The Gospel According to John: 8:12-20
The Gospel According to John • Sermon • Submitted
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· 33 viewsThis is the 28th sermon in the series.
Notes
Transcript
Series Introduction:
The theme verse for our series is John 20:31
John 20:31 – “…these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.”
The “these” John is referring to are the seven recorded SIGNS/miracles and the seven recoded “I Am” STATEMENTS of Jesus. John focused on those 14 key SIGNS and STATEMENTS in order to show us that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Savior of the World because He’s God’s only begotten Son. God had John write these things so that we would believe and put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ so that by the grace of God we would be FREED from the penalty of our sin and given life to the FULL here on earth and life FOREVER in heaven.
Recap: John 1 - 8:11
John 1 - We are introduced to Jesus as the Word made flesh and told His purpose for coming to earth. We are also given John the Baptist’s testimony about Jesus as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” and Jesus calls His first disciples.
John 2 - Here we have the first recorded sign (the water turned into wine) and Jesus demonstrating His authority in the turning over the tables at the temple during Passover.
John 3 - The amazing discourse between Jesus and Nicodemus and John the Baptist’s second testimony about Jesus, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
John 4 - Jesus and the woman at the well, living water, Samaritans come to Jesus and then the chapter ends with the second sign/miracle, Jesus healing the nobleman’s son.
John 5 - The third sign/miracle, Jesus healed the man at the pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath Day
John 6 - We have the fourth recorded sign/miracle, the feeding of the five thousand. Then we have the first “I Am” statement, “I am the Bread that came down from Heaven” and the chapter ends with people starting to divide over Jesus.
John 7 - We see specifically how people are dividing over Jesus, some were divided because of unbelief, others because of uneasiness about the danger of following Jesus and others because of uncertainty about the claims of Jesus.
John 8:1-11 - The woman caught in adultery and Jesus making the famous statement, “He who is without sin, cast the first stone”.
That is where we will pick up today. John 8:12-20
[Read Text]:
12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” 13 So the Pharisees said to Him, “You are testifying about Yourself; Your testimony is not true.” 14 Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. 15 “You judge according to the flesh; I am not judging anyone. 16 “But even if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone in it, but I and the Father who sent Me. 17 “Even in your law it has been written that the testimony of two men is true. 18 “I am He who testifies about Myself, and the Father who sent Me testifies about Me.” 19 So they were saying to Him, “Where is Your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father; if you knew Me, you would know My Father also.” 20 These words He spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one seized Him, because His hour had not yet come.
[Pray]
In our text today we are given the second “I Am” statement:
(v. 12) “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”
Let’s review a little about what the Gospel of John has told us thus far about Jesus being “The Light of the World”.
4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. 6 There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light. 9 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.
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. 21 “But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”
A few other places…
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?
5 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
In what ways is Jesus the Light?
In what ways is Jesus the Light?
He gives light where there was darkness.
He gives light where there was darkness.
(v. 12) “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”
5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
22 “He reveals mysteries from the darkness And brings the deep darkness into light.
46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.
6 For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
He gives life where there was death.
He gives life where there was death.
(v. 12) “...he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”
4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
29 “Behold, God does all these things, twice, three times, with a man, 30 to bring back his soul from the pit, that he may be lighted with the light of life.
To whom does Jesus give light?
To whom does Jesus give light?
Every sinner.
Every sinner.
(v. 12a) “I am the Light of the world...”
7 He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light. 9 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.
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.
2 The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them.
The light might not be as bright to some as to others, but it is enough for all.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
Every saint.
Every saint.
(v. 12b) “...he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”
“…he who follows me...” Those that follow Jesus are called “saints” and He gives us light so that we know the truth, grow in the truth and show the truth…
21 “But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”
5 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 “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.
Why do people reject the Light?
Why do people reject the Light?
Because of what they learn.
Because of what they learn.
(v. 13) “...You are testifying about Yourself...”
English Standard Version Chapter 6
23 For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light,
and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,
Why?
When we learn the truth we have to admit some harsh realities about who we are. We are not “good”. We are messed up!
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
9 “The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?
3 Then Job answered the Lord and said, 4 “Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to You? I lay my hand on my mouth.
When we are given light and learn the truth, we need to repent because of who God is. He’s the Sovereign King, the Lord, the Ruler of the Universe and the rightful owner of all things, including us.
1 Then Job answered the Lord and said, 2 “I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. 3 ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ “Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.” 4 ‘Hear, now, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You instruct me.’ 5 “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees You; 6 Therefore I retract, And I repent in dust and ashes.”
Because of the way they live.
Because of the way they live.
(v. 15) “You judge according to the flesh...”
20 “For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
Because of what they love.
Because of what they love.
(v. 19) “You know neither Me nor My Father; if you knew Me, you would know My Father also.”
You cannot love what you do not know. And those that will not come into the light do not know Christ. So they love something other than Jesus.
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.
Here are two broad categories for you...
They love their sin. (Because of the way they live)
15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
They love their stuff.
(v.20) “These words He spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one seized Him, because His hour had not yet come.”
21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
Are you living in the light or are you living in the darkness?
Are you continuing to pursue the Light of the World, Jesus Christ, or are you content staying where you are with the amount of light you already be given?
Closing Prayer
Invitation
Memory Verse of the Week:
15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
Discussion Questions: (John 8:12-20)
What else does this passage tell us about God?
What else does the text teach us about ourselves?
Did anything else in these verses stick out to you?
How do you believe God leading you to respond to His word?