Follow the Light

Intro:

Wortham as we look at the status of the world and our society we have to discern between darkness and light. We have a lot of varying thoughts, beliefs, and skeptics that seem to have a hold on our society. It’s almost like the tail is wagging the dog or the cart is always in front of the horse so to speak. It is frustrating looking at what’s going on and who all is involved. We are still fighting racism, sexism, classism, and all isms. We are seeing violence at alarming levels. The truth of the matter is we can see the darkness, but I am looking for the light. Sometimes church we cannot allow the darkness to cause us to miss the light. Now there is another concern as well. We have a lot of people trying to be a light or be the light. Everyone is wise now everyone has their own grasp on theology and religion. Lots of people are spiritual not religious and all of that. People will listen to a stranger on youtube, tiktok, and facebook before they will come to Sunday School or Bible Study and hear their own pastor and/or teacher. Revelation warns us that men would become wise in their own eyes. Me I am just a country boy from Carroll County. I learned that you do what you know is right. No matter is said or done if you do what you know is right you don’t have to worry about being wrong. It is always right to be respectful. It is always right to be loving. It is always right to be kind. It is always right to honor your parents. It is always right for a man to marry a woman. It is always right to love, respect, and revere God. It is always right to honor the Man of God. It is always right to love and respect your wife and/or your husband. It is always right to pray. It is always right to study God’s word the Bible. It is always right to get an education. It is always right to give so that you can receive. It is always right to serve. So I say this do what you know is right! We have a lot of stuff that shine. Shine looks good, sounds good, and feels good, but everything that shines is not real Gold my grandaddy said. So don’t go for the shine look for the true light.

Text Work:

In the context of the text Jesus is talking to the scribes and the pharisees. Of course they are having dialogue along many subject lines, but in the midst of a discussion Jesus is interrupted. He is at the temple after a visit on the Mount of Olives. A group of scribes and pharisees brought a woman who they said was caught in the very act of adultery. They challenged him in saying according to the law of Moses she should be put to death. They really didn’t care about the woman or the crime all they wanted to do was trap Jesus. This brings me to a quick point in that sometimes we all mess up. When we do the enemy comes in hard to convict us and sentence us to death not because of us or what we did, but because they are trying to get the Jesus that’s in you. Can I help a few folks in here. Stop letting accusers kill you. Just know they are not really after you, but the Jesus in you. So here this poor woman is with all these men surrounding her and have detained her without real cause or proof. Sounds familiar don’t it. Let me pause for a point right here. I watch this in church all the time. We have folks who know book or know Bible, but don’t know God. We have a get them God spirit which is the same as the Scribes and Pharisees. When I see you wrong I want God and the church to judge you and condemn you. Kick them off the choir, kick them off the deacon board, vote the pastor out. It’s the same spirit just a different method. Be careful at judging others, because that thing will look you back in the face. Don’t forget just the other day you was jacked up too. Just the other day you were in an adulterous relationship too. Just the other day you was stealing, a gang member, having babies out of wedlock, prideful, hateful, nasty, mean, and ugly. While you are casting judgment on others you better check your sin account first! Can I preach it like I feel it this morning? Jesus listens to their accusations and claims and ignores them by writing in the dirt. You know they were big mad, because they thought we got him. I am not even going to go into the fact of how did they find her in the act unless some of them participated. Jesus writes on the ground then his response is simple. He without sin cast the first stone. The bible says when Jesus spoke they began to get convicted and slowly left the scene. After they all left there was no one, but Jesus the woman and a few witnesses. I do want to say this don’t get comfortable in your no one is perfect theology, because Jesus response to the whole situation is in our text today. He asks a question woman where are your accusers? Has anyone condemned you? Then he said neither do I. Church we have to get back to doing the work of Jesus in the Gospel! We need to stop condemning people and stop condemning each other, because we will stand before a just God in the end. Out mission should be redemption not condemnation!

Close:

As head to my seat this morning. I want to remind you again don’t get comfortable in your no one is perfect theology, because Jesus prescription for sin has not changed. Repent and go and sin no more is what Jesus told the woman. Look down your isle and just say stop that. In the Greek church there are two words normally used for light. Phos or photos which means light or fire light. This light is designed to help you see your way in the midst of darkness. There is another Greek word for light and that is Photizo which means to enlighten or to make something known. As the Pharisees and Scribes tried to trip Jesus up and control his narrative by making accusations against his ministry and purpose. They tried to destroy his name and reputation by calling him things like blasphemer, destroyer of the law, and other things. You just need to know that is a tactic of the enemy. When they can’t touch you they will try to use evil influence to get people around you to turn against you. Jesus took control of his own narrative because he said I am the light of the world. Tell somebody we need to follow the light. Jesus is speaking to them on two levels again. He is talking to them naturally and spiritually. Jesus knows who he is talking to, so he uses literary tools to captivate them. Here it is! When Jesus says I am the light of the world, I had to ask why did he say that. Well when I look at the context of the text when you go back to chapter 7 you will recognize that this whole scene is during the Festival of Tabernacles. This was the big one. This is like the Jewish thanksgiving. They would build small portable sheds in their yards or on their property and cook food and share with family friends and neighbors to remind them of how their ancestors lived in portable tents when God brought them out of Egypt. The tents and the tabernacle was portable because they were relocating to Canaan, but more importantly because they served a God who moved. The way the festival would start is in the court of women. They would take 4 Lampstands with 4 golden bowls equaling 12 bowls and light them. They would be so bright that it would light up the entire court. Other people would bring torches and lamps and they would share the light and brighten up the entire city. Once the light shone then the priest and levites would begin to play music and sing songs of zion! Sing songs of praise, because of the light which represented God’s presence. Don’t miss your shout, because I am closing. The feast of the tabernacles also remembered that when their ancestors where in the wilderness that God is who led them! How did God lead them? I am glad y’all ask good questions. He led them by a cloud by day and fire (light) by night. So Wortham I submit to you this morning that when it is dark and surely it’s been dark in our society lately, but when it is dark we need to follow the light. Just like the children of Israel we may not know exactly where we are going, but we do know what he said. He said I have a land laid up for you flowing with milk and honey. This is your inheritance, but in order for you to get there you have to follow the light. Just like the children of Israel follow that pillar of fire in the wilderness we need to follow King of Glory who not only provides Phos or fire light but also Photizo which is enlightenment. That’s why the Holy Spirit came as tongues of fire, because we need the fire of the Holy Spirit as well as the Light of His Glory! Look at somebody and say no matter what’s going on Follow the Light and that is Jesus!