I. Introduction
A. Making decisions in the dark can lead to some regrettable consequences. Back in the days before electricity, a tightfisted old farmer was taking his hired man to task for carrying a lighted lantern when he went to call on his best girl. “Why,” he exclaimed, “when I went a-courtin’ I never carried one of them things, I always went in the dark.” “Yes,” the hired man said wryly,” and look at what you got!”
1. Lets turn to 1 John 1:5
B. We are talking about light
1. Now consider that Scripture says that God is light
1 John 1:5 (NKJV)
This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.
a. Turn to John 8:12
2. Jesus Christ said, 1 am the light of the world"
John 8:12 (NKJV)
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.
a. Ake Daun, a professor of ethnology at Stockholm University, says that people are like plants. They are phototropic, blooming in the sunlight. He says people feel stronger psychologically and are happier in summer, and that seasonal changes in light and dark affect psychological health. Jesus is the Light of the world. When we "walk in the light," we are spiritually healthy and strong
b. Turn to Matthew 5:14
3. Scripture tells us that God is light
a. Jesus says that He is the light of the world
b. And here Jesus says, "Ye are the light of the world."
Matthew 5:14 (NKJV)
"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
c. What an enormous compliment! God is light, Christ is light, and the believer is said to be "the light of the world."
(1) Charles Spurgeon wrote, So traceable are the lives of really gracious men and women. They are not solicitous to be observed, but the gracious "signs following" are sure to reveal them. Like their Master they cannot be hid --
(2) The believer is what God and Christ are: light. No greater compliment could be paid the believer
(3) But note: to be identified with God is an enormous responsibility as well as a compliment
(4) Whatever light is and does, the believer is to be and do
C. Four things are said about the believer as the light of the world
1. The disciples' character: light (v.14)
2. The disciples' place to shine: the world (v.14)
3. The disciples' unavoidable witness (v.15)
4. The disciples' purpose (v.16)
a. Lets remain in Matthew 5:14
II. Body
A. The first point, light, the Christian’s character
Matthew 5:14 (NKJV)
"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
1. Remember Christ said, "I am the Light of the world"
a. Turn to 2 Corinthians 3:18 and 2 Corinthians 4:6-7
b. Here Jesus says that we are to be like Him, “the light of the world."
2 Corinthians 3:18 (NKJV)
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 4:6-7 (NKJV)
For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. {7} But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
(1) The disciple is to undergo a radical transformation: he is to become like Christ more and more and to reflect the light of Christ
(a) Turn to Ephesians 5:8-9
2. Light is and does several things.
a. Light is clear and pure
(1) It is clean, that is, good, right, true.
Ephesians 5:8-9 (NKJV)
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light {9} (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),
b. Light penetrates
(1) Luci Swindoll wrote in Today's Christian Woman. “A friend of mine was caught in an elevator during a power failure. At first, there was momentary panic as all seven strangers talked at once. Then my friend remembered the tiny flashlight he had in his pocket. When he turned it on, the fear dissipated. During the 45 minutes they were stuck together they told jokes, laughed, and even sang. Ephesians 5:8 says we are that flashlight. Just as the flashlight draws power from its batteries, we draw power from Jesus. As light, we dissipate fear, bring relief, and lift spirits. We don't even have to be big to be effective. We just have to be "on."
(2) Turn to 1 Thessalonians 5:5
(3) By nature it cuts through and eliminates darkness
1 Thessalonians 5:5 (NKJV)
You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.
c. Light enlightens
(1) Turn to John 12:35
(a) It enlarges a person's vision and knowledge of an area.
(b) G.K. Chesterton wrote in Christianity Today, We do not want, as the newspapers say, a church that will move with the world. We want a church that will move the world.
John 12:35 (NKJV)
Then Jesus said to them, "A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going
d. Light reveals
(1) Turn to John 14:6 and John 12:36
(2) It opens up the truth of an area, a whole new world, and it clears up the way to the truth and the life.
John 14:6 (NKJV)
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
John 12:36 (NKJV)
"While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light." These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.
e. Light guides
(1) Turn to John 12:46
(2) It directs the way to go, leads along the right path
(3) The moto for Scripts Broadcasting .says, “Give the people light and they will find their own way.”
(4) Not too bad for a secular company, but perhaps we should understand it like this, “Give the people light and they would have a chance to find their way.”
John 12:46 (NKJV)
"I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness
f. Light strips away the darkness
(1) Turn to John 3:19-20
John 3:19-20 (NKJV)
"And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. {20} "For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed
g. Light routs the chaos
(1) Turn to Philippians 2:15
Philippians 2:15 (NKJV)
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
h. Light discriminates between the right way and the wrong way
(1) Turn to John 8:12
John 8:12 (NKJV)
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.
i. Light warns
(1) Turn to Ephesians 5:11-14
(2) It warns of dangers that lie ahead in a person's path
Ephesians 5:11-14 (NKJV)
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. {12} For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. {13} But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. {14} Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light."
j. Light protects
(1) Turn to Romans 13:12
(2) It protects a person from the dangers of darkness, from stumbling, falling, and injuring himself
Romans 13:12 (NKJV)
The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
(3) Turn to John 9:5
3. We are now the light of the world.
a. Jesus said,
John 9:5 (NKJV)
"As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
4. Jesus is no longer in the world, not bodily
a. His light is now in our lives
(1) We are to be reflections of Him
(2) Turn to Ephesians 5:8
5. A Christian's light is only a reflected light
a. We reflect "the light of the Lord."
Ephesians 5:8 (NKJV)
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
6. The character of light is pure
a. The believer is to walk in light, that is, in purity
B. Again in Matthew 5:14 we read
Matthew 5:14 (NKJV)
"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
1. It is the Christian’s place to shine in the world
a. The world is the place where believers, we are to move about and give our light
b. Why? The world is
(1) Blind and Unclear
(2) In darkness and Stumbling
(3) In trouble and Groping
(4) Unaware and In danger
(5) Falling and In chaos
2. Note that the light, Christians, us, is in the world; the city is in the world, and the candlestick is in the home
a. The same is true of us, we occupy some place in the world
b. Wherever that place is, we are to let our light shine
3. We are the light!"
a. The world has no other light
b. We are It, the light
c. Therefore, the light is to be placed where its influence can be best used and felt
d. What a lesson for us in our lives and work and play
e. Every community, city, state, and nation, the whole world, is to be illuminated by the light of believers, our light
Acts 13:47 (NKJV)
"For so the Lord has commanded us: 'I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.'"
(1) Lets turn to Matthew 5:14 & 15
C. The disciples' unavoidable witness
Matthew 5:14-15 (NKJV)
"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. {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.
1. Two things are said about the city, it sits on a hill and it cannot be hid
2. Two things are said about the candle: it is put on a candlestick, and it gives light to all that are in the house
3. Note that the disciples' light is in the world, on a hill, and in the house
4. Several lessons can be learned from this parable
a. We are to shine as lights in the world
(1) We are like cities and like candles sitting in a dark world
b. Light has different strengths
(1) It can be strong or weak, bright or dim
(2) In fact, it can be so dim and provide so little light that a person can stumble and fall
c. Some places in the world are brightly lit; others are dimly lit
(1) Some cities have many bright lights, other cities have few bright lights
(2) Some homes have strong lights; other homes have weak lights
(3) Every city, every home, and every business, every place on this earth that has the witness of a Christian believer, has some light, either weak or strong
d. A light can become so weak it is of no use
e. A light is not lit to be hidden
(1) It is lit to be seen and to give light
(2) Therefore, a light is conspicuous
(3) It has many eyes upon it
(a) I was in the Army and taught not to reveal my position
(b) Even the glow of a cigarette could expose me
(c) That is the power of light
i) Turn to 2 Corinthians 4:6 and Ephesians 5:13-14
5. There are times when everyone wants light, at least for some time
a. They seek it out; admire it; walk in it; reap its benefits; joy in it and suggest its use.
2 Corinthians 4:6 (NKJV)
For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 5:13-14 (NKJV)
But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. {14} Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.
(1) Now let us turn to Matthew 5:16
D. The disciples' purpose
Matthew 5:16 (NKJV)
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
1. The believer has light
2. The light is already within him
3. He is the light of God upon earth
4. Take note of the exact words spoken by Christ: "Let your light so shine."
a. The believer can refuse to let his light shine
b. He can turn it off, refuse to turn it on, shade it, darken it, turn it away, direct its beam in another direction
(1) Lets turn to James 3:13
5. Lets examine two purposes for letting our light shine
a. Believers are to let their light shine in order to show forth good works
b. The command "Let your light so shine" means let your good works be seen. The believer is to show good works to the world, but he must be careful how he does his works before others
James 3:13 (NKJV)
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom
6. Believers are to let their light shine in order to stir men to glorify God
a. This is the supreme reason why our light is to shine before men: to stir men to glorify God
b. The glory of God is to be the primary aim of all believers
(1) God is glorified when believers get out into the darkness where men are
(2) The good works of believers are to be done out in the darkness, not within cloistered walls with other lights
7. There are several significant lessons in this point
a. Light has one purpose: to shine before men
(1) Light is not seen unless it is placed before men
(2) If there are no people, there are no eyes to see the light
(3) A believer must not seclude himself from others
b. Other lights do not need light
(1) It is the people in darkness who need light
(2) Believers! "Let your light so shine before men" ,before men out in darkness
(3) We are not to be secluded in the church, moving only among other lights
(4) The more light that is put out in the darkness, the more the darkness is eliminated
c. We are not the only ones who are to glorify God
(1) We are to go out and cause those in darkness to glorify Him
