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Sunday Message for the Bilingual Brethren - 14 March 2021 : “I am the Light of the World”

Text: John 9
14 March 2021

INTRODUCTION

1. Focus for March-April 2021 pulpit series – the Lord Jesus Christ

a. An appropriate focus as we prepare for Easter this year
b. What to seek for as we focus on the Lord Jesus
i. Deepen our knowledge of the Lord Jesus
ii. Deepen our appreciation of Him
iii. Renew our faith in Him

2. 7 statements about the Lord Jesus Christ in the gospel of John

a. The first statement – “I am the Bread of Life”   (John 6:63)
b. The second statement – “I am the Light of the world”   (John 9:5)
c. Today’s message will focus on the Lord Jesus as the Light of the world

WHAT IS LIGHT?

1. Light is best understood by what it does

a) Enlightens
b) Gives clarity
c) Gives life
d) Dispels darkness

2. Stands in stark contrast to darkness, representing:

a) Confusion
b) Falsehood
c) Death

THE LORD JESUS AS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

1. He came to dispel the darkness of this world

2. He came to give light to mankind

3. Story to illustrate the Lord Jesus as the Light – healing of a man born blind   (John 9)

a. Helps us to see the problem of darkness in the world
b. Helps us to see how the Lord Jesus brought Light

HOW JESUS BROUGHT LIGHT TO THE WORLD

1. Enlightenment through His teachings

a. Darkness of wrong understanding among men   (John 9:1-2)
i. The disciples thought that a person’s disability is caused by sin
ii. They assumed the man’s blindness is due to his sin or his parents’
b. The Lord Jesus brought light through His teaching   (John 9:3-5)
i. That the man’s blindness is not due to the problem of sin
ii. But it is for the works of God to be revealed in him

2. Clarity through His works

a. Darkness of the religious leaders’ mindset   (John 9:13-24)
i. The Pharisees were fixed in seeing the Lord Jesus as a sinner
ii. They refused to accept that He was from God
b. The Lord Jesus brought clarity through His miracle   (John 9:25-33)
i. The former blind man saw that the Lord Jesus’ healing could only come from God
ii. He was clear that the Lord Jesus had to be a Man from God to do such works
iii. He was not dissuaded by the Pharisees’ rejection of the Lord Jesus

3. Life through His invitation

a. Darkness of the Pharisees’ treatment of the former blind man   (John 9:34)
i. They were deeply angered by his rebuttal and defence of the Lord Jesus
ii. They cast him out of the synagogue (excommunication)
iii. The former blind man would be labelled a sinner beyond redemption
iv. He would be ostracised by society as a result of this
b. The Lord Jesus offered the man life through His invitation   (John 9:35-38)
i. He searched and found the former blind man
ii. He asked him if he believed in the Son of God
iii. He revealed Himself as the Son of God
iv. The former blind man was so deeply moved that he immediately worshipped Him and confessed his faith in Him

ENCOURAGEMENT TO US ALL

1. The Lord Jesus wants to give us light as the Light of the World

a. He enlightens us through His teachings and His works
i. Dispel wrong man-made ideas about God and life
ii. His teachings show us who God really is and what He is really like
iii. His works affirm and reinforce these truths about God
b. He invites us to have faith in Him
i. That we can belong to God
ii. That we can be part of the kingdom of God

2. Encouragement to us all

a. Let us continue learning the teachings of the Lord Jesus
b. Let us appreciate His works in our life
c. Let us renew our faith in Him
d. May He continue to shine His light in our life as the Light of the world!