07-22-2018 – The Darkness of Disbelief!
This is the insert for the bulletin to help you follow along.
07-22-2018
The Darkness of Disbelief!
John 12:34-36
Read John 12:31-34... The devil is “the ruler of this world” [everyone/everything opposing God].
Ephesians 2:2, “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit... working in the sons of disobedience.”
1John 3:8, “for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.”
Daniel 7:13-14 speaks of the Son of Man as Messiah. The crowd in verse 34, is confused, they ask Jesus,
“what Son of Man are you talking about?”
Read John 12:35-36... Jesus is the Light of the World
(see John 1:4-9; 3:19-21; 8:12; 9:4-5; 12:46). Jesus is exhorting the people to believe in and follow
Him, while the Light of God is still with them.
See Matthew 5:14-15... As a lighted city on a hill serves as a beacon to those traveling by, so Christians ought to serve as individual lamps.
See Matthew 5:16... Believers are to let God's light shine so others can find their way to God's love.
God wants everyone to be saved (cf. Acts 2:21; Romans 10:13; 1Timothy 2:3-4; 2Peter 3:9); but only those who repent and believe will be (cf. Romans 3:10-12, 23-24; 6:23, 5:8; 8:1; 10:9-10, 13).
Ephesians 2:1-3, “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.”
Ephesians 5:8-11, “for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of
Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them.”
John 1:1-4, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.”
Hebrews 1:3 [Jesus is] the "radiance of God's glory.” God’s will separate Light from Darkness, forever
(Genesis 1:1-4; Revelation 21:1-4, 23; 22:3-5). Unbelievers are spiritually dead, in need of forgiveness
and eternal life in Christ (see 2Corinthians 5:14-21).
1John 1:5-7, “This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
See John 8:21-24... Jesus has previously told them He would be going back to the Father, but they continue to reject Him.
Soon the Light of God in Christ will be extinguished, as the whole world is plunged into temporary darkness.
Jesus hid Himself (John 12:36) and would no longer speak about the things of God publicly, until after His death and resurrection from the grave!
Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine Let it shine, Let it shine, Let it shine 🙂