April 14, 2024
The Light
- Matt Nickoson
Sermon Notes
“Faith is belief without evidence and reason; coincidentally that's also the definition of delusion.” – Richard Dawkins
Not all truth claims are true.
Genesis 1:1 NIV
In the beginning God (Elohim) created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:3-4 NIV
And God (Elohim) said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God (Elohim) saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.
Which “god” is it that created the heavens and the earth?
YHWH or Yahweh (He IS or I AM)
Exodus 3:14a NIV
God (Elohim) said to Moses, “I AM who I AM”.
Exodus 3:15b NIV
“This is my name forever, the name you shall call me from generation to generation”
Deuteronomy 6:1-2 NIV
These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord (YHWH) your God (Elohim) directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD (YHWH) your God (Elohim) as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life.
You will live for what you fear.
Deuteronomy 6:4 NIV
Hear, O Israel: The LORD (YHWH) our God (Elohim), the LORD (YHWH) is one.
Monotheism: the belief that there is one God.
Israel is constantly tempted to worship the “gods” of the other nations and their idols.
Deuteronomy 6:5 NIV
Love the LORD (YHWH) your God (Elohim) with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
“… we always love what seems most attractive to us. Whether it be God, money, sex, or fame, we live for and love what captures our hearts.” - Dr Michael Reeves, Delighting in the Trinity
John 1:1-4 NIV
In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word (Jesus) was with God, and the Word (Jesus) was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him (Jesus) all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.
God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ are separate and equal at the same time.
John 1:5 NIV
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome (understood) it.
John 8:12 NIV
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I AM the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:13 NIV
The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.”
John 8:14 NIV
Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going.”
John 8:16-18 NIV
”But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.”
John 8:19 NIV
Then they asked him, “Where is your father?”
“You do not know me or my Father,” Jesus replied. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”
John 9:5 NIV
“While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
John 9:24-25 NIV
A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.”
He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”
John 9:37-38 NIV
Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”
Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.
Because Jesus is the light of the world I no longer have to live in darkness.
Ephesians5:8-13 NIV
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the lightconsists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.