Sunday Sermon Summary - 2nd Sunday After Easter

Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion)

                                    Diocese of Abuja

                         Cathedral Church of the Advent

2nd Sunday after Easter - Sunday 30 April 2017

Today's Sermon

Theme:     Knowing Christ "The I AM Sayings of Jesus"

Topic:         The Light Of The World

Text:           John 8: 12 - 20 (Key Text: John 8: 12)

Summary:

In John 8: 12 Jesus spoke to the Pharisees and said "I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."

Then once again in John 9: 5, just prior to His healing of the blind man, Jesus said "As long as I am in the world, I am the Light of the world

Jesus also said, "I am the Light of the world" infact He said it twice - possibly for emphasis.

Moreover in John 1: 4, 5 the Apostle said of Jesus: "In Him was life and the life was the Light of men. And the Light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it."

But what is implied by Jesus statement, "I am the Light of the world"?

*        Christ occupies the same place in the moral and spiritual realm that the sun occupies in the natural and physical realm" Life on earth as we know it would cease to be if the sun were suddenly hurled out of our solar system, leaving the earth deprived of its light and heat. Nor can there be any spiritual life outside of Christ Who is Light and in Whom there is Life.

*        Light enables us to see clearly. In the Scriptures, light represents knowledge. This is why the Psalmist could say "The entrance of Your Words gives Light" (Ps. 119:130). This is why we are exhorted to "walk in the Light" (1 John 1: 7). He who walks in the light conducts himself according to our Lord's teachings' as they are set forth in the Bible.

Suggested Points For Application

1.      For a world in the darkness of ignorance, Christ is the light and His Word can erase the ignorance

2.      For a world in the darkness of sin, Christ is the Light and through His blood the sinner can be redeemed

3.      For a world in the darkness of death, Christ is the Light and in Him those who are dead in trespasses and sins can be made alive

4.      But in each case, one must learn His Will and render obedience to Christ Who is the Author of eternal salvation to those who obey Him (Heb. 5:9)

5.      As the moon does not have any light of its own but reflects the light of the Sun, believers are to mirror Christ to the world by word and conduct (Matt. 5: 14 - 16)