A Light in a Dark Place
Notes
Transcript
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.
No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket.
Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
In our passage, today, we look at a small section of what is referred to as The Beatitudes.
Matthew 5 through 7 is one of the longest recorded teachings of Jesus. It is considered the most comprehensive teaching of Christian morals, ethics and personal behavior in the NT.
As followers of Christ, we are not just expected to believe in God, we are also expected to live our lives in a way that visibly shows those around us that our Faith in God has changed how we
Think
Behave
And Interact with others.
We are all expected to be that shining light in the darkness of todays society and culture.
Pointing the world to our Saviour, Jesus Christ and bringing glory to God.
1- SHINE YOUR LIGHT
1- SHINE YOUR LIGHT
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
An old rancher in SE Montana showed me how a simple campfire on the prairie can be seen for several miles over open terrain.
Back in the day it was always a welcome sight for those traveling after dark.
It was also a smart thing to “Hail” the fire before approaching to close.
Not only can a city on a hill not be hidden easily, it can also not be conquered easily, either.
It is always good military strategy to keep and hold “The high ground” in battles.
Why do you suppose that is?
Each one of us here have been designated by Jesus to be a Light in the World”
During the mid-1800’s, Florence Nightingale, often referred to as 'The Lady with the Lamp,' cared for wounded soldiers during the Crimean War.
Her light symbolized hope amidst despair, embodying servant leadership and compassion.
As young Christians, we can follow her example by serving others, bringing God’s light into our actions and becoming agents of healing and comfort in our communities.
Our world is consumed by fear, negativity and hopelessness.
Even at your age, you can be a-
Light of hope
An example of compassion
And a reflection of Christ everywhere you go.
In what ways can you actively express your faith in your daily school life?
2- RAISE YOUR LIGHT
2- RAISE YOUR LIGHT
Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
The story of Paul and Silas in prison showcases how their faith shone brightly despite dark circumstances.
They sang hymns and prayed, and their joy became a light that led to the jailer and his family coming to Christ.
As teens, you can reflect this same light in your everyday lives—demonstrating joy and hope in the face of challenges, inspiring those around you to seek the same light.
Having been a teenager once, I know it’s not easy taking a stand for anything.
We feel pressure from friends or others we may admire.
The desire to fit in can be overwhelming at times.
I can tell you from experience that for all the immediate attention you may gain,
In the long run there is very few experiences of your current age group that will have lasting impact on your life.
I went to my 40th High School reunion, several years ago- The only one I have ever attended.
The amount of people still trying to live out their teen years was scary. And Sad.
Trophy’s, Awards and Recognition, while ok in themselves-
Will ultimately end up stored in a box in the attic.
Or tossed in the garbage
On your sports team or in your school club, you may face moments of rivalry or divisions among teammates, leading to hurt feelings and conflict.
Consider positioning yourself as a peacemaker, encouraging unity through shared goals.
Can you think of a time when you felt afraid to share your faith?
What are steps you can take to overcome that fear?
It is amazing how acts of simple kindness, truthfulness and integrity can be a huge influence on those around us.
It is the best way we can reflect the love of God by our actions.
3- ALL GLORY TO GOD
3- ALL GLORY TO GOD
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
While using social media, it might seem easier to engage in gossip or spread negativity regarding others.
To counter this, consciously choose to share uplifting messages or scripture-based content that reflects God's love, grace and mercy
For instance, you could create a weekly post that highlights a quality of a friend or shares how someone has been a blessing in your life.
By intentionally spreading joy and encouragement online, you'll stand out as a beacon of light, possibly prompting others to reflect Christ's teachings in their interactions as well.
Some of the best responses to negative conversations are the ones that I deleted and never sent.
It’s easy to type out a quick retort to comments meant to stir up angry responses.
It’s a lot harder to NOT take the bait and just let it go.
As Christians, we are not here to win the argument- We are here to shine the light of Christ into a lost world.
The old saying, “Actions speak louder that words rings true, even today.
So, let your actions speak louder than your words.
Let the things you do, reflect Christ in you more than what you say about Christ.
This focuses the Light of the World, not on us, but on Christ for the Glory of God.
How can your good deeds lead others to glorify God?
