DATE: SUNDAY, 3RD JANUARY 2021
THEME: CHRIST, THE LIGHT TO ALL MEN
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Jeremiah 31: 7-14
Ephesians 1:3-14
John 1:1-9
PSALTER: Psalm 147:12-20
PREPARED BY: OSOFO YAW DODD
INTRODUCTION
When we think of light, we right away think of the sun. We’ve been taught that the sun is the center of the solar system and thus it is the light of the world. Some figures reveal the sun’s greatness. Astronomers estimate that the diameter of the sun is 109 times that of the earth. Its output of energy is 70,000 horsepower per sq. yd. per minute. Lastly, the temperature at the sun’s surface is about 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit. But the sun, in spite of its greatness, is not the “Light of the World.”
The “Light of the World” is the Son of God. Jesus declared himself to be such. He is the one who made the sun, for he existed with the Father in creation. He is also the one who with one bold stroke declared, “I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.”
The people in Jesus’ day missed him. He came among them and they ignored him. They were in the presence of God, divine royalty, and they didn’t even recognize him. John states in verse 9. “The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world” (John 1:9 NIV). John asserts, that Jesus is the true light.
▪The true light that the darkness cannot overcome has come in flesh and blood.
▪The true light that would point all mankind to life in God has appeared in person.
▪The true light that would dispel the darkness of sin and death has visited this planet.
The great men of the Bible, prophets and the like, had publicized and foretold his coming. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Micah, Zechariah, and Malachi said, “HE’S COMING.” Every book, every chapter, every page of the Old Testament testifies to one great truth- “He’s coming.” IN FACT that is the whole theme of the Old Testament-that God would one day send the Messiah to the earth to deliver his people Israel. The light has now come. LET’S SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS IN OUR DAYS.
BODY
I. CHRIST, THE LIGHT FOR A DARKENED WORLD
Christ declared, ‘I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. The whole world is not being lightened — at least not yet. In fact, he says, “Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness.” Which means that if we don’t follow him, we do walk in darkness. And where is that darkness? It is in the WORLD and in our HEARTS. Christ being “the light of the world” means the world has no other light than him. IF THERE IS GOING TO BE A LIGHT FOR THE WORLD, IT WILL BE CHRIST. There is no alternative. No other light.
▪It means, therefore, that all the world, and everyone in it needs Jesus as their light.
▪It means that the world was made for this light. This is not a foreign light. This is the light of the owner of the world. When this light comes, it not only makes sin plain as foreign and ugly, but it also makes everything good in the world shine with its full and true beauty.
This world was made to be illumined by this light. This light of Christ is native to the world.
- CHRIST, THE LIGHT THAT REVEALS OUR HEARTS
When Christ’s light shines, HE reveals how dark this world is. But even more than that, he reveals how dark our own heart is and have been. You and I have not truly seen until we’ve seen Christ. ONCE YOU SEE HIM, EVERYTHING BECOMES CLEAR. - CHRIST, THE LIGHT THAT SAVES
Christ doesn’t just leave us with an illumined knowledge of how dark the world is and how dark we are. How awful would that be? No, HE BIDS US TO COME TO THIS LIGHT. It not only reveals, but SAVES. “I am the light of the world.” He immediately follows that statement with the implied exhortation, “Follow me.”
By his life and by his death, he swallows up darkness. It’s no accident that, the star shone in the night sky at Jesus’ birth, but the noonday sun was blacked out at his death on the cross. He’s the light of the world. Hear his provision:
▪Do you want to dwell in light? Follow me.
▪Do you want to escape the darkness? Follow me.
▪Do you detest what you see in this world and in your own heart? Follow me.”
We are to believe in him, trust in him, and depend upon him. God, light of light, comes into this darkness for us.
- AS LIGHT, WHAT DOES CHRIST DO FOR US
“The true light,”—that luminous figure—“that gives light to everyone, has come into the world,”
▪ As Light, Christ Brings Sight And Understanding.
Jesus, as the Light of the World, brings us that light that quickens or restores our spiritual life. John 8:12, “Again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.’”
If you look in the dictionary, the first DEFINITION for “LIGHT ” is “SOMETHING THAT MAKES VISION POSSIBLE.“ In other words, light makes it possible for us to see. Without light, we are hopelessly blind – blind to OUR SURROUNDINGS, blind to OUR SITUATIONS and CIRCUMSTANCES, blind to even OURSELVES. Light makes it possible for us to see clearly – things as they really are.
▪ As Light, Christ Removes Stains and Purifies.
Just as the light of the Sun removes physical stains, so Jesus the Light of the World removes the spiritual stain of sin from our souls. 1 John 1:7, “But if you walk in the light, as he is the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
▪ As Light, Jesus Brings Life.
We learn in school that without sunshine there would be no life possible on earth. The sun provides the basis for all life on earth. The sun is the source of energy for all plants, and indirectly, for all animals. Take away the sunlight and all life on earth would soon perish. NO JESUS, NO LIFE.
▪ As Light, Jesus Heals.
Another wonderful benefit of light is that it HEALS. There is healing in sunlight. Sunlight therapy has been found to be highly effective in the treatment of tuberculosis, streptococcal infections, pneumonia, mumps, fungal infections and more. Tiny flashes of infrared light can play a role in healing wounds, building muscle, turning back the worst effects of diabetes and repairing blinded eyes.
The light of Jesus’ love and compassion brings healing to emotional wounds and afflictions of the heart and mind. In His very first sermon Jesus ever preached, recorded in Luke 4, He declared that – “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted.”
▪ As the Light, Jesus Brings Hope.
For good reasons, light has been a symbol of hope for ages. Think of the sense of hope we feel when we see the dawn’s first light after a long, difficult night. JESUS IS THE EMBODIMENT OF HOPE. Hope of salvation, hope of righteousness, hope of peace. BUT THE GREATEST HOPE HE GIVES IS THAT WHICH PERTAINS TO THE AFTERLIFE.
- APPLICATION
Without Christ in us, the greatest possible impact that we can have is like that of a large ship’s impact on the ocean. It leaves a stir, which may be impressive for the moment, but which is soon gone without a trace.
God created this light to give SIGHT and HOPE.
CONCLUSION
Are you walking in the Light today or are you still in darkness? Be ready to welcome CHRIST into your life. He is the light of this world. Allow him to light up every darkness in your way. Enjoy the Service. Stay BLESSED.
PREPARED BY
OSOFO YAW DODD
CALVARY METHODIST SOCIETY
ADABRAKA, ACCRA
