Walking in the Light of Jesus
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. It's a joy to see you all here today. My name is Robin Steele, and I'm the senior pastor at Promised Land. As we dive into today's message, I want to start by honoring our graduates, especially my son, who recently graduated from high school. Now, let's turn our attention to the Gospel of John, Chapter 8, Verse 12. But before we get there, I want to take us back to Genesis Chapter 1, Verse 2, to set the stage for today's message.
In Genesis, we see that the world was initially filled with darkness and confusion until God spoke order into existence. This act of creation brought forth the beauty of the world we know today. However, when Adam and Eve chose their own path over God's, darkness re-entered the world through sin. This darkness affected not just humanity but all of creation. But then Jesus came to bring light into the world, a light that changed everything for the better.
For several centuries after Jesus' arrival, the early church spread the light of the Gospel across Europe and Asia. However, when Christianity became the national religion of Rome under Constantine, the focus shifted from a relationship with God to an institution, leading to the Dark Ages. This period was marked by a lack of scientific, artistic, and philosophical advancements. The Enlightenment period that followed sought to bring light back into the world by detaching from the church, but this secular approach failed to eliminate the darkness.
Today, we still see the effects of this darkness in our world. According to the Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence, there are currently 110 armed conflicts worldwide, resulting in over 526,000 deaths this year alone. The CDC reports that 1.3 million Americans will die from heart attacks and cancer this year. Mental health issues affect 25% of Americans, and last year saw a record number of suicides. Addiction, financial struggles, and broken homes are rampant. This darkness cannot be overcome by intellect or technology; it can only be overcome by the light of Jesus Christ.
In John Chapter 1, we read that in Jesus was life, and that life was the light of men. This light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Jesus is the true light that gives light to everyone. He came into the world, but the world did not recognize Him. However, to all who received Him, He gave the right to become children of God. This is the good news: Jesus paves the way for anyone who wants to be in a relationship with Him.
Now, let's focus on John 8:12, where Jesus says, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life." This statement is profound. It means that following Jesus is not just about knowing who He is but actively walking with Him. To illustrate this, I invited a volunteer named Jeannie to demonstrate the difference between knowing about Jesus and following Him. Jeannie initially knew about Jesus but got distracted by various things like money, romance, and social media. Each time, she lost sight of Jesus, who kept moving forward. This shows that distractions can lead us away from the light and into darkness.
The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in guiding us. When we feel convicted about something, it's a warning sign from God. We must listen and obey the Holy Spirit to stay in the light. Whether it's moving past a romance or dealing with financial struggles, the Holy Spirit guides us in making the right decisions.
In conclusion, Jesus is the light of the world, and following Him means walking in that light. It requires submission and attentiveness. Just as you would follow someone in an unknown city, you must pay close attention to Jesus and not let anything distract you. This is not just about avoiding sin but about staying focused on Jesus in every aspect of life.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Origin of Darkness and Light: In the beginning, the world was filled with darkness and confusion until God spoke order into existence. This initial act of creation brought forth the beauty we see today. However, sin reintroduced darkness into the world, affecting all of creation. Jesus came to bring light into this darkness, offering a way to restore what was lost. [02:33]
2. Historical Impact of Jesus' Light: After Jesus' arrival, the early church spread the light of the Gospel, transforming societies. However, when Christianity became institutionalized under Constantine, the focus shifted from a relationship with God to a mere institution, leading to the Dark Ages. This period was marked by a lack of progress in various fields, showing that true enlightenment comes only from Jesus. [04:28]
3. Modern-Day Darkness: Despite advancements in technology and intellect, our world is still plagued by darkness. Armed conflicts, health crises, mental health issues, and broken homes are rampant. This darkness cannot be overcome by human means; it requires the light of Jesus Christ. [08:23]
4. The True Light of Jesus: In John Chapter 1, we learn that Jesus is the true light that gives light to everyone. He came into the world, but many did not recognize Him. However, to those who received Him, He gave the right to become children of God. This relationship with Jesus is the key to overcoming darkness. [12:33]
5. Following Jesus vs. Knowing About Jesus: There is a significant difference between knowing about Jesus and actively following Him. Distractions like money, romance, and social media can lead us away from the light. The Holy Spirit guides us, and we must listen to His convictions to stay in the light. Following Jesus requires submission and attentiveness, ensuring we don't let anything distract us from Him. [26:14]
### YouTube Chapters
1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [00:48] - Honoring Graduates
3. [01:43] - Introduction to Genesis
4. [02:33] - The Origin of Darkness and Light
5. [03:28] - Jesus Brings Light
6. [04:28] - Historical Impact of Jesus' Light
7. [06:05] - The Enlightenment and Modern Darkness
8. [07:09] - Modern-Day Darkness
9. [08:23] - Statistics on Darkness
10. [10:50] - The True Light of Jesus
11. [12:33] - Becoming Children of God
12. [14:09] - John 8:12 - The Light of Life
13. [15:51] - Personal Anecdote on Darkness
14. [17:51] - The Light of Life Explained
15. [19:23] - Following Jesus vs. Knowing About Jesus
16. [21:21] - The Anatomy of Following
17. [23:01] - Illustration: Following Jesus
18. [24:38] - Demonstration with Volunteers
19. [26:14] - Distractions from Following Jesus
20. [31:47] - Role of the Holy Spirit
21. [33:44] - Conviction and Obedience
22. [34:32] - Staying Focused on Jesus
23. [35:11] - Practical Steps to Follow Jesus
24. [36:13] - Intentional Spiritual Practices
25. [37:05] - Closing Prayer
26. [38:24] - Final Encouragement
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. John 8:12 - "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.'"
2. Genesis 1:2 - "The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters."
3. John 1:4-5, 9-12 - "In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it... The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."
### Observation Questions
1. What was the state of the world before God spoke order into existence according to Genesis 1:2? ([01:43])
2. How does John 1:4-5 describe the relationship between Jesus and light? ([10:50])
3. In John 8:12, what does Jesus promise to those who follow Him? ([14:09])
4. What are some modern-day examples of darkness mentioned in the sermon? ([08:23])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of light in Genesis 1:2 and John 1:4-5 relate to Jesus' statement in John 8:12? ([14:09])
2. Why do you think the Enlightenment period failed to eliminate darkness, according to the sermon? ([06:05])
3. What does it mean to follow Jesus versus just knowing about Him, as illustrated by the volunteer demonstration in the sermon? ([26:14])
4. How does the Holy Spirit help us stay in the light, according to the sermon? ([31:47])
### 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? ([14:09])
2. The sermon mentioned various distractions like money, romance, and social media. Which of these distractions do you find most challenging, and how can you minimize their impact on your spiritual walk? ([26:14])
3. How can you be more attentive to the Holy Spirit's convictions in your daily life? Share a recent experience where you felt the Holy Spirit guiding you. ([31:47])
4. What practical steps can you take this week to ensure you are actively following Jesus and not just knowing about Him? ([19:23])
5. The sermon highlighted the importance of submission and attentiveness in following Jesus. How can you practice these qualities in your relationship with Jesus this week? ([21:21])
6. Identify one area of your life where you feel the Holy Spirit is asking you to make a change. What steps will you take to obey this conviction? ([33:44])
7. How can you incorporate intentional spiritual practices into your daily routine to stay focused on Jesus? Share one specific practice you plan to start or improve. ([36:13])
Devotional
Day 1: The Origin of Darkness and Light
In the beginning, the world was filled with darkness and confusion until God spoke order into existence. This initial act of creation brought forth the beauty we see today. However, sin reintroduced darkness into the world, affecting all of creation. Jesus came to bring light into this darkness, offering a way to restore what was lost. The light of Jesus is not just a historical event but a present reality that can transform our lives today. Understanding the origin of darkness and light helps us appreciate the significance of Jesus' mission and our need for His light in our lives. [02:33]
Genesis 1:2-3 (ESV): "The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light."
Reflection: Think about an area in your life where you feel confusion or darkness. How can you invite God's light into that specific area today?
Day 2: Historical Impact of Jesus' Light
After Jesus' arrival, the early church spread the light of the Gospel, transforming societies. However, when Christianity became institutionalized under Constantine, the focus shifted from a relationship with God to a mere institution, leading to the Dark Ages. This period was marked by a lack of progress in various fields, showing that true enlightenment comes only from Jesus. The historical impact of Jesus' light reminds us that our faith should be centered on a personal relationship with Him rather than mere religious practices. [04:28]
John 1:4-5 (ESV): "In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
Reflection: Reflect on your relationship with Jesus. Is it more about religious practices or a personal connection? What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Him?
Day 3: Modern-Day Darkness
Despite advancements in technology and intellect, our world is still plagued by darkness. Armed conflicts, health crises, mental health issues, and broken homes are rampant. This darkness cannot be overcome by human means; it requires the light of Jesus Christ. Recognizing the limitations of human efforts to dispel darkness helps us understand our need for Jesus' light in addressing the world's problems. [08:23]
Ephesians 5:8 (ESV): "For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light."
Reflection: Identify a global or local issue that deeply concerns you. How can you be a light in that situation, reflecting Jesus' love and hope?
Day 4: The True Light of Jesus
In John Chapter 1, we learn that Jesus is the true light that gives light to everyone. He came into the world, but many did not recognize Him. However, to those who received Him, He gave the right to become children of God. This relationship with Jesus is the key to overcoming darkness. Embracing Jesus as the true light means accepting His guidance and allowing His light to transform every aspect of our lives. [12:33]
John 1:9-12 (ESV): "The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."
Reflection: Have you fully received Jesus as the true light in your life? What changes can you make to ensure His light shines more brightly through you?
Day 5: Following Jesus vs. Knowing About Jesus
There is a significant difference between knowing about Jesus and actively following Him. Distractions like money, romance, and social media can lead us away from the light. The Holy Spirit guides us, and we must listen to His convictions to stay in the light. Following Jesus requires submission and attentiveness, ensuring we don't let anything distract us from Him. This means making intentional choices to prioritize our relationship with Jesus over worldly distractions. [26:14]
Luke 9:23 (ESV): "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'"
Reflection: What distractions are currently hindering your walk with Jesus? How can you intentionally remove or minimize these distractions to follow Him more closely?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "When Jesus is in your life, he doesn't take away all the danger, all the problems in your life, but he illuminates where things are and it's very helpful. Now you can still stub your toe on the things of life if you're not paying attention, but it's not the light's fault, it's your fault, right? That's what the light does for us. That's what Jesus is bringing into us." [17:51]
2. "I want to encourage you to have those same characteristics when you're trying to follow that car through an unknown town and you're not sure where it's, you know, is it getting off? We should have that same focus and intensity. Jesus! Jesus! Is this the right one? Am I going in the right place? Lord, I want to lock in with you. I don't want to miss anything. I don't want to get distracted with anything. I don't want to let anything get in between me and you because if that happens, I might miss my turn, right? My exit or my entrance." [35:11]
3. "The Holy Spirit plays a role in this, in that God's Spirit, the Holy Spirit is guiding us and leading us. And I want us to think about how often do we hear little convicting thoughts from the Holy Spirit? And when there are these moments that we have with one of these areas, we will feel in our spirit, our heart, our mind, oh, a check. You're focusing in a little bit too tightly there. You're thinking a little bit too deeply about this. And that's what we call conviction. And it's from God. And it's a warning sign. And our best thing we can do when we have the conviction of the Holy Spirit, is listen and obey the Holy Spirit." [31:47]
4. "I want to encourage you to make it intentional, on purpose, before anything else. If you feel like you need to have prayer time with God, which we all should, put it first before you do anything else. Put it in the first part of your week. You've made a commitment, you're here today, that's awesome. This is the first day of the week, you're putting God first this week, that's awesome. Being attentive, being close." [36:13]
5. "Jesus has come to this world to show you that what you're living in right now, this sphere of darkness that you're living in right now, it's not the end. When I was a kid, we used to go hunting out in the woods, my family's ranch, and they had what's called a Q beam. And you plug it into the cigarette lighter of the truck and you would shine it out into the woods to see all the predators out there that you were going to hunt that night. And it would illuminate, it would shine through the darkness into the future so you could see the danger out there, but you could also see where you're going. We're not just going to be stuck right here in the dark where we've got somewhere God's leading us somewhere and this present darkness is not the end. Thank God for the light of Jesus." [19:23]
### Quotes for Members
1. "When we allow these things in our life to distract us from Jesus, we're no longer following him. We're no longer walking in the light. We're walking in darkness. And you can always trust Jesus. If there's an issue of darkness, it's not the light's problem. The light is dependable. The light is the light of life. The light of the world. It's not a light problem. It is our own problem. We have been distracted by one or more of these things. And there's many other things that can pop up in our world to distract us from following Jesus." [29:54]
2. "The darkness can overcome all the intellect, all the greatest entertainment, all the greatest sports, all the most popular people. The darkness can overcome that, but the darkness cannot overcome Jesus Christ. The life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." [10:50]
3. "It wasn't about a relationship with God anymore. It was about an institution. It was about a government. In fact, the church merged with the government. And it literally launched that society of that time into what's called the Dark Ages. Darkness, again, filled the planet. And during the Dark Ages, almost a thousand years, there was not any notable scientific discoveries or art that was produced or literature that was produced. And we don't know of any great philosophers in that time. I mean, it was just a dark era when humans, even people that called themselves Christians, were really void of the light. They were void of an actual authentic relationship with Jesus." [04:28]
4. "The Holy Spirit is trying to speak to us and say, hey, hey, hey, hey, it's time to move on from this. Or maybe the Holy Spirit is saying, hey, I want you to rest in this right here. I want you to stay in this right here. This is the moment for you. And there's times that we should stay in a place that we want to leave. And there's times that we should leave a place we want to stay and it's only by the direction and leading of God through the power of the Holy Spirit." [33:44]
5. "There's a difference between just having a knowledge of who Jesus is and an awareness of who Jesus is and actually taking steps wherever Jesus is going. Does that make sense? That term, that's the Greek word for follow. It's not complicated. It's not real tricky. It just means follow one who proceeds. So that means someone is going first and someone else is following that person to join as an attendant to accompany. And so my challenge for you today is to really look deep into your path right now. Are you following Jesus or are you accompanying Jesus? Are you going with him? Are you his attendant?" [21:21]
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