THE PEOPLE LIVING IN DARKNESS HAVE SEEN A GREAT LIGHT

IN THE DAYS OF HIS POWER SERIES.

TOPIC: THE PEOPLE LIVING IN DARKNESS HAVE SEEN A GREAT LIGHT

SERMON BY-:
Rev. Innocent Chukwudi Peace-Udochukwu President Living Fountain Ministries Int’l LIFOM

“The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.’
Mathew 4:16

In our personal lives and in our history, we have all experienced how our dark moments are illuminated when a person of the hour comes along. When a person in authority becomes a source of darkness-people loose trust in the system-there is a certain level of being plunged into darkness but when someone with integrity promises newness-the light of a new hope can shine.

The metaphor of light makes sense only against a background of darkness. In the Bible, darkness is a rich metaphor that points to a double reality. In one sense, darkness points to the simple fact of human ignorance.

In a second sense, darkness refers to evil and willful blindness. This points beyond the mere fact of simple ignorance.

The coming of Jesus into the scene when He stays in Capernaum casts an even greater light of hope on people who have been sitting in darkness and dwelling in a land overshadowed by death. Jesus brings light by His person and by his teaching, preaching and proclamation of the Gospel (good news

“The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. Those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them.”
[Isaiah 9:2]

FULL OF LOVE to the place where he had been brought up, our Lord had gone to Nazareth, and in the Synagogue he had preached the gladdest tidings; but, alas, the greatest of prophets end the Lord of prophets, received no honor in his own country. “He came unto his own and his own received him not.” Expelled the city by violence, the patient one turned his footsteps another way, yet, even when justly angry, love guided his footsteps. He must go for the Nazarenes had proved themselves unworthy, but whither shall he go? He will go to the outcasts, to that part of his country which was most neglected, to that region where the population was mixed and degenerate so as to be called, not Galilee of the Jews, but Galilee of the Gentiles, where from distance from Jerusalem little was known of the worship of the temple, where error was rampant, where men’s minds were enveloped in darkness, and their hearts in the gloom of deathshade. The loss of Nazareth shall be the gain of Galilee.

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for fire. For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given: and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:2-6

Whatever we face, we can overcome it because the light of God shines into our darkness.

Now more than ever does our generation need to be reminded of the light and liberation that comes from the greatest event in human history, the reason for this season. Whatever darkness we experience in this life, whether circumstantial, relational or psychological, we can overcome it because the light of God in Jesus Christ has shined into our darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it.

This light is Jesus Christ. The son is the Son of God. The Mighty God took on human frailty. The King of Kings has established a kingdom of peace and justice that has no end. God lived with us, among us, in our filth and darkness. Jesus entered the darkness of our world, our circumstances, our relationships, our injustices, our personal demons and depression. Ultimately, he entered the darkness of our sin, the source of all darkness. He became our sin on the cross and in his violent death, he took the justice of God on himself for our evil and for all evil in this world and he broke sin’s power over us.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
(John 1:5).

Recently, while watching a documentary about the distant planets in our solar system, I was surprised to hear that light from the sun reaches Neptune in just over 4 hours. For some reason, I imagined it taking much longer for the sun’s rays to travel such a great distance. Yet, in the miraculous way light was created – by the spoken Word of God – I shouldn’t be at all surprised at how light travels.
The Bible speaks of the True Light, Jesus Christ, who came to light the way for all of mankind. Sadly, many have remained in darkness as John 1:5 says, “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”
Perhaps, like the dark side of the moon, many remain in darkness, unaware of the brilliant rays of life offered freely to them. They’ve never experienced the life-giving truth Jesus’ light brings. And because they are facing the wrong direction, they only see the vast darkness ahead of them.

That’s why every Christ-follower needs to reflect the light of the Lord within their sphere of influence. Within their homes, their workplaces, and their communities, Jesus’ light needs to shine through the life of every believer. No longer can we keep our faith to ourselves. It’s time to rise like the dawn, over a lost and dying world, and display the light of Christ clearly and brightly.
My friends, as the days grow shorter and we are ever nearer to Jesus’ return, it is imperative that we climb out from our comfortable hiding spots and place our lamps on their stands. Just as beacons of the sun’s light eventually reach the outermost places of the universe, so the light of Jesus can shine through us to reach a lost and dying world. We don’t have to worry about how fast the light will travel, or how far it will go. We simply need to shine.

PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
Please shine through each of us today
No matter where we are, even in the darkest of places, shine the light of Your Son ever brighter through us. As we carve out daily time in Your Word and in prayer, fill us to the full with rays of hope and peace.
Then, send us into the world armored with Your truth.
Let us not falter or hide within our comfort zones, but instead, lead us into a dark world that desperately needs your light.
It is in the name of Jesus we pray these things.
Amen.

SHALOM!

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