(Matthew 5:14-16) Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Jesus calls believers to shine like light in the darkness. Some say, "My faith is a private thing." Jesus is saying that it is not a private thing, we need to let our light shine!
I. Consider the Qualities of Light.
A. Light requires an energy source.
1. Simply having a bulb, a fixture, and some wire does not guarantee that light will be emitted. (illus: when a storm causes the lights to go out)
2. There must be a connection to a source of power, and as believers we have the energy-source within us.
(John 12:46) I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
3. Jesus Christ is our energy source, and our source will never run out.
4. 'Jesus in the same yesterday, today, and forever'
B. Light has only one purpose for existence.
1. To dispel the darkness.
2. And, just a little light will do that!
3. Imagine sitting in this auditorium with no lights, no windows to let in natural light, we would be in pitch darkness; but let one person strike a paper match and all would see it!
4. The light of one small match would dispel the darkness of the entire room.
(Prov 4:19) The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
(John 1:4-5) In him was life; and the life was the light of men. {5} And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
5. The children's song, "This little light of mine…I'm going to let it shine!"
6. It doesn't take a huge searchlight to make a difference!
C. Light is of no value if it is hidden.
"Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. "
1. To keep a light hidden away is to render it useless.
2. It is illogical to hide light rather put it up where the light can be most effective.
3. Jesus was drawing upon their common sense to make His point on this. v15
4. The candlestick is representative of the local church.
(Rev 1:20) The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
5. A candle that is placed low in not as effective in giving forth light as one that is placed upon the candlestick.
a. Hey, I don't have to go to church to be a Christian!
b. That is true…but to be a Christian who has an impact on the 'lost' in this world, we need to be obedient!
c. Until we begin to take seriously the calling of God upon our lives we will never begin to reach our world for Christ!
II. Let Your Light Shine
A. What good is light that is not shining?
1. Illustrate with old light bulbs.
2. They are worthless…throw them away because they no longer fulfill their function.
3. Hidden light is of no value.
4. Light that fulfills its purpose must shine.
B. Jesus commanded that we are to let our lights shine before others.
1. We are the light of the world … note that He doesn't say that we are to be the light of the world … He says we are the light!
2. If our light shines only in this building, we are not fulfilling our purpose.
3. If our light shines only to our family, we are not fulfilling our purpose.
III. How To Let Our Light Shine.
A. L - Love people passionately
1. We must depend on the Lord of love to put his compassion for people in us.
2. Every saved person this side of heaven should be concerned about every lost person this side of hell.
(Mark 6:34) And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.
B. I - Intercede for them persistently
1. Paul describes the lost as being spiritually blind and therefore cannot see the light.
2. Only God can give sight to the spiritually blind.
3. Pray that they're eyes will be opened.
(2 Corinthians 4:3-4) But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
C. G - Go to them purposefully
1. The great commission clearly places the responsibility upon us.
2. We must Go and teach all nations…GO make disciples…GO and preach the gospel.
3. We cannot wait for the lost to come to us!
4. The N.T. pattern is for us to purposefully go to those who must hear.
5. If we won't go…they will not hear…they will not be saved!
D. H - Help them practically
1. Our light really shines when we care for people in Jesus name.
2. Someone said, "People will begin to care what we say, when they see how much we care!"
3. Practical help can be
E. T - Tell them plainly
1. There will come a moment when the Spirit gives you an opportunity to share what Jesus means to you.
2. Jesus said the result would be that God would be "glorified."
3. If we don't plainly tell them why we do what we do, they'll be praising us but not God.
4. There are three ways we can apply this message:
a. We should be a light as an individual.
1) Jesus said, "Your light."
2) It's an individual thing.
b. We should be a light as a family.
1) Ep 5 indicates that our marriages and families are to represent Christ.
2) With so many hurting families this is a wonderful opportunity for our family to model the love of Christ and share the gospel.
c. We should be a light as a church.
1) In the book of Revelation the local church is compared to a lamp stand.
2) We should support local church events and programs that are collective attempts at shining the light.
3) I am talking about our evangelistic outreach as a local church.
4) FAITH evangelism; Monroe Co. Fair outreach; special days and presentations … Be here and invite others to join us!
Jesus said, Let your light shine! Are we obedient to His command? Are we looking for opportunities to let our light shine or are we hiding our lights?