This is the second sermon in the series "Listening To Heaven's Infallible Teacher". In the first sermon "Salt of the Earth" in said that being the salt of the earth is a great compliment but perhaps Jesus’ greatest compliment to a Christian is, “You are the light of the world.” In this statement Jesus commands us to be nothing less than what he himself claimed to be.
John 9:5 NIV While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
Of course, we are not Jesus, but Jesus is saying that we are important people. We think of important people as those who are well known or who have prominent positions. Yet when Jesus gave his Sermon on the Mount, he spoke with people whose names we do not know—ordinary people—and called them “the light of the world.” Jesus was telling them that they were important, that they mattered in God’s kingdom. Today Christ says to you and me, “You are important; you are the light of the world.”
For an audio recording of the sermon click the YouTube Link at the end of the manuscript.
To see a video of the entire service, click this link https://youtu.be/dSTc2f_FPlE
Scripture
Ephesians 5:8-20 NIV For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Sermon
Tomorrow is Memorial Day, which is a uniquely American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.
Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, it marks the beginning of the summer season.
Memorial Day, as Decoration Day gradually came to be known, originally honored only those lost while fighting in the Civil War. But during World War I the United States found itself embroiled in another major conflict, and the holiday evolved to commemorate American military personnel who died in all wars, including World War II, The Vietnam War, The Korean War and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
For decades, Memorial Day waa observed on May 30, but in 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May in order to create a three-day weekend. The change went into effect in 1971. The same law also declared Memorial Day an official federal holiday.
So today in advance of Memorial Day tomorrow we honor all those of the military who died in war. Later this year, on Veteran's Day, we will honor all those who have served.
Text
Matthew 5:14-16 NIV “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.
Introduction
In the first sermon in this "Listening To Heaven’s Infallible Teacher" series, week before last, I said that Jesus' statement in the Sermon on the Mount, that his followers are "the salt of the earth" was a great compliment because when we want to underscore the worth of a person, we might say, “He or she is the salt of the earth!” This statement about believers, that “You are the salt of the earth”, shows the influence that Christians should have.
Being the salt of the earth is a great compliment but perhaps Jesus’ greatest compliment to a Christian is, “You are the light of the world.” In this statement Jesus commands us to be nothing less than what he himself claimed to be.
John 9:5 NIV While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
Of course, we are not Jesus but Jesus is saying that we are important people. We think of important people as those who are well known or who have prominent positions, for example, the apostle Paul, the reformer Martin Luther, George Washington. Martin Luther King Jr. Presidents, members of Congress, or CEOs of multinational corporations.
Yet when Jesus gave his Sermon on the Mount, he spoke with people whose names we do not know—ordinary people—and called them “the light of the world.” Jesus was telling them that they were important, that they mattered in God’s kingdom. Today Christ says to you and me, “You are important; you are the light of the world.”
In our text
we find an exclamation
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
We find an illustration
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.
And we find an application
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Let's read the text again
Matthew 5:14-16 NIV “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.
I said it includes an exclamation, an illustration, and an application.
I. Let’s look at the exclamation first.
An exclamation is a sharp or sudden utterance, as opposed to something that is passive and lacking in energy. I don’t think that Jesus was passive when He said “You are the light of the world.” I’m quite sure that He was emphatic when He exclaimed, “You are the light of the world!”.
What’s astounding is that even though Jesus knows us for what we are He still said that we are “the light of the world.”
The most important testimony and witness of the gospel is not what you say, it is the impression your life makes on other people. After a few days people may not even remember the details of what you said. The greatest witness comes in the life you lead rather than the words you say.
Jesus did not say, “In time you will bring the light,” He didn’t say, “Someday you will become the light.” He said, “You are the light.” It is not by things we say or even the things we do, but it’s by the people we are, that we can be the light of the world.
Okay He said that we are the light of the world, but what did He mean?
The meaning is made clear in the illustration in verse 15.
II. An illustration.
Matthew 5:15 NIV 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.
Christ said at least three things about the light the Christian’s life is to radiate.
A. A light is to be seen. The average house in Palestine was very dark with perhaps only one window. A little lamp would be lit so that people might see their way around the darkened house. Once the lamp went out, it was not easy to rekindle it, because there were no matches or lighters as we have today. So the little lamp would be left burning hour after hour. When the family left the house, for safety’s sake, they would take the lamp from its stand and put it under an earthen bushel. When they returned, they would put it back on the stand, since the primary purpose of the lamp was to be seen, not hidden.
So Jesus was saying that Christianity is to be seen. Your Christianity should be perfectly visible. No one should have to ask you, “Are you a Christian?” The very life you live is a light to be seen.
Something I said two weeks ago when I talked about our being the salt of the earth and our influence, was that people will be aware of it. It will not always be welcome, but it will be recognized. You don’t have to announce it, people will see it.
B. A light is to be seen; it is also to guide. As an airplane approaches a landing strip, the pilot sees a line of lights that mark the path the plane must take. The Christian’s life must make clear to others the way to Christ. In other words, a Christian must be an example. Our world needs guiding lights. Your life and mine are to be that kind of light.
C. A light is also to warn. When a light is flashing at a railroad crossing, it is a warning that a train is approaching. Sometimes it is a Christian’s duty to warn others. If our warnings are given out of love and not not in condemnation, they will be effective.
Jesus has a disturbing habit of making perfectly clear what he expects us to do in regard to his teachings.
So here is the se here is the pointed application of this exclamation that you are the light of the world.
III. An application.
In verse 16 Jesus said,
Matthew 5:16 NIV In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
With this statement Jesus shifts our attention from the character of Christians to our conduct.
A. Verse 16 begins with a plea: “Let your light shine before others” This is an earnest plea that we live our lives so that others will be attracted to Christ. But how are we to shine?
1. We are to shine naturally.
Just as it is the nature of a bird to sing, it should be the nature of a Christian to shine before others. Our radiance should have a beautiful spontaneity.
A Christian’s love for others should be an involuntary, spontaneous act of the heart.
We should not have to say, “I will make myself love my fellow man. They have ignored me, insulted me, and wronged me, but I will love them even if it kills me!”
If that is the way we love others, we are not showing spontaneous love.
Remember what Jesus said,
Matthew 5:44-45 NIV But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
In verse 14 of 1 John 3 John said that this spontaneous love proves that we have been born again as God’s children.
1 John 3:14 NIV We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death.
Spontaneous love means that we are spiritually alive, born into God’s family with other Christian brothers and sisters. So when we see our brothers and sisters in Christ, we re
reach out to them in love! It's a supernatural reflex, we don't have to think about it.
2. We are to shine sacrificially.
Light is always costly. Whenever we see a light, we can be assured that something is being consumed. Energy is being expended. As a candle burns, it is growing shorter. As a lamp burns, it consumes not only the oil, but also the wick. When the lights are on the meter is running. When Jesus came as the Light of the World, his shining was at a great cost. He was arrested and killed. Yes it was so that our sins could be forgiven but His shining of His light cost Him His life.
If we are to shine as lights of the world, we must consider ourselves expendable. We must be willing to sacrifice a bit of ourselves each day we live.
3. We are to shine openly.
If we are to shine before others, we must shine openly. We are never to be ashamed of our relationship with Jesus Christ.
Mark 8:38 NIV If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
Romans 1:16-17 NIV For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
4. We are to shine right where we are.
If I am not willing to shine where I am, I will not shine at all. You may be in a conspicuous place, a place of high social position, or it may be in a place no one notices. But wherever you are, you are to shine in that place. You are not there by accident but by divine appointment.
Philippians 2:3-4 NIV Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
B. Verse 16 starts with a plea and then gives us a pattern.
In verse 16 Jesus said, “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds .” It is quite clear that we are to shine, but the question is how. Jesus said here that we are to shine through good works.
Ephesians 2:10 NIV For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
The word “good” means not only virtuous, but also beautiful and attractive.
Philippians 4:8 NIV Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
There must never be a hint of hardness in the goodness of our lives. Ours must be a goodness that attracts people to Christ.
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
There is a charm in Christian goodness that makes it an appealing thing to all who see it.
Micah 6:8 NIV He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Romans 12:9 NIV Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
C. There is a plea and pattern in verse 16 but there is also a purpose.
The purpose that we are to shine is “that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Never is our shining meant to draw attention to ourselves.
You remember in the Old Testament that whenever Moses had a one-on-one conversation with God his face would be shining.
Exodus 34:29, When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord.
33-35 NIVWhen Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face. But whenever he entered the Lord’s presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, they saw that his face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the Lord.
Moses would hide his face from the people
The point was that the goodness that draws attention to itself is not the kind of goodness or light that Jesus was talking about. Christians are never to think of what they have done or whether it has reflected favorably on them. They must seek to draw people not to themselves but to God.
Colossians 3:17 NIV And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Conclusion
Our goal should never be to bring recognition to ourselves, but to bring glory to God. There’s a fine line between being a light and putting on a show to get attention. It’s a matter of the heart.
It’s easy to see the shine of a new diamond ring from across the room. But over time, that shine can dull as dust collects on it.
In the same way, sin can dull our shine as lights for Jesus Christ. Our lives which once sparkled with the joy of Christ can become clouded with a love for things of this world.
1 John 2:15-17 NIV Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
Before you can be a light to others, take a look at your own life. Has sin dulled the evidence of Christ in you? Maybe it’s time to stop, take a moment and ask God to reveal any sins you might be ignoring. If there’s a sin you repeatedly struggle with, write it down and pray over it continually. Ask God for His forgiveness and help in changing your heart.
So how exactly do you shine?
Romans 12:2 NIV Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Here are 4 practical tips to becoming this brilliant light I’ve been talking about.
Be careful what you say.
Here’s what the Bible says about the tongue
James 3:8 NIV but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
That’s pretty serious. And that’s how we should take our speech—seriously. Words are powerful and can be used for good or bad. So
Ephesians 4:29 NIV Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Be careful what you say, consider your entertainment.
Where do you go for fun? What shows or movies do you watch? What kind of music do you listen to? Would you go to the same places, watch the same things or listen to the same music if Jesus were sitting next to you? Or would you be embarrassed? It might sound silly, but asking those questions is a good way to keep yourself in check, whether you’re alone or with others.
Here is something else Jesus said in a teaching session with His disciples when he again used light in His teaching.
Luke 8:16-17 NIV “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.
Most of you here don’t use social media but some of us including me do, others who may see this sermon on YouTube so another way of becoming this brilliant light that Jesus says we are is to use social media wisely.
People are watching what you post, whether they interact with your posts or not. Think about the things you’ve posted recently—articles, comments, photos and so on. Could they be seen as prideful? Self-centered? Rude? What’s your motive? To put others down or make them jealous? Hopefully not.
And finally think of others.
Consider other people’s needs and help meet them. Encourage instead of criticize. Be patient. Give others the benefit of the doubt. If you hear gossip, distance yourself from it or change the subject. When you encounter a difficult person, remember that they were made and are loved by God.
Romans 12:3 NIV For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
Luke 6:31 NIV Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Galatians 6:1-3 NIV Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.
The key principle in being the light of the world and the salt of the earthf is found in
1 Thessalonians 5:15 NIV Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
We should always strive to do good. If that sounds impossible, you’re right! Only with God’s love and in God’s strength can we live righteous lives and do good deeds that bring glory to God.
God never asks us to be what he will not equip us to be. We can be “the light of the world”!
2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
We live busy lives. But are we busy doing good? Consider how you spend your time and ask yourself if you are being the light of the world that Jesus said you are.
In the first sermon in this "Listening To Heaven’s Infallible Teacher" series, week before last, I said that Jesus' statement in the Sermon on the Mount, that his followers are "the salt of the earth" was a great compliment because when we want to underscore the worth of a person, we might say, “He or she is the salt of the earth!” This statement about believers, that “You are the salt of the earth”, shows the influence that Christians should have.
Being the salt of the earth is a great compliment but perhaps Jesus’ greatest compliment to a Christian is, “You are the light of the world.” In this statement Jesus commands us to be nothing less than what he himself claimed to be.
John 9:5 NIV While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
Of course, we are not Jesus but Jesus is saying that we are important people. We think of important people as those who are well known or who have prominent positions, for example, the apostle Paul, the reformer Martin Luther, George Washington. Martin Luther King Jr. Presidents, members of Congress, or CEOs of multinational corporations.
Yet when Jesus gave his Sermon on the Mount, he spoke with people whose names we do not know—ordinary people—and called them “the light of the world.” Jesus was telling them that they were important, that they mattered in God’s kingdom. Today Christ says to you and me, “You are important; you are the light of the world.”
In our text
we find an exclamation
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
We find an illustration
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.
And we find an application
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Let's read the text again
Matthew 5:14-16 NIV “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.
I said it includes an exclamation, an illustration, and an application.
I. Let’s look at the exclamation first.
An exclamation is a sharp or sudden utterance, as opposed to something that is passive and lacking in energy. I don’t think that Jesus was passive when He said “You are the light of the world.” I’m quite sure that He was emphatic when He exclaimed, “You are the light of the world!”.
What’s astounding is that even though Jesus knows us for what we are He still said that we are “the light of the world.”
The most important testimony and witness of the gospel is not what you say, it is the impression your life makes on other people. After a few days people may not even remember the details of what you said. The greatest witness comes in the life you lead rather than the words you say.
Jesus did not say, “In time you will bring the light,” He didn’t say, “Someday you will become the light.” He said, “You are the light.” It is not by things we say or even the things we do, but it’s by the people we are, that we can be the light of the world.
Okay He said that we are the light of the world, but what did He mean?
The meaning is made clear in the illustration in verse 15.
II. An illustration.
Matthew 5:15 NIV 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.
Christ said at least three things about the light the Christian’s life is to radiate.
A. A light is to be seen. The average house in Palestine was very dark with perhaps only one window. A little lamp would be lit so that people might see their way around the darkened house. Once the lamp went out, it was not easy to rekindle it, because there were no matches or lighters as we have today. So the little lamp would be left burning hour after hour. When the family left the house, for safety’s sake, they would take the lamp from its stand and put it under an earthen bushel. When they returned, they would put it back on the stand, since the primary purpose of the lamp was to be seen, not hidden.
So Jesus was saying that Christianity is to be seen. Your Christianity should be perfectly visible. No one should have to ask you, “Are you a Christian?” The very life you live is a light to be seen.
Something I said two weeks ago when I talked about our being the salt of the earth and our influence, was that people will be aware of it. It will not always be welcome, but it will be recognized. You don’t have to announce it, people will see it.
B. A light is to be seen; it is also to guide. As an airplane approaches a landing strip, the pilot sees a line of lights that mark the path the plane must take. The Christian’s life must make clear to others the way to Christ. In other words, a Christian must be an example. Our world needs guiding lights. Your life and mine are to be that kind of light.
C. A light is also to warn. When a light is flashing at a railroad crossing, it is a warning that a train is approaching. Sometimes it is a Christian’s duty to warn others. If our warnings are given out of love and not not in condemnation, they will be effective.
Jesus has a disturbing habit of making perfectly clear what he expects us to do in regard to his teachings.
So here is the se here is the pointed application of this exclamation that you are the light of the world.
III. An application.
In verse 16 Jesus said,
Matthew 5:16 NIV In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
With this statement Jesus shifts our attention from the character of Christians to our conduct.
A. Verse 16 begins with a plea: “Let your light shine before others” This is an earnest plea that we live our lives so that others will be attracted to Christ. But how are we to shine?
1. We are to shine naturally.
Just as it is the nature of a bird to sing, it should be the nature of a Christian to shine before others. Our radiance should have a beautiful spontaneity.
A Christian’s love for others should be an involuntary, spontaneous act of the heart.
We should not have to say, “I will make myself love my fellow man. They have ignored me, insulted me, and wronged me, but I will love them even if it kills me!”
If that is the way we love others, we are not showing spontaneous love.
Remember what Jesus said,
Matthew 5:44-45 NIV But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
In verse 14 of 1 John 3 John said that this spontaneous love proves that we have been born again as God’s children.
1 John 3:14 NIV We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death.
Spontaneous love means that we are spiritually alive, born into God’s family with other Christian brothers and sisters. So when we see our brothers and sisters in Christ, we re
reach out to them in love! It's a supernatural reflex, we don't have to think about it.
2. We are to shine sacrificially.
Light is always costly. Whenever we see a light, we can be assured that something is being consumed. Energy is being expended. As a candle burns, it is growing shorter. As a lamp burns, it consumes not only the oil, but also the wick. When the lights are on the meter is running. When Jesus came as the Light of the World, his shining was at a great cost. He was arrested and killed. Yes it was so that our sins could be forgiven but His shining of His light cost Him His life.
If we are to shine as lights of the world, we must consider ourselves expendable. We must be willing to sacrifice a bit of ourselves each day we live.
3. We are to shine openly.
If we are to shine before others, we must shine openly. We are never to be ashamed of our relationship with Jesus Christ.
Mark 8:38 NIV If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
Romans 1:16-17 NIV For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
4. We are to shine right where we are.
If I am not willing to shine where I am, I will not shine at all. You may be in a conspicuous place, a place of high social position, or it may be in a place no one notices. But wherever you are, you are to shine in that place. You are not there by accident but by divine appointment.
Philippians 2:3-4 NIV Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
B. Verse 16 starts with a plea and then gives us a pattern.
In verse 16 Jesus said, “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds .” It is quite clear that we are to shine, but the question is how. Jesus said here that we are to shine through good works.
Ephesians 2:10 NIV For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
The word “good” means not only virtuous, but also beautiful and attractive.
Philippians 4:8 NIV Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
There must never be a hint of hardness in the goodness of our lives. Ours must be a goodness that attracts people to Christ.
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
There is a charm in Christian goodness that makes it an appealing thing to all who see it.
Micah 6:8 NIV He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Romans 12:9 NIV Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
C. There is a plea and pattern in verse 16 but there is also a purpose.
The purpose that we are to shine is “that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Never is our shining meant to draw attention to ourselves.
You remember in the Old Testament that whenever Moses had a one-on-one conversation with God his face would be shining.
Exodus 34:29, When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord.
33-35 NIVWhen Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face. But whenever he entered the Lord’s presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, they saw that his face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the Lord.
Moses would hide his face from the people
The point was that the goodness that draws attention to itself is not the kind of goodness or light that Jesus was talking about. Christians are never to think of what they have done or whether it has reflected favorably on them. They must seek to draw people not to themselves but to God.
Colossians 3:17 NIV And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Conclusion
Our goal should never be to bring recognition to ourselves, but to bring glory to God. There’s a fine line between being a light and putting on a show to get attention. It’s a matter of the heart.
It’s easy to see the shine of a new diamond ring from across the room. But over time, that shine can dull as dust collects on it.
In the same way, sin can dull our shine as lights for Jesus Christ. Our lives which once sparkled with the joy of Christ can become clouded with a love for things of this world.
1 John 2:15-17 NIV Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
Before you can be a light to others, take a look at your own life. Has sin dulled the evidence of Christ in you? Maybe it’s time to stop, take a moment and ask God to reveal any sins you might be ignoring. If there’s a sin you repeatedly struggle with, write it down and pray over it continually. Ask God for His forgiveness and help in changing your heart.
So how exactly do you shine?
Romans 12:2 NIV Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Here are 4 practical tips to becoming this brilliant light I’ve been talking about.
Be careful what you say.
Here’s what the Bible says about the tongue
James 3:8 NIV but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
That’s pretty serious. And that’s how we should take our speech—seriously. Words are powerful and can be used for good or bad. So
Ephesians 4:29 NIV Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Be careful what you say, consider your entertainment.
Where do you go for fun? What shows or movies do you watch? What kind of music do you listen to? Would you go to the same places, watch the same things or listen to the same music if Jesus were sitting next to you? Or would you be embarrassed? It might sound silly, but asking those questions is a good way to keep yourself in check, whether you’re alone or with others.
Here is something else Jesus said in a teaching session with His disciples when he again used light in His teaching.
Luke 8:16-17 NIV “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.
Most of you here don’t use social media but some of us including me do, others who may see this sermon on YouTube so another way of becoming this brilliant light that Jesus says we are is to use social media wisely.
People are watching what you post, whether they interact with your posts or not. Think about the things you’ve posted recently—articles, comments, photos and so on. Could they be seen as prideful? Self-centered? Rude? What’s your motive? To put others down or make them jealous? Hopefully not.
And finally think of others.
Consider other people’s needs and help meet them. Encourage instead of criticize. Be patient. Give others the benefit of the doubt. If you hear gossip, distance yourself from it or change the subject. When you encounter a difficult person, remember that they were made and are loved by God.
Romans 12:3 NIV For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
Luke 6:31 NIV Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Galatians 6:1-3 NIV Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.
The key principle in being the light of the world and the salt of the earthf is found in
1 Thessalonians 5:15 NIV Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
We should always strive to do good. If that sounds impossible, you’re right! Only with God’s love and in God’s strength can we live righteous lives and do good deeds that bring glory to God.
God never asks us to be what he will not equip us to be. We can be “the light of the world”!
2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
We live busy lives. But are we busy doing good? Consider how you spend your time and ask yourself if you are being the light of the world that Jesus said you are.
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