Light of the World

The Great I Am

2 Peter 1:3–4 (ESV)

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.”

• What things have been given to us?

• How do I access all things?

• How do I grow in the knowledge of Him?

Week 1: Jesus Is the Bread of Life

Week 2: Jesus Is the Light of the World

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.’”

Three declarations of Jesus…

• Light of the World

• Light in Darkness

• Light of Life

Remember…Light Changed the World!

#1 JESUS IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

“I am the light of the world.”

John 1:2–4 (ESV)

“He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.”

• God did not create light; He is light. (1 John 1:5)

Genesis 1:3–5 (ESV)

“And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.”

• The Hebrew word “אוֹר” (Light) means to be or become light; to become bright.

• The first light that shined upon a dark world was not the SUN, it was the SON.

Genesis 1:14–19 (ESV)

“And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.”

• Light was not created; it was revealed.

Luke 2:29–32 (ESV)

“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

Two Things Jesus Reveals:

1. Reveals who the FATHER really is to us.

2. Reveals who WE really are to Him.

#2 JESUS IS THE LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS

“Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness.”

John 1:4–5 (ESV)

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

Context: Jesus’ declaration follows His interaction with a woman caught in sin.

John 8:1–11 (ESV)

^53. They went each to his own house, ¹ but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. ² Early in the morning, he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. ³ The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst, ⁴ they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. ⁵ Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” ⁶ This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. ⁷ And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” ⁸ And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. ⁹ But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. ¹⁰ Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” ¹¹ She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on, sin no more.” 

• The law shows us our sins; the Light shows us our Savior.

#3 JESUS IS THE LIGHT OF LIFE

”…but will have the light of life.”

“The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.” John 1:9 (ESV)

• The Greek word phos means light, firelight, torch... NATURAL LIGHT

Effects of Artificial Light (from Stolen Focus by Johann Hari):

• Extended work hours and burnout.

• Shift away from natural rhythms.

• 24/7 culture and overstimulation.

• Environmental and cultural alienation.

Question: What unnatural light sources have you been basking in?

#4 JESUS IS THE LIGHT THAT GIVES US LIGHT

John 9:5 (ESV)

“As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

Matthew 5:14–16 (ESV)

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

• Fire is easier to spread than it is to start.