CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
A Few of My Favorite Things #3
Pastor Dennis Clanton
Woodland Church
Sunday, December 17, 2023
(Genesis 1:1–4, NLT) “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness.”
(John 1:4–5, NLT) “The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.”
“Let there be light,” was the first sound of God’s voice we hear in the Bible
Passionate followers of Christ don’t give up on the promises of God
(Luke 2:32, NLT) “He is a light to reveal God to the nations…!”
Woodland is at its best when we are a Lighthouse
(Matthew 5:16, Message) “Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.”
1. Jesus Christ is the promised Light of the world
(Isaiah 9:2, NLT) “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.”
(John 12:46, CEV) “I am the light that has come into the world. No one who has faith in me will stay in the dark.”
2. Jesus Christ is the Light that defeats the darkness
(John 1:5, Message) “The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness; the darkness couldn’t put it out.”
(Ephesians 5:14, GW) “Light makes everything easy to see.”
3. Jesus Christ is the Light of the Glory of God.
(Luke 2:8–17, GW) “Shepherds were in the fields near Bethlehem … watching their flock during the night. An angel from the Lord suddenly appeared to them. The glory of the Lord filled the area with light, and they were terrified. The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid! I have good news for you, a message that will fill everyone with joy. Today your Savior, Christ the Lord, was born in David’s city. This is how you will recognize him: You will find an infant wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.” Suddenly, a large army of angels appeared with the angel. They were praising God by saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those who have his good will!” … “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see what the Lord has told us about.” They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph with the baby, who was lying in a manger. When they saw the child, they repeated what they had been told about him.”
4. Jesus Christ is the Guiding Light
(Matthew 2:9–10, NLT) “The star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!”
(Numbers 24:17, NLT) “I see him, but not here and now. I perceive him, but far in the distant future. A star will rise from Jacob; a scepter will emerge from Israel.”
(John 8:12, LB) “I am the Light of the world. So if you follow me, you won’t be stumbling through the darkness, for living light will flood your path.”
GROWTHWORK
1. Turn away from darkness; turn to God’s Light
(1 John 1:5, NLT) “God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.”
2. Grow in the Light of the Knowledge of God
(Ephesians 1:16–18, NLT) “I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called.”
3. Enjoy the wonderful things in the Kingdom of Light
(Colossians 1:12–13, LB) “…The Father who has made us fit to share all the wonderful things that belong to those who live in the Kingdom of light. For he has rescued us out of the darkness and gloom of Satan’s kingdom and brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son,”