ARE YOU AN UNHIDDEN LIGHT? PART TWO

"No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:15-16 (CSB)

Yesterday we gave a couple of uses of light. Today, we need to consider a major truth about light – physically and spiritually.

Light is to be seen!

There is no such thing as a secret Christian. We need to be a light at all times.

Light shines not so much that people may see the light as that they may see other things because of the light. Our light shines not that people will be attracted to us but to the light of Jesus Christ.

“No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand…” Matthew 5:15 (CSB)

Palestinian homes were generally dark. Generally, they Have just one small window. They did not have electricity and light bulbs as we have. Their light consisted of a lamp which was a bowl
filled with oil that had a wick. When they needed light the lamp was placed on a lamp
stand.

The most difficult thing about having this light in the house was in lighting the lamp. Remember they didn’t have matches or lighters. As a result, no one wanted to let their light go out because it took to much work to get the wick lid again.

So when people went out of the house it was dangerous to leave the light on so for safety reasons when they left their homes the lamp would be taken from its lampstand and placed under an earthen vessel where it could burn risk free.

As soon as someone returned they would put the lamp on the stand.

No one lights a light only to put it under a basket or earthen vessel we are to let our light shine to the maximum.

I remember the story told of a man whose job it was to be on the railroad tracks and warn with his lamp the upcoming train of the bridge that had been damaged. One night as the train came the man waved his lamp but the train went right into the ditch. The man was taken to court because they wanted to know why the train did not pay attention to this man who was to warn the train of the danger ahead. The man was asked by the Judge, “Were you on duty on
the night that the train had the accident.” The man replied, “Yes, sir.” The judge once again asked did you have your lamp with you? The man replied, “Yes, sir.” The judge asked the last question did you wave your lamp to the train? The man replied, “Yes, sir.” So, the man was not held responsible for the accident. Later as the man went home he told his friend, “I am glad that the judge did not ask me if my lamp was on”

I ask you today, Is your light on?

Remember, the light does not come from within you, you cannot generate your own light. Your Light comes through Jesus Christ, you reflect His Light into the world.

When people are around you do they see the Light of Jesus in your life? Has Jesus Saved you from your sins? If he has, then you have a testimony to share.

Has Jesus Made a Difference in your Life? If he has, then you have a testimony to share.

Has God answered prayer for you? If he has, you have a testimony to share.

Friends, we have a world of people right here around us who are on a train headed for destruction, we have a Light in Jesus Christ that is bright enough to save them from eternal destruction.

The question is will we share the light?

Is my Lamp on?

ARE YOU A UNHIDDEN LIGHT? PART ONE

 “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden." Matthew 5:14 (CSB)

We have pondered how Salt is our Christian Witness.

Consider now, Light is our Christian Testimony.

Light is described as a form of energy it is always moving. “When light energy ceases to move because it has been absorbed by matter, it is no longer light”

Light has been a symbol of divine presence. Jesus said that He was the light of the world.

Who is the true source of light?

·      “Then Jesus spoke to them again saying I am the light of the world.” He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

·      “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)

We know today that Jesus is the Light of the world and we are to reflect His Light in our world. We are to share what Jesus has done for us to others, verbally.

Consider some of the functions of Light:

LIGHT Exposes darkness. I read an account about some miners trapped in a Kentucky Coal mine following a cave-in. When rescuers arrived, one of the miners called out – “Why didn’t they bring a light with them?” It was then that they realized he was blind from the explosion. It was only when the light was there that they knew any difference. You see, darkness is expelled as soon as you hit the lights. People are not aware of the darkness they live in if they don’t see the light. “The people who were sitting in darkness saw a great light.” (Matthew 4:16) The question is does my life help people see more clearly?

Light serves aS A guide. Airports help planes see the runway through the use of lights. When we try to drive in the dark or land in the dark without lights it is dangerous. We are guides to people who are in darkness.

So, today mull over this question –

Does my reflected light of Jesus expose the darkness to those around me and do I serve as a guide to find the right way?

ARE YOU A SALTY CHRISTIAN - PART TWO

 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet." Matthew 5:13 (CSB)

Yesterday we looked at the many uses of salt. Salt was an important (and still is) commodity in the days of Jesus. Salt was very important.

Our Witness as Christians is even more important!

Our Witness, like salt, doesn’t always have to be big and bold, but it should always add value, it should bring a quality that people are attracted too. Salty Christians are those whose mere presence lifts us up because we know they will encourage us just being around them.

Do you know Christians like that? Are you one? Christ Living in you, Reigning in your life will transform you into a salty Christian, one who adds flavor wherever you go.

Recently I was called on because someone had just lost a loved one. What do you say? What do you do?

Sometimes our Witness isn’t in what we say, it’s in just being there, being present. I shared very little, but I let them know I was there, and I told them I would be there in the weeks to follow if they needed to talk about what happened.

Being a salty Christian is the influence that you have over other people’s lives to season, and preserve them for eternal life.

Christ is saying let your influence season people’s life for the kingdom.

Salt changes things; a little salt can flavor a big pot of beans. It only takes a little salt to flavor a whole community, a whole neighborhood, a whole workplace.

But friends, if the salt never gets poured out of the shaker, then it’s no good. Salt that never leaves the shaker is just a decoration on the table.

As Christians we are called to season, to influence the people we come in contact with. We need to make it a conscious decision to get involved with the unsaved.

So, let me ask you:

·      How can you pour yourself out this coming week?

·      Is your life making people thirsty for Jesus?

·      Is your life a pleasant seasoning in your home, community, work, and church?

·      Is your life showing people the preservation that comes in a life in Christ?

·      Is your life declaring your friendship to those you come in contact with?

Jesus said, “You are the Salt of the earth” – ARE YOU?