Shining Light: Finding Hope in Dark Times

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we focused on the importance of finding light for our souls, especially during the darker, colder days of winter. We began by acknowledging the challenges of daily life and the need to pause and refocus on God, who is always attentive to us. This time of worship is a moment to lift God's name above all else and to be filled with the Holy Spirit, which empowers us to share love and grace with others.

We explored the theme of light through the lens of the Gospel of John, where Jesus is described as the light of the world. This light is not just a metaphorical brightness but a source of hope and warmth for our spirits. We reflected on the role of John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Jesus, emphasizing his humility and dedication. John the Baptist's life serves as a model for us to be witnesses to the light of Christ, preparing the way for others to receive the good news.

The sermon challenged us to consider how we might bear witness to Jesus in our own lives. We were encouraged to think about the words we would use to describe Jesus and to find scriptural backing for these descriptions. This exercise is not just an intellectual pursuit but a spiritual practice that deepens our connection to Christ and helps us live out our faith more authentically.

As we concluded, we were reminded that our mission is to let the light of Jesus shine through us in all that we do. This involves living with humility and integrity, recognizing that it is Jesus who deserves all honor. We are called to be the light in a world that desperately needs it, trusting in God's grace to guide us.

Key Takeaways:

1. Pause and Refocus on God: In the midst of life's chaos, it's essential to take a moment to pause and refocus on God, who is always attentive to us. This act of turning our focus towards the divine allows us to be filled with the Holy Spirit, empowering us to share love and grace with others. [13:44]

2. Jesus as the Light of the World: Jesus is the light that offers hope and warmth to our spirits, especially during the darker days of winter. This light is not just a metaphor but a real source of spiritual strength that can guide us through challenging times. [42:17]

3. The Role of John the Baptist: John the Baptist's humility and dedication in preparing the way for Jesus serve as a model for us. We are called to be witnesses to the light of Christ, helping others to receive the good news with open hearts. [47:19]

4. Bearing Witness to Jesus: We are encouraged to consider how we might bear witness to Jesus in our own lives. This involves reflecting on the words we would use to describe Jesus and finding scriptural backing for these descriptions, deepening our connection to Christ. [51:18]

5. Living as Light in the World: Our mission is to let the light of Jesus shine through us in all that we do. This involves living with humility and integrity, recognizing that it is Jesus who deserves all honor, and being the light in a world that desperately needs it. [52:35]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [13:44] - Opening Prayer and Worship
- [26:39] - Gratitude and Intercession
- [33:28] - The Lord's Prayer
- [42:17] - Light for Our Souls
- [45:21] - John the Baptist's Role
- [47:19] - Humility and Testimony
- [48:53] - Our Calling as Witnesses
- [51:18] - Reflecting on Jesus
- [52:35] - Living as Light
- [54:09] - Exercise: Describing Jesus
- [55:41] - Reflective Pause
- [57:27] - Scriptural Backing
- [58:39] - Striving for Integrity
- [59:41] - Closing Prayer and Song
- [01:04:08] - Final Blessing and Sending

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. John 1:6-9 - "There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world."
2. John 1:29-34 - "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, 'Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, "A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me." I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.' Then John gave this testimony: 'I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, "The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit." I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.'"

Observation Questions:
1. What role did John the Baptist play in preparing the way for Jesus according to the Gospel of John? ([45:21])
2. How does the sermon describe the light that Jesus brings into the world? ([42:17])
3. What was John the Baptist's response when questioned about his identity and mission? ([47:19])
4. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of spiritual light and warmth during the winter season? ([42:17])

Interpretation Questions:
1. Why is John the Baptist's humility significant in the context of his mission to prepare the way for Jesus? ([47:19])
2. How does the sermon suggest that believers can bear witness to Jesus in their own lives? ([48:53])
3. What does the sermon imply about the importance of spiritual disciplines in connecting with the light of Christ? ([42:17])
4. How does the sermon challenge believers to live out their faith with integrity and humility? ([52:35])

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually "in the dark." How did you find light and hope during that period? ([42:17])
2. What are some practical ways you can pause and refocus on God amidst the chaos of daily life? ([13:44])
3. How can you emulate John the Baptist's humility and dedication in your own spiritual journey? ([47:19])
4. Identify one way you can bear witness to Jesus in your community this week. What specific actions will you take? ([48:53])
5. Consider the words you would use to describe Jesus. How can you find scriptural backing for these descriptions, and how might this deepen your faith? ([54:09])
6. What specific steps can you take to let the light of Jesus shine through you in your interactions with others? ([52:35])
7. How can you ensure that your life reflects the attributes of Jesus, such as love, humility, and integrity, in a way that others notice? ([52:35])

Devotional

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Quotes

"There's so much that happens in our lives. There's so much that we encounter on a day-to-day basis that by the time, I don't know if this happens to any of you, but particularly when our kids were a little bit younger, by the time we got everybody in the car and everybody in shoes that matched in an outfit that wasn't pajamas and was it Sunday morning appropriate or was this Wednesday appropriate, by the time we got everybody there that sometimes we just needed to take a minute, catch our breath, and turn our focus on the one who is holy." [00:12:46] (36 seconds)


"Don't we just love it when there is sunlight sunlight especially in winter and when we get that strong sunlight every single person is talking about it do you see the sun do you see the sunlight did you see it glaring did you see it don't miss it make sure that you don't miss that sunlight because by and large this is time of year when so much of the time the days feel a bit too short the sky might look a bit too gray and the wind chill is just a bit too much we could guess that many of us find it tough when the world outside seems so chilly and dim we know that we need warmth for our souls that's why we've launched this new sermon series light for our souls that we might explore how the light of Christ not only brightens our days but also warms our hearts and spirits that the light of Christ would offer us hope especially during these shorter winter days." [00:39:09] (76 seconds)


"Sometimes we find that our light all on our own. We have our own remedy. We call those, in our Christian discipleship, we call those our spiritual disciplines that help point us towards Christ, like a daily practice of reading the Bible, of spending time in prayer, or singing some of our very favorite hymns or worship songs. Sometimes we can do that all on our own, and sometimes we need someone to help us find our way and point us back to the one true light." [00:43:10] (36 seconds)


"The voice crying out in the wilderness to make straight the way for the Lord. And we know. We know that the people were coming from all over in order to be baptized by John. And this caught on. People were listening. People were coming enough so that the religious leaders of that day sent out an invitation. An investigative team to figure out who John really is. Remember, they are a people. They are still anticipating. They are still waiting for the Messiah to come. They believed that before the Messiah would come, they would again get to see Elijah. That there would be a prophet. And then the Messiah." [00:45:30] (47 seconds)


"John gives us his testimony when he says, I baptize with water. But among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me. The straps of whose sandals. I am not worthy to untie. I say these are words of humility. Because in biblical times it was the lowest of jobs to untie the master's sandals at the end of the day. Can you picture? I mean, we wear shoes most of the time. But can you picture wearing sandals and at the end of the day, all of the muck, all of the grime, all of the dirt, that would have been on the sandals, that would have been on the master's feet?" [00:47:08] (51 seconds)


"And John is saying that he is not worthy to even untie those sandals of the one who follows him. Because the one who follows him is so much worthy. Because the one who follows him is so much greater than he is. John is telling them, they're not hearing it, but John is telling them to get ready. The Messiah is not just on his way. The Messiah is there. And they do not even recognize him. John was the witness." [00:48:36] (36 seconds)


"Aren't we called to be witnesses of that one true light in our lives? We are even called to help prepare the way so that others might be able to hear and receive the good news of Jesus. You see, John was so confident. And Jesus, as the light of the world, that nothing would stop him from preparing the way. No one would get in his way. Well, eventually, we know John gave his life preparing the way. Those religious leaders didn't and they wouldn't recognize their Messiah." [00:48:53] (40 seconds)


"Studying scripture this week, it caused me to wonder what we might say if we were called to give our testimony, our witness to the one true light, our witness to Jesus. Perhaps that's an easy question for all of us. We would just know immediately what we would say. What I think I've come across more often, though, is it's an actual. Actually, a difficult question to find the words to give an adequate answer." [00:50:56] (36 seconds)


"This knowing, if you will. This is the warmth. This is the light. This is what carries our souls. And we want others. We want others to know this light for themselves as well. We come into this place. We long to connect with the light of the world. On Sunday mornings, we gather and we long to connect. And then we connect. And the Holy Spirit fills us with that light. And then, and then we are called. We are called to go out and be that light into our mission field, into our world." [00:52:05] (48 seconds)


"The message is for us to live out this one true light. To live it out in the world in such a radical way. That people. Would take notice. Just as the world seemed to know that there was something different. About John. The same. Should be said about you. And me. Those of us who name ourselves the followers. Of Jesus Christ. That we would live our lives with such deep conviction that the world could not help but take notice. And. When they did. That we would respond. With such humility. Knowing it is Jesus. Who deserves all of that honor. In our lives. Jesus. And Jesus. Alone." [00:53:06] (63 seconds)


"My prayer is. That each one of us will spend a little more time in the word. Find those connections that are meaningful for us. And then ask God. To help us live that out. Even more. I would say. That Jesus is loving. Jesus is humble. Jesus is filled with integrity. And Jesus is indeed merciful. Grace upon grace. And I would cite. The sermon. On the mount. The beatitudes as we call them. I believe that is the greatest. And most powerful sermon. Ever preached. One that I strive and fail. Every day. To live out. My prayer is. As that each one of us would find those connections." [00:59:39] (62 seconds)


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Transcript
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