Mat 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A city 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 men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Introduction
A. Remember this? "This Little Light Of Mine...Hide it under a bushel, NO!"
B. Like it or not, we are on display. People look at us and expect us to act a certain way, talk a certain way. They are watching how we act. Just like a job interview or a pastor coming to candidate, you are on display.
C. When I walk in a room, I expect my light bulbs to work. I expect that when I flip the switch I get to see better because things are illuminated.
D. God expects the same from us – We are His flashlights, His lighthouses, and His light bulbs.
We "Shine Like The Stars in the universe."
Phil 2:12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. 14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16 as you hold out the word of life--
We are Lights
A. This World Needs Light
1. We live in a world that does not care about Jesus. It is a world that makes fun of Christians, but it needs us. It may not be a very comfortable position to be in but we play an important role in this world.
2. The opportunity to shine brighter is greater today than ever.
3. We are to be examples to the world of high Christian living.
4. We are living epistles (books) of Christ in the world.
B. The source of light is the sun (son)
1. Nearly all the light that fills the world is reflected from a million objects around us, and does not stream down directly from the sun. Similarly, Jesus is the supreme Source - The Son of Righteousness. His light is reflected upon the world from the millions of believers whom he has enlightened and blessed by His Spirit (Pulpit, 75).
2. Jesus is the Light of the world. We are lesser lights. Our light is borrowed from His.
Ill. A poor little boy once heard his Sunday School teacher say Jesus was the light of the world. He took her remark quite literally. After class, the boy said to his teacher, "If Jesus really is the light of the world, I wish He’d come hang out in my alley. It’s awful dark where I live."
3. Christ is the power supply and we each light up our own corner of darkness.
C. Our duty is to let the light of God shine through us, not hide it under a bushel.
There are 2 ways of spreading light; to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it
What Do We Have That Shines in the Darkness?
What Sticks Out? The Evidence? If You were on trial...?
Our lives are to be marked, not by a mere absence of fault, but by a conspicuous exhibition of all those positive graces that are identified with the full power of the Word of Life.
A. Obedience
1. Example of Christ vs 6-11. He took the form of a servant even unto death.
2. We must begin to take our salvation seriously. Phil 2:12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,
This signifies working thoroughly at the thing. Being diligent. If salvation is lost, all is lost.
This is the supreme work of man. "What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and lose his soul?"
3. When it doesn’t make sense do we still obey Him?
4. Even when there is no one there to check up on you. You still must obey
Psa 37:6 (NIV) He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
5. A Holy Lifestyle (not perfection) will be proven right in the end.
6. We should desire to do the right thing: Even desire to be fair with our taxes
C. Joy - Phil 2:14 Do everything without complaining or arguing,
Ill. A Hindu trader in India once asked a missionary, "What do you put on your face to make it shine?" With surprise the man of God answered, "I don’t put anything on it!" His questioner began to lose patience and said emphatically, "Yes, you do!" All of you who believe in Jesus seem to have it. I’ve seen it in the towns of Agra and Surat, and even in the city of Bombay." Suddenly the Christian understood, and his face glowed even more as he said, "Now I know what you mean, and I will tell you the secret. It’s not something we put on from the outside but something that comes from within. It’s the reflection of the light of God in our hearts.
1. Joy shows on our face. It shows that we love the master that we serve. Obedience must be willing and cheerful. The world sees this.
2. Too many of us look like being a Christian is a gray cloud that follows us around. "Life is too hard, nobody loves me..." They are never happy about present situation. They have the Eeyor complex.
3. "murmuring" The same word used about the Israelites in the Old Testament and it kept them from God’s blessings. It even brought judgment on them.
Murmuring and complaining is a sure way to bring more unwanted events into your life. It represents a discontented soul.
4. The world is looking at the church. If we are complaining and arguing we are telling them that we do not have the answer.
D. The Ability To Forgive (this is not stated in the text but is certainly viewed by the world.)
1. This is a direct reflection of the Father. When you forgive you are doing the thing that looks most like Jesus.
2. We are forgiven. The bible teaches that we are to forgive as we are forgiven. Furthermore, we must forgive in order that we ourselves are forgiven.
Matthew 6:12 - 14 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
3. Don’t overlook this as you work out your salvation.
E. Fruits of the Spirit
F. Unity - Self, Family, relationships, Church, etc.
Your Light Will Be Obvious, You Will Shine
A. You will not be able to hide it. One candle in a dark room can show you the way
Mat 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.15 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. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
C. People are watching you, your family, this church.
"It only takes a spark to get a fire going."
D. Dan 12:3 (NIV) Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.
E. Don’t be a dim bulb for Jesus.
