“The Light [Jesus Christ] shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” - John 1:5
Last Sunday we began a new sermon series titled “The Unnamed Church”. We read that “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” God (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is self-existent and pre-existent. He is eternal, without beginning or end. He created the natural universe out of nothing, simply through the power of His spoken word. When God created the earth, it was “formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep”.
Starting this morning, and continuing over the next few weeks, we are going to consider the process God followed to fashion the earth into a vibrant, lush environment suitable for human life. As described in Genesis chapter 1, this creation took place over 7 days. Today’s sermon is called “Day 1 - God Creates Light” and focuses on Genesis 1:3-5.
3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.
I. THE NECESSITY OF LIGHT
As was discussed last week, God created light from nothing. He said, “Let there be light, and there was light.” That's it. He commanded it to shine and it did. Like water, which already covered the surface of the primitive earth, so also light is necessary to support human life, and most other forms of life as well. While there are a few organisms that survive in total darkness, these are the exceptions.
Light is necessary for photosynthesis. Think back to junior high science class… Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert carbon dioxide into oxygen. Human beings and animals breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide, while plants utilize carbon dioxide and water to produce and release oxygen. This cycle is absolutely necessary for the survival of most life on earth - including human life.
Light is necessary for other reasons as well. Our skin converts light into Vitamin D which is critical for strong bones and a healthy immune system. Light helps to regulate our internal clocks, establishing a sleep-cycle that is needed for proper rest and hormonal function. Light is also important for a person’s mental health, as it prevents depression and improves mood.
God saw that the light was “good”. As we discuss the days of creation over the coming weeks, we will see Him make this observation repeatedly. We must always remember that God’s entire purpose for creation was to make a place where people could live. This world and everything in it was created for man. Thus, when He sees that the light is good, He is affirming that it is perfectly aligned with His design and purpose.
II. THE SOURCE OF LIGHT
Next, God “separated the light from the darkness”. The Bible does not explain exactly how He did this. Whatever He did, it resulted in a rotation of the light and the darkness. God called the light “day” and He called the darkness “night”. Thus, there was evening and morning, the 1st day. Notice that evening precedes morning, an order that would be followed by the Jewish people in generations to come. Most theologians, myself included, believe that this was the beginning of time.
At this early stage of the creation process, the sun, moon, and stars had yet to be created. We will not get to them until Day 4. That said, you might be wondering “Where did the light come from on days 1-3?” That’s a great question!
According to the Bible, God is light (1 John 1:5). His glory and radiance shine brilliantly without any darkness at all. Therefore, most Bible scholars agree that, prior to the creation of the sun, the light came from God’s presence and by His power. In fact, God will be the source of light throughout eternity in the new heavens and earth (Revelation 22:5). Amazing!
Seeing that God Himself was the source of the light, and that God was not created, we might rethink the statement that “God created the light”. Perhaps a better explanation is that God allowed His glory to shine, whereas He had not done so previously, thereby illuminating the creation. He “created” the light in the sense that He revealed it from Himself over the earth.
III. OUR SPIRITUAL LIGHT
Not only has God created natural light to shine upon earth, but has also - more importantly - He has shone spiritual light into our hearts through His Son, Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6). Jesus described Himself as “the Light of the world” and stated that those who follow Him “will never walk in darkness” (John 8:12). Just as light dispels and overcomes darkness, so as Jesus overcomes and has conquered sin and death.
The Bible refers to lost people as being blind. They cannot see the truth. Because of their sin, they grope about the darkness of this world. And just as a blind person cannot heal himself, so also a lost person cannot save themselves. The miracle of salvation only comes by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Those who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus for forgiveness and redemption will be saved. Believers will be rescued from the darkness (Colossians 1:13) while nonbelievers will suffer in it forever (Matthew 8:12).
Those who have accepted Christ for salvation are indwelt by the presence of the Holy Spirit. In other words, the light of God lives in them. As such, all Christians are carriers of the light. The Bible teaches believers to allow the light of Christ to shine through them so that this lost world might see and know God (Matthew 5:14-16). Furthermore, the light of Christ will expose sin and corruption, perhaps leading some to repentance.
CONCLUSION
In closing, at the end of the 1st day of creation the heavens and earth remained void and formless. The earth was still covered with water and was completely uninhabited. However, the pervasive darkness was done away with. God spoke and light began to shine. He then separated the light from the darkness, initiated the cycle of night and day, and thereby established the passage of time.
In next week’s message we will discuss Day 2 of creation. God will separate the waters, forming an expanse between those above and those below. Not sure what that means? Join us next Sunday as we talk about it together.
Finally, the Bible has a lot to say about light - and not just natural light. Spiritual light is the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Those who have trusted in Him as Lord and Savior have been delivered out of darkness and transferred into His marvelous light. If you have never received Jesus and had His light shine upon you, would you do so today? Surrender to the Lord, and let there be light in your heart!
Last Sunday we began a new sermon series titled “The Unnamed Church”. We read that “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” God (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is self-existent and pre-existent. He is eternal, without beginning or end. He created the natural universe out of nothing, simply through the power of His spoken word. When God created the earth, it was “formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep”.
Starting this morning, and continuing over the next few weeks, we are going to consider the process God followed to fashion the earth into a vibrant, lush environment suitable for human life. As described in Genesis chapter 1, this creation took place over 7 days. Today’s sermon is called “Day 1 - God Creates Light” and focuses on Genesis 1:3-5.
3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.
I. THE NECESSITY OF LIGHT
As was discussed last week, God created light from nothing. He said, “Let there be light, and there was light.” That's it. He commanded it to shine and it did. Like water, which already covered the surface of the primitive earth, so also light is necessary to support human life, and most other forms of life as well. While there are a few organisms that survive in total darkness, these are the exceptions.
Light is necessary for photosynthesis. Think back to junior high science class… Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert carbon dioxide into oxygen. Human beings and animals breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide, while plants utilize carbon dioxide and water to produce and release oxygen. This cycle is absolutely necessary for the survival of most life on earth - including human life.
Light is necessary for other reasons as well. Our skin converts light into Vitamin D which is critical for strong bones and a healthy immune system. Light helps to regulate our internal clocks, establishing a sleep-cycle that is needed for proper rest and hormonal function. Light is also important for a person’s mental health, as it prevents depression and improves mood.
God saw that the light was “good”. As we discuss the days of creation over the coming weeks, we will see Him make this observation repeatedly. We must always remember that God’s entire purpose for creation was to make a place where people could live. This world and everything in it was created for man. Thus, when He sees that the light is good, He is affirming that it is perfectly aligned with His design and purpose.
II. THE SOURCE OF LIGHT
Next, God “separated the light from the darkness”. The Bible does not explain exactly how He did this. Whatever He did, it resulted in a rotation of the light and the darkness. God called the light “day” and He called the darkness “night”. Thus, there was evening and morning, the 1st day. Notice that evening precedes morning, an order that would be followed by the Jewish people in generations to come. Most theologians, myself included, believe that this was the beginning of time.
At this early stage of the creation process, the sun, moon, and stars had yet to be created. We will not get to them until Day 4. That said, you might be wondering “Where did the light come from on days 1-3?” That’s a great question!
According to the Bible, God is light (1 John 1:5). His glory and radiance shine brilliantly without any darkness at all. Therefore, most Bible scholars agree that, prior to the creation of the sun, the light came from God’s presence and by His power. In fact, God will be the source of light throughout eternity in the new heavens and earth (Revelation 22:5). Amazing!
Seeing that God Himself was the source of the light, and that God was not created, we might rethink the statement that “God created the light”. Perhaps a better explanation is that God allowed His glory to shine, whereas He had not done so previously, thereby illuminating the creation. He “created” the light in the sense that He revealed it from Himself over the earth.
III. OUR SPIRITUAL LIGHT
Not only has God created natural light to shine upon earth, but has also - more importantly - He has shone spiritual light into our hearts through His Son, Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6). Jesus described Himself as “the Light of the world” and stated that those who follow Him “will never walk in darkness” (John 8:12). Just as light dispels and overcomes darkness, so as Jesus overcomes and has conquered sin and death.
The Bible refers to lost people as being blind. They cannot see the truth. Because of their sin, they grope about the darkness of this world. And just as a blind person cannot heal himself, so also a lost person cannot save themselves. The miracle of salvation only comes by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Those who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus for forgiveness and redemption will be saved. Believers will be rescued from the darkness (Colossians 1:13) while nonbelievers will suffer in it forever (Matthew 8:12).
Those who have accepted Christ for salvation are indwelt by the presence of the Holy Spirit. In other words, the light of God lives in them. As such, all Christians are carriers of the light. The Bible teaches believers to allow the light of Christ to shine through them so that this lost world might see and know God (Matthew 5:14-16). Furthermore, the light of Christ will expose sin and corruption, perhaps leading some to repentance.
CONCLUSION
In closing, at the end of the 1st day of creation the heavens and earth remained void and formless. The earth was still covered with water and was completely uninhabited. However, the pervasive darkness was done away with. God spoke and light began to shine. He then separated the light from the darkness, initiated the cycle of night and day, and thereby established the passage of time.
In next week’s message we will discuss Day 2 of creation. God will separate the waters, forming an expanse between those above and those below. Not sure what that means? Join us next Sunday as we talk about it together.
Finally, the Bible has a lot to say about light - and not just natural light. Spiritual light is the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Those who have trusted in Him as Lord and Savior have been delivered out of darkness and transferred into His marvelous light. If you have never received Jesus and had His light shine upon you, would you do so today? Surrender to the Lord, and let there be light in your heart!