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LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE IN 2009
MATTHEW 5:14-16
Introduction
In a few short days 2008 will be forever gone! It will be history!
We can see 2009 now on the horizon! With a new year comes new opportunities with each day that the Lord allows us to live!
The time that God gives us here on this earth is not to be wasted, but rather it is to be fully utilized to bring glory and honor to God in our lives. God has left us here with a purpose–HIS PURPOSE!
Today, I want to encourage you to “Let your light shine in 2009!”
I’m going to ask four important questions and answer them from the Scripture:
I. FROM WHOM IS THE LIGHT NEEDED? (Vs 14)
“Ye are the light of the world. . .”
The light is needed from every follower of Christ!
A. Christ Is The Light Of The World! (John 1:4-9)
John 8:12–“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
B. Christ Is No Longer Physically In This World!
John 9:5–“As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
C. We Are Now The Light Of The World Because Of Christ Indwelling Our Lives!
1 John 4:17–“. . . because as he is, so are we in this world.”
Ephesians 5:8–“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:”
1 Thessalonians 5:5–“Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.”
II. WHERE IS THE LIGHT NEEDED? (Vs 14)
“Ye are the light of the world. . .”
We are to let our light shine in the world!
A. Though Our Lights Should Shine In The Church That Is Not Where They Are Primarily Needed!
We’ve already seen that we are children of light already!
B. Light Is Needed In The World!
1. Light Is Needed Because Of The Darkness Of Sin!
Proverbs 4:19–“The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.”
a. In darkness men grope to find their way!
John 11:10–“But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.”
b. In darkness there is uncertainty!
John 12:35– “. . .he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.”
c. In darkness man is helpless!
Light Is Needed Because Of The Darkness Of Sin!
2. Light Is Needed Because Of The Blindness Of Sin And The Devil!
Ephesians 4:18–“Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:”
2 Corinthians 4:3-4–“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
a. A blind man does not know the beauty of his surroundings! (2 Corinthians 4:4, 6-7)
“. . .the glorious gospel of Christ. . .” (Vs 4)
“. . .the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (Vs 6)
“. . .this treasure. . .” (Vs 7)
Romans 1:16–“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
b. A blind man can fall in a hole unbeknowingly!
Men, women, boys, and girls by the thousands are blindly falling into the pit of hell!
Romans 10:17–“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Isaiah 51:1–“Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.”
Light Is Needed Because Of The Blindness Of Sin And The Devil.
FROM WHOM IS THE LIGHT NEEDED? (Every Christian!)
WHERE IS THE LIGHT NEEDED? (In the World!)
III. WHAT KIND OF LIGHT IS NEEDED? (Verse 14b - 16)
A shining light! (Verse 16a – “Let your light so shine before men. . .”)
A light is meant to shine and give direction.
Two pictures are given of this light.
A. A City Set On A Hill! (Vs 14)
People need to get into the city of God.
Can they see the lights of those in the city?
B. A Light That Is Unconcealed! (Vs 15)
You know the song that we teach children to sing called, “This Little Light Of Mine.” That song is based on our text here!
“This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine,
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine,
Let it shine, let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel, “NO!” I’m gonna let it shine,
Hide it under a bushel, “NO!” I’m gonna let it shine,
Let it shine, let it shine.
Won’t let Satan blow it out, I’m gonna let it shine,
Won’t let Satan blow it out, I’m gonna let it shine,
Let it shine, let it shine.
Let it shine till Jesus comes, I’m gonna let it shine,
Let it shine till Jesus comes, I’m gonna let it shine,
Let it shine, let it shine.”
If your light isn’t shining today, what kind of bushel is it under?
1. A Bushel of Doubt?
2 Timothy 1:12–“. . . for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”
1 Peter 1:5–“Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
2. A Bushel Of Fear And Worry?
Philippians 4:6–“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
3. A Bushel Of Worldliness?
Ephesians 5:1–“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;”
1 John 2:15-17–“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”
4. A Bushel Of Covetousness?
1 Timothy 6:6-12
5. A Bushel Of The Cares Of This World?
2 Timothy 2:4–“No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”
6. A Bushel Of Hatred And Bitterness?
Hebrews 12:15–“Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;”
Ephesians 4:31-32–“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”
7. Bushel Of Unconcern?
Psalms 142:4–“I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.”
8. Bushel Of Some Other Weight Or Sin?
Hebrews 12:1–“. . .let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,”
There are many Christians who need to get their light out from under a bushel and set it on a candlestick so that it can give light to those who need it!
FROM WHOM IS THE LIGHT NEEDED? (Every Christian!)
WHERE IS THE LIGHT NEEDED? (In the World!)
WHAT KIND OF LIGHT IS NEEDED? (A Shining Light!)
IV. FOR WHAT PURPOSE IS THE LIGHT NEEDED? (Vs 16)
To glorify God the Father!
Matthew 5:16–“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
A. God Is Glorified When We Bear Fruit! (Win Souls!)
John 15:8–“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”
B. God Is Glorified When We Praise Him!
Psalms 50:23–“Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me. . .”
C. God Is Glorified When We Suffer For Him!
1 Peter 4:14–“If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.”
1 Peter 4:16–“Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.”
D. God Is Glorified When We Serve Him! (Matthew 5:16)
Conclusion
Have you been to the light of the world? John 3:18-21
If not, why not come to Him today!
Dear Christian friend, is your light shining so that others may see or is it hidden under a bushel of some sort?
Let your light shine in 2009!
1. It takes Salvation!
You’ve got to have the light before you can let it shine!
2. It takes Self-Examination!
3. It takes Surrender!
4. It takes Service!
“Lord, what will thou have me to do?”
Home Page Contact Us Service Times Sermons Are You Going To Heaven?
NOTICE: THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO
BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!