Dennis R. Wiles
First Baptist Arlington
December 1, 2024
ADVENT 2024
Together . . . in the Light
December 1 - 31, 2024
Preaching Voice: Evangelist
The Absence of Light
Isaiah 1:1-9
ADVENT CANDLE: HOPE
CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
Isaiah 65:17-19
Theme for 2024: Together
Theme for Fall 2024: Together . . . in the Light
Darkness has its place in our lives. There is a natural cycle of light and dark woven into the fabric of God’s creation.
Darkness captivates, baffles, and appalls us. It's a shifty thing of many textures, many moods, a state of fascination and of horror, an absence and a presence, solace and threat, a beginning and an end.
-Jacqueline Yallop
CONTEXT: Isaiah opens his book of prophecy with a poetic and symbolic representation of the brokenness of the nation of Judah. Because of the rebellion and spiritual apathy of God’s people, the times were dark.
In the Scripture, darkness represents the very absence of God. It represents the power of sin, evil, brokenness, rebellion, and unbelief in this world.
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
-John 3:19
Darkness can be both a corporate reality and/or and individual experience.
Darkness is my closest friend.
-Psalm 88:18
The answer to the power and presence of darkness in this world is the power and presence of God! God is light!
God’s light can overcome the personal darkness in your own life!