LIGHTS IN THE WORLD
MATTHEW 5:14-16,
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15-Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16-Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” 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.”
Introduction:
Jesus said in John 9:5, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” For more than three years the Lord walked among men spreading the Light of the Gospel. Upon his leaving this earth He gave that light to His Churches in order to continue His work.
Let us consider that light that He has left. Consider some of its characteristics:
I. LIGHT MAKES MANIFEST…
A. The TRUTH, John 3:21 “But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”
1. The truth will set you FREE, John 8:32, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
a. Free from CONDEMNATION, John 5:24, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
b. Free from the law of sin and death, Romans 8:2 “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”
c. You are TRULY Free, John 8:36, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
2. The Truth is the WAY of Salvation, John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
3. The LIFE of Jesus Christ in us, 2 Corinthians 4:11 “For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.”
II. LIGHT IS INTENDED FOR GUIDANCE.
A. We are to hold forth to them the Word of life as our REFERENCE POINT.
1. It is our guide in life, Acts 8:30-31, “And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.”
2. It gives the right perspective in our lives, Colossians 3:2, “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
It is a BEACON as it was for Philip leading him to instruct an inquirer…
1. In the way of salvation, Acts 4:12 “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
2. In the meaning of God’s Word, Acts 8:30, “And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?”
3. In the life of godliness, 2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
III. LIGHT IS ALSO USED FOR WARNING.
A. The RIGHT LIGHT is needed to shine in the world, Matthew 5:14-15, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
1. The YELLOW light of caution due to condemnation, John 3:18, “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
2. The RED light of danger of Hell, Matthew 10:28, “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
B. Satan puts up the WRONG light:
1. The GREEN light of disobedience, Genesis 3:4-5, “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”
2. The WHITE light of lying, John 8:44, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”
IV. LIGHT HAS A CHEERING INFLUENCE
A. A Christian ought to be a humble comforter,
1. With kind words on his lips, Colossians 3:12-13, “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13-Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”
2. Esteeming others better, Philippians 2:3, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”
B. Carry the light of His love everywhere you go.
1. Don’t mention a transgression, Proverbs 17:9, “He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.”
2. Pray for one another as Paul prayed,
a. “That your love may abound yet more,” Philippians 1:9, “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;”
b. That they “might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,” Colossians 1:9-11, “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10-That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11-Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;”
CONCLUSION:
“Gracious Spirit dwell with me;
I myself would gracious be,
And with words that help and heal
Would thy life in mine reveal,
And with actions bold and meek
Would for Christ my Saviour speak.”