1. I AM the Light of the World. John 8 v 12 – 30.

2. Old Testament Significance. ‘I Am God Almighty, walk before me and be blameless’. Genesis 17 v 1 ‘I Am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob’. Exodus 3 v 6

3. Symbolism of Light The Psalms declare that the Lord is my light. Ps 27: 1. Isaiah tells us that the servant of the Lord would be a light for the gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth. Is 49: 6 God would be His people’s light. Is 60: 19 - 22

4. The Feast of Tabernacles. Jesus was at the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles when He spoke these words. This feast celebrated the completion of harvest and commemorated God’s goodness to the people of Israel during the desert wanderings.

5. Four Golden Lamps At this particular feast four golden lamps were lit amid great rejoicing and celebrating – and these lights would shine brightly throughout the feast, illuminating the entire city. Jesus is in this statement making a claim of cosmic significance.

6. Looking More Closely This is an uncompromising statement. Jesus is the light of the world, and He alone reveals the Father of light. Jesus stands alone, because of who He is and what He has done. Christ alone has made the ultimate sacrifice by giving His life in exchange for ours at the cross.

7. Looking More Closely. He alone is the way to God – there is no other Christianity makes exclusive truth claims, because Christ makes exclusive truth claims. ‘Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4: 12

8. Where was Jesus when he proclaimed himself to be the light of the world? He was among the people – sinful, fallen humanity. He was in the middle of a city centre. He was among the ordinary people.

9. An Invitation and a Response. ALL may come to Jesus – because He is the light of the world. But to come to Him as the light of the world, we must first admit our present darkness. I encourage you to choose Jesus tonight.