Lent 3
Jesus, “The Light of the World”
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.” 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.”
-Genesis 1:1-5
Before Creation, there was darkness.
“The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” … 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now, and leave your life of sin.” 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.” 13 The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.”
-John 3:3-13
“Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.”
–John 3:20,21
“There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…” God [sent] his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin [Not us] in the flesh.” [On the Cross]
-Romans 8:1-3
Q: Where are some places that you would not like to be in the dark?
Q: Where are some places that you are light shining in darkness?
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 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.”
–John 1:1-5
“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.”
–Matthew 5:14-16
What Light & Jesus Provides
Sight/Vision
Physical Health
Psychological Health
Vision & Perception
(Jesus’ point of view)
Signal
Safety and Productivity
“Above all else guard your heart…”
-Proverbs 4:23
(Boundaries)
Guidance
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
-Psalm 119:105
People need light.
People need you.
God needs you to be His light.
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