Let there be light: sermon outline

Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Genesis 1:3

Introduction:

God does nothing in the dark. The first thing He creates is light (Gen 1:3).
Creation begins in time. God does not begin: in the beginning, He was already there (Gen 1:1).
The Bible is a story of light and darkness, from the first chapter to the last.
Four lights: the source, the Sun, the stars and the day that never ends.

1. God is light. He doesn't have light; He is light (1 John 1:5).

"God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all" (1 John 1:5).
Every good gift comes from God, "who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow" (James 1:17).
Sunlight changes with the seasons. God's light does not.

2. Jesus is the light of the world. Whoever follows the Sun doesn't stumble (John 8:12).

"His life brought light to everyone" (John 1:4).
"I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life" (John 8:12).
The God who said "Let there be light in the darkness" made His glory shine "in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Cor 4:6).

3. You are the light of the world. The light isn't yours, but shining is up to you (Matt 5:14).

"You are the light of the world" (Matt 5:14). A city on a hilltop cannot be hidden.
No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Hidden light is wasted light (Matt 5:15-16).
"The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day" (Prov 4:18).
Stars appear at night. It is in a dark world that you are called to shine "like bright lights" (Phil 2:15).

4. God is the light of heaven. The story that begins with "Let there be light" ends with no night (Rev 22:5).

"And there will be no night there (...) for the Lord God will shine on them" (Rev 22:5).
In the beginning, God created light. In the end, God is the light.

Conclusion:

In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:16