Text: John 1:19, 12:3750

Topic: Why not everyone sees and follows Jesus, the light of the world.

Introduction: Many have seen the light and the truth, but decline to follow it.

• Many saw the star over Bethlehem, but only a few Wise Men followed it.
• John's biggest themes is that of light (1:45).
• John links life and light, saying they "in the beginning."
• How is the life emanating from the eternal Word seen as being the light of men?

Humans have a unique intelligence, moral sensitivity, and spirituality but lack faith, truth, and life.

• We were uniquely created in terms of intelligence, moral sensitivity, and spirituality.
• The Bible teaches that humans were meant to live in obedience to God; instead, humans have chosen disobedience, trading light for darkness.
• As a result, we're a shell of what we're supposed to be.

Illustration: quotation from Diogenes Allen in Christian Belief in a Postmodern World noting that for most intellectuals, the idea of God is superfluous, yet they're asking about existence.

• Christ came to "switch us on again" to the light, to give us truth and life.
• We have spirituality, but seem at sea as to where we're trying to get.

Illustration: Gorbachev telling Pope John Paul II that moral values would help his country.

• This is the simple message we have at Christmas: Christ brings light to the world.

Some who meet Jesus will not believe, and some can not.

• Jesus said some would not believe, and thus later could not (John 12:3739).
• We have free will, and yet God is sovereign: "God has sovereignly chosen to give man free will."
• Those who would not believe become calloused.
• Others believe but will not confess; i.e., they decline to take a stand.

Conclusion: We are the light of the world, and we need to shine.