PART 2 | AM | I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

January 23rd, 2023
by Ryan Moon

I Am, Part 2, January 22, 2023

Numbers 9:15-18 (NIV2011)  
15 On the day the tabernacle, the tent of the covenant law, was set up, the cloud covered it. From evening till morning the cloud above the tabernacle looked like fire.  16 That is how it continued to be; the cloud covered it, and at night it looked like fire.  17 Whenever the cloud lifted from above the tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped. 18 At the LORD’s command the Israelites set out, and at his command they encamped.

John 8:20 (NIV2011)
20 He spoke these words while teaching in the temple courts near the place where the offerings were put.

John 8:12 (NIV2011)  
12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  

“I am the light of the world”

Light reveals reality

Jesus reveals our shortcomings

Hebrews 4:15 (NIV2011)
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

Example: Grading on the curve

Isaiah 64:6 (NIV2011)
All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags.

John 3:20 (NIV2011)
20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.

Jesus reveals our worth
Example: Housing Market

1 Peter 1:18-19 (NIV2011)
18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors,
19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

Light enables navigation

Exodus 13:21 (NIV2011)
21 By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.

Example: Power Outage

John 12:35 (NIV2011)
35 Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going.

Light can be reflected

Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV2011)
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

John 12:35 (NIV2011)
35 Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer.”

Example: Moonlight

Light overcomes darkness
Example: Turning on the light

John 1:4-5 (NIV2011)
4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.
5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Closing:

John 1:9-13 (NIV2011)
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.