I AM: Light of the World
Series: Good News to Believe
January 01, 2023
Frank Foreman
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the Light of life.” --John 8:12 Have you ever been in one of those situations where you found yourself in utter darkness? Darkness that was so complete that if you put your hand in front of your face you couldn't see it or even appreciate any difference than when it wasn't in front of your face? ---------- Even in those occasions where such overwhelming darkness is experienced, one constant and absolute is that even the smallest of lights can be seen. As powerful and formidable as darkness can be, it cannot defeat darkness... or as John says, it can never extinguish it. ---------- This Sunday, we begin a mini-series within our ongoing series of messages from the book of John. As we look at some of the "I AM" statements that Jesus makes, we recognize His claim to being the exclusive source of true light, confirming His deity and claims to be the Son of God come into the world.
Episode Notes
Exodus 3:13-14, Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
I AM: The ultimate statement of self-sufficiency, self-existence, and immediate presence.
(Journal) John 8:12, Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the Light of life.”
Big Idea: Jesus is the exclusive source of spiritual light…. There is none other.
1. The Testimony of Light.
(Journal) John 1:6-8, There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the Light, that all might believe through him. He was not the Light, but came to bear witness about the Light.
Acts 13:47, For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.”
2. Light Rejected by Many.
(Journal) John 1:9-11, The true Light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him.
(Journal) John 3:19-20, And this is the judgment: the Light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the Light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the Light and does not come to the Light, lest his works should be exposed.
3. Light Accepted by Some.
(Journal) John 1:12-13, But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
Matthew 5:14-16, You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven.
Next Step: Prayerfully consider how you may intentionally reflect the Light of Jesus.
(Journal) John 20:30-31, Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.
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