Candlelight Service 2019

The sun has many benefits to our lives.

Aren’t you glad you live in the beautiful colorful Colorado? Famous for its 300 days of sunshine, or so the saying goes.

The next two paragraphs are from Healthline, “What Are the Benefits of Sunlight?”

Exposure to sunlight is thought to increase the brain’s release of a hormone called serotonin. Serotonin is associated with boosting mood and helping a person feel calm and focused. Without enough sun exposure, your serotonin levels can dip. Low levels of serotonin are associated with a higher risk of major depression with seasonal pattern (formerly known as seasonal affective disorder or SAD). This is a form of depression triggered by the changing seasons. So, you’re more likely to experience this type of depression in the winter time, when the days are shorter.

Exposure to the ultraviolet-B radiation in the sun’s rays causes a person’s skin to create vitamin D. The vitamin D made thanks to the sun plays a big role in bone health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), sun exposure might help treat several skin conditions, too. The sun helps your acne.

Sun exposure benefits to your health include stronger bones, better sleep, healthier skin, improved mood, warmth, and a healthier immune system.

Question: How many of you are grateful for the sun?

Of all of the health benefits of the sun, there’s one in particular that seems to rise to the top, and that’s the benefit of light.

God’s first recorded words in the bible are recorded in Genesis 1:3 and He says “Let there be light,” and there was light.”

God is intentional with His creation to not only provide us with the sun for our health on this earth, but to use the sun as a means to point us to His Son Jesus. Who provides spiritual life and eternal life.

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness.” - Isaiah 9:2

“For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” - Isaiah 9:6

There was great desperation and darkness with humanity before Christ’s birth. All humanity in a desperate need for someone to rescue them from their pain, grief, and war. And through Jesus, God runs toward the pitch black night on a rescue mission. In the form of a baby the spark of light is revealed. This light brought peace, hope, and life to all who would believe!

I want to share 3 benefits of the sun and how it can change your life.

It gives us direction

Question: Can you imagine a world with no light? Cars driving around with no headlights and no street lights? No lights in your home while you’re trying to cook? No headlamps when you’re going on a hike?

Story: I am a big fan of lights. If you’ve ever ridden your bike to my house then you’ve probably left with one of my bike lights. I’m not letting anyone bike home in the dark. I love you too much to allow you to put yourself in danger like that!

Story 2: I have 5 children. Therefore light in my house 24/7 is critical. I can’t take 5 steps without stepping on a hotwheels car or polly pocket doll. And let me tell you, pain is extra sensitive in the feet. So I put little nightlights in all the outlets in our home. Why? Well, for my safety of course, but also so that my kids can find where they are going in the middle of the night.

“Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.” - John 8:12

It is impossible for us to find our way apart from the work of Jesus. He is the Light that guides us to spiritual truth. He is the Light that gives us a way to the Father. It is the Light that guides our thoughts and actions.

Question: What’s guiding you tonight? Or let’s get more specific, what’s guiding your motivations, ambitions, and 2020 goals? What’s guiding you to peace at night when you lay your head on your pillow? What’s guiding your marriage? What’s guiding your parenting?

Once we identify what is truly guiding us, only then can we make a decision to either place our trust in ourselves or Jesus for direction.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” - Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

GO BIG: Jesus came not to just give us one more great option, but to be the Way! Jesus’ direction can be trusted, His guidance never fails, His path leads to everlasting! He has come to bring you abundant life, life to the full!

It reveals the truth

Story: Have you ever been in a bathroom where the lights were just a little too bright? The light itself isn’t the issue, it’s that there is a huge mirror with the light. I was in this bathroom one time that had “sun” status bulbs in it. I mean it was BRIGHT! I couldn’t believe what was going on with my face. I was SHOCKED! I leaned in and began to examine every wrinkle and blemish. It was not pretty. The reality is that light reveals the truth!

The same is true when Jesus, the light of the world, reveals the condition of our hearts on the inside. He reveals all the reality of sin in our lives.

Question: Whats the condition of your heart tonight? Are you bitter, angry, confused, doubting (get specific). I think we have to first be honest with ourselves, then we can be honest with God, and then be honest with others.

GO BIG: At Pinewood we believe no one should walk alone. If your heart condition feels broken tonight, turn to Jesus! If you feel like nobody could ever love you, turn to Jesus! If you feel like giving up, turn to Jesus! He doesn’t reveal to condemn, He reveals to forgive! And in His forgiveness we can experience freedom! We can, maybe for the first time, discover our true selves and live in freedom!

“For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” - John 3:16

“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” - CS Lewis

GO BIG: Jesus came to make the blind see. To reveal the hidden things and to offer forgiveness. Nothing is too great for our God to forgive. Nobody is too far gone that God’s grace can not make new! Scripture teaches us that if anyone is in Christ they are a NEW CREATION! That is truth over your life tonight!

“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in him. 6 If we say, “We have fellowship with him,” and yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth. 7 If we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” - 1 John 1:5-9

Jesus

It gives and sustains life

Science: without the sun, life as we know it would no longer exist. Plants would begin to die immediately without photosynthesis. The timing is unknown, but ultimately we would lose all power and electricity within a few weeks. Within a week the earth's average temperature would drop below 0 degrees Fahrenheit and within a year to about -100. The sun not only provides life, it sustains it.

We exist because He is holding all things together, not just our physical being but our spiritual as well.

Question: What in your life is currently sustaining you? Is it life giving? Does the light that you follow have a source?

GO BIG: There’s only one source of light that will sustain us in every season, in every circumstance, in every heart break, every loss, and His name is Jesus. He is Emmanuel (God with us), King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the bright and morning star, the Creator and your Friend, He is the light of the World.

“In him was life, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.” - John 1:4-5

Nothing can stand against our God! He is life and life forever more!

Conclusion: He gives you fellowship with the Father.

“Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” - John 14:6

Question: Is Jesus your way? Are you following His light?

Question: Is Jesus your truth? Have you declared Jesus as Lord?

Question: Is Jesus your life?

“If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation.” - Romans 10:9-10