to begin our worship by singing to God's praise in Psalm 86 in the Scottish Psalter.
Psalm 86, page 341, the Scottish Psalter version. We're going to sing from verse 11 down to verse
15. Teach me thy way and in thy truth. O Lord, then walk will I. Unite my heart that I thy name
may fear continually. O Lord, my God, with all my heart, to thee I will give praise, and
the glory will ascribe unto thy name always. We'll sing from verse 11 to 15, and the tune
is Kilmarnock, to God's praise.
O Lord, then walk will I. There light my heart that I thy name may fear continually. O Lord,
my God, with all my heart, to thee I will give praise. And I, the glory will ascribe unto thy name,
glory. Because thy mercy to worthy, and great rest thou excel. And thou deliver us my soul,
and from the Lord, and from the Lord, O God, the proud against me right, and my life may
O God, the proud against me right, and my life may thou may.
And thou flow to battle, and my soul ascribe unto thy soul to thee, for thy soul has no family.
And for thy soul has no family, hairstysiae, they more than have no respect.
Father who made it.
Suffering hand in my youth
And mercy, let me hear all
Let's bow our heads in a word of prayer.
Let us pray.
Our gracious Lord in heaven,
we do thank you to be able to come
and praise you as the one who is worthy of it.
We thank you for these words that we have sung together.
They remind us that we are to with all our heart
give praise to thee and to give glory
unto thy name always.
And we thank you that day by day
you remind us of every reason
why we have to give praise to you,
that you are the God who provides for us,
that you are the God who watches over us,
that you are the God who meets our needs
in so many different ways.
And you are the one who remembers us
in our frailties.
Even though we are like the dust of the ground,
we thank you that you see us,
that you see us through your Son, Christ Jesus,
that you see us not as we are sinners
unworthy of any of your mercies,
but that you are full of mercy,
that your mercies are plenteous towards us.
For we do not deserve it,
yet you have given to us through your Son, Christ Jesus,
all our needs to be met in him.
And we thank you that when we were lost,
when we were, like the Bible describes,
sheep without a shepherd,
when we were wandering astray,
that you sent him as a shepherd,
an overseer for us,
one who would gather his people,
gather his own,
and take them to himself,
one who would come,
and even the poorest,
the frailest of sheep,
he would carry in his bosom.
He would hold them close.
And we thank you for that wonderful imagery
that your Word gives us,
of the very compassion and care of our Savior,
that he has such a gracious love towards us,
that he never casts any away from him,
but he always invites us to come,
to come no matter our situation or circumstances,
to come no matter our past or present,
no matter where we are in life.
The invitation of the Gospel goes out,
and we marvel at that,
in a world that so much despises
and casts you away,
that your mercy is still more in the midst of it all.
And we do pray, Lord,
to know your mercy upon us,
as our people here and as our community,
that we would know your favour upon us, Lord,
that we would know what it is for you
to work in us and through us and around us,
to know what it is to see your Spirit giving life,
to see your Spirit bringing hope to the hopeless,
to see your Spirit opening the eyes of the blind,
bringing your Spirit upon us, Lord,
to draw us close to yourself,
that you would pour it upon us,
even in these days,
to know, Lord,
the wonder of your reviving power.
And we thank you for your word that is truth.
We thank you that it stands firm
through all generations,
passed down from so many,
even in our own communities and islands here.
We thank you for those who have upheld it,
who have stood firm on it,
who continue to this day to uphold your truth.
And we pray that as your people here,
your truth would be the very foundation of our lives and our being,
that we would see it not just as words from pages in front of us,
but that we would see it as the living word of God,
that living word that is active and powerful,
sharper than any two-edged sword,
able to pierce into our very soul and being.
And we thank you for the power of your word,
that it is that word that gives life.
And we pray in the preaching of it,
and as we hear it even this evening anew,
that you would speak to us,
and that you would give us ears to hear as we hear it read,
and as we consider it together,
that we would see the wonder,
the beauty of Jesus with us,
the one who is the I am,
the one who we see this evening as we come to read your word,
as the one who is the light of the world.
And so we pray that that light would go out in our midst here
and throughout our communities,
throughout our land,
throughout the world,
as we see the tensions and the difficulties around us
in so many different places.
We think of the Middle East as tensions continue to rise there,
a place, O Lord,
that we know is precious to you
and your people who are precious to you.
And yet we see the violence,
we see the worries, the fears,
we see the death and atrocities taking place.
And Lord, in our human hearts,
we are so wicked to the core.
We do not judge, for we are wicked ourselves,
but yet we know that we need you in the midst of it all.
We pray that people there will come to realize the futility of it.
We pray, Lord,
people to realize their need of peace
and that peace that comes from you.
And so we pray, Lord,
that you will have mercy there,
have mercy in the Ukraine and Russia.
As ongoing conflict there continues,
we pray, Lord,
for peace to come.
We pray for that in the midst of all the different needs
around us and in this world.
Lord, we know, Lord,
that life brings its troubles,
its sorrows.
So the ones that we see so internationally,
and yet the many that are known only in our own hearts
or in a small number around us,
but yet, Lord, known to you.
And we thank you that in our needs, O Lord,
that you are there,
that you are there to give us the light of the gospel,
the light of life,
and that we would follow you.
And Lord, help us to see you
and to know you in these things.
And for us to make known Jesus to all around us,
to pray for people around us,
to commit our lives unto you in all things.
And we thank you for every opportunity we have to serve you.
We thank you for our people,
young and old alike,
and we thank you for the way that we are able to bring the gospel
to many people in many different ways.
And we do pray for this coming week with the holiday club taking place.
We thank you for all that has been done in preparation for it.
We ask your blessing over all things in these coming days,
your protection over everyone who comes and goes,
your strength towards all who help,
and your blessing on all who come.
Families and children alike,
Lord, we pray to see your hand upon us for good.
We pray too, Lord, for our community as a whole in these days.
We pray for those who mourn,
for those who are unwell,
for those who struggle in life in many different ways.
We do pray, Lord,
for your help and your strength.
We thank you for times of holiday
and seeing visitors in our midst over these days.
We thank you for all who find that time of refreshment
either coming here on holiday or going away on holiday.
But we are mindful too of those who are unable to do so,
those who maybe cannot afford it
or those who have other commitments,
those who have lives that are hectic and busy
in so many different ways.
And we just pray, Lord,
for your help and your strength
and your mercy upon us in all of these things.
And so we do pray, Lord,
that you will continue with us this evening,
guide us in our worship,
give us that song of praise in our heart
to lift up to you as we sing praise to you, Lord.
May we do so with gladness of heart
and with joy on our lips
and lifting our voices together.
We pray, Lord,
praising you as our Lord and as our God.
May you hear our prayers
as we offer them up to you in the name of Jesus.
May you hear them as we speak them
and as we utter them in our hearts,
that you would be pleased to answer according to your will.
And may you guide us, Lord,
and help us to know your spirit with us.
For we know that as your word says,
apart from you we can do nothing.
And so we pray that your presence will be real to us this night,
that you will be near,
that you will draw close to us
as we seek to draw close to you.
So continue with us and pardon all our sin.
That's all we ask.
We ask in that precious name above every name,
the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,
and for his glory.
Amen.
We'll again sing to God's praise,
this time in Psalm 62.
In the Scottish Psalter, once again,
Psalm 62, page 294 of the Psalm books.
And we'll sing from verse 5 down to verse 8.
Psalm 62 at verse 5.
My soul, wait thou with patience upon thy God alone.
On him dependeth all my hope and expectation.
He only my salvation is,
and my strong rock is he.
He only is my sure defense,
I shall not move it be.
We'll sing from verse 5 down to verse 8,
and the tune is Martyrdom.
We stand to sing to God's praise.
My soul, wait thou with patience upon thy God alone.
On him dependeth all my hope and expectation.
He only my salvation is,
and my strong rock is he.
He only is my sure defense,
I shall not move it be.
In God my glory place in it,
and my salvation sure.
In God the Lord is all my strength,
My refuge most secure.
His fire, the Messiah said,
fuego esté human rí sand,
the lead
before
and for
the
under
heart
God is
the
recognized
high
we're going to turn to reading the gospel of John
chapter 8
John chapter 8 we're going to take up
our reading at verse 12
and read down to
verse 30 but just put it into
context where we take up
our reading at verse 12 is really
following on from the end
of chapter 7 the whole of
chapter 7 speaks
about the festival that was going on
at this time the feast of booths
and it's in light of this
feast that's going on
that's coming to an end as we'll see
as we look at this passage together
this evening
as we come into chapter 8
this feast
went on for a week
and it's coming to an end as we read
in verse 12
where Jesus
utters these words
I am
the light
of the world
so it was in the midst of this feast
that Jesus was speaking
so we bear that in mind as we read
these words together
John 8
and at verse 12
again Jesus spoke to them
saying
I am the light of the world
whoever follows me
will not walk in darkness
but will have
the light of life
so the Pharisee said to him
you are bearing witness
about yourself
your testimony is not true
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
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
in your law it is written
that the testimony of two men
is true
I am the one
who bears witness
about myself
and the Father who sent me
bears witness about me
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
these words he spoke
in the treasury
as he taught in the temple
but no one arrested him
because his hour
had not yet come
so he said to them again
I am going away
and you will seek me
and you will die
in your sin
where I am going
you cannot come
so the Jews said
will he kill himself
since he says
where I am going
you cannot come
he said to them
you are from below
I am from above
you are of this world
I am not of this world
I told you that you would die
in your sins
for unless you believe
that I am he
you will die in your sins
so they said to him
who are you
Jesus said to them
just what I have been telling you
from the beginning
I have much to say about you
and much to judge
but he who sent me
is true
and I declare to the world
that I have heard from him
they did not understand
that he had been speaking
to them
about the father
so Jesus said to them
when you have lifted up
the son of man
then you will know
that I am he
and that I do nothing
on my own authority
but speak
just as the father taught me
and he who sent me
is with me
he has not left me alone
for I always do the things
that are pleasing to him
as he was saying
these things
many believed in him
and so on
and may God bless
that reading
from his word
before we turn back
to look at this passage together
we're going to sing again
to God's praise
in Psalm 27
the Sing Psalms version
Psalm 27
on page 32
we're going to sing
from verse 9
down to the end
of the psalm
and the psalm
begins with these words
that tie into
what we're looking at
this evening
as the Lord's
light towards us
the Lord's my saviour
and my light
a psalm
that the people of God
would often sing
and as we'll see
it ties into
what we're looking at
this evening
they were looking
for the light
who would bring them
salvation
and then at verse 9
we read these words
so do not hide
your face from me
and do not turn aside
your servant
in your righteous wrath
for you have been
my guide
O God my saviour
leave me not
do not reject my plea
my parents may forsake me
Lord
but you
will welcome me
we'll sing from verse 9
down to the end
of the psalm
and the tune is
Belmont
oh do not hide
your face from me
and do not turn aside
your servant
in your righteous wrath
for you have been
my guide
O God my saviour
leave me not
do not reject
my thing
my parents may
forsake me
Lord
but you
will welcome
me
teach me
O Lord
how I
should live
and lead me
in your way
make straight
my path
be close
my foes
O praise
me
every day
give me
your door
to the will
of the
event
and
for
liars
rise
to
slander
me
and
leave
the
cruelty
yet
I
am
sure
that
the
endless
life
God's
goodness
I
will
see
with
Lord
the Lord
peace
come
take heart
from
him
wait
patiently
we
can turn
back to a
reading in John chapter 8 and read again at verse 12
12
John 8 at verse 12
again Jesus spoke to them saying I am the light of the world whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life
a couple of
a couple of weeks ago on a Sunday evening we were looking at John chapter 6 and Jesus coming to his disciples on the water and in that passage as he comes to them he says a word of comfort to them it is I do not be afraid and as we were looking at that passage we were seeking seeing how that word or these words it is I I really I am
and how they tie back to Exodus chapter 3 where God met with Moses in the burning bush and Moses was asking him as he was about to be sent to Pharaoh who will I say sent me and God said to him say I am has sent you and we were reminded in that passage of how God has promised to be with his people there he met in Exodus with Moses in a
burning bush a place of light and as you go through the Old Testament you find that so often the Lord with his people is seen with them as light and in that way he is light and life to them in different ways
the Exodus itself is a great example to us of the way the Lord was with his people through the pillar of fire the pillar of cloud by night there was this great pillar of fire that was with them that protected them that led them every step of the way the Lord was with them
that psalm that psalm that psalm that psalm that psalm that psalm that psalm that we sang together there psalm 27 again there's that powerful reminder the Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear
many of the psalms are full of that theme of the light of God psalm 119 speaks of the word as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path it guides us along the way
there are also many prophecies looking to the coming of Jesus that show it in that sense of God's presence through light light to the nations
Isaiah chapter 49 verse 6 it's one of these servant songs as it's known we're speaking there about the Lord Jesus
and it says I will make you as a light for the nations that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth
so you see it right through the Old Testament there is that theme of the light to the world the light
to the nations and that ultimately this is going to be fulfilled in Christ
when you think of significant events that we have in our world at different times maybe our calendar year is filled with different kinds of events
events that often have fire or fireworks or something like that in its midst special occasions like Guy Fawkes
New Year's Day and other significant events there's often bonfires there's often fireworks up into the sky lighting up the night sky
and then this week we've seen an event a festival if you like with the opening of the Olympic Games in Paris
and if you haven't seen it it's certainly been in the news since
so often when the Olympic Games begin it's the focus is on the lighting of the Olympic flame the torch lights up this flame that burns
for the duration of the games
this time they've sought to make this something a little bit more controversial
by bringing other things into it
they were the organizers were saying we wanted to give a strong a message as possible
and the message that they were giving is not a message that should surprise us in the world that we live
it's a message of confusion
a message that's got its heart in darkness
but we are thankful that tonight as we come to God's word
we have a strong message
that we have a powerful message that speaks to us
light and life as you see going through the Old Testament
we see it fulfilled in the new in Christ Jesus
and the Gospel of John in particular
is full of this theme of life and light
as it's found in Christ
and here in chapter 8 in verse 12
we have one of the I am sayings of Jesus
as we said last time when we were looking at Jesus saying
do not be afraid
I am I am with you
well here in chapter 8 we've got one of these occasions
where Jesus shows us how he is with us
and he says in this verse
I am the light of the world
whoever follows me will not walk in darkness
but will have the light of life
as I said at the beginning
this when he was speaking
was in the midst of a great festival
that was taking place
the festival of booths or tabernacles
as it's called
we're going to focus on that in a wee moment
and it was a time when there were many people
gathered in Jerusalem
chapter 7
if you read through it
it shows us all that was going on
this was a festival that lasted a week
a festival that brought thousands of people together
in Jerusalem
and when we think of festivals today
so often the summertime is called festival season
throughout our land
you think of festivals
it's often a site of fields
filled with tents and thousands of people
well Jerusalem at this time
of the feast of booths
it was these booths
these tents that the people had to live in
they set up camp as it were
in Jerusalem
as this festival was going on
because it was a time
when they were giving thanks to God
for his deliverance towards them
from the wilderness
in the days of Moses
how God had brought them through the wilderness
and here they are still remembering
this event
this feast
and in their midst
is this one
who they were looking for
this one
who they kept missing
this one
who they couldn't see
or understand
as you read through
John 8
and even John 7
you see
Jesus caused
division
and even though he fulfills
what this festival means
they couldn't see it
they were blinded
to it
and you see that
right through
the gospel of John
how Jesus came
to his own
and his own
received him not
they couldn't understand
who it was
and so they were rejecting Jesus
many of them
but Jesus reminds them
in the midst of this festival
that they are enjoying
that he
is the very one
that they should be looking for
that he
is the light
of the world
and when we think
of the world
in which we live
with all the festivals
and even you think
of the events
in Paris
in these last few days
with the lighting
of the torch
the lamp
that will burn
and the message
that was trying
to be put across there
here is a greater message
because all these lights
of this world
all these
Olympic flames
all these festivals
that take place
all these places
with great bright lights
these lights
are going to go out
these messages
that they say
are powerful
they are going to fade
but here is the message
that will last
and here is the light
that gives life
and so as we look
at Jesus saying
I am the light
of the world
I want us to see it
in three ways
here this evening
first of all
just looking at the festival
itself
and what it meant
then we see
the fulfillment
and then thirdly
we will see
the focus
that that gives
so we want to think
first of all
of the festival
in order to understand
what Jesus is saying
in verse 12
we have to see it
in its context
we have to understand
where Jesus is
and the occasion
that he is speaking into
and it was an occasion
that was alongside
the day of atonement
one of the big occasions
in the Jewish calendar
and still is
to this day
it was a time
of remembering
what God had done
so it was significant
it was important
and it brought
many people
together
and it has been
remembered
since the days
of Moses
when you go back
to Leviticus
which outlines
many of the festivals
that the people had
Leviticus chapter 23
verse 33 to 46
it tells us
about this festival
of booths
this festival
of tabernacles
it was a festival
that took place
once a year
at the end
of harvest time
around September
or October
and the people
were to cease
from work
and they were to
cease for a week
and come
and gather together
and bring offerings
to God
during this week
they were to live
in tents
as I said
because this
reminded them
of how the children
of Israel
had to live
in tents
during their
exodus years
and so they were
looking back
and remembering
and giving thanks
to God
the instructions
were there
for them
as outlined
in Leviticus
but as with
many things
as with many
instructions
things could start
to wane
over time
and the focus
could start
to be lost
and so they would
spend this week
in celebration
and as we're
reading here
in Jesus' day
in Jerusalem
at this time
the festival
was going on
this festival
of booths
the opening
verses
in verse
chapter 7
speak of this
now Jesus
went about
Galilee
he would go
about in Judea
because the Jews
were seeking
to kill him
now the Jews
feast of booths
was at hand
so there was
this feast
that was taking
place
that many people
were going
to
and Jesus
didn't go there
straight away
he held back
for a few
days
but the temple
where this feast
was taking
place
was decorated
and lined
out with
lights
of all
kinds
the courtyard
of the temple
had no roof
and in the courtyard
you see in verse
20 it says
where Jesus
was speaking
to them
he spoke
in the treasury
as he taught
in the temple
he was speaking
in this place
where offerings
were made
a place
that was open
to the sky
and there were
all these lights
hundreds
maybe even
thousands
of candle lights
all around
but in the temple
were these
four large
pillars
and on these
pillars
were set
four large
torches
that burnt
burning oil
for the duration
of the festival
and this light
was seen
by all
especially
at night
and if you
were traveling
to Jerusalem
or leaving
Jerusalem
this light
was in the
night sky
all the time
it was there
for all
to see
it lit up
the whole
courtyard
of the temple
they were in
the midst
of this light
these huge
torches
were burning
that's why
it brings
to mind
the idea
of the Olympic
Games
and the torch
burning
for the whole
time
of the
Olympic Games
being on
it's lit
and it burns
for the duration
does not bring
even more
significance
when we think
of the message
of this week
of the mocking
of Christ
of the ridiculing
of the Christian
faith
that in the
midst of
this light
ceremony
there's this
mocking
of Christ
and here
we are
tonight
we look
at this
passage
and what
does it
say to
us
here in
Jerusalem
in Jesus'
day
was this
festival
going on
where people
were mocking
Jesus
ridiculing
Jesus
not long
before Jesus
would be put
to death
it's a reminder
to us
that generation
after generation
people will
ridicule
and mock
Christ
and yet
in the midst
of this
festival
just as it's
about to
come to a
close
you see
that Jesus
speaks here
in the last
day of the
festival
in verse 37
of chapter 7
it says
on the last
day of the
feast
the great
day
Jesus
stood up
and cried
out
he was
speaking to
them here
on the
last day
of this
event
and it's
at this
point
when things
are coming
to a
conclusion
when all
the lights
are about
to go
out
when darkness
is about
to come
once again
that Jesus
then speaks
these words
on the last
day of the
feast
he says
as we see
in verse 12
I am the
light
of the
world
whoever
follows me
will not
walk in
darkness
but will
have the
light
of life
how
significant
this is
when their
festival
is coming
to a close
when these
great lights
are about
to go
out
Jesus
says
I am
the light
of the
world
and we
think of
festivals
today
think of
music
festivals
sporting
festivals
when they
come to
an end
what's
left
nothing
but empty
fields
muddy
fields
cast off
rubbish
everything
comes to
an end
the noise
dies down
the lights
go out
it's been
enjoyed
for a
time
but just
a short
time
and what
then
silence
and
darkness
it's a bit
like what was
happening
here
this festival
coming
to a
close
but
Jesus
speaks
I am
the light
of the
world
everything
that would
give
enjoyment
to us
everything
that this
world
seeks
pleasure
in
apart
from
Christ
it
comes
to
an
end
the
festival
closes
the
darkness
comes
the light
goes
out
but do
we hear
the voice
of Jesus
I am
the light
of the
world
he is
the one
who is
to be
seen
who is
to be
looked
at
who is
to be
known
so this
festival
this festival
that had been
going on
for generations
is happening
in Jesus
his own
day
and yet
they don't
recognize
they don't
recognize
who he
is
and for
ourselves
today
when we
think of
the world
in which
we live
the world
of confusion
and chaos
the world
of mixed
messages
and wrong
messages
here is
Jesus
still saying
today
I am
the light
of the
world
why will
you walk
in darkness
when you
have the
light
of life
in me
so the
festival
is there
for us
to see
but then
we see
secondly
the
fulfillment
if Jesus
is standing
and saying
I am
the light
of the
world
he is
making
such a
powerful
statement
a statement
that divides
the people
the Pharisees
they question
him and
deny him
they are
turned against
him
they want
to arrest
him
but his
hour has
not yet
come
as it
says
in verse
20
but they are
out to get
him
but what does
he mean
what is he
saying to
them
well we
need to
understand
that as
well that
he is
the
fulfillment
of all
these
things
if we
we are
being told
just like
they are
being told
there is
more to
life than
these
festivals
and there is
more to
life than
these times
when there is
these powerful
lights that
will eventually
go out
and Jesus
is saying
but I am
the light
of the
world
well what
does he
mean
what can
we hold
on to
that Jesus
has
well if
you think
of somebody
offering you
something in
this world
you want to
know it
can be
trusted
you want
to know
that it
will last
if you think
of someone
selling you
a product
how do you
respond
you go to
buy a car
you don't
just say
I'll take
it
you want
to have
a look
at it
you want
to see
it
you want
to test
drive
it
you want
to find
out
it's
history
make sure
that everything
is in
order
about it
same
with any
piece
of equipment
you buy
you want
to make
sure
that it's
working
and it
will do
the job
before you
buy something
you can spend
a lot of
time researching
it
check the
reviews
hear what
other people
are saying
other people
who have
had it
or have
the same
kind
you want
to see
what they
think
of it
would they
recommend
it
what about
the Christian
faith
Jesus is
saying
I am
the light
of the
world
how do
you take
that
how did
they take
that
in his
day
many
rejected
but you
see in
verse 30
as he
was saying
these things
many
believed
in him
and it's
so often
on the
testimony
of others
that we
can see
the reasons
that we
can believe
the people
were looking
for a
coming
Messiah
but the
Jews
today
they're
still
looking
for that
Messiah
to come
the promised
one
who would
be
their hope
and salvation
and you
see it
earlier in
the gospel
of John
in chapter
4
when the
woman at
the well
meets
with Jesus
she's
conversing
with Jesus
and she
says
I know
that Messiah
is coming
he who is
called
Christ
when he
comes
he will
tell us
all things
and what
was Jesus'
response
to her
I
who speak
to you
am he
and she
went
to tell
others
and they
believed
not just
on her
testimony
but on
the testimony
of hearing
Jesus
speaking
and you
see when
you look
to this
light
of the
world
it's
not some
kind of
dodgy
deal
it's
not
something
that's
going
to fail
you
when they
were looking
even to
this
festival
and remembering
what God
had done
they were
remembering
the very
fact
that
God
had been
faithful
to them
that he
had taken
them
through
the wilderness
that in
the pillar
of fire
and the
pillar of
smoke
that he
had
protected
them
and that
he had
led
them
along
the way
he would
supply
them
with
every
need
they
already
knew
that
God
could
be
faithful
that
God
was
faithful
but they
couldn't
understand
that this
was
the
Christ
and for
ourselves
as we
look back
here we
have
a
fulfillment
that we
see in
Christ
when we
see all
that he
has done
when you
think of
the prophecies
other prophecies
in the Old
Testament
such as Isaiah
chapter 9
a famous
prophecy of the
coming of the
saviour
what does it
say there
it says
the people
who walked
in darkness
have seen
a great
light
those who
dwelt in
the land
of deep
darkness
on them
has light
shined
I say
again
showing
the saviour
who would
come
that promise
fulfilled
even when you
come into the
New Testament
you see it
in John's
own gospel
again
it reminds
us of
the way
the people
would reject
in John 1
verse 4
when we read
of the word
that became
flesh
and dwelt
among us
it says
in him
was life
and the
life was
the light
of men
the light
shines in
the darkness
and the
darkness
has not
overcome
it
there is
Jesus
fulfilling
the Old
Testament
prophecy
the light
shines in
the darkness
and the
darkness
has not
overcome
it
it goes
on in
verse 14
where these
words
the word
became
flesh
and dwelt
among us
and we
have seen
his glory
glory
as of
the only
son
from the
father
full
of grace
and truth
the fulfillment
of the one
that they were
looking for
he is here
he is the
one
who is the
light
of the
world
there were
actually
two great
statements
that Jesus
made
at this
festival
the second
one is
I am the
light of
the world
but if you
go back
into
chapter
7
verse 37
he says
there as
well
on the
last day
of the
feast
the great
day
Jesus
stood up
and cried
out
if anyone
thirsts
let him
come to
me and
drink
whoever
believes
in me
as the
scripture
has said
out of
his heart
will flow
rivers
of living
water
and this
tied in
with another
aspect of
this
festival
it was
a festival
of the
drawing
of water
as well
water
was such
a big
part of
this
festival
of booths
over the
course of
the week
light
and water
were two
important
parts of
it
and here
Jesus is
saying that
he will
quench
their thirst
and he
will shine
into
their
darkness
these
are the
words
of
Jesus
as the
festival
is coming
to a
close
and the
people are
thinking
how do we
go on
where do
we go
when this
comes to
an end
what will
satisfy
us
well you
cannot do
without
Jesus
and that
is true
for ourselves
as well
this
is what
you need
he is
saying
I
am what
you need
when you
are thirsty
in this
world
when nothing
satisfies
your thirst
I
will give
you
living
water
when you
feel lost
in this
world
when you
feel
surrounded
by darkness
in this
world
I
am the
light
of the
world
whoever
follows
me
will not
walk
in darkness
but will
have
the light
of life
and the
seriousness of
what he's
saying
is seen
in verse
21
I am
going away
and you
will seek
me
and you
will die
in your
sins
this is
the
seriousness
of it
without
me
you
are
dead
without
me
you
die
in
your
sins
and so
the challenge
to the
people
then
as to
ourselves
is that
in verse
30
many
believed
in him
and belief
so often
means
following
him
do you
believe
as we
were hearing
from Scott
today
and in
his
studies
in John
as well
the gospel
of John
is full
of that
question
do you
believe
do you
believe
that he
is the
light
of the
world
there is
a fulfillment
of scripture
here in
Jesus
the fulfillment
of the
festival
that the
people have
been
remembering
for so
long
here
he is
in the
same way
as you
think of
the day
of atonement
when the
lamb
was
sacrificed
when the
people
remembered
the
Passover
Jesus
was the
fulfillment
of that
we don't
have
these
festivals
ourselves
we don't
need them
today
not the
festival
or booths
not the
day of
atonement
not the
Passover
why
because we
have the
Lord's
Supper
and we
have
baptism
we are
reminded
in these
things of
what the
Lord has
done
what he
has finished
what he
has achieved
for his
people
they were
looking for
the Messiah
and here
he was
I am
the light
of the
world
so just
as we
finish
I want
to think
of what
this
focuses
our
attention
on
having
looked at
the
festival
and the
fulfillment
what is
Jesus
why is
Jesus
saying
all of
this
is
is it
to draw
attention
to
himself
well you
could say
yes
of course
it is
that's the
purpose
of the
gospel
to show
us
Jesus
to show
us the
one
who is
the great
I am
the one
who says
I am
the way
the truth
and the
life
I am
the door
I am
the shepherd
I am
the bread
of life
the one
who fulfills
all things
for us
his purpose
in all of
this is that
we would
believe and
see that
he is
the Christ
when you
think of
the Olympic
ceremony
an organizer
saying
the message
that they were
trying to put
across
we wanted
to have
a strong
a message
as possible
is what
they said
there's
nothing more
powerful
than this
not to
focus
on ourselves
not to
focus
on the
things that
we see
as a
world
a right
or wrong
but to
focus on
Jesus
to look
to him
the one
who is
full of
mercy
and compassion
the one
who is
patient
and you
wonder
how he
can be
so patient
in this
world
in which
we live
even with
ourselves
and yet
he is
the light
of the
world
the one
who is
calling us
to follow
him
and what
does he
say to
us
as we
think of
just bringing
things to
a conclusion
well he
says to
us
in verse
24
I told
you that
you would
die in
your sins
for unless
you believe
that I am
he
you will
die
in your
sins
apart
from
faith
in
Jesus
we are
lost
we are
in that
darkness
we are
in that
lost
abyss
but he
is saying
follow
me
he is
speaking
about
faith
and to
believe
in him
so verse
24
tells us
you will
die in
your sins
unless
you believe
that I
am he
that I
am the
one
who is
the light
of the
world
then verse
28
what does
he say
to them
there
so Jesus
said to
them
when you
have lifted
up the
son of
man
then you
will know
that I
am he
and that I
do nothing
on my
own
authority
but speak
just as
the father
taught me
he tells
them
of the
cross
when you
have lifted
up the
son
of man
when you
have lifted
him up
on the
cross
he's telling
them this
is what's
coming
this is
what's
coming
for me
this is
what I
am doing
for you
when I
am lifted
up
then you
will know
that I
am he
when they
looked how
many would
think of
these words
that he
has said
that here
in the
midst of
the darkness
of Calvary
when there
was darkness
even at
midday
that the
light of
the world
was still
shining
that he
was giving
his life
for his
own
that they
might have
life
and walk
in it
the power
of what
Jesus
has done
how he
suffered
for his
people
and what
think we
of that
what do
you think
of your
sin
do you
think of
your sin
and see
without him
you will
die
in your
sin
but here
he is
the light
of the
world
or what
do you
think
of the
cross
Jesus
who was
lifted
up
do you
believe
that he
died
for your
sin
yet
is the
light
of the
world
and
darkness
is coming
darkness
is coming
for those
who do
not believe
and it
will come
in a
blink
whenever I
read
these
verses
of Jesus
as the
light
of the
world
and speaks
of the
darkness
of the
world
it so
often
reminds me
and I've
maybe shared
this before
of being
in a
ship's
engine
room
a place
full of
noise
full of
light
so bright
and yet
a blackout
on a ship
it just
happens
just like
that
everything
goes
quiet
everything
goes
dark
when the
power
goes
everything
stops
I remember
it happening
a couple
of times
and it's
only maybe
looking back
you think
is that
what eternity
is like
how it
comes
just like
that
how one
minute
you're enjoying
this life
the festivals
and everything
that comes
our way
everything
that we
can enjoy
and yet
the next
moment
that's
it
eternity
and what
hope do we
have
for that
day
what hope
do you
have
as the
lights
go out
another
psalm that
speaks of
this is
psalm 36
verse 9
for with
you is the
fountain of
life
in your
light
do we
see
light
life
and light
that is
found
in Christ
Jesus
here
was speaking
at the
end
of this
festival
of booths
this festival
of tabernacles
when these
great lights
these pillar
of lights
were about
to go
out
when he
says
I am
the light
of the
world
we
have
as strong
as message
as is
possible
to have
that in
Jesus
there's a
light
that will
not go
out
a saviour
that will
never
fail us
Jesus
says
I am
the light
of the
world
whoever
follows me
will not
walk in
darkness
but will
have
the light
of life
are you
walking
in this
light
tonight
the darkness
comes
but with
Christ
there is
light
of life
light
that will
never
go out
let us
pray
our
gracious
father in
heaven
we do
thank you
for your
word
that is
the light
that lights
our way
and we
pray
lord
that you
will
continue
to guide
us
by us
to help
us to
see
ourselves
in it
in our
own
failings
but yet
to see
the wonder
of a
saviour
in Christ
who is
patient
and long
suffering
the wonder
of a
saviour
who came
into the
darkness
of this
world
who bore
our sins
on the
cross
who was
lifted up
for us
who was
mocked
and despised
and yet
we see
him
as one
who showed
such great
love
father
forgive
them
for they
know
not what
they do
and so
lord
may we
know
that
forgiveness
ourselves
pardon
our
sins
and go
before us
as we
ask it
all
seeking
to believe
in you
with all
our hearts
as we
ask it
in jesus
name
amen
we're
going to
conclude
by singing
in psalm
18
in the
sing
psalms
version
psalm
18
at
verse
27
we'll
sing
three
stanzas
down
to
verse
30
you
save
the
humble
and
the
meek
but
bring
the
proud
down
from
their
height
you
lord
will
keep
my
lamp
aflame
god
turns
my
darkness
into
light
we
pray
that
as we
sing
these
words
we
will
know
the
one
who
keeps
our
lamp
alight
and the
god
who
turns
our
darkness
into
light
we'll
sing
verse
27
to
30
in the
tune
is
Duke
Street
you
save
the
humble
and
the
king
I'll
bring
the
proud
down
from
their
eyes
you
lord
will
keep
my
lamp
of
day
God
turns
my
darkness
into
light
with
help
from
God
I
can
advance
eyes
that
you
and
worth
their
hope
love
and
with
thee
my
God
will
live
I
can
leave
hope
the
day
he
home
for
perfect
is
the
way
of
God
no
noise
found
within
his
word
to
all
who
put
their
trust
in
him
a
shield
and
way
to
change
the
Lord
I
will
go to
the
main
door
after
the
benediction
we
will
close
with
the
benediction
now may
grace
mercy
and peace
from
God
Father
Son
and Holy
Spirit
rest
upon
and
abide
with
you
all
now
and
forever
more
Amen
Matthew
subscribe
and
Thank you.