the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.”the people who sat in darkness saw a great light; to those who sat in the region and shadow of death, to them light has dawned.”The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.The people that sat in darkness Saw a great light, And to them that sat in the region and shadow of death, To them did light spring up.
3 sermons cite this verse
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. Wait, you have a seat. So back in 1973, my grandma Helen was a nurse. Actually, she was the head nurse at a place called Sinai Hospital down in the Twin Cities. And she was a really hard worker. She loved her job. She loved being a nurse. She loved caring for her people. In fact, as a head nurse, she took care of other nurses. And she loved that. She loved just helping all of these, particularly they were younger nurses, and she helped them just like get their job done, be able to take care of patients. It was honestly, I would say, that her job as a nurse was everything to her. And then also in 1973, the Supreme Court passed a Roe versus Wade legalizing abortion in this country. and almost immediately at her hospital her nurses were being forced to participate in abortions either to participate in them or even to dispose of the remains of these children And so my grandma, she said, I won't do this. …
and then he starts his public ministry. And from the very beginning, one message resounds from his mouth. Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near. That phrase is used, not just the whole phrase, but especially the kingdom of God or the kingdom of heaven is repeated over and over and over again throughout the book of Matthew. And what it is, it's not a kingdom as in a place. It pictures the rule and the reign and the dominion and the authority of God. Wherever his rule and reign is acknowledged and submitted to, there we see a picture of the kingdom. And that's what we see all throughout the book of Matthew. Now, where do you get radical abandonment for the glory of Christ from there? Well, what I want you to see is that over and over again, as the kingdom is mentioned, it is always accompanying by great cost, by great abandonment and sacrifice for the king. I want you to see that. Let me take you on a little tour. Turn one chapter over to Matthew chapter 5. Maybe circle a few different times in the book of Matthew where you see the word kingdom. …
III. This subject may well excite joy and thankfulness in the hearts of the truly penitent, that God has found out a way to deliver them from such a condition; that God has been pleased to send his Son into the world to die for them; that he has given them the gospel and the means of grace; and that he has delivered them from this dreadful condition. You were in the same circumstances. 1 Cor. vi. 11. “Such were some of you; but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” It is mere grace which has made the difference. There is no cause of boasting. God might have taken others, and left you. You deserved no more than they. You had no more righteousness of your own. Probably you have done worse than many who have eternally perished. Take heed, that you entertain no boasting thought, and that your joy in this be an humble joy; accompanied with continual praise to God, who has done such great things for you, and from all eternity set his love upon you. IV. This subject should lead those, who are in a natural condition, earnestly to seek for deliverance. Will you rest in such a condition, when there is a way of salvation provided, and an opportunity for an escape? Will you of choice continue still in this state? Though your case is very dangerous, yet there is a possibility of rescue, if you have but a heart to improve your opportunity. But besides what has been said, I would desire you further to consider, how happy will be your state, should you obtain deliverance. A converted state is not less happy than a natural condition is miserable and dreadful. You will be brought out of darkness into marvellous light. It will be like the dawning of the morning after a long night of darkness. It will be a joyful morning to you. The daystar will arise in your heart. Then will be given you the morning star. You will then have a discovery of the glory of God, and the beauty and excellency of Jesus Christ, made to your soul; and then will be opened to your view the glorious fountain of divine grace. You will then look back and see how you have dwelt in darkness throughout your lives, and in the region and shadow of death. Matt. iv. 16. “The people which sat in darkness saw great light, and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.” You will then be brought out of a dreadful bondage into glorious liberty. You will come forth as from a dark dungeon, to see the glorious light of the Sun of righteousness. Your eyes will then be opened, and you will be brought out of the prison house. Isa. lxi. 1. “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek, he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captive, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.” Then you who were dead will be made alive; and you that have been lost will be found. What you will then obtain will richly repay you for all the labour which you have undergone. If you have spent ever so many years in wrestling with corruption and temptation, in striving to enter in at the strait gate, you will not repent it. But more particularly consider, …