Darkness: The Place of Loss and Confusion

Sunday’s sermon begins with Mary Magdalene arriving at the tomb "early, while it was still dark" (John 20:1, NKJV). Her world had been shattered by the crucifixion of Jesus, and now, even His body seemed lost to her. She tells Peter and the other disciple, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him” (v. 2). This moment encapsulates the essence of darkness—grief, confusion, and unanswered questions.

Life often feels this way. Loss—whether of a loved one, a dream, or a sense of certainty—leaves us disoriented. Like Mary, we may find ourselves baffled by the tension between what we know of God’s goodness and the pain we experience. The Christmas song “Mary Did You Know” illustrates this fact, Mary didn’t know (I know, I know… different Mary) the full story at this point. She was early in the narrative, standing in chapter 20 of an epic tale that wasn’t yet complete.

This is a powerful reminder for us: when we’re in the midst of darkness, it’s not the end of the story. The pain is real, but it coexists with the truth that God is still at work. As the sermon puts it, “We live in the tension of two truths: that life can hurt AND God is not done writing His story.” In our darkest times, we can hold fast to the reality that Jesus is alive, and His resurrection power is still unfolding.

The disciples, too, were in darkness. John 20:9 reveals they “did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.” Despite walking with Jesus, they hadn’t fully grasped God’s plan. Today, we have the Scriptures, yet many of us still struggle to live in their light. Darkness often persists because we fail to anchor ourselves in the truth that Jesus has overcome it.

Dawn: The Awakening of Faith

The narrative shifts as Mary lingers at the tomb, weeping (John 20:11). Peering inside, she sees two angels, and then, turning around, encounters Jesus—though she doesn’t recognize Him at first. This moment marks the transition from darkness to dawn, a gradual awakening to the reality of the risen Lord.

The sermon highlights three key moments where “it dawned” on Mary, offering applications for our own journey:

1. Stooping and Looking In
   Mary stooped to peer into the tomb and saw the angels (v. 11-12). The stooping—humbling oneself—is essential to seeing God’s truth. Pride keeps us in darkness, but humility opens our eyes to the resurrection. Have we ever considered that our refusal to “stoop” might be why we remain in confusion? The application is clear: God’s story isn’t about us—it’s about a risen Savior who meets us when we lower ourselves.
2. Answering the Tough Questions
   The angels ask, “Woman, why are you weeping?” (v. 13), and Jesus echoes, “Whom are you seeking?” (v. 15). These questions probe Mary’s motives and focus. The sermon challenges us to examine our own “why” and “whom.” Are we seeking a Savior to fix our problems or a Lord to rule our lives? Mary’s initial despair stemmed from misplaced expectations—she brought spices to anoint a dead body, not to celebrate a living King. Dawn breaks when we realign our seeking with God’s reality.
3. Hearing Jesus Call Her Name
   Everything changes when Jesus says, “Mary!” (v. 16). Her response—“Rabboni!” (Teacher)—reflects a personal, transformative encounter. The sermon imagines the tenderness in Jesus’ voice, a tone she’d heard before, breaking through her self-sufficiency. She’d been ready to take charge, saying, “I will take Him away” (v. 15), but Jesus showed her the work was already done. Dawn arrives when we hear His call and respond, trusting that He’s alive to our pain and loss.

These moments remind us that darkness isn’t the end. As the sermon beautifully states, “Darkness cannot overcome the light, and the darkness time you’re experiencing might just be the prelude to dawn.”

Daylight: Living Out the Resurrection

The story culminates in daylight as Jesus commissions Mary: “Go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God’” (John 20:17). She obeys, telling the disciples she has seen the Lord (v. 18). This shift from darkness to dawn to daylight reveals a mission for us all.

The sermon outlines three ways we live in this daylight:

1. Relieve the Brethren
   Jesus sends Mary to comfort His grieving disciples. Likewise, those who’ve walked through darkness and emerged in light can encourage others. The sermon suggests that some in our communities have been to “the dark side” and now bask in sunlight. Their stories—and ours—can bring hope to those still mourning.
2. Relay the Message
   Mary’s task was to share Jesus’ words about His ascension. The sermon emphasizes that good doctrine—truth about Christ’s victory—frees us from false beliefs and heavy burdens. When we relay the message of a risen Savior, we offer hope that uplifts and unburdens.
3. Reaffirm the Relationship
   Jesus’ words, “My Father and your Father,” affirm a familial bond with God. This isn’t just theology—it’s a lived reality. The sermon marvels at the privilege of knowing God as our Father, who sees us in darkness and brings us into light.

Conclusion: He Is Alive

From darkness to dawn to daylight, the resurrection story is a journey of faith. Mary Magdalene moved from confusion to clarity, from grief to mission, because Jesus met her where she was. Today, He does the same for us. Life’s darkest moments—those early, shadowy chapters—are not the end. Jesus is alive, still writing His story in and through us.

So, when you find yourself in darkness, remember: it’s early yet in eternity. Stoop low, seek Him, and listen for His voice. Answer the tough questions of why and whom, and let it dawn on you that He’s alive to your pain. Then step into daylight—relieving others, relaying the truth, and reaffirming your place in God’s family. Darkness doesn’t have the final word. Jesus does. And He is alive.

   

 I have a problem.  I do not like to be sold.  Slick marketing, fancy words, emotional appeals, anecdotal evidence and fine print turn me off quicker than pineapple on pizza.  Over the last few weeks, I have been seeing multiple ads by seemingly qualified people in places of authority pushing for passage of a constitutional amendment in support of overturning what the ad refers to as Florida's Abortion Ban.

Now, regardless of whether Florida's law rises to the level of "ban" is debatable among sensible people, but that is just a tip of the hat to the willingness of the group behind the ad to twist words and selectively craft verbiage to purposely deceive.  It is actually what prompted me to do some digging and to research the amendment and to write this article for you today.

First of all, making amendments to our state constitution via the voting booth is a horrible form of legislature and should never be employed.  In cases like this, the law is narrowed down from large, legal, and distinct documents into a simplified paragraph or sometimes even a single sentence.  Then, voters who are in a long line rush through the voting booth, uninformed and rushing to pick one.  No one in their right mind should think this is good leadership.  We hire the best state officials to seek out the best course of law for our state and it seems more and more, they are punting it back to the people.

That being said, we will be called upon in a few weeks to vote on one such legislation. I went to my Lake County sample ballot and downloaded a copy of the paragraph that you will see when you step into your booth on November 5th.

Florida Amendment 4, Right to Abortion Initiative 

A "yes" vote supports adding the following language to the Florida Constitution’s Declaration of Rights: “… no law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s healthcare provider.” Amendment 4 would maintain the current constitutional provision that permits a law requiring parents to be notified before a minor can receive an abortion.

A "no" vote opposes amending the Florida Constitution's Declaration of Rights to provide that the state cannot "... prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s healthcare provider."

I may not be the brightest lightbulb on the Christmas tree, but I am not so dim as to see the lack of clarity in the paragraph for a "yes" vote.  Now, usually this kind of ambiguity causes me to vote "no." But, it may need a little more for others and so I want to parse out the paragraph line by line so that we can be informed voters.

The first line that would be added to the Florida State Constitution would be that "no law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability..."  

Hold your horses...  "No law"...  None, never... not any.  Short of disbanding our state and reconstituting, we can never, under any circumstances or new scientific discovery undo what this amendment would do.  Those first two words should strike fear in the heart of anyone.  

Furthermore the first line states that abortion would be unrestricted before "viability."  Let me ask you this, when does an infant become "viable."  What does "viable" even mean in this case.  According to dictionary.com "viable" means "capable of living, (of a fetus) having reached such a stage of development as to be capable of living, under normal conditions, outside the uterus."  the intentional vagueness of this word leaves abortion open to any child born until they could live apart from medical care.  No slap on the butt, no intervention at all. 

Abortions up until and perhaps even after birth. Unacceptable.  

The second line of this run-on sentence says "or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s healthcare provider.”  

What was that?!  What kind of "patient's health" are we trying to protect?  Other cases that are made along this line of argument used to say "when the life of the mother is at risk" or to "save the life of the mother."  This intentional word play is to cause you to think that it is a serious situation, while leaving the door open to any and every kind of health risk imaginable.  So, are we to allow for abortion when it may damage the mother's emotional health?  What about vaginal tearing that often accompanies natural childbirth.  Is that in context?  According to this bill, it all can be considered the "patient's health."  Again, this is intentionally vague and a shell game of words.  Unbelievable! 

As if that was not enough, the last line seals the deal;  "healthcare provider."  Now, you or I assume this means qualified obstetric physician with experience in labor and delivery.  I would prefer even the simple word "doctor."  The framers of this amendment were hoping we would make this assumption without much thought in the voting booth as we filled in the black dot next to the word "yes" on our ballot.  They were counting on it.  They did not expect us to question their use of vague words.  They wanted to leave this as open ended as possible.  Are we talking about MD's, or DO's, PA's or RN's...  Perhaps LPN, or doula's or candy stripers or local witchdoctors, I mean, all bets are off.  

Conclusions

• Constitutional amendment is a really bad way to make laws.  Especially irrevocable laws.
• We should be wise to the intentional use of bland, mediocre terms, as much as technical jargon.
• We cannot, and should not vote for any law that is as undefined, and unclear as amendment 4.
• Babies are not viable on their own, in my experience, until they are well into their twenties.  
• A patient's "health" is not a diagnosis or prognosis.  Laws need clarity.  
• The phrase, "healthcare provider" does not tell me anything about the qualifications or expertise of the one making the decision.
• Regardless of where you stand on abortion or abortion rights, amendment 4 is bad for Florida, it sets a bad precedent on how we turn ideas into law, and it sets in stone, that which should be able to grow alongside our understanding of when life begins.

   

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Cornerstone Services & COVID-19

We have waited as long as possible to make announcements concerning this coming Sunday Services as it seems that the landscape is constantly changing.  Please know in advance that the information contained in this email is for this particular weekend and could still change.

Over Christmas break, I sat down and outlined the sermons and series that we would cover each week for thru October.  Little did I know that God had planned this week’s message for exactly the circumstances that we are facing.  We are in week two on our message series “Pax Romana” talking about the importance of being people of Peace from the book of Romans.

After consulting with other churches, our staff, and deacons we are setting this modified plan for this weekend:

First and foremost, we believe that church exists for community, not necessarily content.  We are striving to ensure the best member care while not sacrificing the biblical mandate for church to be about community.  Therefore, we have decided that this weekend will go ahead as planned with a few alterations.  We will be having both the 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. services. These services will be modified to only include nursery for infants and toddlers up to 3 years of age.  We will also be suspending coffee service, so you may want to bring coffee from home.  In addition, we will not be passing the offering plate, but will station them in the back for you to drop off connection cards and your tithes.  It goes without saying that we will be asking our greeters to open the doors so that you do not have to touch the handles, and asking everyone to refrain from any greeting that may include touching.

Secondly, as is our already standard practice, we will disinfect the nursery between each services and are adding additional volunteers to disinfect all hard surfaces between the services. 

Third of all, we are asking you to watch online and forego attending in person if:

·         You would prefer watching online due to the current COVID-19 circumstances.

·        You are exhibiting any cold or flu symptoms or if anyone in your household is exhibiting symptoms.

·        If you are at a greater risk of infection due to preexisting condition.

·        If you have traveled outside of the country in the last 14 days.

Fourth, we are working to create additional avenues for you to participate in the service online.  In addition to our Live Feed from the church Facebook page, we will be creating a YouTube channel to host the services.  This will act as a backup should Facebook get overloaded. 

Fifth, we anticipate attendance to shift online and therefore it is important for all of our members and friends to set up online giving.  Currently we receive half of our weekly offering in the plate during the services.  In order to remain strong and to minister to the increased needs of our community, we are asking everyone to be regular and generous in your giving.  We anticipate greater than normal needs arising from closures to the parks and cancellations of tourist travel.  We plan to do more ministry in our community, not less.

We have a great opportunity right now to show love to our neighbors and increase our witness to those far from Christ.  Even as Disney closes, all of our cast members have 2 weeks of paid leave to participate in a local mission trips in their own neighborhood.  It is this mindset that will help us share the name of Christ!

   

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Pax Romana - Live Peaceably

The Pax Romana is a roughly 200-year-long period in Roman history which is identified with increased and sustained peace and stability.  Yet, in Paul’s Epistle to the Roman people, he emphasized a greater peace.  A peace with God and a peace From God.  

Little did I realize over Christmas break as I worked on this sermon series for the first time how critical our need was going to be for peace during this present time.  However, it brings me peace to know that God knew, and that He was already planning for our church and my family.

We all are in need of the peace of God today.  Everything around us is closing down.  Uncertainty abounds and in times of uncertainty, we look to God's Word for peace.

Romans 12:9-21 (NKJV)
⁹  Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. ¹⁰  Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; ¹¹  not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; ¹²  rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; ¹³  distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. ¹⁴  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵  Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. ¹⁶  Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. ¹⁷  Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. ¹⁸  If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. ¹⁹  Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. ²⁰  Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." ²¹  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

I.          KNOW The Standard of Peace

 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

If it is possible...This implies 3 things.  First, we are to try to de-escalate people who are angry. It seems that this corona virus crisis has put everyone on edge.  Uncertainty does that, and apparently when we don't know what to do, we stock up on toilet paper.  And when the toilet paper is sold out, we get even more agitated.  

The second implication of the text is that we are to go out of our way as Christians to NOT be the one to instigate conflict.  David said in Psalms, "depart from Evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it."  Jesus said "if someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other one also."

Third of all, it implies that peace is not always possible with everyone.  No doubt life is not always going to go our way and as much as we may try, there are people who do not desire peace.  The writings of Solomon reminds us that there is a time to be born, time to die.  A time for war, a time for peace. 

 If it is possible, as much as depends on you…

Much of the time we act as if we had no part in the blame for the conflict.    On the playground or in divorce court we like to play the victim.  The reality is that the vast majority of time, some of the conflict is because of our own actions and behaviors. The apostle Paul who wrote the book of Romans was not stranger to trouble.

John Philips writes this in his commentary "On Cyprus Paul had to contend with Elymas the sorcerer (Acts 13:8); at Antioch in Pisidia he was driven from the city by persecution (Acts 13:50); in Iconium a general assault was made on him (Acts 14:2, 5); at Lystra the mob stoned him and left him for dead (Acts 14:19); at Antioch in Syria he was opposed by legalists in the church (Acts 15:2); at Philippi he was scourged and imprisoned (Acts 16:22-23); at Thessalonica he was forced out of the city (Acts 17:6-9); at Berea opposition forced him to leave (Acts 17:13-14); at Athens he was publicly mocked (Acts 17:32); at Corinth his presence led to insurrection (Acts 18:12); at Ephesus the whole city was in a tumult because of him (Acts 19:23-41); and at Jerusalem he was repeatedly the center of violent opposition (Acts 21-23). Jesus said, "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword" (Matt. 10:34). Although the most conciliatory of men where no vital spiritual issue was concerned, Paul certainly proved this statement true."

 Some have even asserted that Luke wrote the book of Acts as a record for Paul to take to Caesar in Rome to prove he did not start all the trouble he got into.  Let's just say, Paul got beat up a LOT.  The standard of peace is that if it is possible… say it with me… if it is possible, as much as depends on you… live peaceably with all men.(and women… )

Live peaceably with all men... sounds like an impossible task...

This does not mean…, “Be patient for as long as you can, but once your patience runs out, get ready to throw down.” This verse is actually saying, as far as it depends on you, that is, on your side of the relationship, live at peace with everyone. Do everything you can to get along with people, and if they should still harbor a grudge, that’s on them.

If Christians would not engage in slander or be unfair in business dealing, if they would not cause anyone to take them to court for late payment of debts or honesty in business, if they would do nothing to prolong a fight through gossip or social media. It would go a long way toward peace.

So, How do we strive for this life of peace in a divided, conflicted world?  In our next post we will explore some practical ways to be people of peace during stressful times.

   

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