Summary Many pagan customs celebrate light, especially during the dark days of winter. The Bible also has a lot to say about the meaning and importance of light and darkness. This sermon is design to enlighten you with some of these truths, so you won't be in the dark. Download Link Right click and "Save as..." to Download

 

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Light and Darkness in God’s Plan
Bend 12-17-11

Introduction – Does anyone know what will happen this coming Thursday?
· First day of winter, aka the winter solstice.
· The March equinox, the June solstice, the September equinox and the December solstice … mark the beginning of the four seasons of the year (spring, summer, autumn (or fall) and winter)in many countries...
· “…for an observer in the northern hemisphere, the December solstice marks the day of the year with the least hours of daylight for those living north of the Tropic of Cancer” (www.timeanddate.com/calendar/december-solstice.html).
· days start getting longer (Karen),
In the northern hemisphere, the December solstice occurs during the coldest season of the year. Although winter was regarded as the season of dormancy, darkness and cold, the coming of lighter days after the winter solstice brought on a more festive mood. To many people, this return of the light was a reason to celebrate that nature’s cycle was continuing….
Solstice’s influence on Christmas
In modern times Christian all over the world celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas, which falls on December 25....
Christmas is also referred to as Yule, which may have derived from the Norse word jól, referring to the pre-Christian winter solstice festival. Yule is also known as Alban Arthan and was one of the “Lesser Sabbats” of the Wiccan year in a time when ancient believers celebrated the rebirth of the Sun God and days with more light. This took place annually around the time of the December solstice and lasted for 12 days. The Lesser Sabbats fall on the solstices and equinoxes.
Seasons, Equinoxes and Solstices
The Feast of Juul was a pre-Christian festival observed in Scandinavia at the time of the December solstice. Fires were lit to symbolize the heat, light and life-giving properties of the returning sun. A Yule or Juul log was brought in and burned on the hearth in honor of the Scandinavian god Thor.
A piece of the log was kept as both a token of good luck and as kindling for the following year’s log. In England, Germany, France and other European countries, the Yule log was burned until nothing but ash remained. The ashes were then collected and either strewn on the fields as fertilizer every night until Twelfth Night or kept as a charm and or as medicine.
French peasants believed that if the ashes were kept under the bed, they would protect the house against thunder and lightning. The present-day custom of lighting a Yule log at Christmas is believed to have originated in the bonfires associated with the feast of Juul.
Saturnalia in Ancient Rome
In Ancient Rome the winter (December) solstice festival Saturnalia began on December 17 and lasted for seven days. It was held to honor Saturn, the father of the gods ...
It was traditional to offer gifts of imitation fruit (a symbol of fertility), dolls (symbolic of the custom of human sacrifice), and candles (reminiscent of the bonfires traditionally associated with pagan solstice celebrations)” (www.timeanddate.com/calendar/december-solstice-customs.html).
SPS – We are all familiar with the paganism involved in this time of year.
· But you may not realize how much the scriptures talk about light and darkness.
· So what do light and darkness have to do with you and me and the plan of God?

In fact the Bible begins with the subject of darkness and light.

NKJ Genesis:1:1-5[1]In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.[2]And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.[3]And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.[4]And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.[5]And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. ¶ In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 3 Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.

When Jesus was dying on the cross, there was darkness over the land for 3 hours (Matthew:27:45Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.) – WHY?

Darkness will be one of the supernatural events at the time of the end – WHY?

NKJ Joel:2:1-2[1]Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand;[2]A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations. ¶ Blow the trumpet in Zion, And sound an alarm in My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; For the day of the LORD is coming, For it is at hand: 2 A day of darkness and gloominess, A day of clouds and thick darkness, Like the morning clouds spread over the mountains.

Joel:2:10The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining: 10 The earth quakes before them, The heavens tremble; The sun and moon grow dark, And the stars diminish their brightness.

Joel:2:30-31[30]And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.[31]The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the LORD come. 30 ¶ "And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke. 31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.
Revelation:16:8-10 8 ¶ Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire. 9 And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory. 10 ¶ Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues because of the pain.

Ultimate fate of Satan & demons is to be eternally banished into darkness.

2 Peter:2:4For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; 4 ¶ … God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment….

Jude:1:6And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. 6 And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day;

Eternal death is described as “outer darkness” (Matthew:8:12But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth., 22:13, 25:30) – WHY?

Eternal life involves basking in the light of God.

Revelation:21:23-24 23 The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. 24 And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.

Revelation:22:5 5 There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.

Light and darkness as metaphors have important spiritual meanings in the scriptures.
· It is important to remember that darkness is not a quality like light is; rather, darkness is simply absence of light.

NKJ Psalm:19:8The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes….
· The word “enlighten” literally means “put light in.”

NKJ Psalm:119:105Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

NET Psalm:119:105Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Your word is a lamp to walk by, and a light to illumine my path.

NLT Psalm:119:105Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

NKJ Proverbs:6:23For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,

NET Proverbs:6:23For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: For the commandments are like a lamp, instruction is like a light….
· “The terms "lamp," "light," and "way" are all metaphors. The positive teachings and commandments will illumine or reveal to the disciple the way to life; the disciplinary correctives will provide guidance into fullness of life” (NET notes).
· Not only does this mean that the Bible gives us instructions of how to live.
· It also implies that we live in a darkened world in which we need a lamp to illuminate our path, meaning to show us how to live and how to safely proceed on our journey to eternal life.

NKJ John:11:9Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 "But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him."

NLT John:11:9Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. Jesus replied, "There are twelve hours of daylight every day. During the day people can walk safely. They can see because they have the light of this world. 10 But at night there is danger of stumbling because they have no light."

There is another source of light that we all need to illuminate our path.

NKJ Psalm:27:1The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?
· Meaning of Hebrew word translated “strength” = “place or means of safety, protection, refuge, stronghold” (Strong’s data from BibleWorks software).

NLT John:8:12Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."

NLT 2 Corinthians:4:6For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. For God, who said, "Let there be light in the darkness," has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

NLT John:12:46I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.
· WWJD (“What would Jesus do?”)

NKJ Matthew:4:16The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned."

NKJ John:1:4-9[4]In him was life; and the life was the light of men.[5]And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.[6]There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.[7]The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.[8]He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.[9]That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. 6 ¶ There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 ¶ That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.

NKJ John:3:19-21[19]And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.[20]For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.[21]But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. 19 "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 "For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 "But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."

We also have been enlightened re. the meaning and direction of world events.

NLT 2 Peter:1:16-21[16]For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.[17]For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.[18]And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.[19]We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:[20]Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.[21]For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 16 ¶ For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes 17 when he received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice from the majestic glory of God said to him, "This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy." 18 We ourselves heard that voice from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place -- until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines1 in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet's own understanding, 21 or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.

NLT 1 Thessalonians:5:1-11[1]But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.[2]For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.[3]For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.[4]But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.[5]Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.[6]Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.[7]For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.[8]But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.[9]For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,[10]Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.[11]Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. ¶ Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters,1 we don't really need to write you. 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord's return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 3 When people are saying, "Everything is peaceful and secure," then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman's labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. 4 But you aren't in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won't be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. 5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don't belong to darkness and night. 6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. 7 Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. 8 But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. 9 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. 10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. 11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

What must be our response to the light that God has provided for us?

NKJ 1 Peter:2:9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; ¶ But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light….

NLT 1 Peter:2:9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; ¶ … you are a chosen people. You are royal priests,1 a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

NLT Matthew:5:14Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. ¶ "You are the light of the world -- like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

NLT Philippians:2:14Do all things without murmurings and disputings: ¶ Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.
· The light does not originate with us.
· We are vessels of God’s love and light.

NKJ Ephesians:5:1-17[1]Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;[2]And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.[3]But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;[4]Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.[5]For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.[6]Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.[7]Be not ye therefore partakers with them.[8]For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:[9](For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)[10]Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.[11]And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.[12]For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.[13]But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.[14]Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.[15]See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,[16]Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.[17]Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. ¶ Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. 3 ¶ But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light." 15 ¶ See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Colossians:1:9-14[9]For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;[10]That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;[11]Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;[12]Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:[13]Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:[14]In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 9 ¶ For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

NLT 1 John:1:5This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. ¶ This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. 6 So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. 7 But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

NLT Romans:13:12The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. 13 Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don't participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. 14 Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don't let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.

Conclusion – The message of light and darkness is very clear: we must not live in darkness like the unenlightened people in this darkened world.
· We must reflect the light of God and Jesus Christ in our journey to the kingdom of God as vessels of God’s light and love.
· God’s way compared to the world’s way is as different as day and night, and light and darkness.
· May God help us to be sure that our lives will reflect His light in a dark world while we look forward to spending eternity in the light of the glory of God.