Bible Text: John 10:22-41 | Preacher: Pastor Steve
There are times when we FIGHT and BATTLE against Evil.
John 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Hanukkah is a reminder of God’s MIGHTY POWER overcoming overwhelming odds!
Hanukkah is a reminder that the Lord does MIRACLES in the face of the impossible!
Modin
God’s people sacrificed to Zeus, the king of the gods.
In Jerusalem they built a gymnasium and arena for the pursuit of entertainment through Greek sports, music and military exercises rather than pursuing the Lord Yahweh
The Maccabian Battle was:
Spiritual: assimilation and destruction of God’s people
Political: strengthen the Syrian Jewish party’s dedication
Financial: to increase the tax base and become rich
National: to create a buffer zone between Syria & Egypt
Daniel 11:31-32 His army will take over the Temple fortress, polluting the sanctuary, putting a stop to the daily sacrifices, and setting up the sacrilegious object that causes desecration.   He will flatter those who have violated the covenant and win them over to his side. But the people who know their God will be strong and will resist him.
Hellenization
The strategy of the enemy of God’s people:
Disobedience towards God’s Word
Disrespect towards God’s authority and sovereignty
Disregard for human life and God’s creation
Compromise in order to weaken belief and commitment
Hanukkah is the Celebration of Light Overcoming Darkness.
John 8:12 Jesus said to the people, I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.
John 10:22-30 It was now winter, and Jesus was in Jerusalem at the time of Hanukkah.  He was at the Temple, walking through the section known as Solomon’s Colonnade. The Jewish leaders surrounded him and asked, How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly. Jesus replied, I have already told you, and you don’t believe me. The proof is what I do in the name of my Father.
But you don’t believe me because you are not part of my flock. My sheep recognize my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. So no one can take them from me. The Father and I are one.
The Miracles performed before John 10:
Water to wine (John 2:9)
Nobleman’s son healed (John 4:46)
Fish caught in nets (Luke 5:6)
Demoniac healed (Luke 4:35)
Peter’s mother-in-law healed (Luke 4:38)
Cleansing of the leper (Luke 5:13)
Paralytic healed (Luke 5:18)
Invalid healed (John 5:5)
Shriveled hand restored (Luke 6:6)
Centurion’s servant healed (Luke 7:2)
The widow’s son raised from the dead (Luke 7:11)
 Demoniac healed (Luke 11:14)
Wind and sea calmed or storm stilled (Luke 8:24)
Demoniacs healed (Luke 8:26)
Jairus’ daughter raised from the dead (Luke 8:41)
12 years of Bleeding healed (Luke 8:43)
Blind man healed (Matthew 9:27)
Demoniac healed (Matthew 9:32)
5,000 plus fed (John 6:5)
Walking on water (John 6:19)
Daughter of Canaanite healed of demons (Mark 7:25)
Feeding 4,000 plus (Mark 8:8); Deaf and dumb man healed (Mark 7:33)
Blind man healed (Mark 7:33)
Child healed (Luke 9:37)
Fish pays tax money (Matthew 17:24)
Ten lepers healed (Luke 17:12)
Blind man healed (John 9:11)
Hanukkah teaches us that Jesus is OUR light and victory!
The Menorah, that is lamp stand, stands as a picture of God’s faithful commitment, love, and truth to His people!
Hanukkah is our day of dedication or rededication OF OUR LIVES to the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
The Temple needed Cleansing & Rededication: SO DO WE!
Hanukkah is the story of struggle for survival and the fight for freedom: TODAY WE FIGHT AROUND THE LORD’S TABLE.
The BLOOD of the Lamb of God and His SACRIFICE on the Cross assures OUR Victory over Evil Forces and Death.
Isaiah 9:6:7: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.