THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

John 8:12 > Jesus is the Light of the World!!! > This Light is the uncreated Light, just like Jesus Himself was/is uncreated > Jesus says you too can have this light in you IF you follow Him > The "how" of this is given to us in His "Sermon on the
Mount" (Matthew 5:1-16) > Jesus says "you are the Light of the world "as" you live according to his words, what we call the "Beatitudes" > As you "keep his sayings" (Matthew 7:24-27) you will no longer walk in darkness but acquire this "Light" > His sayings begin with His challenge to "be poor in spirit" - "to mourn" - "to be meek" - "to thirst and hunger for righteousness" - "to be merciful" - "to be pure in heart" - "to be a peacemaker" - "to suffer persecution" > Note that the "Light" is of the "Life" > Examine
1 John 1:1-5 - We enter into fellowship/communion with God through the incarnate Son and Word of God Jesus Christ - "God is Light and in Him is no darkness at all" > Our goal as followers of Jesus is to eradicate the darkness in us and acquire the Light of Life freely given to us if and when we keep his sayings.

Ephesians 5:8-14 > Christ will give you light (verse 14) as you produce the fruit of goodness, righteousness, and truth, and have no fellowship with darkness; and "wake up", quit sleeping, rise from among the dead!!! (verses 8-14) > As your Light shines brighter and brighter through your good works (reflect back on (Matthew 5:14-16) you will expose darkness, meaning the light will be turned on among those around you and those people will be able to see where they are in relation to God > You will influence people to believe in Jesus Christ and follow Him, along with you, simply by being a light shining with God's Life > Your life, your good deeds, will be a witness even without words at times > TWO ancient sayings about winning souls - "Acquire the Peace of God and a 1000 around you will be saved", and "Everywhere I go I preach the Gospel, and if I have to I even use words". > The unsaved who are lost in darkness are given light by two means, our works and our words >

2 Corinthians 4:1-6 > Note that the unbeliever is "blinded" by the devil, unless the glorious LIGHT of the GOSPEL shines unto them > It is the light, our light which is Christ's light in us, that removes the blinders and enables them to see "reality", to see where they are, to see their condition before God; We are the ones who open their eyes to truth/reality and the unbeliever than must choose what they will do with this knowledge of Christ > The world is in darkness and needs many lights to lighten the way > Just as Christ was the Light that entered the world (John 1:4-9) - "The people who sat in darkness have seen a great Light" (Matthew 4:14-16) > We must hold forth the "Word of Life".

Philippians 2:15,16 > What determines how bright you shine as lights in this world? In proportion to your obedience as you work out your salvation, holding fast (holding forth KJV) the word of life.

JESUS MESSAGE OF ETERNAL LIFE IS LIGHT:
John 3:16-18,36
John 4:13,14
John 5:24-29
John 6:30-68
John10:10
John 11:17-46
John 14:1-6
John 20:30,31

Acts 26:13-18 > Paul was called "to open their eyes, in order to turn them(the lost) from darkness to light" > It is for all believers to become "lights" set on a hill and not under a bushel (Matthew 5:14-16) > Set your heart on becoming awake, becoming a shining light, a glorious light, "for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you". (1 Timothy 4:16)