Hey, will you take a few seconds and read something with me? Read the 9 verses I have printed below. Go ahead, I’ll wait for you and meet you on the other side…ready?
Go.
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning…
4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood[a] it.
6There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.[b]
Did you notice any ‘repeat’ words?
I did, “Light.”
Any time a word is repeated in scripture like that we should ask why? Turns out the apostle John (He is the one who transcribed the gospel of John from the inspiration of the Holy Spirit) loved this word. And he didn’t grow tired of it after the first chapter. He used it again in chapter 3 (over and over) and in chapter 4 and chapter 5 and all throughout the book. Listen to what Jesus said in chapter 8 about Himself in relation to light…
John 8:12 says, “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Wow! But, is this John’s thing or God’s?
God’s
Genesis 1:3 is the premier of light,
“And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.”
And, as is often the case after a premier, the first critical reviews come in shortly thereafter. We see this more clearly in John’s account of the ‘beginning’…
“10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him.“
Looks like people living in darkness don’t much care for light.
Friends, the reason God talked so much about light is because we live in a dark world. And, as Christ followers, we are to be a light in the darkness. More specifically, our lives are to be flashlights lighting the path to Jesus for all those who are far from God. At Summit Church, we want to help. We strategically set up periodic weekends that function like Rescue Centers. This is because part of our threefold vision is to REACH those far from God. But we may not feel any urgency unless we truly understand the ramifications of being ‘far from God.’
Romans 6:23 puts it about as clearly as possible,
“ For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Penalty for sin = death
Solution = Jesus
But we have to get people to Jesus.
Friends, one great opportunity is coming up…
Easter.
But I wanted everyone at Summit to know that we are going to have another opportunity even before that…Sunday, March 6th, the gospel will be preached at Summit Church!
Plan on getting everyone you know who is far from God to Summit Church on this day. And then expect God to move mightily!