THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

MESSAGE: THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

TEXT: JOHN 3:16-21

Tonight we are here to celebrate that JESUS CHRIST is the light of the world. The Bible says in John 3:19, “This is the verdict; light has come into the world.” Tonight let us share briefly 4 consequences that we all face because the light (Jesus) has come into the world.

Each of the consequences that I will share are all found in John 3:16-21.

BECAUSE THE LIGHT HAS COME INTO THE WORLD THERE IS CONVICTION.

• This is the verdict; light has come into the world.
• But men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
• Everyone who does evil, hates the light and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed-Vs. 19-20.
• The light has come into the world and convicted all man-kind of its true nature.
• To look at these verses is to look in a mirror.
• And what is man’s true nature?

1. Men love darkness instead of light because their deeds are evil.

• We are all sinners and we all need a Savior.
• We love darkness instead of light and our deeds prove it.

2. Further everyone who does evil also hates the light.

• When king Herod heard that Jesus had been born in Bethlehem he sent soldiers to kill him.
• What shall I do, then with Jesus who is called Christ? Pilate asked. They all answered “Crucify Him.”

3. Furthermore everyone who does evil not only hates the light but will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.

• Adam and Eve hid in fear from God in the garden of Eden so too the conviction of whom we truly are causes all of us to not want to come into the light.
• Because the light has come into the world there is conviction.

CONDEMNATION

“But whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only son.”

• The wages of sin is death (eternal separation from God.)
• Because of our sins we are condemned to an eternal separation from God.
• The greatest sin in the world is not murder or adultery but the greatest sin, unforgivable sin is unbelief (to not believe in the name of Jesus).
• God does not want to see us condemned and be eternally separated from Him. He has provided a way of escape. Here it is.

CONFESSION

“For God loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned.”

1. God loves the world!
2. God loves the world so much that He sent His son Jesus into the world to die for our sins.
3. It is our sins that condemn us! It is our sins that separate us from God.
4. Jesus was condemned to die for our sins.

• When we believe in Jesus Christ and confess Him as our Savior we are no longer condemned instead we are saved from condemnation-Rom. 4:7-8.

CONSECRATION

“But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God”-Vs. 21.

• We are not only called to confess and believe in Jesus. We are also called to consecrate ourselves and live like Christ.
• We do this by coming into the light.
• When we pray, when we study and apply God’s word, when we fellowship with the Holy Spirit and with God’s people we come into the light.

CONCLUSION

• Which of these 4 words best describe your situation this christmas?

1. Are you convicted of your sins and need a Savior?
   • The light has come into the world-Look to JESUS.
2. Have your sins condemned you and you need hope this christmas-confess and believe in Jesus.
3. Have you confessed Jesus as your Savior? Then consecrate yourself to JESUS CHRIST.
4. Have you consecrated yourself to Jesus?
   • Then continue to live for Jesus trusting in God’s power to help you do so!
   • Jesus Christ is the light of the world.