“I Am the Light of the World”
John 8:12-20
Intro:
Sukkot, or better known as the Feast of the Tabernacles, was completed.
· This is the final feast of the year for the Hebrews, Israelites.
· This feast was also called the “Feast of the Ingathering”, for it occurred after all of the crops had been harvested.
· During 40 year wilderness sojourn, Israel dwelt in small movable huts, which are also called tabernacles. Thus, this feast was to be an annual reminder God’s provision during that time.
· This was a joyful feast. It was also one of the pilgrim feasts (the Feast of Unleavened Bread (which starts the day after Passover), and the Feast of Weeks), in which all males were required to come to Jerusalem to worship at the temple.
· One of the ceremonies at this feast was the lighting of 4 menorahs (each having 4 lamps) in the court of the women. When these lamps were lit, they would put off a great amount light, and this light reflecting off of the golden walls of the temple, would cause the temple to be noticed from all of Jerusalem.
As this feast has come to a conclusion, these menorahs would probably still be sitting in the temple area. Jesus arrives early in the morning (Jn 8:2). People have heard that he was there and started to teach, the Pharisees have come to try to trap Jesus (which we will look at later) and turn the people against him. The sun may now be beginning to appear into the area in which they were seated, and Jesus says unto all that is there:
John 8:12 Jesus spoke to the Pharisees again. "I am the light of the world," he said. "Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness."
Jesus is the light of the world, and we can see this manifested I believe in 4 different ways.
I) The Former Light
a) Light in the Sky
Exodus 13:21-22 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: (22) He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.
God led these children. This light helped them to see the path they were walking, but also gave them warmth to help against the cold desert nights.
b) Shekinah Glory at the Temple
2 Chronicles 7:1-3 Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house. (2) And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD’S house. (3) And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
At that time, God was seen through out all of Israel. God’s glory filled the house, and we know that God’s glory is a bright light from other references of God.
II) The Forgiving Light
a) John 8: 3-11
1) they brought the woman, who was caught in the very act
2) Jesus began writing in the sand. People often wonder what he wrote; did he write of the sins of those there that accused; did he write the names of those there; or did he do as we see God do in the Old Testament, write again the 10 Commandments in the dirt as He did on the stone tablets.
3) But Jesus challenged those that were there to look at themselves, and the one who has no sin, let him cast the first stone. Then he simply started writing again in the sand.
4) Those who brought the women one by one started to leave realizing they were in no way going to challenge this one in front of them, for they knew they had no grounds to do what they did.
5) When all had gone, he simply looked at her and forgave her, and told her to go and sin no more.
b) Jesus offers you forgiveness
1) Today, Satan stands be fore God condemning you of all your faults and failures.
2) As he knew all about that woman and all she had done, he knows all about you and your sins.
3) When we give the altar call in a few moments, will you today be willing to accept forgiveness?
III) The Forsaken Light
a) His Own People should have known
1) The Pharisees knew from the beginning that Jesus was making claim about being the Messiah, which is the reason they quickly started calling him a liar. They knew of the passages which ascribed the Messiah as light.
Num 24:17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel,
Isaiah 10:16-18 Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of hosts, send among his fat ones leanness; and under his glory he shall kindle a burning like the burning of a fire. (17) And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame: and it shall burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day; (18) And shall consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful field, both soul and body: and they shall be as when a standardbearer fainteth.
Isaiah 42:6 I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
Genesis 15:17 And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.
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.
2) His own people just didn’t care or understand
John 1:4-5, 10-11 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. (5) And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. (10) He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. (11) He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
b) How about you?
1) What are you going to do with this one called Jesus?
2) You know that you must do something.
Isaiah 45:22-23 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. (23) I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
Romans 14:10-12 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. (11) For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. (12) So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Philippians 2:9-12 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: (10) That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; (11) And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (12) Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
3) You will have to choose to do something with Jesus. To live this life and do nothing will have the same results of rejecting. So it narrows down between two choices;
i) To reject Jesus and remain in your sin and darkness, and to accept the punishment that comes with that choice, which is death
ii) To accept Jesus, forsake your sin, walk in the light, and have life
IV) The Future Light
a) Jesus is coming back, and it will be seen as light
Matthew 24:27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
b) Jesus will be in the Glorious new city
Revelation 21:1-7 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. (2) And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (3) And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. (4) And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (5) And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. (6) And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. (7) He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
After describing the walls, John went on to day
Revelation 21:22-27 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. (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. (24) And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. (25) And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. (26) And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. (27) And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Conclusion
· You can come today to have your name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life
· How hard is it to accept Jesus and live for Him Daily
1) Look to Jesus
2) Invite Jesus In to your heart
3) Give all area of your life to Jesus
4) Heed to do what he calls you to do
5) Tell someone else what Jesus did for you.
My friends, find Jesus and live in the LIGHT, and find life.
Prayer.
Bullentin Insert Outline
I Am The Light Of The World
John 8:12
Intro:
Sukkot – The Feast of _______________________________
Also know as the Feast of ____________________________
I) The F_______________ Light
Text: _____________________
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II) The F_______________ Light
Text: _____________________
III) The F_______________ Light
Text: _____________________
Text: _____________________
Text: _____________________
Text: _____________________
Text: _____________________
Text: _____________________
Text: _____________________
Text: _____________________
Text: _____________________
IV) The F______________ Light
Text: _____________________
Text: _____________________
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Conclusion
L________ to Jesus
I_________ Jesus into you heart
G________ all areas of your life to Jesus
H________ to do what He calls you to do
T_________ someone else what Jesus did for you
