WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.919 Just pray for us as we come to get into God's word together. 00:00:08.839 --> 00:00:15.679 Father, we just come before you knowing that our world is in a place of darkness. 00:00:15.960 --> 00:00:17.859 This city is in so much darkness. 00:00:18.240 --> 00:00:22.820 Our own lives have so much darkness, and yet you are the one who brings us light. 00:00:23.420 --> 00:00:25.600 Yet you are the one who is our great hope. 00:00:25.600 --> 00:00:31.060 That you are the one who promises that your light will overcome the darkness. 00:00:31.660 --> 00:00:38.620 And so I pray, Father, even as we hear your word, and wherever people are this morning, Father, as they, we're just in our own homes, Lord. 00:00:38.760 --> 00:00:47.680 And I know, Father, that you are the one who wants to bring light into our souls and our hearts and our minds, even this morning. 00:00:47.760 --> 00:00:49.900 And so I pray that you would shine your light on us. 00:00:50.219 --> 00:00:51.900 I pray that you would speak to us. 00:00:51.920 --> 00:00:53.200 I pray that you'd change us. 00:00:53.200 --> 00:00:55.900 I pray that you'd open our hearts to see as you see. 00:00:56.780 --> 00:01:00.260 And open our eyes to see the people around us that you see. 00:01:01.080 --> 00:01:08.359 And Lord, we pray in this city that you have us here for such a time as this, Lord, that you would truly work in our lives. 00:01:08.359 --> 00:01:12.980 So that we might shine and reflect your glory to the people around us. 00:01:12.980 --> 00:01:13.859 Because you are good. 00:01:14.100 --> 00:01:15.079 Because you are faithful. 00:01:15.260 --> 00:01:16.020 Because you are kind. 00:01:16.600 --> 00:01:18.280 And we pray this in Jesus' name. 00:01:19.000 --> 00:01:19.320 Amen. 00:01:20.780 --> 00:01:21.180 Great. 00:01:21.359 --> 00:01:21.700 Welcome. 00:01:21.700 --> 00:01:24.560 Again, if you don't know me, my name is Chris. 00:01:25.060 --> 00:01:26.840 I'm one of the leaders here at Watermark. 00:01:26.920 --> 00:01:32.960 It's just really exciting to be going on this journey in the I Am series that we have been looking through. 00:01:33.260 --> 00:01:39.600 And it's great for me to think of the hope that we have of being able to meet back physically. 00:01:39.599 --> 00:01:43.019 So we're looking forward expectantly to be able to do that. 00:01:43.019 --> 00:01:58.019 But as we come up to Easter and we come up to really celebrate the resurrection, the death and the resurrection of Christ, we're just continuing with two more of these I Am sayings that we've been talking about all this series. 00:01:58.019 --> 00:02:01.019 So it was the year 1999. 00:02:01.019 --> 00:02:06.420 And it's the only time I have ever experienced this in my entire life. 00:02:06.939 --> 00:02:09.359 It was about 2 p.m. in the afternoon. 00:02:09.500 --> 00:02:12.120 It's bright, sunny, clear blue sky. 00:02:12.120 --> 00:02:15.539 And then suddenly everything went dark. 00:02:16.180 --> 00:02:17.900 The birds stopped singing. 00:02:18.620 --> 00:02:23.039 Everything just went eerily quiet for at least five minutes. 00:02:23.039 --> 00:02:29.819 It was like a shadow of death had passed over the whole campsite where I was staying. 00:02:30.299 --> 00:02:34.579 It was, as you can see, a solar eclipse that came. 00:02:35.719 --> 00:02:46.019 And as I thought about that time and I realized in a way that I'd never really realized before that actually our entire existence depends on light. 00:02:46.020 --> 00:02:51.140 You know, in page one of the Bible, the world is dark and chaotic. 00:02:51.719 --> 00:02:59.020 And then God, with one word, speaks into the darkness and says, let there be light. 00:02:59.500 --> 00:03:06.520 And suddenly order and beauty and life starts bursting forth from the planet. 00:03:07.000 --> 00:03:14.160 And we know that the sun, in one sense, is very much the source of all life for our planet. 00:03:14.159 --> 00:03:18.599 It brings light and heat for plants through photosynthesis. 00:03:18.879 --> 00:03:24.439 It brings the right temperature so that water melts, so that life and the whole ecosystems can grow. 00:03:24.560 --> 00:03:26.039 Our human bodies can survive. 00:03:27.280 --> 00:03:30.819 The sun and light is essential for us. 00:03:31.259 --> 00:03:35.379 In fact, I'm from the UK and we believe in the sun. 00:03:35.500 --> 00:03:36.639 We don't see it very often. 00:03:36.639 --> 00:03:48.479 But there's actually a condition which is called SAD, which is a sunlight deficiency syndrome, which is where people get depressed because of the lack of sunlight. 00:03:48.679 --> 00:03:51.359 Because in winter, you can go months without seeing the sun. 00:03:52.000 --> 00:04:00.539 And the first day of spring, when the sun actually begins to shine, you walk out and you see people just look different. 00:04:00.539 --> 00:04:03.120 Like there is this lightness in their step. 00:04:03.359 --> 00:04:05.479 The birds have started singing in their souls. 00:04:05.819 --> 00:04:07.819 There is this smile on people's faces. 00:04:08.239 --> 00:04:10.459 It's as if everything has changed. 00:04:10.759 --> 00:04:12.180 People start taking off their clothes. 00:04:12.299 --> 00:04:13.280 I mean, not everything. 00:04:13.680 --> 00:04:23.879 But it is like there is just a lightness and a joy and a life and a vibrancy because that's what light does for us. 00:04:23.879 --> 00:04:27.319 Light ultimately brings life. 00:04:28.060 --> 00:04:31.079 It brings blessing and it brings joy. 00:04:32.019 --> 00:04:33.939 And that's what all of us are looking for. 00:04:34.480 --> 00:04:39.279 That's what the light of life is for each one of us. 00:04:39.699 --> 00:04:45.699 And the Bible's contention is that God's presence is our son. 00:04:46.139 --> 00:04:51.360 We are the earth, just as that scripture from Revelation we heard earlier, that God will be our son. 00:04:51.360 --> 00:04:55.439 And we revolve around him, not the other way around. 00:04:56.879 --> 00:05:07.439 You know, in Jesus' day, every year, Jews would take a pilgrimage up to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. 00:05:08.100 --> 00:05:19.520 And this seven-day festival was a celebration of God's delivering and rescuing the people out of slavery in Egypt and passing through the wilderness to the promised land. 00:05:19.519 --> 00:05:27.519 And as night fell, just like, you know, with the Olympic opening ceremony, torch would be lit. 00:05:27.740 --> 00:05:31.060 In fact, four burning flames would be lit. 00:05:32.079 --> 00:05:35.379 And they would flood the courtyards of the temple. 00:05:35.379 --> 00:05:41.219 And their light would blaze out across the city and all the surrounding areas. 00:05:41.339 --> 00:05:52.300 And then singing and dancing would erupt with joy as people celebrated how God's presence had led the people to the promised land in a pillar of cloud and fire. 00:05:52.300 --> 00:06:04.540 And as a reminder that in their current darkness of being under Roman occupation, that God's presence and blessing, his light would come and would shine. 00:06:04.800 --> 00:06:06.379 That's what they were looking for. 00:06:06.580 --> 00:06:10.780 They were looking for the joy and salvation of their son to shine again. 00:06:10.779 --> 00:06:19.879 And right in the midst of this celebration, Jesus stands up and he tells us the passage that we're going to read today. 00:06:19.959 --> 00:06:20.679 It's a short passage. 00:06:20.839 --> 00:06:21.979 It's one verse. 00:06:23.019 --> 00:06:24.379 John 8, verse 12. 00:06:25.039 --> 00:06:26.159 He says this. 00:06:27.079 --> 00:06:29.679 I am the light of the world. 00:06:30.519 --> 00:06:37.919 Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. 00:06:37.920 --> 00:06:45.160 You see, Jesus is saying, I am the son of the world. 00:06:45.560 --> 00:06:52.340 I am the source of God's presence, God's blessing of all abundant life and joy. 00:06:52.460 --> 00:07:01.280 I am God himself, who is the source of the life that you seek and every one of us is looking for in our lives. 00:07:02.560 --> 00:07:04.920 Now, if you think about it, that's actually a pretty big claim. 00:07:04.920 --> 00:07:13.840 It's a huge claim in terms of what Jesus has been saying all along, because actually Jesus continues to say, not just, hey, look at me. 00:07:13.860 --> 00:07:14.620 I'm a great teacher. 00:07:14.720 --> 00:07:15.720 I just want to inspire you. 00:07:15.879 --> 00:07:22.080 Every one of these I am sayings have been showing us that Jesus is making a claim on our lives. 00:07:22.560 --> 00:07:25.639 You know, we've seen him say, I am, which is I am God. 00:07:25.660 --> 00:07:26.560 I'm the divine. 00:07:26.560 --> 00:07:27.220 I am. 00:07:27.220 --> 00:07:29.680 We've seen him say, I'm the vine and the branches. 00:07:30.080 --> 00:07:35.420 I'm the one who brings fruitful, satisfying, successful life. 00:07:35.640 --> 00:07:37.960 He said, I am the way, the truth and the life. 00:07:38.040 --> 00:07:40.500 I'm the only way to come home to be with God. 00:07:41.020 --> 00:07:43.160 He said, I am the good shepherd. 00:07:43.700 --> 00:07:47.520 I'm your ultimate leader and guide into green pastures. 00:07:47.980 --> 00:07:50.180 He said, I am the bread of life. 00:07:50.720 --> 00:07:54.480 I'm the ultimate provision and satisfaction for your souls. 00:07:54.480 --> 00:07:58.920 And today he says, I am the light of the world. 00:07:59.319 --> 00:08:05.540 I am Yahweh, the God who is the source of your life and salvation from your darkness. 00:08:07.759 --> 00:08:17.480 So I want to just unpack this verse over the next little while and to show us a few things about what Jesus is actually saying. 00:08:18.340 --> 00:08:20.500 And so let's start by looking. 00:08:20.600 --> 00:08:23.220 He says, I am the light of the world. 00:08:23.220 --> 00:08:25.080 Now, what does he mean by that? 00:08:25.140 --> 00:08:27.580 Well, the world in John has a number of meanings. 00:08:27.740 --> 00:08:28.940 It could mean the physical world. 00:08:29.180 --> 00:08:34.720 But here, John is talking about humanity as a whole. 00:08:35.360 --> 00:08:45.680 He is talking about lost humanity, which is in darkness, exiled away from the presence of God in a solar eclipse. 00:08:45.679 --> 00:08:50.199 It's a people who are walking in darkness. 00:08:50.199 --> 00:09:00.379 People who, John says, the world does not know the light, but instead it is blind, it is lost, and it is dying. 00:09:01.779 --> 00:09:04.259 So let's just think about those three things. 00:09:04.679 --> 00:09:08.299 He says that the world is actually blind. 00:09:08.299 --> 00:09:25.399 You know, remember in Acts 17, Paul, he's in Athens, the intellectual capital of the world, and he finds an altar amongst all these incredibly intelligent people, an altar to an unknown God. 00:09:25.399 --> 00:09:36.259 And people who are cut off from God, though they think they see clearly and are highly intelligent, but actually we're blind to who God is. 00:09:36.259 --> 00:09:44.199 And we don't see the reality of our lives, of our actions, and of our circumstances clearly. 00:09:44.200 --> 00:09:49.080 You know, there's a verse in Isaiah, which says this. 00:09:49.160 --> 00:09:52.379 It says, and God is speaking to the people of Israel. 00:09:52.840 --> 00:10:00.660 He says, your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you. 00:10:01.160 --> 00:10:05.640 We hope for light and behold darkness and brightness, but we walk in gloom. 00:10:05.840 --> 00:10:08.259 We grope for the wall like the blind. 00:10:08.560 --> 00:10:12.360 We grope like those who have no eyes. 00:10:12.360 --> 00:10:18.019 Now, I know Sebastian could probably tell us a lot more about the experience of being blind. 00:10:18.800 --> 00:10:27.500 But a few years ago, I did a blind simulation, and I was blindfolded, and I didn't realize how dark pitch black actually is. 00:10:27.639 --> 00:10:31.600 I mean, it's actually frightening, because you can't see anything in front of you. 00:10:31.700 --> 00:10:37.519 And I know you can learn coping mechanisms and these things, but I was kind of groping around trying to find my way. 00:10:37.519 --> 00:10:42.220 And at one point, my hand just felt something soft. 00:10:42.559 --> 00:10:45.419 And then I heard someone next to me say, hey, that's me. 00:10:46.480 --> 00:10:52.179 And suddenly I realized that I had my hand on a grown man's thigh. 00:10:53.259 --> 00:10:55.899 Now, let me just dispel the rumors here. 00:10:55.899 --> 00:11:00.259 If the lights are on, okay, I would never do that in a million years. 00:11:01.039 --> 00:11:10.759 But, you know, you do things in the darkness when you can't see what you're doing that you would never do in the light of the day because you're blind to them. 00:11:11.679 --> 00:11:19.139 You know, the war in Ukraine and the massacres in Butcher that we've seen, will that haunt those soldiers for the rest of their lives? 00:11:19.139 --> 00:11:23.539 We've seen Will Smith at the Oscars, a moment of insanity. 00:11:23.720 --> 00:11:35.360 But don't all of us do things and say things in anger, even to those we love the dearest, which we think, oh, we would never do if we were thinking and seeing clearly. 00:11:36.259 --> 00:11:43.399 You know, there are websites we go on that we would never go on if we saw the ugly reality behind the porn industry. 00:11:43.399 --> 00:11:58.500 There are so many dysfunctional marriages, exploitative workplaces where everyone thinks they're the righteous one and everyone else is to blame for the situation because we're all blind to the truth that God wants to shine on us. 00:11:58.639 --> 00:11:59.579 We're blind to reality. 00:11:59.699 --> 00:12:01.019 We're blind to our unsinfulness. 00:12:01.019 --> 00:12:14.360 And John, actually, in his gospel, he says that even when our darkness gets kind of temporarily exposed to the light, we can be like cockroaches who hide under the fridge if the lights get turned on. 00:12:14.500 --> 00:12:16.319 We cover up and we stay in darkness. 00:12:16.659 --> 00:12:18.059 Our sin leads to spin. 00:12:18.360 --> 00:12:19.120 He says it like this. 00:12:19.159 --> 00:12:24.079 He says, people love the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 00:12:24.080 --> 00:12:32.280 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come into the light, lest his work should be exposed. 00:12:33.860 --> 00:12:42.180 You see, what we do when we're exposed is like, I mean, who likes to be have your failings and your faults brought into public view? 00:12:42.300 --> 00:12:43.020 None of us do. 00:12:43.440 --> 00:12:52.759 And so just like whether it's in Putin in Ukraine or Britain in the slave trade or all the different things that we do, we spin a narrative to justify our actions. 00:12:52.759 --> 00:12:53.780 We say, I didn't mean that. 00:12:54.220 --> 00:12:55.100 I was only joking. 00:12:55.460 --> 00:12:56.340 Hey, you made me do it. 00:12:56.360 --> 00:12:57.360 It's your fault. 00:12:57.660 --> 00:13:09.360 I'm doing what's right because we prefer to turn a blind eye to our darkness, live with fake news, stay private with the realities and keep others in the dark. 00:13:11.020 --> 00:13:14.840 And so we think, but we think we're in the light and everyone else is in the dark. 00:13:15.259 --> 00:13:15.860 We're blind. 00:13:16.700 --> 00:13:17.680 The world is blind. 00:13:18.560 --> 00:13:22.920 But secondly, the world is not just blind. 00:13:23.020 --> 00:13:23.800 It's also lost. 00:13:24.080 --> 00:13:26.460 You know, Jesus says. 00:13:26.460 --> 00:13:32.180 The one who walks in darkness does not know where he's going. 00:13:33.200 --> 00:13:35.200 The one who walks in darkness doesn't know where he's going. 00:13:35.840 --> 00:13:45.000 I don't know if you've ever been living like in a driven round somewhere trying to find an address on a dark night and you don't have Google Maps and there's no streetlights. 00:13:45.200 --> 00:13:46.180 I don't know if you experienced that. 00:13:46.240 --> 00:13:46.620 I have. 00:13:46.620 --> 00:13:51.700 And you're just kind of going round and round and round desperately trying to find the place. 00:13:51.799 --> 00:13:52.639 But you're lost. 00:13:53.299 --> 00:13:54.539 And you don't know where to go. 00:13:54.679 --> 00:13:55.919 And you want to give up. 00:13:55.919 --> 00:14:04.000 You know, last year, I was in my flat and I heard a scream and a thud. 00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:07.460 And I went downstairs to see there was a body. 00:14:07.460 --> 00:14:17.580 That's the darkness of hopelessness, of loneliness, of lostness that grips so many people in our city. 00:14:17.580 --> 00:14:21.540 And maybe that's an extreme end of the spectrum. 00:14:21.639 --> 00:14:22.300 But that's real. 00:14:22.299 --> 00:14:26.039 And maybe for some of us, it isn't to that extent. 00:14:26.039 --> 00:14:35.159 But actually, some of us are stuck in dark or challenging relationships or jobs where you feel like nothing's changing and you feel lost. 00:14:35.219 --> 00:14:38.099 Or maybe you feel like, hey, I feel purposeless. 00:14:38.459 --> 00:14:41.319 I don't know where I'm going in life. 00:14:41.579 --> 00:14:42.319 Where's the light? 00:14:42.419 --> 00:14:43.059 Where's hope? 00:14:43.240 --> 00:14:44.099 Where's direction? 00:14:44.259 --> 00:14:45.099 Where's the future? 00:14:46.620 --> 00:14:51.319 And so for all of us, all of us, we need light. 00:14:51.320 --> 00:14:58.960 And Isaiah tells us, Isaiah 50 tells us that we have a choice with this light. 00:14:59.860 --> 00:15:03.920 He says, those who walk in darkness and have no light have a choice. 00:15:04.740 --> 00:15:07.220 He says, they can trust in the name of the Lord. 00:15:08.280 --> 00:15:12.520 Or you can be all those who kindle a fire yourselves. 00:15:12.820 --> 00:15:18.940 You equip yourselves with burning torches and you walk by the light of your own fire, your own light. 00:15:18.940 --> 00:15:21.180 You self-generate light. 00:15:22.240 --> 00:15:30.960 You see, maybe we don't create fire, but we create our own little desk lamps because we need the truth and we need the direction. 00:15:31.340 --> 00:15:32.000 So what do we do? 00:15:32.020 --> 00:15:32.960 We look to politics. 00:15:32.960 --> 00:15:34.340 We look to inspirational leaders. 00:15:34.460 --> 00:15:35.120 We look to bosses. 00:15:35.400 --> 00:15:36.940 We look to career opportunities. 00:15:37.080 --> 00:15:38.820 We look to life coaches, self-help books. 00:15:39.020 --> 00:15:40.340 We look to master's degree. 00:15:40.760 --> 00:15:44.680 Or we escape into shopping or comfort eating or staycations. 00:15:44.679 --> 00:15:51.799 And we look to ourselves to be the solutions to be our light, to just fix our issues. 00:15:52.759 --> 00:15:56.179 And we stay private about our darkness, our lostness, our helplessness. 00:15:56.239 --> 00:15:58.279 So others don't truly know what's going on. 00:15:58.279 --> 00:16:00.639 And sometimes, often, we don't even know. 00:16:01.699 --> 00:16:03.839 Because the world is not just blind. 00:16:03.939 --> 00:16:05.299 The world is also lost. 00:16:08.799 --> 00:16:11.100 It's lost trying to create its own light. 00:16:11.100 --> 00:16:16.840 But thirdly, the world is also dying. 00:16:17.879 --> 00:16:21.440 You see, those who walk in darkness will stay there. 00:16:21.440 --> 00:16:26.120 And, you know, artificial light is great for occasional use, right? 00:16:26.240 --> 00:16:26.720 We need it. 00:16:27.280 --> 00:16:34.240 But if you always stay shut up in your own home with no sunlight, just for the light of a lamp or your computer or your phone, 00:16:35.120 --> 00:16:43.920 you will, over time, shrivel, become pale, and ultimately, you will waste away and die because you were made to live in the sunlight. 00:16:44.580 --> 00:16:46.220 The sunlight of God's presence. 00:16:47.260 --> 00:16:50.200 You see, desk lamps are not your ultimate source of life. 00:16:50.200 --> 00:16:55.240 Sooner or later, every desk lamp, the bulb will break. 00:16:55.840 --> 00:16:57.140 The power will be cut. 00:16:58.080 --> 00:17:06.759 And Jesus tells us the ultimate darkness is the ultimate judgment of death for those who love darkness and hide from light. 00:17:07.779 --> 00:17:14.220 And that's the darkness of being cast by God into outer darkness, away eternally from the presence of God. 00:17:14.220 --> 00:17:26.640 And the call of the passage, the call of Jesus, when he says, I'm the light, he says, see that there, in our city, I mean, do we realize that in the city of Hong Kong, 00:17:26.799 --> 00:17:32.160 we are people who are walking in darkness and who need to see a great light? 00:17:32.160 --> 00:17:44.660 And Jesus comes and he says, in his generation, but he comes and says it to our generation too, to a blind, a lost, a dying world, which is trying to create its own light. 00:17:44.820 --> 00:17:46.680 He says, I am the light of Hong Kong. 00:17:47.080 --> 00:17:48.680 I am the light of your family. 00:17:48.940 --> 00:17:50.440 I am the light of your workplace. 00:17:50.440 --> 00:17:52.299 I am the light of your marriage. 00:17:52.700 --> 00:17:58.840 Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. 00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:06.080 Every other light bulb will go out, but the sun of God's presence will always be there. 00:18:07.940 --> 00:18:11.980 And so the verse calls us to a response. 00:18:12.620 --> 00:18:15.460 He says, follow me, whoever follows me. 00:18:15.460 --> 00:18:23.319 And if you're not a Christian, the choice for you is, do you believe who Jesus says he is? 00:18:23.819 --> 00:18:29.259 And will you make Jesus the sun around which the whole of your life revolves? 00:18:29.519 --> 00:18:30.460 Will you follow him? 00:18:31.579 --> 00:18:36.980 And you need to weigh his claims and find out, does he match up to what he says he is? 00:18:37.000 --> 00:18:38.840 And we would love to go on a journey with you. 00:18:38.900 --> 00:18:40.680 So we'd love to read the Bible with you. 00:18:40.680 --> 00:18:46.560 So please stay on, please put your contact details in a connect card on the screen later, 00:18:46.620 --> 00:18:51.860 or just contact one of us at the emails that we show you, hello at watermarkchurch.hk. 00:18:51.920 --> 00:18:53.539 We'd love to get in touch with you. 00:18:55.539 --> 00:18:58.500 But if you are a Christian, do you also have a choice? 00:18:59.220 --> 00:19:00.340 We also have a choice. 00:19:00.920 --> 00:19:04.240 Do we believe Jesus is who he says he is today? 00:19:05.039 --> 00:19:09.700 Will we make him the sun around which our life revolves today? 00:19:09.700 --> 00:19:11.920 Will we follow him today? 00:19:12.460 --> 00:19:14.039 There's a choice of obedience. 00:19:15.779 --> 00:19:17.799 So what does it, what does Jesus want to do? 00:19:18.059 --> 00:19:20.400 How does Jesus want to help us to follow him? 00:19:21.160 --> 00:19:25.660 So that we don't walk in darkness, but we have the light of life. 00:19:26.779 --> 00:19:30.920 Well, I have four things that I think Jesus' light wants to do for those who follow him. 00:19:32.319 --> 00:19:33.360 Here's the first thing. 00:19:33.359 --> 00:19:40.799 Jesus' light wants to enlighten us with his truth, the truth of who God truly is. 00:19:41.639 --> 00:19:46.539 And that's what Paul calls the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 00:19:48.019 --> 00:19:52.219 You know, in a lost world which is searching for truth and light, 00:19:52.879 --> 00:19:58.119 Jesus reveals the heart of a God who longs for us to know him. 00:19:58.119 --> 00:20:10.219 You know, one of the reasons why we often don't come into his light is because we think that God responds to us the way we respond to others. 00:20:11.339 --> 00:20:15.219 You know, when we see somebody's dark and ugly side, what do we do? 00:20:15.599 --> 00:20:24.599 We retreat, we gossip, we judge, we condemn, we attack in all kinds of ways because a dark world responds to darkness with further darkness and then it justifies it. 00:20:25.799 --> 00:20:26.459 Anyone do that? 00:20:26.460 --> 00:20:31.980 Well, we think God is like us too. 00:20:33.579 --> 00:20:40.759 But Jesus here in this passage, he says, whoever follows me will have the light of life. 00:20:40.819 --> 00:20:41.259 Did you get that? 00:20:41.299 --> 00:20:44.059 He says, whoever, not whoever except the really bad ones. 00:20:44.420 --> 00:20:49.000 He says, not whoever except the really ones who disappointed me or who've let me down or who are guilty. 00:20:49.319 --> 00:20:50.220 No, he says, whoever. 00:20:51.299 --> 00:20:53.640 That means there is no one too far gone. 00:20:54.019 --> 00:20:55.620 There is no sin too great. 00:20:55.619 --> 00:20:57.239 There is no one too lost. 00:20:57.479 --> 00:20:58.879 No one whose heart is too hard. 00:20:59.119 --> 00:21:03.619 There is no one in too deep darkness for me to come and bring light to you. 00:21:03.619 --> 00:21:19.739 For God, John tells us in John 3, 16, so loved the world, the dark, blind, lost, dying world that he kind of withdrew and just went, hey, I can't be bothered with him. 00:21:19.739 --> 00:21:23.379 No, he moved towards us. 00:21:23.380 --> 00:21:24.380 He gave his son. 00:21:24.380 --> 00:21:32.580 He gave his son for whoever believes in him shall not perish in the darkness but have eternal light of life. 00:21:33.840 --> 00:21:35.800 You see, Jesus doesn't withdraw from us. 00:21:36.060 --> 00:21:36.920 He doesn't gossip. 00:21:37.180 --> 00:21:38.740 He doesn't stand in harsh judgment. 00:21:38.840 --> 00:21:40.640 He doesn't turn his nose up at us. 00:21:40.640 --> 00:21:45.780 Our darkness gives him a greater longing to move towards us with his light. 00:21:45.779 --> 00:21:48.160 That's why he came to earth. 00:21:48.220 --> 00:21:49.420 That's why he died on the cross. 00:21:49.500 --> 00:21:50.579 We're going to celebrate this week. 00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:51.960 That's why he rose again. 00:21:52.160 --> 00:21:54.099 It's to bring us life. 00:21:54.099 --> 00:21:57.379 And it's for you. 00:21:58.240 --> 00:22:01.099 And it's also for those that you right now are judging. 00:22:01.619 --> 00:22:07.039 You are right now in your heart, your eyes cold because you see their darkness and you think they suck. 00:22:08.379 --> 00:22:23.279 Even to them, even to you, to your friends and to your family, God's deepest heart, his most passionate longing, when he's daydreaming his mind about what he would love to do when he thinks about you, 00:22:23.279 --> 00:22:32.839 is to bring the warmth of his smiling presence, to melt the glaciers of our hearts so that your heart may bloom again with the flowers of his joy. 00:22:33.680 --> 00:22:35.680 Jesus didn't die just to forgive you. 00:22:35.940 --> 00:22:41.019 He died to draw you to himself so you might sunbathe in his marvelous light. 00:22:42.599 --> 00:22:44.160 And it's that love. 00:22:45.519 --> 00:22:53.240 That love provides the security to come into his light and allow him to do the second thing. 00:22:53.859 --> 00:22:57.240 Which is expose us for who we really are. 00:22:58.359 --> 00:23:00.639 You see, God's got to open our eyes to expose us. 00:23:01.160 --> 00:23:06.680 You know, Fiona and I, for a couple of weeks, we've been sneezing all the time. 00:23:07.079 --> 00:23:12.079 And whenever we go into our bedroom and we clean up, our bedrooms clean regularly. 00:23:12.079 --> 00:23:21.519 But then suddenly we realized that actually there's an area under our bed that we'd never opened up and cleaned. 00:23:21.519 --> 00:23:28.839 And as I moved our bed out, suddenly there was the horror of just like layers of dust underneath. 00:23:29.879 --> 00:23:30.400 Everywhere. 00:23:30.400 --> 00:23:38.180 You know, some of us have respectable areas of our lives that we've opened up for God's light to shine on us. 00:23:38.180 --> 00:23:43.940 But there's others that actually are hidden under the bed. 00:23:44.460 --> 00:23:47.560 Where the light, you don't want them to be exposed. 00:23:48.640 --> 00:23:51.799 Maybe it's the way you use your money. 00:23:52.379 --> 00:23:53.899 Maybe it's sexual fantasies. 00:23:54.279 --> 00:23:59.659 Maybe it's because you've experienced darkness from others, their selfishness, their deceitfulness. 00:23:59.879 --> 00:24:01.779 And your heart has frozen solid. 00:24:02.220 --> 00:24:05.319 Maybe it's polite on the outside, but resentful on the inside. 00:24:05.319 --> 00:24:10.619 And you don't want Jesus to shine his light and to clean that area because you think it's their problem. 00:24:10.799 --> 00:24:11.579 It's not yours. 00:24:13.079 --> 00:24:20.619 But the longer you hide under the fridge, away from the light, under the bed, the more you walk in darkness. 00:24:21.700 --> 00:24:24.579 And the more blind and lost and dying you'll be. 00:24:26.639 --> 00:24:29.339 I heard of someone who'd been cheating on his wife. 00:24:30.319 --> 00:24:31.839 And finally he got caught. 00:24:32.779 --> 00:24:34.859 And he confessed what he'd been doing. 00:24:36.319 --> 00:24:38.819 And he was asked, how do you feel now? 00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:39.839 Is it shameful? 00:24:40.179 --> 00:24:41.720 Well, there's obviously shame. 00:24:41.859 --> 00:24:48.379 But he said, I've lived for years afraid if anyone knew what was really going on. 00:24:49.519 --> 00:24:51.220 But now it's in the light. 00:24:51.319 --> 00:24:53.039 I feel this tremendous relief. 00:24:53.319 --> 00:24:55.439 Because I don't have to hide any longer. 00:24:56.200 --> 00:25:00.179 Because as I'm coming to terms with what I've done and who I am, 00:25:00.559 --> 00:25:03.839 I've experienced the gospel of Jesus' love for sinners. 00:25:03.839 --> 00:25:06.379 In a way that I never thought was possible. 00:25:06.380 --> 00:25:17.160 Because you see, God wants to expose you today with his light in every area of your life to heal you, to clean you. 00:25:18.640 --> 00:25:21.360 And so which areas are you saying to Jesus, 00:25:21.359 --> 00:25:24.879 You can shine here, but please don't shine here. 00:25:27.000 --> 00:25:31.240 You know, every evening before I go to bed, I pray this prayer from Psalm 139. 00:25:31.359 --> 00:25:36.619 I pray, search my heart, O God, and see if there is any grievous way in me. 00:25:36.619 --> 00:25:46.179 Because I need, we need, every day for Jesus' light to shine on our hearts so that we walk in his light and not in darkness. 00:25:47.119 --> 00:25:48.659 Jesus wants to enlighten us. 00:25:48.939 --> 00:25:50.479 He wants to expose us. 00:25:51.179 --> 00:25:53.959 And he wants to save us and heal us. 00:25:53.960 --> 00:25:56.840 You know, Jesus says, 00:25:57.180 --> 00:25:59.720 You will not walk in darkness, 00:26:00.259 --> 00:26:05.160 But you will have the light of life if you follow him. 00:26:06.340 --> 00:26:07.680 You see, he doesn't actually say, 00:26:08.120 --> 00:26:09.620 You will not feel the darkness. 00:26:10.740 --> 00:26:11.180 He says, 00:26:11.519 --> 00:26:13.180 You won't walk in it. 00:26:14.519 --> 00:26:16.860 You know, there's this scene from the Lord of the Rings, 00:26:16.859 --> 00:26:19.740 It's where the good guys, the dwarves, the hobbits, 00:26:19.859 --> 00:26:22.039 And if you've seen it, you know what I'm talking about. 00:26:22.199 --> 00:26:24.979 They're walking through the dark mines of Moria. 00:26:25.399 --> 00:26:29.419 And they're chased by the evil orcs who are about to get them. 00:26:29.459 --> 00:26:30.119 And they're lost. 00:26:30.199 --> 00:26:30.699 They can't see. 00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:31.639 They don't know where they're going. 00:26:31.839 --> 00:26:38.219 And then suddenly Gandalf the wizard appears with a staff with him that just blazes with light. 00:26:38.740 --> 00:26:41.719 And he leads them through the mines to safety. 00:26:42.240 --> 00:26:43.779 And as long as they're with him, 00:26:43.779 --> 00:26:45.859 The darkness can be all around, 00:26:45.859 --> 00:26:49.839 But the light of his light overcomes the darkness, 00:26:49.839 --> 00:26:52.619 Because that's the nature of light. 00:26:53.879 --> 00:26:55.799 You see, it's leading you. 00:26:56.439 --> 00:26:59.639 And Jesus' presence, just like with the Israelites in the wilderness, 00:27:00.019 --> 00:27:03.359 He leads us through wilderness. 00:27:03.519 --> 00:27:05.559 But his presence is there with us. 00:27:05.699 --> 00:27:08.599 Because light always dispels darkness. 00:27:09.139 --> 00:27:13.539 The warmth of the sun can heal many of the pains of the night. 00:27:13.539 --> 00:27:16.359 And Jesus says, 00:27:16.619 --> 00:27:18.099 When he says, 00:27:18.279 --> 00:27:19.399 You will not walk in darkness, 00:27:19.519 --> 00:27:20.680 He's what he means. 00:27:21.240 --> 00:27:21.899 He's saying, 00:27:22.000 --> 00:27:23.220 For some of us who feel lost, 00:27:23.519 --> 00:27:25.259 For some of us who feel purposeless, 00:27:25.480 --> 00:27:26.599 Or feel the darkness, 00:27:26.740 --> 00:27:29.119 Or the darkness in our own hearts, 00:27:29.339 --> 00:27:30.440 You are never alone. 00:27:31.480 --> 00:27:33.279 You have a source of light, 00:27:33.480 --> 00:27:37.099 Which is not dependent on whether your circumstances are light or dark. 00:27:37.099 --> 00:27:40.559 Your light will not go out. 00:27:40.679 --> 00:27:42.259 You always have hope. 00:27:43.679 --> 00:27:44.980 Because Jesus says, 00:27:45.919 --> 00:27:47.279 Everyone who seeks him, 00:27:47.599 --> 00:27:51.359 Even if sometimes it feels like the sun is hidden behind the clouds, 00:27:51.639 --> 00:27:53.039 The sun is always there. 00:27:53.279 --> 00:27:54.619 And it will always come out. 00:27:54.679 --> 00:27:55.579 He will never leave us, 00:27:55.639 --> 00:27:56.679 Never forsake us. 00:27:56.680 --> 00:28:01.620 And we have to just allow him to walk into his light, 00:28:01.720 --> 00:28:04.000 And let him be our light in the darkness. 00:28:04.740 --> 00:28:06.519 Not go to any other desk lamps, 00:28:07.120 --> 00:28:08.080 But run to him. 00:28:09.940 --> 00:28:10.320 You know, 00:28:11.320 --> 00:28:12.240 We, 00:28:13.240 --> 00:28:14.860 A few months ago, 00:28:15.380 --> 00:28:16.279 We had a new cleaner, 00:28:16.820 --> 00:28:19.380 In the Watermark Community Center, 00:28:19.940 --> 00:28:20.519 Called Asta. 00:28:20.519 --> 00:28:22.160 And, 00:28:22.160 --> 00:28:24.000 When we first met her, 00:28:25.059 --> 00:28:25.819 She, 00:28:26.180 --> 00:28:26.920 Was, 00:28:27.420 --> 00:28:30.339 In just a really difficult family situation. 00:28:30.599 --> 00:28:31.420 Really struggling. 00:28:31.559 --> 00:28:32.180 She was lost. 00:28:32.339 --> 00:28:33.059 She was confused. 00:28:33.559 --> 00:28:35.139 She wanted to just walk away, 00:28:35.139 --> 00:28:36.460 From everything that was going on. 00:28:36.500 --> 00:28:37.400 It was so hard. 00:28:37.700 --> 00:28:38.799 And other people around her, 00:28:38.819 --> 00:28:40.240 Just encouraging her to do so. 00:28:41.180 --> 00:28:42.660 And she brought her struggles, 00:28:42.900 --> 00:28:43.879 Into the light, 00:28:43.980 --> 00:28:45.180 And shared with some of the staff. 00:28:45.279 --> 00:28:45.639 And I know, 00:28:46.119 --> 00:28:46.720 Like Kristen, 00:28:46.920 --> 00:28:47.440 And Karen, 00:28:47.660 --> 00:28:48.139 And Abigail, 00:28:48.519 --> 00:28:50.440 Share the gospel with her. 00:28:50.720 --> 00:28:51.799 And they walked with her. 00:28:51.900 --> 00:28:52.759 And they just loved her, 00:28:52.859 --> 00:28:53.819 And prayed for her, 00:28:54.079 --> 00:28:55.740 And read the Bible with her. 00:28:56.859 --> 00:28:57.500 And just, 00:28:57.779 --> 00:28:58.700 A few months ago, 00:28:58.740 --> 00:29:01.139 She came to see Jesus as her light. 00:29:01.220 --> 00:29:01.980 She came to faith. 00:29:02.039 --> 00:29:02.819 It's just awesome. 00:29:03.379 --> 00:29:03.680 And you, 00:29:03.740 --> 00:29:04.639 And you see, 00:29:05.079 --> 00:29:06.299 What God has done in her. 00:29:06.359 --> 00:29:07.779 You see the light shine out of her. 00:29:07.859 --> 00:29:08.119 Because, 00:29:08.639 --> 00:29:10.119 That part of that process was, 00:29:10.420 --> 00:29:13.259 She saw some of her own darkness exposed. 00:29:14.259 --> 00:29:17.059 And she experienced the forgiveness of God, 00:29:17.200 --> 00:29:18.000 For her. 00:29:18.839 --> 00:29:20.500 And she's walking to learn how to forgive, 00:29:20.519 --> 00:29:22.099 Those who've hurt her. 00:29:23.759 --> 00:29:24.200 And, 00:29:24.400 --> 00:29:26.660 Her whole demeanour has changed, 00:29:26.720 --> 00:29:27.879 From hopelessness, 00:29:28.039 --> 00:29:29.500 To hopefulness. 00:29:30.400 --> 00:29:30.680 And, 00:29:30.920 --> 00:29:32.859 Her family situation is still dark. 00:29:32.940 --> 00:29:35.779 She's still longing for family members to change. 00:29:36.279 --> 00:29:38.240 But she's gone from wanting just to run away, 00:29:38.319 --> 00:29:38.900 And to hide, 00:29:39.000 --> 00:29:40.240 And to escape from everything. 00:29:40.359 --> 00:29:41.240 To having courage, 00:29:41.359 --> 00:29:42.039 And strength, 00:29:42.240 --> 00:29:43.619 And joy in the midst of it. 00:29:43.660 --> 00:29:43.879 In fact, 00:29:44.059 --> 00:29:44.619 Last week, 00:29:44.720 --> 00:29:44.980 I just, 00:29:45.119 --> 00:29:46.019 I met her, 00:29:46.019 --> 00:29:47.099 I just bumped into her, 00:29:47.759 --> 00:29:47.779 And, 00:29:47.779 --> 00:29:49.660 And she'd just finished work, 00:29:49.700 --> 00:29:50.900 And she was about to read her Bible. 00:29:51.859 --> 00:29:52.440 And she said, 00:29:52.519 --> 00:29:52.720 You know, 00:29:52.940 --> 00:29:55.859 Sometimes the situation just feels overwhelming at times. 00:29:55.960 --> 00:29:56.559 It feels dark. 00:29:56.639 --> 00:29:57.059 But actually, 00:29:57.220 --> 00:29:58.420 And I wonder how long, 00:29:58.660 --> 00:30:00.019 How long it's going to go on for. 00:30:00.119 --> 00:30:00.259 But, 00:30:00.400 --> 00:30:01.759 When I come to God's word, 00:30:02.200 --> 00:30:03.839 When I come to think about Jesus, 00:30:04.200 --> 00:30:06.039 When you guys just encourage me, 00:30:06.039 --> 00:30:07.099 To come back to Jesus, 00:30:08.220 --> 00:30:08.559 Oh, 00:30:08.559 --> 00:30:10.359 It changes my entire perspective. 00:30:10.519 --> 00:30:11.799 I now have a joy. 00:30:12.399 --> 00:30:13.159 And it's okay. 00:30:13.659 --> 00:30:15.240 I can walk through this. 00:30:15.299 --> 00:30:16.879 Because I see things differently. 00:30:17.919 --> 00:30:18.159 You see, 00:30:18.279 --> 00:30:22.079 She sees somebody who knows the smile of God's presence, 00:30:22.399 --> 00:30:23.399 And warmth, 00:30:23.679 --> 00:30:24.879 And strength. 00:30:25.220 --> 00:30:28.859 And that light dispelling the darkness in her soul. 00:30:29.599 --> 00:30:31.960 Because when you turn on a light, 00:30:32.679 --> 00:30:34.619 The darkness always has to flee. 00:30:35.539 --> 00:30:39.139 Jesus is the light that wants to save us. 00:30:39.479 --> 00:30:40.500 Save us right now. 00:30:40.579 --> 00:30:43.399 And he will ultimately save us right to the end, 00:30:43.539 --> 00:30:45.319 As we see him in the new creation. 00:30:46.259 --> 00:30:47.259 He is our light. 00:30:47.799 --> 00:30:49.059 The light of a dark world. 00:30:49.259 --> 00:30:50.219 The light of our lives. 00:30:50.419 --> 00:30:51.500 He wants to enlighten us. 00:30:51.739 --> 00:30:52.919 He wants to expose us. 00:30:53.139 --> 00:30:54.519 He wants to save us. 00:30:54.519 --> 00:30:55.479 And finally, 00:30:56.219 --> 00:30:58.339 He wants to shine through us. 00:31:01.519 --> 00:31:02.599 As the light, 00:31:02.599 --> 00:31:05.419 Shone out from Jerusalem. 00:31:05.779 --> 00:31:07.259 At the feast of tabernacles. 00:31:08.879 --> 00:31:13.219 It reflected out to all of the surrounding areas, 00:31:13.279 --> 00:31:14.279 Which were in darkness. 00:31:16.000 --> 00:31:18.179 And that is what light always does. 00:31:19.959 --> 00:31:20.779 You see, 00:31:21.279 --> 00:31:24.919 As we walk in the light, 00:31:24.920 --> 00:31:29.500 Letting God open our eyes to see him and his love again. 00:31:30.440 --> 00:31:30.740 Opening, 00:31:31.060 --> 00:31:32.700 Letting him expose our hearts, 00:31:33.180 --> 00:31:34.580 To see some of the darkness, 00:31:34.759 --> 00:31:35.900 And bringing it into the light, 00:31:35.980 --> 00:31:37.340 For him to deal with and clean. 00:31:38.160 --> 00:31:41.100 As we lead him to save us, 00:31:41.440 --> 00:31:44.740 And to work in the deep areas of our lives, 00:31:44.820 --> 00:31:46.480 Bringing hope into our hearts. 00:31:46.480 --> 00:31:50.059 So Jesus then says, 00:31:50.500 --> 00:31:52.660 That he wants us to then take that light, 00:31:52.759 --> 00:31:54.039 And to shine it into our city, 00:31:54.079 --> 00:31:55.180 And the people around us. 00:31:55.539 --> 00:31:55.799 Remember, 00:31:55.900 --> 00:31:56.579 Jesus says, 00:31:57.039 --> 00:31:58.500 You are the light of the world. 00:31:58.579 --> 00:31:59.519 He's the light of the world, 00:31:59.579 --> 00:32:01.120 But actually now in his light, 00:32:01.240 --> 00:32:02.519 We become light. 00:32:03.140 --> 00:32:03.779 And he says, 00:32:03.860 --> 00:32:05.180 Let your light shine. 00:32:05.599 --> 00:32:06.380 Or in Isaiah, 00:32:06.599 --> 00:32:07.079 It says, 00:32:07.339 --> 00:32:08.079 Arise, 00:32:08.420 --> 00:32:08.799 Shine, 00:32:08.940 --> 00:32:09.880 For your light has come. 00:32:10.620 --> 00:32:11.079 I don't know, 00:32:11.140 --> 00:32:11.779 Have you ever been, 00:32:12.160 --> 00:32:12.960 Ever seen someone, 00:32:13.019 --> 00:32:14.160 Who's just been in the sun? 00:32:14.160 --> 00:32:15.900 And they come out, 00:32:15.980 --> 00:32:17.880 And they've got this bronzed glow about them, 00:32:17.920 --> 00:32:18.800 Except if you're British, 00:32:18.940 --> 00:32:20.860 And then you're kind of pale like I am, 00:32:20.940 --> 00:32:21.540 Just red. 00:32:21.960 --> 00:32:23.480 But normally you see it, 00:32:23.500 --> 00:32:23.680 And you go, 00:32:23.759 --> 00:32:23.920 Hey, 00:32:23.960 --> 00:32:24.820 Have you been in the sun? 00:32:27.120 --> 00:32:28.940 That's what God's call for us is, 00:32:29.040 --> 00:32:30.400 As a church in this season. 00:32:31.840 --> 00:32:33.000 COVID is one of those things, 00:32:33.060 --> 00:32:35.420 That can often lead us to retreat into ourselves. 00:32:35.800 --> 00:32:37.700 To just see the darkness around us, 00:32:37.720 --> 00:32:39.400 And that's what captures our eyes. 00:32:40.240 --> 00:32:42.120 But actually what God wants to do, 00:32:42.119 --> 00:32:45.779 Is rather than the darkness blinding us to ourselves, 00:32:45.879 --> 00:32:48.119 And blinding us to the people who are around us, 00:32:48.279 --> 00:32:49.959 God wants to open our eyes, 00:32:50.019 --> 00:32:52.159 So that we see people like Asta around us. 00:32:52.759 --> 00:32:55.379 So that we begin to see that in this amazing city, 00:32:55.479 --> 00:32:56.779 There is such darkness, 00:32:56.779 --> 00:32:59.299 In the very people you're rubbing shoulders with, 00:32:59.379 --> 00:33:00.179 Day by day. 00:33:00.879 --> 00:33:03.959 And we have the very light, 00:33:04.099 --> 00:33:04.719 That our neighbors, 00:33:04.879 --> 00:33:05.519 That our colleagues, 00:33:05.639 --> 00:33:06.819 That our family needs. 00:33:06.819 --> 00:33:10.539 And so as a church, 00:33:11.039 --> 00:33:11.740 As CGs, 00:33:11.859 --> 00:33:13.819 We're called not just to make our lives comfortable, 00:33:13.919 --> 00:33:14.960 In our own little light, 00:33:15.779 --> 00:33:19.379 But we're called to be those who shine. 00:33:21.119 --> 00:33:22.819 So here's the final challenge, 00:33:22.939 --> 00:33:24.700 Do you know who you're called to? 00:33:25.639 --> 00:33:28.179 Do you know who you're praying for? 00:33:28.859 --> 00:33:31.659 That God's light would break through into their lives. 00:33:31.660 --> 00:33:33.640 And if you don't start by praying, 00:33:33.740 --> 00:33:33.920 God, 00:33:34.060 --> 00:33:35.980 Show me people in darkness around me, 00:33:36.100 --> 00:33:39.820 And show me how I can be a light to them with your light. 00:33:40.340 --> 00:33:41.259 And let me tell you, 00:33:41.279 --> 00:33:42.860 God's going to answer that prayer if you die. 00:33:43.480 --> 00:33:44.300 He will. 00:33:45.140 --> 00:33:46.259 And as a church, 00:33:46.759 --> 00:33:50.700 As we bask in the light of his light, 00:33:51.800 --> 00:33:55.940 Then he will lead us to bring light into other people's lives, 00:33:55.980 --> 00:33:57.240 And we will be amazed, 00:33:57.540 --> 00:33:58.600 And we will see, 00:33:58.599 --> 00:34:01.559 That the warmth of the sun is not just for us, 00:34:01.659 --> 00:34:03.039 But is able to melt people, 00:34:03.419 --> 00:34:06.019 Who you right now have even lost hope for. 00:34:06.779 --> 00:34:08.059 So let us pray. 00:34:08.679 --> 00:34:09.579 Let us pray, 00:34:10.000 --> 00:34:11.500 That the light of the world, 00:34:12.319 --> 00:34:13.000 Would come. 00:34:13.500 --> 00:34:14.679 And just like with Aster, 00:34:15.139 --> 00:34:16.819 Would lead us right now, 00:34:17.079 --> 00:34:19.239 To experience some of that light of life, 00:34:19.900 --> 00:34:22.159 So that we do not walk in darkness, 00:34:22.539 --> 00:34:24.239 But we shine out his light, 00:34:24.699 --> 00:34:25.839 To our world around us. 00:34:25.839 --> 00:34:26.519 Let me pray. 00:34:28.599 --> 00:34:35.319 In fact, 00:34:35.360 --> 00:34:37.000 Maybe you just want to take a minute, 00:34:37.779 --> 00:34:41.039 To even think about, 00:34:41.339 --> 00:34:43.259 Some of those areas of your heart. 00:34:45.500 --> 00:34:47.139 Are there areas where you know, 00:34:47.339 --> 00:34:48.860 That there is darkness in your own life? 00:34:50.920 --> 00:34:52.299 Are there areas where you know, 00:34:52.299 --> 00:34:53.079 That you need, 00:34:53.079 --> 00:34:55.279 His light to shine on you? 00:34:55.280 --> 00:34:58.760 Are there areas where you've lost hope? 00:35:00.240 --> 00:35:03.400 Are there areas where you are looking to other lights, 00:35:03.540 --> 00:35:04.700 To be your salvation, 00:35:04.940 --> 00:35:07.019 To be what is going to give you, 00:35:07.080 --> 00:35:08.240 The light of life? 00:35:08.239 --> 00:35:15.359 Are you willing to see that those are just artificial desk labs? 00:35:16.799 --> 00:35:19.359 To come into his marvelous light? 00:35:20.979 --> 00:35:21.419 Today. 00:35:21.420 --> 00:35:25.480 Do you see the people around you, 00:35:25.480 --> 00:35:26.059 Do you see the people around you, 00:35:26.059 --> 00:35:27.039 Who need his light? 00:35:27.559 --> 00:35:28.400 Just take a minute, 00:35:28.539 --> 00:35:29.639 And I'd love you just to pray, 00:35:29.980 --> 00:35:31.059 And respond to him, 00:35:31.119 --> 00:35:31.960 Either in repentance, 00:35:32.800 --> 00:35:34.940 Maybe just in thanksgiving for his light. 00:35:35.400 --> 00:35:36.579 Maybe you need to respond, 00:35:36.700 --> 00:35:38.500 Just in prayer for God to help you, 00:35:38.559 --> 00:35:40.019 To see the people around you. 00:35:40.720 --> 00:35:41.639 Just take this minute, 00:35:41.760 --> 00:35:42.700 To respond to him, 00:35:43.440 --> 00:35:45.920 To respond to whoever follows me. 00:35:45.920 --> 00:35:50.360 That call to follow him today. 00:35:50.360 --> 00:35:50.400 That call to follow him today. 00:36:10.400 --> 00:36:10.579 That call to follow him today. 00:36:15.920 --> 00:36:31.139 Father, we just thank you. 00:36:32.840 --> 00:36:34.639 That when we were far off, 00:36:35.340 --> 00:36:37.800 You came and drew us near to you. 00:36:38.760 --> 00:36:39.519 Thank you, 00:36:40.039 --> 00:36:41.840 That you have called us out of darkness, 00:36:42.320 --> 00:36:43.960 Into your marvelous light, 00:36:44.079 --> 00:36:45.860 That we may proclaim the excellence, 00:36:45.920 --> 00:36:48.119 Of him who has done this. 00:36:48.880 --> 00:36:50.360 Father, I pray that in our hearts, 00:36:50.460 --> 00:36:51.059 You would shine. 00:36:51.720 --> 00:36:52.659 You would shine in those, 00:36:52.720 --> 00:36:53.960 Who are despairing right now. 00:36:54.619 --> 00:36:55.619 You would shine in those, 00:36:55.740 --> 00:36:57.440 Who have lost hope for change, 00:36:57.480 --> 00:36:58.220 In their own lives, 00:36:58.240 --> 00:36:59.240 Or in other people's lives. 00:36:59.740 --> 00:37:01.139 You would shine truth, 00:37:01.220 --> 00:37:01.940 Where there are lies, 00:37:02.019 --> 00:37:03.820 Which are just covering us up, 00:37:03.880 --> 00:37:05.340 And keeping us bound Lord. 00:37:05.900 --> 00:37:07.559 But we pray that when there is fear, 00:37:07.639 --> 00:37:09.300 Of just opening up about issues, 00:37:09.300 --> 00:37:10.180 In our hearts Lord, 00:37:10.240 --> 00:37:11.340 To others around us Lord, 00:37:11.380 --> 00:37:12.840 I pray break that fear now. 00:37:13.400 --> 00:37:14.840 And I pray for courage, 00:37:14.960 --> 00:37:15.760 And the new boldness, 00:37:15.760 --> 00:37:16.500 Because Jesus, 00:37:16.700 --> 00:37:17.960 You are the light of the world. 00:37:19.540 --> 00:37:20.860 Whoever walks in darkness, 00:37:21.020 --> 00:37:21.360 Will never, 00:37:22.500 --> 00:37:24.360 Whoever follows me, 00:37:24.440 --> 00:37:25.660 Will not walk in darkness, 00:37:25.800 --> 00:37:26.960 But will have the light of life. 00:37:27.060 --> 00:37:28.280 Thank you for that promise. 00:37:29.220 --> 00:37:29.920 Love you. 00:37:30.100 --> 00:37:30.800 In Jesus name. 00:37:31.660 --> 00:37:31.960 Amen. 00:37:31.960 --> 00:37:32.080 Amen. 00:37:32.560 --> 00:37:33.020 Amen. 00:37:33.020 --> 00:37:33.040 Amen. 00:37:33.040 --> 00:37:33.480 Amen. 00:37:33.480 --> 00:37:33.960 Amen. 00:37:33.960 --> 00:37:34.020 Amen. 00:37:34.020 --> 00:37:34.380 Amen. 00:37:34.380 --> 00:37:34.440 Amen. 00:37:34.440 --> 00:37:35.820 Amen. 00:37:35.820 --> 00:37:36.340 Amen. 00:37:36.340 --> 00:37:36.460 Amen. 00:37:36.460 --> 00:37:36.540 Amen. 00:37:36.540 --> 00:37:37.020 Amen. 00:37:37.020 --> 00:37:37.700 Amen. 00:37:37.700 --> 00:37:38.360 Amen. 00:37:38.360 --> 00:37:40.900 Amen. 00:37:40.900 --> 00:37:41.100 Amen. 00:37:41.100 --> 00:37:42.000 Amen. 00:37:42.000 --> 00:37:42.020 Amen. 00:37:42.020 --> 00:37:44.020 Amen. 00:37:44.020 --> 00:37:44.900 Amen. 00:37:44.900 --> 00:37:45.480 Amen.