Weekend Sermon -- The Light Has Come

      Thank you for taking the time to read the sermon today. I have been having a difficult time getting over this sickness that I've had for the past weeks. I've been tested twice for Covid, and I am negative. I am grateful for that. I feel better for a couple of days, then I feel bad for a couple of days. Please pray that I can shake this off and get back to normal. I am thankful to the Lord for the opportunity to post this message today. 

     Today, we begin our messages for the Advent season. Today, I want us to focus our attention on John 1:5. This verse states, "The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. That is from the NIV. I like the way the New Living Translation put it, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it."

    What is this light that is being referred to. The light that has come into the world is the Lord Jesus. This verse is part of a larger passage that tells us about Jesus coming into the world. We know that Jesus is the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. John 1 refers to Him as the Word. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." The divine Second Person of the Trinity became a human being. He was born of the Virgin Mary on Christmas Day to bring the light of salvation and the light of God's love into this world that was gripped with the darkness of sin and despair. 

     During this Christmas season, we see a lot of lights. People have lights shining on the Christmas tree, and many homes have beautiful Christmas lights decorating the exterior. These lights are a reminder that the light of Jesus has come into the world to drive out the darkness. 

     The light of Jesus lets people know that they can be forgiven of their sins. If a person will turn to Jesus in repentance and faith, Jesus will forgive that person of their sins. That person will have a relationship with Jesus, and Jesus will save them both for now and for eternity. They will not walk in darkness again. 

     The light that Jesus brings is the light of love and salvation, but it is also the light of hope. Because Jesus has brought His light into this world, this world can never be the same again. All things are becoming new. Jesus came into the world and showed us how that we can live a life that is pleasing to God. He showed us that if we follow His teachings and commandments, that the world can be the kind of place that the Lord intended it to be. 

     The forces of hate, sin and evil still try to wage a war against the light. However, the darkness can never extinguish the light and the life of Jesus Christ. When Jesus rose bodily from the grave on Easter morning, the forces of darkness were once and for all defeated. They still try to war against the light right now. However, the ultimate final victory will come when Jesus returns at His Second Advent. 

     Those of us who are followers of the Lord Jesus must help to show forth His light in this world. We need to shine the light in the darkness. That means that we need to let people know that a Savior has come. Jesus brings salvation, love and forgiveness that is available to whosoever will come unto Him. Those of us who know Jesus must shine forth the light of His teachings so that we can do all that we can to make this world a better and a more peaceful place until the day that Jesus comes and every ounce of darkness is removed from the entire universe forever. Amen.

Prayer Requests

     Please pray that I will get all the way better from my illness. Thank you. 

     Let us all pray for those who are being persecuted in China. 

     Last night, there were many tornadoes in the US. Several people were killed, and many have been left homeless. Pray for those who grieve. Pray that any who might be trapped in the debris will be rescued. Pray that the injured will recover, and pray that people will get the aid that they need. 

     Continue to pray for an end to the coronavirus. Pray that those who are sick will recover. 

     Pray for peace on earth. Let us focus our prayers this week on praying for peace in Yemen, Ethiopia and Syria.

     For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those in the nations of Uzbekistan and Gambia. Pray that many will come to know Jesus. 

    Next week, we will continue with our Advent messages. I will post the message on Friday or Saturday. I will post the verses on Monday. Lord willing, I will post a review midweek. May God bless you all. I hope that everyone is doing well, and I pray for you every day.