January 19, 2025

I Am The Light of The World

Preacher: Pablo Cachon Series: I Am Sayings of Jesus Scripture: John 8:12

January 19, 2025

I AM The Light Of The World – John 8:12

Ice Breaker

  1. Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles, where Jews gathered to remember how God delivered them out of slavery in Egypt. The festival included lighting four huge lamps whose flames could be seen for miles, while attendees danced and celebrated with torches in hand. On the last night of the festival, surrounded by great lights, Jesus declared, “I am the light of the world.”
  2. Read John 8:12-20 as a group.

Loving God Unreservedly

  1. Now read John 9:1–7. How does Jesus’s healing of the man born blind offer proof for his claim in the previous chapter to be the light of the world?
  2. What did Jesus claim to be?
  3. How did Jesus describe the light he offers?

Loving People Sacrificially

  1. What does it feel like to walk in darkness (v. 12)?
  2. The religious teachers try to use that requirement to challenge Jesus’ claim to be the light of the world (v. 13). How does Jesus answer their challenge? (vv. 14–18, cf. Dt. 19:15)
  3. What does the Pharisees’ misunderstanding in verse 19 reveal about their view of Jesus?

Making Disciples Purposefully

  1. Why are people today confused about Jesus’ identity?
  2. How can you rely on Jesus as your “light” this week? With whom can share the light of Jesus with?

Dig Deeper (optional/personal study)

  1. Reflect:

The Gospel of John, described the fullest New Testament development of light/darkness dualism, a “theology of light.” The prologue of John’s Gospel equates the Word (logos) with the light of God, drawing heavily on Old Testament symbolic language to communicate Jesus’ identity.

 

  • Thus, the full symbolism of light merges in the person of Jesus as salvation, knowledge or revelation, wisdom, life, healing, and God’s presence.
  • Darkness, on the other hand, refers to sin and opposition to Jesus.
  • This creates a bold Christological statement by standing on the Old Testament tradition of darkness symbolizing opposition to God (see Jn. 1:5; 3:19–20; 8:12; 12:46).
  • Johannine ethics develop out of this dualism. “Walking in the light” refers to keeping Jesus’ commands (Jn. 8:12; 12:35), while those who “walk in darkness” (1 Jn. 1:6–7) oppose Jesus by transgressing His commands.

other sermons in this series

Feb 2

2025

I AM The Good Shepherd

Preacher: Pablo Cachon Scripture: John 10:11, John 10:14 Series: I Am Sayings of Jesus

Jan 26

2025

I Am The Door

Preacher: Pablo Cachon Scripture: John 10:7, John 10:9 Series: I Am Sayings of Jesus