Sermon Central
-
Someone Turned The Lights On Series
Contributed by Paul Decker on May 29, 2002 (message contributor)
Summary: Jesus has given us purpose.
SOMEONE TURNED THE LIGHTS ON
S: Celebrate Jesus
Th: Evangelism: JESUS BROKE THE POWER OF
DARKNESS SO ALL CAN LIVE IN THE LIGHT.
Pr: JESUS HAS GIVEN US PURPOSE.
?: What? What is our purpose?
KW: Objectives
TS: We will find in our study of Acts 26:16-18, three objectives we are to meet to accomplish the purpose Jesus has given us.
The ____ objective we are to meet to accomplish the purpose Jesus has given us is…
I. GO AND TELL (17)
II. OPEN EYES (18)
III. TURN THEM (18)
RMBC 3/12/00 AM
INTRODUCTION:
ILL Notebook: Seek (yellow pages)
Every Spring the graduating class of Washington State University’s College of Pharmacy visits several major drug man-ufacturers. On one visit the tour guide led the group to a glass-enclosed room. There, the group could see several people in white lab coats. With her back to the glass, the guide announced: "In this room researchers are actively search-ing for a cure for cancer."” She stopped short, however, as the group broke out laughing. Puzzled, the guide turned to look. There, through the glass she saw three scientists in ani-mated debate, flipping through the Yel-low Pages.
Well, perhaps that does make us ask this question…
Where are people supposed to go find answers?
Where are people supposed to go to find understanding and enlightenment to the large questions about the meaning of life?
TRANSITION:
Scripture provides us an answer if we are willing to hear it…
1. Jesus claimed to be the light of the world (John 8:12).
It is Jesus who said…
"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
For those that followed Jesus, they believe that He had brought them light.
They followed Him with great enthusiasm.
His teachings, His way of dealing with people, were so engaging and attractive, that He was frequently inundated with requests to help.
He brought light and hope into a country that was burdened by oppression and darkness.
He brought good news to a people that thought that God was far off.
He entered into a depraved world deprived of light.
But just as things were going well, the disciples’ plan for a new, physical kingdom seemed to dissipate.
At one moment, Jesus rides into Jerusalem hailed as the King and Savior of Israel.
Days later, He is betrayed by one of His disciples, unjustly put on trial by the religious judicial system and sentenced to die by a compromising Roman governor who finds Him innocent of the charges.
Jesus’ testimony had been that He was the light of the world.
2. For the disciples, though, the light went out at Golgotha.
All of sudden, God seemed distant.
All their hopes and dreams, and even their plans were set aside.
The light was gone.
The case was closed.
The coroner’s report written.
The movement was over.
Jesus was dead.
ILL 50 Day (Faust)
A visitor at Louvre Museum in Paris was studying the famous painting of the devil and Faust engaged in a chess match. For years tourists have looked and sadly nodded as they understood the artist’s message. By looking at the chessboard they could see Faust’s helpless situation. He’d been checkmated, and the devil’s sneering smile only underscored the artist’s perspective of life. Evil always triumphs. But this day, this tourist stood in front of the painting an inordi-nately long time studying the facial details and the location of the chessmen on the board. And all at once the visitor shouted, "It’s a lie! It’s a lie! Faust still has a move!"
To the disciples, there were no more moves.
In their understanding, there was a finality that could not be overcome.
But what they failed to see was that Jesus had one more move!
3. Fortunately, what appeared to be final was just the beginning.
The day that we call Good Friday is only good because of what happened on the following Sunday.
It was on that day, Jesus “uncheckmated” the board.
His death was not the end.
It was not over.
Hope was not gone.
The symbol of death and hopelessness, the cross, now becomes a sign of life, light and hope.
For the cross is empty.
And as a result, we do not have to live unenlightened lives.
ILL Drama: “In the Box”
4. JESUS BROKE THE POWER OF DARKNESS SO ALL CAN LIVE IN THE LIGHT.
That which seemed impossible became possible, so that, that which seems impossible to us will be possible.
For that which binds us and keeps us without hope, the power of darkness, has been broken.
And though we are still a sinful people living in a broken world where sinful people willfully make sinful choices, we do not have to live that way anymore.
