Sermon October 4, 1998 LWML Sunday: Lights of the Lord based on Isaiah 60:1-5

[This sermon is an adaptation of one written by Rev. Victor Belton] Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

(Text to be read) Isaiah 60:1-5 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising. Lift up your eyes all around, and see: They all gather together, they come to you; Your sons shall come from afar, And your daughters shall be nursed at your side. Then you shall see and become radiant, And your heart shall swell with joy; Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, The wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you.

Are you afraid of the dark? Can you remember being a little child when it was night and all around you was darkness? Your surroundings seemed to come to life. What was familiar in the light became unfamiliar in the dark. Your toys, which were friendly when the lights were on, became big frightening monsters. Your closet, which was a comfortable place in the light became a den of demons and evil? Every shadow and noise seemed exaggerated larger than life. Just about all you could do was pull the covers over your head, talk to whoever was there and try with all your might to get some sleep.

That is how adult Christians sometimes view the world. Full of friendly toys when the lights are on and we are sure of our way, but full of frightening evil when it is dark. Even as adults we sometimes flee from the darkness because it makes us feel uncomfortable and we know that evil people and intentions are lurking around in the shadows.

Physical darkness is one type of darkness, but there is another type which is even more ominous. Spiritual darkness is a life without the benefit of God. Into Spiritual darkness we are born, dead to all light. In this condition we even love the darkness more than the light. Before God touches us in the water of baptism we are children of darkness. When we decline the benefits God gives in His Word and His Supper, we are again subject to our old nature and darkness is again preferred to the light. However, God calls us back into the light. He calls us with His words, such as Psalm 119:105 "Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path." Words like Matthew 28, "I am with you always" remind us of our God's wonderful promises which give us courage and lead us to walk in the light.

Our Lord strengthens us for our walk in the light in our text also. The people of God are encouraged there to "Arise." That means stand up, get up and go. We are encouraged to "shine." That means show forth the glory of the light which we have from God. We do not generate our own light, but rather, "light has come" to us and "the glory of the Lord" is rising. We merely reflect His light. It is comforting to read the pronouns "you" and "your" in our text. "Your light has come" and "the glory of the Lord rises upon you." This is not some vague, unknown or impersonal light. It is light from God in Christ Jesus our Lord. It is light for us.

Our text describes well the condition of the world and all who are in it without the grace of God's light. "For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you." This verse indicates that the light which "rises upon you," the light which pushes back the darkness is actually the Lord himself. When the Lord rises in Easter glory, the darkness flees. When the Lord rises in Baptismal grace through water and Word, darkness is dispelled. When the Lord rises in Holy Communion, all darkness is pushed back and we are again freed.

The light of the Lord is so profound and glorious that the Gentiles, that is, other nations, will see it and be drawn "to the brightness of your rising." All things, it seems, are attracted out of the darkness to the splendor of the light. Our sons and daughters from afar, and the wealth of foreign nations will be attracted to the light because the darkness has been expelled.

We see the Word of God brings light to our lives. The Word pushes back the darkness. Remember back in Genesis 1 when everything is formless and void? What is upon the face of the deep? Darkness! No light, no direction from God. No hope for the present and no vision for the future. Emptiness. Then at once, with a word, God brings forth the light simply by speaking it into existence. "Let there be light" and the light appears with the Word of God as its source. And this light gives light to mankind.

What situations do you encounter in your life where all is darkness and light is desired? How about your finances? When we are not sure that there will be sufficient resources and provisions to supply the needs of our life, we pray, "Give us this day our daily bread." God says, "Let there be light" and makes sufficient supply for the day.

How about in our relationships? When we are not sure that the love we have given is being returned or the commitment we made in our relationship is strong and enduring. When we have sinned against one another and there does not seen to be forgiveness, we pray, "Forgive us our sins as those who sin against us." God says, "Let there be light" and gives the opportunity and will for restoration in our relationships and in our lives.

When we are unsure of how to proceed and need some Word from God as to how to move forward in the issues of day-to-day living, we pray, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." God says, "Let there be light" and we remember to love God and one another first, to seek the kingdom of God first, and find all other things added unto us.

In the midst of the dark night of the soul when we are tempted to do, think and say things which do not edify and build up; when we are tempted to be other than the saints God has created us to be, and tempted by doubt and distress to go our own way and try life on our own terms, we pray, "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." God says, "Let there be light" and the deliverance comes, the peace comes, the joy comes, and the assurance of salvation is restored and we have peace with God through Jesus Christ His Son.

In the day of the darkness of rebellion when we don't want to hear what our family, friends, pastor or even God has to say. When we are determined that things are going to be my way or no way, we then remember the words spoken by David in the 51st Psalm and pray, "Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your loving-kindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions." God says, "Let there be light" and the forgiveness comes through Word and Sacrament and absolution. God hears our plea to let there be light to push back the darkness of our own sins. We go forward in the light of God, blessed as He pushes back the darkness in our hearts, lives and spirits. We remember that our Lord Jesus in his suffering, death on the cross and resurrection has in fact, already won the victory over our darkness. He Himself has pushed back the darkness for eternity and delivered us into the Kingdom of Grace and Peace. Therefore, there is no darkness which we need fear when we are in Christ! The power of our Lord Jesus has overcome the dark-ness and despair of our world. He came in the manger into the darkness of the stable and there was light. He came into the temple and there was light. He came to the man born blind and there was light. He came to the ten lepers and there was light. He came to the twelve disciples and there was light. After his resurrection He sent His counselor, the Holy Spirit, to Jerusalem and there was light and thousands were converted to the faith.

We need a little light today. The world seems dark. Christ has pushed back the darkness, but so few seem to know. Murder is in our cities, and even now increasing in the heartland of America. Our children are under attack from television, movies, videos, the intemet and peer pressure. Divorce rates are on the rise and families are broken, lives destroyed. Wars and rumors of wars. Racism and sexism are on the rise with injustice in the workplace. Distrust and confusion are all around us.

Into our dark world, the Lord sends us as missionaries. Matthew 5:14-16 says, "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." And our text in Isaiah 60 encourages us to celebrate the accomplished fact, "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you... Darkness shall cover the earth and deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you and His glory will be seen upon you." Yes, the world is full of darkness, but We are the light of God to shine into other people's lives.

Schools are to be brighter because we are there. Our workplaces and coworkers are to be blessed and edified because we are there. Our neighborhood and churches are to shine with the grace of God because we are in them. We are lights of the Lord. That light of God is in you and goes with you wherever you go.

To help us reflect His light, Christ feeds us with his body and blood and gives us victory over darkness. By virtue of the sacrifice of Christ and His gifts of His body and blood given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins you can go forward as lights of the Lord. Strengthened by light from the Word, we can go forward on our mission. We need not fear for "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?" (Psalm 27:1) May you be blessed by the light of Jesus Christ. May you reflect the light of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Now may the peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.