Jesus Is the Light of the World

A preacher was preaching one Sunday evening when the lights in his small church suddenly flickered and went out. He stood quietly in the darkness, not knowing what to do or say.

Finally, an older deacon in the congregation called out, "Preach on, preacher, we can still see Jesus in the dark!" ��������� #ServeToLead #PreachTheWord #JesusIsTheLight

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THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

 

 

The W.W.E. of John the Baptist from Luke 3:1-6 (Short Bible Study)

Watch other Bible Study videos:

CHAPTER 1

Luke 1:1-4 https://youtu.be/PVorOCQqOVM   

Luke 1:5-25 https://youtu.be/F5Kp-JU-c90  

Luke 1:26-38 https://youtu.be/1h56S9IGvf0  

Luke 1:39-56 https://youtu.be/2fQYRCvIn5k  

Luke 1:57-66 https://youtu.be/4JsE7rFRCig  

Luke 1:67-80 https://youtu.be/Swmh_gjEBp0  

CHAPTER 2

Luke 2:1-7 https://youtu.be/A-lKr7906JI  

Luke 2:8-20 https://youtu.be/OmCUs95ozUQ  

Luke 2:21-24 https://youtu.be/MfVXnV3X-Og  

Luke 2:25-35 https://youtu.be/-hODLozQbmM  

Mother’s Day Special https://youtu.be/56a8cmkRpd8

Luke 2:36-38 https://youtu.be/56a8cmkRpd8

Luke 2:39-52 https://youtu.be/QaLBTLSkMls  

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THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

God and the Word was in the Beginning (Genesis 1:1-5)

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. God called the light ‘day,’ and the darkness he called ‘night’”

(Genesis 1:1-5, NIV).

There was only darkness, chaos, and emptiness. There was only nothing. And then there was everything, spoken into existence by the voice of God: “Let there be…” With those words, light shone out of the darkness, order arose out of chaos, and the emptiness was filled with good things, beautiful things – things that gave God pleasure and put a smile upon His face.

It was good, God said. It wouldn’t be long before the perfection of the natural order would be wrecked, but this first chapter of the Book of Genesis reminds us of something we all feel in our hearts already: the way things are is not the way things were supposed to be. The Creation story tells us that everything in this universe – every single things – is of supernatural origin. Every event is an echo, however distorted, of God’s voice speaking, “Let there be…”

It was the Word that set things in motion, and that Word still speaks. For the Word is Christ. He was with God before the beginning; indeed, he was God, shining in the darkness. The Word still speaks. The Light still shines: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it” (John 1:1-5, NIV).

Regardless of what the scientists, philosophers, historians and astronomers told us;

First, in the beginning… God! Amen.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Jesus' Message: Love and Light Belong Together (1 John 2:9-11)

“If anyone claims, ‘I am living in the light,’ but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is still living in darkness. Anyone who loves another brother or sister is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble. But anyone who hates another brother or sister is still living and walking in darkness. Such a person does not know the way to go, having been blinded by the darkness”
(1 John 2:9-11, NLT).

Here Apostle John makes one point very clear: we either love or hate our Christian brothers and sisters. Indifference is impossible. We are to love those who live near us – those we see in our neighborhoods, at school or college, at work, or wherever – and not just those who are far away. Our attitude towards others should not be one of superiority (I’m better than you) or seeing others as a nuisance (If it weren’t for you, my life would be much simpler). We are to make the needs of other people our needs; their concerns, our concerns (But at the same time don’t be too obsessed with the concerns).

So this is it: love and light belong together as do darkness and hatred. We must show the genuineness of our faith by having the right relationship with God and His people. We can’t hold a grudge against God and keep growing as a believer. The same is true with other people – if we have an unforgiving attitude toward others, we harm ourselves the most. Why is that? Because our bitterness and unhappiness spread like cancer until the only feelings we seem to have are those of anger and revenge (If you hurt someone, ask for forgiveness. If the other person won’t forgive you, at least pour out your bitterness to the Lord in prayer. Never keep it to yourself).

There is an obvious difference between merely saying and actually doing. We may talk a good line (or update a Facebook status) about being loving Christians, but it’s the doing – the practical part – that is the true test of our faith in God (see John 13:14; Romans 14:13; Galatians 6:2). Love helps us make progress in this life but hatred stops growth. Love makes us balanced in our thoughts and actions, it helps others and “does not cause others to stumble.” Hatred, on the other hand, fogs our vision and is blinding. Hatred will cause us to dislike someone, wish evil on them, and even be glad when it happens. Hatred causes people to stereotype other people (put people in boxes) because of their origin, race, or sex. We can see how distorted such an attitude really is and how much we need – the love of Christ – to help us have the best kind of attitude toward others. “Anyone who loves… is living in the light.” Amen.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Jesus Shows How Practical Our Faith Is: Living in the Light (1 John 1:6-7)

“So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin”
(1 John 1:6-7, NLT).

God’s light (1 John 1:5) has a special purpose. It is not a light that going to kill us. Instead, it is life-giving, nourishing, helpful light. The Apostle Paul reminds us: “For God, who said, ‘Let there be light in the darkness,’ has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). Notice that throughout John’s first letter, he speaks out against three false claims of the false teachers (verse 1:6, 8, 10). Each begins with, “If we claim/say…” Then there is a contradiction, followed by a true statement.

In verse 6, John says, “We are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth.” In other words, John is speaking against the heresy that the way we live doesn’t really matter. The way we live does matter! From the beginning of history, we are reminded that faith (what we firmly believe) and life (how we live as Christians) should reflect each other. To live in fellowship with God commits us to a life of reflecting God’s goodness. Not only are we to learn and understand the truth [in which I always promote Christian students to have good Biblical-theological thinking], but we must also do the truth. To talk about God and His goodness without really living that way is to become a hypocrite (see James 2:14-17).

Notice here how practical our faith is: God’s light not only helps us see but shows us how and where to walk. Christianity is an action-type faith. It is more than mere talk or an abstract philosophy; it helps us move toward what is right and true. And our faith also helps us grow together as the Body of Christ. Notice Bible verses about, John telling us that our fellowship (sharing, being close, enjoying being together, and so on), will grow as we walk in God’s light. Truth should lead to closeness and harmony, not misunderstanding or rivalry, or separation. To walk in the light, then, is to be open, honest, and sincere, to hide nothing, and to be real and not phony. This means being open and caring with other people as well as with God; caring about and listening to them as well as being concerned about ourselves.

To me, a good example of phoniness is the person who pretends to care. Such a person may show an initial interest in you and say, “Hi, how are you? We should hang out together next time,” but never does; or promises, “I’ll pray for you,” and doesn’t follow through. Christians are learning to be “real” people – to say what they mean and mean what they say; to become more loving and caring. Another result of walking or “living in the light” is that our sins are taken away. “The blood of Jesus… cleanses us from all sin.” The word “cleanses” means “steadily purified”; it is not something that happened only once but continues to happen every moment of every day. Therefore, living in the Light of God. Amen.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Jesus Is Light and There is No Darkness in Him at All (1 John 1:5)

“This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you:

God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all” (1 John 1:5, NLT).

The Scriptures call God many different things to help us understand who God is. One of the most graphic terms used to describe Him is light. “God is light.” Apostle John says that because of who God is, “there is no darkness in him at all”; it is God’s very nature to be a powerful Light piercing the darkness and confusion of this life. God’s light shows us the way. In Psalm 43:3, we read: “Send out your light and your truth; let them guide me.” Just as torchlight, physical light can help us find our way and feel safe, so God’s light can give us direction spiritually and help us know where we are going in life.

Another purpose of light is to point to and take care of imperfections. The whole principle behind the x-ray is that strong light can see through or penetrate our body to show up our inner body. Light (like a laser beam or think of a Star Wars lightsaber) can also be focused sharply enough to cut or repair damage or wipe out a tumor or cancer or other illnesses. When I saw a baby was blindfolded and placed in a special incubator because of a blood problem, a strong light was aimed toward the baby’s body – hot and bright light – and within a day the blood condition returned to normal because of the healing power of that light. Light can heal.

Now, according to Apostle John, the opposite of light is darkness, which is not just darkness in a physical sense but in a spiritual sense. If the light is truth, then darkness is ignorance. If the light is purity, then darkness is sin. If the light is good, then darkness is evil. The Apostle Paul reminds us: “For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son” (Colossians 1:13). In a physical sense, generally, most plants and animals do not grow well if they are always in darkness. Without the warm, nourishing light of the sun, most plants would die. Light is also nourishing and brings growth; darkness, on the other hand, is weakening and stops growth.

God’s light is like that: to live in God’s light is to grow and change; to live outside of God’s light is to be confused and lost. Living with God gives us the courage not only to cope with our fears and frustrations but also to enjoy life to the fullest. Jesus said about Himself this way: “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” (John 8:12) and he said, “God is light.” Both are the same. Amen.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Jesus calls Us to Be like Light Shining in the Darkness (Spread the Truth)

Is this the kind of lamp Jesus talking about? Somewhat?

“Then Jesus asked them [his disciples], ‘Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine. For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.’ Then he added, ‘Pay close attention to what you her. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given – and you will receive even more. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them’” (Mark 4:21-25, NLT).

Jesus probably was speaking to the disciples with the crowd gathered around them. Here in the Gospel of Mark, the discussion of “a lamp”, “a basket”, and “understanding” appear immediately after Jesus’ explanation of the parable of the farmer, seeds, and soils (Matthew 13:3-12. Some accounts in Matthew are parallel with Mark at several places). 

A “lamp” was a lighted wick in a clay bowl full of oil. The lamp would never be lit and then put “under a basket or under a bed.” It would be put on its stand in order to illuminate the room. In the same way, the purpose of the parables (in fact, all the parables that Jesus told) was not to conceal the truth for those who “listen and understand” but to reveal it. For those who are “not listening”, however, the parables become a stumbling blocks for them and thus “what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.”

Jesus was telling the disciples that the benefits of knowing him were to be passed on, like light shining in darkness. They should “pay close attention” so they would know the truth and be able to share it with others. Jesus added that those who “listen and understand” would continue to grow because they let God’s Word make a difference in their lives; but those who listen casually would miss the point entirely. What can you do and ask from God to “pay close attention” to Jesus and his teachings?

No Secret Please!
What Jesus told his disciples privately, we must share with others. God’s truth requires a clear and helpful explanation to the world. As light fills a room, God’s Word drives out spiritual darkness. Disciples must participate in revealing God’s truth to the world through witness in word (such as preaching and singing) and deed (helping the hungry people). We dare not hide something as important as God’s truth in a closet. How vocal and active is your witness? Maybe it’s time to bring it out of hide.
From: Life Application Bible Commentary: Mark, p.112

Think about this: Christ’s Message about God’s Kingdom is intended for everyone. At times, believers seem to hide their faith from the watching world, as if putting their light under a basket. But Jesus calls us to spread the truth about the Kingdom, scattering seeds (Matthew 13:3-12) and shining light. We can only share what we know, so we should be diligent about listening and learning from the Master. In due time, God will lead us to those whom we can help with what we know. Regardless of your level of spiritual maturity, “let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:16).

Ask God to help you as you focus you attention on him (In prayer and reading of the Word).

Ask for the Holy Spirit to quicken your understanding and interest. Amen.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Francois Turrettini on the Threefold Office of Christ (Prophet, Priest and King)

The writings of John Calvin, especially his Institutes of the Christian Religion (1559), established a pattern which would become widespread within the Reformed Christology. The significance of Christ was explored using the model of the “threefold office,” which depicted him as prophet, priest and king. As a prophet, Christ declared the will of God; as a priest, he made atonement for sins; and as king, he rules over his people. The noted seventeenth-century Genevan theologian Francois Turrettini, a major exponent of the Reformed tradition, here sets out this understanding more fully, in a text originally published in Latin in 1679:

“The office of [Jesus] Christ is nothing other than a mediation between God and humanity, which he was sent into the world by the Father and anointed by the Holy Spirit to carry out. It embraces all that Christ was required to achieve during his mission and calling in relation to an offended God and offending humanity (erga Deus offensum et homines offendentes), reconciling and uniting them to each other…

This mediatorial office of Christ is distributed among three functions, which are individual parts of it: the prophetic, priestly and kingly. Christ sustained these together rather than separately, something which he alone was able to do. For what would, in the case of other people, be divided on account of his supreme perfection. There could indeed be people who were both kings and priests (such as Melchizedek) or kings and prophets (such as David), or priests and prophets (as in the case of some high priests) – but there is no other who perfectly fulfilled all three. This was reserved for Christ alone, in that he was able to uphold the truth which is embodied in these types…

The threefold misery of humanity resulting from sin (that is, ignorance, guilt, and the oppression and bondage of sin) required this threefold office. Ignorance is healed through the prophetic office, guilt through the priestly, and the oppression and bondage of sin through the kingly. The prophetic light scatters the darkness of error; the merit of the priest removes guilt and obtains reconciliation for us; the power of the king takes away the bondage of sin and death. The prophet shows God to us; the priest leads us to God; and the king joins us together with God, and glorifies us with him. The prophet illuminates the mind by the spirit of enlightenment; the priest soothes the heart and conscious by the spirit of consolation; the king subdues rebellious inclinations by the spirit of sanctification.”

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

References:

1) Institutio theologiae elencticae, topic 14, q. 5; in Institutio theologiae elenticae, 3 vols (Rome: Trajecti, 1734), vol. 2, pp. 424-427.

2) The Christian Theology Reader, edited by Alister E. McGrath (Blackwell Publishers Ltd, 1995), pp. 153-154.

Jesus wants Us to Influence the World

“You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven”

(Matthew 5:13-16, NIV).

After several verses on persecution (Matthew 5:10-12), Jesus portrays the effects his followers ought to have on the world around them. Like salt and light, which are useful only when properly applied, our lives bring praise to God only as we acknowledge Jesus as Lord, submit ourselves to his active leadership, and then mix and mingle in the world. Just as salt and the lamp are objects to be used for a purpose – one enhancing flavour and the other providing visibility in a dark place – our lives are intended for a purpose, as well; namely, bringing glory to God.

Salt has limitations. It can lose its flavour or become impure. Yet the apostle Paul encouraged the Colossians to “let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone” (Colossians 4:6). The word “attractive” in this verse was translated from the same word used for “salt” in Matthew 5. Salt preserves as well as enhances food while maintaining its own distinctness. Christians are to season the world by their presence and yet maintain a distinction from the ways of the world. Light has limitations too. It is useless if no one can see it. Jesus’ picture of hidden light shows the folly of Christians living isolated from the world. We are to be the means by which others might see Jesus.

Think about this: John Wesley was asked about the effectiveness of open-air preaching and the public proclamation of the gospel in eighteenth-century England. Wesley apparently smiled and said something to the effect that “when you light yourself on fire, people will show up to watch you burn.” We will not be effective unless we are willing to be seen by others and consumed in Jesus’ service. Neither salt nor light has to be perfect in order to be useful.

You are the salt of the earth.

You are the light of the world.

May people see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Amen.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Jesus, God's One and Only Son (Why Believing in Jesus is So Crucial)

God willing to give, Jesus willing to die

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16, NLT).

Here we read God’s motive for giving that gift of eternal life, of being born again: He “loved the world so much.” The quantitative statement raises the question: How much did God love the world? God’s action answers the question: “He gave his one and only Son.” This is giving, not as in “sharing for a time” but as in allowing the Son of Man to be “lifted up” (John 3:14) like Moses’ serpent on a pole*. This is the kind of ultimate giving Paul described in Romans 5:8, “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”

After declaring God’s motive and action, John 3:16 then defines the breadth of the opportunity (“everyone”) and the mode of response (“who believes in him”). The classic English “whosoever” here conveys the thought that anyone and everyone who believes in Jesus becomes a candidate to receive certain benefits (such as “eternal life”) and avoid certain consequences (such as “the judgment”). This conveys the same certainty as the “must” Jesus used when he told Nicodemus “you must be born again” in order to “enter the Kingdom of God” (John 3:3). So “believe in him” become crucial phrase to understand. Believing in Jesus doesn’t mean attraction to his personality or recognition of his existence; believing in Jesus means believing in the significance of his work at the Cross, where he died for our sin. By the way, “will not perish” refers to the fact that without Jesus’ intervention, we have no hope. Perishing is the human condition without Jesus. The Gospel is good news because it tells us there’s one way to avoid perishing – believing in Jesus.

Think about this:  At some point in your life you may have memorized this verse, John 3:16. It represents (as most people) one of the clearest summaries of the Gospel in the New Testament. Accepting its meaning and committing to it lead to second birth – born again. By personalizing these words, we allow God to do His birthing work in us. God love you. Jesus loves you. Believe in him.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

*What is the connection between Jesus on the Cross and “the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness”? I think reading David Pawson’s ‘Is John 3:16 the Gospel?’ is very helpful.

Jesus on the Law of Spiritual Growth (A Reflection on Mark 4:21-25)

After Jesus finished explaining the parable of the sower, Jesus continued, “Does anyone ever bring in a lamp and put it under a bowl or under the bed? Isn’t it put on the lampstand? Whatever is hidden away will be brought out into the open, and whatever is covered up will be uncovered. Listen, then, if you have ears!” (Mark 4:21-23, GNB).

Nobody as far as I know bought Samsung Galaxy S5 or Apple iPhone iOS 8 (probably outdated after 6 months from now) who doesn’t use any of it applications except for SMS texting only. Everyone know that smartphone is meant to be use for more. It is also doesn’t make sense to light up a lamp and then put it under a bowl or a bed when its purpose is to illuminate the room. A lamp is not meant to be covered up but to give light. When Jesus preached God’s Word in parables He was partly ‘hidden’ the truth from the people. But when the time came for His disciples to preach openly after His resurrection and after they received God’s Word in all its fullness, God’s truth must be reveal to all people like a shining lamp. The truth concealed in parables will be revealed. God’s truth “will be bought out into the open” and it “will be uncovered.” And it’s happening now!

“He also said to them, ‘Pay attention to what you hear! The same rules you use to judge others will be used by God to judge you – but with even greater severity. Those who have something will be given more, and those who have nothing will have taken away from them even the little they have’” (Mark 4:24-25).

If I read above verses out of context, I will surely be misunderstood and confuse by it. First Jesus talked about four kinds of people’s attitudes toward God and His Word (Mark 4:13-20). And then regardless of how people response to God’s truth, it is nevertheless should be revealed as widely as possible and not to be hidden away (Mark 4:21-23). Now (Mark 4:24-25) Jesus was saying that: the disciples are to share the “light” they have received and “hear” so that they may receive more “light” from God. The Law of Spiritual Atrophy says “if you don’t share, you will not grow and will not be effective anymore.” But the Law of Spiritual Growth says “to those who hear, and then share to others what they have heard, more will be given.”  That is why Jesus emphasized two times on listening – “Listen, then, if you have ears!” and “Pay attention to what you hear!”

Shine God’s Light

Share God’s Truth

Listen and pay attention to God’s Word

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Jesus Christ: Mr. Light of the World or Mr. Arrogant?

Sometime I met people who always seem to be full of themselves. Singing their own praises, full of their own important, and think of himself or herself more than anyone else. They are not the kind of people I like to get around with. But as I read the Scripture, I noticed that, Jesus, at first impression, seems to be a bit like that: he talks a lot about himself and seems to offer himself to others as the answer to their needs. I ask God who writes Bible: Does Jesus have any right to talk this way?

What about this (for example): “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12, ESV)? That is a strange thing for anyone to say. In what possible way can one man be the source of light for the whole world? What?! And is he telling us that apart from him and without him people are, in effect, in darkness? If you read this passage carefully, “I am the light of the world,” that would certainly seem to be the case, for he goes on to say: “Whoever follow me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (8:12).

As if it was not clear enough, Jesus repeats it: “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness” (John 12:46). Follow him, believe him, is what Jesus saying, because without him we are simply blind and will stumble our way through life, risking making wrong decisions and going to the wrong directions. Without Jesus it will be like walking in the dark!

Now, unless it is true (which I personally believe to be true), that is an arrogant talk! And for those who were there when Jesus said it, it was made worse because they would detect, realized in these words – “I am the light” – that Jesus was claiming to be divine. For them, “light” was a description of God Himself, and the ONLY one who had the right to claim to be the light of the world is God! So Jesus’ claim was daring indeed: He claimed to be what God alone is supposed to be, and therefore claimed to offer people light which would make a radical difference to their lives.

“I am the light of the world.” This was a shocking statement from Jesus (maybe not so much today, but during Jesus’ time, that claim is blasphemous if it’s not true), so to you, who do you say Jesus is: The liar of the world? The looser of the world? Or “The light of the world”? Seek Jesus for yourself, pray to God and read the Gospels first hand before you make any decision, because any decision you may make will make a difference in your life – either into the light or into the darkness. May you choose the brighter future in Him. Choose Light. Amen.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Light in the Darkness

“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him” (John 1:1-3, NLT)

If the Gospel according to Matthew starts Jesus’ genealogies from Abraham and Luke traced him back from Adam, John however starts before the world was created. Jesus was there before time existed. John calls Jesus “The Word” and he uses the Greek word logo’. In both the Jewish and the Greek concept of the word logos was associated with beginnings. Thus, John was (is) saying that Jesus as the Beginning, who has always existed.

Then John continues, “The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness can never extinguish it” (1:4-5). Now, he was saying that the Word was also the Light (and the Life). What does it mean by saying that Jesus is the Light? How does it apply to us today?

The Light helps us see what is Good and what is Bad

When God said, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3), He meant for it to allow us to see the created world with our eyes. When God sent the Light, Jesus Christ, He did it so we could see God Himself with our hearts and souls. With the Light we can also see what is good and is bad in our world and in our lives because “the light shines in the darkness”.

The Light overcomes the Darkness

“The darkness can never extinguish it.”  This means no matter what Satan and the world try to do, we can’t be defeated if we’re on Jesus’ side. The Light is so evident that no matter how dark the world is, no matter how much anybody tries to hide in sin, the Light exposes the bad and always overcomes the dark parts of our lives.

Darkness can’t understand the Light

When we live apart from God, we don’t see we’re living in sin. We don’t understand what is wrong and evil. We go about our lives wanting nothing to do with the Light because we have adjusted our eyes to the darkness and think it’s normal. We like the darkness because it gives us more places to hide. We can’t understand why anybody would want to follow Jesus. (So we thought). But when the Light takes over and invades our hearts, however, we see everything clearly. Now our mindset and heart changed. Now we say, “I can’t understand how I once lived without Him.” Indeed, we can’t live without Him. Amen.

God sent his Son, Jesus, to be the light in the world

and the light shining in our lives

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Reference:
The Complete New Testament Resource for Youth Workers Volume 1.
Copyright 2009 by Livingstone Corporation.