April 10 – via Zoom

This is us watching and listening. Cerwin listens on his cell phone by Blue Tooth (his hearing aids) and looks at my computer for the visuals.

Opening by Marv Shenk

This is not the first time our church congregation has been separated by the closure of churches and businesses.

According to the writings of Amos Cassel in the book We Called Him Papa – from the diary of his father – our church was closed for a month in 1918 due to the Spanish flu.

There is a story about an eight-year-old girl in Africa who fell into a pit and could not get out on her own. An older lady came along and crawled down in the pit to help her out when a venomous snake bit both of them – striking the older lady first. She received the most venom and died – actually saving the little girl’s life.

Likewise – mankind was in a pit of sin – unable to save themselves when Jesus took our death sentence for us.

Scripture – Mark 15:21-38

Sermon – Carl Groff

There was a great time of darkness just before Jesus was born.

First sign that light was coming: when John was born to prepare the way for Jesus and his father Zacharias recognized that light.

 ”Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” Luke 1:78-79 (KJV)

Second sign that light was coming: when God sent Jesus.

“And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them.” Luke 2:9 (KJV)

Third sign that light was coming: when Simeon recognized the light.

“For my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, ad the glory of Your people Israel.” Luke 2:30-32 (NKJV)

Message using an acrostic on the word LIGHT

L – Isaiah 60:1 “Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.”

Isaiah 60:19-20 ““The sun shall no longer be your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you; but the Lord will be to you an everlasting light, and your God your glory. Your sun shall no longer go down, nor shall your moon withdraw itself; for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and the days of your mourning shall be ended.”

It was heartbreaking when Israel turned against God and worshiped idols.

The history of the Church seems to have gone from light to darkness to light to darkness.

Darkness equals – lack of power in the Church of Christ.

In the 1400s there was a 45 year old preacher hung for preaching the gospel. He said to his killers, “You cannot separate me from the Church Triumphant.”

Thought this may seem like a dark time for us – when Christians cannot meet in their church buildings – this is a good time to develop a close personal relationship with Christ.

I – “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” [Jesus] John 12:32 (KJV)

A reminder of the time in Numbers 21:8 – toward the end of Israel’s wandering in the wilderness and their lesson of salvation from the serpent’s bite – when the brazen serpent was lifted high on a pole.  

Faith is a key to our salvation. An amazing reminder that God does not require payment – but that we simply look to Jesus. A picture of amazing grace.

G – Gethsemane – I wonder if the disciples truly understood the darkness of that night when they went to the garden with Jesus. When He fell on His face and asked God to remove “this cup” from Him.

And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. Matthew 26:39.” (KJV)

All of our sins were in that cup. Can you imagine the weight and stench of that cup?

Matthew 26:42 is one of the most beautiful verses in scripture.

H – Hour – His hour was not yet come.

Jesus was on Heaven’s timetable.

Satan’s hour was darkness

Jesus’ hour was light

T – Temple – The veil of the temple was torn in two – top to bottom – when Jesus cried his last words before dying on the cross.

The veil is said to have been nine feet tall and four to six feet thick.

“Behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent.” Matthew 27:51 (KJV)

The sin barrier – between God and man was gone!

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Sin’s power was broken!

Sunday is coming!