Sermon Listening Guide
Speaker: Rev. Wesley Burr
Scripture: John 8:12-20
Sermon Title: “Walking in the Light”
Date: August 2, 2026
John 8:12-20 (NIV)
12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
13 The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.”
14 Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. 16 But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. 17 In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. 18 I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.”
19 Then they asked him, “Where is your father?”
“You do not know me or my Father,” Jesus replied. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” 20 He spoke these words while teaching in the temple courts near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because his hour had not yet come.
13 The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.”
14 Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. 16 But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. 17 In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. 18 I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.”
19 Then they asked him, “Where is your father?”
“You do not know me or my Father,” Jesus replied. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” 20 He spoke these words while teaching in the temple courts near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because his hour had not yet come.
Main Verse: "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."* (John 8:12)
First Thoughts
Jesus Is the Only Light That Can Lead Us
Jesus' Authority Doesn't Depend on Human Approval
Jesus' Testimony Is Confirmed by the Father
Rejecting Jesus Reveals Spiritual Blindness
Final Thoughts
First Thoughts
- Darkness changes everything: it brings confusion, fear, and uncertainty.
- The morning after this ceremony, Jesus declared, **"I am the light of the world,"** claiming to be the true Light sent by God.
Jesus Is the Only Light That Can Lead Us
- Jesus' "I AM" statement is a claim to deity.
- Following Jesus means trusting, surrendering to, and obeying Him.
- Only Jesus delivers us from spiritual darkness; the world's "lights" always disappoint.
- Application: Follow Christ daily rather than relying on worldly substitutes.
Jesus' Authority Doesn't Depend on Human Approval
- The Pharisees challenged Jesus' credibility instead of His message.
- Application: Knowing about God is not the same as knowing God through Christ.
Jesus' Testimony Is Confirmed by the Father
- The Father testified to Jesus through prophecy, miracles, Scripture, baptism, and ultimately the resurrection.
- Application: You cannot claim to know God while rejecting Jesus.
Rejecting Jesus Reveals Spiritual Blindness
- The Pharisees misunderstood Jesus because they did not truly know the Father.
- Religion, tradition, and biblical knowledge cannot save apart from Christ.
- Jesus remained in complete control because His "hour had not yet come."
Final Thoughts
- Follow Jesus—not merely admire Him.
- Allow Christ's light to expose and transform areas of sin.
- Reflect Christ's light through truth, integrity, forgiveness, love, and pointing others to Jesus.
- Every person begins in spiritual darkness, but Jesus alone offers forgiveness and eternal life.
- Like a lighthouse guides ships through a storm, Jesus is the Light who leads us safely.