The Light that Leads
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ILLUST: Thomas Edison, perfecting incandescent light bulb; Inefficient light before light bulb
Gas lamps, Candles, Oil lamps
Transformed life
JESUS - The Light of the world - perfect replacement for OT law and inefficient light/Law - the incompleteness of the sacrificial system
(for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.
REM - the Law was to point to Christ; Jesus came so all could draw near, personally
READ: John 8:12-20
READ: John 8:12-20
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Feast, lights, pillar of fire (show image of candles)
Lights of tabernacles - image
Jesus is the one who gave this feast to Israel in the first place - in the wilderness
The Light That Leads
The Light That Leads
1) The Importance of Light
1) The Importance of Light
Two points of contention from Jesus
Light associated with this feast - again, perfect timing for the statement
The Light that led them, protected them, in the wilderness/darkness
It was known that it was Yahweh who led them at that time
Light associated with Creation, the I AM
Light is God-given
Darkness is absence of light
It was known that it was Yahweh who created Light
Light was needed at Creation, for life
Light was needed in the wilderness for leading and protection - for life
Where light is, darkness cannot be - the two cannot co-exist
Jesus is saying HE IS GOD - THE CREATOR
Spoke, and there was light
The Creator was a big deal to the Jews
The same God who made the sun, the moon, oh, and the stars, too - by a WORD!
They expect a king to beat Rome and help them maintain status
Jesus offers them GOD to lead them eternally
So…
2) Jesus on Trial
2) Jesus on Trial
“Oh yeah, says who, YOU? You can’t be your own witness!” (True statement)
Duh….”I have three others beside Me…”
(Me, Father, Works I do - oh, and JTB mentioned to them earlier)
Their problem, reliance on flesh, what made sense to them, frail because it relies on the flesh
Jesus is actually judging their judging!
They ignored Jesus being sent by the Father
Thus, they ignored Jesus
They have no case against Jesus, the argument is finished
Recall what He said to them earlier, as in John 3:17
“For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.
He is trying to save them
Not interested
He is the Light, the same light that was with their ancestors in the wilderness
And when they saw THAT Light, and the protection offered, what did they do?
Grumble and complain……
He is offering Himself to them - the fullness of God, Yahweh
“We’d rather navigate darkness on our own”
The world today has jesus on trial, we are His witnesses, as the world shouts exactly the opposite of what the Bible teaches
And thinking of the world today, brings me to…
3) The Light in Us
3) The Light in Us
Our world needs the Light
Matthew 5:14 (NASB95)
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;
Too many Christians hide this light
World - Walking in darkness - WHY?
Following Satan, worshiping self
Satan is god of this world
in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
How does Satan blind the world?
Disguises self as angel of light
No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
Why does Satan do this?
To keep the world from seeing the true Light, the Truth
People follow false light
Evil presents itself as good
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!
What does Satan want the world to love?
Murder - hello, “pro-choice?’
Immorality - Fornication (Bible word)
Marriage, family, etc. is “out”
Greed - coveting
Teaching that glorifies self
Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer, TD Jakes, Paula White, Frederick Price
Religion
(AND GOD FORGIVES ANY OF THIS - REPENT)
Unbelievers love the darkness (see John 3:19)
“This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.
Preferring to rely on self, a very inefficient light
Feels good to feel good, will intake bad to feel good (? wears off)
Jesus could say something to make you feel better for a little while
OR…
Jesus could tell you the truth, invite you to follow Him, and be healed, forever!
Light exposes blemishes
THE LIGHT EXPOSES SIN - so people check out
Forgetting that He wants to save them
Have you let Jesus expose your sin, then repented and asked forgiveness?
If so, now you walk in the Light of the World
The world looks much different to the believer, the surrendered Christian
Light vs. Dark
Word vs World
Jesus is the Word
Satan tempts world to trust in self, rely on self
“Self-care” = let God take care of your self
Satan’s first attack was the Word of God
The Word will judge - Jn 12:48 reference
Believers - salt and LIGHT
We bear the true light to point to THE Light
The Light that led Israel also protected them. Following the LIGHT implies so much more than just a clear path, it implies peace, protection, security, clarity of thought, , etc.
The Light that leads you and me also protects us
Implies so much more than just a “clear path,” it implies peace, protection, security, clarity of thought
Leader protects, guides, guards
You and I, sinners saved by this Light
“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Follow the Light
See clearly
Be the light that He says you are
Make it unmistakable
When people see us, let them see the Light
Let’s invite people to see God’s glory!