John 8:12 CSB – Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”
Jesus is the Light of the World—See Him
John 8:12 CSB – Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”
TS: Now, when Jesus says that to live in this world is to walk in darkness, I think everyone can understand—at some level—what that’s like
Jesus, the Light that Gives Life
- Identity
- Morality
- Meaning
- Destiny
- John 1:3-5 CSB – All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.
John 3:19-21 CSB – This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed.21 But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.”
When You See Jesus, He Exposes Darkness
John 8:4-6 CSB – “Teacher,” they said to him, “this woman was caught in the act of committing adultery. 5 In the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” 6 They asked this to trap him, in order that they might have evidence to accuse him.
John 8:6b-11 CSB – Jesus stooped down and started writing on the ground with his finger. 7 When they persisted in questioning him, he stood up and said to them, “The one without sin among you should be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Then he stooped down again and continued writing on the ground.
9 When they heard this, they left one by one, starting with the older men. Only he was left, with the woman in the center.
10 When Jesus stood up, he said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
11 “No one, Lord,” she answered.
“Neither do I condemn you,” said Jesus. “Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.”
John 8:12 CSB – Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”
John 3:19 – …people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil.
The Apostle Paul’s “I am” statements
- 1 Corinthians 15:9, “I am the least of all the Apostles.” (A.D. 54)
- Ephesians 3:18, “I am less than the least of all God’s people.”(A.D. 60)
- 1 Timothy 1:15, “I am the chief of sinners.”(A.D. 64)
John 3:19-21 CSB – This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed.21 But anyone who lives bythe truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.”
Four Reasons People Choose Darkness Instead of Light
- Painful Circumstances
- Being Stuck in Sin
John 3:19 CSB – …people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil.
1 John 2:10-11 CSB – The one who loves his brother or sister remains in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But the one who hates his brother or sister is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and doesn’t know where he’s going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
- Intellectual Pride
- Deceived by False Teaching
“There’s nothing so absurd that if you repeat it often enough, people will believe it.”– William James
“Vice is a monster of so frightful mien
As to be hated needs but to be seen;
Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face,
We first endure, then pity, then embrace.”
– Alexander Pope
John 3:19-20 CSB – The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed.
2 Thessalonians 2:10-11 CSB – They perish because they did not accept the love of the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a strong delusion so that they will believe the lie, 12 so that all will be condemned—those who did not believe the truth but delighted in unrighteousness.
Ephesians 5:8 CSB – “for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.”
Matthew 5:14-16 CSB – “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 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.
Acts 26:17-18 – I am sending you to them [lost people] 18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
Jesus Calls You: Be the Light of the World
2 Corinthians 4:4-6 CSB – the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’s sake. 6 For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”
1. Walk in the Light
Romans 13:12-14 CSB – The night is nearly over, and the day is near; so let us discard the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk with decency, as in the daytime: not in carousing and drunkenness; not in sexual impurity and promiscuity; not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and don’t make plans to gratify the desires of the flesh
Job 31:1 – Job, I have made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl.
2. LET your light shine
Matthew 5:16 CSB – In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works
Matthew 23:4-5 – “For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works, they do to be seen by men”
Matthew 5:14-15 CSB – “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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.
3. Put your light on a stand for all to see
Mark 9:41 CSB – Jesus said, And whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you belong to Christ–truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward.
You never know who is watching!
