Jesus: The Light of the World – John 8.12

Sermon Series: THAT YOU MAY BELIEVE–JOURNEY THROUGH JOHN

“Jesus – The Light of the World”
John 8:12

INTRODUCTION

• Context: The Feast of Tabernacles
• · The Last of Seven Annual Feasts
• · One of three that ALL Jews were REQUIRED to attend
• · Seven Day Feast to commemorate the forty years in the wilderness
• · The Entire Nation Camped Out – reminder of the 40 years
• · Huge Menorah were lit – reminders of the pillar of cloud/fire
• o These Menorah were 75 feet tall
• o 10 Gallons of Oil
• o Wicks from the old and unusable priestly garments
• o These Menorah would actually light the streets of the city
• At the end of the feast, the lights were purposely put out.
• o Why? because the Messiah had not yet come.
• o Some propose it is at this point that Jesus makes his declaration.
• o Against the Sudden Darkness from Extinguishing the Menorah
• o In the Understanding of the Representation of God’s VISIBLE presence (the pillar)

John 8:12
Then Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”

NOTE: Jesus makes several “I AM” statements in the account written by John. Remember the purpose of John’s Gospel – That You May Believe that Jesus is Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have Eternal Life. (John 20.31)

• Seven I Am Statements of Jesus
• I AM the bread of life. John 6:35, 6:48…..
• I AM the light of the world. John 8:12, 9:5…..
• I AM the door. John 10:7…..
• I AM the good shepherd. John 10:11-14…..
• I AM the resurrection and the life. John 11:25…..
• I AM the way, the truth and the life. John 14:6…..
• I AM the true vine. John 15:1,5…..

JESUS’ CREDENTIALS AS LIGHT
Light is a symbol that has been used in throughout the Bible in connection with Christ. Here are a few examples:

• · Isaiah 9:2
  ² The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of darkness, a light has dawned.
• · Luke 2:32 (HCSB)
  ³² (Simeon’s prophesy declared Jesus to be…) a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to Your people Israel.
• · Matthew 4:16 (HCSB)
  ¹⁶ The people who live in darkness have seen a great light, and for those living in the shadowland of death, light has dawned.
• · John 1:4-5 (HCSB)
  ⁴ Life was in Him, and that life was the light of men.
  ⁵ That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it.
• · John 3:19-20 (HCSB)
  ¹⁹ “This, then, is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. ²⁰ For everyone who practices wicked things hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed.

JESUS’ CLAIM TO BE THE LIGHT.
Jesus is not simply saying that he was “a” light to the world or that he was “another” light to the world. Jesus is not saying that He is holding the light or that He has the light or even that He is the way to the light. HE IS DECLARING THAT HE IS THE ONE AND ONLY LIGHT OF THE WORLD.

He’s declaring I am the Shekinah (the “glowing glory”) these enormous and brilliant candelabras symbolize.

The Menorah, Like the Pillar of Cloud and Fire, Symbolized:

• · It symbolized God’s Presence. “I am the one who was with you.”
• · It symbolized God’s Guidance. “I am the one who guided you.”
• · It symbolized God’s Protection. “I am the one who protected you.”

JESUS’ CHARACTERISTICS AS THE LIGHT
There are many characteristics of light that we could examine but I just want to call your attention to two of them.

• · Light Reveals (John 3:19-20)
• · Light can also Blind.

Only two groups of people are unaware of the presence of light. Those who are blind and totally unable to see, or those who close their eyes tightly and refuse to see.

INVITATION

• · Have you trusted in Jesus Christ as the “Light of the World…
• · Have you trusted Him as the “Light of YOUR world?”
• · Are You Reflecting Him as the Light of Your Life?

Philippians 2:12-16
¹² So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. ¹³ For it is God who is working in you, [enabling you] both to will and to act for His good purpose.
¹⁴ Do everything without grumbling and arguing, ¹⁵ so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars (light) in the world. ¹⁶ Hold firmly the message of life. Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I didn’t run in vain or labor for nothing.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING AHEAD

What would happen at your house if it was learned that some special dignitary, royal ambassador, or your mother-in-law, was coming to visit? I don’t know about your house, but here’s the way this would play out in mine. As soon as my wife, Andie, hears that we have company coming (for example her sister who is somewhat OCD) she starts making plans and preparations. A whole menu of cleaning needs to be done, groceries need to be purchased, and plans need to be finalized. Honestly, there have been times when I have heard someone was planning to come by that I have toyed with the idea of keeping the information to myself simply because of the work that I know it will bring.

Another example might be Thanksgiving. I love hosting Thanksgiving for our family. I really enjoy every part of it from the planning to the shopping, the cooking, and even the cleaning afterward. I start planning for Thanksgiving a couple months in advance because it’s such a big deal, and I want it to go well. As one slogan states: “Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail.” Making everything come together and work out means work ahead of time.

But I am thinking about a totally different and often—I fear—overlooked event. There is a far more important occasion that is taking place this week and I’m challenged and convicted by the amount of attention and preparation that is put into it. This week, and every week, we have an appointment with the creator of the universe. What I have discovered, however, is that people regularly wait until Sunday morning when it’s time to head out the door to put any thought or preparation into this occasion.

Even in the pastor’s house (confession time) this has happened. I’m not talking about the sermon or the music, but some of the basic things. How often I have heard, “I don’t know what I’m going to wear” just moments before it was time to head out the door. How often have I reached for my Bible and notes only to find them not where I expected them to be. We fail to plan and as a result we find ourselves distracted from the purpose of the day.

So, here’s my thought on this Thursday—just a few days from Sunday. Let’s get ready now…in every area of our lives…for this very important occasion and event. Here are some thoughts that I want to personally do (aside from the “pastor stuff” that I need to do) to be better prepared for Sunday, and they are things that you can do as well.

· Pray –

• o Pray for the church service
• o Pray for your heart and mind to be open
• o Pray for the pastor (believe me he needs it)
• o Pray for the people who serve in the service (music, ushers, etc)
• o Pray that God will “show up” on Sunday in church
• o Pray for the people who will be there who have needs

· Rest –

• o Saturday night get to bed earlier rather than later
• o It’s really hard to focus on God in church when you are tired
• o Get up and out of bed earlier rather than later on Sunday morning

I know that it really frustrates Andie, but I try to be in bed no later than 10PM on Saturday nights. It doesn’t matter what movie is on, what company we have, at 10:00 I intend to be in bed. Obviously, my Sunday activities are a little different then most, but the fact is that all of us need to rest if we are to be ready. I think many people succumb to the enemy before their heads leave their pillows Sunday morning. They say, “Oh, I’m just too tired to go to church” and then stay in bed.

· Take Care of the Basics –

• o Decide what you are going to wear the night before and have it ready
• o Keep breakfast simple (Frozen waffles have saved our home numerous times)
• o Be ready for the unexpected as much as possible—go with the flow

I’m actually thinking back to some of our Sunday mornings as a family when our children were younger. We actually drove two cars to church just to avoid some of the stress that can occur on Sunday mornings. One of the things that helped was being prepared the night before. Having the kids clothes out and ready. Showers, baths, whatever were done the night before. We almost always had at least one or two guests (friends of the kids or others) who had spent the night, so we would keep breakfast quick and easy. I know that without thinking ahead there would have been many Sunday morning disasters in our home. Even with preplanning we still faced our share of struggles.

You might be like I was, and didn’t ever really think about working to get ready for Sunday, but I have found that it makes a great difference, and not just because I’m a pastor. I know it will make things better and smoother in your Sunday morning experience too.

So…get ready, and I’ll see you Sunday morning!

I would love to hear from you. Comment here with some of your family experiences (I love the funny ones) and maybe some tips that you have found work best in your home. In addition, jot down some struggles you might face on Sunday morning, perhaps someone will have an answer for you as well.

Pastor Dave “Big D” Bentley

Continuing our look at the Believer’s Battles in Spiritual Warfare.

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Series through the Gospel of John

THAT YOU MAY BELIEVE

“Stones…Schemes…Sin…and Salvation”

John 8.1-12

John 8 begins and ends with someone about to be stoned by an angry and seething mob. In the first few verses it’s a woman caught in the act of adultery, but by the end of this single chapter there will be stones in the hands of men bent on killing Jesus! Don’t miss a moment!

John 8:1-12 (HCSB)
¹ But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
² At dawn He went to the temple complex again, and all the people were coming to Him. He sat down and began to teach them.
³ Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, making her stand in the center.
⁴ “Teacher,” they said to Him, “this woman was caught in the act of committing adultery.
⁵ In the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do You say?”
⁶ They asked this to trap Him, in order that they might have evidence to accuse Him. Jesus stooped down and started writing on the ground with His finger.
⁷ When they persisted in questioning Him, He stood up and said to them, “The one without sin among you should be the first to throw a stone at her.”
⁸ Then He stooped down again and continued writing on the ground.
⁹ When they heard this, they left one by one, starting with the older men. Only He was left, with the woman in the center.
¹⁰ When Jesus stood up, He said to her, “ Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
¹¹ “No one, Lord,” she answered. “Neither do I condemn you,” said Jesus. “Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”]
¹² Then Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”

Context

After A Night on the Mountain: Jesus has spent the night on the Mountain – he often went there for prayer and time away. He needed it…we need it. The demands that were upon Him were enormous, and the need for perspective and guidance critical.

Early Morning Quiet Shattered: How many of you love the early morning time? It’s quiet…peaceful…serene. You can spend time in prayer, thought, preparation, whatever. Listening to birds, watching the dawn break, or sharing instructive moments with students as Jesus was here. These are great moments. It’s abrasive when something shatters that solitude isn’t it?

Enter the Drama of a Life in the Balance

• Lives all around us are hanging in the balance, and the only hope and answer for them was the only hope and answer for this wretched life.

 

STONES IN THEIR HANDS (3-5)

· Can’t you just hear the conversation on the way as they are dragging this poor girl through the streets. “We’ve got Him now! This will be the end of that Jesus!”

They Had Stones in their Hands

• · Stones of Judgment
• · Stones of Hatred
• · Stones of Indignation
• · Stones of Self-righteousness
• Question: Where Did The Stones Come From?
• Perhaps Some had picked them up along the way!
• Many probably had the stones before they grabbed the girl.
• They were determined – Someone will die This Morning!
• Do we pick up stones along the way…carry them with us…always ready?

SCHEMES IN THEIR HEADS (6a)

• · Notice – It was NEVER about the girl’s sin.
• The Accusations were True, but irrelevant to their motives
• The Sin had been Serious, but irrelevant to their motives
• The Result would be Disastrous, but irrelevant to their motives
• · So – They Set the Trap like pulling back the spring on a mouse trap.
• If Jesus was lenient they could accuse him of disregarding Jewish law
• Go along with the stoning He violates Roman Law and would be arrested
• There appears to be NO WAY OUT…
• You can hear the cheers and see the “High Fives” – “We got him boys!”

SIN IN THEIR HEARTS (6b-9a)

• · Remember – NOTHING catches Jesus unaware.
• He is “Disappointed” but not “Shocked” by the girl’s sin
• He is “Discouraged” but not “Surprised” by their schemes
• · Jesus Knows What’s Going on Beneath the Surface
• o There are Several Elements here that Reveal Significant Things
• First – Where’s the dude? The law required both be executed.
• Second – How did they know where to find her?
• Third – How many of them had been as guilty of this or other transgressions, but thought they had gotten away with it
• Jesus Cuts to the “Heart of the Matter”
• He makes no direct answer to their question
• He bends down and “doodles” in the dirt
• Note: We have no idea what Jesus was writing in the dirt.
• When they PRESS Him for a reply he declares:

“The one without sin among you should be the first to throw a stone at her.”

• The Stones Drop and the Crowd Thins
• They leave oldest to youngest – demonstrating that with age comes wisdom
• Have you ever gotten your hopes up only to be disappointed?
• As wrong and as diabolical as this had been, the feelings had to be similar.
• It’s a wonder that some young gun didn’t just go ahead and hurl his stone anyway.

SALVATION FOR THE HURTING (9b-12)

At the center of the stage in this drama has been a character that seemed to be totally forgotten in the moment. All eyes had been on Jesus, He was in the spot-light. As the crowd thins there is left one other player in the scene, a broken and tattered young woman who has all the emotions of one whose most disgusting and filthy aspect of their life has been put on display for the world to see.

• · Shadowed by her Shame
• · Shattered by her Sinfulness
• There has been one man who could cast that stone
• What Would this Righteous Teacher Do when Left with just her?

SAVED BY HER SAVIOR

• Expecting Condemnation She Finds Comfort
• Anticipating Judgment She Discovers Grace
• Deserving Death She Experiences Mercy
• Awaiting Rage She Encounters Hope

Jesus doesn’t excuse her actions.

• Because of His Amazing Love – Jesus accepts her where she is

Jesus tells her to go and “sin no more.”

• Because of His Amazing Love – Jesus moves her to real life-change

Invitation “Amazing Love/You are My King”

• This is our Lord Jesus – the Same yesterday, today, and always.
• This is the Hope for all men – that Forgiveness and Grace are found in Christ
• This is the story of grace and hope – that no matter what God loves us in Christ
• This is the path to life – that we are cast before Jesus in sin and He receives us.

You don’t need to get your life in order before you meet Jesus, come to Him, and allow Him to work in your life through His Word and the power of His Spirit. He will transform and change you, and you can know His Amazing Love today as this adulteress knew.

Apathy

I saw a bumper sticker recently that said:

“Fight Apathy, or don’t: who cares?”

Does it matter?  What difference does it make?  Well, in the church and in the lives of believers it makes all the difference in the world.  We can’t afford to be apathetic because apathy is in direct disobedience to the will of God and the example of Christ.

Apathy Leads to Apostasy

It’s been the experience of humanity from ancient days.  Apathy leading to apostasy.  Let’s quickly define these terms and look at a Scripture proof of my thought here.

Apathy: a state of indifference, or the suppression of emotions such as concern, excitement,motivation and passion. An apathetic individual has an absence of interest in or concern about emotional, social, or physical life.  (Wikipedia)

Apostasy: a giving up of a religious faith or a previous loyalty (Merriam Webster)

The less people care the more likely they are to turn from God.   Consider this passage from the book of Judges.

Judges 2:10-13
¹⁰ That whole generation was also gathered to their ancestors. After them another generation rose up who did not know the Lord or the works He had done for Israel. ¹¹ The Israelites did what was evil in the Lord’s sight. They worshiped the Baals ¹² and abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of Egypt. They went after other gods from the surrounding peoples and bowed down to them. They infuriated the Lord, ¹³ for they abandoned Him and worshiped Baal and the Ashtoreths.

Soon after the death of Joshua, who had lead the people of Israel in amazing victories as they took possession of the promised land, the people forsook their faith and turned to their own concerns.  They stopped caring (Apathy) and turned from God (Apostasy).

Turning away from God like this takes us to another level where we determine without any basis what is right and what is wrong.  We choose based on our own desires.  If you read the last few chapters of Judges you see how this apostasy leads to horrific acts of rebellion.  The final chapters of Judges recounts the internal war among the people caused by these grievous actions.

The Answer for Apathy

The picturesque landscape of Vermont is dotted throughout with steeples rising above the trees.  As tourists travel the state they report that it’s a beautiful sight.  For those serving the Lord within the borders of the most un-churched state in the country the steeples remind us of the danger and destruction wrought by apathy.  Families shattered…children abandoned…sin justified…

Kay Arthur, founder of Precepts Ministries International, has this to say about the condition of apathy and apostasy of our nation:

“We as a nation have turned away from the Truth of His Word. Unfaithfulness is our scarlet letter, emblazoned on our foreheads. You see it not only in our relationships, our business practices, and our duties to God and His Word, but also in the chambers of our lawmakers. Our nation has been unfaithful to the God whose name is chiseled on our monuments and engraved on our currency.” 

The answer is the same today as it has always been.  The LORD spoke to Solomon at the dedication of the temple and declared that the recipe for returning to the Lord and experiencing His blessings was…

2 Chronicles 7:14
¹⁴ and My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.

• In humility recognize that we can’t go on like this.
• Pray and call out to the Lord…He waits for us to come to him.
• Seek Him…turn from the things that have captivated us
• Turn from sin…recognize that we’ve strayed and repent and return

Wake Up America!!

Throughout the Scriptures you see the divine wake-up calls of God.  Many of these events in the Bible are occurring today.  Storms…Earthquakes…Floods…Famine.  These recent events flood our news networks.  The Secular Humanist will tell us that these events are just random occurrences that have no cause.  But, what if God is trying to get our attention.  This has been His pattern in the past.  I challenge you to personally consider and apply 2 Chronicles 7.14  in your life right now. 

Fight apathy…for real.  Get concerned and get involved.  There is too much at stake not to care.  The souls of your family, neighbors, coworkers and friends hang in the balance.

 

We Care Because He Cares!

The Complete and in order Trail Guide-Directions for the Journey of a Lifetime is available to download on bigdbentley.com totally FREE.  All I ask is that if you use it please let me know what you think and any feedback so that I can make it useful for aiding new believers and members in those early steps on the journey.  It is available as both a WORD document and a PDF file.  Please let me know if there are corrections or editing things that need to be done as well.

Blessings on the Journey!

The Seventh Step on the Trail – Hiking with Your Friends

Understanding The Importance of Fellowship

One of the lessons that I remember from childhood hikes with the Boy Scouts or at church camp is that we should always have a buddy. We had hiking buddies, swimming buddies, and even a buddy who would walk with us to the latrine. We didn’t do anything alone because there was the potential that we might become injured and have no one to assist us. The wisest man and one time king of Israel put it this way:

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labor. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble. And on a cold night, two under the same blanket can gain warmth from each other. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

We Don’t Want to Hike Alone

Making the hike of your life all the more interesting and fun is the fact that we don’t have to make the hike alone. We have friends and family who can make the journey along with us. It also helps to make the entire experience more profitable to us spiritually as we grow together in the family of God.

As the early followers of Jesus were just getting started one of the most important parts of their lives was the connection they had with other believers. Read what their early history reveals in the last part of Acts 2 and in Acts 4.

Acts 2:42-47 (NLT)
⁴² They joined with the other believers and devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, sharing in the Lord’s Supper and in prayer. ⁴³ A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.
⁴⁴ And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had.
⁴⁵ They sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need. ⁴⁶ They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—⁴⁷ all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved.

Acts 4:32-35
³² All the believers were of one heart and mind, and they felt that what they owned was not their own; they shared everything they had. ³³ And the apostles gave powerful witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great favor was upon them all.
³⁴ There was no poverty among them, because people who owned land or houses sold them ³⁵ and brought the money to the apostles to give to others in need.

KOINONIA STEW

I once heard the early church experience described as a KOINONIA Stew. Each believer represented one ingredient in the recipe. Alone, the stew would lack substance and flavor, but combined each ingredient added to the savory simmering collaboration, and nothing could compare to it.

KOINONIA is the Greek word that is translated as fellowship. It literally means “partnership.” It is a good description of who we are as we become connected and engaged in the church family. As we looked before at becoming employed in the kingdom of God according to our gifts which He strategically placed within us, we are not meant to simply be “members” of a church on the role, but active participants in the ministry of God’s family. We are “Partners with a Purpose.”

It is in the connection with the church family that we learn and grow as believers. We are given opportunity to demonstrate Christ in our lives in following the commands Scripture. I consider these to be the “One Anothers” of the New Testament.

• · Love One Another (John 13.34-35)
• · Forgive One Another (Ephesians 4.32)
• · Be Kind to One Another (Ephesians 4.32)
• · Encourage One Another (1 Thessalonians 5.11)
• · Build Up One Another (1 Thessalonians 5.11)
• · Live in Peace with One Another (1 Thessalonians 5.13)
• · Be Hospitable to One Another (1 Peter 4.9)
• · Submit to One Another (Ephesians 5.21)

This is a formidable list, but it is the list of behaviors, attitudes and actions that should define who we are as believers. I fully expect that when the world sees a church family who are fully committed to living out these principles it will have a dramatic influence and impact on the community and on the world. For that early church it meant that literally thousands of people came to be part of the church.

• · Imagine what could happen in your family.
• · Imagine what could happen in your community.
• · Imagine what could happen in your world.

It begins, however, with the simplest of commitments. You have to determine that you will not be the “lone-ranger” Christian, and instead become a part of the body of Christ. You have a gift—discussed in an earlier chapter. You have a specific place, a church that God has chosen for you to be a part of. You have a specific task, a ministry that God has called you to perform. All of this happens as you get on the trail with other Christ followers. It begins with that commitment.

Families Fight

Note: This section is one that I wish people would have told me when I first became part of a church, and especially when I entered the ministry as a pastor. Please read it carefully and pray for understanding as you read through.

One of the hard and difficult truths that we have to face, and it’s especially hard for people who are new believers and may not be aware that the church is really a lot more like a family that we realize, is that sometimes even the best of families will encounter conflict. People say and do things that, intentionally or not, leave others wounded. This is no less true in the church family. Unfortunately there have been many church conflicts that caught multitudes of believers unaware. The end result has been that many people have left…fled like a scalded dog…and might never become a part of a church again.

In one church I heard about a small group of people who had always held the political power of the church began to see that power eroding away as new families were joining the church. In an effort to maintain their power they began to stir conflict within the church. The damage that this small group of people did will be a scar on that church and on the community for years to come.

A personal story goes back to that trail to Little Rock Pond where my wife and I spent our honeymoon. I think if you were to ask our friends and family that they would have told you that they didn’t know many other couples who were as deeply in love as we were. For nearly three years we had pretty much wrapped ourselves up in each other. So, it would have surprised them to know that on our first full day as a married couple, on the side of the mountain leading up to our honeymoon spot we had a knock-down drag-out fight. The details are not that important, but it could have ended with us both deciding that we were going to go our separate ways. However, twenty years have passed and we continue to be totally in love. There have been times when I have thought it might have been easier to have walked away, but oh what I would have missed out on.

I don’t want to scare you away, but to make sure that you enter into this connection with the community of faith knowing that you will not find a perfect church filled with perfect people. You are becoming part of a family, and as with any family there are some family members who…well can be challenging at best. I have a tee shirt that I found a Wal-Mart a year ago or so that tells it like it is. There is a picture of a squirrel with an acorn in his hand and a wild look in his eyes and these words splattered across the front of the shirt: “Most of the people who drive me nuts are in my family.”

That could be the testimony of every church in the world. However, we are only able to control and be responsible for ourselves. I urge you once again, look at the “One Another” passages above. Make them part of your everyday experience, and you will find yourself loving the church and even the nuts that are sometimes scattered within the family.

Review: Looking Back at the Seventh Step on the Trail

Think about your family Reunions. If they are normal then they might sometimes get interesting. What’s been the most interesting family experience in your family?

 

The Challenges that show up in our families may also appear from time to time in your church family. The benefits of family can sometimes be clouded by the burdens that come along with it. You have to determine to look past one another’s faults and follies and remember that God has loved you so much and He has brought you together as His family.

 

Jot Down some thoughts and ideas that you have concerning the family of God and your place in the fold.

 

 

YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE TRAIL GUIDE – CONGRATULATIONS!

Review: Looking Back at the Sixth Step on the Trail

Think about Five People You Know who you Can invite to join you on the trail. Write their names Here:

__________________________

__________________________

__________________________

__________________________

__________________________

Now, look at your right hand. For each name above assign one name to each finger on your hand. As you pray in a moment look to each finger and pray for the person that finger represents. When that person becomes a fellow traveler on the trail replace them on the finger with a new name you can be praying for.

Write a few thoughts here about the person that invited you to join the trail and how that experience took place.

—————————————————————————————–

Some Simple Trail Formulas

Here are some Scripture plans and other ways you can use to share the Jesus Story with people and how they can become a follower of Jesus.

These are usually available in a number of formats including handouts (tracts) and online web pages.

Roman’s Road

In your Bible mark the following verses. They offer a progression of steps toward becoming a follower of Jesus. Recognizing where we are without Jesus all the way to discovering how we can receive Jesus.

• Romans 3.23
• Romans 6.23
• Romans 5.8
• Romans 10.9
• Romans 5.1
• Romans 8.38-39

Four Spiritual Laws

Law One – God Loves You and Has a Wonderful Plan for Your Life.

• John 3.16
• John 10.10

Law Two – Man is sinful and Separated from God

• Romans 3.23
• Romans 6.23

Law Three – Jesus Christ is God’s ONLY Provision for Man’s Sin

• Romans 5.8
• 1 Corinthians 15.3-6
• John 14.6

Law Four = We must INDIVIDUALLY receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord

• John 1.12
• Ephesians 2.8-9
• Revelation 3.20

A Simple Prayer of Salvation:

“Dear God I know I’m a sinner, I know I am not where I want to be, and I want your forgiveness! I believe that Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for my sins. Please wash me clean from all sin. come into my life Jesus to be my Lord and Savior.

Amen!”

YOU HAVE A STORY TO TELL AND PEOPLE YOU CAN REACH –

GO FOR IT!!