Exploring Darkness and Light: Biblical Contrasts in Life's Experiences
Delve into the profound contrasts of darkness and light as depicted in the Bible, reflecting on the brightest and darkest moments of life. From the formless void to the separation of light and darkness, the journey unfolds through biblical narratives in Romans and Genesis, illustrating the eternal struggle between light and dark in human existence.
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author. Download presentation by click this link. If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Tell someone about one of the BRIGHTEST or DARKEST experiences of your life.
Darkness vs. Light Week 3 in the series Contrasts of Christmas
1.Genesis 1:2The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. 1.Genesis 1:4 God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness . 2.Genesis 1:5 God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning . 3.Genesis 1:17-18 "God placed them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth,18and to govern the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness.
Romans 1:20-23 20For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.21For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.22Professing to be wise, they became fools,23and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God .
John 1 4In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.5The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. 6There came a man sent from God, whose name was John.7He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him.8He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light. 9There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.10He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.11He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.
Light & Darkness as LIFE and DEATH Job 17:13-- If I look for Sheol as my home, I make my bed in the darkness. Psalm 56:13-- For You have delivered my soul from death, Indeed my feet from stumbling, so that I may walk before God in the light of the living. Job 38:17-- Have the gates of death been revealed to you, Or have you seen the gates of deep darkness?
Light & Darkness as LIFE and DEATH Luke 1:76-79 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go on BEFORETHE LORDTO PREPARE HISWAYS; 77To give to His people the knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sins, 78Because of the tender mercy of our God, With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, 79TOSHINEUPONTHOSEWHOSITINDARKNESSANDTHE SHADOWOFDEATH, To guide our feet into the way of peace.
Light & Darkness as GOOD & EVIL a. Proverbs 4:18-19 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until the full day. 19The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know over what they stumble. b. Isaiah 5:20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness . c. Isaiah 58
Light & Darkness as GOOD & EVIL Romans 13:12 The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Ephesians 5:7-9 Therefore do not be partakers with them;8for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light9(for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth).
Light & Darkness as Gods PRESENCE & ABSENCE Zephaniah 1:14-17 16A day of trumpet and battle cry Against the fortified cities And the high corner towers. 17I will bring distress on men So that they will walk like the blind, Because they have sinned against the LORD; And their blood will be poured out like dust And their flesh like dung. 14 Near is the great day of the LORD, Near and coming very quickly; Listen, the day of the LORD! In it the warrior cries out bitterly. 15A day of wrath is that day, A day of trouble and distress, A day of destruction and desolation, A day of darkness and gloom, A day of clouds and thick darkness,
Light & Darkness as Gods PRESENCE & ABSENCE/JUDGMENT a.Isaiah 47:5 Sit silently, and go into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans, For you will no longer be called The queen of kingdoms. b.Isaiah8:21-22 They will pass through the land hard- pressed and famished, and it will turn out that when they are hungry, they will be enraged and curse their king and their God as they face upward.22Then they will look to the earth, and behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish; and they will be driven away into darkness.
Light & Darkness as Gods PRESENCE & ABSENCE/JUDGMENT a.Psalm 44:3 their own arm did not save them, But Your right hand and Your arm and the light of Your presence . b.Psalm 18:28 For You light my lamp; The Lord my God illumines my darkness. c.2 Samuel 22:29 For You are my lamp, O Lord; And the Lord illumines my darkness. d.Micah 7:8 Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy. Though I fall I will rise; Though I dwell in darkness, the Lord is a light for me.
God is IN the Darkness A. Psalm 139:11-12 If I say, Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night, 12Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You. B. Daniel 2:22 It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, And the light dwells with Him.
What to Do when All Seems Darkness Amos 5 Seek Me that you may live. 5But do not resort to Bethel And do not come to Gilgal, Nor cross over to Bersheba; For Gilgal will certainly go into captivity, And Bethel will come to trouble. 6 Seek the LORD that you may live . 8 He who made the Pleiades and Orion And changes deep darkness into morning, Who also darkens day into night, Who calls for the waters of the sea And pours them out on the surface of the earth, The LORD is His name.
What to Do when All Seems Darkness John 8:12-- Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Lightof life. 2 Corinthians 4:6--For God, who said, Light shall shine out of darkness, is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
What produces greater light in us? 1.Choose righteous actions/people and flee unrighteous actions/people. a.Romans 13:12 The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. a.Ephesians 5:7-11 Therefore do not be partakers with them;8for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light9(for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),10trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.11Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;
What produces greater light in us? 2. Guard theallianceswe make. 2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?
What produces greater light in us? 2. Guard theallianceswe make. 2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? 3. Fight the spiritual battleyou are in; don t surrendering to it. Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
What produces greater light in us? 4. Talk about the greatness of God with others: 1 Peter 2:9 But you are ACHOSENRACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLYNATION, APEOPLEFOR God s OWNPOSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 5. Be in meaningful, genuine, deepfellowship with others who are walking with Christ. 1 John 1:5-6 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.6If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;
