INTRODUCTION 

There are many people in this day and age who are wondering what in the world is going on. Perhaps you are one of them. We can look around and the evidence of violence is all around us; mass shootings all over this country and in other countries – all for no apparent reason; an estimated 60 million babies or more killed since 1973; a seeming inability for many in this country, as well as others, to tell the truth, or, even to recognize the truth. The current ongoing attempts by politicians to craft or contrive some reason that they can persuade the American people that the President of the United States ought to be impeached is a clear violation of the Constitution of the United States. Lying and misrepresentation are rampant in this country, as well as around the world. Romans 1:18 states that “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them for God has shown it to them." (Romans 1:18-19)

Mankind in general does not understand what is going on in the world because most of mankind does not know the true and living God! Indeed, from the Gospel of John, we can see the remarkable similarity with God's initial creation. We see above from Genesis Chapter One, that “In the beginning God”. This is first; the recognition that everything begins with God. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep”. (Genesis 1:1-2a) In the Gospel of John we find written, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shined in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it”. (John 1:1 – 5) 

In Genesis, the book of beginnings, we see that “darkness” covered the entire world. Today, we see that all around the world, there is darkness. The evident darkness today is darkness in mankind itself. Moreover, not only does mankind, in general, as well as individual men, not comprehend the light – that is they simply don't understand the light that is shining in the darkness, that is the Lord Jesus Christ - they hate it! In the 3rd chapter of the Gospel of John, we find this: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”. (John 3:16) This word perish means the same thing that we see in Romans Chapter One that the wrath of God is coming upon the whole world. We find in the world today a general “worrying" about nuclear weapons, Global warming, the need to stop mass murder, gun control, and all sorts of anxiety regarding the manner of one's death; much more anxiety over how one will die,  than the fact that everyone will die! However, in John Chapter 3 states, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world: but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe  is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil”. (John 3:17 – 19) Mankind in general does not comprehend the light, neither does mankind receive the light, but mankind actually hates the light because their deeds are evil! Consequently, we see the terrible events that are described in Paul's letter to the Church of Rome in Chapter 1 verses 18 through 32. God has given them up to a reprobate mind. All mankind dies! This means all men, women and children, everyone who comes into the world dies. Universal death is as evident as life itself, but the vast majority of people are more worried about the mode of death, than they are about the fact of death!

Another general characteristic of mankind today is that they think themselves wise. The vast majority of people are actually proud of their belief in evolution. They think that the world is 4.5 billion years old. They think that Darwin's theory of evolution and origin of the species is true. It is not possible, and God’s Word says evolution is not true, but do you realize that this means that most of those people who believe in evolution are proud that they descended from frogs? Their ancestors, they believe, crawled up out of the slimy slough. Despite the fact that the fossil record disputes everything about evolution, and in fact supports everything found in Scripture regarding the global flood, they still do not believe in the global flood. They do not understand that the discovery of DNA renders evolution impossible. Most significantly, God says what is true! God’s Word is Truth itself. 

The double helix of DNA testifies to the fact that each individual, each person, and each animal, and everything that is in the world, has a particular program within his or her DNA, that renders evolution impossible.

Moreover, because people do not start with God, specifically, they do not start with the foundation of God's Word, they do not understand that the only one who was there at the beginning – God – created all things in 6 days a little over 6000 years ago; 6000 – not 4.5 billion!

There are so-called leaders in our churches around this nation and around the world denying the truth of scripture. They too have fallen into the trap of believing that “science has proven…" the fact that the earth is 4.5 billion years old. They have failed to recognize the wonderful truth revealed in scripture by God Himself. God created Adam and from Adam He created Eve. He placed them in Paradise. They didn't have to worry about jobs, job numbers, what to eat, or anything else. They could eat of any of the fruit in the garden, except for the fruit of the tree in the midst of the garden which was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The serpent deceived Eve, and Adam disobeyed God and ate of the fruit of the tree. It is important to note that which many have said in the past, that Adam and Eve sinned against God and “ fell" when they were in Paradise. Therefore, it  wasn't a matter of lack of education, or lack of income or poverty, or any other reason, other than they disobeyed the light which they had. When Adam disobeyed God, not only did he die, but all of his posterity and descendants also died. This doctrine of original sin is apparent in the fact of Universal death. Everybody dies! “But, God who is rich in mercy with His great love wherewith He loved us set forth the Lord Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, as a propitiation for our sin through faith in His blood that all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ should not perish but have everlasting life”. He did this because of His great love wherewith He loved us, and to declare his righteousness to be just and the justifier of all those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Christ Himself bore our sin in His own body on the cross that we might be dead  unto sin and alive unto God and His righteousness. The Word of God is the light of the world. Light repels darkness. Jesus is described in scripture as “the last Adam". Everything that happened to Christ has happened to everyone who is in Christ – who believe in Him and have placed their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and surrendered their will to His will. (See Romans 3 through 6) 

It is my hope and earnest expectation that what follows, a brief look at these matters, will assist you, and those whom you know, to understand and to comprehend the true light and to receive it.

I.    THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. He did this in and by the Word of God who is the light of the world. In Genesis Chapter one, verse 3, we find that God said, “ let there be light and there was light”. That light was the Word of God which we see in the gospel of John Chapter one that the light of the world is not even comprehended by the world. We see in the gospel of John chapter one that the Word – the Lord Jesus Christ – who is the light of the world was not “comprehended” as the light of the world. We also see that the Lord Jesus Christ was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world did not know Him. Finally, we see that the Lord Jesus Christ came to His own and His own did not receive Him. The world was so dark that it didn't even comprehend the light of the world. Indeed, the Apostle Paul states in the second chapter of his first letter to the Church at Corinth that: “…But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." (  1 Corinthians 2:7 and 8)

It is clear that God purposed before the foundation of the world to make known the “ hidden wisdom" of the world, and it is clear that none, not even the rulers of this world, knew this hidden wisdom for had they known it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Therefore, we see from the Gospel of John that not only did the world not comprehend the light of the world; not only did the world not recognize its own maker; but, also, when he came to His own His own received Him not. Not even the rulers of this world knew Him for had they known Him they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. What about you? Do you know him? He came to give you light. He came to give all of those that you know light. Tell them about Him, the light of the world who makes all things new. “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away behold all things have become new.” ( 2 Corinthians 5:17 )

He came not only to repel the darkness that is in the world but also the darkness that covers the world. He came to repel the darkness that is in every person in the world. Every person who comes into the world is dead in trespasses and sins. Dead! That's as dark as it gets. But,... “you [has] He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lust of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ  (by Grace have you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:1 – 7) Thus, we should remember that God sent His Son into the world not to condemn the world, but that the world by Him might be saved! When you receive the Lord Jesus Christ by surrender of your will to His will through true repentance, and turn from your sin and place your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ you receive Him. When you receive the Lord Jesus Christ, you receive His eternal gift of everlasting life. Salvation is a sheer gift. The Lord our God did this for us and the Apostle Peter says in his second Epistle, “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1:2 – 4 ) What a great and precious promise this is; that we should receive and be made partakers of the divine nature through and in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Be sure to pass it on and tell others. This is truly the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is truly good news!

II.    ADAM TO ABRAM          

Adam was created by God. He is a real person. Jesus testified to the reality of Adam, and Adam lived 930 years and died as a result of his sin. We see in Romans that sin invaded the world, and because of that sin, death. There was no death, according to God's Word, until Adam disobeyed God and sinned against Him. The reality of Adam is that Adam sinned, and his sin was imputed unto us. The good news is that before God banished Adam and Eve from the garden, He told them that the seed that was to come of the woman would crush the head of the serpent, and that the serpent would bruise the heel of the seed of the woman,and the seed is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Thus, because Adam was our federal head, when Adam died all of his descendents died. (except for Enoch and Elijah) In due time, while we were yet without strength, Christ came and died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6) In Paul's first letter to the Church at Corinth in the 15th chapter, he describes the Lord Jesus Christ as being the last Adam. Christ also is our federal head. “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned -” (Romans 5:12) … Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so, through one Man's [the Lord Jesus Christ] righteous act, the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.” (Romans 5:18)  Therefore, death came upon all through Adams's sin, and life comes to all those who receive the Lord Jesus Christ through repentance toward God and placing their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.

In Genesis 5, we read that Noah, was a preacher of righteousness. Noah knew Methuselah and Methuselah knew Adam, and when Noah was 500 years old his sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth were born. Then Genesis Chapter 6 tells us that, …”the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Genesis 6:5) That seems to be the picture of what we find  taking place at the present time in our world. We also see that the Lord was “sorry” that he had made man on the earth, and he was grieved in his heart. So the Lord said I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping things and birds of the air.  But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. (Genesis 6:6-8) Then God told Noah that he was to build an ark and go into the ark with his sons, his wife, and his son's wives, and of every living thing of all flesh he shall take two of every sort or “kind” into the ark to keep them alive. They were to be animals after their own kind. And Noah obeyed God. 

After the flood, the ark came to rest on  the Mountains of Ararat. And Shem, one of the sons of Noah, lived near Noah and from his line was born, through Terah, Abram, who became Abraham. Abraham was the 10th generation removed from Noah according to scripture and was a direct descendent of Shem who was believed to be 390 years old when Abraham was born. At that time Noah was still alive. He was 892 years old. Abraham was 58 years old when Noah died. Abraham lived for some period of time approximately 40 of these years with Noah and Shem. Abraham's father, Terah, is said to have served Nimrod who built the Tower of Babel in Shinar (Babylonia). All around Abraham were idol worshipers and pagans.

In Genesis Chapter 12, we see that God said to Abram ,“Get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed”. (Genesis 12:1 – 3) Moreover, in the Gospel of John in Chapter 8, the Lord Jesus Christ said, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day,and he saw it and was glad.” (John 8:56) We also read in Galatians 3 verse 8 that the glorious Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ was preached to Abraham. And we read in Romans chapter 4:22 that Abraham believed God and “it was accounted unto him for righteousness”. We find in Romans Chapter 4:23 and 24 that these things were written not for Abraham's sake alone but also for us. What a great and grand disclosure to those who will receive it. What a tremendous light has come into the world and many do not comprehend it. Do you? It's written to you. It is written for your sake. It is also written for all those to whom you will tell. Pass it on. 

III.    THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION 

When the apostle Paul wrote his second epistle to the church in Corinth, he said, "Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. For it is God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:1-6)

Therefore, Jesus being the light of the world has shined in the hearts of everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. This is the light of the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ which is “the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also for the Greek.” (Romans 1:16) It is this glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ – this glorious light which God causes to shine in our hearts to repel the darkness - that puts us in the Lord Jesus Christ, through repentance toward God and  faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved”. (John 3:17) That you and all of us who repent from our sins and place our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation may be saved. Not only may be saved, but are saved and cannot be anything but saved. Thus, we find  in this ministry of reconciliation the following:

“Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away; behold all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. “ (2 Corinthians 5:17 – 21)

God was in Christ Jesus reconciling the world unto himself and not imputing our sins unto us. “Christ who knew no sin became sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him”. The light of the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ has shined in our hearts to give us the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. This is the light that repels the darkness. We are given this ministry of reconciliation to pass it on and to tell others of the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ. Are you doing that? The world is a dark place and is becoming much darker. There are men and women in authority over us who are ungodly, unrighteous, and suppress the truth in  unrighteousness. They are in political positions of authority, and they are also in positions of authority in the church. We must all be Brerean Christians. “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”  (Acts 17:11) We need - indeed must- make sure that what we are hearing from others is true according to the scriptures! It is my earnest expectation and hope that you are doing that with all you know; your children, your grandchildren, your neighbors, and even those who hate you. Tell them of Jesus who is mighty to save.

CONCLUSION

Even as Jude, the bond servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, and brother of James, (also brother of the Lord Jesus Christ) exhorted those to whom He was writing that you earnestly contend for the faith which was delivered once to the saints, so also do I exhort you and me to earnestly contend for the faith delivered once to the saints. Now unto Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty and dominion and power both now and forever more. Amen.