Sermon Notes for 12/23/2012 Christmas Service (Advent 4)
The True Light That Shines on Us All (John 1:1-9; Genesis 1:1-5)
A. Chasing away the darkness in our hearts
1) True light--the life of Christ (1-4)
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.
2) The essence of darkness (5, Genesis 1:1-5)
The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
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." And there was evening, and there was morning--the first day.
B. The true light that we all need
1) The one who is not the light, but points us to the light (6-8d）
There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
2) The one true light for all people (9)
The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
Summary
In the same way that Genesis chapter 1 tells about the beginning of the world, the first chapter of the gospel of John tells about our new beginning. God did not create darkness and light, but instead, called light into being in the darkness. The darkness in our hearts separates us from light, making us fearful and troubled. Our hearts yearn for light in the same way that our physical bodies need light, but because of our self-absorption, we often confuse the true light with its counterfeit. WIthout experiencing true light, our hearts will never be satisfied. Jesus Christ is the true light that can shine into your heart.
For Discussion
1) Why does darkness rule so many people's hearts?
2) What is counterfeit light like?
The True Light That Shines on Us All (John 1:1-9; Genesis 1:1-5)
A. Chasing away the darkness in our hearts
1) True light--the life of Christ (1-4)
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.
2) The essence of darkness (5, Genesis 1:1-5)
The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
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." And there was evening, and there was morning--the first day.
B. The true light that we all need
1) The one who is not the light, but points us to the light (6-8d）
There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
2) The one true light for all people (9)
The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
Summary
In the same way that Genesis chapter 1 tells about the beginning of the world, the first chapter of the gospel of John tells about our new beginning. God did not create darkness and light, but instead, called light into being in the darkness. The darkness in our hearts separates us from light, making us fearful and troubled. Our hearts yearn for light in the same way that our physical bodies need light, but because of our self-absorption, we often confuse the true light with its counterfeit. WIthout experiencing true light, our hearts will never be satisfied. Jesus Christ is the true light that can shine into your heart.
For Discussion
1) Why does darkness rule so many people's hearts?
2) What is counterfeit light like?