Some material taken from sermons by Van Houser and Sam Nobles
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house.. Matthew 5:14-15
God’s plan to show His love to the world is not through a building with a sign above the door that says Church. It is through you and I that He plans to show His love. Every believer is meant to be a point of light to a dark world. People are watching you! What they see has an influence on them. And it should. You see, Jesus told us that we would have an influence in this world. The Christian life is a life that is both influential and purposeful when lived under the control of God.
The world is a dark place, and it is getting darker by the minute. The culture and the society in which we live is growing dim, and we are called to be the light this world needs. Without the light of Jesus Christ, the world operates in spiritual darkness. Light is designed to show reality - things as they are and not as you have concluded them to be. We can bring the light of Jesus to the darkness of this world and offer new life in Him.
Does your life make a difference? What kind of difference do you make? Jesus is clear that we are to make a difference. We are to be a light. Sometimes that may mean showing mercy, showing truth, standing for what is right, showing kindness, helping people, and many other things. Being a light means covering the darkness with the love of Christ.
Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12 When we follow Jesus, we reflect His light to the rest of the world. We only shine when we reflect Hislight. There is nothing in us apart from Him that shines. We are sinful creatures and sin does not reflect light, but darkness. But Jesus in us reflects His pure light to others, drawing attention and glory only to Him. This beautiful reflection of Christ in our lives cannot be stopped, because we are light. Let your light shine!
“Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” – Martin Luther King Jr
Scripture to Claim:Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16
