The Beginning Of New Life | Sermon
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 3Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.”
Genesis 1:1–3
In the creation story of Genesis 1, two things became evident: Light and darkness. Light is good and is the essence of life, whereas darkness is the defect of life. Light and darkness have no communion.
For what fellowship has light with darkness? Additionally, when darkness dominated in the creation story, nothing desirable was seen on the earth for it was shapeless, void, and empty (Genesis 1:2).
The fact that darkness is horrible and unpleasant was the reason God commanded light to proceed forthwith. Order precedes disorder! The creative power of God's Word which is light, evidently, is designed to remove defects of darkness in life.
Momentarily consider yourself in a room full of darkness; what could probably happen to you in that environment? The impenetrable darkness is unsafe for you! Therefore, what an outburst of joy and serenity when light suddenly penetrates or outshines the power of darkness.
Conjecture what happens when life is shrouded by the power of darkness. The Bible says, “…We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the way of the wicked one” (1 John 5:19).
Our condition is in fact, by nature, full of darkness, save for that God speaks and man hears and responds, then light could ultimately dawn on human soul.
A life of darkness is a life of disorder and confusion, and it proceeds all sorts of evil works. That life falls sway to the manipulation of evil forces and, while captivated by it, could easily be destroyed by destructive forces in life.
Life of darkness is life without Christ; and life without Christ is life with no meaning. Christ is the essence of life, and He is the “light of the world” (John 8:12). Light is the beginning of a new order.
The first day in the history of the earth as man reads it, must be the day when God removes the covering of darkness and says, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3). Uplifting the veil of darkness was the first radiation of life by the Spirit of God. It is the fundamental condition of all organic life in the world!
“Let there be light” is the power of the Word of God which sprang from the decree of the goodness of God. The Word of God is designed to be not only a light to our eyes but a light to our feet and a lamp to our paths (Psalms 119:105).
It is to direct us in the way of our duty and to prevent us turning aside into any byway. God's Word of grace, the light which He makes to shine in our hearts pierces through our world of darkness, gives existence, and begins a new life. God's creative power should never cease to amaze us, He speaks, and light immediately exists, a blessing from our Heavenly Father.
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12). Children of God are the children of light for we have known the light. It is the light of His Word which must shine in our hearts in order to leave the works of darkness and to make a difference in this dark world.
God separated the world between light and darkness, and He would daily remind us that this is a world of mixtures shrouded by works of darkness. Our life should therefore be guided by His word of Him—the true light to light our pathway on this earth.
Oh lord, give us more of the true light to shine in our way of life in this dark world! This day may the light of the world—Jesus Christ—be our guide and light our pathway of life through the uneven pathway of darkness.
Oh, lord, we live in a gloomy world with the power and forces of darkness marshalling their weapons against the children of light. Help us, lord, by Your Spirit to crush all forces of darkness in Jesus' precious name. Amen.
Suggested further reading: John 8:12; 1 John 2:5–7
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, my lord and God, light my path throughout this day. O lord, be my guide through uneven paths. lord may Your Spirit shine, giving me spiritual illumination on this day, and opening my eyes to behold Your glory, razing all works of darkness against my life to ashes.
Lord Jesus Christ, You're the light of the world, and may You shine brightly and distinctly in my life to expose all forces of darkness. Thank You, Almighty Father, for hearing me. In Jesus' precious name, I pray. Amen.
Adrian Rogers
Adrian Rogers was born in West Palm Beach, Florida, and decided to enter Christian ministry at the age of 19. It was ordained by Northwood Baptist Church in West Palm Beach.
