Worship Service

JOHN 12:35-36; 44-46

35 Then Jesus told them, "You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. 36 Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.

44 Then Jesus cried out, "When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. 45 When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as a light so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. 

Introduction 

- A confession

- John 12:46

- 46 I have come into the world as a light so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

- LIGHT

I. We are Enlightened

A. Maji – Persia

B. John 1:9 (English Standard Ver.)

9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

· Truth

II. Attracts Attention

A. Isaiah 9:2

B. Who would notice?

C. Growing and Spreading

III. Light Dispels Darkness

A. Nature

B. Herod

Application

- Invite

- John 1:19

9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

- John 12:46

46 I have come into the world as a light so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. 

- John 12:36

36 Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.

 Luke 1:39-45, (46-55) 

Before class, wrap the two gift boxes--one with brown paper and the other with Christmas wrapping paper. Feel free to add bows and other things to the Christmas-themed gift only. 

I have two gifts here — one wrapped in plain old brown paper and one wrapped in extravagant Christmas wrapping. If I were to let you choose, which gift would you pick? (Give children time to answer).

Let’s pass around this package and when it gets to you, call out one of your favorite things to receive as a present. (Allow each child to participate. Give a five-second time limit to speed up the process.) 

On Christmas morning, we may wake up to find brightly-colored packages tied up with pretty ribbons and bows. If on Christmas morning,  you found a package with your name on it that was wrapped in plain brown paper and tied up with string, what might be your reaction? (Pause.) We might not be excited about a package like that.

Maybe that’s why so many people have missed out on God’s gift that we celebrate at Christmas. God’s gift of Jesus, His only Son, didn’t come in fancy wrapping. Jesus’ mother was a young virgin... His earthly father was a poor carpenter... He was born in a stable. It's not a very pretty package, is it? (Pause.)

Despite the wrapping, Jesus is the greatest gift the world has ever known. He offered us salvation and eternal life with God!

The Bible tells us when Mary found out she was chosen to deliver God's gift to the world, she was filled with joy. She hurried to Elizabeth’s home to share the good news. Elizabeth was also pregnant, and when she heard the news, the Bible said the baby she was carrying “leaped” inside of her! She exclaimed in a loud voice, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! You are blessed because you believed the Lord would do what He said."

God sent us the gift of His love through Jesus, but some people are so busy unwrapping the beautifully wrapped packages this world offers that they have missed out on the greatest gift of all.

Dear Father, we are thankful that You loved us so much that You sent Your only Son to be our Savior. In Jesus' name, Amen.