Introduction

Welcome, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ. It is a blessing to gather here today, to unite in faith and fellowship, to share in the richness of God's Word. We are here to marvel at the wonderful truth that we are bearers of His divine light. Today, we stand at the foot of a mountain of wisdom, ready to ascend, to seek the peak where the light of understanding shines brightest.

Our guide for today's sermon is the Gospel of Matthew, specifically chapter 5, verses 14 to 16. These verses form part of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus, our Lord and Savior, spoke words of profound wisdom and grace. Let's read them together: "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

What a powerful reminder that we are not only recipients of God's grace but also its carriers. We are entrusted with His light, called to shine brightly in a world that often seems shrouded in darkness.

Manifesting Your Inner Light

The first step in manifesting this inner light is to acknowledge its existence. We need to recognize that as children of God, we are bearers of His divine light. This recognition is not about boasting or showing off. It's about understanding our identity and our purpose. It's about realizing that we have a role to play in God's grand plan.

The second step is to nurture this light. Just like a physical light needs energy to shine, our inner light needs spiritual nourishment. This nourishment comes from prayer, from reading and meditating on God's Word, and from fellowship with other believers. These spiritual practices help us to stay connected with God, to draw from His infinite power, and to keep our inner light burning brightly.

The third step is to let this light shine. Jesus didn't say, "Hide your light." He said, "Let your light shine before others." This means we need to live out our faith, to demonstrate God's love through our actions, and to share the good news of the gospel. It's not enough to just have the light; we need to let it shine.

The fourth step is to use this light to glorify God. Our ultimate goal is not to draw attention to ourselves, but to point others to God. When people see our good deeds, they should not just see us; they should see God working through us. They should see His love, His grace, and His power. They should be drawn to Him, not to us.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus uses the metaphor of a city on a hill. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. It stands out. It's visible to all. In the same way, our inner light should be visible. It should stand out. It should make a difference. But how do we make our light visible? How do we stand out? Not by trying to be better than others, not by trying to be perfect, but by being authentic, by being real, by being who God created us to be.

We also stand out by showing love. In a world that's often filled with hatred and division, love stands out. Love is the most powerful light there is. It's the light that can penetrate the deepest darkness. It's the light that can heal the deepest wounds. It's the light that can bring hope to the most desperate situations.

And finally, we stand out by living out our faith. Faith is not just about believing in God; it's about trusting in Him, relying on Him, and obeying Him. It's about letting Him guide our steps, letting Him direct our paths, and letting Him shape our lives. When we live out our faith, our light shines brightly.

Magnifying Your Influence

Consider the imagery of a lamp on a stand, as depicted in the scripture ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO