[ ] 12/19/2010 #913
JESUS: THE GIFT OF LIFE AND LIGHT
John 1:1-5
INTRODUCTION: In the beloved song, O Holy Night! there is one stanza that states: “Long lay the world in sin and error pining, Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.” Hope was given at His birth. The night Jesus was born was a Holy Night. The world had only known darkness and death. His birth brought life and light. This world has never been friendly to Jesus. It is trying hard to strike Christ from Christmas. The word “Xmas” is being used more frequently. Three reasons why the world will fail are: (1) Jesus is Lord; (2) Jesus is life; (3) and Jesus is light. Jesus said, “be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
I. JESUS IS LORD
A. HIS PRE-EXISTENCE. “In the beginning was the Word” (John 8:58)
B. HIS POSITION. “Word was with God” (John 17:5; Hebrews 1:3)
C. HIS PERSON. “Word was God” (John 10:30; 14:9)
II. JESUS IS LIFE
The Eternal God is a non-created Being. He has self-existing life. The phrase, “In Him was life,” means that life is in Him. He is life.
A. SOURCE OF EARTHLY LIFE.
“All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (John 1:3)
“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” (Col. 1:16-17)
B. SOURCE OF ETERNAL LIFE.
The lost person is “dead in trespasses and sins.” (Eph. 2:1) Sinful man does not possess spiritual life.
Jesus said: “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10
“He that hath the Son hath life.” (1 John 5:12)
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” (John 10:27-28)
III. JESUS IS LIGHT
A. SON OF LIGHT.
In 1 John 1:5, it is declared, “God is light.” The visible sun gives light to the whole world. Jesus, the “Son of righteousness,” gives spiritual light to the entire world.
At the birth of Jesus, Simeon prophesied:
“Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.” Luke 2:28-32
The life of Christ is “the light of men.” Jesus stated twice in John’s gospel: “I am the light of the world.”
“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12
The prophet Isaiah prophesied: “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. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:16-17
B. SHINING THE LIGHT.
1. Light rejected. (5, 11)
The world cannot overcome the light (v. 5), but men can and do reject the light.
“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” John 3:19-21
Organizations such as the ACLU, Freedom From Religion Foundation, and Americans United for Separation of Church and State, continue to harass and attack Christians through lawsuits and threatening letters.
It seems like these groups who are attacking Christianity are more than willing to embrace any other religion. It seems they are opposed to anything or anyone who mentions the name of Christ
They have attacked the Ten Commandments, prayer at school functions, Christmas, and manger scenes.
In the last 100 years, there has been a subtle effort to remove Christ from Christmas. Those attacks have intensified in the last few years.
Christians and churches have unknowingly followed the direction of the world.
Henry Morris III: “Christmas, even for many Christian families, has become more about giving gifts than the Giver of Gifts (James 1:17). Churches all across the country will host organ recitals and promote cantatas, dramatic extravaganzas, and musical productions that stress entertainment more than the eternal message of forgiveness, salvation, and the coming King.”
John Lennon, who was a member of the communist party, spoke of a world without God, heaven or hell in his song “Imagine.”
“Holiday” originally was a day of dedication to religious observance, a “Holy Day.” Our holidays have nothing to do with holiness. To most Americans, it means a longer break from work or school.
2. Light received. (John 1:12)
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” John 1:12
Jesus: “While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light.” John 12:36
“I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.” John 12:46
“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12
Lessons for Life:
1. The message of Christmas is Christ. In Him is life and light. Jesus is the “unspeakable gift.”
The Emirates [uh-meer-it) Palace Hotel in the Muslim desert of Abu Dhabi [ah-boo dah-bee] boasts of the “"most expensive Christmas tree ever," with a "value of over 11 million dollars." The tree itself is valued at $10,000 dollars. The necklaces, earrings and other jewelry draped around the tree's branches give it a record value. It holds a total of 181 diamonds, pearls, emeralds, sapphires and other precious stones.
The most expensive tree was planted on Calvary’s hill. It wasn’t the tree itself that made it costly. It was the precious Son of God who was nailed to that tree. Jesus shed His life giving blood so sinners could be saved.
2. As Christians, we need to let the light of Jesus shine through us.
3. Jesus offers the gift of eternal life to those who will receive Him as their Lord and Savior. Have you repented of your sins and trusted Christ?