YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

SERMON STARTER

         

Darkness. . .Darkness. . .Darkness. . .We are surrounded by such suffocating darkness! The prophet Isaiah put it this way:

20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight!    Isaiah 5:20-21

 

          Society condones today unspeakable things that would never been allowed even 50 years ago. A friend said recently, "I have been addicted to SIN! I wasn't addicted to substances."  He was running from God as are a whole lot of today's culture. We have become a rebellious nation.

          Jesus Christ has given us that answer to the world's darkness and rebellion. Allowing His Light to shine through us is the obvious answer.

 

 

          My sermon this morning explores how God has made us extensions of His Light in a dark and troubled world. His Light in us dispels darkness in our world and how they need Jesus!

 

Pastor Phil  <><<

October 6, 2019, Sheepfold Ministries

Pastor Phil Roland  <><<

 

YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

1 John 1:5-10  -  Matthew 5:14-16

"We are surrounded by suffocating darkness. Men and women are living out their lives, walking in the world's darkness. They are calling evil good and good evil. Jesus is our light in a darkened world. Allow His Light to shine in you. Darkened lives are depending on it."              Pastor Phil   <><<

 

Thomas Alva Edison made the first public demonstration of his incandescent light bulb on December 31, 1879, in Menlo Park. It was during this time that he said: "We will make electricity so cheap that only the rich will burn candles."

6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.    2 Corinthians 4:6

 

John 3:19,20,21
19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."

 

I. THE NATURE OF LIGHT - 1 John 1:5

5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.
          A.  LIGHT defined: “Visually perceived radiant energy"

                    1. Light - Something that makes vision possible

                    2. Light - The sensation aroused by stimulation of visual receptors   

                    3. Radiation that is visible to the human eye

          B. What does Light do?

                    1. Dispels Darkness - Eg. Match Illustration

                    2. Illumines Men's Paths - Psalm 119:105

                                        105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

                    3. Used to Signal - Eg. Ships

                    4. Used to Guide - Eg. Lighthouse

                    5. Light prevents Sin - Eg. Sheepfold Motion Security Lights

          C. What does Light do for Living Things?

                    1. Produces Photosynthesis / Growth in Plants

                    2. Causes Maturation in Mankind and Animals

 

YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD, cont. p.2

 

II. THE REAL SOURCE OF LIGHT - John 8:12

12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."

          A. The Nation / World desperately needs this Light

                    1. Simpliest message is the World Needs Jesus

                    2. The enemy sneers - Believer's cringe, fearing redicule

          B. Real believers are not ashamed of Jesus - Romans 1:16

                    16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to

            salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

                 A. Eg. Mother Teresa gave audience to people from all over the world.                           After one talk to a group, a Sister from North America asked, "In

                        America we are losing members from our Orders. Yet, your Order is

                        attracting thousands. "How do you do it? Mother Teresa's reply was

                        direct and simple, "I give them Jesus." The nun replied, "Yes, I

                        know, but really what do you do?" Mother Teresa replied again

                        simply, "I give them Jesus.There is nothing else."

                              1. He is our Light

                              2. We shine His Light into dark situations

                              3. We do it without apologies. . .He is our Light Source

                 B. Pluralistic Culture - Multitudes of Religions

                    1. We have something they don't: we have Jesus

                    2. We do not believe in Universalism

                    3. Universalism teaches all religions lead to the same god

                    4. Jesus has no Equal. . .He has no Peer

                    5. There has never been, nor will be anyone like Him

 

III. HE IS OUR LIGHT, WE SHINE WITH HIS LIGHT IN US

14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.     Matthew 5:14-16

 

          A. His Actual Light is in us, not a poor, weak reflection - John 14:12

                    12 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do

            he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My

            Father.

                    1. Jesus has come into our lives

                    2. He has come with Authority and Power

                    3. His same miracles through us?

                    4. Greater works than His? Only greater in number

                    5. There are 2.2 billion of us world wide

          B. He has breathed His Holy Spirit into us - John 20:22

                    22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.

 

YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD, cont. p.3

 

                    1. He has Commissioned us to bring His Power and Light into                                 a Dark World                   

                    2. He has Empowered us w/His Love            

          C. Where we go, His Love shines forth dispelling darkness

6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has

            shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in

            the face of Jesus Christ.    2 Corinthians 4:6

                    1. CARRY YOUR CANDLE  - Chris Rice                                                                      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtIIFJIxdUw

 

There is a candle in every soul
Some brightly burning, some dark and cold
There is a Spirit who brings a fire
Ignites a candle and makes His home

So carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the hepeless, confused and torn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world

Frustrated brother, see how he's tried to
Light his own candle some other way
See now your sister, she's been robbed and lied to
Still holds a candle without a flame

So Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the lonely, the tired and worn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world

Cause We are a family whose hearts are blazing
So let's raise our candles and light up the sky
Praying to our Father, in the name of Jesus
Make us a beacon in darkest times

So Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the hopeless, deceived and poor
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world

Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the helpless, confused and torn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world

 

 

 

YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

1 John 1:5-10
5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

 

Matthew 5:14-16
14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/you-are-the-light-of-the-world-davon-huss-sermon-on-christian-witness-135710?page=1&wc=800

 

John 3:20 (NKJV)
20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.

 

Psalm 119:105

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

 

JESUS IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

          His light in you

 

Psalm 27:1 (NKJV)
1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?

 

John 1:8-9 (NKJV)
8 He (John) was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
9 That (Jesus) was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD