I Have Seen The Light John 8:12-18

Jesus said: “I am the light of the world…” and automatically, the Pharisees jump down His throat.

What is the deal? Why are these men so upset?

Well… they’re upset because Jesus has been consistently poking holes in their fairly obvious hypocrisy. They wanted to look righteous but not be righteous – and Jesus called them on it. He has challenged their hypocrisy in their fasting and praying and tithing. He has pointed out the emptiness of their fancy rules and regulations. He has exposed all their pretense and haughtiness.

Jesus exposed them as light should expose darkness…

Why would Jesus do that? Because He was light and they were darkness - and they couldn’t stand it.

John 3:19-20 says "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed”

Today when it’s dark out we simply flip a switch and instantly the darkness is gone. But in the 1st Century it wasn’t so simple. In Jesus’ day when it got dark, it was DARK. So when Jesus calls himself the light it’s a big deal. 

What makes this statement even more significant is that Jesus said it at the Feast Of Tabernacles. During this feast the Israelites would light a huge candelabra as a reminder of God guiding their ancestors through the wildness. Jesus is showing them that he is their light, their guiding force through this world. 

Jesus here is declaring that the light has come into the world. God is here. Don’t miss the claim that Jesus is making. He’s pulling from their history to show that just as God was the light to their ancestors, he’s their light today. He’s here to light the way, to lead us from the darkness we are stuck in.

II. Look at the Context in  John 8:2-6

Here the Pharisess brought to Jesus a woman caught in adultery. And it’s clear that this is a trap. They didn’t like how Jesus was exposing their hypocrisy. So they wanted to tarnish so that they can get to their business without Jesus calling them to repent.

Their theology was: If you don’t like the intensity of the light - change it… remove it…destroy it… do whatever’s necessary - BUT GET THAT LIGHT CHANGED!

III. But you don’t mess with someone like Jesus.

  When they tried to dim His light… He just turned up the wattage. Look at what He did from John 8:6-8 "The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, ’Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?’

They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, ’If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.’ Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there."

Some think what Jesus was writing in the dirt was the sins of each man present. I suspect Jesus was writing down not only their sins... but the things of which they were ashamed. Matters they thought they’d hidden well out of the sight of interfering eyes.

* I can visualize Bopda  watching from the edge of the crowd, and seeing his name written in the dirt… and then beside his name Jesus was writing the names of the women he sexually harassed at gun point.

* Then I can see a man, in the front of the mob watching as his name was written down… and then saw as Jesus wrote down beside his name, the name of the people in the bushes whom he has been working with to kidnap others for ransom. Others their names were written in front of women they have been lusting with but they were standing in the temple of God to stone others.

Then Jesus stood & said: let him who is without sin cast the 1st stone. The mob that day should have known what Daniel knew when he declared:

"(God) reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him." Daniel 2:22

IV. Jesus now declares to them who He is after exposing them ;John 8:12

"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

There’s a lot of people who won’t come to church - who won’t come to God - because they’re afraid of what God will expose in their lives. What they don’t realize is that God will expose all of their sins–sooner or later. And if it happens later… it will be a time of judgment. But, if it happens sooner - then there is hope, because then it will be just between you and Him.

ILLUS: It’s like a person that goes to Doctor. and discovers he has cancer. The Doctor says if we act now, we can remove all of the cancer and you will live a full life… but if you wait, there’s a chance that it will destroy you.

It is not God’s intention to expose our darkness to everyone around us and thus force us to hide from His presence in our shame & disgrace. Rather, it’s His intention to convince us that darkness isn’t the best place to live.

ILLUS: Children know this. I’ve learned (as every parent does) that kids hate being alone in the dark. They know that darkness is a scary place to be. There’s only 2 things that will help them overcome their fear of the dark. One is light… the other is to have someone bigger than they are in the room with them… to protect them.

Jesus said: "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Jesus said: I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Scripture tells us: Cast all your cares on Him… for He cares for you”

Light does expose the imperfections of life… but it also creates trust, confidence and a hope for tomorrow. When the accusing crowd left Jesus and the adulterous woman Jesus didn’t condemn her.

He was the light but He didn’t expose all the ugly corners of her soul. NO, instead He offered her hope and said: “Go and sin no more.” Leave that old lifestyle, change who you’ve been & let the light in.

The greatest tragedy of your life would be to live in darkness when you could live in the light.  Don’t be like someone who is living blind because he didn’t know that science has evolved enough to solve his eye problem. Many people just think their own is too much that the light of god cannot make a change in them or they are ashame of the light. I invite you to stand on your feet if you don’t remember when you received Jesus Christ the light of the world into your life.

 

 

Good Or Evil, Light or Darkness-The Choice Is Yours Psalms 37:1-2, Psalms 73:18-19

 

Do not troubled because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Psalm 37:1-2, NIV

“God will repay each person according to what they have done. 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism” (Romans 2:6-11).

We all have a choice to make every single day of our lives:

“To do Good or to do Evil” To walk in the Light or to walk in darkness

Looking at our present-day world, it appears as if evil is more prevalent than ever. We hear of conspiracies against innocent persons to frame them for crimes they have not committed, while the real criminals engage in robberies, murders, stealing, etc. Justice is perverted and bought by the highest bidder. People are silenced for their faith and belief in God. Malice, hatred, envy, wrath, strife, and anger abound everywhere. Those that do good are oppressed and suppressed while evil walks with a swagger on our streets. Genuine children of God are alarmed and live in fear. It appears that a lot of Christians are asking this important question, found in Malachi 2:17:

“Where is the God of justice?”

So, why do people do evil?

Well, for one thing, most people find it easier to do evil than to do good! Also, the wrong notion or perception that they will get away with evil is enough motivation for people to persist in doing wrong. Again, the ability to pay for crimes to be swept under the carpet by criminals, through giving and taking of bribes and all forms of corruption in high places, allows evil to flourish unhindered. The ability of the stronger man to oppress the weaker ones, and the inability of the person being oppressed to cry out for justice, allows evil to thrive and abound everywhere.

Yet, God warns in Deuteronomy 16:19:

“Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent.”

Finally, this is the most important reason why people prefer darkness:

People no longer fear God.

In Biblical times, the judgment of God was swift and instant. We read the accounts of Haman being hanged on the gallows he prepared for Mordecai, David’s stone lodging in Goliath’s forehead, and Pharaoh and his armies drowning in the Red Sea.

So, we may ask:

“Is God now more lenient?” “Does God still punish evil?” Can one get justice from God, especially when he says in Hebrews 10:30 (NKJV):

“‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. And again, ‘The LORD will judge His people’.”

God is definitely still a just, righteous, and holy God! He has not lost his power or ability to punish evil. But he is also calling the evil man to turn from his ways.

In Ezekiel 33:11 (NIV):

“Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?’”

In Galatians 6:9:

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Also, in Isaiah 30:18:

“For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!”

So, what punishment can the evil man expect from God?

There are many, but let’s look at a few.

In Psalm 37:20:

“But the wicked will perish: Though the LORD’s enemies are like the flowers of the field, they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.”

Psalm 37:38:

“But all sinners will be destroyed; there will be no future for the wicked.”

Psalm 73:18-19 (Good News Bible):

“You will put them in slippery places and make them fall to destruction! They are instantly destroyed; they go down to a horrible end.”

In Psalm 28:3-4 (NIV):

“Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts. Repay them for their deeds and for their evil work; repay them for what their hands have done and bring back on them what they deserve.”

So, what is the way out for those who have done evil, but want to return to God?

In Isaiah 55:7:

“Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.”

Ephesians 4:28:

“Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.”

Do you even know the Lord Jesus Christ?

Jesus is the Son of God, who was sent from Heaven to declare the gospel—the good news of how we can be forgiven of all our sins and brought into God's family. He shared the words of God and then laid down His life as a sacrifice. He died the death we deserve, and suffered at the hands of God for your sins and mine. He then rose from the dead and ascended back to Heaven.

Jesus is calling you today from evil to good, from darkness to light. He says in Matthew 11:28-30:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

If you have never given your life to Christ, please say a simple prayer like this:

“Lord Jesus, I am a sinner. I confess my sins before you today. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I want to know you personally. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in and be my Lord and personal Savior. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be. In Jesus name I have prayed. Amen.”

It is time to Shine; Isaiah 60:1-3

 

Arise and shine! This is the promise that the long night of darkness has finally ended and the joyous rays of morning have arrived.

 

They are the words Israel needed to hear. Exiles are returning to Jerusalem, and the passage reminds them that the wonderful presence of God is about to change their darkness into light.

 

They are words everyone needs to hear. Everyone finds themselves in dark situations and dark moments. The Bible says Jesus is the Light, and in Him is no darkness at all. My friends, the Light of Jesus will always dispel the darkness that engulfs this world.

 

The Light of God is glorious and we as Christians have to reflect His light into the world. Some weeks ago we looked at the text in matthew on letting our light shine before men so that they may glorify God. In that message I told you how God revealed to me that we are not the light but that we are just reflecting His light. The word was to the Israelites just as to us today. Why should they shine the light? Because there is deep darkness.

 

I. THE SOURCE OF DARKNESS - VS. 2

 

Have you ever been in a place where there’s no light whatsoever? I shared with you how I used to get terrified with my younger brother in the dark and no one is able to go close the windows.

 

Today the prophet Isaiah tell us about the darkness of this sinful world. Without the light of God there is nothing you can do good in your own understanding. If Jesus did not come there’s nothing we could do in our own knowledge. Jesus is the light of the world and only in Him can darkness disappear.

 

Illustration of walking in the dark

Making decisions in the dark can lead to some regrettable consequences. Say moving without seeing where you are putting your feet in the bush with harmful objects around and even snakes and scorpions. It will be better to stay where you are until light comes than to make a step. How does it look like to be dating in the dark? You see a man in the dark he is always Mr handsome, a woman in the dark is always miss beautiful. You can be terribly shocked during the day with whom you were dating in the dark.

 

That is how it looks when you make decisions based on the worldly standards. Because everybody is doing something does not mean it is right? You may just be making decisions in the dark just because you have not sifted those actions through the word of Light.

 

II. THE SOURCE OF THE LIGHT - VS. 1&2

 

 

But in his words, we have the words of God giving us encouragement. As we live and work in this dark sinful world, we are not to be overwhelmed by the darkness, because God sends his light into the world; a light that shines out of the darkness and a light that shines out for all. The kingdoms of Judah and Israel at the time of Isaiah were living in darkness. A darkness that surrounded them spiritually and was darker than the deepest cave you would ever tour on this earth.

 

There are many today who are living in darkness, spiritually speaking. Friends, if you are living in darkness, understand what the light does:

 

Ÿ  The light removes darkness

Ÿ  The Light reveals danger

Ÿ  The Light shows the path before us

 

In John. 8:12 Jesus 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.”” (NIV)

 

III. THE FORCE OF THE LIGHT - VS. 1&3

 

We are reflected light. Just as the sun is the source of light and the moon reflects light from the sun to the earth, Jesus is our source of light and we are to reflect that light to others.

 

1 PETER 2:9 tell us, “But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.” (NLT)

 

EPHESIANS 5:8-9 emphatically states, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth” (NKJV)

 

The New Living Translation says it this way: “For though your hearts were once full of darkness, now you are full of light from the Lord, and your behavior should show it.”

 

This is why Jesus tells us to follow Him, and why we are told to be holy, and why we are told to do His will and obey His commandments. We are the Jesus that people will see. They will base their thoughts about Jesus by how we conduct ourselves, or what kind of light we reflect. We should reflect the glory and light of Jesus we love. Listen friends, the further that we get away from the source of light, the dimmer our reflection will be. Understanding that we are reflected light should help us understand why we need to diligently work to stay near to Jesus.

 

Conclusion

 

Are you walking in darkness this morning or have you come to the light of the Lord? Are you close to Jesus this morning or have you slipped so far away that your reflection of Christ has grown dim? Notice in verse 3 Isaiah is referring to the powerful influence the Israelites would have on those around them. What level of influence do you currently have for Jesus?

 

Let me challenge you to Rise and Shine! By coming to Christ, the darkness of sin and despair will be dispelled by His glorious light.

When God’s fire falls; Lev 10:1-5

 

In our end of month prayer evening last month we saw that where God’s fire falls, there is a mighty anointing and power in that place. We saw that God told Moses to remove his shoes for the place where the fire was burning became Holy ground. We also saw that the shepherds rod which Moses had in his hand became the rod of God when it got in contact to the ground where the fire of God fell. Moses used his hands to pickup the rod when God asked him to pick the serpent by the tail and so Moses’ hand touched the ground and got into contact. So Moses’ hands became anointed as well. You can understand why God asked Moses to raise his hand and the rod to part the red sea into two. You also see that Moses’ hands played a great deal when the people were at war; while he raised his hands they won and when he brings them down they loose. Aaron could have raised his own hands but it did not carry the anointing, so he assisted in supporting the hand of Moses up instead. We established that night that when you come to church be prepared to get into His presence and that His mighty power is here. We said it doesn’t matter whether there is a pastor in the church or not, if you come expectantly, you will receive a powerful manifestation of God’s power when you come into His presence.

In the days of Moses, Nadab and Abihu; sons of Aaron were consumed by the fire that fell from God. We may see with our eyes as if the sin was a small one but it was a great sin when we look at the consequences of that sin. Lev 10:1, Numb 3:4 makes clear that these children of Aaron offered strange fire before God. That was their sin.

You can understand why I insist for ministers to rally in the morning, prepare themselves and the atmosphere before service. I remember the praise team was behind me for that instruction which I said we can’t change it nor compromise God’s principles. It was a debate in their forum which I am not present. If some of the praise team members had the opportunity they would have rain down fire on me. I thank God that some of them have understood after getting some experiences in their ministry. If you are to minister, you must come early for prayers and there are instructions and changes that can be made after that prayer session.

Listen, Nadab and Abihu had their consecration completed the day before, and it was part of their work as priests to serve at the altar of incense, but it seems this service of inauguration was to be performed by their father Aaron himself, for he slew the sacrifices for sin-offering(Lev 9:8,15,18), and his sons were only to attend him (Lev 10:9,12,18).

So Nadab and Abihu were so proud of the honor they were newly advanced to, ambitious to do the highest and most honorable part of their work immediately, that though the service was extraordinary, and done by the direction of Moses, they went on to prepare their censers, entered into the tabernacle, and burned incense. That was the strange fire which is forbidden in Exodus 30:9. In 2 Chronicles 26:16-19 King Uzziah presented incents in the temple when he was not priest and became leprose till his death.

You come to God’s presence to offer a sacrifice of praise, and you don’t prepare yourself? You say “man of God, the team is not happy with your decision for them to come and pray before service.” Others say, man of God, you are breaking protocols. Whose protocols? Man’s protocols or God’s protocol? Do you want to be like Nadab and Abihu? They were priests, children of Aaron the high priest. God is not a respecter of man.

There is reason to suspect that Nadab and Abihu were drunk when they did it, because of the law which was given upon this occasion in Lev 10:8. They have been feasting upon the peace-offerings, and the drink-offerings that attended them; so their hearts were merry with wine they drank and forgot the law (Prov 31:5) and so they were guilty of this fatal miscarriage. They died childless. In fact the sin was so terrible that God did not want anything from their descendants.

You can ask a lot of questions concerning this punishment. They fell and died before the mercy seat but the veil was not open for them, there was no mercy for them at all. They were young and inexperienced; would God not have considered this to spare their lives? Would the punishment not have been reduced because they were trying to serve God? They were the sons of the chosen priest Aaron, the nephew to Moses whom heaven has shown favor, could they not be saved? Aaron had only 4 sons and God has called him and his descendants to the Levitical priesthood; killing 2 means the number of hands have reduced. How is service going to continue effectively? At times you think you are special and so God will spare you because there’s no one to replace you. You lie! There is no reason for God to spare a life that rebels against His presence. These two had no time to cry for mercy, they died instantly.

When the fire of God falls, two things can happen;

1.      Some people die: Those who don’t belong to Him are consumed

2.      Some others rejoice: When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into the fire, their yokes were destroyed by the fire because God descended into the fire.

And because their yokes were destroyed, they walked out of the fire into promotion. But for those who were not on God’s side, as they got closed to that fire, they were consumed.

You can understand why some people cry fire in service while others are receiving healings at the same time. Because the fire of God has fallen down at that moment. So, before you join those who are asking for fire to fall, if you are not already on God’s side, please cross over.

There are times the fire falls without us asking it from God and even the preacher is unaware that God is about to rain down fire. When it falls only those on God’s side are safe. There are people who are ministers in God’s house but who still are living in sin. Surrender your life completely to Jesus Christ because if you stand by when the fire begins to fall, and you are not on God’s side, the result might not be very pleasant. God usually gives room for repentance,  but note that the day the fire falls is the day of consequences. Many people are nursing diseases and other terrible issues because the fire of God fell, and they were not on His side. My cry to you today is to repent before it is too late; it doesn’t matter whether you are preacher, singer, teacher, prayer warrior or whatsoever, be sure you are right before His presence.

Shalom

 

The Living Power Of The Resurrection; Acts 9:36-43

 

In Acts 9:31-35, Peter heals a man paralyzed for eight years, at least, and was confined by his disability to a bed. Peter takes a look at the man and announces, "Aeneas, Jesus Messiah is healing you! Get up! Make your bed!" The result of the miracle is that "everyone living in Lydda and in the Sharon saw him, and these turned to the Lord." The now-walking Aeneas is proof that the power of the resurrection has been loosed into the world.

Then in 9:36-43 the miraculous power of God acts even more astonishingly.

1. "Now in Joppa (a place close to Lydda) there was a certain woman disciple whose name was Tabitha. Translated (from Aramaic into Greek) this means Dorcas" (Acts 9:36a). The word in each language means "gazelle." Or deer. Naphtali is compared to a hind let loose, giving goodly words and the wife to the kind and tender husband is as the loving hind, and as the pleasant roe, Proverbs 5:19.

2.  There is a quite striking linguistic use in that sentence. Dorcas is called a "female disciple," mathetria in Greek, the only time that term is used in the entire New Testament. Luke implies by that usage that Dorcas is fully the equivalent of the male disciples who are named with the masculine form of the noun in 9:38 and in numerous times in the early literature of the New Testament.

 

She was a disciple, one that had embraced the faith of Christ and was baptized and not only so, but was eminent above many for works of charity. She showed her faith by her works, her good works, which she was full of, that is, in which she abounded. Her head was full of cares and contrivances which way she should do good. She devised liberal things, Isaiah 32:8.

 

3. Many people today are full of good words, who are empty and barren in good works but Tabitha was a great doer, no great talker: Non magna loquimur, sed vivimus--We do not talk great things, but we live them. Among other good works, she was remarkable for her alms--deeds, which she did, not only her works of piety (devotedness), which are good works and the fruits of faith, but works of charity and generosity, flowing from love to her neighbour and a holy contempt of this world.

 

Observe, She is commended not only for the alms which she gave, but for the alms--deeds which she did. Those that have not estates wherewith to give in charity may yet be able to do in charity, working with their hands, or walking with their feet, for the benefit of the poor.

 

4. She was removed in the midst of her usefulness (Acts 9:37): In those days she fell sick, and died. It is promised to those who consider the poor, not that they shall never be sick, but that the Lord will strengthen them upon the bed of languishing, at least with strength in their souls, and so will make all their bed in their sickness, will make it easy, Psalms 41:1,3.

 

 Her friends and those about her did not presently bury her, as usual, because they were in hopes Peter would come and raise her to life again but they washed the dead body, according to the custom, which, it is said, was with warm water, which, if there were any life remaining in the body, would recover it so that this was done to show that she was really and truly dead. They tried all the usual methods to bring her to life, and could not. Conclamatum est--the last cry was uttered. They laid her out in her grave-clothes in an upper chamber, that Peter, if he would come, might raise her to life the more solemnly in that place.

 

They sent Peter two men, to make the message the more solemn and respectful, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them not telling him the occasion, lest he should modestly decline coming upon so great an errand as to raise the dead: if they can but get him to them, they will leave it to him. Their friend was dead, and it was too late to send for a physician, but not too late to send for Peter. Post mortem medicus--a physician after death, is an absurdity, but not Post mortem apostolus--an apostle after death.

The commendation (praise) of Tabitha was like her own virtues, not in word, but in deed. Here were no encomiums (eulogies) of her in orations, nor poems inscribed to her memory but the widows showed the coats and garments which she made for them, and bestowed upon them while she was with them. And here it was the credit of Tabitha, when she was dead, that the backs of the widows praised her for the garments which she made them. And those are certainly best praised whose own works praise them in the gates, whether the words of others do or no. It is much more honourable to clothe a company of crumbling widows with needful clothing for night and day, who will pray for their benefactors when they do not see them, than to clothe a company of lazy footmen with rich dresses, who perhaps behind their backs will curse those that clothe them (Ecclesiastes 7:21).

It should seem, the widows wept before Peter, as an inducement to him, if he could do any thing, to have compassion on them and help them, and restore one to them that used to have compassion on them.  Have they heard of the power of resurrection that Peter seems to possess? The text is silent on that score, but Luke is intent on demonstrating that Peter is somehow representative of that power.

Peter sends the entire group outside, falls to his knees and prays.

Then, turning to the body, he said, 'Tabitha, arise!'(Tabitha, Cumi!) similar to what the Lord Jesus did to the child of the head of the synagogue (Talitha Cumi!, young girl arise). The dead woman opened her eyes at this command, saw Peter, and sat back up. He gave her his hand and raised her. He called the holy ones and the widows. He presented her to them alive (9:40-41).

And, as occurred in the healing of the paralyzed Aeneas earlier in the chapter, "many believed in the Lord" (9:42, and above 9:35).

In the Gospel story of the raising of a little girl by Jesus (Lk. 8:49-56), we find the use of messengers, weeping bystanders, exclusion of people from the room of the miracle, the call to rise, and the taking of the hand. It is clear that Luke wants his readers to be certain that the power demonstrated by the risen Lord is now manifest in those who follow him in the early community of faith.

 

And other parallels are not difficult to find. The healing of the paralytic and the raising of a widow have been seen in accounts about Jesus in the Gospel (Lk. 5:17-26, 7:11-16). And of course readers of the Hebrew Bible have witnessed much older examples of such miraculous healings by the prophets Elijah and Elisha (1 Kgs. 17:17-24; 2 Kgs. 4:32-37). Peter thus stands in a long line of prophets who work signs and wonders among the people. What do we learn from the life of Dorcas?

1.     Faith without good works is dead

2.      Dorcas used her talents for God (herself, her time and resources she gave for God in helping the widows)

3.      God cares for the vulnerable; When we care for what God cares for, he will honor and reward our charitable deeds. Honor and help those widows who are truly widowed [alone, and without support]. 1 Tim5:3 AMP

4.      Peter relied on God’s power (He knelt to show his humility, he learned from Jesus Christ the importance of praying and calling upon God’s presence and power to change situations.

5.      In God, there is always hope. The widows did not lost hope. They waited for Peter to do something. As we’re waiting on God to perform miracles in our lives, our hearts should be expectant.

6.      Leave a legacy in the kingdom of God. Dorcas’ faith and charitable deeds left a legacy.

7.      God has a purpose for everything; even a dead person can serve a mighty purpose. Tabitha’s resurrection bought many to believe in Christ Jesus in the town of Joppa. It was a testimony of God’s glory and power.

 

I don’t think the purpose of the loving power of the resurrection is for the young girl or for Dorcas. Yes, it made them well and gave them life. But the Bible says “All those who heard and saw this powerful deeds marveled and believed in the power of the Almighty God. It was not just for the benefactors but also to those who were standing there like sheep without a shepherd. When you see mighty works of God done in this place, it is God’s authentication for you to believe in Him and works Jesus Christ did on the cross for you.

The Un-Invited Guest Of Honor

 

“He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” John 1:11 KJV

“He came to what was his own, yet his own folk did not welcome him.” John 1:11 James Moffatt Translation

“He came to that which belonged to Him [to His own-His domain, creation, things, world], and they who were His own did not receive Him and did not welcome Him.” John 1:11 The Amplified Bible

Imagine, if you will, that you have been invited to a party; a birthday party. All of your friends, loved-ones, acquaintances and some of your enemies are in attendance. The place is all decorated and adorned with the trimmings for the gala affair. The gifts are in abundance and everyone seems to be having a good time! But, wait a minute, something is wrong! It suddenly occurs to you that everybody is at this party except the birthday person; the guest of honor! You inquire to the host as to the whereabouts of the honoree, and much to your dismay, you discover that the guest of honor was not even invited to his own birthday celebration! Furthermore, you discover that not only was he not invited, should he happen to show up, he would not be welcomed! Sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it? But, is this not the case with many of our Christmas celebrations today? It seems as if this world is determined to celebrate a Christ-less Christmas! Although he is the reason for the season, in many homes he is not welcome. Many have X-ed him out and replaced the babe in a manger with a fat man in a red suit! Now, I don’t mean to be a scrooge, but I think we ought to be more mindful of the real reason for this season.

Some commentators have said that the verse of our text is perhaps one of the saddest in the Bible. “He came unto his own, and his own received him not!” Let’s take a few minutes now to take a closer look at this text and see what application it has for us today. First of all, notice that the text says, “He came!” Oh! What a wonderful statement! He came! He came! God breaking into the plane of human existence! He came! Because we were unable to go to Him; He came to us! He came! The Word of God manifested in the flesh! He came! God intervening into human history to give us HIS-Story! For ages, God had been telling men the way, with the advent of Jesus, He provided a living illustration to show us the Way! He came! God’s idea manifested in the flesh; the embodiment of the faith. He came! Immanuel; “God with us!” Oh, I don’t know about you, but I’m glad that He came. Because He came, I can have life and have it more abundantly! Because He came, I can face tomorrow! Because He came, life is worth the living! Oh! I’m so glad that He came!

Yes! He came! He came unto His own! He came unto His own world. John wrote: “All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.” It was His own because He was active in creation! He was there when the statement was made, “Let us make man!” Hebrews says that the world is upheld by the word of His power! Yes! He came unto His own world; His own creation, and His own creation did not receive Him! The Creator was rejected by the creature!

He came unto His own people! He was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. In Matthew’s gospel, it is reported that Jesus sent out the disciples with instructions to go not the way of the Gentiles, but rather to go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. One day a Syrophenician woman came to Jesus seeking his help, to whom Jesus replied, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” He came unto His own people, but overall, He was rejected by them. Even his own family had doubts about him, John 7: 5 says that even his own brothers did not believe in him.

But not only was he not welcomed by his own creation and his own people, he was not welcomed by his own religion. The scriptures that the Pharisees and scribes studied testified of Jesus, yet the religious authorities refused to acknowledge him as the Messiah! Yes! He came unto His own!

He came unto his own and his own received him not! Yes! His own rejected the Christ and crucified him upon a Roman cross. His own refused to acknowledge him as the Messiah! His own refused to accept him as Lord. But why? Why was it that he came unto his own and his own received him not?

Well, His creation refused to receive him because of the same reason that they were in rebellion against God! Jesus said that men loved the darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. When John wrote that Jesus was the light and that the light was shining in the darkness and the darkness comprehended it not, there was a dual meaning. One of the distinctive characteristics of John’s gospel is that it is full of dualism. By dualism, we refer to those words and concepts within this gospel writing that has more than one meaning. For instance, in John chapter three, Jesus told Nicodemus that a man must be born “anon.” The Greek word has two meanings which are both equally applicable in this context. The word means, “again”: Ye must be born again! But it also means “from above”: Ye must be born from above! Both concepts are equally valid. In order to see (perceive or understand) the Kingdom, one must experience a second birth and that birth must be of a spiritual nature: from above! So, when John wrote, what the King James Version interprets as “comprehend,” the Greek word is “katalambano,” which has the dual meaning of “understanding” or “comprehension” and “overcoming.” Hence the darkness did not understand the light neither did the darkness overcome, defeat, or extinguish the light. The world did not accept or receive Jesus because the world was in darkness!

His family according to the flesh and the Jews in general did not receive him because he came as a suffering servant and they were expecting a reigning king! That’s the way it is you know, when you don’t measure up to other folk’s expectation of you, they will reject you! Jesus came preaching a spiritual gospel, proclaiming deliverance from sin, but what the Jews wanted was a political manifesto declaring their independence from Rome! Tradition has it that Barrabas was also named Jesus and that he was a political insurrectionist. Hence the Jews wanted Jesus, the insurrectionist rather than Jesus the Christ. There are many people today who claim to be followers of Jesus. But the question is, which Jesus? The Jesus of the Bible; the Son of God or a Jesus of our own making? Yes, he came unto his own and his own received him not!

But thank God today! The rejection was not total! There were some who welcomed his arrival, And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. And Joseph and his mother marveled at those things which were spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

No, the rejection was not total! The record states, But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Yes! I’m glad today that the rejection was not total! For there were those who were willing to receive him as their Lord and Savior! No! The rejection was not total! For there are those even today, who realize that without Christ there would be no Christmas! So, as I leave you alone to decide how you will celebrate this Christmas! Just remember that it’s not about presents wrapped under a tree, but rather a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger! It’s not so much about the presents you give to others, but the gift that God has given to you! As you celebrate Christmas this year, don’t forget about the guest of honor! You see, if you don’t invite him to the party, then he will not show up! He’s too intelligent to be a party-crasher! But if you invite him; he will come! For I heard him saying, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Yes! If you let him, Jesus will come into your Christmas celebration! Well! How should we celebrate Christmas? I submit to you that if you are lost you cannot truly celebrate this season! You cannot really celebrate a party if you’re not on speaking terms with the guest of honor! You cannot celebrate a holy season in an unholy manner! It’s on the verge of blasphemy to celebrate the birthday of Jesus by getting drunk at Christmas parties! The best way to celebrate this season is by inviting the guest of honor to take his rightful place in your life! The best way to celebrate is by letting him into your heart and life:

Oh! Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King!

Let every heart prepare him room, And Heaven and nature sing!

Oh! Joy to the earth! The Savior reigns! Let men their songs employ! While fields and floods, rock, hills and plains, Repeat the sounding joy! Yes! You ought to go tell it on the mountain! Over the hills and everywhere! Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ was born!

 

 

God is Light and those who fellowship with God must walk in the Light 1 John 1:5-7

 

Introduction:

The writer whom we believe is Apostle John makes us know that he is the carrier of a message. It was the ambition of the apostles to be found faithful, and faithfully to deliver the errands and messages they had received. The apostles and the apostolical ministers are the messengers of the Lord Jesus; it is their honour, the chief they pretend to, to bring his mind and messages to the world and to the  churches. So John says in verse 5 that “the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you.”

The present message he wants to bring to us is about God whom we have to commune with and his nature. In fact he wants us to know that to fellowship with someone, we need to know his or her nature so that you can truly have communication or true relationship. That message he has is that God is Light and in him there is no darkness at all. Can you understand? The beauty and excellency of God here described?

That He is a self-active uncompounded spirituality, purity, wisdom, holiness, and glory. There is no defect or imperfection, no mixture of any thing alien or contrary to absolute excellency, no mutability nor capacity of any decay in him: In him is no darkness at all. That is what it means to be Light. God is Spirit; self-active; no one makes him active or inactive. He is perpetually active according to His will and no external source can change who He is. He is the unchangeable changer. Purity is his nature with all knowing capacity. Just think of His holiness and His Glory.

The writer now brings in the conclusion to professors of Christianity or professed entertainers of the gospel:

1.       If we say we have fellowship with him and walk in darkness, then we lie and do not the truth. To walk in darkness is to live and act according to such ignorance, error and erroneous practices as contrary to the fundamental dictates of the scriptures. God holds no heavenly fellowship or intercourse with unholy souls. What communion has light with darkness? They lie themselves because they have no communications from God nor accesses to him. There is no truth in their profession nor in their practice.

2.       But if we walk in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his son cleanseth us from all sin. As the blessed God is the eternal boundless light, and the Mediator is from him, the light of the world, so the Christian institution is the great luminary that appears in our sphere, and shines here below. A conformity to this in spirit and practice therefore demonstrates communion with God.

Are you walking in the light? Where the blood of Jesus has cleansed you from all sin. Where you cherish the work of God which is the word of life. You will want to go anywhere just because of the undiluted gospel. Not only will you listen to the Gospel but you seek for God’s grace to live the gospel, you want to practice the gospel by the grace and power of the Holy Spirit of Light that is in you.

Or Are you walking in darkness? Where you enjoy the errors and ignorance of this world. Hatred, lasciviousness (feeling or revealing an overt sexual interest or desire: lascivious wink, arousing sexual desire. Don’t we see that in facebook and whatsapp? Girls who kiss the phone or the air, some extend their tongue as if they are panting for the devil in sex.  And we say they are sexy. You sinner!) , debauchery (extreme indulgence in bodily pleasures and especially sexual pleasures: drugs and drunkenness that leads to sexual immorality before they realize when it’s too late), fits of rage, revelling (enjoying oneself in a lively and noisy way, especially with drinking and dancing), jealousy, murder, sexual immorality and all the like even though you come to church every Sunday and profess that you are Christian. It doesn’t matter whether you are pastor, evangelist, ordained or not, choir member, deacon, elder or leader in your church. Are you walking in the light?