When Darkness Overcomes The Light

WHEN DARKNESS OVERCOMES THE LIGHT

John 8:12

Introduction:  Many Christmas sermons center on the promise that the light of Christ’s coming overshadows the darkness of the world.  Yet, why is it that the darkness of today’s world seems to have eclipsed the light of Christ’s arrival in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago?

John 1:6-9   ⁶ “There came a man sent from God, whose name was John.  ⁷ He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, that all might believe through him.  ⁸ He was not the Light, but came to testify about the Light.  ⁹ There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.”

John 8:12   “Then Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the Light of life.’”

John 12:46   “Jesus cried out and said, ‘I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.’”

1. Light Commands Our Attention (Isaiah 9:2)

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

1. Light Reveals Our Flaws (John 3:19-20)

John 3:19-20   ¹⁹ “This is the judgment, that the Light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light; for their deeds were evil.  ²⁰ For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.”

Matthew 2:1-3   ¹ “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,  ² ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?  For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.’  ³ When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.”

Jeremiah 29:13   “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”

III.      Light Overpowers Our Darkness   (Ephesians 6:12)

Ephesians 6:12   “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

1. Light Offers Us Direction (John 14:6)

John 14:6   “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.’”