Commands of Christ-26c

Last week I presented another lesson on the command of Jesus to walk in the light.

Consider His commands in:

John 8:12 (NASB95) 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.”

Following Jesus obviously means walking in the Light of Jesus.

John 12:35–36 (NASB95) So Jesus said to them, “For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. 36 “While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light.” These things Jesus spoke, and He went away and hid Himself from them.

I’ve not seen it before, but there is a pivotal point in John 12

John 12:20–26 (NASB95) Now there were some Greeks among those who were going up to worship at the feast; 21 these then came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and began to ask him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip came and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip came and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 “He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. 26 “If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.

Some Gentiles come seeking Jesus and EVERYTHING changes.

Jesus’ public ministry ends.

Vs. 36: These things Jesus spoke, and He went away and hid Himself from them.

He is telling those who are listening — I am about to be crucified.

If you are not walking or believing in the truth — darkness is coming that will hide the Light.

The public will not see the light again until the Day of Pentecost when Jesus begins to shine through His church.

Maybe NOT making a decision to walk in the Light before His Crucifixion led to so many in the crowd crying out “Crucify Him!”?

So, while WE have the Light, let’s walk in it

While we have the light let’s take a firm hold on it, believe it, become children of light.

Because darkness IS coming.

The darkness of living in a country like North Korea (the future of the U.S. and many other countries?)

The darkness of the Great Tribulation.

Life Application Commentary

Darkness Light Reference

A condition of despair The appearance of hope Isaiah 9:2

Unable to recognize the light Able to enlighten the world John 1:4–5, 9

The power of Satan The power of God Acts 26:18

Evil deeds Good deeds Romans 13:12–14

Natural heart condition Given by God to shine in our hearts

by knowing Jesus Christ 2 Corinthians 4:6

Fruitless works Source of all that is good, right, true Ephesians 5:8–11

Spiritual forces of evil Armor of God Ephesians 6:12–13

Powerful captivity Kingdom of the Son, redemption,

forgiveness Colossians 1:12–14

Cannot exist in God’s presence, fellowship with God,

God’s presence cleansing of sin 1 John 1:5, 7

Passing away Lasting forever 1 John 2:8–11

Two weeks ago:

Ephesians 5:6–16 (NASB95) Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them; 8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light 9 (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), 10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; 12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. 14 For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.” 15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil.

Aside from “not participat[ing] in the unfruitful deeds of darkness” (vs.11) what else are we supposed to do about them?

Expose them - uh-oh! This is NOT what we want to do because …

This makes us a target?

What does this accomplish?

A warning to others

Help others to avoid the traps

Explore It (In 1 John 1 & 2)

1 John 1:5–7 (NASB 2020) 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.

1 John 2:7-11 (NASB) 7  Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard. 8  On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining. 9  The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. 10  The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11  But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

What message did the writer hear and declare? (1:5)

God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all

What inconsistency did John address? (1:6)

What we say vs. how we live

What results from "walking in the light"? (1:7)

Fellowship with …

Cleansing of sin

What did John say he was giving to his readers? (2:7-8)

A new commandment because the darkness is passing away and the TRUE light is already shining

Dark Ages

How are claiming to be a Christian and loving one’s fellow Christians related? (2:9-11)

Get It

After studying all these passages, how can we "walk in the light"?

We have to INTENTIONALLY be IN Christ Jesus.

He has to be THE absolute number 1 priority in our life.

How important is fellowship with other believers to you? In relationship with “walking in the light?”

Can we walk in the Light apart from other believers? Is that possible?

Looking at 1 John 2, I don’t see how it is.

How can we get to know God better?

What does the way in which we treat other believers reveal about us?

What confidence does Jesus’ atoning death give to us?

What confidence should our relationship with the Father give us?

What area of your life do you need to examine in order to see your sins more clearly?

How do you need to change the way you relate to fellow believers in order to develop a deeper relationship with God (to walk in the light)?

Apply It

What steps will you take this week to walk in the light?

Adult Questions for LESSONMaker.

Next week: I want to talk about anger and civil war.