LIGHT OF THE WORLD 

Compelled By Love 

“You are the light of the world. A town built 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 others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 

What does Christ say about those who follow him?

  • They are light
  • They cannot hide
  • They Glorify God 

3 Effects of Light

Light provides…

  1. ILLUMINATION

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.

Illumination – the observable property or effect of light

“And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light” (Genesis 1:3).

Light exposes and it reveals

Ephesians 5:6–14 (ESV)

8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

His light is not about inspection… its about illumination 

Where the light falls, life comes

Light exposes the darkness for what it is – nothing. 

Put It To Practice: 

Rather than looking for something to criticize, find something to celebrate.  Use the light to find that which is praiseworthy.  By reminding others what they were created for you will expose the darkness and reveal the light!

Light provides…

  1. PURIFICATION

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.

Natural light has been shown to 

Light is the best disinfectant

1 John 1:5–7 (ESV)

5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

  • Contaminated water can be purified through light exposure. 

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10) 

“Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10:22). 

Put It Into Practice: 

How can you shift the atmosphere in your home, classroom, workplace by simply letting your light shine?

Light provides…

  1. SALVATION

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Plants and all living things need light to survive. 

“And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.” (Romans 8:11) 

Luke 19:1–10 (ESV)

He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” 8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Remember:

  • This generation desperately wants to see Jesus 
  • Their biggest hinderance is the chorus of criticism coming from the crowd 
  • Someone in your life needs to be lifted up, so they can finally see Jesus

Put The Message To Work: 

Reach out to your 10 this week in a meaningful way. Send a card, text message or invite for coffee. Let them know you’ve been praying for them and ask how they are doing. 

SHARE ARTICLE