2016 Oct 30 Sermon: Light of the world
Youth Sunday, 30th October 2016. Theme: Light of the world. Sermon by Manuel Sieunarine.
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Old Testament reading (NIV): Psalm 119, verses 105 to 112.
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.
106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
that I will follow your righteous laws.
107 I have suffered much;
preserve my life, LORD, according to your word.
108 Accept, LORD, the willing praise of my mouth,
and teach me your laws.
109 Though I constantly take my life in my hands,
I will not forget your law.
110 The wicked have set a snare for me,
but I have not strayed from your precepts.
111 Your statutes are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart.
112 My heart is set on keeping your decrees
to the very end.
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New Testament reading (NIV): The gospel according to John, chapter 8, verses 12 to 20.
Dispute Over Jesus’ Testimony
12 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.”
13 The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.”
14 Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. 16 But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. 17 In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. 18 I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.”
19 Then they asked him, “Where is your father?”
“You do not know me or my Father,” Jesus replied. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” 20 He spoke these words while teaching in the temple courts near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because his hour had not yet come.
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Let us pray. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of all our hearts be acceptable to You, O Christ, our Strength and our Redeemer, amen.
Yesterday we came together as a nation to celebrate Divali; the Hindu festival of lights celebrated around Harvest time. There is another festival or feast that is celebrated around this time, and that is the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles. An American theologian and New Testament scholar, Mr. Grant R. Osborne, analysed the reading from John:
[Quoting ]
The Conflict Intensifies at the Feast of Tabernacles
Jesus' proclamation that he is the light of the world was made in the part of the temple where the feast's lamp-lighting ceremonies took place, ceremonies that commemorated the pillar of fire during the wilderness wanderings. Thus, Jesus is revealed as the fulfillment of the major themes of this feast. The very God to whom they are giving thanks in this wonderful feast has come into their midst.
[End quote]
What a beautiful image that is! We all know the story of Moses, who led the people of Israel out of Egypt and to the Promised Land. The feast of tabernacles commemorates that exodus. The feast is fulfilled by the presence of God within Jesus. It used to be that the presence of God was carried around in a small wooden chest containing the Ten Commandments. It used to be that animals were slaughtered to cleanse a community of sins. But when Jesus revealed Himself, no more would people need to cling to the Law to feel near to God, because Jesus fulfilled the Law. No more would sacrifices need to be made to forgive sin. Jesus brought the Holy Spirit with Him to Earth, so that through the Spirit we would carry the presence of God within us. Jesus laid down His life at the Cross so that we would be freed of sin, and He took up His life again so that we, too, would live again even though we died.
Mr. Osborne also said that, in the Old Testament, the motif of light is used to refer to God’s presence, salvation, and His revelation. We here in Trinidad lit up everywhere yesterday with deyas, flambeaux, sparklers and fireworks. As a people, we love light, and the Bible teaches us that God is light. His light helps us grow in knowledge of each other, the world, and His Son. God alone can make Himself known. We cannot ever figure out His mysteries; not even the angels fully understand Him, but Jesus is the revelation of God the Father. Jesus came here to offer salvation from our sins. He allows us to stand in God’s presence through His Holy Spirit. Thus we become God’s children, heirs to the Kingdom.
The average Trinidadian can relate to the reading from Psalm 119. This Psalm speaks of dangers surrounding us. The media reminds us every day of what dangers we face. We worry, and we are stressed out from providing our family with safety and security. The Psalm reminds us that we are not alone. Though we fear for our lives, the Holy Spirit never abandons us. God weeps with us when we experience loss. God feels pain with us when we are sick or injured. That is the comfort we enjoy as God’s people; His enduring presence in the midst of evil.
It is true that people call out to God most often in times of suffering. Whenever a child is hurt, they immediately turn to their parent for comfort. Their parent comforts them. Thus it is only natural that, as children of God, when we are hurt, we turn to our Heavenly Father. We turn to Him because we are afraid. God not only comforts us through His presence in the Holy Spirit, but teaches us how to suffer. The example He set through His Son is a lesson for the ages in how to approach suffering. When someone hurts us, we forgive them instead of taking revenge. When tragedy strikes others, we offer compassion instead of exploiting their vulnerability. In dark times, we carry our candle and run to the darkness, not away from it.
God shines His light towards this world. His light is not the Law; it is not religion or strong belief; it is His Son. God gave His light to Jesus, who passes on that light to us through the Holy Spirit. We must accept and reflect this light; reflect so others can receive, and so the world can be lit or transformed.
However, we are not merely mirrors, but living human beings. Just as plants need sunlight to stay alive, so too do we need the light of God to be absorbed into us. As St. Paul said in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me”.
Light is needed in this world of darkness. A small light can illuminate an entire house or room. God just needs us. Against the backdrop of the cosmos, we are very small and we are very little creatures, but God uses us to illuminate large areas of this world. It is His light and His work we do. A little light is like a little seed; it bears great fruit.
To reflect God’s light properly, we need to shine our lives - prepare ourselves to reflect and work. To absorb God’s light, we need to keep our lives free from evil, so that we can absorb and increase our illumination in this world.
Faith is our response to the light: faith is trust plus hope. The first step towards reconciliation is admitting that we have sinned. When we make this most difficult admission, we are shocked to discover that while we were looking for God, He was also looking for us! God is always knocking on the door of our heart, and when we admit our shortcomings and open the door, when we open our hearts, we find Him there waiting patiently.
The light does not give enlightenment or some other worldly wisdom, but a peace that passes all understanding. It is wholly foreign to human knowledge, because the Kingdom is not of this world. The light is warm, gentle, and kind to us, for it is the very life of God filling up all the emptiness in our soul. His light is the truth, and we cannot keep the truth a secret. It must be passed on to others. So let us hold out our candles for all to see it, and go light our world. Let us tell them to repent, for the kingdom is coming. Let us seek out the hopeless, confused and worn down people who gave up hope long ago. Let us show them through our service that there is hope, for God loves them. Amen. Let us pray. For every dim step we take forward in faith, the Lord advances one mile in blazing light. Jesus, light of the world, shine upon us. Amen.
-----------------------------------------------------
Old Testament reading (NIV): Psalm 119, verses 105 to 112.
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.
106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
that I will follow your righteous laws.
107 I have suffered much;
preserve my life, LORD, according to your word.
108 Accept, LORD, the willing praise of my mouth,
and teach me your laws.
109 Though I constantly take my life in my hands,
I will not forget your law.
110 The wicked have set a snare for me,
but I have not strayed from your precepts.
111 Your statutes are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart.
112 My heart is set on keeping your decrees
to the very end.
-----------------------------------------------------
New Testament reading (NIV): The gospel according to John, chapter 8, verses 12 to 20.
Dispute Over Jesus’ Testimony
12 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.”
13 The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.”
14 Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. 16 But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. 17 In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. 18 I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.”
19 Then they asked him, “Where is your father?”
“You do not know me or my Father,” Jesus replied. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” 20 He spoke these words while teaching in the temple courts near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because his hour had not yet come.
-----------------------------------------------------
Let us pray. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of all our hearts be acceptable to You, O Christ, our Strength and our Redeemer, amen.
Yesterday we came together as a nation to celebrate Divali; the Hindu festival of lights celebrated around Harvest time. There is another festival or feast that is celebrated around this time, and that is the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles. An American theologian and New Testament scholar, Mr. Grant R. Osborne, analysed the reading from John:
[Quoting ]
The Conflict Intensifies at the Feast of Tabernacles
Jesus' proclamation that he is the light of the world was made in the part of the temple where the feast's lamp-lighting ceremonies took place, ceremonies that commemorated the pillar of fire during the wilderness wanderings. Thus, Jesus is revealed as the fulfillment of the major themes of this feast. The very God to whom they are giving thanks in this wonderful feast has come into their midst.
[End quote]
What a beautiful image that is! We all know the story of Moses, who led the people of Israel out of Egypt and to the Promised Land. The feast of tabernacles commemorates that exodus. The feast is fulfilled by the presence of God within Jesus. It used to be that the presence of God was carried around in a small wooden chest containing the Ten Commandments. It used to be that animals were slaughtered to cleanse a community of sins. But when Jesus revealed Himself, no more would people need to cling to the Law to feel near to God, because Jesus fulfilled the Law. No more would sacrifices need to be made to forgive sin. Jesus brought the Holy Spirit with Him to Earth, so that through the Spirit we would carry the presence of God within us. Jesus laid down His life at the Cross so that we would be freed of sin, and He took up His life again so that we, too, would live again even though we died.
Mr. Osborne also said that, in the Old Testament, the motif of light is used to refer to God’s presence, salvation, and His revelation. We here in Trinidad lit up everywhere yesterday with deyas, flambeaux, sparklers and fireworks. As a people, we love light, and the Bible teaches us that God is light. His light helps us grow in knowledge of each other, the world, and His Son. God alone can make Himself known. We cannot ever figure out His mysteries; not even the angels fully understand Him, but Jesus is the revelation of God the Father. Jesus came here to offer salvation from our sins. He allows us to stand in God’s presence through His Holy Spirit. Thus we become God’s children, heirs to the Kingdom.
The average Trinidadian can relate to the reading from Psalm 119. This Psalm speaks of dangers surrounding us. The media reminds us every day of what dangers we face. We worry, and we are stressed out from providing our family with safety and security. The Psalm reminds us that we are not alone. Though we fear for our lives, the Holy Spirit never abandons us. God weeps with us when we experience loss. God feels pain with us when we are sick or injured. That is the comfort we enjoy as God’s people; His enduring presence in the midst of evil.
It is true that people call out to God most often in times of suffering. Whenever a child is hurt, they immediately turn to their parent for comfort. Their parent comforts them. Thus it is only natural that, as children of God, when we are hurt, we turn to our Heavenly Father. We turn to Him because we are afraid. God not only comforts us through His presence in the Holy Spirit, but teaches us how to suffer. The example He set through His Son is a lesson for the ages in how to approach suffering. When someone hurts us, we forgive them instead of taking revenge. When tragedy strikes others, we offer compassion instead of exploiting their vulnerability. In dark times, we carry our candle and run to the darkness, not away from it.
God shines His light towards this world. His light is not the Law; it is not religion or strong belief; it is His Son. God gave His light to Jesus, who passes on that light to us through the Holy Spirit. We must accept and reflect this light; reflect so others can receive, and so the world can be lit or transformed.
However, we are not merely mirrors, but living human beings. Just as plants need sunlight to stay alive, so too do we need the light of God to be absorbed into us. As St. Paul said in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me”.
Light is needed in this world of darkness. A small light can illuminate an entire house or room. God just needs us. Against the backdrop of the cosmos, we are very small and we are very little creatures, but God uses us to illuminate large areas of this world. It is His light and His work we do. A little light is like a little seed; it bears great fruit.
To reflect God’s light properly, we need to shine our lives - prepare ourselves to reflect and work. To absorb God’s light, we need to keep our lives free from evil, so that we can absorb and increase our illumination in this world.
Faith is our response to the light: faith is trust plus hope. The first step towards reconciliation is admitting that we have sinned. When we make this most difficult admission, we are shocked to discover that while we were looking for God, He was also looking for us! God is always knocking on the door of our heart, and when we admit our shortcomings and open the door, when we open our hearts, we find Him there waiting patiently.
The light does not give enlightenment or some other worldly wisdom, but a peace that passes all understanding. It is wholly foreign to human knowledge, because the Kingdom is not of this world. The light is warm, gentle, and kind to us, for it is the very life of God filling up all the emptiness in our soul. His light is the truth, and we cannot keep the truth a secret. It must be passed on to others. So let us hold out our candles for all to see it, and go light our world. Let us tell them to repent, for the kingdom is coming. Let us seek out the hopeless, confused and worn down people who gave up hope long ago. Let us show them through our service that there is hope, for God loves them. Amen. Let us pray. For every dim step we take forward in faith, the Lord advances one mile in blazing light. Jesus, light of the world, shine upon us. Amen.