TheTheFirst Light First Light

FactorFactorJeff Strite

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=127559

Nine men lay trapped 240 feet beneath the ground in a coal mine in

Pennsylvania.A nearby older mine - filled with tons of

water - had been breached and now that water had forced these miners to a dead end shaft, an 18 x 70 foot air

pocket that was illuminated only by the lamps on their helmets.

They rapped on the rock ceiling- 9 taps every ten minutes - hoping someone using specialized listening equipment

could hear them.The leader of the miners gave it to them

straight: In another hour, he estimated, all of them would be dead.

There was quiet.There were tears.

There were silent prayers.

Another one of the miners asked if anyone had a pen. He wrote a note on cardboard to his wife and kids, telling

them he loved them. He put the note in a white plastic bucket and offered the

pen to the others.Each man wrote his goodbyes to loved

ones.

When nine notes had been placed inside the bucket, the lid was snapped on and

the bucket lashed to a boulder so it would be found.

A 3rd miner then grabbed steel cable from the materials normally used in a working mine. He looped it onto their belts saying that if they were to die, they would do so

as a team, as a family.

Nine men.240 feet below the surface.

Unable to dig their own way out to freedom.

Facing the prospect of certain - and inevitable - death in a dark

world.

But in their heart of hearts they just knew there was someone up above them. And if that someone could just reach them, that someone could save

them.But they had no way of knowing

whether or not that someone actually was there.

They had hope...but they also had to face reality.

Theirs was a dark world with no real promise of salvation.

There are people who walk around us every day who see this world the same

way - as a dark and harsh place to live.

Comedian Tim Allen was asked, “Was it difficult to be a parent after losing your father in a car accident

with a drunk driver?” ?” “I never really recovered. The

world’s a mean place. It’s unfair, then it’s fair. It’s hateful, then it’s

loving.

It’s a very peculiar place on philosophical and metaphysical

and religious levels. I love human beings because we’re

very courageous in the peculiar place that we live: reality.”

In “A Free Man’s Worship” Bertrand Russell writes: Brief and

powerless is Man's life; on him and all his race the slow, sure doom

falls pitiless and dark. Blind to good and evil, reckless of destruction,

omnipotent matter rollson its relentless way;

for Man, condemned today to lose his dearest, tomorrow himself to pass

through the gate of darkness, it remains only to cherish, ere yet the

blow falls, the lofty thoughts that ennoble his little day; disdaining the coward terrors of the slave of

Fate,

to worship at the shrine that his own hands have built; undismayed by

the empire ofchance, to preserve a mind free from

the wanton tyranny that rules his outward life;

proudly defiant of the irresistible forces that tolerate,

for a moment, his knowledge and his condemnation, to sustain alone, a

weary but unyielding Atlas, the world that his own ideals have

fashioned despite the trampling march of unconscious power.

Now, that’s fairly depressing.But there are people all around us – just like Bertrand Russell, just like Tim Allen – who see their present and their future as being harsh,

dark, frustrating… and hopeless.

Ecclesiastes 3:11Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV NIV He has made He has made everything beautiful in its everything beautiful in its

time. He has also set eternity time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what they cannot fathom what

God has done from God has done from beginning to end.beginning to end.

Ecclesiastes 3:11Ecclesiastes 3:11 explains that one of the reasons this world is so dissatisfying and frustrating to so many is because God has

set ““eternity in the hearts of eternity in the hearts of menmen.”.”

The word translated eternityeternity is hard to get a handle on.

‛olam, o-lawm'properly concealed, that is, the

vanishing point; generally time out of mind (past or future), that is,

(practically) eternity; frequentative adverbially (especially with

prepositional prefix) always: - always (-s), ancient (time), any more, continuance, eternal, (for, [n-]) ever (-lasting, -more, of old), lasting, long (time), (of) old (time), perpetual, at any time, (beginning of the) world (+ without end). (Strongs)

"darkness"; perhaps "eternity" or "the future." The meaning of

the noun עלם ('olam) is debated. It may mean: (1)

"ignorance"; (2) time reference: (a) "eternity" or (b) "the future"; or (3) "knowledge" (less likely).

(NET Bible Notes)

Here is how it is translated: ACV, ASV, ESV, GW, MKJV, NASB,NIV, RSV, VW, WEB = eternityeternity,Bishops = ignoraunceignoraunce, NET = ignoranceignorance,YLT = knowledgeknowledge,GNB = desire to know the futuredesire to know the future,MSG = he's left us in the darkhe's left us in the dark, CEV = he puts questions in our mindshe puts questions in our minds,CAB, Darby, KJV, RV = WorldWorld

Could it be said, “Mankind is ignorant Could it be said, “Mankind is ignorant and desires to gain knowledge and desires to gain knowledge

about what God has done and plans about what God has done and plans to do?”to do?” GodGod has given us an innate understanding that this world was not created to be this way. It was

not created to be unfair and hateful and mean.

And so, when people see and experience And so, when people see and experience those harsh realities, they are filled with those harsh realities, they are filled with

frustration and confusion. This is not frustration and confusion. This is not the way it was meant to be.the way it was meant to be.

They sense this world should be filled They sense this world should be filled with light and goodness.with light and goodness.

But much of what they can see is But much of what they can see is darkness and hypocrisy and emptiness. darkness and hypocrisy and emptiness.

I got to thinking, maybe – when God set I got to thinking, maybe – when God set eternityeternity in our hearts - maybe that in our hearts - maybe that

“glimpse of “glimpse of eternityeternity” was like turning a ” was like turning a spotlight onto the harshness of our spotlight onto the harshness of our

present world.present world.

Ephesians 5:14Ephesians 5:14 NIV NIV for it is light that makes for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: everything visible. This is why it is said:

“Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead,and Christ will shine on you.”dead,and Christ will shine on you.”

Ephesians 5:14Ephesians 5:14 tells us that “… it is tells us that “… it is light that makes everything light that makes everything

visible..."visible..."And that makes sense.And that makes sense.

If you go into a dark room, and turn If you go into a dark room, and turn on the light you either see a room on the light you either see a room

that orderly and attractive, or clutter that orderly and attractive, or clutter and messiness… or perhaps even and messiness… or perhaps even

an empty, barren room. an empty, barren room.

And I got to thinking that must have And I got to thinking that must have been how our world first looked been how our world first looked when God exposed it to light. Do when God exposed it to light. Do

you remember what Genesis says you remember what Genesis says was created on the first day?was created on the first day?

LightLight Genesis 1:3Genesis 1:3 NIV NIV And God said, “Let And God said, “Let

there be light,” and there was light.there be light,” and there was light.

If you’d been present on that 1st day If you’d been present on that 1st day of creation, what do you think the of creation, what do you think the

world would have looked like? The world would have looked like? The previous verse in Genesis says: previous verse in Genesis says: Genesis 1:2a,bGenesis 1:2a,b NIV NIV Now the earth Now the earth

was formless and empty, was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface darkness was over the surface

of the deepof the deep….….

It wasn’t pretty.It wasn’t pretty.It wasn’t filled with lifeIt wasn’t filled with life

It wasn’t filled with hope.It wasn’t filled with hope.It was formless and….empty. It was formless and….empty.

That’s how much of life seems to many That’s how much of life seems to many people who live around us today.people who live around us today.

They see it as empty and formless.They see it as empty and formless.They see little if any beauty or life or They see little if any beauty or life or

hope. hope.

But then I noticed what Ecclesiastes But then I noticed what Ecclesiastes said, just before it explained that said, just before it explained that

God has set God has set eternityeternity in our hearts: in our hearts: Ecclesiastes 3:11aEcclesiastes 3:11a NIV NIV He has made He has made everything beautiful in its time.everything beautiful in its time.

If you’d been on earth on that 1st day If you’d been on earth on that 1st day of creation you’d have seen an of creation you’d have seen an

empty and formless world.empty and formless world.

But 2 days later,But 2 days later,you’d have seen flowers and you’d have seen flowers and

trees and grass.trees and grass.The day after that you’d have The day after that you’d have

been dazzled by the sight of the been dazzled by the sight of the sun, the moon and innumerable sun, the moon and innumerable

stars. stars.

The day after that you’d have seen fish The day after that you’d have seen fish and whales playing and swimming in and whales playing and swimming in the sea, and bright and colorful birds the sea, and bright and colorful birds

filling the air with their songs.filling the air with their songs.And on the sixth day, you’d have And on the sixth day, you’d have

thought you’d walked into a zoo with thought you’d walked into a zoo with lions, and tigers, camels and elephants lions, and tigers, camels and elephants

and all kinds of animals roaring and and all kinds of animals roaring and barking and yelping. barking and yelping.

And ultimately, on that 6th day, And ultimately, on that 6th day, you’d have seen the first human you’d have seen the first human

couple. A man and a woman - couple. A man and a woman - beautiful, pure, undefiled, filled beautiful, pure, undefiled, filled with love for each other, for the with love for each other, for the

world they’d been given, and world they’d been given, and most importantly – filled with most importantly – filled with

love for their God. love for their God.

In His time, God had filled the In His time, God had filled the entire earth with beauty and entire earth with beauty and

life… and hope.life… and hope.He made ALL things beautiful in He made ALL things beautiful in

His time. His time.

And you know, that is the promise God And you know, that is the promise God has made to us. He has promised us has made to us. He has promised us

that – in His time (not necessarily ours) that – in His time (not necessarily ours) He’d make all things beautiful. He’d make all things beautiful.

He promises us that: He promises us that: Romans 8:28Romans 8:28 NIV NIV And we know that in And we know that in

all things God works for the good of all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been those who love him, who have been

called according to his purpose.called according to his purpose.

Now, that doesn’t say that all things are good.

And it doesn’t say that everything that happens to us was brought about by God.

But it does say that, no matter what happens in your life, whether it’s good or evil, God is capable and willing to work it

into the fabric of our lives so that ultimately, we see the power and love of

God.

He makes ALL things beautiful in His time.

But there are many people in this world that don’t see that. They don’t see the beauty that God CAN do in their lives. All they can see is the emptiness and formlessness. All

they can see is what is real for them right now.

And God tells us that they can’t And God tells us that they can’t see what He CAN do because:see what He CAN do because: Ecclesiastes 3:11b,cEcclesiastes 3:11b,c NIV NIV yet they yet they

cannot fathom what God has cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.done from beginning to end.

Either they reject things that the Either they reject things that the Bible and Christians tell them, like Bible and Christians tell them, like

Bertrand Russell did, or they’ve not Bertrand Russell did, or they’ve not been exposed to those witnesses to been exposed to those witnesses to

God.God.They’ve not heard or understood They’ve not heard or understood the stories from Scripture. Or the the stories from Scripture. Or the stories of the lives of people God stories of the lives of people God

has touched. has touched.

They just can’t FATHOMThey just can’t FATHOMwhat God has done forwhat God has done forothers.others.They are totally mystifiedThey are totally mystifiedby this concept.by this concept.

I recently heard of a very intelligent man I recently heard of a very intelligent man who was talking to a preacher he’d just who was talking to a preacher he’d just

met.met.

The preacher was telling him why The preacher was telling him why he’d become a preacher to begin he’d become a preacher to begin with. He explained that he’d once with. He explained that he’d once been an alcoholic, but when he been an alcoholic, but when he

became a Christian God took that became a Christian God took that desire away from him.desire away from him.

The other man looked at the The other man looked at the preacher and asked: preacher and asked:

“Is that true?” “Is that true?”

Is that true????Is that true????Of course it was true.Of course it was true.

If it wasn’t true, why would the If it wasn’t true, why would the preacher tell the story?preacher tell the story?

I’ve heard of a number of people I’ve heard of a number of people who’ve experienced the same freedom who’ve experienced the same freedom

from God. But the 1st man couldn’t from God. But the 1st man couldn’t FATHOM how God could change FATHOM how God could change

someone else. It was totally foreign to someone else. It was totally foreign to his thinking. his thinking.

And yet, that very story stirred And yet, that very story stirred his imagination.his imagination.

Is that true?Is that true?Can it be true?Can it be true?

Would God really do such a Would God really do such a thing? thing?

You see, even though he was You see, even though he was skeptical.skeptical.

God had placed inside his heart God had placed inside his heart the hope that there just might the hope that there just might

be something beyond this be something beyond this mortal world. There just might mortal world. There just might

be someone “Out there”be someone “Out there”

Someone who could reach down Someone who could reach down into a darkened world and into a darkened world and

change lives and rescue us change lives and rescue us from the darkness and from the darkness and

frustration of this present life.frustration of this present life.

Now, I’ve said all that,Now, I’ve said all that,to say this:to say this:

There are people you work next There are people you work next to every day, neighbors you say to every day, neighbors you say “hi” to, relatives you talk to on “hi” to, relatives you talk to on

a regular basis,a regular basis,And you know,And you know,

they’re not Christians. they’re not Christians.

Maybe they’ve been a bitMaybe they’ve been a bithostile to your faith.hostile to your faith.

Maybe they’re argumentative when Maybe they’re argumentative when it comes to the issue of religion.it comes to the issue of religion.And when these folks become And when these folks become hostile and argumentative, you hostile and argumentative, you

know what you should do?know what you should do?You should rejoice!You should rejoice!

That negativity in their response to That negativity in their response to you is a good thing.you is a good thing.

It’s a mark that they feel the It’s a mark that they feel the ““eternityeternity” that God has set into ” that God has set into

their hearts.their hearts.

Now, you’ll never win these folks Now, you’ll never win these folks over by arguing with them. over by arguing with them.

In fact in we’re toldIn fact in we’re told 2 Timothy 2:232 Timothy 2:23 NIV NIV Don’t have Don’t have

anything to do with foolish and anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.know they produce quarrels.

2424 And the Lord’s servant must And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, kind to everyone, able to teach,

not resentful.not resentful.

2525 Those who oppose him he must Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,them to a knowledge of the truth, 2626 and that they will come to their and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of senses and escape from the trap of

the devil, who has taken them the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.captive to do his will.

You see – you don’t have to argue You see – you don’t have to argue anybody into the kingdom.anybody into the kingdom.

God has planted the seed ofGod has planted the seed of ““eternityeternity”” in their hearts. We in their hearts. We

commented earlier concerningcommented earlier concerning “He “He has made everything beautiful in its has made everything beautiful in its

time.”time.”And that sense ofAnd that sense of ““eternityeternity”” will bewill be

“made - beautiful in its time.”“made - beautiful in its time.”

Could this not meanCould this not mean “in“in its time”its time” thethe “eternity“eternity”” God has put into God has put into

their hearts will becometheir hearts will become “beautiful”“beautiful” and show them and show them

there’s something more to this there’s something more to this world than what they can see world than what they can see

right now.right now.

That’s a logical conclusion.That’s a logical conclusion.If I’m not satisfied with this life If I’m not satisfied with this life maybe it’s because I was made maybe it’s because I was made

for a different kind of life.for a different kind of life.If this world looks dark and If this world looks dark and

dreary to me, maybe it’s dreary to me, maybe it’s because there IS something because there IS something

better. better.

And we’ve GOT thatAnd we’ve GOT that““something better”something better”

The folks around us may not accept The folks around us may not accept that truth right away.that truth right away.

But it doesn’t matter whether they But it doesn’t matter whether they do or not… IT IS REAL.do or not… IT IS REAL.

We’ve got it – they need it!We’ve got it – they need it!But the only way they’ll believe is if But the only way they’ll believe is if

they see that God is real to you. they see that God is real to you.

They’re not going to bother to wait around They’re not going to bother to wait around for God to “do His thing” in their lives if He for God to “do His thing” in their lives if He

hasn’t done “His thing” in you.hasn’t done “His thing” in you.If you’re the type that complains about If you’re the type that complains about

everything in your life, they won’t buy your everything in your life, they won’t buy your JesusJesus

If you’re always angry, or frustrated, or If you’re always angry, or frustrated, or down in the mouth, they won’t buy into down in the mouth, they won’t buy into

your Jesus. your Jesus.

There are folks out there who live in There are folks out there who live in dark and hopeless worlds who are dark and hopeless worlds who are

just looking for some proof that just looking for some proof that tells them there’s someone out tells them there’s someone out

there.there.There’s somebody looking for me.There’s somebody looking for me.There’s someone who can free me There’s someone who can free me

from the emptiness of my life. from the emptiness of my life.

It was July, 2002,Somerset County, Pennsylvania.Nine miners – 240 feet below the

surface of the earth.For 3 days trapped in a dark

world.

Unable to free themselvesfrom their tomb.

They knew they hadminutes left to live

They had said their goodbyes and roped themselves together to face

death as a family.

And then they heard a voice.“Can you hear me?”

They almost couldn’t believe it.They didn’t speak for a moment

out of fear it was an illusion.

THIS IS REAL!!!THIS IS REAL!!!Who do you know that needs light Who do you know that needs light

in their lives? Will they come to in their lives? Will they come to that light because you’re letting that light because you’re letting

Jesus,Jesus,THE LIGHT OF THE LIGHT OF

ALL THE WORLDALL THE WORLDshine through you? shine through you?

Matthew 5:15Matthew 5:15 NIV NIV Neither do people light Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. a lamp and put it under a bowl.

Instead they put it on its stand, and Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the it gives light to everyone in the

house. house. 1616 In the same way, let your In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.praise your Father in heaven.

This is our job, our duty, our This is our job, our duty, our service, our Joy! Letting our light service, our Joy! Letting our light shine in all we do, every day. It is shine in all we do, every day. It is in the light reflecting through us in the light reflecting through us

people are able to see the source people are able to see the source of the light, of the light, JesusJesus..

(The first and last illustrations came from stories in Readers Digest,

November 2002 and Guideposts November of 2002).