The Radiance of God: Light, Time, and Creation
The Radiance of God: Light, Time, and Creation
Date: 1-5-2025
Speaker: Pastor Jerry Lee Simmons
This blog post is a reflection on the recent sermon delivered at 238 Church, which explored the profound relationship between God's radiance, light, and creation. Based on Genesis 1 and supporting scriptures, this post unpacks how God's nature is revealed through light and time, offering insights into His sustaining power and divine glory. This summary is part of our ongoing "Sermon Summaries" series, where we reflect on weekly messages to deepen our spiritual growth.
1. God’s Radiance and the Beginning of Creation
Genesis 1:1–5 – The Birth of Light
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)
Creation begins with a blank slate. The earth was “without form and void,” and darkness covered the deep. Yet, God’s Spirit moved upon the waters, and His first act was to speak light into existence.
God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light (Genesis 1:3). This moment not only marks the beginning of physical creation but also demonstrates the divine relationship between sound, light, and action—God’s spoken word generates energy, illuminating the void.
Light as an Attribute of God
Genesis 1:4 reveals that God saw the light and declared it good, dividing it from the darkness. Light is both a product of God’s creative power and a reflection of His nature. As 1 John 1:5 declares, “God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.”
This reveals that darkness is not merely the absence of light but symbolizes the absence of God’s presence. Where God is, there is light, life, and creation.
2. Time and Light: God’s Eternal Nature
Time is Defined by Light
Genesis 1:5 introduces the concept of time—“the evening and the morning were the first day.” Time itself begins with light, tying its existence to God’s eternal nature. Just as light exists independent of time, God operates outside of time, yet all of creation is subject to it.
The speed of light (299,792,458 meters per second) is one of the constants of creation. It is the absolute measure by which we gauge distance and time. Similarly, God’s presence and sustaining power are constant and unchanging.
God’s Timelessness
Physics teaches us that at the speed of light, time collapses to zero. This points to a theological truth—God is not bound by time. He sees the past, present, and future simultaneously, sustaining all things by His powerful word (Hebrews 1:3).
3. Divine Energy: The Creative Word
Spiritual Radiation and Divine Power
The sermon explored the concept of God’s energy as spiritual radiation. Hebrews 1:3 describes Christ as “the brightness of His glory” and the one who upholds all things by His word. This radiance represents God’s omnipresent power and sustaining authority.
Examples of God’s radiance include:
Moses’ Radiant Face after encountering God on Mount Sinai (Exodus 34:29–35).
The Transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain, where His face shone like the sun (Matthew 17:2).
Habakkuk 3:4 describes God’s glory as light flashing from His hands, where His power is hidden.
Darkness and Silence
Before God spoke, the earth may have been at absolute zero—a state of no energy or motion. Darkness symbolizes this absence of energy and God’s presence. Yet, the moment God spoke, light burst forth, transforming the void.
This mirrors the spiritual reality that God’s voice breaks through the silence of our hearts, creating life and hope.
4. Christ: The Light and Radiance of God
John 1:1–9 – The True Light
John 1 declares that Jesus, the Word, was with God in the beginning, and “in Him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4). Jesus embodies God’s radiance, illuminating the spiritual darkness of the world.
This light is not only a revelation of God’s nature but also a source of transformation. Colossians 1:16–17 emphasizes that Christ created all things and sustains them, highlighting His eternal and divine nature.
The Glory of Christ
The sermon emphasized the preeminence of Christ, drawing from passages like Colossians 1:15–17 and Hebrews 1:3. Jesus is the image of the invisible God and the radiance of His glory, reinforcing the idea that God’s presence and power are inseparable from His light.
5. Reflections on Creation and Science
Light, Matter, and Energy
Scientific principles, such as Einstein’s equation (E = mc²), reveal how energy and matter are deeply connected. Light is essential in understanding this relationship, pointing us back to God’s creative power.
Interestingly, photosynthesis, a process vital for sustaining life, cannot be fully replicated in a lab. This highlights the unique, divine design of creation.
Bandwidth and Perception
Humans perceive only a narrow band of existence, limited by senses and time. God, however, operates with unlimited bandwidth. He sees and hears what we cannot, transcending physical and spiritual boundaries.
6. Practical Takeaways
Living in God’s Light
Recognize God’s Presence – Just as light reveals what is hidden in darkness, God’s presence illuminates truth and purpose in our lives.
Walk in the Light – 1 John 1:7 calls us to live in fellowship with God, allowing His light to guide our steps.
Reflect God’s Light – Like Moses, whose face radiated after being in God’s presence, we are called to reflect God’s glory in our actions.
Trust in God’s Sustaining Power
Just as Christ upholds creation by His word, we can trust Him to sustain us through every season of life. Hebrews 13:8 reminds us that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
Conclusion
The sermon reminded us that God’s radiance and light are foundational to creation and spiritual life. From the first act of creation to the sustaining power of Christ, God’s light reveals His presence, power, and eternal nature. As we reflect on these truths, let us live in the light of God’s glory and share it with others.
For further exploration, listen to the full podcast episode on 238 Church Live.
Keywords:
God’s Light and Glory
Creation and Radiance
Speed of Light and Eternity
Jesus as the Light of the World
God’s Sustaining Power
Spiritual Energy and Radiation
Genesis 1 Sermon Insights
Hebrews 1 and Colossians 1 Reflection
