Light of the World
Notes
Transcript
You are the light of the world.
You are the light of the world.
Jesus starts off this simple saying with letting his disciples know what their status is. I found it interesting that when I read this in the NA-28 that Jesus uses a pronoun followed by a verb. The pronoun is “you” which are the disciples and the verb is “are” which according to a verb signifies action. Therefore we should understand that Jesus is declaring more than just a status here, he is stating a call to action. What action? To be light of the world. In the scriptures “are the” is written in the original language as “to be” so Jesus is telling them that I want you to be the light of the world.
We have a command as Jesus’ disciples to be light of the world. So now how do we become the light of the world (pause for questions and answers). What does the scriptures say about being light of the world? Well first off lets see what Jesus is referring to when he says “light”.
Phos- to shine, to make manifest, especially by rays. In comparison to another word called phemi which means to make thoughts known, speak out, say, or to affirm.
When we break this scripture down, Jesus is not just simply speaking on the status of the disciples, but rather Jesus is giving his disciples a directive to speak out. Speak out what? His thoughts, his teachings, his life, therefore we see that Jesus is giving direction to his disciples.
Application #1:
Application #1:
We need to be the light
We need to make manifest the things of Christ, his teachings, his will, we need to speak out!
Now lets consider the context of this, is this speaking out just for the 12 disciples or is this for all of his disciples? Who is Jesus talking to? Is this meant only for the 12 disciples? No, Jesus is talking to the multitude. There would be people in this multitude that would become Jesus’s disciples. If this was only for the 12, he would have probably requested that the multitude left him and would have had a closed door session with the disciples. But this thing is for every one, every disciple Jesus is telling them, He is telling us that we need to make manifest, we need to speak out, we need to show forth the things of God!
SPEAK OUT!!! For most people that is a challenge because when it comes down to worshipping God and praising God we have a hard time SPEAKING OUT! But the Lord doesn’t want us to be quiet, He wants us to speak out, make his words manifested!
And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 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.
During the days of Jesus, a lamp was a clay vessel with a whole in the top to pour oil into to fuel the lamp, there was a spout in which contained flax or cotton which went into the oil to light the lamp. When the oil was lit, it would give a modest light to the room in which it needed to be set up to give light into the whole room.
If you have the Holy Ghost, oil in the scriptures was symbolic of the abiding presence and spirit of God. You need to have oil in your lamp......if you are going to be light in this world.
Let’s get the back part of this scripture:
You are phos of the kosmos; you are the light of the world. Light of the kosmos world. What does that mean, what application can we get from being light of the world.
Kosmos- from the base of komizo which means to provide, to tend, or to take care of. Kosmos itself means earth or world, when we narrow the world down it is speaking of mankind. To provide mankind, to tend to mankind, or to take care of mankind. So which one do you think is the right definition according to context:
Does this mean:
take care of mankind
tend to mankind
or provide to mankind
The answer is “to provide to mankind”.
Application #2:
Application #2:
When we combine before elements here in scripture, the picture becomes even more clearer:
To provide to mankind......light.
To manifest to mankind the will of God (word of God/Salvation).
To manifest to mankind the teachings of Jesus.
What happens when the light doesn’t shine? Darkness!
So lets take a little time to contrast light and darkness.
Darkness:
Darkness:
In the scriptures, darkness is defined as lacking light, metaphorically it means to be without knowledge or ignorance of divine things (things pertaining to God), it is also an association to wicked things, resulting in misery.
Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.
I won’t have time to view this full context, but I want to look at a portion of this scripture where it says “because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.”
The darkness: when we consider the bible in scope to the writing of the prophets, most of their writings to the Jews were obscure. Reason being is that many of the Jews did not understand the prophecies of the prophets, for if they had understood those writings, a considerable host of Jews would have believed in Jesus.
What John is saying in the portion of scripture is that Jesus who is the light has shined in darkness, he has made manifest the way of God, the way to God. All of the Old Testament prophetic scriptures had been fulfilled through Jesus Christ.
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
Jesus also said:
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.
He that FOLLOWETH HIM shall not walk in darkness, shall not walk in obscurity, shall not walk in ignorance of who God is, shall not walk in wickedness or to remain in wickedness/sin. Therefore when we do not know God, when we do not have a relationship with God, when we do not know the will of God for our lives, when our thoughts and our actions contrast with God’s will then we are walking in darkness.
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
This is the judgement, that God’s light (Jesus) came into the world and men loved darkness, loved obscurity, loved sin and wickedness, more than they did light resulting in their actions being evil.
Light:
Light:
The Apostle Paul also testifies about the light:
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
These were the words that Jesus spoke unto the Apostle Paul as the Lord was calling him to SPEAK OUT, to be the same light that He was calling his disciples to be. Paul wasn’t there on when Jesus was speaking to his disciples and preaching to the multitude during the sermon on the Mount. But Jesus, in a short amount of time gave the Apostle Paul a private discourse on the road to Damascus. The Lord tells Paul I’m going to appear to you and deliver you from the people and the Gentiles in effect to:
Open their eyes.
Turn them from darkness to light.
Deliver them from the power of Satan unto God.
For them to receive forgiveness of sins
Receive an inheritance (kingdom of God/everlasting life) by being sanctified by faith in Jesus.
Now context wise, Jesus was speaking one on one with Paul (who was then Saul of Tarsus) because those who accompanied him only heard thunders. But understand, that when Jesus shows Paul what He is to do and when the Spirit of God starts to lead, guide, and reveal the will of God to Paul, I do not think that this was an isolated message or thing for only Paul to do. Because when we consider all of Jesus’ followers, we see that all of his followers in a sense are tasked with opening eyes, turning individuals from darkness to light, delivering people from the power of Satan unto God, leading people to repentance and forgiveness of sins, helping people receive an inheritance of the kingdom of God and receiving everlasting life by having faith in and believing on Jesus Christ!
Let’s take a moment to further clarify differences in light and darkness:
(write on a visual board)
Light Darkness
Let’s go a little deeper with the light:
A city on a hill:
A city on a hill:
The next section of Matt 5:14 deals with a city on the hill. Now there really isn’t any deep exegesis on this one, Jesus uses an illustration to convey his point. He wants his disciples to imagine a city that is on a hill, particularly a city that is on a hill at night time that is well lit and illuminated. Jesus tells his disciples that “you are that city” you are shining into darkness, people who are afar off should be able to see the light coming from the city. The city gives them direction, the city gives them hope, the city gives them what it needs to live (food, clothing, water, shelter). You are that city that is shining in darkness or rather I want you to be that light that is shining into darkness, that men are compelled to come to.
The light that Jesus’ disciples are suppose to emit is a light that leads people to God, that leads people out of darkness, that leads them out of a lifestyle of wickedness, that leads them out of ignorance concerning the things of God. A light that leads to repentance, a light that leads to everlasting life, a light that leads them down a path to a relationship with the everlasting, true, and living God!
Light under a bushel?
Light under a bushel?
Jesus says in the next verse:
“Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel”
Jesus throws an absolute negative there “neither” or “no”, no person, absolutely no person lights a candle and then puts a basket over top of it. The purpose of the candle is to illuminate the room, the purpose of the candle is to give you sight in the midst of darkness. If you put a bushel over the light, if you cover the light then the light will go out! Remember again that light also signifies manifestation and combined with the word phemi means manifested thoughts. Hence when Jesus taught, when Jesus preached, he was making manifest the will of God. When you disregard God’s word you put a bushel over the light. I’ll come back to this thought a little later in the lesson.
YOUR PURPOSE as light is to shine in the midst of mankind, to shine in the midst of uncertain times, to shine in the midst of wickedness, and lead mankind to God, THAT IS YOUR PURPOSE AS DISCIPLES!!! Your purpose is to make manifest the things of God! I know that the elementary definition to light is to display a pattern of good works, people all to be able to see Jesus in you, but the secondary message is that we should be leading people out of darkness! How do we lead out of darkness?
By sharing with them the word of God.......not only will and mind of God but also the LOGOS (Jesus). It can be as simple as saying an encouraging word, it can be as complex as witnessing to individual and using scriptures to convince people to turn to the Lord. It can be as simple as inviting someone to church or it can be as complex as praying a person out of darkness, casting demons and darkness out of individuals. Don’t sit by and be idle, don’t put your light under a bushel, do what God saved you to do, bring/snatch people out of darkness!
Consider also this scripture:
No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light. The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.
Let’s look at a couple of points here that Jesus makes:
A lamp is placed on a stand where its light can be seen by all who enter the house.
Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body.
If your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light.
When your eye is unhealthy, your body is filled with darkness.
Let’s consider this from a natural stand-point:
Sunlight is said to increase chemical in your brain called serotonin. Serotonin is responsible for mood boosting, concentration, cognition, reward, etc. When you get adequate amounts of sunlight it can boost your mood, help your concentration, improve your sleep quality (cardican rhythm cycle), etc. This is one reason why when we were in elementary school, we had recess when we went outside to play. It wasn’t just about burning nervous energy off, it was also about making sure we got sunlight because it helped us to concentrate, it helped us be in a better mood, it helped us concentrate better! We couldn’t function correctly if we didn’t go outside, on days that it rained and we had to be outside it just messed us up, we wished that the rain would go away so that we could go outside to play.
In this context, Jesus is referring to his words which come directly from God. When you take in the ingrafted word of God, it has tremendous benefits to you! It will change you, it will boost you, it will help you to do the work that God has for you.
When you in the light, the Lord will help you to function spiritually as you ought to!
Further points to consider:
If you eye is unhealthy, your body is filled with darkness.
SAD- seasonal affective disorder is a psychiatric phenomena or type of depression that happens to some individuals during the change of seasons. You become lethargic, depressive, you have trouble sleeping, you feel hopeless, worthless, or guilty, you lose interest in activities you once enjoyed, this happens everyday, all day. It is said that most instances or onsets of SAD occurs during the fall and winter months. Why? Because the days are shorter, you are indoors majority of the time because it is cold outside or cold, wet, rainy or snowy. We don’t get as much sunlight and because of this some peoples body react bad and bad symptoms start to show up.
My point in all of this is that when you are not walking in the light......the BAD STUFF (sin, wickedness, evil, disobedience) will start to show up!
Jesus says make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. What does this mean, make sure that the light that you think you actually have is not darkness?
There is a scripture I want you to consider:
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
This scripture echos immensely in this modern times.
In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
They did not have the word of the LORD coming from the judges, but in their own eyes they did what is right. The problem with that is when you start to trust yourself, when you put confidence in your flesh, take heed lest ye fall.
And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,
Don’t depend on your self-righteousness!
Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,
Make sure that what you think is right, isn’t actually wrong in God’s sight. Make sure your opinion lines up with the will of God and not your will. Make sure that your thoughts, steps, and actions line-up with the will of God and not your carnal will.
Next point:
If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.
When you have this thing right, when God truly takes the darkness out of your life, you will be radiant. Those rays of light are going to go out and reach others, those rays are going to impact others. Why? Because Jesus is in you, if you have the Holy Ghost then Jesus is in you! If you truly surrender to God, if you have truly died to self, and everyday you die to self, then Jesus should be manifested in your life and people should see Jesus in you and a pattern of good works! There should be some fruit in your life, there should be some production in your life.
Last scriptures:
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.