Sermon Tone Analysis

One of my favorite bands when growing up was CCR – Creedence Clearwater Revival.

One of my favorite songs from CCR is “As Long as I can See the Light.”

It’s a song about a man wandering from home and he says, ‘Put a candle in the window, 'cause though I'm gone, I'll be coming home soon - I won’t be losing my way, as long as I can the light.’

Though we don’t live like that anymore because of street lights and such, there was a time when a light in the darkness was literally a matter of life and death.

A candle in the window could rescue the cowboy who desperately needed shelter on a cold winter’s night.

A lighthouse could save the ship and her crew who being tossed by the waves of a dark stormy sea.

A light in the darkness can show the way home.

As long as I can see the light – I’ll be ok.

Think back to the Exodus for a moment.

Israel wandered through the desert for 40 years – 40 years between lands – between the land of captivity and Promised Land.

40 years between Egypt and home.

There were no street lights or no signs showing the way.

But they did have a candle in the window, if you will.

God Himself appeared as a pillar of fire – a light to show Israel the way home.

Isn’t that what we all need – a candle in the window - a light in the darkness.

We do have a light in the darkness and His name is Jesus.

To understand what He said we need to know the context.

In chapter 7 we see the disciples wanting to go to the Jewish festival, the “Feast of Booths” or “Tabernacles.”

This is one of three primary festivals that required Jewish men to travel to Jerusalem.

Booths was a 7-day commemoration of Israel’s journey through the desert.

During the 40 years of wandering through the desert, the Israelites stayed in temporary shelters as they anticipated the Promised Land.

As they traveled, God led them as a pillar of fire so that in the darkness they could find their way home.

The Feast of Booths would have been an amazing sight to see in the time of Christ.

Each night in the Temple courts, they would light four massive torches or candelabras – one at each corner of the courtyard – and most everyone would have had torches as well.

A fire marshal’s worst nightmare.

It was said that this festival literally lit up the night – it could be seen from all over.

(PIC)

During this festival, it was common for the Jews to sing praises to God such as Psalm 27:1

Or Psalm 36:9

So the whole feast is about what – God’s light showing the way.

So Jesus shows up at this festival about midway and begins teaching.

Of course, this gets everyone in a tizzy (it’s an actual word).

Probably on the last day of the Festival, among thousands of people who are singing Yahweh is our light, Yahweh is our salvation, Jesus stands up and proclaims - “I am the light of the world!” (record player screeches to a halt).

Anyone see the first Iron Man movie?

Last scene with Tony Stark – “I’m Iron Man.

That’s what’s going on here.

Jesus revealed that He is God.

Jesus said, “I Am the light.

You know this God you’re singing about – Hello – that’s me.

You know this light Israel followed in the desert – me.

You know this salvation and life you’re singing about – me.

Just as God’s glory and light led Israel to the Promised Land – if you follow me, I’ll do the same thing.

I will lead you to salvation, I’ll lead you home.”

That’s a huge statement, especially in the context in which He said it.

So let’s unpack this.

When Jesus said I am the Light of the world, He was saying …

I AM God of All

How do we get that?

Jesus made seven “I AM” statements – all in connection to Exodus 3 when Moses asked “What’s your name?” God said – “I AM WHO I AM” – Yahweh.

So as everyone was singing about the light of Yahweh, Jesus proclaimed I am He.

If we go back to

In Matthew, we’re told about the conception of Jesus

So here in John 8, Jesus is testifying that I am Immanuel, Yahweh in the flesh.

Then Paul confirms this essential doctrine in his letter to the Philippians.

Advent is about God incarnate – the light of the world come to show humanity the way home.

Jesus was also saying …

I AM Savior of All

We just read in Psalm 27 that God is the savior.

Let’s look also at …

So, Jesus will save Israel from their sins.

But what about the rest of us?

Zechariah, a priest and the father of John the Baptist said this about Jesus.

Who sits in darkness?

Everyone.

Do you know why? Spiritual darkness often means chaos, destruction, that which is false, punishment, wickedness, blindness, Satan’s domain, depending on the context.

But know this, spiritual darkness is always bad.

And regardless of the context, it always means death and separation from God.

So Jesus came to give light to those who sit in death, and separation from God.

According to Scripture, there are only two basic food groups – Jew and Gentile.

And here we find very clearly that Jesus Christ is the light and salvation to both Jew and Gentile – meaning Jesus is the Savior of all.

Advent is so much more than what we even realize.

Advent is about the only God who is God of all, becoming Savior to all.

Immanuel Yeshua - The God who is with us is the God who saves us.

Advent is about God sending His Son into a very broken, a very dirty, very messy world to save very broken, very dirty and very messy people.

ADVENT VIDEO

Part II

Throughout Scripture, from beginning to end, we find this contrast; this tension between darkness and light.

Remember, darkness is basically death and separation.

Of course, light refers to life and God’s holiness, His truth, His righteousness and His salvation.

So listen again to

We already read in John 1:4 that In Jesus is life.

So, when Jesus says I am the light of the world, He is saying in essence,

I AM the Life of All

We mentioned last week that everyone is spiritually dead apart from Christ.

Just flat out dead.

Everyone is lost and dead, spiritually – and everyone needs someone to breathe life into them and only Christ can make us alive!

How does He make us alive?

He paid for our death through His death on a cross and to those who believe and trust on Him He has given us new life, new birth.

When Jesus said I am the light of the world, He was saying I AM God, I AM Savior, and I AM Life.

Because there is a God, One Righteous Just God and we have failed to live perfectly moral lives, breaking His laws, we need a Savior to rescue is from death, but we also need A God who can bring us back to life.

And that is all wrapped up in the gift of Jesus Christ, born of a virgin, in a town called Bethlehem.

Is He your God, is He your Salvation, Is He your life?

Everyone needs a candle in the window - a light in the darkness.

Jesus is the light who has come to show us the way home.