Let Your light Shine (Matt [5]13-16)
Let Your Light Shine
Text: Matthew 5:13-16
Place Preached - (Mississauga International Baptist Church)
Date Preached - (02/11/01)
Introduction:
The Pictures of the believer in this passage are of Salt and Light.
These represent the influence and consequent responsibility of all believers in, and unto this world.
What are the most outstanding qualities of these two agents?
We spoke previously of salt as a purifying, preserving and cleansing agent.
Today we will focus on the second of these two agents. Light is a penetrating agent. Light illuminates and reveals. It is an aid to navigation and understanding. Light pierces and dispels the darkness.
Of course, this all has very obvious spiritual implications.
God’s Word is the light.
Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
2 Peter 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
Jesus Christ is Light.
John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Christ’s light shone directly into this world for a limited period of time.
John 9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
John 12:35-36 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
We are to be lights, little lights, reflective illuminators to this world of the light and hope of Jesus Christ and His glorious gospel.
Our light is unmistakably derived from Christ’s light.
Philippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
The passage before us is rich in Biblical principle. We will attempt to bring out several principals and make practical application to our lives.
I. The Responsibility Of Our Light
“Ye are”
This is not an option, nor is it a suggestion.
If we are light, then we must walk or behave as light.
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
DEFINITION of Walking in the Light – An open attitude toward admitting my sinfulness.
APPLICATION: Do we regularly confess our sin? To God? To others? Are we honest with our family? Our church family?
We must create an environment at home/church where it is ok to be wrong (It is not ok to stay wrong) It is ok to need help, it is alright to admit you need to grow.
God not expect sinlessness, He expects growth!
John 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
The fellowship is based on confession not sinfulness (I John 1:9)
Ephesians 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
Are we walking in the light? Are we regularly confessing sin to God and others? If not how will we ever shine as light for others?
Our responsibility to walk in the light is illustrated by the use of two metaphors.
A. A City Set On a Hill
In Biblical times cities were often built high atop a mountain or hill. There were various reasons for this, defense etc.
The city on the hill can be seen distinctly, on all sides and from a great distance.
Any thing that gives light will be observed.
A Christian cannot escape observation, even if he would!
Believer, you occupy a conspicuous position because God has ordained it so.
Your life must be seen. A life that models biblical Christianity is what must be observed!
B. A Lamp Set On a Lampstand
Luke 8:16 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.
Luke 11:33-36 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.
34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.
35 Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.
36 If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.
Characteristics of the Lamp
1. Not to be hidden under a Bushel
2. To shine in a natural and appropriate way.
3. Not to bring glory to itself.
No selfish aim.
EXPLAIN how “SO” relates to last phrase of previous verse and not to the phrase “That they may see your good works”
C. John The Baptist
John 5:35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
LOOK UP & READ John 1:6-9
John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
II. The Realm Of Our Light
The “World” An unbelieving world. Not the physical world, but this present world order, system, which is expressed in every arena of life. You cannot escape it, and it is here you must shine.
Titus 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
“Before Men” vs.16
BEFORE - in the sight of, in the presence of
The following quote is attributed to Matthias.
“If a pious man’s neighbour sin, he himself has sinned, for if he had ordered his life aright the neighbour would have been restrained by his example.”
The life of the Christian is a great argument against the unbeliever.
The best commentary on the Bible the world has ever seen is a holy life. Also is the best translation.
We second and enforce what is preached and read from the Bible by the silent eloquence of Holy lives. – John Broadus
Romans 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
We can do this!
Now we can have all the right positions, we can be as separated as oil and water, from various men movements etc., and not be WALKING in the light. We have all sorts of knowledge, but we do not have obedience.
The goal is not knowledge, the goal is obedience!!
Eg. Our position on the Bible. The reason that we believe in an infallible, inerrant, preserved word of God is because this book is necessary to order direct, and guide our daily living (Examples)
Don’t study it as a book of problems (You’ll end up with a head full of facts). Study it as a book of answers (you’ll end up with a heart full of faith).
We actually do great harm by our inconsistencies.
Romans 2:24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
“No Christian has the right to be careless with his reputation”.
IV. The Rejoicing Of Our Light
Glorify your Father, which is in heaven.”
1 Peter 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Men are not saved by abstract truth, but by truth embodied.
1. In a personal Saviour
2. In saved persons
Conclusion: (Review)
Responsibility
Realm
Rejoicing