The Beloved bride, the pillar of truth, living stones
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus began to speak about the Church
You are the salt of the earth
To preserve society
To create a thirst for God
A little makes a difference
You are the light of the world
Jesus says "I am the light of the world"
Jesus tells His disciples they are the light of the world
Overview:
How are we the light of the world?
What are we called to do?
How are we the light of the world?
Light has wonderful properties – it brings life
John 1:5
Jesus is the light of the world and He brings life
John the Baptist was a light
Isa 9 – Men did not understand this light
"As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” – John 9:5
We are light in Christ
We are blessed in Christ – even in persecution
We are a blessing to the world
We are salt to the world
We are a light to the world
We have the characteristics described in Matt 5:3-11
How did these people become the light of the world?
They had been converted
Have you been converted?
Has a transformation occurred?
Have you been turned from darkness to light?
Reading Eph 2:1-6
Once spiritually dead, cut off from the life of God, living in various lusts, controlled by sinful desires, children of disobedience, under the wrath of God
In the grace of God, the death of Christ, faith in Him
Now spiritually alive, raised in Christ, united in Jesus Christ (in heavenly places)
Eph 5:8 – "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord."
Christianity is not about following a moral law but recognising we are sinners, fallen short of God’s glory
It is not about what we can do for God – but what God has done for us
Explanation
Have you come to Christ?
Come to Christ and He will cleanse you and make you new
What are we called to do?
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (v16)
The purpose of light is to shine – to the benefit of others
Jesus knows there will be those who are frightened and timid
Example of Joseph of Arimathea
Do not hide your light
The fear of man is a great snare – examples
Our light can be dimmed
Examples – if we sin, grieve the Holy Spirit, doubt God, if we are prayerless, if we are not walking with God
Kindle the fire within you
Light has many properties
Light warms – there should be a warmth about us
Light gives vision in the dark –
Light exposes dirt – we should expos the world, not hypocritically but by living a God honouring life
We should be a guide to other
We should bring the light of God’s world to others
People can see God in creation
People can see God more clearly through a life lived for Him, that reflects the gospel of God
A light on a hill
Not in holy huddles, letting our light shine before others
The light that shines furthest shines brightest – explanation
Jesus emphasises works not words, walk not talk
Jesus emphasises the inner life – the Beatitudes
Jesus emphasises our character
1 Peter 2:12 – "having your conduct honourable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation."
Example of Society for the Distribution of the Hebrew Scriptures
Example of Nehemiah
We will be judged according to our deeds, though our salvation is through faith alone
We are not saved by works, but we are saved for works
Works will never get us into heaven – we are saved by the blood of Jesus alone
Titus 3:1 – "Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work"
Titus 3:8 – "This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works."