January 12, 2025

You are the Light of the World

Preacher:
Passage: Matthew 5:14-16, Ephesians 5:1-14
Service Type:

Introduction

  • Looking at "You are the Light of the World"
  • Reading Matt 5:14-16
  • How do you consider the Church of Jesus Christ?
    • Examples
    • 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."
    • Light is there for the benefit of others
      • We are here to attract people to God the Father
      • To glorify God