Many of us understand Christ Jesus the way we choose to, not by what He has declared Himself to be. Jesus made such high claims that the people who heard him then and who hear him now find it hard to digest them. C.S.Lewis says after listening to His claims, “One can  either call him a “Liar, a Lunatic or Lord.” Even as you read today’s Scripture, “Who is He to you?”

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The Pharisees were confused and asked Him “Who are you?” (Vs.25) If you are truly seeking the answer read on to see who He claimed to be:

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1.   Darkness Dispeller: “I am the Light.”  (John 8:12)

Here Jesus claims to be the only Light in the World – not one of the many Lights – He just does not light up the world but in Him we who were once darkness, become light (Eph.5:8). Isaiah 9:2 prophesied that people who walk in darkness will see a great light- Jesus Fulfilled this prophesy by declaring in John 12:46 “that He came into the world as Light and that no one who believes in Him will stay in darkness. "

How does He dispel this darkness and shine His light into our lives?
i) From Ignorance to Truth:  2 Corinthians 4: 6 “For God, who said “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” 

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ii) From the wrong to the right path: John 8:12 – We do not have to work out our salvation by our meaningless rituals and traditions, but God’s Word will be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path (Ps. 119:105) guiding us in our daily walk with Christ. 
Can this be the testimony of your life?

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2.   One with God (Vs 16-29):

Moses in Deut. 6:4 taught the Israelites that “The Lord their God is One.”  The second claim that Jesus made was that he repeatedly reiterated that He and the Father were One (John 10:30). By this claim he proclaimed His deity and made Himself equal with God. This offended the Jews to such an extent that they plotted to kill him. Even today this claim of Jesus offends a lot of people that many of his disciples face opposition and even death for proclaiming this truth.  

Has this claim become a stumbling block in your life? If so, hear what Jesus has to say to you
John 8: 31&32 “…abide in My Word…and the truth shall make you free.”

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3.   Giver of Freedom (Vs 31 -36):

Just as the Jews refused to acknowledge their slavery to sin, many of us reading the Word this morning has been justifying our actions, unwilling to repent. Just like the Jews we take pride in our lineage and the many righteous acts that we perform. But this is what God has to say to us in Isaiah 64:6: ‘All our righteousness are like filthy rags.’ David Brainard, the great Prayer Warrior of the 18th century could never understand God’s righteousness. So he spent many years working to gain the salvation that Christ had to offer him. But all his attempts proved futile, until the day when he experienced God’s grace and power in his life. This led him to the understanding that Salvation of man can be received only entirely by the righteousness of Christ!

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All our good efforts can never break the cords of sin around us, but Jesus can! Have you asked Him to? (Vs 36)

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Quote for the Day:  Today when you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.  (Hebrews 3:15)

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LISTEN- There is no one like You