I AM LIGHT

OPENING

SCRIPTURE READING

PRAYER

CONGREGATIONAL WORSHIP

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE

Ephesians 5:1-16. Matthew 5:14-16.

PURPOSE STATEMENT

To challenge believers to live as children of light in a dark world—reflecting God’s character, rejecting the works of darkness, and revealing His truth so that others may be drawn to Christ and glorify God.

INTRODUCTION

I’d like for you to take the Word of God with me, please, and turn to Ephesians 5:1-16.

ILLUSTRATION

Throughout the Word of God the metaphor of light and darkness relating to good versus evil is prevalent. You can go beyond the Bible and see this played out in historical and classical books, such as those by Socrates and Aristotle.

In his book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, author L Frank Baum portrayed two different people as helpers of Dorothy, this girl from the midwest who had become lost in a crazy and confused world. Though Baum never spoke of the book as an allegory, many people, including myself, view it as one. Glinda, is seen as a divine agent guiding Dorothy on a chosen path, which she needs to follow in order to reach find her way home. Glinda is always bright cheerful, and full of light. The flip side is the wicked witch of the west, who represented pure evil, cruelty, and tyranny. She is always wearing black and loves darkness.

TRANSITION

Our world today is full of darkness and evil. This is a direct result of sin and Satan’s power of the world. Ephesians 4:18 even uses the words “having their understanding darkened,” as a way to describe the spiritual blindness of people to not see the truth of Jesus Christ.

Because of the spiritual darkness of the world, Jesus came. The first messianic prophecy using the idea of light is found in Isaiah 9:2,

Isaiah 9:2 KJV 1900

2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: They that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

This is a reference to our Savior, Jesus, who used the same metaphor of light and darkness. John’s Gospel record reveals in John 8:12,

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.

When Jesus ascended into heaven, He left us to be His light in this dark world. Then, through His Word He’s given us an understanding of how to accomplish this mission. Paul takes us through mission and flows from identity (“ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord”) to conduct (“walk as children of light”) and then to impact (exposing and guiding others). And we are going to follow that pattern.

Let look at our passage of Scripture and see three aspects of light and how to live as light in a dark world.

LIGHT IS DIFFERENT | VV. 1-11

First of all, consider verses 1 through 11 and notice that light is different. For time’s sake look at verse 8 with me to begin.

Ephesians 5:8 KJV 1900

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

God guides with a simple truth, you and I are different. Light is different than darkness. We used to be similar to the rest of the world. Our minds used to be darkened by the blindness of our hearts, but now are a children of God, children of Light, and we are called to be different.

LIGHT REFLECTS GOD’S CHARACTER | VV. 1-2

Dod you know that light reflects God’s character. It is the Apostle John who write in 1 John 1:5,

1 John 1:5 KJV 1900

5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

Paul stays on this same track as he writes in verses 1 and 2,

Ephesians 5:1–2 KJV 1900

1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

When God calls us the light of the world, He is telling us to reflect God’s character to the world. Note this fundamental truth: the majority of the list world will know the God of the Bible through His children. They won’t pick up a Bible to understand who God is. Instead, they will look at your life and determine who God is. That thought ought to provoke us and caution us to live as Christ desires and live in the power of the Holy Spirit.

LIGHT REJECTS THE WORKS OF DARKNESS | VV. 3-7

When we reflect the character of God, our lives will automatically reflect the works of darkness, which is another aspect of how light is different. This is Paul’s argument from verses 3 through 7. Look at a couple of verses with me.

Ephesians 5:3–5 KJV 1900

3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

God draws a strong line in the sand, if you will, regarding children of light and the works of darkness. He then gives a bold statement in verse 7,

Ephesians 5:7 KJV 1900

7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

Our lives are to be such that not only do we reveal the character of God, but by default we also reject the wicked works of darkness. This is why we don’t fit in to the world’s system. It is uncomfortable to live as a child of God in a dark world. The TV shows and movies that Hollywood produces are going to be a slap in the face of us. They are going to rub us wrong.

We don’t fit in because we are not supposed to. Instead, we reject the works of darkness. Yes, this means people may not like us. They didn’t like Jesus so we are no different.

LIGHT REVEALS WHAT IS GOOD | VV. 8-10

We reflect the character of God, thereby reject the works of darkness, but don’t miss God’s final thought in verses 8 through 10: light reveals what is good. We don’t just say what is bad, we reveal the right path. Look at these verses quickly,

Ephesians 5:8–10 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;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

People need to know, not only what is wrong, but also what is right. When we live for Christ and walk in Him, our lives are such that the fruit of the Spirit is produced in us. This fruit is goodness and righteousness and truth. Galatians 5:22-23 reveals there is no law against such fruit.

ILLUSTRATION: Every knows when they bite into an apple that has begun to over-ripen that it isn’t the greatest, compared to that luscious, juicy, fresh, wholesome, and good apple.

Does your life reveal what is good in a world of much bad?

LIGHT IS DISRUPTIVE | VV. 11-14

Not only is light different, but look at verses 11 through 14 with me as we discover light is also disruptive.

Ephesians 5:11–14 KJV 1900

11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

Paul gives us three through about how light disrupts.

LIGHT EXPOSES EVIL | VV. 11-12

First of all, it exposes evil. This is his argument in verses 11 and 12. We are to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness.

DEFINITION: the word fellowship from the Greek (synkoinōneō) means “to have a joint share of, or to partake in.” The idea is to participate in something with others.

As Christians we do not participate in evil endeavors. Instead, we expose it. I believe our country has become so wicked in part because we weren’t exposing wickedness as we ought to. Now, there is a right way and a wrong way to expose evil, but not we are to reprove evil.

DEFINITION: The word reprove from the Greek (elenchō) means “to expose.” The idea is to openly admonish someone strongly using argumentation to convince and refute.

Yes, people don’t like this. Yes, it means you might cause a rift in the family unit. Yes, it means you will get hate mail and be accused of bigotry and more. Yes, it means you might not get a promotion of a job contract, but this is what light does. It exposes evil.

LIGHTS AWAKENS THE SOUL | VS. 14

And the reason we are to expose evil is found in verse 14: light awakens the soul. Look at the verse with me,

Ephesians 5:14 KJV 1900

14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

Paul cites the prophet Isaiah 60:1,

Isaiah 60:1 KJV 1900

1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, And the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.

It is call to salvation. People will not come to the saving knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ if their evil is not exposed. They must come to grips with a holy God, who is the Creator, Sustainer, and Judge of all things, and He alone has the right to determine right from wrong. He alone has the right and authority to establish moral boundaries and punishment.

When you and I live as His light and expose the evil of the world, one of two things happens.

LIGHT ATTRACTS AND REPELS

We will either attract people to the Gospel, or repel them for that is what light does. It attracts and it repels. Jesus, as the light of the world came into this world and many rejected him. The reason is given in John 3:19,

John 3:19 KJV 1900

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.

Yet, many others came to the light and were glorious saved from the sins and given the gift of eternal life. It was not Jesus’ methods that were wrong or right, it was the willingness of the person to either accept or reject the light.

LIGHT IS DIRECTIVE | VV. 15-16

I’ve got to be quick, so let me give you a find thought from verses 15 and 16. We’ve seen how light is different and disruptive. But notice the final argument of Paul in verses 15 and 16: light is directive. It directs God’s children. Look at verses 15 and 16,

Ephesians 5:15–16 KJV 1900

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

LIGHT WALKS WITH PURPOSE | VS. 15

You and I are called to walk with purpose.

Ephesians 5:16 KJV 1900

16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

To walk circumspectly is to walk in a way that you see what is going on around you. Break the world up. “Circum” meaning a full circle; and “Spect;” where we got the idea of spectacles, or vision. We are to walk understanding all that is going on around us. This is living with purpose. We are not to walk blindly as a fool, but wisely knowing what is going on in our world.

What is the real issue with abortion and transgenderism? Why is that socialism never dies? It is not because people don’t understand the truth; it is because the are rejecting the capital T truth of Jesus Christ. We are not against teaching, but if we neglect the teaching of Christ, then all we teach will ultimately fail because it has not transformed a heart.

LIGHT WORKS WITH URGENCY | VS. 16

Paul’s final challenge regarding directing our lives is to work with urgency. We are to redeem the time because the days are evil. We don’t have much time left my friends. Each of our lives are but a vapor that exists for a short time and then is gone. We don’t know what a day may bring forth, and so we need to act with urgency and shine brightly for Jesus.

LIGHT WITNESSES PUBLICLY | MATTHEW 5:14-16

To do this we must witness publically. We are called to not hide our lights, but shine for Jesus so people will see our good works and glory our father which is in heaven. We cannot hide what God has given us. Yes, it means facing uncertainty and difficulty. Remember, we are strangers and pilgrims in this world. We are ambassadors. So shine publically and shine brightly.

CONCLUSION

It is said that Benjamin Franklin once grew tired of the darkness that filled the streets of Philadelphia. Crime increased when night fell, and few people dared to walk outside after sunset. Rather than complain or wait for someone else to act, outside his own home, Franklin hung a new style of lantern he created. Each evening, as the shadows lengthened, he faithfully lit his lamp. Neighbors began to notice the gentle glow that pierced the darkness and how crime had reduced in that area. Before long, others followed his example, and soon the streets of Philadelphia began to shine at night. One man’s light became a spark that inspired a city.

That is what God has called you and me to be — lights in the darkness. Paul said in Ephesians 5:8, 

Ephesians 5:8 KJV 1900

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

Light is different; it doesn’t blend in.

Light is disruptive; it exposes sin and awakens hearts.

Light is directive; it shows the way to life.

Our world is filled with darkness: moral confusion, spiritual blindness, and hearts far from God. But darkness never overcomes light; it only retreats when light begins to shine. You may not be able to change the whole world, but you can light your corner. You can show the love, truth, and holiness of Christ where you live, where you work, and in your home.

So, let me ask you, “Is your light shining? Are you walking as a child of light? Has the brightness of Christ’s presence been dimmed by compromise, fear, or silence?” Jesus said, “Ye are the light of the world… let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Today, maybe God is calling you to rekindle your lamp and once again live boldly and brightly for Him. Just as Franklin’s small flame inspired others, your faithful witness can illuminate hearts and guide others to the Savior.

The world does not need more darkness. It needs more light. So let’s shine — for His glory, and for the salvation of souls.