Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: John 1:1-9

Luke 1:78-79 says, “Through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Our world is in a desperately dark condition, but thanks be to God, who sent us His Son, Jesus, the Light of the World.

There are five things to learn about the light of Jesus Christ:

This light is pure.

Jesus was in the world, but He was not of the world. Light can never be defiled, no matter what it passes through. Light can expose the vilest, corrupt darkness, but it’s not touched by it.

Adrian Rogers says, “This is a wonderful picture of Jesus Christ. He exposes sin, but He is never touched by sin. Jesus could touch sinners, but sin never touched Jesus.”

This light is constant.

God is absolutely unchangeable. The only thing that is constant in our universe is light. Likewise, in the spiritual realm, Jesus is the one constant.

Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

This light is victorious.

John 1:5 says, “The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

This light is vital.

Jesus is the one who gives life. Light and life are inextricably interwoven; you cannot have life without light.

When God first initiated life in this universe, He first commanded, “Let there be light.” (Genesis 1:3) If the sunlight were to disappear, our world would become cold and dark and dead. Likewise, when Jesus came into the world, in Him was life, and that life was the light of Man!

If we want to revive our lives, we need the light of Jesus Christ.

Finally, this light is glorious.

It is full of multifaceted splendors. Pure white light consists of a spectrum of colors, the most gorgeous bouquet in the world. If you take away the light, it has no color. Color is not in objects…it’s in light.

Christ is the one who gives glory and joy, and victory. He’s the one who makes this world beautiful in His time.

Apply it to your life

Don’t blot out the light of Jesus Christ; rather, let Him shine through you today.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: 1 Corinthians 15

Christmas is spelled L-O-V-E, as it reflects God's ultimate gift of love through Jesus Christ as described in John 3:16. Love is crucial for using spiritual gifts effectively.

Adrian Rogers says, "The real mark of the spirit-filled life is love."

1 Corinthians 13 unveils three main aspects of love.

The Virtues and Indispensability of Love

Love is absolutely indispensable, with no substitute. Without love, other highly valued attributes or actions are rendered meaningless:

Oratory or speaking with tongues becomes like sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. (v. 1)

Prophecy, understanding mysteries, and knowledge are as nothing. (v. 2)

Faith, even faith that can move mountains, is "nothing" without love. (v. 2)

Feeding the poor (bestowing all goods) or martyrdom (giving one's body to be burned) profit nothing if not motivated by genuine love. (v. 3)

Adrian Rogers says, "What our Lord is looking for more than people who will die for their faith, is people who will live for their faith, and show that living by loving."

The Characteristics of Love

These are described in verses 4-5: love is portrayed as having specific qualities:

Patient ("suffers long"); a lack of patience indicates a lack of love.

Kind, described as "love in the little things" and courtesy.

Not jealous ("envies not"); willing to give credit and praise others.

Humble ("not puffed up"); able to apologize and forgive.

Not rude ("does not behave unseemly").

Unselfish ("seeketh not its own"); focusing on showing love rather than personal gain.

Even-tempered ("not easily provoked"); an "evil temper" is highlighted as significantly damaging to Christian society.

Not suspicious ("thinks no evil"), avoiding paranoia or "mud-slinging".

The Victory and Eternality of Love

1 Corinthians 13:4 states simply, “Love never fails.”

It is eternal and will never pass away, unlike prophecies, tongues, and knowledge, which are temporary. Faith and hope find their fulfillment in Heaven, but love endures and is perfected in Heaven.

Love is the greatest virtue, the greatest commandment, the greatest testimony, the greatest motivation, and the greatest confirmation of salvation. Jesus' disciples will be recognized by their love for one another (John 13:35).

Apply it to your life

Prioritize demonstrating patient, kind, humble, and unselfish love in all aspects of your life. It is the most indispensable and enduring virtue, far better than any other achievement or gift.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Isaiah 9:6-7

Adrian Rogers says, “The greatest event in human history was not when Man first put his feet upon the moon, but when Almighty God came down and walked upon this Earth."

No amount of secular knowledge compares to the vital knowledge of Jesus Christ. Isaiah 9:6-7 presents three thoughts about history’s greatest happening.

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

His Supernatural Nature

This passage speaks to both Jesus's humanity (“a child is born”) and His deity (“a son is given”). Jesus Christ's beginning was not in Bethlehem; He is the eternal Word, who was with God and was God from the beginning, and through whom all things were made. Jesus Christ is fully God; He possesses everything God is, has, and does.

His Sovereign Nobility

Jesus is a noble ruler, a sovereign king. He came not only to redeem but also to reign. His Second Coming is certain, and when He returns, it will be as a mighty monarch, with the government upon His shoulder. We cannot "make" Him Lord, as He already is Lord; we can only recognize and bow before His Lordship.

His Saving Name

The name “Jesus” means "Jehovah saves". This name was given by God, designating Jesus as the "great I AM" (Jehovah) who saves. This passage also calls Him:

Wonderful: He is wonderful in His birth, life, works, words, death, resurrection, ascension, intercession, and future return.

Counselor: There is wisdom in His name, as He possesses all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Mighty God: Jesus made everything and has all power in Heaven and on Earth.

Everlasting Father: This invokes worship, as Jesus and the Father are one, and seeing Him is seeing the Father. Worshipping Jesus is not idolatry because He is indeed God.

Prince of Peace: Jesus offers peace to those who labor and are heavy laden. The world will not know true peace until He returns, but personal peace with God is available through Him now.

Apply it to your life

To gain true wisdom and peace, recognize Jesus Christ as the key to all knowledge and the source of ultimate peace. Acknowledge His divine nature and sovereign Lordship,and trust Him as your personal Savior.