On Sunday we started a new series on light. Light is a major theme of the Bible and is first mentioned in Genesis 1. Genesis, as its name implies, is the book of beginnings. In it we find the beginning of the universe, man, sin, salvation, nations, Israel, faith, worship, family, and society. Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” God had no beginning and He has no end, but creation had a beginning just like you and I had a beginning. God can make something out of nothing. He takes what is formless and dark and changes it into something beautiful and bright. How does God deal with the darkness, disorder, and deadness of our lives? The answer is Jesus!
The Glory of Jesus
The Bible is a book about Jesus. Every chapter, character, and command points to Him. Our theme verse for this series is John 8:12: “Jesus spoke to them again: ‘I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.’” Genesis 1:2 reads, “Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep….” I believe God created the earth in this way to show what our lives are like without God. Life without God is empty, dark, and meaningless. God spoke, and order came out of chaos. The word of God brings order to your life where there is chaos. Genesis 1 is clear that creation is the work of our triune God. God did not create us because He was lonely, but out of a love relationship. It is also clear that God is not detached from creation. A repeated phrase is “God saw….” God did not create you and forget about you. He sees you. God creates and sin de-creates. Life unravels and falls apart without God. Jesus, The Word, came to recreate and redeem creation. Wherever sin has brought darkness in your life Jesus says, “let there be light.”
The Guidance of Jesus
Throughout chapter 1 we see that God had a plan for every day and He has a plan for us every day. He worked. He created. He was productive. We are created in His image. God has a plan and purpose for our lives. You may have a big decision to make today and you don’t know what to do. God will give you light to direct your path. He gives us daily direction and guiding light. His word is a lamp to my feet and light to my path (Ps.119:105). Just like the wise men were guided by the light, God orders our steps. He knows what is going on in your life and if He guided you into it, He will get you through it. You are not the result of chance, evolution, accident, or mistake. God planned you, formed you, created you, ordained you, and He will guide you step by step! God did not bring you this far to leave you now. Never doubt in the dark what God has shown you in the light. He will never leave you or forsake you!
The Gospel of Jesus
When we give our lives to God, He puts His light in us. “You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:14-16). In a world of darkness, we bring the light of the Gospel. In a world of chaos, we bring the Gospel of peace. In a world filled with bad news, we have the good news. The world is so dark politically and culturally. It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. Let your light shine. The hope of the world is the local church. You are the light at your school, home, and workplace. People say, “I am the only Christian where I work. Pray for me another job.” The darker the place, the more they need your light! Jesus is the sun and we are the moon. The moon does not have light of its own. It reflects the light of the sun. That is what we do. We reflect the light of Jesus. Are you going be a half-moon, a full moon, or a total eclipse?
When Jesus died on the cross for our sins, a strange thing happened. The earth became dark in the middle of the day. He took upon Himself the chaos, darkness, and emptiness of our lives so we could have eternal light and life. He makes us a new creation, old things are passed away, and all things are becoming new. He makes all things new! If your life is unraveling because of sin, turn to Jesus, trust in Him, and He will make all things new. He can make something out of nothing!
