| December 16, 2001 Northwest Bible Church
Christmas 2001
Out of darkness, Light!
INTRO
One of the most striking symbols of the birth and life of Christ is that of Light emerging out of darkness.
Lk. 1:77-79
Lk. 2:30-32
I. THE DARKNESS REVEALED.
A. Darkness in revelation.
B. Darkness in Israel.
C. Darkness in the world.
Rom. 1:21
Eph. 4:18
D. Darkness in the spirit world.
Eph. 6:12
II. THE PREPARATIONS FOR THE LIGHT.
Prophecies which had been dormant for hundreds of years begin to awake and come to fulfillment. Suddenly, God begins to speak again. Angelic activity erupts. The Holy Spirit is on the move again.
Concerning John the Baptist - John 1:7-8 He came for a witness, that he might bear witness of the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but he came that he might bear witness of the light.
III. THE SUNRISE FROM ON HIGH.
A. Christ is the Light of the world.
John 8:12 Again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life."
1) What does the “Light” mean?
The light of Christ refers to His own holiness, purity, righteousness, love, and grace. It refers to the salvation that He gives through His death and resurrection, note “the light of life” (Jn. 8:12).
2) Who can see the Light?
a) There is an inner darkness that prevails in the hearts of men.
John 1:5; John 3:19
b) God must open the eyes before we can see the Light.
Ps. 18:28; Acts 26:18; 2 Cor. 4:6 ; Mt. 16:17; Mt. 11:25-27.
B. The church is the light of the world.
1) Christ is no longer on earth bodily.
Matt. 5:14-15 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor does anyone light a lamp, and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house.
2) Our duty as the light of the world.
Mt. 5:16; Rom. 13:12; Eph. 5:8; 1 Pet. 2:9; 1 John 2:9
CONCLUSION - So how can we celebrate the coming of christ this season?
1) Worship. By seeing God’s masterpiece of bringing forth His Son in the midst of deep darkness that He might be the Light of the world.
2) Shining. By understanding that Christ has set us up as a light on a hill to continue to shine forth the light of His life and the hope of salvation through Him.
THE PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE - REMBRANDT |
