The Light of the World
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The Light of the World
The Light of the World
Why is light comforting to a frightened child in a pitch-black room? Nothing in the dark room wasn’t
present during daylight. But the absence of light stirs an innate fear within the human heart — and
the only remedy is the presence of light.
The same is true of spiritual darkness. EXAMPLE: The Excorcist movie and following months until I got saved
Whatever spiritual darkness you are facing, Christ alone is the source of light who dispels all darkness. Christ sets biblical disciples on a course to proclaim his light in order to advance the kingdom of Christ in a dark world.
Sejun
The Source of Light
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.”
“I am”
This is the second of seven “I am” statements Jesus makes in the gospel of John. In each
of these statements, Jesus is revealing something about His identity as God’s son, specifically that He is the light of the world. The Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 5:7-8 that we are “light in the Lord.”
7 Therefore do not become partners with them;
8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
If we want to know what God is like, we see a perfect representation of God in Christ
Jesus our Lord.
The “I am” language is familiar to a Jewish audience as a declaration whereby God calls
his people to remember his nature and character.
God told Abram, “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield” (Genesis 15:1).
1 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.”
God told Moses, I AM WHO I AM (Exodus 3:14).
14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ”
“...I am the Lord, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens,
who spread out the earth by myself ” (Isaiah 44:24)
24 Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, who formed you from the womb: “I am the Lord, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself,
“the light”
Light is used to illuminate a path or way.
Illustration: my time on ship
Light is used to reveal or discern.
Specifically, in John 8:12, Jesus is the light by which true life is gained.
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.”
Jesus declared the exclusivity of himself as the light. He did not declare himself as a
greater among equals but exclusively as the only light by which true life is gained.
7 Therefore do not become partners with them;
8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
The Persecuted Church
Video 1: Worldwide Persecution of Christians
....but what does that look like on a personal level
Video 2: Roshan in India
Video 3: Bae in North Korea
What can we do?
Pray for those being persecuted around the world.
Be BOLD in our faith here!
Let’s take time to pray now