The Light of the World

Matthew 5:14-20

Introduction

1.      My experience in a darkened cave

2.      God has given us the sun, the moon and the stars as lights

3.      God has given us His son to show us how to live and how to die  

Discussion

1.      Jesus was the Light of the world – John 1:4

a.       He was a light in the temple – Luke 2:46

                                                            i.      He was a light as he questioned the teachers of the law

                                                          ii.      He was a light as he stated the importance of the Father in his decisions – Luke 2:49

                                                        iii.      He was a light as he submitted to his parents – Luke 2:51  

b.      He was a light in Capernaum – John 6

                                                            i.      The day before he taught in Capernaum, he fed 5000 people beside the Sea of Galilee – he did not determine who was deserving, but who was hungry – John 6:10-13

                                                          ii.      He was a light when he confronted the selfish self-interest of those whom he fed – John 6:26

                                                        iii.      He was a light when he confronted their spiritual lukewarmness  

c.       He was a light in Jerusalem – Matt 21-27

                                                            i.      He was a light when he opposed the buying and selling in the temple – Matt 21:12-13

                                                          ii.      He was a light when he celebrated the Passover with his disciples – Matt 26:18

                                                        iii.      He was a light at his trial – 1 Peter 2:23

                                                        iv.      He was a light on the cross – with the thief, with his mother and John, toward the soldiers  

2.      We are light when we live a righteous life

a.       The thrust of Jesus’ focus in this passage is on righteous attitudes (Matt 5-7)  

b.      Righteous attitudes will produce righteous speech – Matt 12:34-37  

c.       Righteous attitudes will produce righteous actions – for example:  1 Cor 13, the response of love  

3.      We are light when we communicate the source of our light-producing life

a.       When asked – 1 Peter 3:15  

b.      Before we are asked – Mark 16:15 (every creature, not every person who asks)  

c.       At every opportunity -2 Tim 4:2 (Paul’s admonition to a preacher)  

Conclusion

1.       Every day we face the choice:  to be a bright spot in the day for others or to be a little black cloud that depresses everyone around us

2.      Jesus did not ask us to be a light;  he said “You are the light of the world.”

3.      What will you be, light or darkness?