I Am the Light of the World
The Gospel of John • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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We rely so much on light in our lives. Some of you who were here remember when I talked about the huge battery powered spotlight we had, but how many of you remember the old kerosine lamps.
It is such a great memory, and it is the little things that bring back memories...hold on to that!
Let’s get into our verse for today
Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”
Let’s pray.
This is the second of 7 “I Am” statements in the Gospel of John.
This description of Jesus is one of John’s favorites to use. He uses it 22 times in his gospel to describe Jesus.
Why? It is because it is one of the most powerful Messianic descriptions.
Today, we will discuss why Christ said this “I Am” statement and what it means for us today.
Past Reflections
Jesus is still at the Festival of Shelters speaking with the crowds and the religious leaders of his time.
-Festival of Shelters
-Here is a tie end that I just discovered this week in my studies.
-All of what Christ is doing and saying is reminding them to the great Exodus and it goes all the way back to Chapter 6.
-Chapter 6 - Feed the people miraculously
He crossed the sea miraculously
And the people grumbled and complained
-Chapter 7 -Jesus invites the people to come and drink
-that little word again...it is a connecting word that ties all of their memories of what has been taught and past down.
-He is reminding them of the time they were about to pounced upon by Egyptians
Then the angel of God, who was going in front of the Israelite forces, moved and went behind them. The pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and stood behind them. It came between the Egyptian and Israelite forces. There was cloud and darkness, it lit up the night, and neither group came near the other all night long.
-God was their guide from then on, either by a cloud or by a pillar of fire that lit the way. It was there way to follow Him
-and this brings us to our last point for today...it is not just about remember the past
Light Upon Our Path
-When Christ is calling Himself the light of the world, He is not just identifying Himself as God, but commanding us to follow.
-God’s light lead the Israelites away from physical slavery, Christ’s light leads us away from the slavery of sin.
Picture a group of friends hiking in the dark. One friend decides to forge ahead without a flashlight, insisting, 'I know this trail!' But soon, they all find themselves lost and giggling nervously. Life can feel like that when we ignore God's guidance. Trusting His light keeps us on the right path, even if it’s just to avoid stubbed toes!
-Mae no mistake, we are lost just like our hiking friends without Christ’s light in our lives.
-This world does not make since, especially if you do not have Christ guiding you through it.
-Christ is telling us that it is only through Him does anything make since. It is only through Him can we understand this world and navigate through it.
-He gives us the light and the map through His Word.
-We have the kerosine lamp right here in our hands.
-One of the most scary judgements in Revelation is the 5th bowl judgement
The fifth poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues because of their pain and blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they did not repent of their works.
-The unbelievers were already filled with boils and sores, then He plunged the world into darkness
-kind of reminds us of when there is a hurricane and we go several days no lights.
-Christ’s light shines a light in the darkness of this world.
-This world is broken because of sin, and Christ’s light shines us a path of hope.
-A hope that only comes to those who believe in the one true Son of God, The one who conquered death, hell and the grave; The one who is the light of the world!
