Sermon Notes

Introduction

1. Light in the darkness – Operation Bethlehem, Columbia.
   1. (53) Operation Bethlehem Full version – YouTube

Jesus came to earth to…

Let us know what God is like – John 1.14, 16-18

• Jesus has revealed to us the grace, love and the truth of God.
• Illustration – Twins and how similar they are and there is no distinction in their personality or looks; when people meet me or Andrew and say, “Y’all look alike and act like each other.”
• The Father, Son & HS are exactly alike; they each have a different role, but their heart is the same.
• So many distorted pictures of God – old man, good cop/bad cop, cranky father, absentee dad, emotionless judge, angry dictator.
• People say: Well, my idea of God is….many times when people say that they’re just guessing.
• God said, “You don’t have to guess what I’m like, I’ll come live with you and show you” – John 1.14.
  1. He is good: He wants what is best for us; he has given us freedom to make choices; His goodness is evident in the way He created this earth and the abundance we have. The intricacies of the universe doesn’t just reveal the power and wisdom of God, but that He is good b/c he made it for our enjoyment. His goodness is seen in the way Jesus treated people – with respect, hope, truth
  2. He loves us! John 3.16!! It’s not just on your good days, but your bad days too. He knows me and he loves me
  3. He wants a family! John 1.10-13. He is inviting us into a family relationship with Him! You aren’t joining an organization and starting at the bottom of hill; You aren’t joining the military to be a soldier for Jesus; You aren’t joining a cause so you can change society; you aren’t recruited by God because you’re a tool or resource in his arsenal;
     • No! You are being adopted into a family so you can be embraced by the Father, be best friends with Jesus and have constant companionship with the HS. It’s about family.
     • Jesus came to give you an opportunity to be a part of family.

Illuminate our sinful condition – John 3.16-21

• Who likes having their sins exposed? Those who want to get rid of them.
• My testimony as a child wanting to get rid of my sins
• God loves us so much that He doesn’t want us to live in darkness and experience eternal condemnation. Jesus exposes our darkness so we can live in His light.
• “Matt 1.20-21”
• WE are sinners and we have broken the 10 Commandments. Go through the 10 Commandments

• No other gods before me
• Do not make an idol
• Do not misuse God’s name
• Keep the Sabbath
• Respect your father and mother – honor, obey
• Do not murder but don’t even think evil
• Do not commit adultery
• Do not steal
• Do not give a false testimony – lie, deceit
• Do not covet
• Jesus moves it from sinful actions to sinful intent – Mt.5.21-29

• BLUF – Bottom Line Up Front: Jesus came to take away our sins and thus restore our relationship, so that we don’t have to live separated from God and eternally condemned to Hell. Jesus makes it clear that if you don’t believe in Him you live in darkness in this life and you will be condemned to eternal darkness for all eternity.
• God has no gray when it comes to sin and righteousness. What seems “okay” with us is not necessarily “Okay” with Him. His Law tells it like it is.
• He’s the doctor who is telling you the truth about your condition. Is the doctor being judgmental if he tells you that you have cancer…is he trying to hurt you or limit you or being rude and mean-spirited by telling you the truth of your condition? Are you going to stomp away and go find another doctor b/c you don’t like his diagnosis or approach?
• You have a choice. You can deny the truth – I’m not a sinner…this isn’t sin; downplay – I’m not that bad of sinner…not a big deal; ignore it – it doesn’t matter, to each his own; revel in it – Yes I am and I don’t care; you can deal with it – admit it and seek his forgiveness.

• OT sacrificial system – they had to offer sacrifices to take away sins. The penalty for sin is death and it is in that death there is forgiveness. The animal was acting as their subsititute.
• Jesus came as our sacrificial Lamb – John 1.29 – Look the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Guide us to God – John 8.12; 12.44-48

• He is not a light in the world; He is the Light of the World.
• The Light not only exposes sin, but it also shows us the way to relationship with God.
• I am reading through the Bible books of Jeremiah, Daniel & Ezekiel. Jeremiah & Ezekiel are especially confrontive and shocking. If you read them, you think God is this mad & angry God and He is throwing a tantrum but if you understand the whole of Scripture you see that He is using this strong language to move His people out of their darkness back into the light. It’s the type of language you use when you see your child living in complete obstinate rebellion and all the hurt and damage that it’s bringing on them and others and your desire is that they live in their destiny.
• Jesus proves He is the Light of the world by His life, death and resurrection.  He lived a perfect life, took upon our sins, became the sacrificial Lamb for the sins of the world, and proved our sins were forgiven and that He is victorious by rising from the dead.
• You can find truth in every world religion; we need more than truth we need a Savior. Truth is important, but we need forgiveness of our sins and Light to lead us to God.
• He will not force His way into your life; he will not demand your allegiance; you have to willingly surrender your life to His rule.
• The Bible teaches that one day Every knee will bow to Jesus but today you have a choice. You can gratefully do it now or regretfully do it later.
• As the Light of the world, He guides us back to God.

Heal our lives – John 9.1-7

• Jesus heals our lives at every level. Nothing is beyond His power to heal and restore.
• Every Sunday I look at people who God has miraculously healed and restored their lives. They are not the same people they were 2 – 5 years ago.
• Brittany Riggs Story
• 9.35-41  

Transform us into Children of Light – John 12.36

• It begins and continues with surrender.
• You can become everything God desires – His child, a sibling of Jesus, a friend of HS – but it requires surrender.
• Lifeguarding as a teenager. Taught us that if a person is thrashing about trying to save themselves that you have to back off. If you get close, they’ll take you under and you’ll both drown. You can’t save them until they surrender.
• Jesus cannot save you until you surrender. That surrender means:
  1. Admit you’re a sinner & turn from you sin
  2. Ask His forgiveness
  3. Thank Him for dying for you
  4. Make Him your Leader & Forgiver
• John 1.12-13.
• Prayer of salvation
• Rom.6.4 – Public confession of your faith through baptism.