12/14/97………………The Gift of Light…………..Luke 2

by Ronald E. George Jr. at the Sand Fork Baptist Church.

Instead of trusting Christ, modern-day thinkers insist on using human wisdom alone for answers to eternal questions.

The tragedy of this situation was graphically illustrated in a humorous skit performed by Karl Vallentin, a Munich comedian. Walking on a stage where everything was dark except for a small area under a street lamp, he began to look for something on the ground. He told the policeman who came on the scene that he was trying to find a key, whereupon the two continued the search. Finally the officer asked, "Are you sure you lost it here?" "Oh, no," said Vallentin as he pointed to a corner, "It was over there, but here is where the light is!"

Luke 2:25 (KJS) 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. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 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, 28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. 33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

Key verse: vv.30-32

Purpose is to show the gift of light that we have been given and challenge us to receive it and shine it for others to follow.

1. See the Light!

Simeon saw the light of God when he saw the Christ child. God, himself, is with us. Immanuel. Have you seen the light? This is God’s Gift to humans living in Darkness without any hope of finding the life that is the light of the world.

John 1:4 (NIV) In him was life, and that life was the light of men.

See the Light of the angels that proclaim the birth of the Savior to the Shepherds.

See the Light of the Star in the East that led the Wisemen to Jesus.

See the life that lights the world living in darkness.

Have you seen the light or are you still living in darkness?

Have you seen God’s Salvation through Jesus the Christ?

A poor little boy once heard his Sunday school teacher say Jesus was the light of the world. He took her remark quite literally. After class, the boy said to his teacher, "If Jesus really is the light of the world, I wish He'd come hang out in my alley. It's awful dark where I live."

2. Secure and Receive the Light!

Simeon was led by the Spirit to the light and that light was Jesus the child. Simeon took Jesus into his arms and held the light for himself. Have you? Securing the light means to have the light of the world for yourself. It means to have the light of the world within yourself.

John 1:12 (KJS) 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: {power: or, the right, or, privilege}

The secret of the light of the world is the power that produces it. The power that led Simeon to see the light and hold the light is the power of the Spirit of God. To all those who receive him and those that believe on his name have the power of the Spirit. This power is God from above that shines within us.

A Hindu trader in India once asked a missionary, "What do you put on your face to make it shine?" With surprise the man of God answered, "I don't put anything on it!" His questioner began to lose patience and said emphatically, "Yes, you do!" All of you who believe in Jesus seem to have it. I've seen it in the towns of Agra and Surat, and even in the city of Bombay." Suddenly the Christian understood, and his face glowed even more as he said, "Now I know what you mean, and I will tell you the secret. It's not something we put on from the outside but something that comes from within. It's the reflection of the light of God in our hearts.

3. Shine the Light! Share the light that is within you.

Will you shine the light and give the light so that others may come out of the darkness of hopelessness and find the Lord and hope?

Phil 2:15 (NIV) so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.

Matt 5:15 (NIV) Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

How can we shine? By giving ourselves wholly and completely we can allow the Lord room in our lives. Push the reset button for new life and light in Christ. Get recharged for new life.

In a tenement district in New York City, a boy in ragged clothes was seen with a small piece of broken mirror in his hand. Holding it high in the air he moved it slowly back and forth, watching the narrow slit of a window above him as he did so. "What are you doing?" a man suddenly demanded as he shook the youngster roughly by the shoulder. "Like most boys in this neighborhood, you're probably up to some mischief, aren't you?" The boy looked up into the stern face of his accuser and said, "See that window up there? Well, I have a little brother who has a room on that floor. He's a cripple. The only sunlight he ever sees is what I shine up to him with my mirror!

From his book Daily Gems comes this story by D.L. Moody: "A blind man in a great city was found sitting at a street corner with a lantern beside him. Someone went up to him and asked him why he had the lantern, since he was blind and the light of if was the same to him as the darkness. The blind man simply replied, 'So that no one may stumble over me.'"

We who know Christ, of course, are not blind. But like that man, we too must be providing light so that those who are lost can find their way to heaven. Without the light of Christ shining through us, His followers, they will stumble in their search for peace and satisfaction.