Candlelight Service 2023

Candlelight Service 2023: Light Of The World

December 17th, 2023/Casey Middle School

Story:

Big Idea: His Words On Display

GENESIS 1:1-3 - “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.”

Darkness covered the earth, then God brought light. In creating the sun, now all humankind can see clearly His word and experience His love on display.

JOHN 1:1-9 - “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.”

Darkness covered the earth, then God brought Light. In sending His Son, now all humankind can see clearly His Word and experience His love on display.

1. God is Light 1 John 1:5-7
   1. 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.

   2. 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 sins.
      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. 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
      4. “5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” - John 9:5
      5. 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.
      6. 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,

      7. We are Dark

         1. 8 If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
         2. Our problem is deeper than sinful behavior. This is not a matter of sinful behavior therefore I’m a sinner, we are sinners and therefore we sin.

      8. This is the reality of original sin.

      9. “Indeed, I was guilty when I was born; I was sinful when my mother conceived me.” - Psalm 51:5

      10. “23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;” - Romans 3:23

          3. Illust: dim lit room

      11. I want just enough God to get me to heaven, but not the full God that wants to change my life.

          4. He’s there when I need him.

      12. God Offers Life

          1. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
          2. The gateway to the light is confession.

      13. Confession is agreeing with God. I’m a sinner, You are Lord!

      14. Be honest with God. All have sinned. He’s not looking for perfection, He’s looking for honesty!

          3. Light gives sight

      15. “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

          4. Unpack:

      16. Jesus, the Light of the world, calls those that confess and trust in Him, the light of the world. We are not the light by our giftings, charisma, or birthright, but by the grace and favor of God.

      17. 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.
      18. “8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light—” - Ephesians 5:8
      19. 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
      20. 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.
      21. The light of Christ is not meant for the glory of humanity, but the glory of God.
      22. Question: Do your good works glorify your name, or the name of God?
      23. 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.

Candle Lighting: Benefits of Light

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

   1. Story: “can I borrow your phone, we want to explore a tunnel.”
   2. 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.
   3. Question: What’s guiding you tonight? Or let’s get more specific, what’s guiding your motivations, ambitions, and 2024 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?
   4. 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.
   5. “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

2. Darkness conceals, light reveals the truth // I am the truth

   1. Story: big bulbs reveal big problems.
   2. 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.
   3. Question: What's the condition of your heart this morning? Are you bitter, angry, confused, doubting (get specific).
   4. 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!
   5. “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
   6. 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!

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

   1. Story: Installing way too many lights. 37 in my living room and kitchen. Way too many. “It’s there when you need it.”

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

   3. 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

   4. 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.

   5. “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

Let’s make a memory song. “Let’s make a memory this Christmas, let’s make a memory this year. We’ll share precious moments together, so let's make a memory this year.” What if we focus less on making a memory and we focus on making a decision.

“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

If you want to make a decision to follow Jesus. Then join me and everyone else in the building as we pray out loud together. It’s not the prayer that saves you, but your faith, making Jesus Lord of your life. We don’t let anyone go on the journey alone. If you have faith in Jesus, then let’s join together as we pray…

Prayer of Salvation:

Jesus, I acknowledge that I need you

I confess that I have sinned against you

I believe that God raised you from the dead

And right now, by faith, I say “Jesus is Lord”

Thank you for forgiving me

By your grace I am saved

And by your power I am set free

Walking Points:

1. For the unbeliever, as you light the candle, let this be a decision that you are trusting in Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life.
2. For the believer, as you light the candle, let this be a decision to shine bright for His glory united as one body.
3. For the believer that feels hopeless, let this be a reminder that though we will burn out these candles tonight, God’s love cannot be snuffed out. His light is eternal and will bring you hope now and forever more.