W H O I S J E S U S ? J O H N 3 : 1 9 - 2 1 JEsus is Our EXPOSE F I R S T B Y R O N C H R I S T I A N R E F O R M E D C H U R C H DAVID MURRAY AUGUST15, (2021 (AM) INTRODUCTION Most of us can understand fear of the dark. It's usually worst when we're young, but it stays with us to some degree into old age. Sometimes fear of the dark can become a more serious problem with serious consequences. Nyctophobia is an extreme fear of night or darkness that can cause intense symptoms of anxiety and depression. A lesser known phobia is heliophobia, an anxiety disorder involving extreme fear of sunlight or any bright light. Symptoms can range from feeling uncomfortable, shaky, nauseated, or numb to anxiety and panic attacks. Some sufferers live in almost complete darkness, never venturing outdoors in the daytime. This disorder carries many health risks with it, as light is extremely important for physical and mental health. It's hard to understand that phobia, isn't it? And yet, we all suffer with its spiritual version. Yes, we are heliophobics in a spiritual sense. We fear spiritual light and prefer spiritual darkness which has many adverse consequences for our spiritual health. How do we diagnose and cure spiritual heliophobia? Let's ask the Great Physician, Jesus Christ. BACKGROUND Jesus is the Word of God (John 1:1-2) Jesus is our Ladder (1:46-51) Jesus is our Creator (1:3) Jesus is our Wine (2:1-12) Jesus is our Light and Life (1:4-9) Jesus is our Temple (2:13-21) Jesus is our Big Brother (1:10-13) Jesus is our Midwife (John 3:1-8) Jesus is our Tabernacle (1:14-17). Jesus is our Vaccine (John 3:9-15) Jesus is our Preacher (1:18) Jesus is our Gift (John 3:16) Jesus is the Messiah (1:19-28) Jesus is our Acquittal (John 3:17-18) Jesus is our Sacrifice (1:29) Jesus is our Expose (John 3:19-21) Jesus is our Rabbi (1:35-46) Remember the context is a conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus: Jesus challenged his dead nominalism with his call to new birth (3:1-8). Jesus challenged his self-confidence, by pointing him to the crucified Christ (3:9-15). Jesus challenged his nationalistic prejudice by showing him God's world-love (3:16). Jesus challenged his condemning legalism with a call to extend acquittal (3:17-18). Jesus challenged his love of darkness with a call to the light (3:19-21) How do I know if I have lightphobia? 2 1. LIGHTPHOBIA HAS TWO SYMPTOMS We love darkness because our works are evil And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil (19). Last week, we learned that the condemned have a bad relationship with the Lord and with the law. Now we learn that they also have a bad relationship to the light. The light that came into the world is Jesus. He is light because he replaces the darkness of error with the light of truth and the darkness of sin with the light of purity. You'd think that someone who brought so much light with him would attract people like our porch lights attract bugs. But no, most preferred to stay in the dark. They loved the dark and wanted to stay in the dark because their works were dark. Dark deeds desire dark districts. It's no accident that Nicodemus came to Jesus at night. We hate light because we don't want exposed For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed (20). They did not want to see the darkness of their deeds. They did not want others to see the darkness of their deeds. They did not want God to see the darkness of their deeds. Exposure to the light meant exposure of their darkness. They therefore hated the light and did all they could to avoid it and ultimately extinguish it. People want to remove all light so that they can sin comfortably. change your STORY with GOD'S Story Do you love darkness? Do you love moral and spiritual darkness. Do you prefer lies to truth or sin to holiness? Do you enjoy evil movies, games, websites, conversations, friends? Then you are already under the sentence of judgment (19). Darkness love is deadly love. Do you hate light? Do you avoid church? Do you come but try not to listen? Do you get angry when sin is mentioned and it makes you feel uncomfortable? Do you avoid Christians? Do you hate this sermon? They you are already under the sentence of judgment. A man once sent this letter to 25 men in his town: "All has been exposed. Flee at once!" All 25 men left town. Would you be among the runners? LOVE OF DARKNESS IS HATRED OF SELF So, what's the cure for lightphobia? The light! 3 2. LIGHTPHOBIA HAS ONE CURE We come to the light But whoever does what is true comes to the light (21) Although some scurry away when the light appears, there are others who run towards it and can't get enough of it. They welcome the light, love the light, and come to the light. They believe what is true and do what is true. They love light because they live in the light. They view the light as their friend not their enemy, their ally not their opponent, their partner not their competitor, their helper not a hindrance. They take every opportunity to expose themselves to God's light, to hear what God says about them and their lives. They know the only cure for lightphobia is the light exposure. This coming to the light may be sudden and blinding as it was with Paul, or it can be slow and gradual as it was with Timothy. But even the slowest approach to light will involve some pain, some squinting, some aversion, some hesitation. We love the light ...so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God (21) We may not love the light the moment we come to the light, but we will eventually. The light helps shows us if our works are good or evil, of the flesh or of God. That can be uncomfortable at times. But light-lovers know it's to help them see more light, enjoy more light, and live more in the light. It becomes clearer and clearer to them that anything good or true in their lives is the work of God not themselves. They more and more live with God for God. change your STORY with GOD'S Story Are you coming to the light? Every time you open your Bible, meet for Bible study, join your small group, attend a prayer meeting, have private devotions, come to church, you are coming to the light. If these things are declining, ask yourself why. Is it because you're not doing what is true? Do you love the light? Someone told me that they want to come to First Byron because they want to squirm in their seats from time to time. If we're not uncomfortable under the preaching of the Word from time to time, we're doing something wrong. If I don't annoy you or even make you angry sometimes, I'm not doing my job. If you want to hide things in your life, if you only want to come to church for comfort, then you should really look for another church where you can get more shade. But if you love the light, if you want to grow and thrive and flourish, if you want transformation, then ask God to help you love the light even when it pains you. The more you come to the light, the more you will love the light because the more you'll see love in the light. LIGHT PAINS AND LIGHT HEALS Hear God's Story > Change your Story > Tell the Story > Change other stories 4 SUMMARY Lightphobia has How do we diagnose two symptoms Come to the light and cure spiritual Lightphobia has to love the light heliophobia? one cure PRAYER: Shine Jesus shine, so that I can see Jesus see. Amen. Discussion questions 1. Why is Jesus the light of the world? Try explaining this to a young child. 2. What would Nicodemus have been thinking and feeling as he heard these words? 3. Why did you love darkness and hate light? 4. What was it like when the light started shining into your life? 5. What do you pray before coming to church? 6. How can you increase your light exposure? First Byron Christian Reformed Church Pastor David Murray 8541 Byron Center Ave SW, Byron Center, MI 49315 www.HeadHeartHand.org Phone: (616) 878-9768 www.livingthebible.net www.firstbyroncrc.org 5.