Gandalf to Bilbo: “You don’t really suppose, do you, that all your adventures and escapes were managed by mere luck, just for your sole benefit? You are a very fine person, Mr. Baggins, and I am very fond of you; but you are only quite a little fellow in a wide world after all!”

— JRR Tolkien

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
–Jesus of Nazareth

I. The claim(s):
a.) I AM
b.) I am the light of the world

II. The response:
Follow Jesus. The greek word for follow has several different meanings. Each one adds to our total understanding.
a.) Military (“Few Good Men” quote)
b.) Slave/Master
c.) Teacher/Student
d.) King/Subject

III. The Results
A.) Will not walk in darkness
B.) Will have the light of life

In John 8, Jesus is basically saying, “What I claim is that I speak from God and for God and as God. I don’t testify to any autonomous human greatness. What I claim—in and under all I say and do—is that “I am.” I am one with God, the great “I am” (Exodus 3:14). Verse 24: “Unless you believe that I am [the he is added in our English translation] you will die in your sins.” Verse 28: “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am [again, the he is added].”

–John Piper

When captivity is led captive, the Eternal God is the refuge of his people…Our sins which pursued us so hotly have been drowned in the depths of the Savior’s Blood. They sank to the bottom like stones, the depths have covered them, there is not one, no, not one of them left, and we, standing upon the shore in safety, can shout in triumph over our drowned sins, ‘Sing unto the Lord for he hath triumphed gloriously, and all our iniquities hath he cast into the midst of the sea.” Charles Spurgeon

Here is the 2:44 trailer for the event Wednesday evening that will be in the office complex of Christ Community. This trailer, and Wednesday night, contains intense elements—because they are describing an intense situation.

“Love Costs Every Thing” Trailer from CIY Move on Vimeo.