2024-01-07

Jonathan Falwell

John 8:12

Today is the first Sunday of 2024 and a great opportunity to revisit the reason we gather in churches like this one each week. That reason, simply stated, is to “Follow Jesus.” Jesus called everyone in Scripture to follow Him, and He still calls us today. Last week, Charles talked about “starting over” which was a great way to prepare for a new year. This week and next we’re going to talk about why and how we follow Jesus.

So today, I want to give you a simple sentence which answers the question, “Why we should follow Jesus in 2024?”

“He is the help you’ve been looking for to guide you in a difficult time and give you the hope you’ve always wanted.”

John 8:12  (CSB) Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”

1. He is

vs 12a Jesus spoke to them again: “I am…

• In Exodus 3, God simply stated “I AM WHO I AM” and told Moses to tell Israel “I AM has sent me.” This declaration by God was to convey the understanding that God has always been, God is, and God will always be. Jesus connected Himself to this declaration through the seven “I AM” statements found within the book of John.
  • I AM the bread of life (6:35)
  • I AM the light of the world (8:12)
  • I AM the door (10:7)
  • I AM the good shepherd (10:11-14)
  • I AM the resurrection and the life (11:25)
  • I AM the way, truth and the life (14:6)
  • I AM the true vine (15:1)

Isaiah 41:1-4 Be silent before me, coasts and islands! And let peoples renew their strength. Let them approach; let them testify; let’s come together for the trial. 2 Who has stirred up someone from the east? In righteousness he calls him to serve.,, The Lord hands nations over to him, and he subdues kings. He makes them like dust with his sword, like wind-driven stubble with his bow. 3 He pursues them, going on safely, hardly touching the path with his feet. 4 Who has performed and done this, calling the generations from the beginning? I am the Lord, the first and with the last—I am he.”

Isaiah 43:25 I am the one, I sweep away your transgressions for my own sake and remember your sins no more.

Isaiah 48:12 Listen to me, Jacob, and Israel, the one called by me: I am he; I am the first, I am also the last.

2. The help you’ve been looking for

vs 12b …I am the light of the world…

• Jesus made this statement around the time of the Feast of Tabernacles, a special celebration within Israel to mark the presence and provision of God with their ancestors as they marched in the wilderness for 40 years. It is also celebrates the coming Messiah.
• The following verses in John 8 reflect how the pharisees received this “I AM” statement.
• Jesus was challenged on His statement that He was not a proper witness because you could not testify on your own behalf. (Deut. 19:15) This gave Jesus the opportunity once again to declare He and the Father are one.

John 1:1-5 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 All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. 4 In him was life,, and that life was the light of men. 5 That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.

A.W. Tozer said, “The only safe light for our path is the light which is reflected from Christ, the Light of the World.”[1]

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3. To guide you in a difficult time

vs 12c … Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness…

• Again, the setting of the Feast of Tabernacles was the perfect backdrop as God proved His presence to ancient Israel through the pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night (Ex. 13)

Isaiah 41:1-10 Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.

Oswald Chambers said, “The remarkable thing about fearing God is that when you fear God, you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God, you fear everything else.”[2]

Psalm 9:9-10 The Lord is a refuge for the persecuted, a refuge in times of trouble. 10 Those who know your name trust in you because you have not abandoned those who seek you, Lord.

4. And to give you the hope you’ve always wanted

vs 12d … but will have the light of life.

Phil. 4:19 And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus

John 14:1-7 Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also. 4 You know the way to where I am going.”,5 “Lord,” Thomas said, “we don’t know where you’re going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you know me, you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

In one of Charles Spurgeon’s powerful sermons, he stated, “When Jesus said, “I am the Way,” He clearly intended to exclude all other ways, so beware lest you perish in any one of them!”[3]

John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live. 26 Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

John 12:46 Jesus cried out, “The one who believes in me believes not in me, but in him who sent me. 45 And the one who sees me sees him who sent me. 46 I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me would not remain in darkness.

[1] The Quotable Tozer Book I, A. W. Tozer. Compiled Harry Verploegh, 1984.

[2] The New Encyclopedia of Christian Quotations, Compiled by Mark Water, John Hunt Publishing, 2000.

[3] Through the Eyes of C.H. Spurgeon: Quotes From A Reformed Baptist Preacher, Charles Spurgeon, Lucid Books, 2012.