The Witness of the Kingdom (2)

You are the Light of the World: Radiate Globally

Matthew 5:13–16 KJV 1900

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.

Salt Permeates Locally - It must come in contact before it effective.

Salt relates to Character - The purity of salt is within.

Light relates to Conduct - The effectiveness of light is without.

Light Radiates Globally -

The Power of Light

noun

something that makes things visible or affords illumination: All colors depend on light. Physics. Also called lu·mi·nous en·er·gy, radiant energy. electromagnetic radiation to which the organs of sight react, ranging in wavelength from about 400 to 700 nanometers and propagated at a speed of 186,282 miles per second (299,972 kilometers per second), considered variously as a wave, a stream of particles, or a quantum phenomenon.

a similar form of radiant energy that does not affect the retina, as ultraviolet or infrared rays.

the sensation produced by stimulation of the organs of sight.

an illuminating agent or source, as the sun, a lamp, or a beacon.

the radiance or illumination from a particular source: the light of a candle.

the illumination from the sun; daylight: We awoke at the first light.

a particular light or illumination in which an object seen takes on a certain appearance: viewing the portrait in dim light.

a device for or means of igniting, as a spark, flame, or match: Could you give me a light?

the aspect in which a thing appears or is regarded: Try to look at the situation in a more cheerful light.

the state of being visible, exposed to view, or revealed to public notice or knowledge; limelight: Stardom has placed her in the light.

Light is a miracle.

Light is a mystery.

Is Mysterious

Light is a mystery. We don't understand it. We know it exists.

We study light and we know that light exists, but it's hard to explain what it really is.

As a matter of fact, according to https://www.britannica.com/science/light

There is no single answer to the question “What is light?” satisfies the many contexts in which light is experienced, explored, and exploited. The physicist is interested in the physical properties of light, the artist in an aesthetic appreciation of the visual world. Through the sense of sight, light is a primary tool for perceiving the world and communicating within it. Light from the Sun warms the Earth, drives global weather patterns, and initiates the life-sustaining process of photosynthesis.

Nobody, even today, can tell us what light is. We know what light does, but not what light is. It is one of the most mysterious entities in the universe.

Is Miraculous

All the Bible has to say is found in Genesis 1:3-4

Genesis 1:3–4 (KJV 1900)

3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

In physics it has become the new absolute. As such, it is at the heart of the famous equation E = mc2 (energy equals mass multiplied by the speed of light squared) which, in turn, ushered in the atomic age.

What is the purpose and function of light?

Note the statement: "God divided the light from the darkness."

Unless light existed—unless light was divided from darkness—the earth would be in total DARKNESS.

If the earth had no sun, the earth would be engulfed in total darkness.

If the earth was still covered by a heavy dense fog (clouds and mist), the earth would be blanketed in total darkness.

Light has at least five basic functions or purposes.

Light divides darkness to give some light to the earth and universe.

Light makes things GROW.

Life cannot exist without light. Man, animals, green plants, and algae—all are dependent upon light in order to live upon the earth. Green plants and algae convert light into energy, and they grow thereby (the process is known as photosynthesis). Without light there would be no plants upon earth to feed man and animal. Light is an absolute essential for life and growth.

Light gives HEAT and warmth.

Light gives COLOR and beauty to things.

Light enables man and animals to see; light EXPOSES things—all the universe and all the earth—so that man and animals can see and carry out their function in a world of variety and beauty.

When "God saw the light, [He saw] that it was good." Light fulfilled its function. Light was exactly as God had planned; it was designed and perfectly fitted for its purpose; it was useful and profitable; it was functioning just as God had willed.

Light divides and dispels darkness!

2 Peter 1:19 (KJV 1900)

19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

dark place = dark, without light, gloomy, murky place.

Our world thinks that it is enlightened.

However, without the injunction or declaration of God, the world is a dark, gloomy and murky place and cannot even define what God did.

See, I contend that our world is confused.

We have more knowledge and information than any other generation.

We have a lot of people that know a lot about everything without knowing about anything.

Do you know we cannot have life without light?

This is also true spiritually.

Our society cannot answer the 4 basic questions of life.

Do you know what the basic questions of life are?

Where did I come from?

Where am I going?

Why am I here?

Where are you going?

If you don't have the answers to those three, you don't even know what life is all about.

You ask them-where did you come from? Their answer is, ''You came from a green slime.''

Where are you going? ''Oh, you are going to the dirt like a dog or you are coming back here like a bug.''

Why are you here? ''We don't have a clue why we're here.

Who knows why we are here?''

Here’s the mystery! You will never find the answer to these basic questions of life in the world.

However, you can find the answers of light in Jesus Christ.

John 14:6 KJV 1900

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

In the Beatitudes we see the Way to God.

In the Salt we see the Truth of God.

In the Light we see the Life of God.

Is Metaphorical

John 1:1–12 KJV 1900

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Jesus said,

John 3:17–21 KJV 1900

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

John 8:12 (KJV 1900)

12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

If Jesus declares to be the Light, and John the Baptist says he is not the Light but sent to bear witness of the light, then how do we understand

Matthew 5:14 KJV 1900

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Well look

in John 9:5, ''I am the light of the world.''

John 9:5 (KJV 1900)

5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

Jesus is no longer in the world.

2 Corinthians 5:18–19 KJV 1900

18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 4:6 (KJV 1900)

6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 2:15 (KJV 1900)

15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

Then the Bible says in the book of Ephesians, 5th chapter, verse 8,

Ephesians 5:8–9 (KJV 1900)

8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

You were once in the darkness, but when you met Jesus, the Light, he says now I'm going to make you like I am in this world. You are the light of the world. What a mystery! What a Miracle!

We are not the light but we work like the moon in order that we may reflect and radiate the light.

The Place for Light

Matthew 5:14–15 (KJV 1900)

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.

Publicly - on a hill

Right on the place where they believe Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount, there's a beautiful sloping hill down to the Sea of Galilee. Right up behind that are the hills that surround Galilee. They always point to one particular village and many believe that this is what Jesus was talking about and that maybe Jesus even pointed to that city. ''A city set on a hill cannot be hid.''

When a city is up on a hill, you can see it from all directions. He is saying here that corporately, together as God's children, we are to be light for Jesus Christ in our city. I think it's talking about the influence of a church on a city. A church is to be a lighthouse in a city. A church is to let the light shine. A Bible-believing church where the Bible is preached and where the members of that church are faithful to tell others about the Lord Jesus is a light on a hill in a city that cannot be hid.

Personally - in the house

That's the first place the light ought to shine reallyat home.

Jesus said one time to a man, ''Go home and tell thy friends how great things God hath done for you.'' Let your light shine in the house.

You will never shine collectively with the group if you don’t shine singularly on your own.

One of two things will happen when you put your light under a bushel. Either that bushel will put out your light or that light will burn up your bushel. Be a light for Jesus Christ. Let the light shine for Jesus Christ.

The Purpose of Light

Matthew 5:16 KJV 1900

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

If we shine the way we ought to shine, we won't call attention to ourselves. We'll call attention to something or rather someone else beside ourselves. When you let the light shine you call attention to your Heavenly Father.

Are you living in a dark world? Let your light shine.

You are working in a difficult place? Let your light shine.

Does it seem like the kingdom of darkness is overcoming? Let your light shine.

Does it seem to you that it's getting dark all over the world? Let your light shine.

Remember that little chorus? ''This little light of mine. I'm going to let it shine. This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine let it shine till Jesus comes.''

How are you doing at radiating light in this confused world?

You are salt permeating this old world's corruption. You are light radiating in this world's confusion.