Week 1, we learned that:

We must know we are a part of a larger spiritual battle

• Good and Bad

Another of those themes is LIGHT AND DARKNESS

1 Peter 2:9

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

What exactly is LIGHT?

What exactly is DARKNESS?

Biblical Theology of Light and Dark

Genesis 1:1-4

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness.

• The light was GOOD

Darkness represents CHAOS

• Formless

So we can say that…

God’s Creation thrives in the light

Psalm 27:1

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom should I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life whom should I dread?

A new layer of what light is…

Light Represents God and His Salvation

Isaiah 9:2

2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness.

• Perpetually

God’s light (SALVATION) pulls us out of Darkness

Romans 1:21-22

21 For though they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became worthless, and their senseless hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools…

John 1

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light (Salvation) of men. 5 That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.

What is this Darkness?

Darkness is the fallen state of humanity, the created world, and the kingdom of evil. It started in the Garden of Eden and continues through humankind’s rebellion.

• Darkness refers to falsehood and evil. To live as children of light means to be directed by what is good, right, and true.

This is important because it challenges our modern perception of:

• God is not some heavenly principle – BAD

This leads us to say things like…

• “I think I’m a good person who sometimes does bad things…”

This isn’t what the Bible is trying to say AT ALL

Some practical ways to better understand how this darkness affects us

Darkness of Understanding

• Unknowing

Darkness of Decisions

• Falsehood

Darkness of Separation

• From God

Let’s better understand what is in the dark…

There is more to this darkness that scripture speaks about…

He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.

This darkness is a kingdom against God and His creation

There is an agency to evil

We need to rid our minds of the medieval caricature of Satan. Dispensing with the horns, the hooves and the tail, we are left with the biblical portrait of a spiritual being, highly intelligent, immensely powerful and utterly unscrupulous. ~ John Stott

Ephesians 6

11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.

What we need to know about Satan and His kingdom of darkness

1: This “kingdom” is structured to wage war against God and his church

• An organized hierarchy

2: He doesn’t just influence people but also nations

• Idolatry

The destructive malice of Satan against all humanity, and particularly against the church, is channeled through human agents and the systems and institutions they have built. Humanity in general is afflicted by the destroyer through the structures of injustice and oppression of which the flesh and the devil are joint architects, and Christians are murderously attacked by individuals and governments ultimately directed by Satan. ~ Richard Lovelace

Lord’s Prayer:

Your KINGDOM COME…

• We wage war on evil to see this happen

3: He would rather you not know he exists

• Like the mob, works in Darkness

Lastly…

4: He does have SOME authority over this world

• The temptation of Jesus

There is tremendous hope because scripture teaches…

The Light of God Is Always Victorious Against Darkness

Jesus has ULTIMATE Authority and has defeated satan on the CROSS

Our Goal is the WALK IN THE LIGHT

Ephesians 5

6 Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for God’s wrath is coming on the disobedient because of these things. 7 Therefore, do not become their partners. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light— 9 for the fruit of the light consists of all goodness, righteousness, and truth— 10 testing what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what is done by them in secret. 13 Everything exposed by the light is made visible, 14 for what makes everything visible is light. Therefore it is said:

Get up, sleeper, and rise up from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.