Sunday, December 28, 2003
Okay guys...this morning I heard the coolest sermon in the world at church! It's a take-off on Dr. Seuss and it is so cool. I had to share it with you guys...it was so great. I wish you could have heard it. It was great. He just sat on a stool like he was telling a story and wore on of those tall red and white hats. Anyways, I got a copy, so if you feel like reading it, here it is.
BIG LIGHT, LITTLE LIGHTS
(With apologies to Dr. Seuss)
“So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, ‘Lord, now I can die in peace! As you promised me, I have seen the Savior you have given to all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!’” - Luke 2: 28-32
CHAPTER ONE – BIG LIGHT
The light has come the light is here
To shine on those both far and near
It shines on those all alone
It shines on those not fully-grown
It shines on those who cannot walk
It shines on those who like to talk
It shines on poor and rich folk too
It even shines on me and you
This light shone bright upon the earth
That’s why we celebrate His birth
We celebrate God’s only Son
We celebrate He makes us one
We celebrate our sins forgiven
We celebrate our home is heaven
We celebrate so we can show
God’s gift is whom the world must know
This light is God who came in flesh
He came to save us from our mess
He came to save the thief and drunk
He came to save the righteous monk
He came to save the prostitute
He came to save the corporate suit
He came to save the world you see
And that included you and me
This light shone bright, this light shone clear
To show us love and free from fear
To free from sickness and from pain
To free us all to live again
To free from feeling all alone
To free the weight that makes us groan
To free from guilt and sense of loss
He did it all upon the cross
This light that came He is the way
And for our sin the price did pay
The price he paid was very high
The price demanded someone die
The price was one we couldn’t keep
In our sin we were to deep
The price His sinless life did meet
And in His death sin met defeat
This light will come to those who seek
He comes to those not proud, but meek
He comes to those who turn from sin
He comes to those who ask Him in
He comes to those who know they’re lost
He comes to those who count the cost
He comes to those who to Him cry
That’s why He came to live and die
This light is life, the Bible says
His life that guides us in our ways
His life will guide in valleys deep
His life will guide on mountains steep
His life will guide when we’re unsure
His life will guide when ours a blur
His life will guide our whole way through
But only when we ask Him too
“You are the light of the world--like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don't hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” - Matthew 5: 14-16
CHAPTER TWO – LITTLE LIGHTS
This light that came tells us to be
Lights like Him, for all to see
Lights that shine out bright and clear
Lights that send out love not fear
Lights that push the darkness back
Lights that cut each other slack
Lights that live and walk in grace
So others see the Father’s face
This light that came He came to show
How we’re to live and love and grow
To live for others not for self
To live on less and share our wealth
To live for justice, truth and life
To live with others free from strife
To live so others know what’s right
And live so they can see God’s light
This light we have for all to see
It does not come from you and me
It does not come because we’re great
It does not come from family trait
It does not come from so-ci-ety
It does not come from religiosity
It does not come from education’s part
It comes when Christ lives in our heart
His light within let it shine out
So others know, there is no doubt
No doubt that you belong to Him
No doubt that you’re set free from sin
No doubt that He lives in your heart
No doubt He gives you a fresh start
No doubt that when you do good things
Those who see, His praises sing
This light of mine, I’ll let it shine
At work, at school at home a sign
A sign that Jesus is the way
A sign that He the price did pay
A sign that says there is good news
A sign no matter what their views
A sign that they can be set free
Just like you and just like me
So shine your light to let them know
The Light has come the path to show
The path to peace and hope and love
The path to God who is above
The path to joy and life supreme
The path about which they dream
The path that leads to being free
From sin and Satan’s tyranny
The light has come the light is here
To shine on those both far and near
He shines through me, He shines through you
He shines in everything we do
He shines to show the lost the way
He shines in everything we say
He shines to let the whole world know
His love for them, let’s let it show
By Pastor Ron
