DARKNESS 3
JOHN 12:44-50
Introduction:
The Lord brought man out of darkness according to the psalmist: Psalm 107:14-16, “He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder. 15 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 16 For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.”
Jesus did that on Calvary’s Cross when He gave His life to save men from Hell. However, there is much darkness in this world yet.
I. DARKNESS IS A SYMBOL OF DEATH
A. The shadow of death, Job 10:21, “Before I go whence I shall not return, even to the land of darkness and the shadow of death;”
B. The grave, Job 17:13, “If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness.”
1. In death there is no remembrance of God, Psalm 6:5, “For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?”
2. There is sorrow in death, Psalm 18:4-5, “The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. 5 The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.”
3. The Lord Jesus was brought to the “dust of death” to save us from hell, Psalm 22:15-18, “My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. 16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. 17 I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. 18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.”
II. JESUS CHRIST BROUGHT LIGHT OUT OF DARKNESS
A. He opened the blind eyes, Isaiah 42:7, “To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.”
1. He brought the blind by a way they knew not, Isaiah 42:16, “And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.”
2. Then their eyes shall be opened, Isaiah 35:5, “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.”
3. They shall be like blind Bartimaeus, Mark 10:51-52, “And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. 52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.”
4. Jesus will never forsake His people, Hebrews 13:5, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
a. The righteous will not be forsaken, Psalm 37:25, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”
b. The Lord preserves the saints, Psalm 37:28, “For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off,”
c. There is no need to fear, Isaiah 41:10, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
B. Jesus is the Light of the world, John 8:12, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
1. He is the True Light, John 1:9, “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”
2. The darkness is past, 1 John 2:8, “Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.”
CONCLUSION:
The darkness is past and the True Light shines now. There is no reason why men should go to hell without Jesus Christ as Savior. The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:21, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” The darkness is past forever.