Sunday, November 15, 2020

The Gospel of the Kingdom - Matthew - The Similitudes - Light

 

Text: Matthew 5:13-16  – “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

"You are the light of the world.”

Salt is our Christian Witness. Light is our Christian Testimony.

Light is described as a form of energy it is always moving.

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:

EXPOSE DARKNESS. Darkness is expelled as soon as you turn on 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. Airport runways help planes see their runway by the lights. When we try to drive in the dark or land in the dark without lights it is dangerous. We are to be guides to people who are in darkness.

LIGHT IS TO BE SEEN. There is no such thing as a secret Christian. We need to be a light at all times. The 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 Jesus Christ. 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.

The story is told of a man whose job was to be on the railroad tracks and warn with his light the upcoming training of the bridge that had been damaged. That night as the train came the man showed 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, “Were you on duty on the night that the train had the accident” the judge asked. 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. 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 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 our Lamp on?

 

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