An Acts 2 Church - A Light on a Hill
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Transcript
An Acts 2 Church - A Light on a Hill
Jesus said, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." We are to be a light on a hill. It used to be said that children were to be seen and not heard. Let me modify that saying for the church. Jesus wants the church to be seen so that it will be heard. The church is to be seen doing good because Jesus has saved us. And what the world sees should glorify God and draw the world to our Savior to receive His gospel.
You are the light of the world. The world lives in the darkness of sin and Satan's deception. Spiritual light brings spiritual truth and understanding. God's light shows the way of salvation, lighting the path to life. His light in us demonstrates what God can do in a man through Jesus. God has made each of us to be His light in this world.
We are a city built on a hill. A city set on top of a hill can be seen by all. A church living by faith in Jesus and working as God's people will be noticed. If we are the church Jesus calls us to be, people will see us and be drawn to Him.
We are a light to everyone in the house. A lamp is not lit to be hidden. God lights us to reveal His way of salvation. A lamp is placed on a stand to give light to all who desire light. God has put His light in us to shine forth His truth and grace to all who are willing to see.
Jesus commands you to let your light shine. Shine before men, not in secret. Shine so that they may see your good works. Just minutes later Jesus would say to not do good to be seen and honored by men. But He was speaking of a different motive. It is wrong to do good openly in order to receive honor for yourself, but it is right to do good openly if you are seeking glory for the Father. Shine to be seen for God's praise, not for your own.
In Acts 2, a light was lit in Jerusalem. They had been meeting in an upper room. But at certain times of the day, they assembled in the temple. On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out at 9:00 in the morning, the time of the morning sacrifice. The early believers were probably in the court of the temple where they would soon be seen and heard by thousands. God-fearing Jews from many nations were in town for the feast. They were now drawn by what God was doing in His church. The Acts 2 church had become a city on a hill without even trying.
The light of the believers at Pentecost brought life to others. The moving of the Holy Spirit upon them stirred interest in the crowd. Peter took the opportunity to proclaim, with the anointing of the Spirit, the light of the gospel, and three thousand people came into the light of Jesus and became Christians.
The light continued to shine in Jerusalem. Listen to Acts 2:44-47: "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." The religious leaders would oppose them, but the church enjoyed the favor, respect, and good will of all the common people. Even people who did not yet believe in Jesus held the church in high honor. The church earned this favor by shining His light.
How did they shine the light? They did good works, giving to meet one another's needs. They openly gathered to publicly worship God. The regularly met in homes for fellowship and worship. They constantly praised God and gave Him glory. They shared the gospel and brought others to faith in Jesus. They did all this because they had received the light of Jesus and had believed.
The early church persisted in shining the light even when persecuted. In Acts 5 we see that persecution brought them joy and did not slow their proclamation. In Acts 8, persecution would scatter them but only spread their proclamation of the light of Jesus.
We are to persist as the light of Christ in this world.
We are to always do good works because He has saved us and changed us.
How can you reach out to help others in need?
We are to continue to gather to worship our Lord.
How can you glorify Jesus more with your worship?
We are to regularly fellowship together.
How can you deepen your relationships with other believers?
We are to always be praising Jesus.
How can you praise Him more in daily life?
We are to persistently tell others the good news that Jesus saves.
To whom will you speak about Jesus?
Let your light shine!
That is Jesus's command to you if you are a believer, a true Christian.
Let your light shine!
That is Jesus's command to us as His church.
When we received Jesus as Savior, His light shone into our hearts. We are now to let it shine out to others.
Is His light shining in and from your heart?