John 8:12-20 I AM: the Light of the World

## I AM: the 
# Light of the World
## John 8:12-20 
[Ricardo Gomez Angel](https://unsplash.com/photos/-lYk9rDI2UU "caption")

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## Jesus is the I AM

+ **Bread** of Life (Jn6)
+ **Light** of the World (Jn8)
+ **Door** for the Sheep (Jn10)
+ Good **Shepherd** (Jn10)
+ Resurrection and the **Life** (Jn11)
+ **Way**, the Truth, and the Life (Jn14)
+ True **Vine** (Jn15)

[pxhere](https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1094065 "caption")

>>>
+ ch7-8: feast of **tabernacles**
+ 7:37: if anyone **thirsts**
  + invitation

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## Light of the World (Jn8)
1. True Testimony (v13-14)
1. True Judgment (v15-18)
1. True Son (v19-20)
1. True Light (v12)

>>>
+ 2 parts: Phar **reaction**
  + Jesus' **invitation**

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So the Pharisees said to him, 
“You are **bearing witness** about yourself; 
your testimony is not **true**.”

[John 8:13 (ESV)](# "ref")

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Jesus answered, “Even if I do bear witness 
about myself, my **testimony** is true,

for I know where I **came from** 
and where I am **going**,

but you do **not know** where I come from 
or where I am going.

[John 8:14 (ESV)](# "ref")

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+ **from-where** I-come, **to-where** I-go
+ from-where: **Father**, authority
  + Messiah: **anointed**, sent
+ to-where: back to Father's side
  + but via **cross*

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## Light of the World (Jn8)
1. True Testimony (v13-14)
1. **True Judgment** (v15-18)
1. True Son (v19-20)
1. True Light (v12)

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You **judge** according to the **flesh**; I judge no one.

Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is **true**, 
for it is not I alone who judge, 
but **I** and the **Father** who sent me.

[John 8:15-16 (ESV)](# "ref")

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+ "judge no one":

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For God did not send his Son 
into the world to **condemn** the world,

but in order that the world 
might be **saved** through him.

[John 3:17 (ESV)](# "ref")

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+ 1st coming: suffering Servant
  + work of redemption
+ 2nd coming: victorious King
  + final judgment

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In your Law it is written that the 
testimony of **two people** is true.

**I** am the one who bears witness about myself, 
and the **Father** who sent me 
bears witness about me.

[John 8:17-18 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ need 2-3 witnesses:
  + not to **change** reality
+ but to **discern** truth
  + amid **unreliable** witnesses
+ Dt17:6: for **death** penalty
+ Father + Son have auth to **judge**
  + death penalty imposed upon Jesus

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## Light of the World (Jn8)
1. True Testimony (v13-14)
1. True Judgment (v15-18)
1. **True Son** (v19-20)
1. True Light (v12)

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They said to him therefore, 
“**Where** is your Father?”

Jesus answered, 
“You know **neither** me nor my Father. 
If you **knew me**, 
you would **know my Father** also.”

[John 8:19-20 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ Jesus draws auth from **Father**
+ "where": localised, specific kingdom
  + i.e., not here
+ "I AM": the only God, omnipresent

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# How have we **questioned** the **authority** of the Bible?

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+ What has been our **faith journey**?
+ What questions have **others** raised?
+ How does Jesus' reply in v13-19
  + **challenge** those who disbelieve?

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## Light of the World (Jn8)
1. True Testimony (v13-14)
1. True Judgment (v15-18)
1. True Son (v19-20)
1. **True Light** (v12)

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I am the **light** of the world.

Whoever **follows** me 
will not **walk** in darkness, 
but will have the light of **life**.

[John 8:12 (ESV)](# "ref")

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+ lets us **see** clearly
  + to not **stumble**
+ reveals **dirt** / flaws
  + not to **condemn**, 
  + but to **cleanse**

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But you are not in **darkness**, brothers, 
for that day to **surprise** you like a thief.

For you are all **children of light**, 
children of the day

[1 Thessalonians 5:4-5 (ESV)](# "ref")

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Walk as **children of light** --

for the **fruit** of light is found 
in all that is good and right and true --

and try to discern what is **pleasing** to the Lord.

[Ephesians 5:8-10 (ESV)](# "ref")

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# How can we walk as **children of light**?

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