may 10, 2026
Teacher: paul mermilliod
Big Truth:
Jesus is the Light of the World
John 8:12 – 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.”
John 8:12, 30-32, 51-53, 56-59
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… [30] As he was saying these things, many believed in him. [31] So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, [32] and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free… [51] Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” [52] The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’ [53] Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?… [56] Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” [57] So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” [58] Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” [59] So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.
Big Ideas:
- Apart from Jesus, everyone is in spiritual darkness.
- Jesus is the light of life.
- Spiritual sight is a gift and work of God.
- To believe in Jesus is to walk in the light.
Big Idea:
To walk in the light, we must abide in Jesus’ word.
John 8:31-32
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,
John 8:47, 55
Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God… but I do know him and I keep his word.
Big Idea:
To walk in the light, we must believe the truth.
John 8:32
and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Broken Belief vs. True Belief
Broken belief is self-confident. True belief is repentant.
John 8:32-33
and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” [33] They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?… [43] Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word.
Broken belief is blind to sin’s slavery. True belief understands our condition.
John 8:33-36
[33] They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” [34] Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. [35] The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. [36] So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Broken belief puts its hope in religion and tradition. True belief submits to the Son.
John 8:38-40
I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.” [39] They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, [40] but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did.
John 8:54-55
Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ [55] But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word.
Broken belief is of the devil. True belief is a work of God. (8:41-47)
You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.” [42] Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. [43] Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. [44] You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. [45] But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. [46] Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? [47] Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”
Broken belief is defensive. True belief seeks God’s glory.
John 8:48-50
The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” [49] Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. [50] Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge.
Broken belief walks in death. True belief experiences eternal life.
John 8:24, 51-53
I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins… [51] Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” [52] The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’ [53] Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?”
Big Idea:
To walk in the light, we must rejoice in the Son.
John 8:56-59
Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” [57] So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” [58] Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” [59] So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.
this week: John 8:31-59
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