Bible Text: John 10:22-41 | Preacher: Pastor Steve | Series: Miracles of Christmas
JESUS IS THE LIGHT
John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke…I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. John 9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
John 10:22-24 It was now winter, and Jesus was in Jerusalem at the time of Hanukkah.  He was at the Temple, walking…
Jesus did tell them over and over again!  John 11:9-10 Jesus answered…If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him. John 12:35-36 Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light…John 12:46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.
Jesus Is the Light of the World
God is Light
Light symbolizes the Holy God
Light signifies God’s presence and favor
Light is the revelation of God’s love in Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is life-giving light
The Armor of Light
Romans 13:11-14 …Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
How Do We “Put On” The Armor Of Light?
We “Put On” Jesus Christ
This means we live a deliberate, conscious lifestyle where Jesus is the Lord of our lives; all our desires and actions are under His control. We live according to the WILL OF GOD.
Good Versus Evil
John 3:19 (Jesus said) this is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
THE LIGHT AND THE OIL
THE LORD WANTS US TO SEE NOT ONLY THE LIGHT BUT ALSO THE SOURCE OF THE LIGHT!
THE OIL
The Maccabian War
Three-year war where the Jews were out numbered four to one
The Jewish people under the sovereign hand of God miraculously drove out the Syrian forces. History records:
The Jewish people either bowed down to Zeus or died (80,000 people were killed)
Antiochus kills a pig on the brazen altar
The Sabbath was out-lawed (any found gathering on the Sabbath were imprisoned, tortured and/or killed)
Young men had to undergo reverse circumcision
Pigs were sacrificed on the altar in the Holy Holies
Despite All The Above The Jews Won and Syrian Forces Lost!
Hellenization
Spiritual, cultural, moral and ethical compromise are the tools Satan is using to destroy the church
THE OIL IS THE SOURCE OF THE LIGHT
In the events of Hanukkah when the Greeks came into the temple and attack it is noteworthy that they did NOT steal, destroy or take the oil: they DEFILED; DISHONORED; POLLUTED the oil!
The Oil Of The Spirit
It Represents Wisdom, Life, Holiness And Power
It is the symbol of the Holy Spirit by its power to sustain life. Anointing with oil is a symbol of endowment with the Holy Spirit for the works of ministry (Leviticus 8:12; 1 Samuel 10:1,6; 16:13-14; Isaiah 61:1).
It is symbolic of abundance (Deuteronomy 8:8; Ezekiel 16:13); whereas the lack of oil was a figure for want, poverty (Deuteronomy 28:40; Joel 1:10).
The Torah, God’s Word Is Holy Oil
To DEFILE all the holy oil would communicate a clear message that the TEMPLE and GOD’S WORD are NOT HOLY.
THE SOURCE OF God’s Word is under attack!  Its validity, its holiness, its accuracy; its relevancy; its truthfulness; its life are all under attack (NOW)!
John 14:6 (When Jesus said): I am THE way, THE truth, and THE life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.