Grace Lutheran Church LWML Sunday 17th Sunday after Pentecost, October 1, 2006

The Rev. Evan Gaertner

LWML Sunday 2006 "Let There Be Light"

October 1, 2006 John 8:12

In John 8:12 we hear Jesus announcing to the world, "I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life."

These words gather us around who Christ is and what he accomplishes.

Light and darkness are common and recurring Biblical topics. We can go from the first chapter of Genesis and wonder at the power of God's Word to the darkness, "Let there be light." And there was light. We can go from the creative word of God in Genesis to the redemptive work of God in Revelation chapter 22 where John describes the new heaven and new earth by saying, "And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be there light, and they will reign forever and ever."

The edge of darkness can temporarily be neutralized by a campfire, a lamp, a candle. Now with electricity we can artificially give the light of day 24 hours a day. It used to be when the last flame flickered out everyone knew they would have to deal with the difficult and possible danger of the darkness. The watchmen kept an eye on the night darkness waiting anxiously for the safety of the morning.

Even today we gladly receive light as darkness surrounds us. When you pull up to a friend's house a light in the window lets you know someone is home. A light house provides safety for ships. Police know that darkness is a breeding ground for trouble. When our church had trouble with vandalism a couple of years ago the first thing we did was improve the exterior lighting. Nothing is so simply effective in controlling crime than light. The better the light, the less crime there is.

While today with electricity we can neutralize the physical darkness of the night sky, spiritual darkness remains a reality today. Technology cannot neutralize the dangers of the Spiritual darkness that is among us.

Beyond our personal private sins, we live in a world in which national and international deeds of darkness seem endless. We cannot forget who created, and still creates, darkness: Satan.

Spiritual darkness, and its suffocating effects, is as real today as was the physical darkness of Genesis 1. How did God break the darkness of the beginning when the earth was without form and voice and darkness was over the face of the deep? God broke that beginning darkness with the words, "Let there be light."

Today we need the light of the Lord to shine. We need God to again speak the word, "Let there be light." We need the darkness to be broken with God's word. The spiritual darkness in our world is a reality that needs to be answered with the Light of the world. God knows our need. He knows your pain and suffering.

God answers our need with once again speaking into the darkness "Let There Be Light!"

Jesus Christ is the Word of God made flesh. Christ is the light for our world. God who gave the first light gave a later light as well. Christ is the light that not only reveals the sin that darkness hides. A person who examines his life at the foot of cross cannot hide his sin. How can a person witness the suffering of Christ and not witness in himself the sin that has brought him to that cross? But God's redemptive plan was not only to reveal our sinfulness but more importantly to show that his pure light brings life and overcomes the darkness. So! Let there be light! Please, the light of Christ is the mercy and hope that we need! So let there be light!

Through Christ God has again said to the world, "Let there be light."

I give thanks the LWML is and has been light. Today we recognize Lutheran Women in Mission. They are a living expression of Daniel 12:3 "And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever."

Our congregation today gives thanks this day for the LWML.

I ask that God would through the Word and the Sacraments ignite each of us individually and collectively to shine in this world.

God's redeemed people live to reflect his light. You are a redeemed child of God upon whom the light of God has shined. The light of God cannot be concealed. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Who lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket? It is God's desire that his followers should shine into every corner of the world and on every person.

In your home "Let there be light"

In your workplace "Let there be light"

In your neighborhood "Let there be light"

In this congregation "Let there be light"

In this country "Let there be light"

In this world "Let there be light"

Let the light of Christ shine where you are. Shine the forgiveness of sins into the darkness. Shine the eternal life into the hopelessness.

Soli Deo Gloria

Grace Lutheran Church Sermons