Finding Light: Embracing God's Work in Darkness

 

Summary

The sermon emphasizes the concept of "night vision," which is the ability to see and understand God's work during dark times in our lives. The speaker suggests that darkness is a temporary state that God uses to shake and break things up, allowing for a clearer understanding of His nature and power. The speaker encourages the congregation to seek a relationship with God and stay connected with the church community, especially during challenging times.

The speaker references the story of Job and the restoration he received from God, doubling what he had lost. They invite the congregation to turn to Jesus, assuring them that God's power resides within them even in the darkest times. The speaker also addresses the issue of injustice, citing the incident involving Deacon Johnny Holman, and emphasizes that God can still work amidst such darkness, as seen in Genesis where God separated light from darkness.

The sermon includes a testimony about a man named James who overcame homelessness, illustrating the importance of gratitude for current blessings. The speaker also discusses the significance of the temple curtain tearing at Jesus' death, symbolizing unhindered access to God for all, especially during dark times.

The speaker shares a personal experience of overcoming a dark period in their life and emphasizes the importance of trusting and living out God's ways. They reflect on the future when there will be no darkness because of God's light and encourage the congregation to trust that God can give them night vision to navigate current darkness.

The speaker also touches on the importance of learning from difficult times, as exemplified by Moses in the Wilderness, and encourages the congregation to embrace storms as opportunities for growth. They highlight the need to understand God's word to navigate through darkness and assure that perseverance will lead to praise and deeper trust in God.

The speaker insists that God does His best work in the dark, with the resurrection of Jesus being the greatest miracle. They encourage the congregation not to fear or be discouraged by darkness, as it has an expiration date and does not control anything. The speaker reassures that material losses in the fight against darkness will not sever the connection to God.

The sermon also addresses the need to examine traditions that may hinder people from coming to God and emphasizes the importance of not letting anything prevent seeking God's presence. The speaker recounts a story about a young man who was almost turned away from God over a hat, highlighting the need for sensitivity in upholding traditions.

The speaker invites individuals to join the church and emphasizes the importance of salvation and affiliation with the local church. They also discuss the significance of giving and encourage the congregation to give generously. The sermon concludes with gratitude for God's grace and the opportunity to give.

Key Takeaways:

- Darkness serves as a divine tool for transformation, where God shakes and breaks things in our lives to reveal His power and lead us to a deeper understanding of Him. This process is akin to developing photographs in a darkroom, where the negative becomes a beautiful picture. [06:26]

- The tearing of the temple curtain at Jesus' crucifixion symbolizes that in our darkest moments, we have direct access to God's presence without the need for intermediaries. This access is a source of comfort and guidance, much like children seeking their parents during the night. [19:59]

- Embracing the storms and confusing situations in life, as Moses did in the Wilderness, is crucial for learning God's ways. These experiences teach us to trust in God's guidance and lead to a deeper understanding of His operations, resulting in praise and trust even in the darkest times. [40:12]

- God's voice and guidance are most discernible in the dark, where we gain a clearer vision of Christ's identity. It is often in the darkness that we truly see and recognize God, and we should reflect on what we may have missed in the light that God needs to show us in the dark. [43:26]

- The greatest miracle, the resurrection of Jesus, occurred in the dark, reminding us that God's most profound work often happens during our darkest times. Darkness is temporary and subject to God's sovereignty, and it is in these moments that we can have a clearer vision of who Jesus is. [46:32]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Benefits of Night Vision

#### Bible Reading
- Matthew 27:45-54

#### Observation Questions
1. What significant event occurred from noon until 3 p.m. during Jesus' crucifixion according to Matthew 27:45-54?
2. How did the tearing of the temple curtain from top to bottom symbolize a change in access to God? [19:19]
3. What was the reaction of the Centurion and those guarding Jesus after witnessing the events during the crucifixion? [42:50]
4. How does the sermon describe the purpose of darkness in our lives, and what analogy is used to explain this? [07:17]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. In what ways does the tearing of the temple curtain at Jesus' death provide comfort and guidance during dark times? [19:19]
2. How does the story of Job's restoration relate to the concept of "night vision" and seeing God's work in dark times? [50:34]
3. What lessons can be learned from Moses' experience in the Wilderness about embracing storms and confusing situations in life? [40:12]
4. How does the sermon suggest that God's greatest work, such as the resurrection of Jesus, often happens during our darkest times? [45:22]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced a "dark" period in your life. How did you see God's work during that time, and what did you learn from it? [07:17]
2. The sermon mentions the importance of staying connected with the church community during challenging times. How can you strengthen your relationship with your church community this week? [50:34]
3. The speaker shared a personal experience of overcoming a dark period. What steps can you take to trust and live out God's ways during your current challenges? [35:49]
4. How can you apply the lesson of the temple curtain tearing to your own life, ensuring that nothing hinders your access to God's presence? [19:19]
5. The sermon emphasizes gratitude for current blessings, as illustrated by the testimony of James overcoming homelessness. What are you grateful for today, and how can you express that gratitude? [02:31]
6. The speaker discusses the need to examine traditions that may hinder people from coming to God. Are there any traditions or practices in your life that might be preventing you or others from seeking God's presence? [28:54]
7. How can you embrace the storms and confusing situations in your life as opportunities for growth, similar to Moses in the Wilderness? [40:12]

Devotional

Day 1: Transformation Through Divine Darkness
Darkness is not an absence but a divine canvas for transformation, where God's power is revealed and our understanding of Him deepens. It is in these times that the negative of our circumstances is developed into a picture of grace and strength. [06:26]

Isaiah 45:3 - "I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name."
Reflection: Can you recall a time when a difficult situation led to personal growth or a deeper understanding of God's character?

Day 2: Unhindered Access in Our Darkest Moments
In our darkest moments, we are reminded that through Christ's sacrifice, we have direct and unhindered access to God's presence, offering us comfort and guidance like a parent to a child in the night. [19:59]

Hebrews 10:19-22 - "Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings."
Reflection: How can you utilize your direct access to God to find peace and guidance during a current struggle or 'dark moment' in your life?

Day 3: Embracing Life's Storms for Spiritual Growth
Storms and confusing situations in life are not to be feared but embraced, as they are opportunities to learn God's ways, leading to trust and praise even in the darkest times. [40:12]

Exodus 13:21-22 - "By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night."
Reflection: What is a 'storm' you are currently facing, and how can you actively seek to learn from it and trust in God's guidance through it?

Day 4: Discerning God's Voice in the Dark
It is often in the darkness that we gain a clearer vision of Christ's identity and hear God's voice most distinctly, guiding us to see what we may have missed in the light. [43:26]

1 Kings 19:11-12 - "The Lord said, 'Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.' Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper."
Reflection: In what ways can you quiet your life to better hear God's gentle whisper, especially during times of uncertainty or challenge?

Day 5: God's Profound Work Amidst Darkness
The greatest miracle, Jesus' resurrection, occurred in the dark, reminding us that God's most profound work often happens during our darkest times, which are temporary and under His sovereignty. [46:32]

Romans 5:3-5 - "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."
Reflection: How can you shift your perspective on current difficulties to see them as temporary and under God's control, allowing His work to unfold in your life?

Quotes

"In the night, in the dark times in our lives, we yearn for God's presence, that God shakes and breaks some stuff up in the darkness, that we get a clearer understanding of who God really is and what he really can do for us." [01:01:09] (Download)

"Darkness has an expiration date... and know that this too, as our Pastor said and as the word of God says, this too Shall Pass." [01:01:48] (Download)

"God's not afraid of the darkness; in fact, in Genesis chapter 1, the Bible says the Earth was without form and darkness was upon the face of the waters... What God does is He does not often get rid of darkness, but He will separate it." [14:03] (Download)

"Darkness still exists but it bends to the hand of God... He has chosen to use darkness to shape us and mature us by giving us night vision so that we can survive." [14:45] (Download)

"Sometimes God allows the dark because that's when you and I bloom. It's when you grow in the dark, it's when you mature in the dark... God knows how to take situations that appear dark and use them for us to show us how to get an advantage out of a disadvantage." [15:29] (Download)

"Even if it's dark around you, it's not dark in you because the light of Jesus is within you. What do you need to tear up, what does God need to tear up in your life that's keeping you from Him?" [52:53] (Download)

"Even in the midst of dark times, we need not fear because the presence of the father is near." [22:28] (Download)

"God will tear up anything that stops a child of God from getting close to him... even those Church stuff, even religious rules, regulation and religion that keeps my people from getting close to me." [23:05] (Download)

"In dark times, you develop night vision because you are with the Prince of Peace, the God of Light, who will help you to survive in the midst of darkness." [21:15] (Download)

"He does his best work in the dark; He shows us the best of who He is and what He can do in the dark, not in the light. The greatest miracle Jesus ever did was done in the dark—the resurrection." [45:22] (Download)

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?