds were evil. When the light comes, the darkness must submit to the light." this implies that some individuals may prefer to dwell in the darkness because it provides comfort in their misery.

Our message to a lost, confused world looking for answers, with some even looking for a reason to live, should be, “You do not have to live in the darkness." Move away from the darkness and move into a brighter, more positive place that can only be found in Christ, for in him, we discover that the light of his love offers hope, encouragement, kindness, and compassion in times of darkness. By being a beacon of light, we can inspire others to overcome their struggles and become a source of positivity themselves.