The Gift of Darkness

In this message, we are starting a new sermon series called the Gift of Darkness. Our life journey comes with ups and down, highs and lows, joys and sorrows. We are either in a trial, heading toward a trial, or coming out of a trial. No one is immune. It should not surprise us because Jesus told His disciples that in this world, we will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart because Jesus has overcome the world. Last Sunday, we celebrated Jesus’ resurrection and overcoming the world! Then the church was born and rapidly increased as God added to their numbers daily. At the same time, trouble and darkness were gathering momentum. Some Jews wanted to eliminate followers of Jesus Christ because those Jews perceived followers of Christ as a dangerous sect and were threatened. Roman Emperors and officials also persecuted followers of Jesus. For the next 240 years, followers of Jesus were persecuted, hunted, captured, beaten, burned, whipped, stoned and fed to lions intermittently across the Roman Empire. Amid the joy of a Risen Savior, it was also a hard and dark season for the followers of Jesus. Through our trials, we can embrace the darkness, open the hidden treasures of darkness, and let God do God’s work in us. Then, transformed by God, we are able to work in coordination with God.