Jesus, the Light of the World

Scripture: John 1: 6-9

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. ⁷The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. ⁸He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. ⁹That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

Scripture Commentary:

The Book of Malachi, written about 430 B.C., foretold the coming of John The Baptist and the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Present day Christians are to tell others that Jesus came and gave His life for the remission of our sins. Like John The Baptist, we are not the source of God’s light. We merely reflect that light.

Jesus is the light.

He helps us see our way to God. We, the believers and followers of Jesus Christ, are to help unbelievers onto the path that leads to Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Jesus removes the road of darkness from our path and we see His marvelous light. There is no more stumbling in the dark.

When we accept Jesus, we become new people.

We are reborn spiritually, receiving new life from God.

This is only part of the message we are to share with the world. John baptized with water but Jesus forgives sin and that’s only something the Son of God can do.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

John 1

Read Other Commentary from the Book of John:

Jesus Heals the Blind

God Sent Us the Bread of Life

We All Have Sinned.

Part Two of the Sermon, What Will God See From Heaven Today?

Scripture: Romans 3: 23

²³For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

All have sinned and fallen short.

I do not care how well I do in life or what I achieve in life.

No one can boast of their goodness when they know they have sinned. And only because of God’s grace and mercy are we here today. Because of God’s love, he sent his son to die for our sins. God did this out of love so he expects us to obey his guidelines. He wants us to love him with all our hearts.

God did this perfectly. Because we fall short, we must turn to Jesus.

Scripture: Romans 10: 9-10

⁹That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. ¹⁰For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Scripture: Psalm 14: 1-2

The fool^[a] says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. ²The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.

In this psalm, David applies to his enemies. These people have become corrupt. There is no good in any of them because they don’t believe in God, but only in themselves.

There was then, as is now, a clear distinction between those who worship God and those who refuse to worship God, the Father.

So here is the question again. Who do you worship?

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scriptures Referenced:

Romans 3

Romans 10

Psalm 14

Read Part One of the Sermon, What Will God See From Heaven Today?

Will You Betray Christ?

Scripture: John 13: 21, 37-38

After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.” (21) Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times! (37-38)

Scripture Commentary:

These verses describe two events with two different outcomes. First Psalm 41:9 speaks of “my close friend” (Judas) eating with me, then lifting his heel to betray me. When Jesus chose Judas, He knew what role Judas would play in His death. The betrayal was foretold in the Old Testament.

On the other hand, Peter’s role is different. Peter denies Jesus more than three times before he begins to spread the Gospel.

Peter and Judas have different roles in Christ’s ministry. Satan thought he would win by using Judas to betray Jesus, leading to His crucifixion.

Satan forgets that God is always in control.

Then there’s Peter who proudly tells Jesus he is ready to die for Him although he didn’t fully know at the time what he was saying.

As followers of Christ, we, too, have a role in Christ’s ministry. Ask yourself what role you are playing. Is it that of Judas or of Peter?

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scriptures Referenced:

John 13

Psalm 41

Read Other Commentary from the Book of John:

Lord, I Want to Follow You Now

You Will Die in Your Sins If You Reject God

Keep In Step With the Spirit

Scripture: Galatians 5: 17, 25

For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever^[c] you want.(17) Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.(25)

Scripture Commentary:

It’s vitally important to keep in step with the Spirit. There is a war raging on in you every day. If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then Satan has placed you on his list to bring you to his flock.

He starts by telling you to go ahead and do it your way. You don’t need permission.

Pray for God’s guidance.

Paul describes the two forces in conflict within you: The Holy Spirit and the sinful nature (i.e., your evil desires or inclinations of the flesh). When you rely on your own self, you are doing what satan would have you do.

Keep in step with the Holy Spirit that lives in you.

The Holy Spirit is infinitely stronger, and you must follow the Holy Spirit that God has placed in you. The only way to freedom from evil desires is through the empowering of God’s Holy Spirit in you.

As you keep in step with the Holy Spirit’s power, you need to submit every aspect of your life to God – emotional, physical and intellectual. If you say you are saved and have accepted Jesus Christ, then live like a Christian.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Galatians 5

Read Other Commentary from the Book of Galatians:

Live By the Faith of the God Who Loves You

Thanks Be to God for All He Has Done

For God’s Children: He No Longer Remembers Your Sins

Scriptures: Isaiah 43: 25 and Ephesians 2: 8-9

I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. (Isaiah 43: 25)

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2: 8-9)

Scripture Commentary: God no longer remembers your sins.

Imagine the moment you accepted God and repented. In that moment your sins are forgiven. And God no longer remembers your sins!

In Isaiah 6: 7, a seraphim touches Isaiah’s mouth with a coal and God forgave his sins.

Imagine God wiping away all your lies and healing all of the hate you have stored up inside yourself.

Anger – forgiven
Bitterness – forgiven
Boasting – forgiven
Jealousy – forgiven
Envy – forgiven

Imagine it all forgiven by God – your evil thoughts, greed, hypocrisy, gossiping, lusts, pride, ingratitude, materialism and unbelief! All forgiven and forgotten by the grace of God!

Cry out to God for forgiveness.

Your sins are gone. Forgiven. Washed away. And forgotten. In the same way that the coal removed Isaiah’s guilt and sin, the blood of Jesus takes away yours. You don’t do anything except ask for forgiveness and repent of your sins.

God’s grace changes everything. Jesus Christ did it on the cross for you.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scriptures Referenced:

Isaiah 43

Ephesians 2

Isaiah 6

Read Other Commentary From the Book of Isaiah:

Learning from Adversity

The Destroyer Flees From the Voice of God

Love Your Enemies. Is Anything More Difficult?

Scripture: Luke 6: 27-29

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. ²⁹If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.

Scripture Commentary:

In Luke 6: 21-22, Jesus says, “Blessed are you who weep now.” He also blesses those who are cast out in His name. Then in verse 27 Jesus tells us, “Love your enemies.” This message has turned people away from Jesus because this is a hard one for most people.

How can I love someone who has hurt me?

How can I love someone who is bent on destroying me? This can be hard but Jesus is telling us to act in our best interest by praying for them and forgiving them. He gives an example to follow when He says to love your enemies as you love yourself. Grant your enemies the same respect and rights as you desire for yourself.

It’s easy to do things for the people who love us but love is doing for those we have problems with, for those who have hurt us. God has forgiven us so we are to forgive those who have hurt us.

Remember this: they whipped Jesus and placed a crown of thorns on His head. They spit on Him, and nailed Him to the cross, And He said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scriptures Referenced:

Luke 6

Luke 23

Read Other Commentary from the Book of Luke:

Save Yourself Through Belief; Save Others Through Discipleship

God Separates Light from Darkness, Good from Evil

Did You Hear Jesus Knock On Your Door?

Scripture: Luke 11: 9-10

So I tell you, ask, and God will give to you. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will open for you. ¹⁰Yes, everyone who asks will receive. The one who searches will find. And everyone who knocks will have the door opened.

Scripture Commentary: Ask. Search. Knock.

There is a knock at your door. Do you sit there thinking, “Do I go and see who it is,” or do you ignore it? We have apprehensions with all that is going on in the world today.

God knocks at your door every day but some of us aren’t answering.

We get up in the morning and take the day for granted, going on auto-pilot. Those who stop and give God thanks have opened the door for God to come in. When you ask God what you can do for Him this day, you are agreeing to serve Him. And in doing this, you can count on His guidance.

Put God first in your daily life.

Faith, service, and obedience to God will fill all your needs but not your desires. Ask your Lord and Creator and He will provide what you need. He will be your Provider.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Luke Chapter 11

Read Other Commentary from the Book of Luke:

Follow Jesus and Become Fishers of Men

What Is the Price of Being Tempted?

You Can Trust God

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10: 13, 21

The only temptation that has come to you is that which everyone has. But you can trust God, who will not permit you to be tempted more than you can stand. But when you are tempted, he will also give you a way to escape so that you will be able to stand it. (13) You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons also. You cannot share in the Lord’s table and the table of demons. (21)

Scripture Commentary:

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. But you can trust God. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can handle.

When you are tempted, God will provide a way out if you call on Him.

Paul tells us there is a battle going on with the flesh and the spirit. He is not referring to our physical flesh. He is referring to our spiritual soul.

The nature-self wants to do what feels good and easy. God’s Holy Spirit in us wants us to glorify Him, not ourselves. These two spirits are constantly against one another as long as we live.

Paul tells us that the flesh (Satan) desires what is contrary to the Holy Spirit (God). The Holy Spirit is contrary to the flesh.

The Holy Spirit inside each of us says, “Live for God.” The flesh says, “Live for yourself.” In order to live for God we must submit to Him daily by reading the Bible and calling upon Him. This is how God nourishes our spirit, our soul.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

1 Corinthians Chapter 10

Read Other Commentary from the Book of 1 Corinthians:

God Is the Foundation

You Can Overcome Temptation with God

Jesus Saves Us From Hatefulness, Malice and Envy

Scripture: Titus 3: 3-6

For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. ⁴But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, ⁵not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, ⁶whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.

Scripture Commentary: Free yourself from malice and envy with Jesus.

Paul reminds Titus in Titus 3: 3 that we are sometimes foolish, disobedient, and deceived. We are slaves to our lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. That was our style until Jesus Christ freed us.

We shouldn’t look down on anyone but instead should look back and see how God saved us. We should ask God how we can help our fellow man.

We’ve come this far because of God’s grace and mercy, and the shedding of Jesus Christ’s blood. We didn’t do anything ourselves.

Jesus did it all.

Jesus freed us from the desires and control of sin. We have moved from a life of sin to a place where God’s Holy Spirit directs our destination.

Look at yourself now. Then look at where you were. See the difference. You didn’t do it. God did it because He loves you.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Titus Chapter 3

Read Other Commentary from the Book of Titus:

Passions and Pleasures Lead to Addiction

Stop Being Enslaved to Sinful Desires

Faith – the Evidence of Things Not Seen

Scripture: Hebrews 11: 1, 6

Now faith is the ^[a]substance of things hoped for, the ^[b]evidence of things not seen. (1) But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.(6)

Scripture Commentary:

We have people in our lives that we have complete faith in because we know them. We can see them and can talk and listen to them when we seek them out. But what about God who is not seen? Although we can’t see Him in the flesh, His Spirit is with all of us. He knows everything about us.

According to Webster’s Dictionary, faith is a firm belief in something for which there is no proof. It is a belief and trust in and loyalty to God.

Do you have the faith to go to God and believe He hears you?

Do you believe He will guide you in the direction you should go? Is your faith strong enough to believe He can do anything?

Believing that God exists is only the beginning. Even the devil believes.

God wants a personal, dynamic relationship with us; one that transforms us. Do you believe? If not, ask God to help your unbelief. God will show you the way.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Hebrews Chapter 11

Read Other Commentary from the Book of Hebrews:

Every Life Involves Struggle … Endure!

Believe the Word that Jesus Speaks to You