Mat 5:14; Light Never Rests. It Is Always Moving.

Class Outline:

Thursday May 16, 2024

 

Idea: The light of the world is us shining Christ in the domains of darkness.

 

There is no other light of the world besides God. 

 

Compare Gen 1 and REV 21:23; 22:5. 

JOH 1:4-5. 

 

Now, in this age, you are the light of the world. 

 

Competing lights:

Religions and movements / ideologies: example - the Enlightenment. 

 

Discoveries that were very good, and helped mankind in many ways, but did nothing for what makes true human life. 

 

The ordinary Christian knows more about the solutions to life than does any expert (1CO 1:21). 

 

Why does the believer know so much? 

 

He or she is in Christ and that position comes with the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is because of our relationship with Him. (I am the light of the world … You are the light of the world.) 

 

Of course, we are including the source of revelation, the word of God. But without union with Christ and the HS, the truths of the Word are nothing but shadow to the human mind.

 

In order for our light to shine forth, we have to follow Him, JOH 8:12; EPH 5:8. 

 

What we are always comes before what we do (1TH 5:5-6; 1PE 2:9). 

 

One purpose: Salt and light have but one purpose.

 

Salt - savor food, preserve food, both of which make salt a perfect image for fellowship and brotherhood. 

 

Light - shine or illumine. 

 

Revealing their importance in us is done by contrast - what if they can’t do what they were made for?  

 

Salt loses its savor - only fit to be thrown out. 

 

Light is blocked by a basket - waste. 

 

Our purpose is to salt the earth and shine our light. 

 

Darkness is the domain of Satan and we are shining the light of Christ in his realm. 

 

What makes darkness what it is - lies (there are a lot of them). 

 

For example: A good God would not allow suffering. 

 

Solution. There are many more lies that will need addressing. But in the end, it is not our smart apologetics that we are really showing.

 

The light that we are shining in the darkness is Christ, and more specifically, that the world can only receive life by faith in Christ. 

 

Why is it important as the light of the world to live what you claim to represent? 

 

If you are selfish, you will not be aware of the needs of others (you will miss tons of witnessing opportunities). 

 

You reveal that Christ truly changes sinners. 

 

People are visual learners and they will see your peace, love, and strength. 

 

Your testimony will be compelling (Paul used his own testimony many times). 

 

Jesus knows best: If He told us to let our lights shine, then if it doesn’t, we will not be effective. Light has one purpose and if we fail in our purpose, our life will only be temporal and not eternal, which is just what the secular humanist, evolutionists believe it to be. You will make their arguments more than your Lord’s.