The Light Was Before Time
The sermon emphasizes the importance of living in the Eternal Light, which condemns the World and brings a terror to evil-doers.
George Fox emphasizes the importance of unity among the Saints, which is found in the Light that condemns the world. He warns against living in one's own will while professing faith, as this leads to division and lack of true unity. Walking in the Eternal Light brings clarity and strength against deceit and unrighteousness, while those who reject this Light face condemnation. Fox encourages believers to dwell in God's pure Light, which was present before time and continues to reveal the truth of our actions. He concludes with a call to abide in Christ, the true Vine, to experience spiritual growth and unity.
Text
. . . AND so the Unity of all the Saints is in that, which condemns the World. And all who live in their own Wills, and yet make a Profession of the Scriptures, there are the Sects and Opinions, and there is no Unity, and they have not Unity amongst themselves. . . . And ye all walking in this Light, it will bring you to all Plainness and Singleness of Speech; which will make the Deceit to tremble and the Mystery of Iniquity to shake. . . . So, dwell all in the Eternal Power of God, and in his pure Light, that ye may be a Terror to all Evil-Doers, and to all Ungodliness, and to all who act Unrighteously, and live in Uncleanness. . . .
And all who are out of Plainness, with the Eternal Light, which Christ hath enlightned them withal, shall they be condemned and confounded in Time. For this Light was before Time, and is in Time, which lets every Man and Woman see their Actions done in Time; and hating this Light, this is their Condemnation. . . . But all loving this Light, and walking in this Light, . . . And abiding in Christ, who is the Vine, every one will come to witness your selves to be as Branches abiding in the Vine, and sitting under the Vine.
This was I moved of the Lord to send out abroad among you as a Message to all the Plants of the Lord.
Sermon Outline
- The Unity of Saints
- The Light's Effects
- The Condemnation of the Ungodly
- The Blessing of Loving the Light
- Walking in the Light brings a terror to evil-doers
- Abiding in Christ is the key to this blessing
Key Quotes
“This Light was before Time, and is in Time, which lets every Man and Woman see their Actions done in Time;” — George Fox
“And abiding in Christ, who is the Vine, every one will come to witness your selves to be as Branches abiding in the Vine, and sitting under the Vine.” — George Fox
“For this Light was before Time, and is in Time, which lets every Man and Woman see their Actions done in Time;” — George Fox
Application Points
- We must live in the Light to experience Plainness and Singleness of Speech.
- Hating the Light is our condemnation, but loving it brings us a terror to evil-doers.
- Abiding in Christ is the key to walking in the Light and being a Branch in the Vine.