We ARE the Light of the World :: Sermon on the Mount {Week 7}

 

Matthew 5:19-20 (ESV)

Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

 

When I was nine, I was afraid of the dark. I can remember the closet in my bedroom…how it had sliding doors, and how I would walk over and shut them tightly before turning off the light. In fact I had a bedside lamp and I would turn that on first. Then I would inspect the inside of my closet thoroughly and  check around the room and underneath the bed. Then I’d turn off the overhead light, get in my covers, and only then, after getting all situated, when all was clear, would I turn off the light.

It’s hard to explain the irrationality of a child’s fear, but I can assure you it was real. And I have become more sympathetic to others who have that fear, especially my own children.

But one thing I did know, even at 9 years old, was that light dispels darkness. As soon as I turned the light on, the darkness would leave, and everything became clear. I could see. I could find the things I was looking for and confirm the absence of the things I was afraid of, and what a comfort it was to have light.

John 8:12 (ESV)

Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

When Jesus came to this earth, He was the light of the world. And He said if we follow Him, we will have the light. As representatives of Him we become the light of the world as we actively live out our faith and follow in His example. We become like a city situated on a hill, light that cannot be hidden. Our very presence brings hope and a chance for others to see goodness and notice love … a love they may have been longing for but hadn’t been able to see.

The love of Christ and the light of His truth shine through us and their rays penetrate out into the world.

And Jesus says, let your light shine!

Don’t be ashamed.

Don’t be intimidated.

Don’t cover your light to avoid others discovering it.

Let it shine.

Let it penetrate and dispel the darkness around you.

Let them see your good works.

Let them see how you love even when you’re treated unfairly.

How you’re kind and generous in situations of favoritism and injustice.

How you’re patient and self-controlled in the midst of irritation and inefficiency.

It is our choices that will ultimately be an example of Christ to the world and ultimately bring glory to God. And as our very lives reflect His light, He is glorified through us.

We live to bring Him glory.

This week may you be the light, reflecting that light to others, and bringing glory to God in the process.

We ARE the light of the world, to the glory of God the Father!

Every secret, every shame, Every fear, every pain

Live inside the dark, But that’s not who we are,

We are children of the day

 

So wake up sleeper, lift your head

We were meant for more than this

Fight the shadows conquer death

Make the most of the time we have left

 

We are the light of the world

We are the city on a hill

We are the light of the world

We gotta, we gotta, we gotta let the light shine

 

We are called to spread the news

Tell the world the simple truth

Jesus came to save, there’s freedom in His Name

So let it all break through

We are the light of the world

We are the city on a hill

We are the light of the world

We gotta, we gotta, we gotta let the light shine

We are the light of the world

We are the city on a hill

We are the light of the world

We gotta, we gotta, we gotta let the light shine

 

Bridge:

We are the light

we are the light

we are the light

So let your light shine brighter.

 

We are the light

we are the light

we are the light

Continuing on in memorizing the Sermon on the Mount, with Ann and this community. Join us?

This week on to Matthew 5:17-18 (ESV)…

 

{WEEK 8}

 

Matthew 5:17-18 (ESV)

Do not think that I have come to abolish  the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but  to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

 

d n t t i h c t a t l o t p i h n c t a t b t f t f t i s t y u h a e p a n a i n a d w p f t l u a i a

 

Other posts in this series:

~Memorizing the Sermon on the Mount

~For When You Want to Know How to Really Teach {Week 1}

~For When You Need to Quit Performing to Earn God’s Love and Blessing {Week 2}

~When You Long to be Satisfied and Supremely Happy {Week 3}

~For When Memorizing is Intimidating and Change is a Challenge {Week 4}

~For When You Don’t Fit in and You’re Not Feeling Accepted {Week 5}

~Because You Are Meant to BE the Flavor {Week 6}

Related posts:

For When You Need to Quit Performing to Earn God’s Love and Blessing :: Sermon on the Mount {Week 2} When You Long to Be Satisfied and Supremely Happy :: Sermon on the Mount {Week 3} For When You Don’t Fit in and You’re Not Feeling Accepted :: Sermon on the Mount {Week 5}