Video Transition: This Place
Series: Jesus the “I Am” of Renewal
Thesis for Series: John uses Jesus' "I Am" proclamations to prove that Jesus was the Messiah – God in the flesh - and these proclamations are pivotal for the Jews and Christians to understand.
Summary of Sermon 1: Jesus is the Bread of Life!
In sermon one, we laid the foundation for the meaning of God's name, "I Am". Let's review what we learned.
"I Am" God's name found in Exodus 3:14 was an answer to Moses when Moses asked for credentials to prove to Israel that God had indeed authorized him to lead them out of bondage and into freedom.
The disclosure of the name given from the burning bush represents that this entity was eternal and constant. This scenario revealed to Moses and Israel that this was the same God of their forefathers. "I Am" designates a characteristic (The Main One) that "I Am" represents absolute timeless existence. He always was but with the twist He is here now, present tense and He will be with us also into the future.
The apostle John, in the New Testament revealed that Christ's "I Am" signified that He was the same God of the Old Testament and is the "Bread of Life". He is the only source for life sustaining food which will enable us to live forever. His food is found in feeding on His word and being in connection with Him. It’s also connected to the ordinance of Communion – this ordinance is to help us not forget His great sacrifice on the cross for our sins.
The “I Am’ statements in John are sudden impact statements (intended to cause renewal) – they are made by Jesus to define who He was and who He is. They all use the first person terminology and clearly claim that He is the Great “I AM” of the Old Testament. Each one of Jesus’ seven impact statements declared the truth about Jesus’ person, divinity and ministry. They also point to His credentials to do the miracle and say what He is saying in His teachings.
In other words, Jesus answers their question of where He gets the authority to do what He is doing in the life of the nation of Israel:
1. “I am the bread of life!”– John 6:35, 48 and John 6:41, 51
2. “I am the Light of the World!”– John 8:12
3. “I am the door!” – John 10:7, 9
4. “I am the Good Shepherd!” – John 10:11, 14
5. “I am the resurrection and the life!” – John 11:25
6. “I am the way the truth and the life!” – John 14:6
7. “I am the true vine!” – John 15:1,5
In addition to the above “I Am’ statements there are other “I Am” statements which are not followed by a title or a claim to deity. These statements of renewal still make an impact upon the hearers – Jesus’ claim to be the “Great I Am” points to the following declaration: “I AM – Yahweh of the Old Testament!” Standing in front of you doing the miracles, the healings, teaching you truth and I have the power to forgive sin.
John 4:25,26: 25The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26Then Jesus declared, “I who speak to you am he.”
• Jesus is being clear with woman that He is the Messiah they are looking for.
John 8:24, 28, 58: 24 “I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins.” 28 “So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am ‹the one I claim to be› and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.” 58 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”
• Jesus makes it clear He was before Abraham – He was there at Creation – He is the “I Am that spoke to Moses from the bush and the one who gave him the 10 Commandments!”
John 13:19: 19 “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He.” You can compare these impact statements with the following references. John 6:20: But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” John 7:34 - 36: 33 Jesus said, “I am with you for only a short time, and then I go to the one who sent me. 34You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come.” 35The Jews said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we cannot find him? Will he go where our people live scattered among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks? 36 What did he mean when he said, ‘You will look for me, but you will not find me,’ and ‘Where I am, you cannot come’?”
• Jesus is prophesying His death and resurrection and once again saying you will see that I am – the “I AM.” When I die and leave this world I will set the captive free – I will tear the gates off of Hell and set people free! You will see that “I AM”
John 14:3: And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
• The promise of Heaven for all who believe – the Great I Am will prepare a place for them who believe in Heaven!
John 17:24: “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
• Jesus the “I am” wants us being with Him in eternity – ponder that thought for a moment!
Exodus 3:14: God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
• I am delivered the nation of Israel from enslavement – set them free supernaturally – Jesus is setting His people free by doing miracles, deliverances, teachings and we need to believe and embrace Him and His Word.
• Jesus is making the same declarations. The main meaning of the “I Am” statements spoken by Jesus in the Gospel of John are always traced back to the first appearance of the name for God as “I Am” in Exodus 3.
T.S. – With the background and review of “I Am” let’s explore Jesus 2nd “I AM” statement!
Sermon 2: I Am the light of the world!
Thesis: Jesus will at the end of the Feast of Tabernacles when the lights are blown out make this statement. This celebration of God’s deliverance and a call to repentance for the Jewish nation will set the stage for Jesus 2nd “I Am” statement – Jesus states, “I am the Light of the world!”
Scripture Texts:
Highlight the chapter between these two “I Am” statements of renewal and rejuvenation! Chapter 7
John reveals Jesus second, "I Am" proclamation in John 8:12 and connects light with God – with Jesus and with repentance see also 1 John 1:5.
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."
I 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.”
Introduction:
Last week I introduced our series “Jesus the I Am of Renewal!” Today we will be exploring Jesus’ 2nd statement, “I Am the Light of the World!”
Light in our world is said to be mysterious. Scientists try to help us understand light, But scientists are baffled by the mystery of light itself - they can study it but still don’t understand what light is. The Bible tells us Jesus and God are the light of the world and this Biblical statement is as mysterious as light in the natural sense but like scientist we can study Jesus and God and understand what light does in our life even if we don’t understand how it works or where it originates.
I discovered in the Oct 2001 edition of the National Geographic. The article titled the Power of Light:
Light reveals the world to us. Body and soul crave it. Light sets our biological clocks. It triggers in our brains the sensations of color. Light feeds us, supplying the energy of plants to grow. It inspires us with special effects like rainbows and sunsets. Light gives us life- changing tools, from incandescent bulbs to lasers and fiber optics. Scientists don’t fully understand what light is or what it can do. They just know that it will illuminate our future (3).
After reading this introduction in the article I said, this article has spiritual insight for us as Christians. So, I read on and the verses on light in the Bible just raced through my mind. Wow I thought! The Bible tells us that God is light. So, today we will continue to explore some spiritual application points from the scientific study of light to help us understand Jesus 2nd “I AM” statement.
I came across this quote this week on light from another author:
“Light, without which we can see nothing, is itself invisible. It seems to move from place to place instantaneously, passing ghostlike through solid materials such as glass. If it is part of the material world, it is certainly, by dint of its surpassing subtlety, the part that is closest to spirit: So thought the astronomer Johannes Kepler. It is identical to God, mystics like Mani and John the Evangelist declared” (Park).
Here are some special insight from this article on the power of light:
• Scientist’s do not fully understand what light is or what it can do but yet they see it illuminate things – just not sure how it does it.
• Scientist’s say, “Light reveals the world to us literally – without it you would not see anything.” Light works with your eyes to see things in this world.
• Scientists say, “Body and soul crave light.” As a matter fact it is essential for good health and life.
• Scientists tell us that, “Light gives us life-changing tools such as light bulbs, lasers, and fiber optics.”
• Scientists just know that light is there in our world and that it will illuminate our future but not sure how it works or how it originated.
• Scientists say, “Light won’t reduce. Light is light and it’s pure, but not simple.”
• Scientists say, “Light is what illuminates our world - without the light of the sun this world would have no light – we would not be able to see anything.
Hands on illustration: Hold up a bright light and shine it on the church, then tell the story of Eddystone lighthouse.
The famous Eddystone lighthouse off the coast of Cornwall, England, was first built in a fanciful way, by the learned and eccentric Winstanley. On its sides he put various boastful inscriptions. He was very proud of his structure, and from his lofty balcony used boldly to defy the storm, crying, "Blow, O winds! Rise, O ocean! Break forth, ye elements, and try my work!" But one fearful night the sea swallowed up the tower and its builder.
The lighthouse was built a second time of wood and stone by Rudyard. The form was good, but the wood gave hold to the elements and the builder and his structure perished in the flames.
Next the great Smeaton was called. He raised a cone from the solid rock upon which the new lighthouse was built, and riveted it to the rock; as the oak is fastened to the earth by its roots. From the rock of the foundation he took the rock of the superstructure. He carved upon it no boastful inscription like those of Winstanley, but on its lower course he put, "Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it;" and its keystone, above the lantern, the simple tribute, "Laus Deo!" and the structure still stands, holding its beacon light to storm-tossed mariners.
Fellow-workers for the salvation of men, Christ, the Light, must be held up before men or they will perish. Let us, then, place Him on no superstructure of our own device. Let us rear no tower of wood, or wood and stone. But taking the word of God for our foundation, let us build our structure upon its massive, solid truth, and on every course put Smeaton's humble inscription, and then we may be sure that the lighthouse will stand -- Selected.
I. The historical message of light!
a. The Exegesis of John Chapter 8: 12-59 with the emphasis on Christ's proclamation, "I am the light of the world" and responses.
b. John 8: 12-59: Basic Outline
i. Jesus' statement and reaction of His enemies. They attack the witness borne to Him. (12-20)
ii. Discussion goes to the fate of dying in sins. (21-24)
iii. The relationship between Father and Son. (25-30)
iv. The fact that the enemies of Jesus are slaves to sin. (31-47)
v. Section concludes with an emphasis on the glory given by the Father to the Son. (48-59)
c. Historical Setting: Rabbi Biba Singorus said, "Light is the name of the Messiah" as it is written, "Light dwells with him," Dan. 2:22. Jews considered the Messiah to be the light.
i. The Old Testament had many references to God being the light.
1. II Samuel 22:29 " You are my lamp, O Lord the Lord turns my darkness into light."
2. Psalm 27:1 "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear....”
3. Psalm 119:105 “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
4. Isa. 60:19 "The sun shall be no more the light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee; but the Lord shall be unto thee and everlasting light, and thy God thy glory."
5. Others: Isa. 8:20; 49:6; 58:8; 60:20
a. The Jews were looking for the Messiah and knew what Jesus meant as He being the light. Their Festivals looked for the Messiah and talked of repentance.
b. This statement is made at the end of the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) where there are ceremonies with light.
c. The Sukkot Festival comes in fall, four days after Yom Kippur.
ii. The feasts were very important to the Jews. They delighted in their observance and rejoiced in their symbolism.
1. The High Holy days, commenced in the fall with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year and climaxed ten days later with Yom Kippur.
a. Rosh Hashanah- New Years Day
i. This marks the beginning of the ten days of repentance. This High Holy day according to the Jews was where God determined who would live or die in the New year.
1. During this festival the Jews would sound the shofar a trumpet blast which is to arouse the Jews from their moral reverie, to call them to spiritual regeneration, and to alert them to repentance.
2. The shofar is also sounded to remind the Jews of God's promise to bring the Messiah. The Messiah would bring liberty and freedom to all people.
b. Yom Kippur- Day of Atonement
i. This is the culmination of the entire High Holy day drama-the final opportunity for Jews to repent. During the 24 hours of this day the Jews fulfill their obligation to "afflict" their souls by fasting, soul-searching, and praying. They beseech God for forgiveness and reflect on their lives.
c. Feast of Tabernacles
i. Sukkot is a weeklong Jewish holiday that comes five days after Yom Kippur. Sukkot celebrates the gathering of the harvest and commemorates the miraculous protection G-d provided for the children of Israel when they left Egypt. They celebrate Sukkot by dwelling in a foliage-covered booth (known as a sukkah) and by taking the “Four Kinds” (arba minim), four special species of vegetation.
ii. The ceremony had light attached with it - where the bright and brilliant candelabras were lit, this occurred only at the beginning of the Feast of Tabernacles. There is much argumentation as to how much illumination took place at night by the candelabra. It is fact, that by the end of the Feast the candelabras they were blown out.
1. In the absence of the lights on the ninth day the day after the feast is over, Jesus makes His claim, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
2. To help us understand this statement, even more, let's look at the rituals of symbolism and the symbolic meaning behind the Feasts of Tabernacles.
a. The Jews celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles as the anniversary of the beginnings of the wandering in the wilderness. Ex. 23:16; Lev. 23:53; Duet. 16: 13-15
b. It also was associated with the Feast of Ingathering. Ex. 23:16; Deut. 16: 13, 14, 17
c. Leviticus 23: 33-44 (Read)
d. Festival was to be done to remember deliverance out of Egypt.
e. Hebrew name Sukkot is considered "the festival for rejoicing". It was a very popular festival.
f. Jews looked at Sukkot as a time to give thanks for their redemption from Egypt and for God's providence during the many years of wandering through the desert.
g. The Jews would dwell at this time for 7 days in an exposed insecure hut showing our faith is to be under God's protective wings.
h. Sukkot bids the Jews to serve Him with gladness.
i. On the day of Sukkot, a semi-holiday in its own right, is called Hoshana Raboah or "Great Hosanna". In the course of the morning prayer service everyone in the congregation takes the lulav and etrog and joins in a seven circuit procession around the synagogue while reciting prayers of hosanna calling for God's salvation.
iii. The Central theme of the High Holy Days is repentance. The Jews believed in 4 conditions which must be met to have repentance:
1. Regret for the past.
2. Desisting from sinful behavior.
3. Confession before God.
4. Resolving not to sin in the future.
a. With the stage set Jesus offers them God's salvation once again and the Jewish leaders challenge His claim to deity.
T.S. – The Teaching of the Old Testament and it’s many High Holy Days highlighted the concept of light as did some rabbinical teachings. This all prepared the way for Jesus impact statement intended to bring renewal in John 8:12.
II. Jesus’ proclamation!
a. The meaning of Christ's claim: “I am the light of the world!”
i. He is the light - could have been the answer to their ceremony asking for God's salvation. He reveals His deity again "I am" first person – I am here to deliver! Once again to deliver them from the bondage of sin!
1. You are looking for forgiveness at this feast – I am The Light which can give it to you!
ii. His speech stated, “He is the same God who spoke to Moses and will guide them from slavery of sin to freedom in the Spirit.”
1. In the last three chapters of John, we have successive wilderness imaging coming forth.
a. Fulfilling OT prophecy.
2. Some feel that Jesus' light statement may refer to the pillar of fire which led the Israelites through the wilderness.
a. Just as the fire guided and lead them in the wilderness to the Promised Land, Jesus was the same "I Am" that would lead His people to the Promised Land of eternal life.
b. But they must believe He is who He says He is!
b. Illustration of focusing on the light: 'We were on shipboard," relates a captain's wife, "lying in a Southern harbor. We were obliged, first to make our way ashore. The waves were rolling heavily. I became frightened at the thought of attempting it, when one came to me, saying, 'Do not be afraid: I will take care of you.' "He bore a peculiarly shaped dark-lantern, only single ray of light being emitted from a small circular opening. 'Now,' said he, 'take my hand; hold fast, do not fear. Do not look about you, or on either side of you, only on the little spot lighted by my lantern, and place your footsteps firmly right there.' "I heard the rushing of the waters, and was still conscious of fear; but by looking steadily only where the light fell, and planting my footsteps just there, not turning either to the right or the left, clasping firmly the strong hand, the danger was overcome, and the shore reached in safely." "The next day my kind guide said, 'Would you like to see the way by which you came last night? Then he showed me where our vessel had been lying, and the very narrow plank by which we had reached the shore. He knew that had I turned either to the right or left I should, in all probability, have lost my balance and gone over into those dark waters; but by holding fast and treading just where the light fell all danger would be averted. "The believer often comes to some dark passage, or encounters some severe trial, which so overshadows the way that he fears to go forward less he fall. But when he clasps the hand of his heavenly Father, he is led gently over the rough and dangerous places and landed safely in some secure spot. The storms may rage and angry waves threaten to engulf, but if we keep our eye on Jesus we shall outride the storms, and have an abundant entrance into the heaven of eternal rest. -- Words of Life.
c. John 8: 13-30 the Pharisees' relation to Jesus' claim to be light is at best the response men always make when they are unwilling to be convinced. "I do not see it that way", this debatable style comes into play but many say this today – thinking their way is the best way.
i. Their view was Jesus' claim to light is insufficient (His miracles were not enough) in thier blinded mindset there was no witness or evidence to prove He was God in the flesh – their Messiah.
1. Yet he has already done many miracles, he has healed many people, he has fed the multitude in the desert as prophesied in Deut. 18 and He has walked on water.
a. Note: Light establishes its claim – it does this by just being light in a dark world. It does this not by arguments or debates but by shining and opening up the darkness.
b. Jesus shined brightly through these miraculous events and the religious criticized him and refused to believe.
ii. Light must always be accepted for what it's supposed to do, shine and guide the way through darkness.
1. Jesus is showing them He is the light – they just refuse to believe it!
a. They refuse to see the Light!
2. There was evidence to prove Jesus' claim. They just rejected the evidence, And in doing so they rejected Him and the Father.
a. They actually called them liars and even demonic!
d. Many "I Am" references to His deity are revealed in this section.
i. Verse 25: Jews upset with Christ's claims to deity. Their question and Christ's response are most enlightening. Verse 25a: "Who are you?" Question Verse 25b: "Just what I have been claiming all along." Other renderings of Jesus' response.
1. I am what I told you from the beginning. (RSV Phillips).
a. Thus once again, "I Am" designates He was in the past and He the "I Am" first person reveals He is here before them presently. "I Am" is standing before them? Yet they do not see Him because their Father the Devil was deceiving them. They are not children of Abraham but children of the Devil (John 8: 31-59) Therefore they are blinded by lies and the Devils web of deception!
i. This passage begins by Jesus telling the Jews who opposed Him that they are slaves. He announces to them that they do not have freedom as sons, because they are not true members of Israel even though they claim their father is Abraham.
ii. Jesus reveals that Abraham had a vision of the Messianic Age and rejoiced in the knowledge of what was coming through Him.
iii. Jesus also asserts that Abraham's mind is known to Him in virtue of His own divine nature and pre-existence. Before Abraham was, He asserts, "I Am" (120 Tyndale)
Conclusion:
Illustration: THE NEED FOR LIGHTS
Benjamin Franklin wanted to interest the people in Philadelphia in street lighting. He did not call a town meeting nor try to persuade the people by talking about it. He acted upon what he considered a good idea. He hung a beautiful lantern on a long bracket in front of his house. He kept the glass polished and carefully trimmed and lit the wick every evening at the approach of dusk. The lamp helped the people see the pavement ahead; made them feel more secure at night. Others began placing lights in front of their houses. Soon Philadelphia recognized the need for street lights.
Be the one today to light up your neighborhood with the light of life. Let it shine. Let your light shine TODAY!
(From Darren Rogers’ Sermon: Keep the Light Burning)
We can apply this Chapter to our life by observing how legalistic and religious the Jews were in obeying the Law. They claim to be so holy and representing their God. Yet when they are face to face with "I Am" who they believed in and worshipped, they did not recognize Him.
I wonder today how many Christians would recognize God today if He came back in the flesh?
I wonder how many are being led by His light today?
Has Christianity just become a ritual of religion where the followers don't know God?
Has Christianity as a whole, become mere head knowledge and not heart knowledge? Like the religious leaders of Jesus day?
What do we need to know and do?
The light is here today and Jesus is saying to you, “I am the light of the world he who follows me will not walk in darkness.”
-- Will you respond to the light today?
-- If you have never accepted Christ into your life, would you like to, so you can see the light?
Jesus does shine today and He points the way out of darkness but it is our choice to follow His light or not.
Why keep stumbling around in the darkness make a decision today to follow the light!
We need to choose to follow the Light of the World!
