INSIGHT
 
One of the most familiar and important forms of energy is light. Nothing is visible to humans when light is totally absent. Light penetrates and dispels darkness. It also sustains life on Earth. Without it, all living creatures would be unable to survive. However, apart from the physical light which God created (Gen. 1:3), there is a greater form of light: that light is God! In Psalm 27:1, David says, "The Lord is my light." In Psalm 104:2, the psalmist testified of the Lord who "wraps himself in light as with a garment." In John 8:12, Jesus, the God-man, said, "I am the light of the world." The Apostle John says that "God is light; in him there is no darkness at all." (1 John 5:1)

Such expressions make at least two things abundantly clear. First, the origin of light rests with God. Second, in some sense God Himself is the very essence of light. Such statements do not suppose that God is light and nothing more, but they do stress that God is the ultimate source of all knowing and understanding. To this end Psalm 119:105 informs us that God's Word is a "light" to one's path. Here the concept of "light" lies upon the perception and understanding gained when darkness is dispelled and light revealed. This concept is more clearly understood in John 3:19: "men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil." Light, in the spiritual realm, exposes and provides understanding and purity, while the opposite of light (or darkness) is designed to obscure, deceive, kill and harbor wickedness.

Jesus came to give life. And that life was the light of men (John 1:4). Just as He is the light of the world (John 8:12), He calls us to be the light of the world (Matt. 5:14). He calls us to be reflectors in a darkened world, transmitting through our lives the true light of the eternal Son of God! It is our duty to shine forth, so that all men may see the glory of Christ! Let the life you lead be a lamp unto men's paths!

 
The Life in Christ
The Light of the World

 

Key Text:                      Acts 13:47

"For this is what the Lord has commanded us: 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'"

 

Theme:

The life in Christ is a shining light! A lively faith that triumphs in God and rejoices in His holy name! David was called by his subjects the lamp of Israel (2 Sam. 21:17) and he was indeed a burning and a shining light! But he knew the light he gave off was like that of the moon--borrowed light. The light that darted upon him was God. For this reason he says “the Lord is my light!”. Are you a burning light, reflecting the light of God in your life? Do men see the light of the Lord in you?

 

Application:

 

Here are some practical suggestions:

1. Be a positive influence to those around

    you! Be like a lamp in a dark place, offering

    the light of encouragement and hope!

2. Be used by the Spirit! Pursue the things

    that glorify God! Read and apply the

    teachings of the Spirit to your life in all

    circumstances! Let Him work through you!

3. Call a brother or sister and encourage

    them! Pray with them over the phone.

4. Tell others of the Good News of Jesus!

     Be the light of salvation Jesus calls you

     to be!

5. Ask the Lord to shine through you in all

     you say and do! Ask Him to make you

     an instrument of His love.

6. Let your love for Jesus be evident to all,

              especially to those in the kingdom!

 

May the Lord richly bless you!

 

Sermon Outline
The Light Of The World

I. Light In The Physical Realm

A. Sustains life 
1. God created light (Gen 1:3) 
2. Living creatures created after (Gen 1:20) 
3. Biological truths 
  a. Creatures depend directly/indirectly on light (sunlight):   
      plant, animal, man 
  b. We learn by what light reveals to us c. Affects us 
      psychologically 
4. In spiritual realm: John 1:4,5 
  a. It gives life to the penitent sinner 
  b. It teaches truth through revelation 
  c. Affects those who "see" the light

B. King David: The Lamp of Israel!

1. 2 Samuel 21:15-17 
  a. His reputation came from: 
     i) his devotion to nation of Israel --He was old and still 
        went to fight against the Philistines 
    ii) he was loyal to the Lord is his testimony and worship: 
        he was never an idolater 
    iii) his acknowledgment of God as his source of light 
        (Ps 27:1)

C. The Christian: The Lamp of Christ

1. Matthew 5:14-16 
  a. We are the light, illuminated by Christ! 
  b. The sign of an active faith is the example (light) we set 
      forth in all occasions! 
   -- A city on a hill will be seen 
   -- A bright beam will penetrate the darkest of night! 
  c. Lk. 11:35--See to it that you are not a dark light

II. Conclusion: Faithful lamps never fade! 
Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. Daniel 12:3

Small Group Study

Warm-up:

Would you ever buy or use a light bulb that is either blown or painted black? Why? What would be the outcome? What would you do with such a bulb?

 

See To It                                Luke 11:33-36

 

1. Why is it foolish to hide a shining light? What

     is a shining light used for?

 

2. Read John 1:4-5. What does the light of Christ

    bring to mankind? Who is this “light” and

    what is this “light”?

 

3. What does the phrase “the light  shines in the

     darkness” mean? And the phrase “but the

     darkness has not understood it”?

 

4. Go back to Luke 11:33. What do you think the

    following terms in verse thirty-three represent?

       a. The lamp?

       b. The light?

       c. The stand?

 

Seeing It Closer:

 

1. How does verse thirty-three relate to Jesus? What

    was his purpose for “shining forth”? What

    should be our purpose for “shining forth”?

 

2. Read Luke 11:34-36. Will everyone respond

   favorably to the “light”? Therefore, should we

   expect everyone to respond to us if we shine?

 

3. How is it that your “eye is the lamp” of your

     body? What does Jesus mean by “your whole

     body also is full of light”?

 

4. What is Jesus’ concern for us today? What kind

    of light should we be?

 

Getting To It:

 

Pray for each other to be lights shining in dark places. Pray that the light of the Lord will shine through  us in any and every circumstance!

 

This week's Quiet Times:

Let Your Light So Shine...

 

MONDAY

Being a disciple of Jesus, a Christian, means living a dynamic life¾possible only by and through the Holy Spirit we received at baptism. It means putting His teachings into practice. Not just nodding or saying “Amen!” during the sermons on Sunday, or agreeing with your discipler about what you need to do, or being humble and submissive in front of the church. Those convictions that are forming within you need to be expressed by your deeds. The Lord needs to be glorified by what you do, not just by what you say or believe. Read James 2:14-18. Is it enough just to know what to do? Is it enough just  to intellectually believe? What happens if your faith is not accompanied by deeds (actions)? How is your faith manifested before men? Remember Noah! His conviction was evident because of the ark he built. That ark was the testimony of his faith. Write Ephesians 2:10 on an index card and memorize it. Remember: we are not saved by faith plus works, but by a faith that works!

 

TUESDAY   Being a Light at Work...

“Our light must shine, by doing such good works as men may see. What is between God and our souls, must be kept to ourselves; but that which is of itself open to the sight of men, we must study to make suitable to our profession, and praiseworthy. We must aim at the glory of God.”¾Matthew Henry  You probably believe you have a profession of some kind. Perhaps you are a laborer of sorts, or a teacher, a doctor, lawyer, secretary, accountant, or a student. But did you ever think of yourself as “good news carrier”? A messenger of God? Isn’t that what you really are when you become a disciple? Read Matthew 5:16. What are these good works? Do you make an effort to share these good works with those you work with? What is the purpose of sharing these good works, to glorify yourself? Write Romans 13:12 on an index card and memorize it. Don’t just stick to doing your job at work; remember to do the Lord’s work at your job! Get to know someone at work (school) that you haven’t met before. See to it that your light shines to guide them to the Lord.

 

WEDNESDAY  Being a Light to Strangers...

As you go about your daily business, you come across a lot of people. At work, at the grocery store, at school, on the road, and even on the internet you deal with many people. How can you make an effective impression upon these people? Do you impress yourself upon them or do you impress Jesus upon them? Check out 2 Corinthians 4:5. Make yourself their servant! How many people do you know say they want to be your servant? Remember Jesus came to serve, not to be served! Read 1 Corinthians 9:16-23. What were Paul’s motives when preaching the gospel? Find out what compelled Paul to preach in 2 Corinthians 5:14-15. How did Paul attempt to win people to the gospel? Do you think Paul was out to make associations with people or did he set out to make and have relationships with people? Getting involved with people at work, or with strangers you meet, takes a lot of effort and time. Be patient and serve!

 

THURSDAY  Being a Light at Fellowships...

Don’t you have a great time at fellowships? Isn’t it great to be in such a wonderful family as the family of God? It is a great blessing to be in such a caring environment. The care we have for one another and the love we show for each other is the most brilliant light that can shine in this dark, dark world. Read John 13:34-35. “The whole world is to distinguish Christ's disciples not by mighty acts, but in the kind of love Jesus exhibited as seen in His disciples' acts of love and concern.”¾Believer’s Study Bible. Sometimes, however, attitudes flare up because of selfishness. The light is dimmed, or becomes cold (like a fluorescent light) because you want to be served or think you are above others. Read 1 John 2:9-11. Can you possibly be in the light and hate your brother? Keep in mind that hate is the opposite of love (See 1 Corinthians 13:4-7). See to it that you are walking in the light! Write 1 Thessalonians 5:5-6 on an index card and memorize it. Have you encouraged someone today?

 

FRIDAY  Being a Light at Home...

The test of true discipleship is how your light shines at home. You might live with unbelieving parents, or an unbelieving spouse, or children; or you might live with a believing spouse or brethren. Whatever the situation, these people see you in your best and worst moments. If it’s tough to be a disciple when you are A-OK, imagine, then, when you’re not feeling well?! How do you carry your “lighted” self when you’re sick? When you’re depressed? When you’re angry? When you’re stressed? Read again Matthew 5:14-15. Jesus’ first compares you to a city on a hill, a light for those who are far away, to attract them to the Lord. Next however, He compares you to a light that someone uses in a house! In your house, put that light on a lampstand! Make sure its a real light too. Read Luke 11:35-36. Are there any dark parts in a light? Are there any dark parts in you? (Remember 1 John 1:7-10 !) Write Psalm 37:6 on an index card and memorize it.