The Introduction of Jesus Christ (Part 2)

John 1:4-5: "In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not."

Today, I am continuing the Just Jesus Evangelistic Campaign aimed at bringing lost souls to Jesus Christ and reminding Christians, in this election year, to keep the main thing the main thing -- preaching the Gospel to every creature and not getting caught up in the presidential campaign.

In our passage for today, John continues his introduction of Jesus Christ. He tells us three very important things:

1. Jesus is life. John says, "In him was life..." If Jesus is our Creator, as we saw in our previous message, then it follows that He is the source of life. It is easy for us to think that we are down here on Earth on our own. We look at the cities that we have built, the sciences that we have mastered, the technologies that we have innovated, and we fall into the trap of thinking that we are self-made -- that we are responsible for the sustaining of the world. But, Jesus is the source and sustainer of all life. Colossians 1:17 says, "he is before all things, and by him all things consist." Not only is Jesus the sustainer of physical life, but he is the provider of spiritual life. As the Bible says, we are already "dead [spiritually] in our trespasses and sins," and we are doomed to die physically because "the wages of sin is death." However, Jesus came to save us from that death and to give us true life in Him. 2. Jesus is light. John writes, "the life [Jesus] was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness..." Before Jesus Christ came, the world was a very dark place. Hopelessness and despair were easy to come by, especially when one realized his wretched condition before God. However, Jesus came bearing the good news of the Kingdom of God -- that God had come down in the form of a man to bring salvation to men. That message sparked a flame of hope and assurance that enlightens the world to this day. 3. Jesus cannot be defeated by darkness. John says, "the darkness comprehended it not." The Greek word used for "comprehended" has a dual meaning. It means to lay hold on, to seize, or to overcome. It also means to lay hold of with the mind, to perceive, or to understand. The forces of darkness in the world -- the devil, sin, and the human flesh -- do not like the light that Jesus Christ brings. When the Light shines, it exposes them for what they truly are. Thus, they try to push back against the light. But, Jesus, the light of the world,

cannot be defeated by darkness. And, if we are in Jesus, we will not be overcome by darkness either. We have seen already from John's Gospel that (1) Jesus is pre-existent -- He is eternal; (2) He is divine -- He is God; (3) He is omnipotent -- He is the Creator. We have also seen that (4) Jesus is life -- He sustains physical life and provides spiritual life; (5) Jesus is light in a dark world; (6) Jesus cannot be defeated by darkness. Allow me to share with you right now how you can trust this Jesus for your soul’s salvation today.

First, please understand that you are a sinner, just as I am, and that you have broken God's laws. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Please understand that because of your sins, you deserve eternal punishment in hell. Romans 6:23 says "the wages of sin is death…This is both physical death and spiritual death in hell. That is the bad news. But here is the good news. John 3:16 says "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." If you believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead, and you want to trust Him for your salvation today, please pray with me this simple prayer: Holy Father God, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. I am sorry for my sins, and today I choose to turn from my sins. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. I trust Jesus Christ as my Savior and I choose to follow Him as Lord from this day forward. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today. Amen. If you just trusted Jesus Christ as your Saviour, and you prayed that prayer and meant it from your heart, I declare to you that based upon the Word of God, you are now saved from Hell and you are on your way to Heaven. Welcome to the family of God! Congratulations on doing the most important thing in life and that is receiving Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. For more information to help you grow in your newfound faith in Christ, go to Gospel Light Society.com and read "What To Do After You Enter Through the Door." Jesus Christ said in John 10:9, "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture."

God loves you. We love you. And may God bless you.