FHBC Sermon Notes

This is the second of seven of the "I am" statements in the gospel of John. What does this phrase mean?

Christ is making a bold declaration about himself, about who he is.

1) He is making a bold declaration about his own divinity. He is claiming to be God!
This phrase looks back to Genesis 1:1. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. In this beginning he casts light out into the world, and it separates out the darkness. Already in John 1, John has linked Jesus to creation as the Word, which created the universe.

Three "God is" statements in the NT.
John 4:24 - God is spirit.
1 John 4:8 - God is love.
1 John 1:5 - God is light.

2) He is making a statement about his mission. He has been sent from The Father to be a revealer.
What has he come to reveal?
In short, he has come to reveal the Father to sinful man.

...to reveal the Father.
2 Corinthians 3:12-18. - Love this verse. Till we have faces.
John 1:10-11 - the world does not recognize God. The light much shine to reveal him to a dead and blind world.

... to reveal our sin.
John 3:19-21. Evil loves the darkness when the light comes. We have loved the darkness, because we are by nature sinful. But those that love the light will turn from our wicked ways and repent.

... to reveal the way of salvation.
Isaiah 9:1-7. - the light comes with the birth of a son, with the birth of Jesus. He is this light that brings salvation.
Isaiah 49:6 42:6 - light of the world
John 1:4 - the light of men!

... to reveal what is truly good and right.
1 John 5:20

So what does this mean?

There is no other light that Jesus. All else is darkness.

Without him we will die in our sins. In our ways, in the desire of our own will.

The world was made to receive the light of Christ.

Those who follow the light (v.12) will become light bearers.
Matthew 5:13-16 - You (that's us) are the light of the world.
Ephesians 5:7-14 - We are children of light!

Such a seemingly simple statement Jesus says, but how awesome is its meaning. In the light of His word, it is EVERYTHING!