Finding Light and Comfort in Christ

 

Summary

In this sermon, the focus is on the transformative power of looking unto Jesus Christ. The central theme is derived from Psalm 34:5, which speaks of looking to the Lord and being lightened. The sermon emphasizes that true comfort and enlightenment come only through Jesus Christ, the mediator between God and humanity. Without Christ, the brightness of God would be overwhelming and blinding, much like staring directly at the sun. However, through Jesus, God is revealed in a way that is accessible and comforting to the human heart.

The sermon invites the congregation to look at Jesus in various aspects of His life and ministry: His life on earth, His crucifixion, His resurrection, His intercession, and His second coming. Each of these aspects offers unique insights and comfort to believers facing different trials and tribulations. For those suffering from poverty, slander, or persecution, the life of Jesus provides a model of endurance and hope. His crucifixion is a profound demonstration of God's mercy and power to save, offering assurance to those doubting their salvation. The resurrection of Jesus is a source of hope for those grieving the loss of loved ones, affirming the promise of eternal life. His ascension and ongoing intercession assure believers of His continued presence and advocacy.

The sermon concludes with a call to action, urging believers to look to Jesus in all circumstances, whether in doubt, fear, or suffering. By focusing on Christ, believers can find light and comfort, overcoming the darkness of their trials. The ultimate hope is in Christ's return, which will bring about the fulfillment of God's kingdom and the final victory over sin and death.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Mediator's Role: Jesus Christ is the essential mediator through whom we can understand and approach God. Without Him, the divine light is too overwhelming for human comprehension. By looking to Jesus, we find comfort and enlightenment, as He reveals God in a way that is accessible and relatable to us. [01:21]

2. Endurance Through Trials: The life of Jesus serves as a model for enduring trials and tribulations. Whether facing poverty, slander, or persecution, believers can find solace in the example of Christ, who endured similar sufferings. His life teaches us that through tribulation, we share in His fellowship and are comforted by His presence. [06:16]

3. The Power of the Cross: The crucifixion of Jesus is a profound testament to God's mercy and power to save. By looking to the cross, believers can find assurance of God's willingness to forgive and His ability to justify the ungodly. The cross is the ultimate demonstration of divine love and sacrifice. [15:07]

4. Hope in the Resurrection: The resurrection of Jesus is a source of hope for those grieving the loss of loved ones. It affirms the promise of eternal life and the future resurrection of believers. The resurrection assures us that death is not the end, but a transition to eternal life with Christ. [27:59]

5. Christ's Intercession and Return: Jesus' ascension and ongoing intercession provide assurance of His continued presence and advocacy for believers. His promised return is a source of hope and motivation to persevere in faith and good works, knowing that He will come to establish His kingdom and reward His faithful servants. [36:13]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:14] - Introduction to the Theme
- [01:21] - The Mediator's Role
- [03:05] - Endurance Through Trials
- [06:16] - Comfort in Suffering
- [09:40] - Persecution and Christ's Example
- [12:12] - The Power of the Cross
- [15:07] - Assurance of God's Mercy
- [18:14] - Doubts and Faith
- [21:24] - Overcoming Doubts
- [25:24] - Living by Faith
- [27:59] - Hope in the Resurrection
- [31:30] - Christ's Ascension
- [36:13] - Christ's Intercession
- [39:34] - The Promise of Christ's Return
- [43:17] - Conclusion and Call to Faith

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Psalm 34:5
- Hebrews 12:2
- John 14:6

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#### Observation Questions
1. According to Psalm 34:5, what happens to those who look unto the Lord? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on looking to Jesus? [00:14]
2. In the sermon, how is Jesus described as a mediator between God and humanity? What role does this play in our understanding of God? [01:21]
3. What examples from Jesus' life are highlighted in the sermon as models for enduring trials and tribulations? [03:05]
4. How does the sermon describe the significance of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection for believers? [15:07]

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of Jesus as a mediator help believers find comfort and enlightenment in their faith journey? [01:21]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that looking to Jesus can help believers endure personal trials and tribulations? [06:16]
3. How does the sermon interpret the power of the cross in terms of God’s mercy and forgiveness? [15:07]
4. What hope does the resurrection of Jesus provide to those grieving the loss of loved ones, according to the sermon? [27:59]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by life’s challenges. How might focusing on Jesus as your mediator have changed your perspective? [01:21]
2. Consider a current trial you are facing. How can Jesus’ example of endurance inspire you to persevere through this situation? [06:16]
3. The sermon emphasizes the power of the cross as a testament to God’s mercy. How can you remind yourself of this truth when you doubt your own forgiveness? [15:07]
4. If you are grieving the loss of a loved one, how does the promise of resurrection and eternal life offer you comfort and hope? [27:59]
5. Jesus’ ongoing intercession is a source of assurance for believers. How can this knowledge influence your prayer life and relationship with God? [36:13]
6. The sermon calls believers to look to Jesus in all circumstances. What practical steps can you take this week to keep your focus on Christ amidst daily distractions? [43:17]
7. How does the anticipation of Christ’s return motivate you to live out your faith actively and intentionally? [39:34]

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus, Our Mediator and Light
In the journey of faith, Jesus Christ stands as the essential mediator between humanity and God. Without Him, the divine light of God would be too overwhelming for us to comprehend, much like staring directly at the sun. Jesus reveals God in a way that is accessible and relatable, offering comfort and enlightenment to those who seek Him. By looking to Jesus, believers can find solace and understanding, as He embodies the perfect reflection of God's love and grace. This transformative power of looking unto Jesus is a source of true comfort and enlightenment, guiding believers through the complexities of life. [01:21]

Hebrews 12:2 (ESV): "Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to shift your focus from your own understanding to looking unto Jesus as your mediator and guide?


Day 2: Endurance Through Christ's Example
The life of Jesus Christ serves as a profound model for enduring trials and tribulations. Whether facing poverty, slander, or persecution, believers can find solace in the example of Christ, who endured similar sufferings. His life teaches us that through tribulation, we share in His fellowship and are comforted by His presence. By looking to Jesus, believers can draw strength and encouragement to persevere through their own challenges, knowing that they are not alone in their struggles. Jesus' endurance is a testament to the power of faith and the promise of divine support in times of need. [06:16]

2 Corinthians 1:5 (ESV): "For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too."

Reflection: Think of a current trial you are facing. How can you draw strength from Jesus' example of endurance to navigate this challenge with faith and perseverance?


Day 3: The Cross as a Testament of Divine Love
The crucifixion of Jesus is a profound testament to God's mercy and power to save. By looking to the cross, believers can find assurance of God's willingness to forgive and His ability to justify the ungodly. The cross is the ultimate demonstration of divine love and sacrifice, offering believers a powerful reminder of God's commitment to their salvation. In moments of doubt or fear, the cross stands as a beacon of hope and a symbol of God's unwavering love for humanity. It is through the cross that believers can find the strength to overcome their own shortcomings and embrace the fullness of God's grace. [15:07]

1 Peter 2:24 (ESV): "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you doubted God's love or forgiveness. How can the message of the cross reassure you of His mercy and power to save?


Day 4: Hope in the Resurrection
The resurrection of Jesus is a source of hope for those grieving the loss of loved ones. It affirms the promise of eternal life and the future resurrection of believers. The resurrection assures us that death is not the end, but a transition to eternal life with Christ. This hope provides comfort and strength to believers, reminding them of the eternal joy that awaits them in the presence of God. By focusing on the resurrection, believers can find peace in the midst of grief and assurance in the promise of everlasting life. [27:59]

1 Thessalonians 4:14 (ESV): "For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep."

Reflection: How does the promise of the resurrection influence your perspective on life and death? In what ways can you share this hope with someone who is grieving?


Day 5: Christ's Intercession and Promised Return
Jesus' ascension and ongoing intercession provide assurance of His continued presence and advocacy for believers. His promised return is a source of hope and motivation to persevere in faith and good works, knowing that He will come to establish His kingdom and reward His faithful servants. This promise encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith, trusting in Jesus' ongoing support and the ultimate fulfillment of God's kingdom. By looking to Jesus' intercession and return, believers can find the strength to live out their faith with purpose and anticipation of the glorious future that awaits them. [36:13]

Romans 8:34 (ESV): "Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us."

Reflection: In what ways can you actively prepare for Christ's return in your daily life? How does His intercession encourage you to live out your faith with confidence and hope?

Quotes



From the connection we are to understand the pronoun himm as referring to the word Lord in the preceding verse they looked unto the Lord Jehovah and were lightened but no man ever yet looked to Jehovah God as he is in himself and found any comfort in him for our God is a consuming fire an absolute God apart from the Lord Jesus Christ can afford no Comfort whatever to a troubled heart. [00:00:19]

The only way in which we can see God is through the mediator Jesus Christ till God in human flesh I see my thoughts no Comfort find God shrouded and veiled in the manhood there we can with steady gaze Behold Him for so he cometh down to us and our poor finite intelligence can understand and lay hold upon him. [00:01:11]

Here the troubled Saint will find the most to Enlighten him in the example in the patience in the sufferings of Jesus Christ there is stars of Glory to cheer the midnight darkness of the sky of your tribulation come hither ye children of God and whatever now are your distresses whether they be temporal or spiritual you shall in the life of Jesus Christ and his sufferings find sufficient to cheer and comfort you. [00:03:01]

If he suffered hunger and thirst and nakedness oh heir of poverty be of good cheer in all these thou Hast fellowship with Jesus therefore be comforted and look unto him and be lightened perhaps your trouble is of another cast you have come here today smarting from the fork tongue of that Adder slander your character though pure and spotless before God seems to be lost before man. [00:05:05]

Come and look unto him and be lightened the king of kings was called a Samaritan they said of him that he had a devil and was mad and yet Infinite Wisdom dwelt in him though he was charged with Madness and was he not ever pure and holy and did they not call him a drunken man and a wine Biber he was his father's glorious son. [00:06:16]

Come you now to calvary's cross there on the summit of that little Hill outside the Gates of Jerusalem where common criminals were ordinarily put to death the tyburn of Jerusalem the Old Bailey of that City where criminals were executed there stand three crosses the center one is reserved for one who is reputed to be the greatest of criminals see there they have nailed him to the cross it is the Lord of life and Glory. [00:12:45]

You have come here perhaps doubting God's mercy look to Christ upon the cross and can you doubt it then if God were not full of mercy and plenteous in his compassion would he have given his son to bleed and die think you that a father would Rend his darling from his heart and nail him to a tree that he might suffer an ignominious death for our sakes. [00:15:03]

True without that cross it had been an unanswerable question how can God be just and yet the justifier of the ungodly but see there the bleeding substitute and know that God has accepted his sufferings as an equivalent for the woes of all believers and then thy Spirit dare to think if it can can that there is not sufficient in the blood of Christ to enable God to vindicate his Justice and yet to have mercy upon Sinners. [00:16:06]

Come you here and look at him as the old serpent bruises his heel he dies the Friend of Sinners dies and Salem's daughters weep around he he was wrapped in his grave clothes and put into the grave and there he slept three days and nights and on the first day of the week he who could not be held by the bands of death and whose flesh did not see corruption neither did his soul abide in Hades he arose from the dead. [00:26:12]

Come come I beseech you ye weeping and timid spirits behold Jesus Christ risen for remember this is a great truth now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of them that slept and the verse of our song just embodies it what though our inbred sins require our flesh to see the dust yet as the Lord Our Savior Rose so all his followers must. [00:27:52]

See there he sits in heaven he has led captivity captive and now sits at the right hand of God forever making intercession for us can your faith picture him today like a great high priest of old he stands with outstretched arms there is Majesty in his manner for he is no mean cringing suppliant he does not beat his breast nor cast his eyes upon the ground but with authority he pleads enthroned in glory now. [00:36:13]

Lo he cometh he cometh he cometh quickly and what we cannot do in 6,000 years is he can do in an instant Lo he comes he comes to reain we may try to build his throne but we shall not accomplish it but when he comes he shall build his throne himself on solid pillars of light and sit and judge in Jerusalem amidst his Saints gloriously. [00:39:48]

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Transcript
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