The Light (The Who)
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Three parallel passages and Matthew gives the full meaning in context.
21 And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?
Pray
16 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Intro: (Storytellers) Everybody loves a good storyteller. Who gets to be the storyteller of Jesus? Maybe God should tell the story of Himself. It seems that perfection should be told be perfection. Or maybe the angels should. They done a GREAT job telling the shepherds. However, God doesn’t tell His story. Neither do God’s glorious angels. In verse 14 of Matt 5 the Bible tells us, “Ye are the light of the world...” YE!!! That’s me! That’s you! Who does God intrust the Gospel of Jesus Christ to? THE WHO IS YOU!
The WHO is YOU
The WHO is YOU
Use a flashlight to illustrate
Just as Jesus used an illustration, I would like to use an illustration this morning.
Parallel the flashlight to the church or individual.
John the Baptist (Wild man eating locust)
Sheppards: Luke 2:17 “17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.”
Disciples:
Maybe 7 Fishermen: Andrew, Peter, James, John, and possibly Thomas, Nathaniel, and Philip and the Bible tells us they were fishing when Jesus appeared to them.
1 Tax collector Matthew
A Zealot (Someone attempting to overthrow the Roman government.)
The treasurer who ended up being a thief (Judas)
Sounds like a great lineup doesn’t it! But the Bible says that the disciples turned the world upside down!
How about Paul… the persecutor.
If we are the light, then what do we need?
We need power
We need power
2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
We need connection
We need connection
There is a switch inside this light that can turn off the beam.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
We have too big a job to do in this world to be drawn away from the mission!
We need darkness
We need darkness
Ye are the light of the WORLD!!!
You don’t need light in an already lit area. You need a light in dark places.
Give me a mission field to shine in!!! Your realm of influence.
7107 I don’t have to light all the world, but I do have to light my part.
Anonymous
Jesus never intended for the church to be inclusive. Jesus prophesied that the church would REACH!!!
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Let’s look for areas that need light and make sure we shine brightest in the darkest places!!!
If He who called Himself the Light of the World was only a flickering torch, then the darkness that enshrouds the earth is here to stay.1
A. W. Tozer
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.
Tony Evans
Conclusion: If God allows us to be used… then let’s be used up! Let’s make Him proud!
NOTHING LEFT!!! NO FUEL IN THE TANK!!!