140810 AM Your Word is a Lamp

 “Your Word is a Lamp” A. “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you”(1 John 1:5-10). B.  This “good news” was written so that it might be dispersed far and wide (1 John 1:1-4). C.  The eyewitness-authors believed that we could share in their joy through the power of their words. I.  Darkness Fills the Vacuum Left by the Absence of God’s Word A.  The tragic reality: we either are or have been in___________________.1.  When we suppress the truth of God’s existence, we turn our backs on light (Rom 1:18-32). 2.  The resulting “futility” of mind can best be described in terms of darkness (Eph 4:17-19). 3.  Walking in darkness is an ancient epidemic that was lamented by Job (24:13-17). 4.  Humanity had not evolved beyond this epidemic in the days of Jesus (John 3:18-20). 5.  The gospel is tragically veiled to those who are perishing (2 Cor 4:3-6). B.  Ours is a world that has been and presently is enveloped in darkness.  II.  The Good News: The True Light Has Come Into the World A.  We have not been abandoned to the darkness of ignorance and rebellion (John 1:1-5, 9-14). B.  The “eyes of our hearts” can be“__________________”(Eph 1:18; Heb 6:4; 10:32). C.  The word is our God-given lamp (Psa 119:105,130; 19:7-11; Prov 6:20-23; Isa 2:5; 42:5,16) 1.  In the____________(Psa 59:16-17; 88:13; 90:14; 92:1-2; 143:8) 2.  In the daytime (Rom 13:13-14) 3.  In the____________(Psa 65:5-8; 141:1-2) 4.  In the watches of the night (Psa 63:1-8; 119:147-148) 5.  Like the rising of the sun, illuminating our____________(Eccl 12:13-14) 6.  Like a flash of revelation concerning our story and God’s intervention (Romans) 7.  Like a lamp, spotlighting the___________of our days on this earth (Jam 4:14; Psa 90:12) 8.  Like a darkness-defeating torch in times of temptation (1 Cor 10:13; Eph 6:17) 9.  Like a fire, providing a comforting glow in times of_______________(Psa 73:23-26) 10. Like a lighthouse in times of stormy uncertainty (Phil 4:4-7) 11. Like a guiding light for the church, home life, our work ethic, discipline, and maturity D.  God’s word is the means he uses to reveal himself as the all-satisfying____________(Psa 23). E. “Come, let us walk in the light of the LORD” (Isa 2:5).