Sermon Reflections from Light and Darkness | Alex Hardt | October 1, 2023
It is not surprising that the apostle John began his letter reminding the reader of Jesus’ preexistence and that he was speaking as one who had seen and heard Jesus himself. John 1:1 “ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. “ John 21:24 “ This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.” 1 John 1:1 “ That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.” John’s gospel was written so that those who read the book would believe. John 20:31 “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” Scholars write that this first letter of John was written to believers. It would seem John wants to build up and increase our faith and wants us to know Jesus is the Christ. Knowing this, it is not surprising John begins his letter with the contrast of light and dark. This was a reoccurring theme in his gospel. Pastor Alex began his sermon with our overwhelming need for light and how darkness is something we often fear or avoid. Why is that? God created us for light and to be like him. We were made in his image and He is light! We can be assured that in God there is no darkness. Pastor Alex wanted us to see that darkness pervades, leads to pathways without light or very little light, and grows darker the farther we get from the light source. John equates darkness to a walk without Jesus, lightless and lifeless. He also equates darkness with sin. Verse 6 “ If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.” A life lived in darkness is without truth and not grounded in the truth of God. We know that sin is inherent in our nature. However, John realizes this fact and encourages us to come to Jesus and confess, verse 9 “ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” I love this verse as it has a promise we can cling to. Confession brings forgiveness always! God is faithful to forgive our sins when we come to him repentant and desirous of change. Being an unrepentant sinner leads to death. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[a] Christ Jesus our Lord.” Pastor Alex summed it up as A World of Darkness leads to death. John wants us to see that Jesus brings light into our lives and reassures us that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all! If we can live in the light, why don’t we do it all the time? It is hard and as a believer, we try to walk with Jesus in His light daily. This means acknowledging our sins frequently and focus on Jesus’ light. John 8:12 “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” How does one go about walking in His light? Here are a couple of thoughts: read your bible daily, pray daily, seek out other believers for fellowship, focus on doing good with the hours and days God gives you, focus on using your talents and resources for serving God, participate in worship with your whole heart, give generously, talk about Jesus as you relate to others and let your words and thoughts dwell on Jesus. Pastor Alex summed it up with the truth, A World of light leads to life! Lastly, how can you find joy in life? 1 John 1:4 “ We write this to make our joy complete.” John wants us to know that telling others, writing his gospel, letters and Revelation brought him joy! He wants to be about the Father’s business of telling others about the good news of Christ. Jesus commissioned the disciples, and us too, in Matthew 28:18-20 “ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Jesus wants us to tell others about Him! John is saying that one of the benefits of telling others about Jesus is joy, complete joy. What is this good news we are to tell others about? The early Christians spoke of it in Acts 5:42 “Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.” They were proclaiming Jesus, the long awaited Messiah, had come! Life and forgiveness in Him was now available. In Jesus we can have a life that would lead to eternal life John describes in 1 John 5:20 “We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.” Who do you need to tell about Jesus this week? It will make your spirit joyous in Him. Linda MESSAGE LINK Click Here to View the Message on Youtube Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am. Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass. Sermon Reflections from A Faithful Tomorrow | Damon Hopkins | March 19, 2023
We had the privilege of hearing from Damon Hopkins again this Sunday. His text was from Isaiah Chapters 36 and 37. This is a very rich passage that has much to teach us in 2023. Damon pointed out that King Hezekiah was remembered for his faithfulness to God. What a wonderful legacy that I know each one of us would love for our lives. 2 Kings referred to King Hezekiah 18:3 “And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that David his father had done. And 18:5 “He trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel, so that there was none like him among all the kings of Judah after him, nor among those who were before him.” King Hezekiah chose to believe God when he was in a situation that was ‘against all odds’. He saw no physical way he could defeat the king of Assyria, Sennacherib. The Assyrian army was brutal and overpowering. They had marched through northern Israel and taken them captive. They had conquered lands and people around Judah. Sennacherib had his eyes on Judah and was marching towards Jerusalem. He sent a messenger to ‘scare’ King Hezekiah into submission. The messenger announce publically that they were doomed and that their God would not and could not save them from the mighty Assyrians. King Hezekiah sent word to the prophet Isaiah asking him to inquire of the Lord. Isaiah brought this message of hope from the Lord, Isaiah 37:6-7 “Isaiah said to them, “Say to your master, ‘Thus says the Lord: Do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard, with which the young men of the king of Assyria have reviled me. 7 Behold, I will put a spirit in him, so that he shall hear a rumor and return to his own land, and I will make him fall by the sword in his own land.’” I’m sure Hezekiah was encouraged by this news. Then, Sennacherib heard that Cush was going to come to Judah’s aid and join the fight. He sent a letter to King Hezekiah defaming the power and might of God. Isaiah 37:10 ““Thus shall you speak to Hezekiah king of Judah: ‘Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you by promising that Jerusalem will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.” When Hezekiah got the letter he made a bold choice. He went to the temple and laid the letter before God and prayed: 37:16-20 “O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth. 17 Incline your ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God. 18 Truly, O Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations and their lands, 19 and have cast their gods into the fire. For they were no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone. Therefore they were destroyed. 20 So now, O Lord our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone are the Lord.” What does King Hezekiah’s prayer say about Hezekiah’s faith? He knew whom to trust. He knew that Sennacherib was just a man but God was God and sovereign over all people, place, times and events. He knew that God was bigger than his greatest fears. He knew that God would defend His name. He knew where he should place his trust He prayed so that he could move forward. At present he was blocked in by Sennacherib but that was only temporary as God was greater than this earthly king and would deliver them just like Isaiah had told him. He chose to trust God when things got difficult. What about you? Do you choose to trust God to provide, rescue and deliver you day by day? Hezekiah’s hope was propelled forward though prayer. How do you face difficulties? Do you chose to go it alone or turn to God and ask Him for help? Hezekiah followed the advice James gives in James 1:5-6 “ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. James 4:2b-3 You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” King Hezekiah knew that God had the wisdom and power to save them so He asked in faith, not doubting. He also knew He needed to humble himself and ask God for help. I pray you will take some time this week and read Isaiah 36 and 37. Let King Hezekiah’s experiences speak to you as you consider how you can incorporate prayer into your life in a new and vibrant way. Prayer brings results- ask Hezekiah or someone at Crossroads. God answers prayer! Linda SERMON LINK ISAIAH: A VISION FOR THE FUTURE | A Faithful Tomorrow Click Here to View the Sermon Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am. Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass. |
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