Jesus: The True Light and Our Eternal Hope
Summary
The sermon explores the profound significance of Jesus Christ's identity and the impact of His coming into the world. The speaker begins by acknowledging God's providence and mercy as the source of success, emphasizing that Jesus Christ is central to humanity's purpose and destiny. Jesus, who warned Adam and Eve and met with prophets, came to Earth at the perfect time to restore the broken relationship between God and humanity. Through a personal relationship with Jesus, individuals can live forever in the loving relationship they were designed for.
The speaker then invites the congregation to reflect on the identity of Jesus, as understanding who He is can transform one's own identity. A humorous anecdote about a child's behavior influenced by her father illustrates the point that knowing someone's identity can change our perception and actions. The sermon continues with a call to respond to the belief that Jesus is the king of the universe, emphasizing that a lack of response equates to a rejection of eternal joy and hope. The speaker shares a personal story of confidently declaring a man's wholeness through Jesus at his funeral, highlighting the eternal journey of following Jesus.
In a moment of vulnerability, the speaker recounts feeling lost when their phone battery died, drawing a parallel to the true guidance found in Jesus, the True Light. Unlike temporary joys, Jesus offers a constant, unwavering light that leads to truth and freedom. The world may have rejected Jesus, but those who receive Him become children of God. The speaker addresses those feeling out of place, encouraging them to find belonging in Jesus.
The sermon also clarifies that Jesus is not merely a moral teacher but the Eternal Word of God who came to rescue humanity. The speaker urges the audience to open their hearts to the gospel and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Technical difficulties during a performance are mentioned, but the focus shifts to the joy that comes from a relationship with Jesus, as symbolized by the lighting of the Advent candle of Joy.
The speaker touches on the universal longing for parental comfort and introduces the ABC's of Christianity, which lead to the best relationship one can have with God. Jesus offers a family, life, direction, hope, and eternal love and joy, beyond material wealth or power. The sermon concludes by addressing the emptiness people feel, emphasizing that only Jesus can fill that void. Despite the world's darkness, Jesus, the True Light, overcomes it, and the pursuit of worldly fulfillment is futile.
Key Takeaways:
- Jesus Christ's role in history is not just a footnote but the central axis around which our purpose and destiny revolve. His coming was an act of divine timing and mercy, meant to restore the broken relationship between God and humanity. This restoration is available to all who choose to embrace a personal relationship with Jesus, fulfilling the original design for eternal life in loving communion with God. [57:33]
- Understanding the identity of Jesus is transformative, as it redefines our own sense of self and purpose. Just as a child's behavior can be influenced by their parent's identity, our actions and perceptions are shaped by recognizing Jesus as the king of the universe. This recognition calls for a response, and indifference or rejection has eternal consequences. [46:09]
- Jesus as the True Light offers a stark contrast to the fleeting and often deceptive joys of life. His unchanging, eternal light guides us to truth and freedom, inviting us to find our place as children of God. This Christmas message is a beacon for those who feel lost or out of place, assuring them of a steadfast source of hope and belonging. [01:03:05]
- The incarnation of Jesus, the Word becoming flesh, is a profound mystery that speaks to the heart of the Christian faith. It is a call to move beyond seeing Jesus as a historical figure or moral teacher and to recognize Him as the living Word of God, full of grace and truth. This revelation demands a personal decision to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, opening the door to a transformed life. [49:06]
- The emptiness that haunts the human experience cannot be filled by any earthly means. The speaker's personal anecdote about being lost in the woods without light parallels our own futile attempts to find fulfillment. Jesus, the True Light, offers the only lasting solution to our inner void, and His victory over darkness is a testament to the enduring power of His love and light. [01:00:35]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 1:1-5, 14 (ESV)
> "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."
2. Matthew 2:10-11 (ESV)
> "When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to John 1:1-5, what are some attributes of "the Word"?
2. How does the sermon describe the significance of Jesus coming at the "perfect time"? ([56:11])
3. What was the reaction of the wise men when they saw the star and found Jesus, according to Matthew 2:10-11?
4. In the sermon, what analogy does the speaker use to illustrate the importance of knowing Jesus' identity? ([47:54])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean that "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" in John 1:14? How does this impact our understanding of Jesus' nature? ([49:44])
2. How does recognizing Jesus as the "True Light" contrast with the temporary joys of life mentioned in the sermon? ([01:00:35])
3. Why is it significant that Jesus knew all our faults and still chose to come, as mentioned in the sermon? ([52:27])
4. How does the speaker's story about feeling lost without light relate to our need for Jesus as the True Light? ([01:00:35])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the statement that Jesus is the "True Light" that guides us to truth and freedom. Are there areas in your life where you are relying on temporary joys instead of Jesus? How can you shift your focus to Him this week? ([01:00:35])
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding Jesus' identity. How does this understanding transform your own sense of self and purpose? ([47:54])
3. The speaker mentioned feeling lost without light in the woods. Have you ever felt spiritually lost? What steps can you take to seek Jesus' guidance in those moments? ([01:00:35])
4. The sermon calls for a response to Jesus' identity as the king of the universe. What does this response look like in your daily life? How can you actively live out this belief? ([49:06])
5. The speaker shared a personal story about confidently declaring a man's wholeness through Jesus at his funeral. How does this assurance of eternal life through Jesus affect your perspective on life and death? ([57:33])
6. The sermon mentions the ABC's of Christianity: Admit, Believe, Confess. Have you taken these steps in your own life? If not, what is holding you back? If yes, how can you deepen your relationship with Jesus? ([01:03:34])
7. The speaker talks about the universal longing for parental comfort and introduces Jesus as the ultimate source of belonging. How can you find and offer this sense of belonging in your community? ([01:03:05])
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus, the Fulcrum of Destiny
Jesus Christ's arrival was a pivotal moment in history, marking the restoration of the relationship between God and humanity. His coming was not by chance but a divine intervention at the perfect time, offering everyone the opportunity to live eternally in a loving communion with God. Embracing a personal relationship with Jesus aligns one's life with the original design for humanity. [57:33]
Colossians 1:16-17 - "For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
Reflection: How does recognizing Jesus as the central figure in history and your life change your perspective on your daily struggles and aspirations?
Day 2: Identity Redefined by the King
Understanding who Jesus is can profoundly transform one's identity and purpose. Just as a child's behavior reflects their parent's identity, recognizing Jesus as the king of the universe shapes our actions and perceptions. Acknowledging Him requires a response, and to remain indifferent is to reject the hope and joy He offers. [46:09]
Hebrews 1:3 - "The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven."
Reflection: In what ways does your life reflect the recognition of Jesus as your king, and how might you need to adjust your actions to align with this truth?
Day 3: The True Light in Life's Darkness
Jesus, as the True Light, offers guidance and hope that outshine the temporary joys of life. His light is unchanging and eternal, leading us to truth and freedom. In a world that often feels dark and confusing, Jesus invites us to become children of God and find our belonging in Him. [01:03:05]
Isaiah 60:19-20 - "The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end."
Reflection: How can you seek the guidance of Jesus, the True Light, in areas of your life where you feel lost or uncertain?
Day 4: The Incarnation Calls for Personal Decision
The mystery of the incarnation is a central truth of the Christian faith, calling us to see Jesus as more than a historical figure or moral teacher. He is the living Word of God, full of grace and truth, and accepting Him as Lord and Savior is a decision that transforms our lives. [49:06]
1 Timothy 3:16 - "Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory."
Reflection: What does accepting Jesus as the living Word of God and your Lord and Savior mean for you in practical terms today?
Day 5: Fulfillment Found Only in Jesus
The emptiness that pervades the human heart cannot be filled by any earthly pursuit. Jesus, the True Light, is the only one who can satisfy our deepest longings and overcome the darkness of the world. His love and light offer a lasting solution to our inner void. [01:00:35]
Ecclesiastes 3:11 - "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end."
Reflection: What are you trying to use to fill the emptiness inside you, and how can you turn to Jesus to find true fulfillment and purpose?
Quotes
"In the midst of it, God gave me that true guide, that true destination. There's all these fake lights in your life, and the moment you get up to them and say this will bring me happiness and this will bring me joy, it's gone." [01:01:09] (Download)
"Jesus Christ, The True Light, why is he the True Light? Because he's the only light that's never moved, and he's never gone out, and he's never disappeared, and he's never grown dim." [01:01:48] (Download)
"But to all who did receive him, who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." [01:03:05] (Download)
"The hole in your life was designed to be filled with one thing, Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ came because he's the only thing that fits in your heart and fills that emptiness that we all battle." [58:05] (Download)
"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. We tried to destroy Jesus with our sin, with our brokenness, with our selfishness, but the good doctor comes in and tells you you're not okay." [59:23] (Download)
"Jesus came at just the right time to rescue his creation that we broke through our own mistakes. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. You were made to live forever in a loving, healthy, whole, perfect relationship with the creator of the universe." [56:56] (Download)
"Our sinful flesh tells us I need money to be happy, I need popularity, I need power. What does your sinful flesh tell you that you need to be happy, that you need in order to be whole? I've watched so many people answer that with drugs." [57:33] (Download)
"Christ's coming into the world brought so much joy to everyone. Christ died for all and all have the chance to know the joy of having a relationship with him for an eternity." [45:22] (Download)
"Who this child is affects and Changes Everything About You. Now who you think the child is doesn't change who the baby was, but it changes who you are." [46:51] (Download)
"To not respond to the truth that Jesus Christ is the king of the universe is a response in itself. For those without a relationship with Him, there is no eternal joy or hope." [01:06:42] (Download)
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