Story & Song: Candlelight Service 2020

December 13th, 2020 | The Lookout

Passage: Luke 1:26-38 CSB

26 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And the angel came to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was deeply troubled by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be. 30 Then the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end.” 34 Mary asked the angel, “How can this be, since I have not had sexual relations with a man?” 35 The angel replied to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 And consider your relative Elizabeth—even she has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called childless. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 “See, I am the Lord’s servant,” said Mary. “May it happen to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

Pray

Winter Solstice is happening on December 21st. Isn’t it timely that on the darkest time in our year, we celebrate the brightest light in the world, which is Jesus Christ our Lord.

In the darkest moment in human history, light broke through to give us hope. And hope always brings new life. And have you noticed that new life always occurs first in the dark? Whether a seed in the ground, a baby in a womb, or Jesus in the tomb. Light pierces through and brings life and hope in our darkest hour.

There was great desperation and darkness with humanity before Christ's birth. All humanity was 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!

Story: The double sided windows.

When the building was built it was intentional to make this west facing wall windows for two reasons. One, so that the church could look out and see the glory of God’s creation and compassion over the city. And two, so that the city could look in and see the glory of God shown in the church. We are the light of the world, a city on a hill.

“You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden.” - Matthew 5:14 CSB

Main Points: There are 3 benefits to light

1. It gives us guidance

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.”

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 at night?

Story: I am a big fan of lights. If you’ve seen our house around Christmas then you know I’m serious about lights. I’m not 100% sure, but you might be able to see our house from space. I’m also a fan of lights around the house.

Story 2: I have 5 amazing 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 2021 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!

1. 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: What’s 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 3:16-17

“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

1. It brings hope

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

“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

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!

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: 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