The Lamb is the Light

The Lamb is the Light

INTRODUCTION

Our society could not exist without light.

Go back 142 years ago. What could you do after sunset?

Things that couldn't exist without light-bulb.

Cars that drive at night.

Televisions.

flashlights on phones (do you remember life without a flashlight on your phone?)

restaurants after dark.

Worship Centers without windows.

Jesus stepped into spiritual darkness and brought spiritual light.

Revolutionized the world more than the light-bulb.

John 1:4–13 ESV

4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. 9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

5 Aspects of Light

1. The Fuel of Light (4)

John 1:4 ESV

4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

ILL- Fuel for the sun.

The sun combines hydrogen into helium through a process called nuclear fusion.

4.6 billion years of fuel left.

Light is not natural to man- it comes from the outside.

John 8:12 ESV

12 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 fuel is life- spiritual- John 3- Nicodemus

Spiritual Life

Abundant Life

Eternal Life

2. The Purpose of Light (5)

John 1:5 ESV

5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Shine in darkness

conflict with darkness- but not equal.- yet serious

Conflict is inherent with the coming of the Logos to earth.

We are given light for the purpose of it shining in the darkness. - not in the building.

Matthew 5:14–16 ESV

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

What good is light if it is contained in a box and no one can see it?

3. The Ambassador of Light (6-8)

John 1:6–8 ESV

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

John the Witness (according to John)- John's purpose was to be an evangelist.

The goal was that "all might believe"

John 20:31 (purpose of Gospel)

John 20:31 ESV

31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Do not get the role of Jesus and John confused.

Do not get the role of Jesus and us confused.

One TV Evangelist- "If you knew what I was saying you would be down here at my feet worshiping me." (Rod Parsley, 1998 or 99)

John 3:30 (John the Baptist)

John 3:30 ESV

30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”

We are not the light, but humble witnesses of the light.

2 Corinthians 5:20 ESV

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

Acts 1:8 ESV

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

4. The Source of Light (9-10)

John 1:9–10 ESV

9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.

The source is Jesus. He is the one who gives light.

The fuel is the life- Jesus is the one who gives the life.

He is the light that gives the life which provides us light.

He is the spark that ignites the fuel.

ILL-- lighting baptistry in Wewoka.

5. The Reception of Light (11-13)

John 1:11–13 ESV

11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

Life comes from birth.

Jesus to Nicodemus- you must be born again- born of the Spirit.

Born as children of God.

Family Traits

The Christian family trait= Light.

Do you look like Jesus?

CONCLUSION

To be light you must first have life.

Have you been born again? Are you living as light?