Candlelight Service 2022

Candlelight Service 2022: Light Of The World

December 18th, 2022/Casey Middle School

Story:

Big Idea:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.

1. JESUS IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

   1. 12 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
   2. “5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” - John 9:5

   3. Unpack:

      1. God so loved the world that He sent His one and only Son to die on a cross for our sins and to pay the penalty for our transgressions.
      2. We did not deserve this kind of love. We could have never earned this kind of favor. Yet God demonstrates His love towards us in this way.
      3. Darkness covered the earth, then God brought light. In creating the sun, now all humankind can see clearly His beautiful handwork.
      4. Even though humanity could see the light, they chose to live in darkness, pursuing the desires of their own heart and turning their back on God.
      5. In desperate need of a Messiah, a Savior to rescue us from our sins. God sends His one and only Son Jesus to the world. Born as a baby in an unlikely town and with ordinary parents,

2. YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

   1. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” - Matthew 5:14-16
   2. “8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light—” - Ephesians 5:8

   3. Unpack:

      1. Jesus, the Light of the world, calls us the light of the world. We are not the light by our giftings, charisma, or birthright, but by the grace and favor of God.
      2. As you confess Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, the light now lives inside of you. You carry the light everywhere you go.
      3. The light of Christ is not meant to be buried, hidden, or covered up, but to be placed in a position where it gives off the maximum amount of light to all.
      4. The light of Christ is not meant for the glory of humanity, but the glory of God.
      5. Question: Do your good works glorify your name, or the name of God?
      6. The light of Christ is meant to walk where you walk. As you move, God is with you! He is Emmanuel. As you share about the light that is in you, you are never alone.

“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

Candle Lighting: Benefits of Light

1. Darkness blinds you, light guides you// I am the way

Story: Installing lights on stairs.

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 2022 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? Is Jesus your message, your life?

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

1. Darkness lies, light reveals the truth // I am the truth

“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

Story: Light in our bathroom // giant bulbs | Remodeling with a spotlight

He reveals all the reality of sin in our lives. He reveals the lies the enemy is speaking to us. He is truth and reveals His truth through His Word.

Question: What's the condition of your heart this morning? Are you bitter, angry, confused, doubting (get specific).

At Pinewood we believe no one should walk alone. If your heart condition feels broken, 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!

“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

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!

1. Darkness feels hopeless, light brings hope // I am the life

Story: Rafting down the James and flipping the firepit. I had a headlamp and because of the light we were able to find our way home. // feeling anxious and depressed.

Question: What in your life is currently sustaining you? Where are you searching for hope?“

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

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

Invitation

“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: Are you being led by God?

Question: Are you submitting to His truth?

Question: Have you made Him Lord of 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

Communion: 1 Corinthians 11