Sermon Nuggets Fri May 30, 2008
Theme Light of the World
Verses John 8:27-30 They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father.
28 So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. 29 The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him."
30 Even as he spoke, many put their faith in him.
God Saves
Up in the BWCA at times I would fish longer than I should, hoping some fish would bite on the line. You know the story- just one more cast. Maybe the big one will take the bait. But then the sun goes down. It is darker than I want it to be. But as I head back toward the campsite fortunately there is a fire going. It becomes the light that shows me the way home. I follow that light. I am safe. I am “home” again.
Spiritually I know where I am going too. I have followed the light that God gave. He gave me Jesus. How do I know? Well I believed in Him because God said. I figured he knew better. I believed because God knows. He knows the beginning from the end. There are historical records of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. It is not a legend. Jesus predicted this event. I believed and God saved me from my sin.
Many people still are not willing to bet their lives on Jesus. They think by occupying themselves with the things of this world they are really living. But Jesus is telling them, and us, that without Him we are dying in our sins. There is no other religion than offers to us a savior who has paid the price. Others will give you a prophet, a teacher, a god, a moral teacher, but the blood of Christ cleanses man for all unrighteousness.
You can trust the motives and intentions of the person who would sooner be crucified in your place than condemn you.
There is an allegory that talks about a conversation between a cave and the sun. The cave heard the sun talking about light and didn't believe there was any such thing as light. The sun heard the cave talk about darkness and didn't know what that once. One day the sun invited the cave to come up and see the light. When he did so, he marveled at its brilliance. In turn the cave invited the sun to visit him and find out was darkness was like. The sun took up the invitation, but when he went into the cave, he said, "All I see is light, there is no darkness."
There is no darkness with Jesus, only light. He drives the darkness away. There might be areas of darkness for you today. Maybe you have been saved but need to invite Jesus, the light, into your cave where He is not shining and dispel the darkness.
Pastor Dale
