[audio:http://crosschurch.net/media/audio/10oct03.mp3]
Download The Sermon Audio
Sermon Outline:
The Light of the World – pt2
“The Authority of Jesus Christ”
1. The Declaration (8:12, 20)
2. The Dialogue (8:13-19)
3. The Decree (8:21-24)
Sermon Text:
John 8:12-24
The Light of the World – pt2
I Am the Light of the World
12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 13 So the Pharisees said to him, “You are bearing witness about yourself; your testimony is not true.” 14 Jesus answered, “Even if I do bear witness about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 16 Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father [1] who sent me. 17 In your Law it is written that the testimony of two people is true. 18 I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.” 19 They said to him therefore, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” 20 These words he spoke in the treasury, as he taught in the temple; but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.
21 So he said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.” 22 So the Jews said, “Will he kill himself, since he says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” 23 He said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”
Sermon Notes:
The Authority of Jesus Christ
All of Scripture ultimately points to the majesty, glory, beauty, and authority of the Lord Jesus Christ. We call Him Lord because He is our Sovereign – working all things for His glory and our good. We call Him Jesus because He is our Savior – able to save His people from their sins. And we call Him Christ because He is the Sufficient Messiah – the One who is able to represent us, as our Mediator, before a holy God.
Jesus was the sinless Man who fulfilled the Law and all righteousness in His life and death; He was the spotless Lamb of God who gave His life for us on the cross; and He was the perfect, holy High Priest who went beyond the veil as the Captain of our salvation once for all. As the only resurrected Lord and King – He reigns from heaven’s throne at the right hand of God and one day will return for His church.
There is none like Him!
The Gospel of Matthew records this of Jesus: “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Therefore, in Him is all hope for salvation, sanctification and glorification. In Him is the Light of life. In Him there is no darkness at all. In Him we are given peace with God forever. He is Messiah, Savior, Lord… and He is God.
“God has in Himself all power to defend you; all wisdom to direct you; all mercy to pardon you; all grace to enrich you; all righteousness to clothe you; all goodness to supply you; all happiness to crown you.” –Thomas Manton
As we come to the study of John 8:12-24, there emerges three great pillars (the Declaration, the Dialogue, and the Decree) that help to outline this portion of Scripture. And there are also three nonnegotiable essentials of our Lord’s authority: 1. The Historical Context; 2. The Heinous Crowd vs. The Honorable Christ; and 3. The Holy Charge.
May the Lord open our eyes to behold wonderful things out of His Word today. May we not just be hearers of His truth, but doers of it as well. Jesus is the Light of the World! Follow Him and you will not walk in darkness. Come to Him and find joy and hope in His promise that you will have the Light of life!
In joy of the Lord…
Pastor Steve
