spoke that out of darkness light
William MacDonald teaches that believers are called to be channels of God's light, shining forth the knowledge of Christ's glory to others rather than hoarding His blessings.
In this insightful sermon, William MacDonald explores the profound truth that God, who spoke light into darkness at creation, now shines in the hearts of believers to illuminate the knowledge of Christ's glory. He emphasizes that Christians are called to be channels of this divine light, sharing it with others rather than hoarding it. Through vivid illustrations and biblical teaching, MacDonald challenges believers to embody and transmit the presence of Jesus in their daily lives.
Text
“…the God who spoke that out of darkness light should shine…has shone in our hearts for the shining forth of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Cor. 4:6, Darby’s translation)
“God has shone in…for the shining forth.” Here we learn that we are not meant to be the terminals of God’s blessings but only the channels. The expression “God has shone in” refers to our conversion. Whereas in the original creation He commanded light to shine, in the new creation He Himself has shone in our hearts.
But He did not do it in order that we might selfishly hoard the floodtide of His blessings. Rather He did it so that the knowledge of His glory in the face of Jesus Christ might be made known through us to others.
In similar vein, Paul spoke of how God had “revealed his Son in me, that I might preach Him among the heathen” (Gal. 1:16). God reveals His Son in us that we might reveal Him to others. When the truth of this came home to me years ago, I wrote on the flyleaf of my Bible:
If of Jesus Christ their only view
May be what they see of Him in you,
MacDonald, what do they see?
No wonder that Ian MacPherson said, “Preaching is something august, sublime, awe-begetting—a supernatural act, the transmission of a Person through a person to a company of persons, the Person so conveyed being the everlasting Jesus.” He illustrated it by an incident that happened when King George V was speaking on the radio and his words were being relayed to America. A vital cable broke in the New York station, plunging the staff into panic. “Then Harold Vivien, a junior mechanic saw in a moment what to do. Seizing the ends of the broken wire, he held them, grimly and gallantly, as the current conveying the royal message was transmitted. Electrical charges of some two hundred and fifty volts shook his body, convulsing him from head to foot and causing him considerable pain. But he did not relax his grasp. Resolutely, desperately, he clung to the cable till the people heard the king.”
Channels only, blessed Master,
But with all Thy wondrous pow’r
Flowing thro’ us Thou canst use us
Ev’ry day and ev’ry hour.
Sermon Outline
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I. God’s Original Command for Light
- God spoke light into existence in creation
- Light symbolizes God’s glory and knowledge
- Creation as a foundation for spiritual illumination
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II. God Shines in Our Hearts
- Conversion as God shining into believers
- The new creation involves divine illumination
- Believers receive God’s light internally
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III. Believers as Channels, Not Terminals
- We are meant to transmit, not hoard blessings
- Our lives reveal the glory of Jesus to others
- The responsibility of Christian witness
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IV. The Supernatural Nature of Preaching
- Preaching transmits the Person of Jesus
- Illustration of electrical transmission under strain
- The power and awe of conveying Christ through us
Key Quotes
“God has shone in…for the shining forth.” — William MacDonald
“We are not meant to be the terminals of God’s blessings but only the channels.” — William MacDonald
“Preaching is something august, sublime, awe-begetting—a supernatural act, the transmission of a Person through a person to a company of persons, the Person so conveyed being the everlasting Jesus.” — William MacDonald
Application Points
- Recognize that your conversion is God shining His light within you.
- Commit to being a channel of God's blessings by sharing Christ's love with others.
- Approach preaching and witness as a supernatural responsibility to convey Jesus faithfully.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that God 'shone in our hearts'?
It refers to the spiritual illumination and conversion where God reveals Himself within believers, making them new creations.
Why are believers called channels of God’s blessings?
Because they are meant to transmit God's light and glory to others, not to selfishly keep it to themselves.
How does this sermon describe preaching?
Preaching is described as a supernatural act that transmits the Person of Jesus through a person to others.
What is the significance of the electrical cable illustration?
It illustrates the perseverance and responsibility of believers to faithfully convey God's message despite difficulties.
How can believers apply this teaching in daily life?
By consciously allowing God’s light to shine through their actions and words to reveal Christ to others.