The Big Picture Series

Sunday Morning December 22, 2002 Bel Aire Baptist Church

Series: Church On The Rocks [#5] (Christmas Series #3)

THE BIG PICTURE

1 Corinthians 2:6-9

Introduction:

1 Corinthians 2:6-9

1. God¡¦s ways of doing things do not make sense to us so often, but it does not change the fact that He is in control.

{RUN VIDEO CLIP}

2. All of this you have seen is results of the spiritual darkness that plagues our world and nation.

3. As you sit in darkness, I want you to realize not only what physical darkness is, but more so what spiritual darkness is.

Darkness

1. The blackness of sin causes people to be blinded, not knowing where they are going. The blackness of sin brings out the worst in people. Man in his sin is compared to a snake for its venom, a donkey for its stubbornness, a bear for its cruelty, a dog for its uncleanness, a fox for its cunning, a leopard for its fierceness, a moth for its appetite, a sheep for its stupidity, a spider’s web for its flimsiness, a pig for its filthiness, and a wolf for its ferociousness.

2. This darkness began with Adam and Eve when they sinned against God. Romans 3:23 tells us we have all sinned and fallen short of God’s standard. We are as filthy rags before God.

3. The punishment of sin is death. There is no hope in darkness, but God loves us so much, that He has made a way to give us hope.

Matthew 1:18-25

{Put blue spotlight on the manger.}

********** [A Strange Way To Save The World (Mark)] *********

Light

1. Light reveals what is in the darkness. What is revealed is how dirty we are. Many scatter trying to hide as bugs would when the light is turned on. The light is not understood by darkness. The unsaved are in the darkness and God loves His creation so much that He provided the Light.

John 1:1-5

The hymn says: ["The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin; the light of the world is Jesus".]

********* [The Light Of The World Is Jesus (Mark] ************

{Sing Accapella}

[The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin; The Light of the world is Jesus;

Like sunshine at noon-day His glory shone in, The Light of the world is Jesus.

Come to the Light, ’tis shining for thee; Sweetly the Light has dawned upon me;

Once I was blind, but now I can see: The Light of the world is Jesus.]

{Change spotlight to red and move on cross.}

2. Jesus, who lived his life never sinning, died on the cross and shed His blood for us that we might be able to live as children of the light.

Romans 10:9-10

3. Once we become a Christian, we inherit all of the riches God has to offer here on this earth and in Heaven for all eternity. Eternal life with Jesus.

****************** [Shine, Jesus, Shine] *****************

{Change spotlight to pink and move on stage.}

Lighting Up The World

1. As Christians, we have a responsibility to reflect the Light of Jesus through the Holy Spirit which lives within us so that others might see and be saved from the darkness.

{Change spotlight to different lenses as Pastor prompts.}

2. How do we become strong reflectors of the light of Jesus? Thru the¡K

„« Power of the Word of God. The Word lights our path as Christians. The Word corrects us, shows the sin within us. We are to live in the Word and it lives in us. We also become strong reflectors of the light of Jesus thru the¡K

„« Power of prayer. We as Christians can and are commanded to go to God our Father in prayer. We are to pray for one another, but we also are to pray for the lost. We too were in the dark before God saved us. We also become strong reflectors of the light of Jesus thru the¡K

„« Power of evangelism. We are to tell the lost. We are to pray for the lost. The darkness leads to an eternal hell, but the light leads to an eternal Heaven. Why would we want to see anyone go to hell? If you do not pray for the lost and tell the lost about Jesus, then you are in essence saying you don’t care what happens to them.

Conclusion:

1. The old hymn says:

"Amazing grace! how sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found,

Was blind, but now I see."

2. Have you experienced this amazing grace of God? Are you living as a child of the darkness or a child of the light?

3. Christians, does your life reflect the Light of Jesus? If it doesn’t, what do you need to do so that it will? Whatever that is, you need to start now, don’t wait!

PRAYER

{When pastor moves down for invitation, go to a white spot and move the spot up on the sealing in order to brighten room.}