The Light of the World
A Sermon on the Light of the World from John 8:12
Originally preached May 1, 1960
Scripture
12¶ Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Sermon Description
Will the world ever be free from evil? In this sermon on the light of the world from John 8:9–12, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows that the darkness of the world can only be overcome by Christ, who is the true light of the world. By His death, burial, and resurrection, He overcame the power of sin and the devil. Evil can never be overcome by worldly philosophies or wandering religions that reject the God who created everyone. There is only one way of salvation. Many people find this message offensive and backwards, saying that humanity is ever-evolving and progressing to higher levels of morality and sophistication. Yet Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that this is in direct contradiction to both Scripture and the history of the world. Scripture says that all are born is sinful rebellion, looking only to themselves for guidance. The gospel brings hope and forgiveness, peace and renewal. It tells not that the world is getting better because people are getting better, but that Christ saves sinners who cannot save themselves.
Sermon Breakdown
- Christianity is about the person of Christ, not just his teachings.
- Christ makes an exclusive claim about himself - "I, and I alone am the light of the world." This means there is no other hope or light apart from him.
- The world's wisdom, philosophies, and religions have failed to provide answers to life's deepest questions. Only Christ provides true light and hope.
- Legislation, education, and world organizations have failed to solve humanity's problems or provide hope. Only Christ provides the solution.
- Christ is not just a moral teacher or example. He came to do something for us - to conquer Satan, sin, and darkness.
- The world is in darkness due to the influence of Satan and sin. Christ came to dispel this darkness.
- Christ has conquered Satan and dealt with the problem of sin, but he is allowing the world to continue for a time under Satan's limited influence. During this time, Christ is saving individuals out of the world.
- The world cannot be reformed or saved, but individuals can be saved out of it through faith in Christ.
- Christ will one day return, judge the world, destroy Satan, and establish his eternal kingdom. This is the Christian's hope.
- We must follow Christ, not the world, if we want to walk in light and not darkness. We must look to Christ alone for salvation, not ourselves or the world.
Sermon Q&A
What Did Jesus Mean When He Said "I Am the Light of the World"?
Based on Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' sermon on John 8:12, I'll explore the profound meaning behind Jesus' declaration "I am the light of the world."
What central truth does John 8:12 communicate about Christianity?
John 8:12 presents one of those comprehensive statements that summarizes the entire Christian gospel. When Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life," He was providing a foundational definition of Christianity. As Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains, this verse reminds us that Christianity is not primarily about attitudes, philosophies, or moral teachings, but about the person of Christ Himself who stands at the center of the faith.
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasize this passage is particularly relevant for our times?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues this passage is especially relevant because we live in a world characterized by confusion and uncertainty. In politics, industry, morality, and even within the church itself, there is a lack of clarity and definition. In such times, it's essential to return to fundamental truths about what Christianity actually is before discussing how it applies to specific issues.
How does Jesus' claim to be "the light of the world" demonstrate the exclusivity of Christianity?
Jesus' claim is inherently exclusive. The original Greek emphasis suggests Jesus was saying, "I, and I alone am the light of the world." This means:
- There is no light apart from Him
- All the light is in Him
- He needs no supplement from other religions or philosophies
As Dr. Lloyd-Jones states: "Either this is the only gospel, or it's not a gospel at all." Christianity doesn't need assistance from other religious systems or human wisdom - it is complete in Christ.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrast human attempts to solve world problems with Christ's solution?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones examines various human approaches to solving world problems: - The theory of evolution and progress - Legislative solutions and political acts - Education and moral teaching - World organizations like the United Nations
He argues that all these have failed to bring light to the world's darkness. Christ, however, offers a fundamentally different solution - not merely teaching people to be better, but actually addressing the root problem of darkness (sin and Satan's influence) through His unique person and work.
Why is Jesus uniquely qualified to be "the light of the world"?
Jesus is uniquely qualified because: 1. He is the Son of God, not merely a human teacher 2. He came from above, not from beneath 3. He was sent by God specifically to address the world's darkness 4. He fought and defeated the devil in single combat 5. He has the power to regenerate not just individuals but the entire cosmos
What is Christ's solution for the world according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that Christ's solution has both an individual and cosmic dimension:
- For individuals: "He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness" - Christ rescues individuals from this fallen world through His atoning work.
- For the cosmos: Christ will return to judge the world in righteousness, destroy evil, and establish "a new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness."
The world itself cannot be reformed by human efforts, but Christ will ultimately renew it completely at His return.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones challenge listeners regarding their personal response?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones challenges his listeners to realize they face a choice: they can either pin their hopes on world reformation (and face disappointment) or they can be "rescued and redeemed out of this fallen, sinful, doomed world" by following Christ.
He emphasizes that salvation comes not through Christ's teaching alone but through what Christ has done - taking our nature, bearing our sins, suffering our punishment, and rising for our justification. The appropriate response is to look to Him alone, rest on His finished work, and await His glorious appearing.
The Book of John
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.