How Bright Is Your Light?

2023.07.16.Sermon Notes. HOW BRIGHT IS YOUR LIGHT?

Be the light of GOD to this world of darkness

William Akehurst, HSWC.

BIG IDEA:

Scripture calls us to Be the Light of GOD to this world of darkness. As believers, we have part of the restraint of evil in this world. We have GOD’s WORD in us as a moral compass, and to live pointing to THE WAY to GOD, while warning others of the perils ahead.

So, How Bright is Your Light?

I’m reminded of the song, “Brighten the corner where you are”.

Last week we looked at GOD’s Mercy and how we are to be merciful…to our neighbors. The question was asked, who are our neighbors? And the answer is, Our neighbors are the world around us.

JESUS SAYS…YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THIS WORLD.

Matthew 5:14-16 (NKJV)

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

THE LIGHT SHINES AND GUIDES US IN THE WAY

15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.

THE LIGHT IS A WITNESS AND WARNING TO THE WORLD

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

ILLUSTRATION: As a child, Robert Lewis Stevenson, was looking out the window watching a workman come by and light the gas lights along the street. When asked what he was doing, he answered, “I see a man making holes in the darkness.”

IN JESUS IS LIFE, THE LIGHT OF MEN, SHINING AGAINST THE DARKNESS WHICH WASN’T ABLE TO UNDERSTAND ITS VALUE.

John 1:1-5 (NKJV)

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

JESUS SAID…

John 9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. BUT I AM NOT GOING TO BE HERE LONG.

SO WHEN I’M GONE, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO DO SO MUCH MORE.

John 14:12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.

GREATER THINGS, BECAUSE OF MY SPIRIT, WHO WILL GUIDE AND TEACH YOU

John 14:25-27 (NKJV)

25 “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

YOU ARE THE GUIDING LIGHT OF THIS WORLD.

Matthew 5:14-16 (NKJV)

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

THE LIGHT IS OUR GUIDE. IT ILLUMINATES THE WAY.

BE WITHOUT FAULT AND SHINE AS LIGHTS IN THE WORLD, HOLDING ON DEARLY TO THE WORD OF LIFE.

Philippians 2:12-16

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

GOD’S WORD LIGHTS OUR WAY. SHOWS US THE PATH TO GO.

THE LIGHT IS GOD’S WORD, THE MORAL COMPASS FOR LIFE.

Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

THE LIGHT IS A WITNESS AND WARNING TO THE WORLD

BUILD UP IN FAITH. HAVE COMPASSION AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS. RESCUE THE PERISHING FROM WHAT IS TO COME.

Jude 1:20-25

20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.