Jesus, The Light Of The World (John 8:12)

Compiled by: Herman Abrahams (Pastor), Cornerstone Faith Ministries, P.O. Box 740, Westridge 7802, Rep. of South Africa.

E-Mail: Mentorship2003@yahoo.co.uk

Note to the reader:

If you have been blessed with this sermon compilation, I would be honoured to receive an e-mail from you merely telling me where in the world you are based- I do not need any other information. This is merely so that I can have the pleasure of giving thanks to Almighty God that all over the globe the ministry which he has entrusted to me, is blessing the body of Christ and helping to extend the Kingdom of God. Thank you. Herman Abrahams, Cape Town, South Africa.

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I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD¡¨ (JOHN 8:12)

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JOHN 8:12 ¡¥When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ¡§I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.¡¨¡¦ (NIV)

A major feature of the Feast of Tabernacles was the lighting of giant lamps in the women¡¦s court in the temple (see diagram on last page). The wicks were made from the priests¡¦ worn-out garments. The light illuminated the temple area and the people gathered to sing praises and dance. The light reminded the Jewish people of how God was with them in their wanderings in the wilderness in a pillar of cloud which turned to fire at night (Num. 9:15-23).

1. John 8:12 - This discourse continues Jesus¡¦ public teaching in the city of Jerusalem in the temple area. How fitting that during the Feast of Tabernacles, when the large lamps were burning, Jesus . . . said, I am the Light of the world (cf. 1:4, 9; 12:35, 46).

„Y JOHN 1:4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

„Y JOHN 1:9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

ILLUSTRATION

Jesus Christ is the light of the world. The visible light of the world is the sun, and Christ is the Sun of righteousness. One sun enlightens the whole world, so does one Christ, and there needs no more... Christ is the fountain of light, enlightening every man. What a dungeon would the world be without the sun! So would it be without Christ by whom light came into the world, John ch. 3:19. {Matthew Henry¡¦s Commentary on the Bible, (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers) 1991}.

„Y JOHN 12:35 Then Jesus told them, ¡§You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. 36 Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light.¡¨

„Y JOHN 12:46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

2. The world is in darkness, which is a symbol of evil, sin, and ignorance (Isa. 9:2 (cf Matt. 4:16); Matt. 27:45; John 3:19).

„Y ISA 9: 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned (cf MATT 4:16)

ILLUSTRATION

There¡¦s the story of a little child one time who bought a card with the painting of Jesus on it painted in a special kind of fluorescent colouring. The child said in all seriousness and faith: "I wanted Jesus, who shines in the darkness." (From ¡¥A Light Shines in Darkness¡¦ by Michael Cassidy ¡V Daywatch Radio Programme)

„Y JOHN 3:19 This is the verdict: ¡§Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.¡¨

3. ¡§Light¡¨ in the Bible is a symbol of God and His holiness (Acts 9:3;

1 John 1:5).

„Y ACTS 9:3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ¡§Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?¡¨ 5 ¡§Who are you, Lord?¡¨ Saul asked.

„Y 1 JOHN 1:5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.