Sermon Central
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Shedding Light On That Relationship
Contributed by Paul Decker on May 6, 2003 (message contributor)
Summary: Jesus is the light of the world.
SHEDDING LIGHT ON THAT RELATIONSHIP
S: Jesus
Th: Light of the world
Pr: JESUS IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.
?: what? What does that mean to us?
KW: Implications
TS: We will find in our study of John 8:12-30 that there are three implications to Jesus’ declaration of “I am the light of the world.”
The _____ implication that we have to deal with the…
I. FACTS (13-20)
II. FINISH (21-24)
III. FORFEIT (25-30)
Version: ESV
RMBC 04 May 03 AM
INTRODUCTION:
ILL Notebook: Change (selected light)
Q: How many lawyers does it take to change a light bulb?
A: How many can you afford?
Q: How many psychiatrists does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Only one, but the bulb has got to really WANT to change.
Q: How many real men does it take to change a light bulb?
A: None; real men are not afraid of the dark.
Q: How many Floridians does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Don’t know for sure; they are still counting.
Q: How many Charismatics does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Ten; one to change the bulb and nine to pray against the spirit of darkness.
Q: How many TV evangelists does it take to change a light bulb?
A: One; but for the light to continue, send in your donation today.
Q: How many members of a church does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Ten; one to actually change the light bulb and nine to say how much they liked the old one.
Have you ever noticed that light brings change?
It is the very nature of light to bring change to any given situation.
TRANSITION:
As we continue in our study of John we see that…
1. Jesus has to bring change in thinking.
If you remember our studies from last year in the previous chapters of John, you will remember that Jesus has faced opposition to His teaching.
He kept bumping into the status quo who did not want to change.
Not only that, the Jewish leaders considered Him an upstart who was, frankly, mooching into their territory.
The very things He was saying made it sound like He had authority over them.
The beginning of our passage today is a wonderful, positive statement.
Yet, as our study continues, we will observe that there is no warm fuzzy feeling here.
Instead, we are troubled by the reaction to Jesus’ statement…
2. Jesus: “I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.”
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
The setting of this text is back in chapter 7.
It is the Feast of Tabernacles.
One of the very special events during this feast was the “Illumination of the Temple.”
In the temple area were four menorahs (Jewish candelabras if you will) that were set at the highest part of the temple walls.
At night, they were lit and they brought light to the whole temple area.
It was spectacular, and people would celebrate all night.
The reason they did this was to remember another wilderness experience.
It was the pillar of fire.
During the exodus from Egypt, God protected and guided the people of Israel through the wilderness with the pillar of fire.
God was with them.
At the end of the feast, the lights were purposely put out.
Why?
Because the Messiah had not come yet.
It is against this backdrop of the lights being put out that I believe Jesus says, “I am the light of the world.”
He identifies Himself as the Shekinah glory.
He identifies Himself as the pillar of fire.
It is at this point that…
3. Jesus makes a declaration of Deity.
He does it through the symbolism of the pillar of fire.
And He does it through the language of “I am.”
“I am” is how God identified Himself to Moses at the burning bush.
“I am” is also how Jesus will continue to state His own identity to the people of Israel.
He has already previously stated, “I am the bread of life.”
Later on, He will identify Himself with the following statements:
“I am the door”
“I am the Good Shepherd.”
“I am the Resurrection and the Life.”
“I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.”
“I am the Vine.”
Each one of these were staggering statements of His sovereign supremacy.
Jesus also brings out a contrast…
4. A contrast is made between light and darkness.
Jesus makes it clear that those that follow Him will have the light they need to live.
He is the Light of life for those that stumble.
And those that belong to Jesus, stumbling is no longer in their repertoire.
