## A Bright Light In A Dark Place

## Matthew 5:13-16

The World Is A Dark Place

1. The world is dark and getting darker all the time.

2. Darkness is covering the world.

3. Morals are a thing of the past.

4. Men's consciences have been seared.

5. We are seeing a generation of young people who live in a darkness like we have never known!

The Good News

1. The idea that the world is getting darker is not good news.

2. The good news is, the children of God are getting brighter.

3. How many of you have an 'Indiglo' wrist watch or know what I am talking about?

4. My grandson is fascinated with the concept.

5. He asks me everytime I see him, "Do you have a blue light? Let me see it."

6. It doesn't work in the sun, I have to put it in the dark and then he can see it.

7. The darker it gets in the world, the brighter the life of a child of God will shine.

I. Christians Are The Light

A. Note, I didn't say we were supposed to be the light…we are the light!

1. We are His witnesses.

2. We are to let our light shine.

3. Wherever we are if we belong to Jesus, we are the light of the world.

4. Let's not try to keep the world from knowing that we belong to Jesus.

5. We need to shine for Him now more than ever before.

6. We must let this darkened world know that there's hope.

7. This world has NO light but for OUR light!

B. Don't Be Ashamed Of Jesus

1. Don't be ashamed of your witness.

2. Don't be ashamed to talk about Jesus.

3. When we come into a room there ought to be spiritual light.

4. There ought to be some revelation about God in our lives.

(Rom 1:16) "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."

C. Our Main Purpose

1. Our main purpose in life is not to make money.

2. Our main purpose in life is not to climb the ladder of success.

3. Our main purpose for being on the earth is to be a light for Jesus.

D. Soon This Life Will Be Over

1. Only one life, twill soon be passed. Only what's done for Christ will last.

2. I'm looking forward to the day when there will be no more sighing, no more crying, and no more dying.

3. I'm looking forward to the day when we will all stand before Jesus.

4. I want to hear him say, "Well done thou good and faithful servant!"

II. Glorify The Father

A. Some Glorify The Wrong Things

1. They glorify their family.

2. They glorify their job.

3. They glorify their hobbies.

4. Jesus is the only answer to the world's needs.

5 Why should we shine for anything else?

B. Too Much Talk About Other Things

1. We talk about the weather, but won't talk about Jesus.

2. We talk about business, but won't talk about Jesus.

3. We talk about our family, but we won't talk about Jesus.

4. We will talk about the news, politics, or sports, but we won't talk about Jesus.

C. Talk isn't enough.

1. What will glorify the Father?

a. Note: v16

b. James said that we needed to be doers of the Word.

c. God has called us to action.

d. Words without the reality in our lives is nothing more than hypocrisy.

2. If we talk the talk, do we walk the walk?

3. It is easier to sing, 'Oh how I love Jesus' than 'I'll Live for Him Who Died for Me'.

4. Note: John 15:8

(John 15:8) "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples."

5. The fruit that Jesus is talking about here is souls!

6. Note also, '…that ye bear MUCH fruit…"

7. Most of us would be ashamed to let it be known how long it had been since we led someone to Christ.

III. God's Grace Is Still Amazing

A. It Amazes Those Who Don't Know Him

1. Think of how amazed the drug addict will be when he finds out that he doesn't have to depend on drugs anymore.

2. Think of how amazed the alcoholic will be when he finds out that he doesn't have to live his life out of a bottle anymore.

3. Think about how amazed the distressed, depressed, and oppressed will be when they find out that they don't have to live that way anymore.

4. They will be amazed at God's amazing grace displayed in the form of His Son Jesus Christ.

B. It Still Amazes Us Who Already Know Him

1. Notice what John the Baptist said about Jesus in John 1:27.

2. He said, "I am not even worthy to take off His sandals."

3. When we realize who He is, and what He has done for us….It is still amazing!

4. We're not worthy to even take off His shoes... yet, He so loved us that He gave His life that we might be saved!

D. God's Amazing Grace Will Save You Today.

1. If you have never accepted His finished work on Calvary as atonement for your sins, you can do that right now!

2. Isn't that amazing?

3. The Philippian jailer asked, "What must I do to be saved?"

4. God's answer, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thy house."

5. Come to Christ today…don't wait one moment longer!

Christians, are we shining as lights in this darkened world? Are we witnessing for Him as we were commanded? Are we living the Truth before our friends, our family, our co-workers? Are we bearing fruit for Him?