Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, June 15, 2003, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.
HEAVENLY SON-LIGHT
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Genesis 1:14-19
Text: Genesis 1:16
Genesis 1:16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
Introduction: Light was created before the sun, moon, and stars in Genesis 1:3. Last week I showed how that the light of Genesis 1:3 is a type of our Lord and Savior and His great salvation, verified as such in the New Testament. This morning I want us to look at the creation on the fourth day of the sun, the moon, and the stars, and I want to show you how that once again the first chapter of the Bible bears witness to our Lord Jesus Christ, who said:
John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
God gave the lights for these purposes:
- To divide – 1:14
- To designate time – 1:14
- To dispel darkness – 1:15
- To dominate – 1:16
I am going to show you today how that God uses these lights, the sun, the moon, and the stars, to remind us of Jesus Christ and of those who have the responsibility of making Him known to a lost, dying, dark world.
I. THE SAVIOR IS THE REAL LIGHT AND IS REPRESENTED BY THE SUN
Genesis 1:16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day …
Psalms 19:1-6 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. 2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. 4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, 5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. 6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
Malachi 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
Matthew 17:1-2 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
A. The sun has preeminence – Colossians 1:18
B. The sun has a path – east to west
C. The sun has purpose and profit
- Life
- Light
- Labor
D. The sun has a penalty
- It burns those who are not properly covered
II. THE SAINTS REFLECT THE LIGHT AND ARE REPRESENTED BY THE MOON
Genesis 1:16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night …
Song of Solomon 6:10 Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners?
The moon represents the people of God as a body, the church.
When we think of the moon, we should think of the church, as we often do with the moon of
A. Romance
- His love for us
- Our love for Him!
B. Rage
- Full moon – werewolves, vampires, etc.
- Beware of dogs – Philippians 3:3
- When we shine the brightest, the enemies of God are their angriest
C. Reproduction
- More babies born at full moon
D. Reflection
- Our light is actually the light of the Lord
- We reflect JESUS
- Have you ever noticed “the man in the moon?” If you look closely enough at the body of Christ, the church, you will see the Man in the moon – the Lord Jesus Christ!
- Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
III. SOUL-WINNERS REACH OUT WITH THE LIGHT AND ARE REPRESENTED BY THE STARS
Genesis 1:16b … he made the stars also.
Daniel 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
Philippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
A. The stars are scattered
- Matthew 28:19
- Acts 1:8
B. The stars are structured
- Constellations
- There is a place and purpose for each star and for each child of God
C. The stars are special
- Psalms 147:4 He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.
- They are numbered
- They are named
IV. SINNERS RECEIVE THE LIGHT AND ARE REPRESENTED BY THE EARTH
2 Corinthians 4:3-4 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
Sinners are:
A. Blinded by Lucifer
B. Bruised by being lost
- Wasted years
- Walking into ditches