Jesus: The Light of the World and Savior

 

Summary

In John 8:28, Jesus speaks to the Pharisees and other Jews, revealing profound truths about His identity and mission. He declares, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He." This statement is a prophecy of His crucifixion, a pivotal event that would ultimately reveal His divine nature and purpose. Despite the Pharisees' rejection and disbelief, Jesus foretells that His death will not be the end but rather the beginning of a greater revelation of His identity as the Messiah and the Son of God.

The world is in darkness, and Jesus offers Himself as the light, yet many fail to recognize and accept Him. The Pharisees' rejection of Jesus is a reflection of humanity's broader refusal to acknowledge the truth and light He brings. This rejection is not just a historical event but a continuing tragedy in the world today. The consequences of rejecting Jesus are dire, as He warns that those who do not believe in Him will die in their sins.

Jesus' crucifixion, described as being "lifted up," is not merely a death but a profound act that would lead to His glorification and the ultimate demonstration of His divine authority. His resurrection and the subsequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost are powerful affirmations of His claims. These events prove that Jesus is indeed the Messiah, the Savior of the world, and the Son of God.

The sermon emphasizes that Jesus' death and resurrection are not just historical facts but transformative events that offer forgiveness, life, and power to all who believe. The rejection of Jesus by the Pharisees and others is a warning to us today. We are urged to recognize Jesus as the light of the world and to follow Him, lest we face the consequences of rejecting the only source of true life and salvation.

Key Takeaways:

- Jesus' declaration in John 8:28 is a prophecy of His crucifixion, which would reveal His true identity as the Messiah and the Son of God. His death was not the end but the beginning of a greater revelation of His divine nature. [07:00]

- The world is in darkness, and Jesus offers Himself as the light. The rejection of Jesus by the Pharisees is a reflection of humanity's broader refusal to acknowledge the truth and light He brings. This rejection has dire consequences, as those who do not believe in Him will die in their sins. [02:45]

- Jesus' crucifixion, described as being "lifted up," is a profound act that leads to His glorification and the ultimate demonstration of His divine authority. His resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost affirm His claims and prove that He is the Savior of the world. [21:10]

- The sermon emphasizes the transformative power of Jesus' death and resurrection, offering forgiveness, life, and power to all who believe. The rejection of Jesus is a warning to us today to recognize Him as the light of the world and to follow Him. [29:00]

- Jesus' return is inevitable, and every eye will see Him in His glory. The choice is between seeing Him as a terrifying judge or a glorious Savior. We are urged to make peace with Him now, while there is still an opportunity, to avoid the tragic consequences of rejecting Him. [46:53]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Introduction to John 8:28
- [00:55] - The Pharisees' Rejection
- [02:01] - The Light of the World
- [03:02] - Consequences of Rejection
- [04:30] - Ignorance of Consequences
- [06:17] - Understanding "Lifted Up"
- [07:27] - The Meaning of Jesus' Death
- [09:26] - Belief After the Crucifixion
- [12:11] - Prophecy of Crucifixion
- [13:54] - The Son of Man
- [16:01] - Jesus as the Messiah
- [20:56] - Proofs of Jesus' Identity
- [26:19] - The Day of Pentecost
- [35:30] - Ignorance About Jesus' Death
- [46:53] - The Return of Jesus

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- John 8:28
- John 8:12
- Daniel 7:13-14

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Jesus mean when He says, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He"? How does this relate to His crucifixion? [00:13]

2. How did the Pharisees and other Jews react to Jesus' claim of being the "light of the world"? What does this reveal about their understanding and acceptance of His message? [01:10]

3. What are the consequences Jesus warns about for those who do not believe in Him, according to the sermon? [04:58]

4. How does the sermon describe the significance of Jesus being "lifted up" and what events followed His crucifixion that affirmed His identity? [21:10]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Jesus' crucifixion was not the end but the beginning of a greater revelation of His divine nature? [20:56]

2. How does the sermon interpret the Pharisees' rejection of Jesus as a reflection of humanity's broader refusal to acknowledge Him? What implications does this have for us today? [02:45]

3. What does the sermon suggest about the transformative power of Jesus' death and resurrection for believers? How is this power manifested in the lives of believers today? [29:00]

4. How does the sermon describe the inevitability of Jesus' return and the choice between seeing Him as a terrifying judge or a glorious Savior? What does this mean for individuals today? [46:53]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you struggled to recognize Jesus as the light in your life. What steps can you take to ensure you are more open to His guidance and truth? [01:10]

2. The sermon warns of the dire consequences of rejecting Jesus. How can you actively work to strengthen your faith and avoid spiritual complacency? [04:58]

3. Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection offer forgiveness and new life. How can you embrace this transformative power in your daily life, especially in areas where you feel stuck or powerless? [29:00]

4. Consider the sermon’s message about Jesus' return. How does this perspective influence your priorities and decisions? What changes might you need to make to align more closely with this reality? [46:53]

5. The sermon highlights the importance of recognizing Jesus as the Messiah. How can you share this understanding with others in your community who may be struggling with doubt or disbelief? [16:27]

6. Reflect on the idea that Jesus' death was not the end but a beginning. How can this perspective help you face challenges or setbacks in your own life with hope and resilience? [20:56]

7. The sermon describes Jesus as the ultimate source of light and truth. Identify one area in your life where you need His light to shine more brightly. What practical steps can you take to invite His presence into that area? [01:29]

Devotional

Day 1: The Prophecy of Crucifixion Reveals Jesus' True Identity
Jesus' declaration in John 8:28 is a profound prophecy that points to His crucifixion as the moment when His true identity as the Messiah and the Son of God would be revealed. This pivotal event was not the end of His mission but the beginning of a greater revelation of His divine nature. The crucifixion, often seen as a moment of defeat, was actually the ultimate demonstration of His love and purpose. It was through being "lifted up" on the cross that Jesus fulfilled the prophecies and showed the world who He truly was. This act of sacrifice was a turning point that would lead to His glorification and the salvation of humanity. [07:00]

Isaiah 53:5-6 (ESV): "But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all."

Reflection: How does understanding Jesus' crucifixion as a revelation of His identity change your perception of His sacrifice? What does this mean for your personal faith journey today?


Day 2: Recognizing Jesus as the Light in a Dark World
The world is engulfed in darkness, and Jesus offers Himself as the light that can guide us out of it. The Pharisees' rejection of Jesus is emblematic of humanity's broader refusal to acknowledge the truth and light He brings. This rejection is not just a historical event but a continuing tragedy that affects us today. Jesus warns that those who do not believe in Him will die in their sins, highlighting the dire consequences of ignoring the light He offers. Accepting Jesus as the light of the world is crucial for finding true life and salvation. [02:45]

John 12:35-36 (ESV): "So Jesus said to them, 'The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.'"

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you still walking in darkness? How can you actively seek Jesus' light to guide you today?


Day 3: The Glorification Through Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus' crucifixion, described as being "lifted up," was not merely a death but a profound act that led to His glorification and the ultimate demonstration of His divine authority. His resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost are powerful affirmations of His claims as the Savior of the world. These events prove that Jesus is indeed the Messiah and the Son of God, offering a transformative power that brings forgiveness, life, and power to all who believe. The crucifixion and resurrection are not just historical facts but life-changing truths that continue to impact believers today. [21:10]

Acts 2:32-33 (ESV): "This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing."

Reflection: How does the reality of Jesus' resurrection and the Holy Spirit's presence empower you in your daily life? What steps can you take to live more fully in this truth?


Day 4: The Transformative Power of Jesus' Death and Resurrection
The sermon emphasizes that Jesus' death and resurrection are not just historical events but transformative occurrences that offer forgiveness, life, and power to all who believe. The rejection of Jesus by the Pharisees serves as a warning to us today to recognize Him as the light of the world and to follow Him. Embracing Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection means accepting the gift of salvation and allowing His power to transform our lives. This transformation is available to everyone who chooses to believe and follow Him, leading to a life of purpose and fulfillment. [29:00]

2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation."

Reflection: What areas of your life need transformation through Jesus' power? How can you open yourself up to His transformative work today?


Day 5: The Inevitable Return of Jesus
Jesus' return is inevitable, and every eye will see Him in His glory. The choice is between seeing Him as a terrifying judge or a glorious Savior. We are urged to make peace with Him now, while there is still an opportunity, to avoid the tragic consequences of rejecting Him. This call to action is a reminder of the urgency of accepting Jesus and living in accordance with His teachings. The promise of His return should inspire us to live with hope and anticipation, knowing that our faithfulness will be rewarded. [46:53]

Revelation 1:7 (ESV): "Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen."

Reflection: Are you prepared for Jesus' return? What changes can you make in your life today to ensure you are living in readiness and anticipation of His coming?

Quotes

"Jesus said unto them, when ye have lifted up the son of man, then shall ye know that I am he and that I do nothing of myself but as my father hath taught me I speak these things. Here we are still continuing our consideration of these extraordinary people, these Pharisees and other Jews who reacted in such an unforeseen, in such a strange manner to our Lord and savior when he spoke the words recorded in the 12th verse of this chapter." [00:18:39]

"The world is in darkness, the world is a dark place, and here he stands before them and offers them of everything that very light that they stand most in need of, and yet you remember we've been seeing that the reaction of these people to him was that they attacked him, questioned him, tried to trip him and to trap him. The Pharisees therefore said unto him, thou bearest record of thyself, thy record is not true." [00:58:32]

"Nothing is more important about a man and his life in this world than the way in which he dies, and we've all got to remember when there are only two ways of dying, we saw you either die in your sins or else you die in the Lord. But mankind doesn't know anything about that, it's not interested, regards that as being morbid, shouldn't consider it, they say they're not interested, but they will be because I say it's inevitable and unavoidable." [00:53:19]

"Lifted up, crucified, raised on a tree and nailed to it, that's it, it's a reference to his death by crucifixion. You've heard the same, you saw the same thing in the reading at the beginning in chap 12 in: 32 and I he said if I be lifted up will draw all men unto me and then John goes on to explain that he was thus speaking of the manner of his death, death by crucifixion, raised up, nailed to a tree, his death and all that follows it." [00:07:47]

"Some of them rarely will come to believe in him in that way because we are told that that did actually happen, they didn't all of them, but some of them did, so it includes that meaning that some of them will come to believe after his death and resurrection, not now but then. There are many instances of that, we get them in the book of The Acts of the Apostles." [00:09:29]

"His death you see immediately provided proofs as to who he is, he says so then shall it be made known as to who I am and that I am he, that I am the son of man. How does his death lead to that? Well, let me remind you very simply, there was something very extraordinary about his death, the moment he died the veil of the temple was rent in Twain From the top to the bottom." [00:21:12]

"There is nothing that so proves his claim and the truth of everything that he has put forward concerning himself as that Mighty event that followed his death. They kill him and they say that's the end, take down the body, put it in a grave, now they say we must be careful, there will be rumors about this man, his followers will obviously concoct some stories." [00:22:28]

"The resurrection of Jesus Christ that finally convinced the disciples, the apostles themselves. Don't you remember how heartbroken and crestfallen they were after his death? They said we don't understand it, look at his power in healing diseases and raising the dead, but he's died in apparent weakness, they were utterly doubtful, look at two of them going on the road to em and saying we had thought that it was he that should have brought us deliverance and establish the kingdom." [00:23:54]

"Power to forgive sins, how has that power being released? He was here talking about it, he had power to forgive sins himself while he was in this world, yes, but you know it wasn't during his life that this great power of His to forgive sins was manifested, that was only made manifest after he died upon the cross." [00:28:44]

"Jesus came and spake unto them saying all power is given unto me in heaven and in Earth, that's the result of his crucifixion, his powers on Earth were limited, he simply spoke what his father told him to speak, the works I do he says they're not of myself to The Works my father has given me, but the moment they crucify him what are they doing? Elevating him back to the glory, God handing it all over to all power is given unto me in heaven and in Earth." [00:40:11]

"Every eye shall see him, yeah and they also which pierced him, Kings, princes, Great Men, captains, Bond men, free men, all men, the whole world will see him, this son of man, Son of God. But just some have you forgotten that you're alive in the 20th century? Have you forgotten that this is 1960? You're trying to frighten us, you're trying to alarm us." [00:45:20]

"You are going to see the Son of God, you can do nothing about avoiding it, every eye shall see him and one glimpse of him will be enough to tell you that he is the Son of God and the son of man, you'll see his glory, his majesty, you'll see him riding on the clouds, you'll see the Holy Angels, you'll see a glimpse of his King, you'll see, you'll know, there'll be no argument, there will be no disputation." [00:49:37]

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Transcript
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