The Light

Afraid of the dark as a kid?

One Dutch study – 74% of children reported being afraid of the dark during their childhood.

Another British study – 64% of adults still report occasional fears of darkness and 17% reported that they slept with some kind of light on at night.

Jesus & the back porch broom

Dennis Waitley - Seeds of Greatness

Newspaper article:

++“The world is too big for us. Too much going on, too many crimes, too much violence. Try as you will you get behind in the race. It’s an incessant strain to keep pace. You still lose ground. Science empties its discoveries on you so fast you stagger beneath them in hopeless bewilderment. The political world is news seen so rapidly you’re out of breath trying to keep pace with who’s in and who’s out. Everything is high pressure. Human nature can’t endure it much more!”

++June 16, 1833

Headline: ENERGY CRISIS LOOMS

++Boston Globe November 13, 1857

++Subheader: “World May Go Dark since Whale Blubber So Scarce!”

The answer to darkness - physically & spiritually is found in our scripture today

Please stand to honor the reading of God’s word

John 8:12–18 NIV

12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 13 The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.” 14 Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. 16 But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. 17 In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. 18 I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.”

THE WORD OF GOD, FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD

Breakdown Light using English grammar terms

Adjective

Adjective

Describe it?

Light blue vs. Dark Blue

Light - in creation; Pillar of Fire; Word of God; Wisdom

Feast of Tabernacles light for Jerusalem - Jesus for the World

Joy and dancing and celebration - Jesus is the true fulfillment of the Feast’s joy

Noun

Noun

What is it?

Light - body & soul craves, sets our clocks, provides color, grows plants, sunrises/sunsets

light bulbs, lasers, fiber optics

Science is harnessing, but doesn’t fully understand it qualities and properties

We may not fully understand all that Jesus means “I am the Light” and that’s OK!

Verb

Verb

Do with it?

Planets / moon - reflect from the source - the Sun

We should reflect the Light of Jesus

Saving, Healing, Igniting, Nudging, Educating

Choose

Choose

Light or Darkness

Light and life relationship to the world

Two choices - accept the light of life or walk in darkness

People have been completely changed when moving from darkness to life

Let Jesus be your Light!