Series 3 The Light Of The World

Text: 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."

Introduction: Scripture Reading- John 8:12-18

The Importance of Light

- The physical necessity of light for life, growth, and vision.

- Darkness as a metaphor for sin and separation from God.

Discussion:

I. Christ as the Light of the World

- Jesus reveals truth, dispelling the darkness of sin (John 1:1-5; light-foce, focus, beam).

• Rom. 13:10-14
• I Thess. 5:1-4
• John 3:20 “For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.” 
• Sin loves darkness. Darkness is simply the absent of light. There are places in this world, this country, this city, and even our own families that are full of darkness and devoid of light, whether willingly or ignorance.

- Christ as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy: Isaiah 9:2.

II. The Light that Leads to Life

- The connection between following Christ and walking in the light (1 John 1:5-7).

• I Thess. 5:5-11
• George Jones- A Beacon in the Night

Lyrics

The beacon in the night is always shinin'
And darkest clouds can have a silver linin'
Just set your torch for glory then don't turn left or right
Heavens shore is lighted by the beacon in the night.

- Spiritual enlightenment and understanding through Christ (Ephesians 5:1-16).

• When we walk in the light of the gospel, we will know truth and the truth will set us free from sin. (John 8:32; I Cor. 10:13 temptation; way of escape)
• John 3:21 “But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” 
• Wrought- committed to doing the will of God, laboring in the Lord

III. The Contrast between Light and Darkness

- The consequences of rejecting the light: John 3:19-20.

• Rejecting the light, walking in darkness, is the same as separation from God (Isa. 59:1-2)
• Rom. 1:28-32

- Walking in darkness: ignorance, sin, and death.

• Eph. 4:17-19; 20-32
• George Jones- Many souls are driftin' on the troubled sea of sin
  The under tow of evil has pulled so many in
  Tonight the troubled ways of sorrow fill our hearts with pride
  And we're so blind that we can't see the beacon in the night.

IV. Application: Becoming Lights in the World

- Matthew 5:14-16: "Ye are the light of the world." How believers reflect Christ's light. I Cor. 11:1 “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” 

- Living as children of the light in a dark world (Philippians 2:14-18).

• We must let the light of Christ lead us in this dark world and always walk in that light, if we do and not stray of the path, it will lead us straight to heaven.
• When we stray of that path: George Jones- When the mist of wickedness conceals the beacon's light And you're driftin' through the fog somewhere out in the night The one who whispers peace be still and calms the raging sea He is the beacon in the night, He'll rescue you and me.

Conclusion: The Eternal Light

-If we are faithful unto death, Rev. 2:10, then we will be able to see the city that John mentions in Rev. 21:23.

-Revelation 21:23: "And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof."

-Invitation: The question is, are we walking in that light now or have we straight of the path that the beam illuminates for us?

Author: Patrick King