LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE BEFORE MEN
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““You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14, NKJV)
“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.” (Matthew 5:15, NKJV)
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16, NKJV)
To hide your light under a bushel (basket)
is to keep your good qualities and abilities secret from other people.
is to keep quiet about one’s talents or accomplishments.
You don’t light a lamp with a flame to give light and then cover it.
In the parable, Jesus is telling his followers not to hide their faith but let it shine and spread, like the light of a lamp.
“please don’t hide your light under a bushel, the world needs your valuable God given talents”
The parable of the hidden light is a powerful one. It reminds us that our faith, our talents, and our good deeds are meant to be shared with the world.
The believer is supposed to have positive influence the in the world
The believer is to fulfill their function by being promoted, so their light can be seen by many people over a broad area.
The Christian’s life and influence is to be visible and obvious, not secret or hidden.
We must not camouflage our devotion to Christ, but humbly do all we can to allow its truest colours to be seen where we live.
Jesus would often use items in the house or on the farm to illustrate his teachings
Here he uses items like candle and basket which were common items in those days
What does it mean to hide our light?
This could include being afraid to share our faith, neglecting our talents, or not being kind to others.
Why do we hide our light?
We might be afraid of judgement
worried about what others will think
Maybe we could be unaware of the change we could make to people’s lives
Baggage from the past
Fear of the future
What happens when we share our light?
We can inspire others, make a difference in the world, and bring joy to ourselves.
How can we overcome our fear and share our light?
The root cause of hiding our talents is always fear
“Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.
And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’
“But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.
This could involve finding our voice, using our gifts, and being kind and compassionate.
The Nation of Israel was supposed to be a light to the Nations
“I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness, And will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the Gentiles,
Indeed He says, ‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob, And to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”
In John, Jesus describes Himself as the light of the world
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.”
As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
Today, the Church is the light of the world
