Matthew 5:14-16 Keep the Light On

Introduction

(The Central Idea of the Text) Matthew summarizes the preaching of Jesus in a passage famous as the “Sermon on the Mount” (chaps. 5–7).

Jesus begins with a series of statements known as the “Beatitudes” (5:1–12). These surprising statements of blessing underline the difference between human values and God’s values.

These statements of blessings also call us to view life and success God’s way. As light, believers must illuminate God’s ways, which alone can guide humanity (vv. 14–16).

Matthew’s purpose for writing this pericope is to give the disciples of Jesus The who, what, and why of discipleship and their future.

Our decision to accept who we are as believers along with our roles and responsibilities as the same will determine our outcome in many situations of our lives. (When one reads the latter part of the sermon on the mount in Matthew 7:24ff, they will see that our identities of being wise or foolish are determined by how we live our true identities; our foundation is judged by how we live out our Christ-determined identities as LIGHT!)

(Main Objective of the Sermon/MOS) The purpose of the sermon today is to remind us of who we are, and what our purpose is for existence.

#1 - IDENTIFICATION - KNOW WHO WE ARE (14a)/The Nature of Light

• “You are the light of the world...”

• At the time of the text Jesus in the company of a large crowd and His disciples come to him and Jesus begins to teach them.

• It is after His teaching/preaching that Jesus wants His followers to know who they are.

• light (source of) n. — any object that serves as a source of illumination.

• Concepts of light and its relationship to vision. Light was often perceived to represent good and positive things as well. (Darkness was often perceived to represent evil and negative things…)

• ...light in the Gospels follows, on the whole, the use of light in the OT and late Hellenistic Judaism. Hebrew thought uses light as a symbol of the divine presence and salvation (Ex 13:21; Ps 27:1; 36:…

• In this Mediterranean world, DARKNESS was a present reality, not simply the absence of light as it is for us. DARKNESS IS THE PRESENCE OF DARK, AND LIGHT IS THE PRESENCE OF LIGHT. Dark pushes out light just as light pushes out darkness.

• LOCATION - WORLD - world system, godless world standards...

Swanson, James. Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament) 1997 : n. pag. Print.

Witthoff, David, ed. The Lexham Cultural Ontology Glossary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014. Print.

• (14b) - hill/mountain

• (14b) - cannot - to be able v. — to be or become sufficient to meet a need or task.

• (14b) - hid/to be concealed v. — to be or become hidden or not accessible to view/invisible.

• (15a) - The normal way to PUT OUT AN OIL LAMP was to put it under a bushel/basket so as not to fill the house with smoke and fumes before a person went to bed.

Or “a bowl”; this refers to any container for dry material of about eight liters (two gallons) capacity. It could be translated “basket, box, bowl” (Biblical Studies Press. The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible. Biblical Studies Press, 2005. Print.)

• (15b) - OIL LAMPS were used by all levels of society throughout the Roman Empire. Olive Oil was poured into a lamp through a central hole at the top. A wick was inserted in a smaller hole at the edge.

• Lamps were placed on stands. These lamps provided a very dim light.

#2 - APPLICATION - KNOW WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING (16a)/The Responsibility of Light

• In the same way; therefore...

• to shine (beam) v. — to emit light; be bright, as of the sun or a light.

• before - in the presence of ...

• others

#3 - EXPLANATION - KNOW OUR WHY (our PURPOSE) (16b)/The Purpose of Light #1

• Why is it so important for one to know his/her WHY?

Simon Sinek, author of the book Find Your Why: A Practical Guide for Finding Purpose for You and Your Team, writes that it is only when you understand your “why” (or your purpose) that you’ll be more capable of pursuing the things that give you fulfillment.

It will serve as your point of reference for all your actions and decisions from this moment on, allowing you to measure your progress and know when you have met your goals.

see - means take notice of, pay attention to, to consider

• good works – high/godly standards; opposed to the world’s “godless/low standards”

(illustr)

“STARS show up at night. They burn bright all of the time; however, we can only see them at night when DARKNESS is all around.

Christians (We) are to be unhindered light in a generation of people that prefer darkness…” (Tony Evans)

CONCLUSION

• to GLORIFY/PRAISE/Purpose #23 v. — to positively acknowledge, recognize, or esteem one’s character, nature, or attributes.

• Matthew 9:8, …after Jesus had healed a paralyzed man… “But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified/praised God, which had given such power unto men.”

• Matthew 15:31, “Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified/praised the God of Israel.”