1 I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD JOHN 8:12-20 Light. We take it ...

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installing 30 heliostat mirrors onto the mountainside. The mirrors will grab light from reflectors on the sunny-side of the mountain and shine it back into the town. The project will not be cheap—the European Union will cover half of the $2.4 million bill—but if successful, will bring hope to the 60 other communities scattered throughout the Alps that endure the same kind of winter darkness each year. In the same way, God sent his own Light into our world in the person of His Son, Jesus. Through Jesus He offers us relief from the darkness of our own sin. That project also was not cheap. It was every expensive for God costing Him the life of His Son. But He Himself paid the bill and paid it in full. You have a choice. When you choose to follow Jesus, you choose spiritual enlightenment. You’re given the light of life. As a flower blooms in the sunlight, your life will eventually blossom with His grace and beauty. When you reject Jesus, you choose spiritual darkness. Eventually your life will shrink, shrivel and surely die. The results of your choice are that stark, that radical and that certain. If Jesus is the Light, He is Lord. But here’s a second truth to consider. IF JESUS IS THE LIGHT, HE WILL LEAD. A fundamental, continuing need in your life and mine is guidance, direction and leading through life’s journey. Life is full of big decisions. None of us enjoy uncertainty about what pathway to take when faced with multiple choices. I suspect that this room is full of people who are weighing any number of crucial decisions about some aspect of your life today. Some of you are wondering whether to continue or discontinue an important relationship. Others of you are deciding whether to pursue or to find a new job or career. Here’s a person deciding to spend or not spend a big sum of money. There’s a person weighing the alternatives between changing your current living situation or staying put. Has the need for direction in your life become so acute at times that you cry out in exasperation and frustration, “Lord, what is it that you want me to do” I’ve been there and will likely be again! That’s sometimes a very good place to be! When you ask, “Lord, what is it that you want me to do”, you’re assuming that God has a purpose and plan for your life. Indeed, He does! By calling Himself the Light of the world here, Jesus implies that He will lead you along life’s journey. Guidance is one of the great benefits of being Jesus’ follower. When Jesus is your Light, you can be sure that He will provide direction at critical moments throughout your life - maybe not the direction you always want to go or in the exact timeframe that you want to receive it, but He will provide it. But, please notice that this promise is only for those who genuinely follow Jesus. “…‘I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.’” (John 8:12 NLT) That’s such an important Bible concept to understand. If you’ve grown up in a church, you’ve heard the word “discipleship” often. Did you know there’s no such word in the Bible – “discipleship” “Disciple”, yes, but “discipleship,” no. 4
The word that comes closest is “following” and it’s always found as a verb rather than a noun. Being a disciple of Jesus is about following Jesus. How do you follow Jesus, then If you look at how that same word is used in other places in the New Testament, it sheds some light on what Jesus means here. A soldier follows his officer. The follower of Jesus is a soldier whose commanding officer is Jesus. You do what He says to do. A slave follows his or her master. The follower of Jesus is a slave whose joy it is always to serve his or her Master, Jesus. A student follows the teaching or the advice of his or her mentor. The follower of Jesus obeys Jesus’ counsel and teachings. A citizen follows the laws and regulations of the country to which he or she belongs. The follower of Jesus follows the laws of the Kingdom of God. I’m still learning that receiving the light of Jesus in the living out of my life and its decisions demands continual and personal submission. Here’s a fair question to ask yourself, “Do I really want the Lord’s guidance in this situation” I like the story about this overweight guy who often stopped by the bakery on his way into work to pick up some goodies for the staff coffee break. It seems he finally decided to get serious about going on a diet. In order to avoid the temptation of the bakery, he started taking a different route to work. One day, however, he had to run an errand on the way into work that was very close to the bakery. As he approached the old bakery, he said to himself, “Maybe God wants me to stop by the bakery this morning and pick up some goodies for the office staff.” So he prayed, “Lord, if you want me to stop at the bakery this morning make a parking spot available right in front of the bakery so there’s no question in my mind.” And, sure enough, there it was, a parking spot right in front of the bakery – on his eighth trip around the block! Be careful that you don’t manipulate a situation and then say, “God led me to do it!” Have you ever truly laid before Jesus the area of decision that you’re struggling with today – your job, your marriage, your family, your future, whatever – and asked Him sincerely, “Lord, what is it that You want me to do” If, behind that question, is genuine surrender to Jesus as your Lord, I have no doubt God will lead you. He won’t allow you to stumble around in the darkness forever. So the secret of being led by Jesus in life’s decisions is a moment by moment following of Jesus expressed through continual and personal submission. I believe that’s what the Bible is implying when it says to us, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone.” (James 1:5-6 NLT) And I believe that’s what Jesus Himself implies in the passage we’re studying today, “…‘I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.’” (John 8:12 NLT) “Lord, what is it that You want me to do” The answer will come to those who follow Jesus and who submit those decisions to the penetrating Light of Christ. So, my friend, what’s the decision looming before you What choice are you 5
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