“I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.”
JOHN 8:12-32–LESSON 18
John 8:12, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” 9:5, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 12:46, “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.”
Introduction:
We live in a dark world of violence, distrust, immorality and sin in general because we have left the “Light of the World” out of our lives.
The Word of God gives us everything we need to know right here in this message to set everything straight with God. Consider what Jesus said in these passages as we look to the Word of God.
I. THE WORLD IS IN DARKNESS.
A. Darkness is a symbol of evil. John 3:19, “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”
B. Darkness is a symbol of sin and death, Isaiah 9:2, “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.”
Matthew 4:16, “The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.”
C. Darkness is a symbol of ignorance. Ephesians 4:18, “Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:”
II. “LIGHT” IN THE BIBLE IS A SYMBOL OF GOD AND HIS HOLINESS.
A. Paul fell on his face before the light of God, Acts 9:3-4, “And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?”
B. God is light, 1 John 1:5, “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
1. Jesus is the “Light” of God, John 12:46, “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.”
2. He is the only Light, “the true Light” for the whole world, John 1:9, “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”
3. He is the Light to enlighten the Gentiles, Luke 2:32, “A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.”
4. Christ is the Sun of righteousness, Malachi 4:2, “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.”
III. HE THAT FOLLOWS ME, AS A TRAVELLER FOLLOWS THE LIGHT IN A DARK NIGHT, SHALL NOT WALK IN DARKNESS.
A. It is our duty to follow his LEADERSHIP, Matthew 16:24, “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”
1. Many follow false lights that lead them to destruction; but Christ is the true light, Matthew 24:4-5, “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.”
2. It is not enough to look at this light, and to gaze upon it,
a. But we must follow it,.., 1 Peter 2:21, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:”
b. Believe in it, and… John 12:36, “While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.”
c. Walk in it, 1 John 1:6, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
d. For it is a light to our feet, not our eyes only, Luke 1:79, “To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
CONCLUSION:
John 12:46, “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.”
Here we have Jesus’ promise. If we walk in His light, we will NOT ABIDE IN DARKNESS. He says, “but shall have the LIGHT OF LIFE.” The “light of life” that He refers to, is ETERNAL LIFE by trusting in Him as your SAVIOR!