jesus THE LIGHT of men

 “He was Rejected by the World & Received by Some”

John 1:9-13

Introduction

A.      The world is full of darkness, sin & the corruption of hell.

B.      Darkness gloom’s over the whole earth.

C.      There is hope in Jesus Christ, the True Light

1.       Christ was the True Light (v.9)

2.       Christ was rejected by the world (v.10-11)

3.       Christ was received by some (v.12-13)

I.                   Christ was the Light—v.9

A.      The True Light                             v.9

THE MEANING OF THE TRUTH

A better translation that is grammatically correct would be “the true light coming into the world gives light to every man.” 

The words true, truth, and real are taken from two Greek words very much alike.  But each has a different shade of meaning.

1.       “Alehtes” means true, the opposite of false.

2.       “Alethinos” means the true, the genuine, the real.  The opposite of unreal, & imperfect

·         Jesus Christ is the True, the Real, and the Genuine life that has come to give light to every man

·         What does this mean?  It means that Jesus Christ is what other men are not. 

1.       Other men claim to be the light, having the truth.

2.       In reality they are only false, leading people astray

JESUS IS SAID TO BE THE LIGHT

1.       The Light of men

–         In Him was life, and the life was the light of men – John 1:4

2.       The Light of the world

–         “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” – John 8:12

–         “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” – John 9:5

–         “I have come [as] a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness – John 12:46

3.       The Light in men

–         “But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him” – John 11:10

–         To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory – Colossians 1:27

4.       For men to become children of light

–         “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going.   “While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light” – John 12:35-36

WHAT IS MEANT BY CALLING JESUS THE LIGHT?

1.       Jesus is light by nature.

Light is what is within Himself, within His being, His nature, and His character.

–         1 John 1:5 says that “God is light”

–         Colossians 1:15 says that Jesus is “the image of the invisible God”

–         Therefore, “Jesus is light”, the “Light of the world”

2.       Jesus is holy, righteous & pure.

Light is the symbol of purity and holiness.

–         Light means the absence of darkness and blindness

–         In Romans 13:12 says to “put on the armor of light”

3.       Jesus reveals the truth about the world, man & God.

God loves & cares for man, & wants man to love and care for Him.

4.       Jesus the light guides.

His light allows man to walk out of darkness

B.      His Mission: To Give Light to Men                          v.9

Christ gives light to men through general revelation, the creation and order of the universe.

GENERAL REVELATION

1.       Ps. 19:1-4

God is Creator \ Glory

a.       God is Eternal—for something to be here today there always had to be something.

b.       God is Powerful—for this place to be here, the expanse of the heavens and how large it is, some great power had to bring this place into existence.

c.        God is wise—the purpose, order, and design we observe in the world calls for a designer. 

The watchmaker –The wrist that the watch is on is more complex than the watch itself.

2.       Romans 1:18-20

Without Excuse

a.       God holds all men responsible for their refusal to acknowledge what He has shown them of Himself in His creation.

b.       Even those who have not had an opportunity to hear the gospel have received a clear witness about the existence and character of God—and have SUPPRESSED IT – 1:18

c.        If a person will respond to “General Revelation” God will provide some means for that person to hear the Gospel.

1)       The witness of Philip – Acts 8:26-39

2)       God want man to seek Him – Acts 17:26-27

3)       Acts 10:1-48

3.       Romans 2:14-15 

Man’s Conscience – The Inner Judge

a.       The distinctive sense of right & wrong that produces guilt when violated.

b.       In addition to an innate awareness of God’s law, man has a warning system that activates when they choose to ignore or disobey God’s law.

Illustration of Radiator Light

c.        Repeatedly ignoring your conscience’s warning desensitizes it and eventually silences it.

1)       Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, (1 Timothy 4:1-2 NKJV)

4.       Acts 14:15-17

God is benevolent  

a.       It is through His providential goodness in supplying people with sunshine and rain that enables them to live and function—Matt. 5:45. 

b.       God gives sunshine and rainfall to the atheistic farmer that enables him to harvest his crop just as He provides for the Christian farmer.  To the believer it is a comfort to know that “ all things are working together for good.” 

5.       The Conclusion

General Revelation Reveals

a.       God exists and reveals His glory – Psalm 19:1-6

b.       God is omnipotent and He will judge – Romans 1:18-21 cf. Acts 17:30-31

c.        God is benevolent to all people – Matthew 5:45

d.       God provides food for all people – Acts 14:15-17

e.        God raises up and removes rulers – Daniel 2:21

f.        God has placed His moral law within the hearts of all people – Romans 2:14-15) 

6.       Limitations of General Revelation

a.       Unable to give man a personal, saving knowledge of God.

b.       Is not enough for someone to deduce that God must have had a Son, that Son was Jesus who came into the world and died upon the cross for my sins, was buried and resurrected on the third day and now He sits at the right hand of the Father.  There is no way someone could come up with that conclusion by General Revelation.

II.                Christ was Rejected by the World—v.10-11

A.      The Rejection of Christ.                             v.10

–         The Fact—“He was in the world”

–         The Truth—“The world was made through Him”

–         The Tragedy—“The world did not know Him”

1.       Luke 4:33-34 – The evil spirit’s said with a loud voice, "Let [us] alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are----the Holy One of God!"

2.       Mark 4:39 – The winds and the waves knew who He was.  He spoke to the wind and waves saying, “Peace be still.”

3.       Luke 19:39-40 – Even the stones knew who He was

4.       Tragically it was only the darkened minds of man that failed to recognize Him.

B.      He Came To His Own People, but They Rejected Him                       v.11

The Promised Messiah to Israel

1.       God had promised that “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.   Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever—Isaiah 9:6-7.

2.       Jesus Himself said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

3.       Romans 1:16 Paul said “to the Jew first”

THE TRAGEDY—THEY MISSED HIS FIRST COMING

1.       Luke 2:7 – And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

a.       The innkeeper was so wrapped up in his affairs; he could not help a woman giving birth.

b.       Many missed His first coming, & many will miss His Second Coming.

2.       He came to His own, but they said, "We have no king, but Caesar."  They said, "We will not have this man to rule over us."  And his own received him not, and the prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled, He was despised and rejected of men.

a.       Is Christ your King, is He ruling over your life?

b.       Did you receive Him & confess Him as your Lord & Savior, or are you rejecting Him?

c.        Is there room for Him in your heart, or is your heart wrapped up in other things?

1)       "Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.  "But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.  (Matthew 10:32-33 NKJV)

2)       "Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God.  "But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.  "And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven.  (Luke 12:8-10 NKJV)

3.       Luke 13:34 – Here we see the heart of God, weeping, He loved them but they rejected Him.

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen [gathers] her brood under [her] wings, but you were not willing!  (Luke 13:34 NKJV)

a.       Jesus is the way, but they would not walk with Him – John 14:6 cf. John 6:66-71

b.       Jesus is the Truth, but they would not believe Him – John 12:37ff.

c.        He is the life and they crucified Him!

d.       Daniel prophesied the “Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself” Daniel 9:26.

III.             Christ was Received by Some—v.12-13

A.      How: By Believing in His Name                               v.12

John 2:23-25—to believe-to commit – “genuine saving faith”

1.       Saving faith is not head knowledge, not just a mental conviction & intellectual assent (agreement).

a.       Not just believing the fact He is the Savior of the world.

b.       Not just believing history that Jesus lived on the earth just as George Washington.

c.        Not just believing the words and claims of Jesus in the same way by believing the words of George Washington.

2.       Saving faith is believing in Jesus, who & what He is the Savior & Lord of life.

a.       It is a man turning and giving His life over to Jesus, casting himself upon him as Savior & Lord.

3.       Saving faith is a commitment—the commitment of a man’s total being & life to Jesus Christ.

a.       It is a person’s commitment to all he is & has to Jesus.

b.       It is a person entrusting his whole life, being and possessions into Jesus’ hands

c.        It is a person who acknowledging Jesus in all the ways of life.

d.       It is a person following Jesus in every area & detail of life, seeking His instruction.

B.      Result: Became Sons of God                    v.12

–         right means power or authority.

–         sons means children.

–         to become means to become something somebody is not.

1.       God has given to those who believe in the name of Jesus Christ, the right to become a child of God!

a.       Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God… Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.  (1 John 3:1-2 NKJV).

b.       Galatians 3:26 – For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

c.        Romans 8:15-16 – For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."  The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

d.       Galatians 4:7 – Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

C.      The Source of Sonship: A New Birth                       v.13

The new birth is not of man.

1.       Not of blood

Being born in a particular family, race, nation or people—this is of no value.

My children are not Christians because I am a Christian.

2.       Not of the will of the flesh

You cannot set your mind to it and become a child of God.

That is you are going to live a life of self-sacrifice

3.       Not of the will of man

Me being a father cannot pursued or force my children to become a child of God.

The new birth is of God.                        JOHN 3:1-15

1.       It is a supernatural work

a.       Jonah 2:9; John 1:12-13; 3:5-8; 6:44; Eph. 2:4-5; Titus 3:5

b.       Luke 16:14-15 – Paul preached the gospel to a group of people just outside Philippi & the Lord opened up a heart.

2.       It is a necessity

A person will never see (Jn.3:3) nor ever enter (Jn.3:5) the kingdom of God unless he is born again (Jn 3:7).

3.       It is spiritual

It is not a reformation of the Old Nature – Romans 6:6                            

It is an actual creation of a new birth within – 2 Corinthians 5:17; Eph.2:10;

4.       It is a real experience

A person experiences the new birth:

a.       By believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (1 Jn. 5:1; Jn. 3:14-15)

b.       By the Gospel as it is shared (1 Cor. 4:15; Phile.10)

c.        By the Word of God (1Pet.1:23); or by the Word of Truth (Jas.1:18)

5.       It is a changed life

A person proves that he is born again:

a.       By doing righteous acts (1Jn. 2:29; Eph. 2:10; 4:24)

b.       By not practicing sin (1Jn. 3:9; 5:18)

c.        By loving other believers (1Jn.4:7)