John 8 (2)
I Am the Light of the World
- Read John 8:12
A number of years ago, Gladys, Drew and I took a trip out west and visited Carlsbad Caverns. We made a number of memories on that trip. That was the trip When Drew and I hiked up the side of a mountain, where I promptly fell into a patch of prickly pear cactus. Gladys zooms in with the camera, to see what’s going on, only to see young Drew bent over behind his dad, pulling cactus spurs from his dad’s derriere; an activity his mother had to continue when we returned to the truck. Memories.
That is the trip where we paid extra to tour some additional caverns down the road from the main caverns. We got to go into some caverns where they filmed King Solomon’s Mines. While there, the 2 rangers had us climb up this ramp in the caves, holding onto a rope for balance and to keep us from slipping. One ranger was at the bottom of the ramp and one was at the top, to keep us from touching a la de da formation at the top of the ramp. They warned us not to touch the rock formation there, because they said the oil off our hands would cause the water to run off the rocks and keep them from growing.
Everything went well on the way up the ramp, but on the way down, Gladys and I got separated. Both of the rangers were at the bottom of the ramp this time, helping people. I was also at the bottom of the ramp, looking up for my wife, when I see her lose her balance and slip. Remember the rock formation they didn’t want us to touch? I looked up just in time to see my beloved wife in a full-body embrace of those rocks. Arms, and legs wrapped around that thing.
When she got to the bottom of the ramp, she said, “I slipped, but I don’t think anybody saw me.” I did and nearly died laughing. Memories.
That was the trip when the rangers turned off the lights while we were in the caverns. At least once during each tour, the guides will have everyone put their phones away, and they turn off their flashlights to show everyone what total darkness looks like. They told us how they did that one time and a man said, “Wow. Imagine how dark it would be in here at night.”
Memories.
Darkness.
I want you to know that there is darkness in the world today.
In Romans chapter 1, Paul records, “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.
24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.
28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
Are we not seeing this scripture being played out right before our eyes?
When a former president, other politicians, business leaders and celebrities can fly off to a private island to engage in debauchery with children, without consequence, there is darkness in the world.
When our supreme court can rule that it is ok to be more stringent on Christians gathering in churches to worship, a constitutionally-protected activity that saves lives, builds homes, helps marriages, and grows communities; than they are on people gathering to gamble and to drink in Los Vegas, activities that are shown to destroy lives, families, and marriages, and is a detriment to communities; there is darkness in the world.
Romans 13 tells us that God sets up governments, to punish the evil and to reward the good. When government leaders begin to relinquish that responsibility and allow criminals to deface churches, burn public buildings, assault law enforcement officers, and terrorize innocent business owners; there is darkness in the world.
God gives parents the responsibility to train, to teach, and to discipline their children. When instead, we find parents abdicating that responsibility and coddling children; making excuses for their disobedience, rebellion, and ignorance; and laughing at their profanity, there is darkness in the world.
In the midst of a world left blinded and sightless due to darkness, Jesus says, “I AM the light of the world.
My friends, I want you to know that a new vaccine will not solve the world’s problems. Some newly developed masks will not take away our nation’s sickness. Another stimulus package will not relieve our people’s suffering. A new election will not get our nation back on the right course.
In darkness, disease is allowed to grow. In darkness, people stumble, lose their way and fall. In darkness, sin and crime flourishes. In darkness, the roaches flourish and the rats multiply, and Antifa loots. There is a reason the first words of God recorded in the Bible are, “Let there be light.”
As Andra’e Crouch so plainly put it years ago, “Jesus is the answer, for the world today. Above Him there’s no other, Jesus is the way. For Jesus is the Light of the world.
If Jesus is the light of the world, and He is; if He is the only help and hope for a world shrouded in darkness; and He is; then what difference does that make to us? What is our responsibility?
1. You have a decision to make -
- Read John 3:19
You have a decision to make. Are you going to be a Christ-follower or not.
There are many decisions we have to make in life. As children, we decide how much effort we are going to put into our studies. Am I going to do the best I can in this class and learn all I can, or am I going to do just enough to get by?
What people am I going to hang around?
What kind of language am I going to use? Am I going to speak profanely or not?
How am I going to dress? Am I going to dress modestly, or am I going to show everything I have?
What am I going to do for a living? Am I going to rent or buy? What kind of car do I want to drive? Do I buy new or used?
There are many decisions we have to make in life, but none of them are as important as what we decide to do about Jesus.
Jesus said, Some will not follow Him, some will not come near Him because they choose to live in sin.
You know, I have served as a chaplain in a number of places, and have served as a pastor or youth pastor in 4 states. During that time, I have never, never, sat beside the bed of someone who was dying and had them tell me they wish they had never become a Christian. I have never had 1 tell me they wish they had waited later in life before they became a Christian. Never have.
I have, however, had a number pf people tell me how they wish they had started following Christ earlier in life. I have ha a number of them tell me how they had messed up their lives and how they wish they could go back and do things differently, how they wish they had started following Jesus younger.
Sir, Ma’am, young person, the most important decision you can ever make is to decide to make Jesus your Lord and Savior. To ask Him to forgive you of your sins, to come into your heart to be your Lord and Savior.
> John 3:19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
What is there in your life, that you enjoy so much, that you love so much, that it will keep you from following Jesus? What sin, what bitterness, what anger are you holding onto so tightly that you’ll let it keep you from being saved?
But brother Gene, you don’t know some of the preachers I know. You don’t know what I’ve seen some Christians do that has really turned me off from the church.
A long, long time ago, when Gladys was 4 years old, she and her family moved to the house where her brother Paul still lives.
Gladys went outside one day and sat on her stoop and told her mother she was going to stay there until she made a friend. Across the street from her was a little girl named Martha Kennedy. Gladys and Martha became friends. Gladys’ mom started a Good News Bible Club, for the children in the neighborhood, and over the years led many of the children and adults in the neighborhood to the Lord. Martha, her sister Linda, and their mother all because Christians. Everyone in that family became Christians except the Dad, James Kennedy. They prayed for him for more than 40 years.
You see, when Mr. Kennedy was a little boy, his dad died. His mother was left a young widow, with children to raise. Well, not long after Mr. Kennedy’s dad died, the preacher came around and told his newly-widowed mom that he sill expected her to give her pledge to the church. That left such a bitter taste in that young boy’s mouth, that he wanted nothing to do with church or Christians for decades.
When Gladys’ mom died, a preacher from their church came to visit the family. While he was there, they asked if he would go across the street and visit with Mr. Kennedy.
So, that preacher went across the street and visited with Mr. Kennedy. Mr. Kennedy told that young preacher about what had happened to his mom when he was young, and why he wanted nothing to do with Christians.
So the preacher asked him, “So, you’re going to let what 1 stupid preacher did, more than 40 years ago, keep you from going to heaven?”
Mr. Kennedy decided that didn’t make much sense, so he prayed to accept Jesus Christ that day.
My friend, sometimes we Christians make mistakes. Sometimes we say stupid things. And, sometimes people who think they are Christians, or pretend to be Christians, say and do hurtful and stupid things. Don’t let something stupid a Christian has said, or something hurtful a fraud has done, keep you from knowing the joy and victory of having Jesus as your Lord and Savior.
Jesus is the light of the world. So, number 1, you have a decision to make. Will you invite Jesus into your heart to be your Lord and Savior?
And let me tell you, not deciding is a decision.
So, number 1, follow the light.
2. Be the Light
- John 8:12
. . . will never walk in darkness.
> Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are 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 in heaven.
Live your life in such a way, that you allow the light of Jesus Christ to shine through you.
How do you do that?
> Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things.
For years I have been a news junky. I want to know what’s going on and I want to see the pages of the Bible being played out before our eyes. But, I have found that watching and listening to too much of that stuff steals my joy and keeps me angry. So, in the mornings now, while fixing breakfast, and getting my cooler ready for the day, I am spending more time listening to the Bible. I am starving to fill my mind with the good things, with the Word of God, so I can think on the good things.
The only way you and I can be the light is to have the Lord Jesus Christ shine through us. We are like the moon. The moon has no light itself. It doesn’t glow or burn. The only light it gives off is what it reflects from the sun.
The same is true of you and I. The only way we are going to shine, the only way we are going to be a light in the world, is to reflect the light of Jesus Christ. We do that by confessing our sins, getting rid of the stuff that would block the light of Jesus; and by spending time with the Lord in prayer and Bible study.
David said in Psalm 119,
> Psalm 119:105-109 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments. I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word. Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me thy judgments. My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.
David knew that God’s Word gives light, that’s why he said in Psalm 63,
> Psalm 63:1-8 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
My friends, to be light in a dark world, we must fill our hearts and our minds with the light of Jesus Christ. We be the light.
I love that old song, “Let Others See Jesus in You.”
While passing through this world of sin,
And others your life shall view,
Be clean and pure without, within,
Let others see Jesus in you.
Chorus:
Let others see Jesus in you,
Let others see Jesus in you;
Keep telling the story, be faithful and true,
Let others see Jesus in you.
2 Your life's a book before their eyes,
They're reading it through and through;
Say, does it point them to the skies,
Do others see Jesus in you?
[Chorus]
3 What joy 'twill be at set of sun,
In mansions beyond the blue,
To find some souls that you have won;
Let others see Jesus in you.
[Chorus]
4 Then live for Christ both day and night,
Be faithful, be brave, and true,
And lead the lost to life and light;
Let others see Jesus in you.
We choose the light. We live the light, and we share the light.
3. Share the Light
> Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are 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 in heaven.
It was 22 years ago last month, my dad was killed. I still remember a few months later going up to Washington D.C. for the annual law enforcement memorial services. On the night of the candlelight service, there were thousands of people in attendance. Everyone was handed a candle, and then the lighting began, first from one candle, and then candle lit candle, each person lighting the candle of his neighbor, until everyone’s was lit and there was light all around.
That is the responsibility the Lord has given each one of us, each one of you. We are to share the light, the Gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ with those around us, and beside is, until the light fills the earth.
There is a lot of anger, and hate, and biterness, and darkness in the world today. There always has been, it’s just showing itself more clearly right now.
And my friend, the only hope, the only possible help for us, for our country and our people right now is the only Hope that there has been from the beginning. Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the answer, for the world today, above Him there’s no other. Jesus is the way. Jesus is the answer for the world today, above Him there’s no other. Jesus is the way.
If you do not know the light, will you choose today to follow the light? Will you become a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ?
If you know the Light, but have been walking in the darkness, would you repent this morning, ask the Lord to forgive you, and begin following Him again?
If you know the Light, and have been walking in the light, let me ask you, have you been sharing the Light? When was the last time you told somebody about Jesus?
