Thank you for reading the sermon this week. I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. I am still not feeling my best, so please continue to pray that I will be able to make a full recovery. I thank you for your prayers.
Today, we will be having what I call a combination Christmas and New Year sermon rolled into one. We often hear the Christmas story read from Matthew and Luke during this time of the year. However, the birth of Jesus into this world is told in another more theological way in the Gospel of John. In John 1 verses 1-5 we read, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him, and without Him was not made anything that was made. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
When Jesus came into this world on Christmas, He came as the light of the world. The world was trapped in the darkness of sin and despair. However, Jesus came to bring the light of His love and forgiveness to all those who would believe in Him and put their trust in Him as Savior and Lord.
Since Jesus has come into this world, the power of the light of His Word has shined into the darkness and exposed the darkness for what it truly is. The light of Christ is shining so that evil is being driven from this world, and will be driven out of this world ultimately when Jesus returns in power and great glory at His Second Coming which I believe could occur at any moment.
During the Christmas season, we think about the light of Jesus Christ. The season is about spreading the values of peace, love, joy and salvation. I would like to urge everyone in the year that is to come to keep shining the light. Jesus has called all of us who follow Him to tell others about Him. He has given us the mission of shining the light of His love and forgiveness into the darkness of this world.
As we go into the new year, let each of us work for the Lord to make sure that we are telling others about the love of Jesus and the salvation from sin that He offers to anyone who is willing to come to Him. Also, let us shine the light of Jesus into this world by working to make this world a better place for the honor and glory of the Lord. There are many needs in this world. There is a lot of hurt and a lot of pain. But the darkness that is in this world cannot overcome the light of Jesus Christ. His light conquers all, and we can be a part of shining the light of Jesus into the dark places of this world.
Christmas is about the coming of the light of love and the light of Christ into this world. Let each of us share His light during the Christmas season and throughout the year that is ahead. Amen.
Prayer Requests
Much of the United States in the grip of some really cold and nasty weather. Please pray that the temperatures will go up quickly and that people will be safe in this cold weather.
Please continue to pray for an end to the disease outbreaks in the world. In many parts of the world, the flu and coronavirus are really bad right now. Many countries are having problems dealing with cholera, and ebola is problem in some places. Pray that the sick will recover, and that these diseases can come to an end.
Continue to pray for peace in the world during this holiday season. Let us focus our prayers intently on peace in Ukraine.
For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those in the nations of Madagascar and India. Pray that many will come to the light and love of Jesus.
Pray for Somalia. There is a bad drought there right now. Pray that people will get the aid that they need.
Next week, we will begin a new sermon series for the new year. I will post the verses on Tuesday this week, and I hope to post something midweek. May God bless you all.
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