Let Your Light So Shine

LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE

Study Text: Mathew 5: 14 - 16

Introduction:

-         Jesus, after telling us we are the salt, and we need to stay pure so we do not lose our saltiness, also says we are the light of the world.

-       Salt has to do with you and the Word and staying pure. Jesus said if we lose our saltiness, we are useless.  Impurities cause us to lose our saltiness. If we stay close to the Word, we will remain pure in relationship with God.

-      The light has to do with you showing God to others.  There should be a great light shining from every saint. The Light will allow you to be recognized as a Child of God. 

-      We shall be discussing the topic under three subheadings:

1.       The Picture of a Shining Light

2.        The Purpose of a Shining Light

3.         The Pattern for a Shining Light

1.        The Picture of a Shining Light

-     Light is the natural agent that stimulate sight, that is, Light make things visible. Some of the notable characteristics of light include the following:

1.    Light reveals the content of darkness

-      It reveals object not seen in darkness. When light is  turned on, it immediately makes itself known. It reveals object that normally one will not see in darkness. The light will reveal what the content of darkness. 

2.     Light removes darkness

-        The presence of light either reduces the strength of darkness or removes darkness completely.

-         If you find yourself cohabiting with darkness, it means that you are walking in darkness yourself.  If you see that wicked people are attracted to you all the time, it may be  because you yourself is yet to separate yourself from wickedness.

3.     Light releases direction

-         Nobody can move freely in thick darkness, especially in a place not familiar with before. But when there is light, it will be very clear what direction to follow.

-     If you get up in the middle of the night, you need light to direct you to where you’re going. When you have a light, it directs your path.

4.   Light raises affection

-        Whenever there is light, it has the capacity to attract people or other creatures in its direction. Just like when you put on light, you find some insects attracted to it.

-       When you lift up Jesus in your life everyday, you will be a shining example for others and you will attract good things in your life.

5.   Light rationalizes and bring clarity

-     Light uncovers darkness and remove obscurity. Light brings clarity and understanding of the nature  and the content of a thing.

2.       The Purpose of a Shining Light

-       Today, as never before, we have a tremendous need to use all our power to shine the light of the gospel in a dark world. Why?

1.  We Need to Shine the Light Because Many People are Stumbling in the Dark.

-      Paul speaks of those for whom the gospel is “veiled.” They do not see it or understand its importance. 

-       The unveiled gospel, openly proclaimed, has been veiled to them because it is veiled in them: the veil is over their hearts and minds, not over the gospel.

2. We Need to Shine the Light Because Dark Forces Oppose the Light.

-        People have darkened minds of unbelief because they are affected by the dark forces opposed to the gospel. Paul speaks of the “god of this age,” referring to Satan and his powers of evil.

-     In fact, those forces interfere with their capacity to respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ. That is why the church must continually uphold the saving power of Christ.

3. We Need to Shine the Light Because Christ is the Eternal Illumination that Drives Out Darkness.

-       When people open their lives to this light, the darkness flees. They see the reality for what it is and respond in faith.

-       When people hear the gospel, the light shines in their lives. This is the genuine light that drives out the darkness and brings salvation.

4.   We Need to Shine the Light so that  God the Father may be glorified. 

-      There is only one life that will glorify Him, and that is the Christ-filled, Spirit-controlled life that shines before men and commends Him to them.

5.    We Need to Shine the Light so that the Lord Jesus may be magnified. 

-       To magnify a thing is to make it appear bigger, and Christians by their shining witness are to make the Lord Jesus appear bigger before the world. Just as lamps magnify the light, so we are to magnify Him (Philippians 1:20).

6.  We Need to Shine the Light so that we may Live above Self and the Flesh.

-      A lamp does not attract to itself; it is the light that attracts John 3:30.

-        John the Baptist described in John 5:35. There can be no shining without burning, and burning means sacrifice. It is when we are willing to let self go that Christ becomes all and in all Matthew 16:24-25.

7.  We Need to Shine the Light so that Sinners may be Saved.

-       We are to shine before men with the red light of warning (Ezekiel 33:8-9); and we are constantly to show the green light, of a consistent and brightly burning life. 

-      By doing this we shall point sinners to the Saviour and we shall be rewarded  on the day of Christ.  Matthew 25:21 and 2 Corinthians 5:10.

3.        The Pattern for a Shining Light

-       Influence is something we have far more often than we realize. In a wicked world, Christians are to have their “conduct honorable among the Gentiles” 1 Peter 2:12. We are to “shine as lights in the world” Philippians 2:15.

-        There are so many practical ways we can let our light shine, some of which include the following:

1.     Giving thanks always in all things and for all things.

-       As Christian, we must demonstrate the heart and attitude of thanksgiving to God in all situations, so as to have a positive influence on others.

-         Not only that ingratitude is a sin; it is at the root of most other sins, that is, the first step that leads men away from God  Romans 1:21.

-         Expressing gratitude involves: (a) expressing our gratitude to God for His blessings, (b) expressing our gratitude to others for their kindness, and (c) expressing to others our gratitude for God’s blessings – Mark 5:19,  Psalms 105:1-2.

-      Like Daniel, we need to let our light shine by being openly grateful to our God for His grace – Daniel 6:10.

2.       By showing care and kindness to others

Jesus “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), and we are expected to follow in His footsteps.  We cannot be Christ-like without caring for and showing kindness to others – Galatians 6:2,9,10.

-       Our light really shines when we care for people in Jesus name. People will begin to care about what we say, when they see how much we care.

3.     By living in righteousness and maintaining integrity.

-      Nowhere do we have a greater opportunity to shine as lights in the world than living in righteousness and maintaining integrity.

-      Our attitude and characters are to be as demonstrated by Christ and His faithful disciples.   Philippians 4:8.

-       We need to be of good behaviour and character,  people of unquestioned integrity, honour, and sincerity. 1 Peter 2:12; 3:16.

4.    By following peace with all men, and being a peacemaker among men.

-      Jesus is the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6), and as His followers we are expected to be “peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9).

-       We are commanded to “pursue peace” with all men (Hebrews 12:14) and to aspire to “lead a quiet and peaceable life” (1 Timothy 2:2). 

-         When it comes to conflict among other individuals with whom we have some influence, we are to be peacemakers and not troublemakers.

5.   By living victoriously over temptation and sin.

-       Temptation continues to become an ever more powerful daily experience of every Christian. None of us is exempt from temptation or immune to its power 1 Corinthians 10:12-13, Galatians 6:1.

-      But we can resist temptation and overcome it – James 4:7,8. Like Daniel, we must  determine not to defile ourselves  Daniel 1:8. 

-       We owe it to those around us to demonstrate that it is possible to overcome temptation.

Conclusion:

-      We must let our true identity and character as Christians shine through for all to see and be influenced by it. We need to guard against being ashamed of who we are and what we are. Our influence for good can be greater than we think.

-     There are three ways we can apply this message:

a. We should be a light as an individual.

-     Jesus said, "Your light." It's an individual thing.

b. We should be a light as a family.

-       Ephesians 5 indicates that our marriages and families are to represent Christ. 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.

-      In the book of Revelation the local church is compared to a lamp stand. We should support local church events and programs that are collective attempts at shining the light.

-      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?

-     What kind of general opinion do you think people would have of Christianity if you were its sole representative? What if every Christian lived exactly like you? How many would be attracted to or turned off by the gospel? 

-      You may be the only representative of Jesus Christ that your friends, your family, your coworkers, and your neighbors may ever meet. And they will evaluate the whole idea of Christianity on the basis of what they see in you. They will form an opinion about what they think about God based on you. So let your light shine.