Jesus: The Light of the World and Our Hope
Summary
Merry Christmas to all! As we gather during this festive season, we reflect on the profound reasons Jesus came into the world, as revealed in the Gospel of John. Jesus came to fulfill the Father's will, which is to save all who believe in Him, and to bring life abundantly. Today, we explore another reason: Jesus came as the light of the world. In John 12:46, Jesus declares, "I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness." This statement reveals Jesus as God with us, the true light that dispels darkness.
The history of humanity can be seen in four stages of light. The Old Testament era is like moonlight, reflecting the light of Christ yet to come. The scriptures bear witness to Jesus, though dimly perceived. The three years of Jesus' public ministry are like floodlight, a burst of divine illumination where miracles and teachings revealed God's glory. Yet, despite this light, many loved darkness, leading to Jesus' crucifixion. However, His resurrection and ascension ushered in the era of starlight, where believers are called to shine like stars, reflecting Christ's light in a dark world.
Today, we live in this era of starlight, where the light of Jesus is seen through His followers. We are called to hold fast to the word of life and shine brightly, pointing others to Christ. But a new day is coming, a day of sunlight, when Jesus returns in glory. The world will be filled with His light, and all darkness will be banished. Until then, we must walk in the light we have, for without Jesus, darkness will overtake us.
Jesus' last public words in John 12 emphasize the urgency of walking in the light. Each of us has a "little while" to embrace the light of Christ. Like explorers in a dark cave, we must follow the light to avoid being lost in darkness. Jesus promises that whoever follows Him will have the light of life, even through the darkest valleys. This assurance is our hope and strength, no matter what the future holds.
Key Takeaways:
- Jesus is the light of the world, revealing God's presence and dispelling darkness. His coming into the world is a divine illumination that offers hope and salvation to all who believe. [01:50]
- The Old Testament era is like moonlight, reflecting the light of Christ yet to come. It points to Jesus through the law, sacrifices, and promises, preparing the way for His arrival. [04:08]
- Believers today are called to shine like stars, reflecting Christ's light in a dark world. Our lives should be a testament to His truth and love, guiding others to the light. [12:37]
- Without Jesus, darkness will overtake us. We must walk in the light we have, embracing the urgency of following Christ and avoiding the pitfalls of spiritual darkness. [18:33]
- Jesus promises that whoever follows Him will have the light of life. This assurance gives us hope and strength, even in the face of life's darkest challenges. [27:31]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:14] - Introduction to Jesus' Purpose
- [01:30] - Jesus as the Light of the World
- [03:19] - Jesus Came as Light
- [03:52] - The Old Testament Era: Moonlight
- [06:29] - Jesus' Ministry: Floodlight
- [09:21] - Rejection of the Light
- [11:52] - The Era of Starlight
- [14:59] - The Coming Sunlight
- [17:31] - Personal Application
- [18:52] - Jesus' Last Public Words
- [21:24] - The Urgency of Walking in the Light
- [22:38] - The Cave Illustration
- [27:13] - The Promise of Light
- [30:28] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- John 12:46: "I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness."
- John 8:12: "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
- Philippians 2:15-16: "That you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life."
Observation Questions:
1. What does Jesus mean when He says, "I have come into the world as light"? How does this relate to His identity as God with us? [01:50]
2. How does the sermon describe the Old Testament era in terms of light, and what does this signify about the revelation of Jesus? [04:08]
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of Jesus' public ministry being described as "floodlight"? [06:29]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of believers in the current era of "starlight"? [12:37]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of Jesus as the light of the world challenge or affirm one's understanding of His mission and purpose? [01:50]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Old Testament prepares the way for Jesus' coming, and how does this affect the understanding of biblical prophecy? [04:08]
3. What might it mean for believers to "shine like stars" in today's world, and how does this relate to the call to hold fast to the word of life? [12:37]
4. How does the urgency of walking in the light, as emphasized in Jesus' last public words, impact one's approach to faith and daily living? [18:33]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt you were walking in darkness. How did you find your way back to the light of Jesus, and what steps can you take to ensure you remain in His light? [27:31]
2. The sermon describes the Old Testament as moonlight, reflecting the light of Christ. How can you better appreciate the Old Testament in your personal study and see Christ reflected in it? [04:08]
3. In what practical ways can you shine like a star in your community, reflecting Christ's light to those around you? Identify one specific action you can take this week. [12:37]
4. Consider the urgency of walking in the light. What are some areas in your life where you need to embrace this urgency and make changes to avoid spiritual darkness? [18:33]
5. Jesus promises that whoever follows Him will have the light of life. How can this promise provide hope and strength in a current challenge you are facing? [27:31]
6. Think about the cave illustration from the sermon. Are there areas in your life where you are hesitant to follow the light? What steps can you take to trust and follow Jesus more fully? [22:38]
7. How can you hold fast to the word of life in your daily routine, and what impact might this have on your spiritual growth and witness to others? [12:37]
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus, the Light of the World
Jesus came into the world as the light, revealing God's presence and dispelling darkness. In John 12:46, Jesus declares, "I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness." This profound statement emphasizes that Jesus is God with us, the true light that offers hope and salvation to all who believe. His presence in the world is a divine illumination, guiding us out of spiritual darkness and into the light of life. As believers, we are called to embrace this light and allow it to transform our lives, leading us to a deeper relationship with God. [01:50]
Isaiah 9:2 (ESV): "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel you are still walking in darkness? How can you invite Jesus' light into those areas today?
Day 2: The Old Testament Era: Moonlight
The Old Testament era is likened to moonlight, reflecting the light of Christ yet to come. It points to Jesus through the law, sacrifices, and promises, preparing the way for His arrival. The scriptures bear witness to Jesus, though dimly perceived, as they foreshadow the coming of the Messiah. This era was a time of anticipation and hope, as God's people awaited the fulfillment of His promises. Understanding this context helps us appreciate the continuity of God's plan and the significance of Jesus' coming as the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies. [04:08]
Hebrews 10:1 (ESV): "For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near."
Reflection: How does understanding the Old Testament as a reflection of Christ enhance your appreciation of Jesus' fulfillment of God's promises?
Day 3: Shining Like Stars
Believers today are called to shine like stars, reflecting Christ's light in a dark world. Our lives should be a testament to His truth and love, guiding others to the light. In this era of starlight, we are tasked with holding fast to the word of life and living in a way that points others to Jesus. This calling is both a privilege and a responsibility, as we are entrusted with the mission of being Christ's ambassadors in a world that desperately needs His light. By living out our faith authentically, we can impact those around us and draw them closer to God. [12:37]
Philippians 2:15-16 (ESV): "That you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life."
Reflection: What specific actions can you take this week to reflect Christ's light to those around you?
Day 4: The Urgency of Walking in the Light
Without Jesus, darkness will overtake us. We must walk in the light we have, embracing the urgency of following Christ and avoiding the pitfalls of spiritual darkness. Jesus' last public words in John 12 emphasize the importance of walking in the light while we have it. Each of us has a "little while" to embrace the light of Christ, and we must be diligent in our pursuit of Him. Like explorers in a dark cave, we must follow the light to avoid being lost in darkness. This urgency calls us to a life of intentionality and commitment to our faith. [18:33]
Ephesians 5:8-9 (ESV): "For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true)."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to ensure you are walking in the light and not being overtaken by spiritual darkness?
Day 5: The Promise of Light
Jesus promises that whoever follows Him will have the light of life. This assurance gives us hope and strength, even in the face of life's darkest challenges. As we navigate the uncertainties and trials of life, we can hold onto the promise that Jesus is with us, guiding us with His light. This promise is a source of comfort and encouragement, reminding us that we are never alone. By trusting in Jesus and following His lead, we can experience the fullness of life He offers and find peace in His presence. [27:31]
John 8:12 (ESV): "Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'"
Reflection: How can you actively rely on Jesus' promise of light in your current circumstances, and what difference would it make in your daily life?
Quotes
I have selected 12 quotes from the transcript that adhere to the rules provided:
"I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. I have come into the world as light. Now the Bible tells us that God is light and in him is no darkness at all, and so when Jesus says I have come into the world as light, we are to understand here that he is God with us." [00:56:48]
"Think about this: the Old Testament era, that is the entire era from the creation of the world until the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Old Testament era can be described as moonlight. Moonlight. Now we all know that the moon doesn't have its own light. What the moon does during the night is it reflects the light of the sun." [04:02:39]
"The Old Testament can be compared to a room fully furnished but dimly lit. The introduction of light brings into it nothing that was not there before, but it brings out into clear view much of what was in it but was only dimly perceived before. That's an excellent and helpful description of the Old Testament." [05:28:24]
"Jesus said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me won't be going home in darkness but will have the light of life.' Now you see the significance of this in John in chapter 8: the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ after all these centuries and centuries of moonlight was like a great burst of light, a floodlight in this dark world." [08:29:39]
"Where is the light of Jesus Christ to be seen in the world today? The apostle Paul says to Christian believers, 'In you, the light of Jesus Christ is to be seen in you. You shine like stars, starlight, like lights in this darkened world.' Jesus said, 'I am the light of the world,' but then you remember he also said to his disciples, 'You are the light of the world.'" [12:22:48]
"Without Jesus, darkness will overtake you. Without Jesus, darkness will overtake you. That's what he says here. Now John 12 is of special significance because this was the last time that Jesus spoke publicly to the crowds. Last time. He had spoken publicly on many, many, many occasions over three years starting up in Galilee." [18:29:12]
"Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The little while, of course, refers to the public ministry of Jesus here. It just lasted three short years, and when Jesus says the light is among you for just a little while longer, it was just days before he was betrayed and arrested and condemned and crucified." [20:59:19]
"Walk while you have the light, lest the darkness overtake you. Friends, honestly, Christmases come, Christmases go, and here we are sitting in church on this Christmas Sunday morning, and right now the light of Jesus Christ is proclaimed to you. You have this light now, but you only have it for a little while." [22:13:52]
"Follow Jesus, and you will have the light of life. Again, look at John chapter 8 and verse 12, these wonderful words of Jesus: 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.' What an amazing promise that is. Can you take this in?" [27:13:76]
"If you follow Jesus, you will never ever be in total darkness. Oh yes, he will lead you through some dark places. One day he's going to lead you through the darkest valley of all. He's going to lead you through the valley of the shadow of death, but you know even there he will walk with you." [27:47:60]
"His light will shine in the darkness, and the darkness will not overcome it. Follow Jesus, and you will be able to say with the psalmist in Psalm 27, 'The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?' Take in this wonderful promise: whoever follows me, Jesus says, will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life." [28:08:08]
"Might you, in the future, face a serious illness? Possibly. But if you do, you will have the light of life. Might your children face some great trial or some trauma? That's possible. But if they do, they will have the light of life. Could our whole world descend into chaos greater than we have ever known in our lifetimes before?" [29:12:96]
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