Dear Friends,
I was 10 years old when I heard on the radio five words that grabbed me and drew me in.
“Hello darkness, my old friend.”
Even as a fourth grader, I knew something about what darkness feels like. I was not that far removed from wanting to have a night light in my room. I didn’t think of darkness as a friend.
As an elementary school student, I remember taking a one day field trip to the little town of Hannibal, Missouri. If you know anything about Hannibal, it is almost certainly because of the notoriety brought to the town by its most famous son, Samuel Clemens. Although he was born 40 miles southwest of Hannibal, Samuel grew up in Hannibal. The town became the setting for two of Samuel’s best known literary achievements, written under his pen name Mark Twain: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
Our field trip to Hannibal gave us a chance to see the white picket fence outside Mark Twain’s boyhood home where Tom Sawyer convinced his friends to pay him for the privilege of helping to white wash the structure.
We saw Becky Thatcher’s home.
But my favorite part of the field trip was our visit to the Mark Twain Cave.
In Tom Sawyer, Tom and Becky wander off from a school picnic and decide to explore what is called McDougal’s Cave in the book. They of course get lost and wind up spending three harrowing days in the cave, where they find themselves facing grave danger as they realize they are inhabiting a space that is the hideout for the notorious Injun Joe.
Of course, the cave is well lit today, and all the tour guides know how to keep visitors on a well traveled path.
But I’ve never forgotten the moment in our tour when, deep in the inner recesses of the cave, our tour guide told us to stand perfectly still as he turned out the lights, leaving us in pitch blackness. “Put your hands in front of your face,” he told us. “You still can’t see them. And you never will. Your eyes will not adjust. This is the darkness Tom and Becky faced when their candles burned out.”
Hello darkness, my old friend.
In the Bible, darkness is a metaphor for many things. It’s a metaphor for a lack of knowledge or understanding. It’s a word picture for sin. It’s a description of what it’s like to be far from God. And it’s one way the Bible portrays a troubled soul.
On the final night of the Feast of the Tabernacles, as God’s people gathered in the Temple courtyard on the final night of the annual celebration, the space was lit up by giant torches erected each year for the festivities.
That’s the context in John 8 when Jesus stands up and declares “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).
It was a stunningly bold statement. First, Jesus used the covenant name of God for Himself. When He said “I am” He was using the same name God used for Himself back in Exodus 3 when Moses met Him in the burning bush.
Just saying “I am” would have been shocking enough for Jesus. But to claim to be the light of the world?
What was He claiming?
First, that He is the source of all life. Think about where life first shows up in the Bible. It’s in Genesis 1. It’s the first thing God creates. And all life comes from God saying “Let there be light.”
Second, He was claiming to be the source of all wisdom and understanding. There is only one cure for our spiritually darkened hearts. It’s the light of life.
Third, Jesus was declaring Himself to be morally pure and righteous. John tells us that when Jesus came, light came into the world. But men loved darkness instead of light, because their deeds are evil.
Ultimately, the Bible points to light as a metaphor for the very presence of God. Think about the picture in Revelation 22, where in eternity there will be no more night and no need for a sun or a lamp, because God Himself will be our light.
Most people think that the biggest problems we face in life are things that happen outside of us, or things that happen to us. We’re taught that the way we overcome the problems we face is by looking inward.
The Bible tells a different story. The Bible says the biggest problem all of us face is a our deceitful and desperately wicked heart. And the solution to the darkness in our soul is not found by looking inward. The cure has to come from outside of us. It can only come from Someone who can bring light into our darkness.
That’s what Jesus, the Light of the World, does.
If your soul is troubled, if you’re anxious, or restless, or looking for peace or purpose in life, the ultimate solution is to come to the Light. Life and truth and joy and hope are all found in the One who stood up at the Feast of the Tabernacles and said “I am the Light of the World.”
FOUNDATIONS: AND WHY THEY MATTER
Tomorrow night, the first of our Foundations – And Why They Matter class for men takes place at 7:00 pm at the church.
Although it’s not a requirement, you’ll be helped by by reading the first two chapters in Paul David Tripp’s book Do You Believe: 12 Historic Doctrines To Change Your Everyday Life (https://us.list-manage.com/gCaPiw23A2C?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf) before the class begins.
The class will be highly interactive and discussion based. And every man is invited to attend.
FALL BIBLE STUDIES FOR MEN AND WOMEN
Next week, our men’s and women’s fall Bible studies begin.
The men will be starting and extended study through the book of Genesis. Two class times each week – Tuesdays at lunch or Thursday evenings. Here’s the info. Or click here to register (https://us.list-manage.com/znyZVcvnYpc?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf).
Meanwhile, the women will be spending this fall going through the first eight chapters in the Gospel of John. The study will take place on Monday nights or Tuesday mornings. All the details can be found here (https://us.list-manage.com/iYopvzzj29l?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf). Sign up now to be part of the study this fall.
NEXT NXTGEN GET TOGETHER
The next NxtGen gathering for young adults is just a few weeks away. Plan to join with others at the Gurney’s for a fun evening together.
THE MINDFUL MARRIAGE
Want to do something good for your marriage?
This Saturday, from 8:30 – 4:30, New Life Church is hosting a one-day marriage event called The Mindful Marriage. Dr. Ron Deal and his wife Nan will be the speakers for the event. The cost is $40 per couple, and lunch is included.
You can find out more about the event and register online here (https://us.list-manage.com/EUmnOw67Nlw?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf). Or contact Carlos Santiago for more info (he and Tanya are going, along with others from our church. Why not join them?).
EQUIPPING COLLECTIVE EVENTS
This fall, The Equipping Collective (formerly Downline) is hosting Dr. Brad Wilcox from the University of Virginia as a guest speaker. Dr. Wilcox will be speaking on The State of The American Family. The event is free, but tickets are required. You can register for tickets here (https://us.list-manage.com/pKYqbRcCTgX?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf).
In addition, the Equipping Collective is holding its first ever Equip Lab for adults. It’s four nights over a four week period to help moms and dads with Creating A Family Vision. Speakers at the four week lab will include popular author and speaker Dr. Don Whitney. There is a registration fee for the Equip Lab. You can learn more and register by clicking here (https://us.list-manage.com/14OLBcUpuk1?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf).
FALL WOMEN'S RETREAT
It's not too early to start thinking about the fall Women’s Retreat. Space is limited for this two night getaway. Dana James will join us again as the featured speaker. And there is no better way to make new friends and enjoy a relaxing weekend away than to be part of this special annual event. Registration is now open, and the event will almost certainly be completely filled. Find out more or register here (https://us.list-manage.com/NJqfIdWbA4m?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf).
READY FOR SUNDAY
Here's a preview (https://us.list-manage.com/Sqzbqd1lmcx?e=da31571acc&c2id=9646fad7312ad0e2da39a919ec1318cf) of the songs we’ll be singing together this weekend.
And here is this week’s catechism question and answer:
Question 37: What Is the Kingdom of God?
Answer: The kingdom of God is the redemptive rule of God through his people over his creation—a reign already present, though not yet in fullness. We do not build the kingdom; yet by grace we are drawn into the work of God to remake the world under Jesus the King.
While the Bible prioritizes the unity of all who are in Christ, it also makes it clear that there are borders to that unity. There are matters which should divide us from others – even from others who may profess faith in Christ but who deny essential biblical truths. What are those truths? And how do we know who to embrace and who to avoid? We’ll see what Ephesians 4 tells us about unity and division this Sunday.
See you in church!
Soli Deo Gloria!
Pastor Bob
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