Light of the World

Lead Off Question

Can you see this candle?

Illustration

Candle on the podium

Transition

Christ is to be our light.

Bottom Line

The light of the world has come so that others may know Him.

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Context

In lieu of the Christmas season, this morning I wanted to talk about the gift that God gave to us through the grace and mercy of His son Jesus. So frequently we get caught up in the long lines, and the amazon shipping delays that we forget the one thing that is supposed to be with us - His light.

Bible Verse

John 8:1–12 NLT

Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd. “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

Passage Emphasis

v. 14 - ‘follow me’

v. 14 - ‘won’t have to’

v. 14 - ‘light that leads to life’

A pursuit of Jesus, is a pursuit of life.

Breakdown

We have the choice to no longer walk in darkness. Our dark journey, our life dominated by separation from God, is our own choosing because Jesus came so that we will experience the light that leads to life. And the purpose of that life is to bring more life to others because of Him.

Bottom Line

The light of the world has come so that others may know Him.

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Bible Verse

Matthew 5:14–16 NLT

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Passage Emphasis

v. 14 - ‘you are’

The audience is Jesus’ disciples.

v. 14 - ‘light of the world’

We are only the light of the world, WHEN we are reflecting Christ.

v. 14 - ‘city on a hilltop’

It is always visible, the image against the sky.

v. 15 - ‘placed on a stand’

That stand is not our ego or pride. That stand/platform is the body of Christ.

True life, a life committed to Christ, cannot be hidden.

Breakdown

This does not mean that, if you hide your light you are not a disciple because our light was never the work of ourselves.

Bottom Line

The light of the world has come so that others may know Him.

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Bible Verse

Matthew 5:16 NLT

In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Passage Emphasis

v. 16 - ‘good deeds shine out’

Our deeds are not the manufacturer of our salvation, they are the product of/evidence of our salvation.

v. 16 - ‘everyone will praise your heavenly Father’

as we are not standing on our own platform, we are not here to build our own brand, rather to build the body of Christ.

Our light draws attention to Christ.

Breakdown

Too frequently, when we accomplish something we look for the appreciation post. We look for the pat on the back because we want others to see the amazing things we have done. However, the light that is permeating through our lives should be the light of life, and that life is intended to only glorify one person.

Bottom Line

The light of the world has come so that others may know Him.

___________________________

Application

So then, how are we to be the ‘light of the world’.

Through our love.

Through our joy.

Through our servant-mindedness.

Through our words.

Through our patience.

Through our actions.

SMALL GROUP CONTENT