Light in the Darkness:

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...”

John 1:4-5 “...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...”

Is there darkness in our world? How would you describe it?

• This comment about light comes at the time of the Feast of Tabernacles.
• The Israelites lived in tents as God was taking them to His promises.
• The good and perfect will of God is life and light.
• To stray from the good and perfect will of God is to move into darkness.
• Our world is in darkness because self-indulgence prevents people from following God’s good intentions for His created world.
• The further we go from God’s intentions, the darker our existence becomes.

What is the answer for darkness?

• To avoid walking in darkness, a person must follow Jesus.

Why can’t darkness “overcome” the light of the world?

• Darkness is the absence of light.
• Light isn’t overcome by darkness. Darkness disappears in the presence of light.

What happened when Jesus was crucified, resurrected, and ascended?

• John 9:5 “...As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world...”
• Matthew 5:14 “...You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden...”
• The light is still in the world if people are abiding in Christ, and He in them.

How did the Pharisees receive the statement by Christ?

• John 8:13 “...So the Pharisees said to him, “You are bearing witness about yourself; your testimony is not true...”

How does our world receive the statement by Christ?

• People in darkness are convinced that Christ’s testimony is not true.

John 8:14-18 “...Jesus answered, “Even if I do bear witness about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. In your Law it is written that the testimony of two people is true. I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me...”

Why is Christ judged incorrectly, both then and now?

• He is judged according to the flesh.
• 1 Corinthians 15:50 “...I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable...”
• John 6:63 “...It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life...”
• Philippians 3:3 “...For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh...”

Do we prefer to walk in darkness, or in light?

Do we prefer to follow Christ, or our self interests?

Do we recognize the significance of our decisions?

John 8:19 “...They said to him therefore, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also...”

Whom is Jesus accusing of not knowing God the Father?

• The religious elite.
• The group of people on the planet who claim to know the Father.

Can a person be sure they know the Father?

• To follow Jesus is to walk in the light.
• To follow Jesus is to know Jesus.
• To know Jesus is to know the Father.

Will I walk, will I walk with Him today?

Will I walk or will my wants cause me to stray?

Will my sin and my shame keep me from being who I am?

Or will I walk, will I walk with Him today?