Embracing New Creation: From Darkness to Light

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound theme of "The New Creation," a journey that leads us into the season of Lent and ultimately to Easter. This period in the Christian calendar is a time of reflection and preparation, mirroring the historical silence before Jesus began His ministry. During this time, the people of Israel had drifted from God, forgetting the prophet Micah's call to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God. Yet, out of this darkness, a new light emerged, as foretold by prophets like Isaiah and Malachi, heralding the coming of John the Baptist, the one who would prepare the way for Jesus.

John the Baptist, a pivotal figure, was not just a voice in the wilderness but a living embodiment of the prophetic tradition. He called people to repentance, urging them to turn from their ways and embrace the coming kingdom of heaven. His message was not just about words but about action, as he baptized people in the Jordan River, symbolizing a new beginning and a crossing into the promised land of spiritual renewal. John's life and ministry were deeply physical, reflecting the actions of prophets before him who used dramatic gestures to convey God's message.

John's call to repentance was a call to truth-telling, both about oneself and about the world. It was an invitation to acknowledge our brokenness and our need for Jesus, the true light. This truth-telling is not just about recognizing darkness but about preparing for the light, about being a beacon of hope in a world that often feels chaotic and dark. As followers of Jesus, we are called to be that light, to share the peace and truth of Christ with those around us.

As we reflect on John's ministry, we are reminded that preparing the way for Jesus involves both truth-telling and physical action. It is about living out our faith in tangible ways, sharing what we have, and being a light in the darkness. Today, we witnessed this truth in action through the baptism of two young women, Chloe and Emma, who have embraced this new life in Christ. Their baptism is a powerful symbol of repentance and renewal, a testament to the transformative power of Jesus.

Key Takeaways:

- The Silence Before the Light: The 400-year silence before Jesus' ministry reminds us of the importance of waiting and preparation. In our own lives, periods of silence can be times of deep spiritual growth, where God prepares us for new beginnings. [42:29]

- John the Baptist's Call to Repentance: John's message of repentance is a call to truth-telling about our own brokenness and need for Jesus. Repentance is not just about feeling sorry but about a transformative change in our thinking and actions. [48:23]

- The Physicality of Faith: John's ministry was deeply physical, from his lifestyle to his baptism practices. Our faith, too, should be lived out in tangible ways, through acts of kindness, generosity, and justice. [54:18]

- Moving from Darkness to Light: In a world that often feels dark, we are called to focus on the light of Christ. Our conversations and actions should reflect the hope and truth of Jesus, guiding others towards the light. [58:07]

- Baptism as a Symbol of New Creation: Baptism is a powerful symbol of repentance and new life in Christ. It represents the washing away of sins and the beginning of a new journey as a follower of Jesus. [01:03:12]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction to the New Creation Series
- [02:15] - The Silence Before Jesus
- [05:00] - Prophecies of Isaiah and Malachi
- [08:45] - John the Baptist's Role
- [12:30] - The Call to Repentance
- [15:20] - The Physicality of John's Ministry
- [18:10] - Crossing the Jordan River
- [21:00] - The Symbolism of Baptism
- [24:00] - Moving from Darkness to Light
- [27:30] - The Role of Followers of Jesus
- [30:00] - Baptism of Chloe and Emma
- [33:00] - Closing Prayer and Reflections

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The New Creation

Bible Reading:
1. Micah 6:8 - "He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
2. Isaiah 40:3 - "A voice of one calling: 'In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.'"
3. Matthew 3:11 - "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."

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Observation Questions:

1. What was the significance of the 400-year silence before Jesus' ministry, and how did it prepare the way for a new beginning? [42:29]

2. How did John the Baptist's lifestyle and actions reflect the prophetic tradition, and what was his primary message to the people? [45:23]

3. What role did baptism play in John the Baptist's ministry, and how was it a symbol of new beginnings? [54:18]

4. How did the sermon describe the transition from darkness to light, and what is the significance of this transition for followers of Jesus? [58:07]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the call to "do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God" (Micah 6:8) relate to the message of repentance and renewal preached by John the Baptist? [42:29]

2. In what ways did John the Baptist's call to repentance challenge the religious and social norms of his time, and what can we learn from his approach? [48:23]

3. How does the physical act of baptism symbolize a deeper spiritual truth, and why is it important for believers today? [54:18]

4. What does it mean to be a "light in the darkness" as a follower of Jesus, and how can this be practically lived out in our daily lives? [58:07]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time of silence or waiting in your life. How did it prepare you for a new beginning, and how can you use that experience to grow spiritually? [42:29]

2. John the Baptist was known for his bold truth-telling. How can you practice truth-telling in your own life, especially when it comes to acknowledging your own brokenness and need for Jesus? [48:23]

3. Baptism is a symbol of new life in Christ. If you have been baptized, how does this experience continue to impact your faith journey? If not, what steps can you take to explore this important aspect of faith? [54:18]

4. In what ways can you be a light in your community, sharing the hope and truth of Jesus with those around you? Identify one specific action you can take this week to be a beacon of light. [58:07]

5. Consider the physical actions of faith, such as acts of kindness and generosity. What is one tangible way you can live out your faith this week in a way that reflects the teachings of John the Baptist? [54:18]

6. How can you shift your conversations from focusing on the darkness in the world to highlighting the light of Christ? Think of a specific conversation you can have this week that emphasizes hope and truth. [58:07]

7. Reflect on the story of Chloe and Emma's baptism. How can their example inspire you to embrace new beginnings in your own spiritual journey? [01:03:12]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Silence for Spiritual Growth
In the 400 years of silence before Jesus' ministry, the people of Israel experienced a profound period of waiting and preparation. This silence was not merely an absence of God's voice but a time of deep spiritual growth and anticipation. In our own lives, we often encounter similar periods of silence where God seems distant. These times can be challenging, yet they are opportunities for us to prepare for new beginnings and to deepen our relationship with God. Embracing silence allows us to listen more intently to God's whispers and to cultivate a heart ready for His transformative work. [42:29]

Isaiah 30:15 (ESV): "For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, 'In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.' But you were unwilling."

Reflection: In what ways can you embrace silence in your daily routine to allow God to prepare you for new beginnings?


Day 2: Repentance as Transformative Truth-Telling
John the Baptist's call to repentance was a powerful invitation to truth-telling about one's own brokenness and the need for Jesus. Repentance is not merely about feeling sorry for past actions but involves a transformative change in our thinking and behavior. It requires us to confront the truth about ourselves and the world around us, acknowledging our need for the light of Christ. This process of repentance is a journey towards spiritual renewal, where we turn away from darkness and move towards the hope and truth found in Jesus. [48:23]

Acts 3:19 (ESV): "Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord."

Reflection: What truth about yourself do you need to confront today, and how can you invite Jesus into that area for transformation?


Day 3: Living Faith Through Physical Actions
John the Baptist's ministry was characterized by physical actions, from his lifestyle to his baptism practices. This physicality of faith is a reminder that our beliefs should be lived out in tangible ways. Acts of kindness, generosity, and justice are expressions of our faith that reflect the love of Christ to the world. As followers of Jesus, we are called to embody our faith through our actions, becoming living testimonies of God's grace and truth. [54:18]

James 2:17 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

Reflection: What is one tangible way you can live out your faith today through an act of kindness or service?


Day 4: Being a Light in the Darkness
In a world that often feels chaotic and dark, followers of Jesus are called to focus on the light of Christ. Our conversations and actions should reflect the hope and truth of Jesus, guiding others towards the light. This calling involves being a beacon of hope, sharing the peace and truth of Christ with those around us. By living as children of the light, we can help illuminate the path for others, leading them towards the transformative power of Jesus. [58:07]

Ephesians 5:8-9 (ESV): "For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true)."

Reflection: How can you intentionally be a light in your community today, sharing the hope and truth of Christ with someone who may be struggling?


Day 5: Baptism as a Symbol of New Life
Baptism is a powerful symbol of repentance and new life in Christ. It represents the washing away of sins and the beginning of a new journey as a follower of Jesus. Through baptism, believers publicly declare their commitment to Christ and their desire to live a life transformed by His love and grace. This act of faith is a testament to the transformative power of Jesus, marking the start of a new creation in Him. [01:03:12]

Romans 6:4 (ESV): "We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."

Reflection: Reflect on your own baptism or the concept of baptism. How does this symbol of new life inspire you to live out your faith more fully today?

Quotes

Thank you so much, Jess. Good morning, Door of Hope. It is great to see you today. What a morning it's already been. Oh, my goodness. I had a sense this morning that today would be a bit weird. And this morning, I've already dealt with pizza and leaving my phone and all my things that were important today at home. I did remember my message. But God just said, the joy of the Lord is your strength. And then the first song we sang today was the joy of the Lord is our strength. And God obviously needed to tell me that twice. So thank you, God, for telling me that twice. My name is Christy Misdom. And I get to be the lead minister along with our wonderful staff at Door of Hope. [00:39:49] (48 seconds)


There's this 400-year period before Jesus being born. And the end of when they wrote down what the prophets were saying, and we call that the Old Testament. There was this period where we don't have what was written down. And it was a time of silence, where the Messiah was still to come. And the Hebrews, the children of Israel, had become a nation of people who, for the most part, didn't have God in the center of their hearts anymore. They had forgotten what the prophet Micah had said 400 years before. This is what he said. [00:42:01] (36 seconds)


Out of this time of silence comes a new voice. Out of the darkness, a little glimmer of light. The prophet who was spoken about in the Old Testament books hundreds of years earlier was here. 700 years before Jesus, Isaiah wrote this down. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord. Make straight in the desert a highway for our God. [00:42:40] (33 seconds)


John proclaimed, the one who is more powerful than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop down and untie his sandals. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. And from the Gospel of John. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light. So that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light. But he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming to the world. [00:45:32] (42 seconds)


Priests wipe sins from the people and prophets wipe sins in their faces. Do you like that? Priests wipe sins from the people and prophets wipe sins in their faces. Priests summon people to make restitution, but prophets summon people to tell the truth and to start again. Preparing the way is telling the truth. [00:47:53] (36 seconds)


In those days, John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea proclaiming, repent, the kingdom of heaven has come near. And I'm sure he did it much more loudly than that and maybe not as gently. To repent, to turn around, to change how we think, to believe in the truth. And John knew the truth because he knew Jesus. [00:48:29] (24 seconds)


Repenting, turning to Jesus, the kingdom that had come near, is telling the truth about who we are in light of who Jesus is. Telling the truth about who we are and our inability to make ourselves right with God aside from Jesus. Repenting is being aware of what is true about us. [00:50:01] (27 seconds)


They were so aware that their offerings and lives and failure to keep up with the law really was a bit hopeless. They experienced it, and they knew they were hearing the truth, so they were baptized by John and experienced something very different. You see, the Hebrews had ritual washings. They had some cleansing ceremonies, but nothing like being plunged in and submerged in water. That was new. That was new. [00:51:41] (33 seconds)


Prophets of old often acted out their words from God, right, in the physical, because we know actions speak louder than words, right? Jeremiah buried his underwear in Jeremiah 13. Read about why he did that. Ezekiel acted out this whole drama about a trip to Babylon in Ezekiel 12. And Isaiah spent three years walking around in the nude. Three years to express what he was trying to tell the people from God. Prophets acted out. This is why he didn't invite them for dinner. Very awkward. Very awkward. [00:52:53] (39 seconds)


He took them to the other side of the Jordan and said, this can be your promised land if you cross through these waters. And they told him the condition of their hearts. This was a new ritual, as I said, this act of baptism. And he took them down into the water. Not just washing their hands. Not just sprinkling. Not just a cleansing ritual. But down into this place where the sins that had been a burden on them came off in the water. [00:54:54] (36 seconds)


The truth is right there in the Jordan. John's words to people were physical. After he set out, after he said, brood of vipers, this is what you're doing wrong. There's no fruit. What's going on? You're just acting like, because I'm a child of Abraham, I don't need to do anything. They asked John, what should we do now? And do you know what John said? Anyone who has two shirts should share with one who has none. [00:56:43] (34 seconds)


When a friend talks to you about this world being chaotic, is your response to just agree? Yes. Isn't it? So much going wrong. So much chaos. I know. Or do we share about the one who brings us peace and calm and security and truth to our worlds? Do we tell people the truth? [01:01:30] (28 seconds)


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Transcript
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