"jesus The Heavenly Light Of This World Series

JESUS, THE HEAVENLY LIGHT OF THIS WORLD

John 8:12-30; 9:5

Greenmount and O’Leary Churches of Christ

May 30, 2021

Video Link: https: //youtu.be/YE8NQOKbcHA

INTRODUCTION:

1.) How comfortable are you functioning in darkness?

A.) I live on Maple Street in O’Leary. where there are streetlights, and other lights.

B.) Behind me on Beechwood is the former Veterinary clinic and up the road a couple hundred yards is the Municipal building, and fire department.

ba.) These streets and buildings give enough light that even without a night light you could still maneuver through the house at night.

bb.) Yet once in awhile there has been a power outage covering the community and at such times it has been unbelievable just how dark my home can become.

2.) I am reminded also of an event several years ago when I was visiting Niagara Falls.

A.) Below the falls there is a cave that will come out directly under the falls.

aa.) This is not a large cave, but I suppose would take two or three minutes to walk the length of it.

ab.) In that cave there was a point when our guide shut out the lights to show us just how dark it could be there under ground.

aba.) I am not fearful of the dark, but that day it was a blanket of darkness so thick it seemed almost smothering.

3.) Apart from the Light of God in and through Jesus Christ our world is spiritually covered in that very same dense darkness.

I) JESUS DECLARED HIMSELF TO BE THE LIGHT. (8:12).

1.) Today’s message, like my previous two are based on events that took place at the time of the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem.

A.) One event at that feast was what was called the “Illumination of The Temple.”

B.) The court of Women had four huge menorahs that were each 75 feet or 23 metres tall.

ba.) Each one of these had four bowls that held several gallons of oil, with a wick in them.

bb.) The light from these four menorahs was so massive they completely illuminated the area around the temple.

bc.) In fact, historical writings state that the light was so bright and elevated from the ground that every courtyard in Jerusalem was illuminated by it.

C.) The purpose in these menorahs was to remind the Israelites of the Cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night that had led the Israelites through to the promised land.

ca.) These lights also recalled the glowing Shekinah glory of God between the horns of the altar in the Holy of Holies.

D.) Likely Jesus made this proclamation that He is the Light of the World as the men were on ladders lighting the menorahs in the temple.

ca.) John 8:12

II) JESUS IS CHALLENGED ON HIS TITLE AS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. (8:13-18)

1.) The Pharisees challenged his message.

A.) John 8:13

B.) Today we would be surprised at this, but at that time a preacher or teacher might be interrupted even in the middle of his sermon if someone disagreed with what was being said.

ba.) Perhaps a member of the congregation giving an occasional “Amen” might be the closest we could compare to this in usual worship services today.

bb.) None the less, there are times when such reactions take place during a sermon.

bb.) I have been preaching for over forty years and in that time there have been perhaps two or three times when I have had my sermon interrupted and somebody asked a question or made a comment.

C.) So as Jesus spoke his message was interrupted and the religious leaders challenged him because he was appearing as his own witness.

ca.) John 8:13

2.) Jesus gives a rebuttal to their challenge.

A.) John 8:14-15

B.) Even if Jesus gives witness of himself, his testimony is valid.

ba.) It is valid because as the Son of God there is no sin, deceit, prejudice, or anything false in his testimony.

bb.) His words are always 100% true.

bba.) This is a truth not known or understood by those of His day.

3.) Jesus proceeded to tell them there were two witnesses:

A.) Him and His Father.

aa.) John 8:17-18

B.) We have already seen a few weeks ago that Jesus presented to them not merely the two witnesses required by the law, but at that time he in fact gave them four witnesses.

III. IN THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD, THE SHADOWS OF DARKNESS ARE MADE KNOWN.

1.) Where is your father?

A.) John 8:19

B.) The questioning by these religious leaders shows that they did not accept him, understand his ministry, or even know God.

ba.) They were demanding his Father to be present to bear witness, even though He was claiming God as His Father.