Light!

How many people do you know who struggle during the month of January? If you live in the state of Ohio, then you know January feels like the longest month of the year. There are a variety of reasons. The days are long and cold, forcing us to live inside. The excitement of Christmas has been replaced by the arrival of tax forms. Spring feels a million miles away. Personally, the hardest thing about January is the darkness. During the month of January we receive only about nine and a half hours of light a day. That means we spend fourteen and a half hours a day in darkness. This fact is important. Psychologists tell us darkness is one of the reasons we grow depressed. How many people do you know struggle with depression? Light is important!

The Bible is filled with many references to the light. There are twenty-seven different verses. In the Old Testament, light stands for life or blessings. In the New Testament, Paul uses light to stand for re-creation in Jesus. In both the Old and New Testaments, light always stands in contrast to darkness, which stands for sin. On January 20, I will begin my new four-part sermon series called Light!  My tentative preaching schedule is below. I hope you will read and examine each verse prior to the message.

The goal of this sermon series is to encourage you to remain faithful. Not just for your own sake, but the sake of those who are weaker in the faith. Albert Schweitzer once said, “At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.”  May God bless you as we continue to develop disciples together.

In His Service,

Russ Adams, Pastor