SF117 - Jesus the Light of the World 2 of 4 (John 1 1-14)
John 1:1-14
INTRODUCTION
Light came into the world at Bethlehem
Isaiah 9:2 (NKJV) The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.
Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV) For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Luke 1:78-79 (NKJV)(Zacharias) 78Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; 79To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Luke 2:29-32 (NKJV) (Simeon) 29“Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; 30For my eyes have seen Your salvation 31Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, 32A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”
Christmas is about light - Jesus is the light of the World
1A. God’s Revelation of the Light
1B. The Purity of the Light
Light is perfectly pure
Ø Light can never be defiled no matter what it falls on. Light exposes corruption
Jesus is perfectly pure
Ø Jesus could touch sinners but sin never touched Jesus!
2B. The Constancy of Light (1:1-2)
Light does not change
Ø Einstein said that the only absolute constant in the universe was the speed of light.
Jesus does not change
James 1:17 (NASB) 17 …with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
Ø He could not get better or worse.
Malachi 3:6 (NASB) 6“For I, the LORD, do not change...
Hebrews 13:8 (NASB) 8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
3B. The Vitality of the Light (1:3-4)
You cannot have life without light
Ø In creation when God wanted to bring life to the world, He said “Let there be light!”
Ø A world without light is cold and dark and dead. A man without Jesus is cold and dark and dead.
Only the light of Jesus can being life to man
4B. The Victory of Light (1:5)
“Comprehend” = to take eagerly, i.e. seize, possess, “the darkness cannot put it out”
Darkness has no power against light.
Ø You can block out the light but you cannot put it out
We need to release the light of Jesus!
LIGHTING UP THE DARKNESS
As a boy, Robert Louis Stevenson was intrigued by the work of the old lamplighter who went about with a ladder and a torch, setting the street lights ablaze for the night. One evening in Edinburgh, Scotland, as young Robert stood watching with childish fascination, his parents heard him exclaim, "Look, look! There is a man out there punching holes in the darkness!"
5B. The Glory of the Light (1:14)
Glory is the outshining of His grace and truth
The are seven colors that make up the spectrum of light.
Ø Seven speaks of the completeness of Christ
Ø The color is in the light!
It is Jesus that makes everything glorious!
Ø He makes all things beautiful
2A. Man’s Response to the Light
1B. Some will Reject the Light (1:10-11)
Jesus was not recognized by His own creation (1:10)
Ø People rubbed shoulders with God but were too blind to see him.
Jesus was not received by His own creation (1:11)
He came to his own. He came to what belongs to him by right of creation. He came to his own possession, his own domain, the house of humanity that he had built for a dwelling place.
John 3:19-20 (NASB) 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. 20“For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
2B. Some will Receive the Light (1:12-13)
Receiving Jesus means that when Jesus offers himself to you, you welcome him into your life for what he is.
Ø If he comes to you as Savior, you welcome his salvation.
Ø If he comes to you as Leader, you welcome his leadership.
Ø If he comes to you as Provider, you welcome his provision.
Ø If he comes to you as Counselor, you welcome his counsel.
Ø If he comes to you as Protector, you welcome his protection.
Ø If he comes to you as Authority, you welcome his authority.
Ø If he comes to you as King, you welcome his rule.
Because of their faith in Him (1:12)
“ACCORDING to this text, the principal matter in our salvation is faith. Faith is described as “receiving” Jesus. It is the empty cup placed under the flowing stream; the penniless hand held out for heavenly alms.” (Spurgeon, Sermons No. 1212)
Matthew 1:21 (NASB) 21“She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
If you believe you are, what the Bible says you are, you will turn from your sin = repentance.
Romans 3:23 (NKJV) 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
If you believe He is, who He says He is, you will trust Him = Faith.
(John 1:29 NIV) "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"
Why do they have faith in Him?
Because of God’s grace (1:13)
Ø Not of human design (13a)
Ø Not of human desire (13b)
Ø All of God (13c)
“Every man who believes in Jesus is a regenerate man.” (Spurgeon, Sermons, No. 1212)
1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 (NASB) 4knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you; 5for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.
Application
Isaiah 9:2 (NKJV) The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.
Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV) For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Where There Is Light - There is life
Where There Is Life - There is growth
Where There Is Growth - There is fruit
Where There Is Fruit - There is joy
Are you in the Light? (John 3:16-20)
JESUS, THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
Jesus, The Gift that Gives Forever - Part 2 of 4
John 1:1-14
1A. God’s Revelation of the Light
1B. The _________________________ of the Light
Light is perfectly pure
___________________________ is perfectly pure
2B. The Constancy of Light (1:1-2)
Light does __________________________ change
Jesus does ______________ change (James 1:17; Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8)
3B. The Vitality of the Light (1:3-4)
You __________________ have life without light
Only the light of Jesus can being life to man
4B. The _______________________ of Light (1:5)
Darkness has ____________ power against light.
5B. The ___________________ of the Light (1:14)
Glory is the outshining of His grace and truth
It is Jesus that makes everything glorious!
2A. Man’s Response to the Light
1B. Some will _____________ the Light (1:10-11)
Jesus was ____________ recognized by His own creation (1:10)
Jesus was ____________ received by His own creation (1:11; John 3:19-20)
2B. Some will Receive the Light (1:12-13)
Receiving Jesus means that when Jesus offers himself to you, you welcome him into your life for what he is.
Because of their _______________ in Him (1:12; Matthew 1:21)
Ø If you believe you are, what the Bible says you are, you will turn from your sin = repentance. (Romans 3:23)
Ø If you believe He is, who He says He is, you will trust Him = Faith. (John 1:29)
Ø
Because of God’s grace (1:13)
Ø Not of ___________________ design (13a)
Ø Not of human desire (13b)
Ø All of ----------------------------------------- (13c)
1 Thessalonians 1:4-5
Application
Isaiah 9:2, 6
Are you in the Light? (John 3:16-20)
