WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:10.620 Our passion is to experience and express grace. Join us. 00:00:12.200 --> 00:00:14.500 Good morning, everyone. How are y'all this morning? 00:00:15.919 --> 00:00:19.719 I guess that's inappropriate to ask. You can't really answer that question at the moment. 00:00:19.960 --> 00:00:23.559 I've just realized that. My name's Reed, and I'm glad to be with y'all. 00:00:23.559 --> 00:00:33.700 Nine years ago, you helped start, and you were a huge part of starting the ministry that now is a huge part of my life, RUF, at UAH. 00:00:33.899 --> 00:00:38.100 You called Brad and Caroline Tubasing into town. Do you realize it was nine years ago? 00:00:38.179 --> 00:00:45.460 Many of you were part of that very beginning stage of the ministry, and my family, we've been here for three years now, 00:00:45.519 --> 00:00:51.719 ending our third year on the campus at UAH, and we're so thankful for the ministry at UAH. 00:00:51.719 --> 00:01:00.079 Thankful for you starting it and being a huge financial and prayer partner of ours in that ministry. 00:01:00.479 --> 00:01:04.579 Many of you on an individual level, and certainly as a church, you are a huge part of it. 00:01:04.620 --> 00:01:06.579 I just want to say thank you while I have the chance. 00:01:07.120 --> 00:01:12.659 We love what we're doing at UAH, and we're thankful for the work the Lord is doing there through RUF. 00:01:13.140 --> 00:01:17.759 UAH is a very changing community. I don't know if you've been around the campus much lately. 00:01:17.760 --> 00:01:21.460 I know many of our students. There's one walking in. Hi, Rosie. 00:01:22.120 --> 00:01:26.520 Many of our students are here this morning. Get to know the new UAH. 00:01:26.680 --> 00:01:30.480 It's changed a lot over the last even five years, even three years since I've been there. 00:01:30.520 --> 00:01:33.120 There's a lot more campus life now. There's a lot more campus community. 00:01:33.580 --> 00:01:37.620 They just built this new $26 million student life facility that's great, 00:01:37.780 --> 00:01:43.060 and we feel like RUF is kind of at the center of what UAH is wanting to become more, 00:01:43.060 --> 00:01:47.840 and that is a campus where there's a community presence where students feel cared for 00:01:47.840 --> 00:01:49.519 and interact with one another and have a great time. 00:01:49.840 --> 00:01:54.079 So there's a thriving Greek community and intramurals and lots of other fun things going on. 00:01:54.100 --> 00:01:56.439 The Lord's blessing our work there. We're thankful to be there. 00:01:56.520 --> 00:01:57.960 Thank you for being a part of it with us. 00:01:58.400 --> 00:02:02.920 We're going to consider a passage this morning from John chapter 1 and John chapter 8 00:02:02.920 --> 00:02:09.180 that we will read together here in a moment on the Jesus being the light of the world. 00:02:09.180 --> 00:02:13.540 So if you're into outlines and that sort of thing, and I imagine a few of you are, 00:02:13.620 --> 00:02:19.540 my outline for this morning will be the miracle of light, the ministry of light, and the mission of light. 00:02:19.580 --> 00:02:21.900 And I think you'll see that even in this passage as we read. 00:02:21.980 --> 00:02:26.000 So let's begin in John chapter 1, and then we'll go to chapter 8. 00:02:26.879 --> 00:02:28.100 This is the Word of the Lord. 00:02:29.020 --> 00:02:34.460 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 00:02:34.819 --> 00:02:36.960 He was in the beginning with God. 00:02:36.960 --> 00:02:42.240 All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. 00:02:42.520 --> 00:02:46.280 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 00:02:47.060 --> 00:02:50.700 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 00:02:51.439 --> 00:02:53.020 And over to John chapter 8. 00:02:55.939 --> 00:02:59.280 Beginning in verse 12, Jesus speaks to them, saying, 00:02:59.280 --> 00:03:01.300 I am the light of the world. 00:03:02.240 --> 00:03:06.080 Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. 00:03:06.960 --> 00:03:08.320 So the Pharisee said to Him, 00:03:08.960 --> 00:03:10.580 You are bearing witness about Yourself. 00:03:10.659 --> 00:03:12.420 Your testimony is not true. 00:03:12.980 --> 00:03:13.820 Jesus answered, 00:03:14.560 --> 00:03:18.000 Even if I do bear witness about Myself, My testimony is true. 00:03:18.100 --> 00:03:20.500 For I know where I came from and where I am going, 00:03:20.580 --> 00:03:23.960 but You do not know where I come from or where I am going. 00:03:24.640 --> 00:03:26.319 You judge according to the flesh. 00:03:26.680 --> 00:03:27.780 I judge no one. 00:03:28.420 --> 00:03:30.719 Yet even if I do judge, My judgment is true. 00:03:30.719 --> 00:03:34.419 For it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent Me. 00:03:35.680 --> 00:03:39.659 In Your law, it is written that the testimony of two people is true. 00:03:40.560 --> 00:03:45.699 I am the one who bears witness about Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness about Me. 00:03:46.500 --> 00:03:47.560 And they said to Him, 00:03:47.879 --> 00:03:49.860 Therefore, where is your Father? 00:03:51.039 --> 00:03:51.840 Jesus answered, 00:03:52.500 --> 00:03:55.020 You know neither Me nor My Father. 00:03:55.020 --> 00:03:58.340 If you knew Me, you would know My Father also. 00:03:59.219 --> 00:04:02.800 These words He spoke in the treasury as He taught in the temple, 00:04:03.200 --> 00:04:06.680 but no one arrested Him because His hour had not yet come. 00:04:07.439 --> 00:04:10.080 The grass withers and the flowers fade, 00:04:10.140 --> 00:04:12.960 but the Word of our Lord will stand forever. 00:04:13.480 --> 00:04:14.060 Let's pray. 00:04:14.060 --> 00:04:19.439 Oh God, Your testimony is true. 00:04:20.280 --> 00:04:22.240 I pray that as we consider it this morning, 00:04:22.339 --> 00:04:25.259 we would see where You are the light of the world, 00:04:25.360 --> 00:04:26.600 even in our own lives, 00:04:27.160 --> 00:04:28.579 in our community, in our churches. 00:04:30.519 --> 00:04:33.500 That we would know the abiding presence, 00:04:33.660 --> 00:04:37.540 the comforting presence of the healing light of the gospel. 00:04:39.120 --> 00:04:40.519 I pray that I would. 00:04:40.519 --> 00:04:44.859 I pray, Lord, that You would speak to me through me this morning. 00:04:45.399 --> 00:04:48.620 Your Word would produce abundant fruit that is to Your glory. 00:04:48.719 --> 00:04:52.240 I pray that the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts together 00:04:52.240 --> 00:04:54.000 would be pleasing in Your sight, 00:04:54.079 --> 00:04:55.560 O Lord, our Rock and Redeemer. 00:04:55.959 --> 00:04:57.279 We ask in Jesus' name. 00:04:57.639 --> 00:04:57.899 Amen. 00:05:00.019 --> 00:05:01.199 I don't know if you realize this, 00:05:01.259 --> 00:05:02.180 but next week, 00:05:02.579 --> 00:05:03.959 I believe it's a week from tomorrow, 00:05:04.039 --> 00:05:07.919 marks the four-year anniversary of those awful April 27th storms 00:05:07.919 --> 00:05:10.359 that rolled through this community. 00:05:10.519 --> 00:05:11.419 four years ago. 00:05:12.219 --> 00:05:13.819 My family was not here yet. 00:05:13.879 --> 00:05:16.939 We moved the summer after those storms. 00:05:17.120 --> 00:05:18.399 I watched from the distance. 00:05:18.620 --> 00:05:20.299 I was watching the news every day 00:05:20.299 --> 00:05:24.240 following those storms and the aftermath. 00:05:24.379 --> 00:05:26.740 But many of you did not watch from your TVs. 00:05:26.979 --> 00:05:27.680 You lived it. 00:05:28.339 --> 00:05:29.000 You were here. 00:05:29.240 --> 00:05:32.459 I've heard countless stories of what life was like there 00:05:32.459 --> 00:05:34.259 on April 27th, 00:05:34.259 --> 00:05:37.299 and even the following days and weeks thereafter. 00:05:37.300 --> 00:05:41.100 One of the themes that keeps coming up, 00:05:41.180 --> 00:05:43.579 if it's not devastation of life, 00:05:43.639 --> 00:05:45.480 it's devastation of property, 00:05:46.020 --> 00:05:48.780 this idea of this devastating darkness 00:05:48.780 --> 00:05:53.580 that existed in that post-tornado community. 00:05:54.019 --> 00:05:56.199 I was talking with one of our students just last week 00:05:56.199 --> 00:05:58.459 who was a senior in high school when those storms hit, 00:05:59.000 --> 00:06:01.500 and she described for me the next several days 00:06:01.500 --> 00:06:03.879 of the darkness that existed at night. 00:06:04.180 --> 00:06:05.279 I understand there was a curfew 00:06:05.279 --> 00:06:07.939 because obviously the power was out for many days. 00:06:07.939 --> 00:06:09.879 I know upwards of over a week, 00:06:09.939 --> 00:06:11.099 at least in some areas. 00:06:11.799 --> 00:06:13.479 And she talked about the… 00:06:14.479 --> 00:06:15.019 She said, 00:06:15.079 --> 00:06:16.899 I've never heard such a terrible sound 00:06:16.899 --> 00:06:18.360 as the silence at night. 00:06:18.360 --> 00:06:21.220 When your power is out, 00:06:21.280 --> 00:06:22.300 if you don't have a generator. 00:06:22.600 --> 00:06:23.000 And she said, 00:06:23.060 --> 00:06:24.480 even the dogs stop barking. 00:06:24.600 --> 00:06:25.520 I don't know what that means, 00:06:25.660 --> 00:06:27.400 but that's a scary thought. 00:06:28.660 --> 00:06:29.699 I want you to picture 00:06:29.699 --> 00:06:32.480 that post-tornado storm darkness. 00:06:34.000 --> 00:06:35.060 You have it in your minds, 00:06:35.160 --> 00:06:36.800 what it was like to live in that darkness? 00:06:37.920 --> 00:06:40.360 I think that's the setting of Genesis 1. 00:06:42.000 --> 00:06:43.160 Before creation, 00:06:43.720 --> 00:06:44.860 two things existed, 00:06:45.680 --> 00:06:47.759 God and darkness. 00:06:48.360 --> 00:06:51.900 And God speaks into the darkness 00:06:51.900 --> 00:06:53.660 and everything changes in a moment. 00:06:55.040 --> 00:06:56.720 That darkness that existed 00:06:56.720 --> 00:06:59.480 was the very setting of Genesis 1. 00:07:00.620 --> 00:07:02.300 And do you realize the first words 00:07:02.300 --> 00:07:03.560 that God speaks, 00:07:03.680 --> 00:07:06.020 at least in recorded Scripture for us, 00:07:06.280 --> 00:07:08.139 are these words. 00:07:08.920 --> 00:07:09.280 He says, 00:07:09.560 --> 00:07:10.199 Let there be light. 00:07:11.939 --> 00:07:13.040 So there was darkness, 00:07:13.220 --> 00:07:14.259 and into the darkness, 00:07:14.480 --> 00:07:15.960 God spoke and light 00:07:15.959 --> 00:07:18.459 shattered the darkness away. 00:07:19.799 --> 00:07:20.899 And we start to see this 00:07:20.899 --> 00:07:22.019 as a regular theme 00:07:22.019 --> 00:07:24.620 of how God deals with His people 00:07:24.620 --> 00:07:25.699 throughout the Old Testament 00:07:25.699 --> 00:07:26.259 and the New. 00:07:27.180 --> 00:07:28.419 You start to see this idea 00:07:28.419 --> 00:07:29.560 of light and darkness 00:07:29.560 --> 00:07:30.599 come up a lot, 00:07:30.719 --> 00:07:32.799 and it's an interesting study to do. 00:07:32.859 --> 00:07:34.299 If you don't have a devotional life right now, 00:07:34.359 --> 00:07:35.939 just go search for light and darkness. 00:07:36.060 --> 00:07:37.799 It's all through the Old Testament. 00:07:38.259 --> 00:07:39.439 The Exodus story 00:07:39.439 --> 00:07:41.759 gives a perfect illustration. 00:07:42.600 --> 00:07:43.420 When the Israelites 00:07:43.420 --> 00:07:45.540 were leaving that bondage in Egypt, 00:07:46.860 --> 00:07:49.259 God sent the abiding presence 00:07:49.259 --> 00:07:52.420 of the pillar of cloud by day 00:07:52.420 --> 00:07:54.120 and the pillar of fire by night. 00:07:54.920 --> 00:07:56.480 The light penetrating the darkness, 00:07:56.659 --> 00:07:57.939 which was a regular reminder 00:07:57.939 --> 00:07:58.659 to God's people 00:07:58.659 --> 00:07:59.600 that He was with them 00:07:59.600 --> 00:08:00.519 and that He cared for them 00:08:00.519 --> 00:08:01.560 and He had not forgotten them, 00:08:02.139 --> 00:08:03.259 and that He would lead them 00:08:03.259 --> 00:08:04.639 in the midst of the darkness. 00:08:04.639 --> 00:08:07.919 Various authors 00:08:07.919 --> 00:08:09.319 begin to pick up on this theme. 00:08:09.639 --> 00:08:10.039 Thereafter, 00:08:10.159 --> 00:08:11.599 you have it in the poets. 00:08:11.740 --> 00:08:12.959 Even David writes, 00:08:13.360 --> 00:08:14.719 the Lord is my light 00:08:14.719 --> 00:08:15.599 and my salvation. 00:08:16.180 --> 00:08:17.039 Whom shall I fear? 00:08:17.959 --> 00:08:19.740 The Lord is the stronghold of my life. 00:08:19.839 --> 00:08:20.919 Whom should I be afraid? 00:08:22.199 --> 00:08:24.519 Psalm 119 famously says, 00:08:24.719 --> 00:08:25.319 the Word, 00:08:25.599 --> 00:08:26.680 your Word is a lamp 00:08:26.680 --> 00:08:27.479 into my feet 00:08:27.479 --> 00:08:28.719 and a light into my path. 00:08:28.779 --> 00:08:29.719 And then in Proverbs, 00:08:30.399 --> 00:08:31.779 for the commandment is a lamp 00:08:31.779 --> 00:08:32.740 and the teaching a light. 00:08:32.740 --> 00:08:34.980 It continues into the prophets. 00:08:36.399 --> 00:08:37.740 Isaiah gives the same imagery 00:08:37.740 --> 00:08:38.680 when he prophesies 00:08:38.680 --> 00:08:40.039 of the coming salvation of God, 00:08:40.080 --> 00:08:41.240 and you know what he described it as? 00:08:41.379 --> 00:08:42.860 The light of salvation 00:08:42.860 --> 00:08:44.779 coming into the darkness. 00:08:46.039 --> 00:08:46.580 He says, 00:08:46.659 --> 00:08:47.639 I will make you as a light 00:08:47.639 --> 00:08:48.240 for the nation 00:08:48.240 --> 00:08:49.620 that my salvation may reach 00:08:49.620 --> 00:08:50.519 to the ends of the earth. 00:08:51.060 --> 00:08:52.740 There's many more places we could go, 00:08:52.799 --> 00:08:53.740 but I want you to start to see 00:08:53.740 --> 00:08:56.100 that this is God's MO. 00:08:57.159 --> 00:08:58.279 What He does 00:08:58.279 --> 00:09:00.060 is speaks into the darkness. 00:09:00.059 --> 00:09:03.259 He provides His presence 00:09:03.259 --> 00:09:04.079 as light 00:09:04.079 --> 00:09:06.579 scattering the darkness away. 00:09:06.679 --> 00:09:07.359 It's what He's been doing 00:09:07.359 --> 00:09:08.159 since the beginning, 00:09:08.399 --> 00:09:09.500 since He first said, 00:09:09.719 --> 00:09:10.399 let there be light. 00:09:10.679 --> 00:09:11.279 It's what He did 00:09:11.279 --> 00:09:12.339 all throughout the Old Testament. 00:09:12.500 --> 00:09:13.359 And then we come 00:09:13.359 --> 00:09:15.019 to John chapter 1. 00:09:17.299 --> 00:09:18.339 And it's interesting 00:09:18.339 --> 00:09:19.679 how John's gospel begins 00:09:19.679 --> 00:09:21.439 with those very same three words 00:09:21.439 --> 00:09:23.000 of Genesis 1, 00:09:23.059 --> 00:09:23.799 in the beginning. 00:09:23.799 --> 00:09:27.899 But this time, 00:09:27.979 --> 00:09:29.039 the light that shines 00:09:29.039 --> 00:09:29.779 in the darkness 00:09:29.779 --> 00:09:31.199 doesn't just hang in the air, 00:09:31.959 --> 00:09:33.519 but it takes on a body. 00:09:35.159 --> 00:09:36.219 The words of God 00:09:36.219 --> 00:09:37.259 aren't just spoken, 00:09:37.500 --> 00:09:38.979 but they are now personified. 00:09:41.379 --> 00:09:43.299 In the beginning was the Word, 00:09:43.359 --> 00:09:45.079 and the Word was with God, 00:09:45.139 --> 00:09:46.139 and the Word was God. 00:09:46.199 --> 00:09:47.639 He was in the beginning with God. 00:09:49.519 --> 00:09:50.179 And John says, 00:09:50.179 --> 00:09:51.279 in Him was life, 00:09:51.359 --> 00:09:52.219 and that life 00:09:52.219 --> 00:09:53.399 was the light 00:09:53.399 --> 00:09:54.659 of men. 00:09:54.679 --> 00:09:55.439 And the light shines 00:09:55.439 --> 00:09:56.019 in the darkness. 00:09:57.199 --> 00:09:58.219 The light shines 00:09:58.219 --> 00:09:58.879 in the darkness, 00:09:59.019 --> 00:09:59.419 and the darkness 00:09:59.419 --> 00:10:00.319 has not overcome it. 00:10:00.359 --> 00:10:00.899 In the beginning, 00:10:01.259 --> 00:10:02.299 God spoke light 00:10:02.299 --> 00:10:03.139 into the darkness. 00:10:03.299 --> 00:10:03.939 And in the beginning, 00:10:04.759 --> 00:10:05.539 His Word 00:10:05.539 --> 00:10:07.599 shattered the darkness away. 00:10:07.679 --> 00:10:08.979 And now Jesus comes along, 00:10:09.479 --> 00:10:10.139 and He says, 00:10:10.219 --> 00:10:10.779 and I am 00:10:10.779 --> 00:10:11.939 the light. 00:10:14.399 --> 00:10:15.500 The thing we need to see 00:10:15.500 --> 00:10:16.399 from the very beginning 00:10:16.399 --> 00:10:17.179 is that Jesus Christ 00:10:17.179 --> 00:10:19.359 is the guiding light 00:10:19.359 --> 00:10:19.959 of God, 00:10:21.359 --> 00:10:22.979 revealing God's truth 00:10:22.979 --> 00:10:23.719 to God's people. 00:10:23.899 --> 00:10:25.019 He is the miracle 00:10:25.019 --> 00:10:25.899 of light 00:10:25.899 --> 00:10:27.379 made manifest, 00:10:27.519 --> 00:10:28.439 the light embodied. 00:10:29.299 --> 00:10:29.959 He is now 00:10:29.959 --> 00:10:31.459 the personified provision 00:10:31.459 --> 00:10:32.120 of God 00:10:32.120 --> 00:10:33.259 for His people, 00:10:34.239 --> 00:10:35.219 the light to shine 00:10:35.219 --> 00:10:36.679 into our darkened worlds. 00:10:38.199 --> 00:10:39.639 And so what does Jesus 00:10:39.639 --> 00:10:40.739 as the light 00:10:40.739 --> 00:10:41.559 do 00:10:41.559 --> 00:10:42.779 for His people? 00:10:43.639 --> 00:10:44.299 There's a lot 00:10:44.299 --> 00:10:44.919 we could demonstrate 00:10:44.919 --> 00:10:46.699 about what light does. 00:10:47.179 --> 00:10:47.579 Obviously, 00:10:47.739 --> 00:10:48.479 but I want to narrow it down 00:10:48.479 --> 00:10:50.399 to two very simple things 00:10:50.399 --> 00:10:51.419 that light does 00:10:51.419 --> 00:10:52.259 in our lives 00:10:52.259 --> 00:10:53.959 and that Jesus does 00:10:53.959 --> 00:10:55.219 being the ministry of light. 00:10:55.319 --> 00:10:55.559 First, 00:10:55.659 --> 00:10:56.679 the light scatters 00:10:56.679 --> 00:10:57.539 the darkness away. 00:10:58.099 --> 00:10:58.819 Light and darkness 00:10:58.819 --> 00:10:59.819 do not coexist. 00:11:00.120 --> 00:11:01.039 They are not friends. 00:11:01.179 --> 00:11:01.799 They are opposed 00:11:01.799 --> 00:11:02.379 to each other. 00:11:02.639 --> 00:11:03.439 There's either light 00:11:03.439 --> 00:11:03.939 in a room 00:11:03.939 --> 00:11:04.959 or there is darkness. 00:11:07.279 --> 00:11:08.000 At night, 00:11:08.059 --> 00:11:09.559 we only see darkness 00:11:09.559 --> 00:11:10.399 unless a light 00:11:10.399 --> 00:11:11.179 is shining. 00:11:12.559 --> 00:11:13.240 Why is that? 00:11:13.279 --> 00:11:14.240 Because light scatters 00:11:14.240 --> 00:11:15.000 the darkness away. 00:11:15.719 --> 00:11:16.559 And so when God speaks 00:11:16.559 --> 00:11:17.379 into the darkness, 00:11:17.679 --> 00:11:19.779 it moves away. 00:11:19.919 --> 00:11:20.759 Now, here's the way 00:11:20.759 --> 00:11:21.500 to illustrate it. 00:11:21.859 --> 00:11:22.639 My wife and I 00:11:22.639 --> 00:11:23.339 are both from 00:11:23.339 --> 00:11:24.519 South Alabama originally. 00:11:24.719 --> 00:11:25.519 We've lived out of state 00:11:25.519 --> 00:11:26.239 for a number of years 00:11:26.239 --> 00:11:27.439 before we came back 00:11:27.439 --> 00:11:28.839 to this side of Alabama, 00:11:28.959 --> 00:11:29.599 which is not, 00:11:29.659 --> 00:11:30.079 by the way, 00:11:30.199 --> 00:11:30.639 Alabama. 00:11:31.179 --> 00:11:32.919 Huntsville is not Alabama. 00:11:33.099 --> 00:11:34.319 I like it a lot. 00:11:34.799 --> 00:11:35.399 I like it better 00:11:35.399 --> 00:11:35.939 than Alabama 00:11:35.939 --> 00:11:36.599 in some ways. 00:11:36.859 --> 00:11:37.500 It's not Alabama. 00:11:37.959 --> 00:11:39.019 I'm from South Alabama 00:11:39.019 --> 00:11:40.379 and one of the things 00:11:40.379 --> 00:11:40.899 that I... 00:11:40.899 --> 00:11:42.379 We missed a lot 00:11:42.379 --> 00:11:43.039 when we moved. 00:11:43.039 --> 00:11:43.879 So we lived in Utah 00:11:43.879 --> 00:11:44.779 for a couple of years 00:11:44.779 --> 00:11:47.299 before we came back here. 00:11:47.759 --> 00:11:48.719 And there's a lot 00:11:48.719 --> 00:11:49.819 I missed about living 00:11:49.819 --> 00:11:51.019 in the deep South. 00:11:51.279 --> 00:11:52.379 I missed fried okra. 00:11:53.159 --> 00:11:54.819 I missed boiled peanuts. 00:11:55.599 --> 00:11:56.559 I missed sweet tea. 00:11:57.719 --> 00:11:59.000 It's getting to be lunchtime. 00:11:59.719 --> 00:12:01.199 I'm thinking of... 00:12:01.199 --> 00:12:02.099 Okay, there's some other things 00:12:02.099 --> 00:12:03.319 I missed too besides food. 00:12:03.639 --> 00:12:05.139 There's also things 00:12:05.139 --> 00:12:06.199 that I did not miss 00:12:06.199 --> 00:12:07.139 about living in the South 00:12:07.139 --> 00:12:08.079 and I didn't realize this 00:12:08.079 --> 00:12:09.019 until we moved back. 00:12:09.019 --> 00:12:10.120 And one of those things 00:12:10.120 --> 00:12:12.480 came very quickly. 00:12:13.319 --> 00:12:14.679 So we have a little house 00:12:14.679 --> 00:12:15.199 in Madison 00:12:15.199 --> 00:12:16.919 and this back deck 00:12:16.919 --> 00:12:17.740 of our house 00:12:17.740 --> 00:12:18.500 that we like to 00:12:18.500 --> 00:12:19.039 when the weather 00:12:19.039 --> 00:12:19.799 starts getting nicer 00:12:19.799 --> 00:12:20.460 like it is now. 00:12:20.539 --> 00:12:21.939 We have a grill back there 00:12:21.939 --> 00:12:23.500 and we'll cook for the girls 00:12:23.500 --> 00:12:24.439 and sometimes we'll, 00:12:24.500 --> 00:12:24.759 you know, 00:12:24.840 --> 00:12:26.539 have a dinner at the table. 00:12:27.600 --> 00:12:28.360 And one of the things 00:12:28.360 --> 00:12:29.319 that I realized 00:12:29.319 --> 00:12:30.779 that I did not miss 00:12:30.779 --> 00:12:32.000 about living in Alabama 00:12:32.000 --> 00:12:33.039 was what happened 00:12:33.039 --> 00:12:34.299 after we were grilling 00:12:34.299 --> 00:12:34.819 one night 00:12:34.819 --> 00:12:36.960 and we had cooked 00:12:36.960 --> 00:12:38.179 hamburgers or something 00:12:38.179 --> 00:12:39.199 and afterwards 00:12:39.199 --> 00:12:40.399 we put the girls to bed 00:12:40.399 --> 00:12:41.859 and I went back 00:12:41.859 --> 00:12:42.620 to clean up 00:12:42.620 --> 00:12:44.099 from the grilling 00:12:44.099 --> 00:12:44.979 and the picnic 00:12:44.979 --> 00:12:46.059 kind of scene. 00:12:46.939 --> 00:12:48.439 And I turned the lights on 00:12:48.439 --> 00:12:51.500 and you know those cockroaches 00:12:51.500 --> 00:12:52.599 the size of iPhones? 00:12:54.979 --> 00:12:56.199 I did not realize 00:12:56.199 --> 00:12:57.279 how much I did not miss 00:12:57.279 --> 00:12:57.919 those things. 00:12:58.059 --> 00:12:59.719 Those are awfully frightening. 00:12:59.779 --> 00:13:00.399 They're like the size 00:13:00.399 --> 00:13:01.199 of wharf rats. 00:13:01.459 --> 00:13:02.179 And all of a sudden 00:13:02.179 --> 00:13:04.839 my deck was just full of them. 00:13:05.139 --> 00:13:05.979 Do you know how to get rid 00:13:05.979 --> 00:13:06.639 of cockroaches 00:13:06.639 --> 00:13:07.799 besides paying a company? 00:13:07.799 --> 00:13:08.559 There are good companies 00:13:08.559 --> 00:13:09.139 that will do it. 00:13:09.199 --> 00:13:09.799 Maybe some of you 00:13:09.799 --> 00:13:10.479 are in that line of work. 00:13:10.519 --> 00:13:11.439 But besides doing that, 00:13:11.639 --> 00:13:12.659 one very simple way 00:13:12.659 --> 00:13:13.459 that you can get rid 00:13:13.459 --> 00:13:14.179 of cockroaches 00:13:14.179 --> 00:13:15.039 from your back deck 00:13:15.039 --> 00:13:15.679 is this. 00:13:15.919 --> 00:13:17.039 You turn on the lights. 00:13:18.120 --> 00:13:18.419 Right? 00:13:18.699 --> 00:13:19.439 That's how it works. 00:13:19.579 --> 00:13:20.319 You turn on the lights 00:13:20.319 --> 00:13:21.599 and the cockroaches flee. 00:13:22.039 --> 00:13:22.819 Here's what's interesting. 00:13:23.479 --> 00:13:24.699 Jesus says in another place 00:13:24.699 --> 00:13:25.579 in John's Gospel, 00:13:27.000 --> 00:13:27.399 He says, 00:13:28.279 --> 00:13:29.500 light has come into the world 00:13:29.500 --> 00:13:31.219 but men loved darkness 00:13:31.219 --> 00:13:32.159 rather than light 00:13:32.159 --> 00:13:34.620 because their deeds 00:13:34.620 --> 00:13:35.079 were evil. 00:13:35.080 --> 00:13:35.940 He says, 00:13:35.940 --> 00:13:37.040 everyone who does evil 00:13:37.040 --> 00:13:37.800 hates the light 00:13:37.800 --> 00:13:39.100 and will not come into the light 00:13:39.100 --> 00:13:40.400 for fear that his deeds 00:13:40.400 --> 00:13:41.040 will be exposed. 00:13:41.160 --> 00:13:42.320 Do you know what Jesus is saying? 00:13:42.639 --> 00:13:45.280 He's saying that we are like cockroaches 00:13:45.280 --> 00:13:47.759 who hate the presence of the light. 00:13:49.300 --> 00:13:50.720 When the light comes on, 00:13:50.840 --> 00:13:52.340 we want to scatter 00:13:52.340 --> 00:13:54.360 and run back into the darkness. 00:13:56.440 --> 00:13:58.360 We fear exposure. 00:13:58.660 --> 00:13:59.379 We are comfortable 00:13:59.379 --> 00:14:00.440 in the shadows 00:14:00.440 --> 00:14:01.280 and hiding. 00:14:01.279 --> 00:14:03.659 We don't want to be known. 00:14:05.659 --> 00:14:06.879 And the light of the gospel, 00:14:07.019 --> 00:14:08.379 the ministry of the light of Jesus 00:14:08.379 --> 00:14:09.860 is that he shines the light 00:14:09.860 --> 00:14:10.980 into the dark places 00:14:10.980 --> 00:14:12.360 of our lives 00:14:12.360 --> 00:14:14.379 where we do not want him to work. 00:14:16.839 --> 00:14:18.100 And he wants to scatter 00:14:18.100 --> 00:14:19.019 the darkness away. 00:14:19.879 --> 00:14:20.919 This happens in two senses. 00:14:21.600 --> 00:14:23.019 One, this is the condition 00:14:23.019 --> 00:14:23.959 of our hearts 00:14:23.959 --> 00:14:25.639 before the salvation. 00:14:26.819 --> 00:14:28.220 Our hearts are that 00:14:28.220 --> 00:14:30.459 post-tornado darkness. 00:14:31.279 --> 00:14:33.860 As we are lost 00:14:33.860 --> 00:14:34.639 in the bondage 00:14:34.639 --> 00:14:35.600 of our own sin, 00:14:36.720 --> 00:14:37.799 where we are 00:14:37.799 --> 00:14:39.559 in our rebellion, 00:14:39.779 --> 00:14:40.620 where we are bent 00:14:40.620 --> 00:14:41.759 against God, 00:14:42.299 --> 00:14:43.539 want nothing to do with him, 00:14:43.600 --> 00:14:44.339 that is the darkness 00:14:44.339 --> 00:14:45.459 that exists within our hearts. 00:14:45.539 --> 00:14:46.039 And so what the light 00:14:46.039 --> 00:14:46.639 of the gospel does 00:14:46.639 --> 00:14:47.679 is it shines in 00:14:47.679 --> 00:14:48.679 to that darkness, 00:14:49.120 --> 00:14:50.039 revealing the truth 00:14:50.039 --> 00:14:50.600 of the gospel, 00:14:50.799 --> 00:14:52.000 scattering the darkness away. 00:14:53.639 --> 00:14:54.539 But it's what Jesus 00:14:54.539 --> 00:14:55.620 continues to do 00:14:55.620 --> 00:14:56.139 in the process 00:14:56.139 --> 00:14:57.360 we call sanctification. 00:14:57.519 --> 00:14:58.419 So not only in salvation, 00:14:58.559 --> 00:14:59.839 but also in sanctification. 00:14:59.840 --> 00:15:00.800 And this is what 00:15:00.800 --> 00:15:01.720 makes us uncomfortable. 00:15:03.259 --> 00:15:04.620 Because it sounds great 00:15:04.620 --> 00:15:05.480 for Jesus to shine 00:15:05.480 --> 00:15:06.320 the light of the gospel 00:15:06.320 --> 00:15:07.060 into our hearts 00:15:07.060 --> 00:15:08.120 initially to scatter 00:15:08.120 --> 00:15:09.040 the darkness away, 00:15:09.180 --> 00:15:10.040 but that's where we want 00:15:10.040 --> 00:15:10.879 him to stop. 00:15:12.780 --> 00:15:13.759 But he doesn't. 00:15:15.200 --> 00:15:16.120 Because the ministry 00:15:16.120 --> 00:15:16.540 of the light 00:15:16.540 --> 00:15:17.100 is to scatter 00:15:17.100 --> 00:15:17.879 the darkness away 00:15:17.879 --> 00:15:19.300 over and over 00:15:19.300 --> 00:15:20.780 and over and over again 00:15:20.780 --> 00:15:21.899 because he's not comfortable 00:15:21.899 --> 00:15:22.620 with us hiding. 00:15:24.440 --> 00:15:25.519 If you have a teenager, 00:15:25.639 --> 00:15:26.480 you know what this is like 00:15:26.480 --> 00:15:27.600 when you flick the light on 00:15:27.600 --> 00:15:28.379 early in the morning 00:15:28.379 --> 00:15:30.379 and they just start screaming 00:15:30.379 --> 00:15:31.439 and put the covers 00:15:31.439 --> 00:15:32.039 over their head 00:15:32.039 --> 00:15:32.820 because the light 00:15:32.820 --> 00:15:33.939 is just too bright 00:15:33.939 --> 00:15:35.379 for them early in the morning, 00:15:35.480 --> 00:15:36.500 we are comfortable. 00:15:38.240 --> 00:15:39.139 We are comfortable 00:15:39.139 --> 00:15:40.080 living in the shadows. 00:15:40.299 --> 00:15:40.840 And so maybe, 00:15:41.480 --> 00:15:44.720 maybe you're hiding now. 00:15:46.720 --> 00:15:49.379 You are fearing exposure 00:15:49.379 --> 00:15:50.299 in your lives. 00:15:50.340 --> 00:15:51.580 And we are very creative 00:15:51.580 --> 00:15:52.639 about the way we hide. 00:15:52.980 --> 00:15:53.460 We are. 00:15:54.720 --> 00:15:55.919 We're very creative. 00:15:55.919 --> 00:15:56.959 Even on Sunday mornings, 00:15:57.039 --> 00:15:57.759 you look very nice, 00:15:57.799 --> 00:15:58.199 by the way. 00:15:58.279 --> 00:15:59.059 Everyone looks good. 00:15:59.139 --> 00:16:00.500 I wore a suit for you. 00:16:01.079 --> 00:16:02.399 We look like we have 00:16:02.399 --> 00:16:03.779 our act together today. 00:16:05.059 --> 00:16:06.240 We can shake hands 00:16:06.240 --> 00:16:06.939 after the service. 00:16:07.019 --> 00:16:07.519 How was your week? 00:16:07.639 --> 00:16:08.000 Great. 00:16:08.159 --> 00:16:08.679 How was yours? 00:16:08.839 --> 00:16:09.519 Very good. 00:16:09.659 --> 00:16:10.279 Very good. 00:16:10.419 --> 00:16:10.799 Good. 00:16:11.019 --> 00:16:11.299 Good. 00:16:11.479 --> 00:16:12.219 Have a good week. 00:16:12.519 --> 00:16:13.379 And that's as far 00:16:13.379 --> 00:16:14.240 as we want to go with people 00:16:14.240 --> 00:16:15.559 because we don't want people 00:16:15.559 --> 00:16:17.019 to know what's really going on. 00:16:17.059 --> 00:16:17.899 The things that we are 00:16:17.899 --> 00:16:18.979 deathly afraid of. 00:16:20.860 --> 00:16:22.740 The issues that keep us up 00:16:22.740 --> 00:16:23.099 at night. 00:16:23.299 --> 00:16:24.899 The sins that we are hiding 00:16:24.899 --> 00:16:26.579 that we, if someone found out 00:16:26.579 --> 00:16:28.079 about death, we feel that 00:16:28.079 --> 00:16:28.980 we would be undone, 00:16:29.399 --> 00:16:30.600 we want to hide. 00:16:31.899 --> 00:16:33.199 It's the same sin 00:16:33.199 --> 00:16:34.340 from the very beginning. 00:16:34.500 --> 00:16:35.459 After the first sin 00:16:35.459 --> 00:16:36.399 in Genesis 3, 00:16:36.539 --> 00:16:37.899 what did Adam and Eve do? 00:16:38.399 --> 00:16:39.939 They jumped behind the bushes 00:16:39.939 --> 00:16:42.720 for fear of being exposed. 00:16:44.559 --> 00:16:45.220 And so the first thing 00:16:45.220 --> 00:16:45.840 we have to see 00:16:45.840 --> 00:16:46.759 that the light does 00:16:46.759 --> 00:16:47.699 is it scatters 00:16:47.699 --> 00:16:48.419 the darkness away 00:16:48.419 --> 00:16:48.840 and it's something 00:16:48.840 --> 00:16:50.419 that he is very committed to. 00:16:50.419 --> 00:16:54.679 Jesus wants to shine 00:16:54.679 --> 00:16:55.079 the light 00:16:55.079 --> 00:16:56.639 into our darkened stories 00:16:56.639 --> 00:16:57.439 in order for us 00:16:57.439 --> 00:16:59.779 to not just be exposed 00:16:59.779 --> 00:17:00.819 but in order for us 00:17:00.819 --> 00:17:01.579 to be healed. 00:17:02.479 --> 00:17:03.699 Because there is no healing 00:17:03.699 --> 00:17:04.339 in the shadows. 00:17:06.500 --> 00:17:07.460 Jesus shines the light 00:17:07.460 --> 00:17:07.960 of the gospel 00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:08.920 into the darkest places 00:17:08.920 --> 00:17:09.559 of our lives 00:17:09.559 --> 00:17:10.859 so that we will be freed 00:17:10.859 --> 00:17:12.139 from the bondage, 00:17:12.379 --> 00:17:13.680 loved and accepted 00:17:13.680 --> 00:17:15.539 and experience his grace 00:17:15.539 --> 00:17:16.779 and his mercy. 00:17:16.779 --> 00:17:19.720 that we will be happy 00:17:19.720 --> 00:17:20.359 and healthy. 00:17:22.039 --> 00:17:22.839 And so he wants us 00:17:22.839 --> 00:17:23.539 to be exposed 00:17:23.539 --> 00:17:24.779 in order to be healed. 00:17:24.920 --> 00:17:25.879 And so the second thing 00:17:25.879 --> 00:17:26.539 that the light does, 00:17:26.619 --> 00:17:28.180 it scatters the darkness away 00:17:28.180 --> 00:17:29.799 but also the light 00:17:29.799 --> 00:17:30.740 reveals a path. 00:17:32.799 --> 00:17:33.899 Parents of young children 00:17:33.899 --> 00:17:34.819 know this to be true 00:17:34.819 --> 00:17:35.680 more than anyone else. 00:17:35.759 --> 00:17:36.519 I experienced it 00:17:36.519 --> 00:17:37.259 just this week. 00:17:38.220 --> 00:17:38.619 You know, 00:17:38.660 --> 00:17:39.420 the middle of the night, 00:17:40.420 --> 00:17:41.559 like 3 a.m. 00:17:41.559 --> 00:17:42.680 when that scream comes 00:17:42.680 --> 00:17:43.359 from the bedroom 00:17:43.359 --> 00:17:45.119 and you take off 00:17:45.119 --> 00:17:45.940 across the house 00:17:45.940 --> 00:17:46.420 to figure out 00:17:46.420 --> 00:17:47.060 what's going on 00:17:47.060 --> 00:17:48.019 with one of your kids 00:17:48.019 --> 00:17:50.800 and then that Lego. 00:17:53.380 --> 00:17:54.220 Y'all are there. 00:17:54.720 --> 00:17:55.300 You know it. 00:17:55.720 --> 00:17:57.200 Or the torturous 00:17:57.200 --> 00:17:58.100 hardened head 00:17:58.100 --> 00:17:59.580 of that Barbie doll 00:17:59.580 --> 00:18:01.600 and you step on it. 00:18:03.240 --> 00:18:04.300 It's very simple. 00:18:04.500 --> 00:18:05.060 I don't do 00:18:05.060 --> 00:18:05.960 very good illustrations. 00:18:06.140 --> 00:18:06.779 My illustrations 00:18:06.779 --> 00:18:07.580 are very simple. 00:18:07.840 --> 00:18:08.600 What do we need to do? 00:18:08.680 --> 00:18:09.480 You turn on the light 00:18:09.480 --> 00:18:10.400 to see the path 00:18:10.400 --> 00:18:11.060 to walk through. 00:18:11.140 --> 00:18:12.000 That's what light does 00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:12.620 is it gives us 00:18:12.620 --> 00:18:13.320 a healthy path 00:18:13.320 --> 00:18:13.920 to walk in. 00:18:14.200 --> 00:18:15.100 Here's the second thing 00:18:15.099 --> 00:18:15.959 that the light 00:18:15.959 --> 00:18:16.559 of the gospel 00:18:16.559 --> 00:18:17.279 does for us 00:18:17.279 --> 00:18:18.500 is it shows us 00:18:18.500 --> 00:18:19.439 where to move. 00:18:21.259 --> 00:18:22.139 When Jesus says, 00:18:22.339 --> 00:18:22.819 I am the light 00:18:22.819 --> 00:18:23.399 of the world, 00:18:23.519 --> 00:18:24.759 He is shining a light 00:18:24.759 --> 00:18:26.399 into the dark places 00:18:26.399 --> 00:18:27.459 so that the truth 00:18:27.459 --> 00:18:28.079 of God 00:18:28.079 --> 00:18:29.199 will radiate 00:18:29.199 --> 00:18:30.619 in the midst of it. 00:18:31.740 --> 00:18:32.539 You may feel 00:18:32.539 --> 00:18:33.480 that you're in a dark 00:18:33.480 --> 00:18:34.699 and directionless place 00:18:34.699 --> 00:18:35.240 right now 00:18:35.240 --> 00:18:36.419 in your own home 00:18:36.419 --> 00:18:37.519 or in your life. 00:18:38.619 --> 00:18:39.359 You're unsure 00:18:39.359 --> 00:18:40.119 about the future. 00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:41.219 Maybe something's going on 00:18:41.219 --> 00:18:41.919 in your career 00:18:41.919 --> 00:18:42.559 or in your job. 00:18:42.559 --> 00:18:43.500 You don't quite know 00:18:43.500 --> 00:18:44.200 where to go. 00:18:44.299 --> 00:18:44.700 This is something 00:18:44.700 --> 00:18:45.720 we deal with regularly 00:18:45.720 --> 00:18:46.659 with our students, 00:18:48.159 --> 00:18:50.339 especially our seniors. 00:18:50.700 --> 00:18:52.500 We have a senior dinner 00:18:52.500 --> 00:18:52.980 tonight 00:18:52.980 --> 00:18:54.919 and many of them 00:18:54.919 --> 00:18:55.759 are still jobless. 00:18:56.200 --> 00:18:56.819 Graduation's here 00:18:56.819 --> 00:18:57.679 in a week and a half, 00:18:57.859 --> 00:18:58.619 two weeks from today, 00:18:58.659 --> 00:18:58.960 I think. 00:18:59.720 --> 00:19:00.319 They're jobless. 00:19:00.399 --> 00:19:00.759 They don't know 00:19:00.759 --> 00:19:01.240 what's ahead. 00:19:01.359 --> 00:19:02.319 There's a lot of pressure 00:19:02.319 --> 00:19:03.139 on college students 00:19:03.139 --> 00:19:04.200 to get it figured out. 00:19:04.259 --> 00:19:05.019 Even your freshman year, 00:19:05.059 --> 00:19:05.440 you've got to get 00:19:05.440 --> 00:19:06.399 your major down. 00:19:06.659 --> 00:19:07.099 You've got to get 00:19:07.099 --> 00:19:08.259 that co-op lined up 00:19:08.259 --> 00:19:08.980 so that you will have 00:19:08.980 --> 00:19:10.399 the career of your dreams 00:19:10.399 --> 00:19:11.220 at age 22 00:19:11.220 --> 00:19:12.319 and you better have 00:19:12.319 --> 00:19:13.620 your family life 00:19:13.620 --> 00:19:14.420 planned out then too. 00:19:14.519 --> 00:19:15.259 If you don't meet 00:19:15.259 --> 00:19:16.480 your mate by your senior year, 00:19:16.539 --> 00:19:17.160 you're doomed. 00:19:17.720 --> 00:19:18.600 That's not true. 00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:19.620 That's just the idea 00:19:19.620 --> 00:19:20.259 that our culture 00:19:20.259 --> 00:19:21.120 keeps telling our… 00:19:21.120 --> 00:19:22.420 It's not true, students. 00:19:23.799 --> 00:19:24.779 There's this pressure 00:19:24.779 --> 00:19:25.220 that we feel 00:19:25.220 --> 00:19:25.700 we have to have 00:19:25.700 --> 00:19:26.839 it all figured out 00:19:26.839 --> 00:19:27.420 and some of you 00:19:27.420 --> 00:19:28.519 may be there even now 00:19:28.519 --> 00:19:29.319 feeling the pressure. 00:19:31.259 --> 00:19:32.059 We need to know 00:19:32.059 --> 00:19:33.079 that the light 00:19:33.079 --> 00:19:33.700 of the gospel 00:19:33.700 --> 00:19:34.500 is shining 00:19:34.500 --> 00:19:36.759 the path of God 00:19:36.759 --> 00:19:37.700 for our lives, 00:19:38.779 --> 00:19:40.019 that He leads us, 00:19:40.019 --> 00:19:41.680 He cares for us, 00:19:41.720 --> 00:19:42.220 He leads us 00:19:42.220 --> 00:19:43.059 through His Word, 00:19:44.339 --> 00:19:44.920 He leads us 00:19:44.920 --> 00:19:45.740 through His Spirit, 00:19:45.900 --> 00:19:46.559 and He leads us 00:19:46.559 --> 00:19:47.440 through His church. 00:19:50.740 --> 00:19:51.819 Even as a church, 00:19:51.920 --> 00:19:53.119 maybe you feel there now. 00:19:54.460 --> 00:19:55.220 I enjoy talking 00:19:55.220 --> 00:19:56.079 with different members 00:19:56.079 --> 00:19:57.599 of your search committee 00:19:57.599 --> 00:19:58.299 recently 00:19:58.299 --> 00:19:59.420 and just hearing 00:19:59.420 --> 00:20:00.980 of how the process 00:20:00.980 --> 00:20:01.639 is going. 00:20:02.879 --> 00:20:03.619 You've got a great 00:20:03.619 --> 00:20:04.279 search committee 00:20:04.279 --> 00:20:05.220 put in place, 00:20:05.299 --> 00:20:06.099 but even as a church, 00:20:06.180 --> 00:20:07.019 maybe you're wondering 00:20:07.019 --> 00:20:07.920 what is the future. 00:20:07.920 --> 00:20:10.700 You need to know 00:20:10.700 --> 00:20:11.900 that just as the 00:20:11.900 --> 00:20:13.060 cloud by day 00:20:13.060 --> 00:20:13.860 and the fire by night 00:20:13.860 --> 00:20:15.240 was a continual reminder 00:20:15.240 --> 00:20:16.180 of God's people 00:20:16.180 --> 00:20:17.000 that He was with them, 00:20:17.060 --> 00:20:18.039 that He was leading them 00:20:18.039 --> 00:20:19.259 and guiding them 00:20:19.259 --> 00:20:20.600 and protecting them, 00:20:20.900 --> 00:20:21.220 Jesus, 00:20:21.700 --> 00:20:22.680 as the light of the gospel, 00:20:22.759 --> 00:20:23.960 is the continual reminder 00:20:23.960 --> 00:20:25.000 that we can look to 00:20:25.000 --> 00:20:25.940 to see that Jesus 00:20:25.940 --> 00:20:27.000 is with us, 00:20:28.160 --> 00:20:29.120 that He cares 00:20:29.120 --> 00:20:30.180 more than we do 00:20:30.180 --> 00:20:30.980 about the future 00:20:30.980 --> 00:20:31.779 of this church 00:20:31.779 --> 00:20:33.100 and of your family, 00:20:33.940 --> 00:20:35.200 of your children. 00:20:35.200 --> 00:20:36.400 Jesus cares 00:20:36.400 --> 00:20:37.220 and He is leading 00:20:37.220 --> 00:20:38.059 and He is guiding 00:20:38.059 --> 00:20:39.160 and He is protecting. 00:20:40.519 --> 00:20:41.500 One scholar 00:20:41.500 --> 00:20:42.500 named Hendrickson 00:20:42.500 --> 00:20:43.539 who I love to read a lot 00:20:43.539 --> 00:20:44.620 on New Testament works, 00:20:44.740 --> 00:20:46.460 he says on this passage, 00:20:46.580 --> 00:20:46.799 he said, 00:20:46.920 --> 00:20:47.640 to the ignorant, 00:20:48.240 --> 00:20:49.620 Jesus proclaims wisdom. 00:20:50.700 --> 00:20:51.819 To the impure, 00:20:51.940 --> 00:20:53.000 He proclaims holiness. 00:20:54.180 --> 00:20:55.500 To those in sadness, 00:20:55.660 --> 00:20:56.960 He proclaims gladness. 00:20:57.559 --> 00:20:58.420 We could expand 00:20:58.420 --> 00:20:59.240 on this too, right? 00:20:59.360 --> 00:21:00.580 To those in despair, 00:21:00.940 --> 00:21:02.319 Jesus proclaims hope. 00:21:02.319 --> 00:21:04.639 To the lonely, 00:21:04.879 --> 00:21:06.339 He proclaims the presence 00:21:06.339 --> 00:21:07.419 and the love of God. 00:21:07.599 --> 00:21:08.480 To the broken, 00:21:08.659 --> 00:21:09.679 He brings healing. 00:21:09.799 --> 00:21:10.559 To the fearful, 00:21:11.659 --> 00:21:12.919 He brings comfort. 00:21:14.460 --> 00:21:15.700 This is the ministry 00:21:15.700 --> 00:21:16.379 of the light. 00:21:18.119 --> 00:21:19.700 Bringing hope and holiness, 00:21:20.500 --> 00:21:21.639 life and godliness, 00:21:22.480 --> 00:21:23.700 joy and meaning 00:21:23.700 --> 00:21:24.539 and purpose 00:21:24.539 --> 00:21:25.559 and the very presence 00:21:25.559 --> 00:21:26.059 of God 00:21:26.059 --> 00:21:26.919 into the darkness. 00:21:29.559 --> 00:21:30.720 And many of you know 00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:31.819 that it is in the darkness 00:21:31.819 --> 00:21:32.759 that the light shines 00:21:32.759 --> 00:21:33.579 most bright. 00:21:36.700 --> 00:21:37.439 And some of you 00:21:37.439 --> 00:21:38.939 are sitting in that darkness now 00:21:38.939 --> 00:21:41.319 and that is where 00:21:41.319 --> 00:21:42.240 the light of the gospel 00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:43.539 will begin to glow. 00:21:45.480 --> 00:21:46.539 It's like riding 00:21:46.539 --> 00:21:48.460 in the back country roads 00:21:48.460 --> 00:21:49.220 late at night. 00:21:49.659 --> 00:21:50.579 You see the stars 00:21:50.579 --> 00:21:51.399 like never before. 00:21:51.539 --> 00:21:52.240 Some of you are there 00:21:52.240 --> 00:21:52.779 even now 00:21:52.779 --> 00:21:53.220 and that's where 00:21:53.220 --> 00:21:53.939 the light of the gospel 00:21:53.939 --> 00:21:55.559 will shine most bright. 00:21:58.659 --> 00:21:59.659 This is what Jesus 00:21:59.659 --> 00:22:00.559 is committed to. 00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:01.779 This is His mission. 00:22:02.579 --> 00:22:03.559 It's really interesting to me 00:22:03.559 --> 00:22:04.319 where this passage 00:22:04.319 --> 00:22:06.339 is stuck in John's gospel. 00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:07.359 I was just reading 00:22:07.359 --> 00:22:08.179 through this yesterday 00:22:08.179 --> 00:22:08.919 and it struck me 00:22:08.919 --> 00:22:10.720 that right before this passage, 00:22:11.099 --> 00:22:12.240 right before Jesus says, 00:22:12.379 --> 00:22:13.259 I am the light of the world, 00:22:13.440 --> 00:22:15.200 He turns to an adulterous, 00:22:15.460 --> 00:22:16.240 sinful woman 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:16.940 who is about to be 00:22:16.940 --> 00:22:17.819 stoned to death. 00:22:17.899 --> 00:22:18.500 That's the passage 00:22:18.500 --> 00:22:19.659 just before this. 00:22:21.119 --> 00:22:22.179 And He looks at her 00:22:22.179 --> 00:22:23.779 and He says, 00:22:23.899 --> 00:22:25.059 I do not condemn you. 00:22:25.779 --> 00:22:27.000 Go and sin no more. 00:22:28.000 --> 00:22:28.960 And then just after 00:22:28.960 --> 00:22:29.680 this passage 00:22:29.680 --> 00:22:31.380 is when Jesus heals 00:22:31.380 --> 00:22:32.720 the man born blind. 00:22:32.819 --> 00:22:33.940 Do you remember this story 00:22:33.940 --> 00:22:35.539 where this young man 00:22:35.539 --> 00:22:36.220 was blind 00:22:36.220 --> 00:22:37.140 and the Pharisees 00:22:37.140 --> 00:22:38.180 were trying to trick Jesus 00:22:38.180 --> 00:22:39.279 and they were asking Him, 00:22:39.380 --> 00:22:40.119 why is He blind? 00:22:40.220 --> 00:22:41.819 Is it because of His sin 00:22:41.819 --> 00:22:42.779 or the sin of His parents? 00:22:42.980 --> 00:22:44.000 And Jesus says, 00:22:44.119 --> 00:22:44.400 neither. 00:22:45.200 --> 00:22:46.700 You're wrong on both accounts. 00:22:47.079 --> 00:22:47.799 I'll tell you why 00:22:47.799 --> 00:22:48.559 this man was born blind 00:22:48.559 --> 00:22:49.559 so that the works of God 00:22:49.559 --> 00:22:50.819 may be made manifest 00:22:50.819 --> 00:22:51.779 in His life. 00:22:51.880 --> 00:22:53.299 And Jesus heals him 00:22:53.299 --> 00:22:55.059 through this incredible miracle 00:22:55.059 --> 00:22:56.099 in the way He heals him. 00:22:56.099 --> 00:22:57.779 And for the first time, 00:22:58.139 --> 00:22:59.559 this man sees light. 00:22:59.659 --> 00:23:00.740 And Jesus looks at him 00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:01.439 and He says, 00:23:01.559 --> 00:23:02.359 do you see me? 00:23:02.519 --> 00:23:03.980 I am the light of the world. 00:23:04.419 --> 00:23:05.359 Here's what's interesting. 00:23:05.519 --> 00:23:06.919 Book ended on this 00:23:06.919 --> 00:23:08.459 John chapter 8 revelation 00:23:08.459 --> 00:23:09.139 of Jesus saying, 00:23:09.240 --> 00:23:10.000 I am the light of the world 00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:11.179 is a woman forgiven 00:23:11.179 --> 00:23:12.179 of her sins 00:23:12.179 --> 00:23:14.039 and a man healed 00:23:14.039 --> 00:23:15.319 of his blindness. 00:23:16.379 --> 00:23:17.939 The mission of the light 00:23:17.939 --> 00:23:18.919 of Jesus 00:23:18.919 --> 00:23:22.159 is that He is uninterested 00:23:22.159 --> 00:23:23.639 in leaving us in our sins. 00:23:23.640 --> 00:23:26.320 and what He is committed to 00:23:26.320 --> 00:23:28.259 is giving us sight. 00:23:30.200 --> 00:23:31.620 And He will not stop 00:23:31.620 --> 00:23:32.460 until that happens. 00:23:32.580 --> 00:23:33.400 How does Jesus 00:23:33.400 --> 00:23:34.660 do those two things? 00:23:34.700 --> 00:23:35.360 Very briefly, 00:23:35.420 --> 00:23:36.040 and I want to end 00:23:36.040 --> 00:23:37.080 with this picture. 00:23:37.540 --> 00:23:38.259 How does the light 00:23:38.259 --> 00:23:39.300 accomplish His mission? 00:23:39.460 --> 00:23:40.160 By entering 00:23:40.160 --> 00:23:41.020 into the darkness. 00:23:42.420 --> 00:23:43.500 And I don't just mean 00:23:43.500 --> 00:23:44.360 into the world. 00:23:44.600 --> 00:23:45.780 It's true that the incarnation 00:23:45.780 --> 00:23:46.980 is Jesus leaving 00:23:46.980 --> 00:23:48.140 the comforts of heaven 00:23:48.140 --> 00:23:49.400 and entering into 00:23:49.400 --> 00:23:50.520 the darkness of the earth. 00:23:50.580 --> 00:23:51.400 That is very true 00:23:51.400 --> 00:23:53.280 and that's how He identifies 00:23:53.280 --> 00:23:54.780 with us in our own sin 00:23:54.780 --> 00:23:55.480 and our own struggle. 00:23:55.580 --> 00:23:56.560 He enters into the darkness. 00:23:57.980 --> 00:23:58.980 But remember that we said 00:23:58.980 --> 00:23:59.960 that the light of God 00:23:59.960 --> 00:24:01.100 in the Old Testament 00:24:01.100 --> 00:24:02.560 meant the presence of God 00:24:02.560 --> 00:24:04.160 and the guidance of God 00:24:04.160 --> 00:24:04.720 for His people? 00:24:05.480 --> 00:24:06.700 It's the same today, 00:24:06.840 --> 00:24:07.780 but we've got to see 00:24:07.780 --> 00:24:08.740 that the light went out 00:24:08.740 --> 00:24:09.320 for a moment. 00:24:11.660 --> 00:24:13.080 The light had to actually 00:24:13.080 --> 00:24:14.040 go out for the moment 00:24:14.040 --> 00:24:15.600 in order for us 00:24:15.600 --> 00:24:16.420 to know the light 00:24:16.420 --> 00:24:17.519 of the world 00:24:17.519 --> 00:24:18.400 in our own lives. 00:24:18.440 --> 00:24:19.160 And here's what I mean. 00:24:19.160 --> 00:24:22.660 Do you remember the scene? 00:24:24.440 --> 00:24:25.720 The scene on the day 00:24:25.720 --> 00:24:26.740 that the light went out 00:24:26.740 --> 00:24:29.759 when Jesus hung on the cross 00:24:29.759 --> 00:24:32.740 and the darkness came over 00:24:32.740 --> 00:24:33.759 the face of the earth. 00:24:35.900 --> 00:24:36.820 There's a moment 00:24:36.820 --> 00:24:38.920 where this post-tornado darkness 00:24:38.920 --> 00:24:40.700 covered the face of the earth 00:24:40.700 --> 00:24:41.420 once again. 00:24:42.440 --> 00:24:43.900 And it was at this moment 00:24:43.900 --> 00:24:46.220 that Jesus somehow 00:24:46.220 --> 00:24:47.320 lost the presence 00:24:47.320 --> 00:24:48.460 of the Father for a time. 00:24:48.460 --> 00:24:49.579 I don't know 00:24:49.579 --> 00:24:50.120 what all that means. 00:24:50.200 --> 00:24:51.019 I went to seminary. 00:24:51.100 --> 00:24:51.940 I studied stuff. 00:24:51.980 --> 00:24:52.700 I don't get it. 00:24:54.799 --> 00:24:56.140 But I know that the light 00:24:56.140 --> 00:24:57.120 went out for a moment. 00:25:01.120 --> 00:25:02.180 The only way 00:25:02.180 --> 00:25:04.400 that we will ever see 00:25:04.400 --> 00:25:05.440 a glimmer of light 00:25:05.440 --> 00:25:06.180 in our darkness 00:25:06.180 --> 00:25:08.900 is to see that Jesus, 00:25:09.120 --> 00:25:09.680 the light, 00:25:10.019 --> 00:25:11.779 took on the full extent 00:25:11.779 --> 00:25:12.460 of our darkness 00:25:12.460 --> 00:25:14.380 when He took on the cross. 00:25:14.380 --> 00:25:18.540 that He went into the darkness 00:25:18.540 --> 00:25:20.840 so that we could be delivered 00:25:20.840 --> 00:25:21.500 from it. 00:25:22.620 --> 00:25:24.160 That the presence of the Father 00:25:24.160 --> 00:25:25.480 left Jesus for a time 00:25:25.480 --> 00:25:26.640 so that we would know 00:25:26.640 --> 00:25:27.860 the abiding presence 00:25:27.860 --> 00:25:29.120 of the Father 00:25:29.120 --> 00:25:30.140 for all of eternity. 00:25:32.760 --> 00:25:34.600 And this is why Jesus can promise, 00:25:34.840 --> 00:25:35.920 I am the light of the world. 00:25:36.040 --> 00:25:37.160 Whoever follows me 00:25:37.160 --> 00:25:39.260 will never walk in darkness, 00:25:39.259 --> 00:25:41.839 but will have the light of life. 00:25:43.859 --> 00:25:45.039 So do you believe Him? 00:25:48.319 --> 00:25:50.220 If you've been looking for light 00:25:50.220 --> 00:25:51.420 to fill your darkness, 00:25:51.660 --> 00:25:52.480 and we have, 00:25:52.740 --> 00:25:53.879 look no further 00:25:53.879 --> 00:25:56.400 than the light 00:25:56.400 --> 00:25:57.319 that Jesus offers. 00:25:57.819 --> 00:25:58.940 If you're a Christian 00:25:58.940 --> 00:26:00.039 and you're in hiding, 00:26:01.220 --> 00:26:02.220 hide no more. 00:26:02.220 --> 00:26:04.680 If you're unclear 00:26:04.680 --> 00:26:05.400 about where to go 00:26:05.400 --> 00:26:05.980 in your life, 00:26:06.079 --> 00:26:06.839 look to the light, 00:26:07.240 --> 00:26:08.660 the guiding light of God 00:26:08.660 --> 00:26:09.559 to lead you. 00:26:09.740 --> 00:26:10.940 And maybe for some of you, 00:26:10.980 --> 00:26:12.640 you've never experienced 00:26:12.640 --> 00:26:13.640 the healing power 00:26:13.640 --> 00:26:14.120 of the gospel 00:26:14.120 --> 00:26:15.059 for the first time. 00:26:16.420 --> 00:26:17.839 You've always seen Jesus 00:26:17.839 --> 00:26:18.299 as someone 00:26:18.299 --> 00:26:19.980 who's just kind of against you. 00:26:21.380 --> 00:26:22.579 I want you to hear 00:26:22.579 --> 00:26:24.279 that the light of the world 00:26:24.279 --> 00:26:25.960 promises to heal 00:26:25.960 --> 00:26:29.720 your brokenheartedness. 00:26:30.160 --> 00:26:31.839 He promises to save you 00:26:31.839 --> 00:26:32.859 from the darkness 00:26:32.859 --> 00:26:35.500 that you find yourself in. 00:26:35.799 --> 00:26:36.919 Trust in the light 00:26:36.919 --> 00:26:37.599 of the gospel 00:26:37.599 --> 00:26:39.720 for your own salvation. 00:26:42.299 --> 00:26:44.019 Some of you may be thinking 00:26:44.019 --> 00:26:45.459 that you're hiding even now 00:26:45.459 --> 00:26:47.299 and you found creative ways 00:26:47.299 --> 00:26:47.879 to do it. 00:26:49.359 --> 00:26:50.199 You need to remember 00:26:50.199 --> 00:26:51.919 that sometimes 00:26:51.919 --> 00:26:53.279 we have to be exposed 00:26:53.279 --> 00:26:54.559 in order to be healed. 00:26:54.639 --> 00:26:55.599 We have to be brought out 00:26:55.599 --> 00:26:56.659 from behind the bushes 00:26:56.659 --> 00:26:57.359 in order to be 00:26:57.359 --> 00:26:57.879 in the presence 00:26:57.879 --> 00:26:59.019 of the Father once again. 00:27:01.839 --> 00:27:03.099 Maybe you're confused. 00:27:03.679 --> 00:27:04.439 You're hurting. 00:27:05.500 --> 00:27:06.679 You're directionless. 00:27:09.980 --> 00:27:11.500 The light of the comforting 00:27:11.500 --> 00:27:12.819 presence of God 00:27:12.819 --> 00:27:14.619 is to remember 00:27:14.619 --> 00:27:15.500 that He is near. 00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:17.740 The resurrection 00:27:17.740 --> 00:27:19.059 gives us great hope 00:27:19.059 --> 00:27:19.539 to know 00:27:19.539 --> 00:27:22.439 that the presence 00:27:22.439 --> 00:27:23.059 of the Father 00:27:23.059 --> 00:27:24.179 has not left us 00:27:24.179 --> 00:27:25.619 but He is ever with us. 00:27:25.619 --> 00:27:27.979 and it helps us 00:27:27.979 --> 00:27:28.519 in our darkness. 00:27:33.039 --> 00:27:33.759 Let me just say 00:27:33.759 --> 00:27:34.699 that this isn't 00:27:34.699 --> 00:27:35.500 the last time 00:27:35.500 --> 00:27:36.239 Jesus says 00:27:36.239 --> 00:27:36.799 I am the light 00:27:36.799 --> 00:27:37.239 of the world. 00:27:38.819 --> 00:27:39.199 Actually, 00:27:39.279 --> 00:27:39.699 it's not even 00:27:39.699 --> 00:27:40.579 the last time 00:27:40.579 --> 00:27:41.579 He uses the phrase 00:27:41.579 --> 00:27:42.179 the light of the world. 00:27:42.259 --> 00:27:42.739 I want to end 00:27:42.739 --> 00:27:44.919 with this application. 00:27:46.159 --> 00:27:47.139 It's really amazing 00:27:47.139 --> 00:27:47.699 to me that 00:27:47.699 --> 00:27:51.099 even though Jesus 00:27:51.099 --> 00:27:52.319 says that 00:27:52.319 --> 00:27:53.299 He is the light 00:27:53.299 --> 00:27:53.839 of the world 00:27:53.839 --> 00:27:56.079 and that we need 00:27:56.079 --> 00:27:56.500 His light 00:27:56.500 --> 00:27:57.139 to shine into 00:27:57.139 --> 00:27:57.659 our darkness 00:27:57.659 --> 00:27:58.759 to scatter 00:27:58.759 --> 00:27:59.940 the darkness away 00:27:59.940 --> 00:28:00.740 and to bring healing, 00:28:01.159 --> 00:28:02.319 He actually tells us 00:28:02.319 --> 00:28:02.879 that He's not 00:28:02.879 --> 00:28:04.039 in this mission alone. 00:28:07.159 --> 00:28:07.819 Because in one 00:28:07.819 --> 00:28:08.720 of the other Gospels 00:28:08.720 --> 00:28:10.019 when Jesus was preaching 00:28:10.019 --> 00:28:12.139 in the Sermon on the Mount, 00:28:13.299 --> 00:28:15.759 even though here 00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:16.099 He says 00:28:16.099 --> 00:28:16.700 I am the light 00:28:16.700 --> 00:28:17.019 of the world 00:28:17.019 --> 00:28:17.879 in the Sermon on the Mount, 00:28:17.980 --> 00:28:18.599 He says something 00:28:18.599 --> 00:28:19.559 remarkably different. 00:28:20.379 --> 00:28:20.980 You know what He says? 00:28:21.519 --> 00:28:21.899 He says, 00:28:21.900 --> 00:28:23.700 you are the light 00:28:23.700 --> 00:28:24.220 of the world. 00:28:25.400 --> 00:28:26.820 That's a very strange 00:28:26.820 --> 00:28:27.540 thing to say. 00:28:28.040 --> 00:28:29.060 If we've been talking 00:28:29.060 --> 00:28:29.780 about what Jesus 00:28:29.780 --> 00:28:30.360 is the light 00:28:30.360 --> 00:28:31.100 of the world does 00:28:31.100 --> 00:28:32.000 and now He looks 00:28:32.000 --> 00:28:33.680 at His people 00:28:33.680 --> 00:28:34.440 and He says, 00:28:35.040 --> 00:28:35.720 and you are 00:28:35.720 --> 00:28:36.540 the light of the world. 00:28:37.580 --> 00:28:38.000 He said, 00:28:38.040 --> 00:28:39.140 a town built on a hill 00:28:39.140 --> 00:28:39.860 cannot be hidden. 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:40.700 Neither do people 00:28:40.700 --> 00:28:41.420 light a lamp 00:28:41.420 --> 00:28:42.440 and put it under a bowl. 00:28:43.120 --> 00:28:43.400 Instead, 00:28:43.680 --> 00:28:44.740 they put it on a stand 00:28:44.740 --> 00:28:45.420 and it gives light 00:28:45.420 --> 00:28:46.480 to everyone in the house. 00:28:47.080 --> 00:28:48.040 In the same way, 00:28:48.700 --> 00:28:49.440 let your light 00:28:49.440 --> 00:28:50.460 shine before others 00:28:50.460 --> 00:28:51.279 that they may see 00:28:51.279 --> 00:28:52.220 your good deeds 00:28:52.220 --> 00:28:54.380 and glorify your Father 00:28:54.380 --> 00:28:54.860 in heaven. 00:28:56.880 --> 00:28:58.279 If you've been invited 00:28:58.279 --> 00:28:59.720 into the light, 00:29:00.759 --> 00:29:01.680 Jesus now turns 00:29:01.680 --> 00:29:02.120 and says, 00:29:02.200 --> 00:29:02.759 and you are 00:29:02.759 --> 00:29:03.799 the light. 00:29:05.759 --> 00:29:06.960 This has significant 00:29:06.960 --> 00:29:08.340 implication for us 00:29:08.340 --> 00:29:10.140 on a personal level 00:29:10.140 --> 00:29:11.440 and on a corporate level. 00:29:11.440 --> 00:29:14.460 that God has called you 00:29:14.460 --> 00:29:15.120 to be the light 00:29:15.120 --> 00:29:15.519 of the world 00:29:15.519 --> 00:29:16.440 in your workplace, 00:29:17.340 --> 00:29:18.039 whether that's 00:29:18.039 --> 00:29:18.660 on the Arsenal 00:29:18.660 --> 00:29:20.039 or in Huntsville Hospital 00:29:20.039 --> 00:29:21.500 or in the school system. 00:29:23.400 --> 00:29:24.900 That God has called you 00:29:24.900 --> 00:29:26.460 to that place 00:29:26.460 --> 00:29:28.480 to be a shining beacon 00:29:28.480 --> 00:29:29.000 of light 00:29:29.000 --> 00:29:30.000 to point others 00:29:30.000 --> 00:29:31.039 toward where healing 00:29:31.039 --> 00:29:31.860 comes from. 00:29:33.940 --> 00:29:35.059 In your home, 00:29:35.900 --> 00:29:37.320 one of the hardest places 00:29:37.320 --> 00:29:38.360 it is to be light, 00:29:38.440 --> 00:29:38.620 right? 00:29:38.619 --> 00:29:40.719 God calls us 00:29:40.719 --> 00:29:42.059 to shine the light 00:29:42.059 --> 00:29:42.859 into the darkness 00:29:42.859 --> 00:29:44.219 even in our own homes 00:29:44.219 --> 00:29:46.319 to point our children 00:29:46.319 --> 00:29:47.439 and our spouses 00:29:47.439 --> 00:29:49.339 toward the one 00:29:49.339 --> 00:29:49.879 who heals, 00:29:50.000 --> 00:29:50.859 the one who brings us 00:29:50.859 --> 00:29:51.359 out of hiding, 00:29:51.479 --> 00:29:52.319 the one who works 00:29:52.319 --> 00:29:53.019 on our behalf. 00:29:56.619 --> 00:29:57.559 Even as a church, 00:29:57.659 --> 00:29:58.379 this has tremendous 00:29:58.379 --> 00:29:59.079 applications. 00:30:01.079 --> 00:30:02.299 That God has called you 00:30:02.299 --> 00:30:03.459 here to South Huntsville 00:30:03.460 --> 00:30:04.380 and Southwood 00:30:04.380 --> 00:30:05.519 has a rich history 00:30:05.519 --> 00:30:07.480 of impacting 00:30:07.480 --> 00:30:08.279 this community 00:30:08.279 --> 00:30:09.519 and even people 00:30:09.519 --> 00:30:11.279 all across the country 00:30:11.279 --> 00:30:14.200 and all across the world 00:30:14.200 --> 00:30:15.279 have been impacted 00:30:15.279 --> 00:30:16.460 by the ministry 00:30:16.460 --> 00:30:17.880 of Southwood Presbyterian Church. 00:30:17.960 --> 00:30:18.900 As you move in 00:30:18.900 --> 00:30:19.440 and you're in this 00:30:19.440 --> 00:30:21.039 transitional kind of phase 00:30:21.039 --> 00:30:21.940 looking forward, 00:30:22.059 --> 00:30:23.140 God has called you 00:30:23.140 --> 00:30:25.920 to be a light 00:30:25.920 --> 00:30:28.559 pointing people 00:30:28.559 --> 00:30:30.140 over and over again 00:30:30.140 --> 00:30:31.200 to the healing 00:30:31.200 --> 00:30:32.340 that Jesus brings, 00:30:32.339 --> 00:30:35.459 relational healing, 00:30:36.099 --> 00:30:37.859 healing from our own 00:30:37.859 --> 00:30:39.359 sins and sorrows 00:30:39.359 --> 00:30:40.259 into the darkness 00:30:40.259 --> 00:30:41.240 where God speaks. 00:30:41.359 --> 00:30:42.039 He's called you 00:30:42.039 --> 00:30:42.939 to proclaim 00:30:42.939 --> 00:30:44.379 the light of the gospel 00:30:44.379 --> 00:30:45.199 to this community. 00:30:47.539 --> 00:30:48.379 Jesus is the light 00:30:48.379 --> 00:30:48.779 of the world 00:30:48.779 --> 00:30:49.579 shining the hope 00:30:49.579 --> 00:30:50.179 of His gospel 00:30:50.179 --> 00:30:51.220 into the daily darkness 00:30:51.220 --> 00:30:51.939 of our lives 00:30:51.939 --> 00:30:53.699 and He invites us 00:30:53.699 --> 00:30:54.699 to be the light 00:30:54.699 --> 00:30:55.240 of the world 00:30:55.240 --> 00:30:56.339 shining the hope 00:30:56.339 --> 00:30:56.939 of the gospel 00:30:56.939 --> 00:30:58.500 into the daily lives 00:30:58.500 --> 00:30:59.779 of the people around us. 00:30:59.779 --> 00:31:03.099 understand it was 00:31:03.099 --> 00:31:04.180 maybe eight or nine 00:31:04.180 --> 00:31:04.819 days later 00:31:04.819 --> 00:31:06.079 after the storms 00:31:06.079 --> 00:31:06.460 hit 00:31:06.460 --> 00:31:08.259 that the lights 00:31:08.259 --> 00:31:09.039 came back on 00:31:09.039 --> 00:31:12.099 and as I came in 00:31:12.099 --> 00:31:12.660 a year later 00:31:12.660 --> 00:31:13.240 I noticed that 00:31:13.240 --> 00:31:14.099 this community 00:31:14.099 --> 00:31:15.059 seemed different 00:31:15.059 --> 00:31:17.279 because of the events 00:31:17.279 --> 00:31:18.279 of what just happened 00:31:18.279 --> 00:31:19.839 over the last year. 00:31:20.680 --> 00:31:22.440 The numbers of people 00:31:22.440 --> 00:31:23.639 who lost their lives 00:31:23.639 --> 00:31:24.139 and the families 00:31:24.139 --> 00:31:24.799 that were affected 00:31:24.799 --> 00:31:25.960 and the loss of property 00:31:25.960 --> 00:31:27.019 and even the fears 00:31:27.019 --> 00:31:28.079 that just set in 00:31:28.079 --> 00:31:28.639 to your lives 00:31:28.639 --> 00:31:29.619 every time you hear 00:31:29.619 --> 00:31:31.579 every time you hear 00:31:31.579 --> 00:31:33.019 that storm sound 00:31:33.019 --> 00:31:33.720 once again 00:31:33.720 --> 00:31:34.539 but eventually 00:31:34.539 --> 00:31:35.740 the lights came back on 00:31:35.740 --> 00:31:36.319 and everything 00:31:36.319 --> 00:31:37.139 was different. 00:31:38.339 --> 00:31:39.299 You've been through 00:31:39.299 --> 00:31:40.159 darkness somewhere 00:31:40.159 --> 00:31:40.939 in your lives 00:31:40.939 --> 00:31:44.059 in your community 00:31:44.059 --> 00:31:44.779 and your home 00:31:44.779 --> 00:31:46.679 now you see 00:31:46.679 --> 00:31:47.199 that the light 00:31:47.199 --> 00:31:47.579 of Jesus 00:31:47.579 --> 00:31:48.639 shines even brighter. 00:31:50.919 --> 00:31:51.839 Let others see 00:31:51.839 --> 00:31:52.699 the light of the gospel 00:31:52.699 --> 00:31:53.059 too. 00:31:53.659 --> 00:31:54.159 Let's pray. 00:31:54.159 --> 00:31:54.199 Let's pray. 00:31:58.079 --> 00:32:00.480 Jesus, you are committed. 00:32:03.559 --> 00:32:04.679 You are committed 00:32:04.679 --> 00:32:05.539 to bringing us 00:32:05.539 --> 00:32:06.439 out of darkness. 00:32:09.519 --> 00:32:10.879 Jesus, you are committed 00:32:10.879 --> 00:32:13.919 that our sin 00:32:13.919 --> 00:32:14.779 would not have 00:32:14.779 --> 00:32:15.500 the final say 00:32:15.500 --> 00:32:16.500 that death even 00:32:16.500 --> 00:32:17.460 would not have 00:32:17.460 --> 00:32:18.179 the final word. 00:32:18.519 --> 00:32:19.419 You are so committed 00:32:19.419 --> 00:32:21.779 that you entered 00:32:21.779 --> 00:32:22.699 into the darkness 00:32:22.699 --> 00:32:24.299 by entering 00:32:24.299 --> 00:32:25.019 into this earth. 00:32:25.139 --> 00:32:25.500 You entered 00:32:25.500 --> 00:32:26.199 into the darkness 00:32:26.199 --> 00:32:27.179 in the most real way 00:32:27.180 --> 00:32:28.400 by dying on the cross 00:32:28.400 --> 00:32:30.400 for our sins. 00:32:30.620 --> 00:32:31.759 Jesus, may we 00:32:31.759 --> 00:32:32.519 hold out 00:32:32.519 --> 00:32:33.039 the light 00:32:33.039 --> 00:32:33.740 of the gospel 00:32:33.740 --> 00:32:36.860 to ourselves, 00:32:37.140 --> 00:32:37.759 to our family, 00:32:37.840 --> 00:32:38.380 to the community 00:32:38.380 --> 00:32:39.160 around us 00:32:39.160 --> 00:32:40.940 and say 00:32:40.940 --> 00:32:42.120 this is where 00:32:42.120 --> 00:32:43.200 healing comes from. 00:32:44.759 --> 00:32:45.920 This is worth 00:32:45.920 --> 00:32:47.420 everything 00:32:47.420 --> 00:32:48.539 that we would shine 00:32:48.539 --> 00:32:49.060 the light 00:32:49.060 --> 00:32:49.740 of the gospel 00:32:49.740 --> 00:32:51.120 more and more 00:32:51.120 --> 00:32:53.340 so that people 00:32:53.340 --> 00:32:53.980 would see 00:32:53.980 --> 00:32:54.580 the hope 00:32:54.580 --> 00:32:56.160 of the healing 00:32:56.160 --> 00:32:56.799 light of Jesus 00:32:56.799 --> 00:32:57.539 all of their days. 00:32:57.639 --> 00:32:58.039 We ask 00:32:58.039 --> 00:32:58.779 for your glory 00:32:58.779 --> 00:32:59.200 alone. 00:32:59.740 --> 00:33:00.559 In Jesus' name, 00:33:00.859 --> 00:33:01.079 Amen. 00:33:05.240 --> 00:33:06.399 For more information, 00:33:06.799 --> 00:33:07.700 visit us online 00:33:07.700 --> 00:33:09.000 at southwood.org.