Serving God - Part 3

Matthew 5:13 NKJV

13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

pray

Confession of Faith

I am not moved by what I see or by what I feel. I am moved by what I believe. I believe the WORD of God! The victory is mine! I have it now! I can see it through the eyes of my faith! In Jesus Name

Introduction:

As we continue to look at Serving God - we are introduced to another concept Jesus described to his disciples! That of operating as light!

Matthew 5:14 NKJV

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Here Jesus says, "You are the light of the world."

That is an amazing compliment!

We know God is light,

1 John 1:5 NKJV

5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

Jesus Is Light

John 8:12 NKJV

12 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.”

John 9:5 NKJV

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

To be identified with God is an enormous responsibility as well as a enormous compliment.

Whatever light is and Whatever light does, As followers of Jesus Christ we are to be and we are to do !

Four things are said about the believer as the light of the world

My Character should reflect the Light of Christ

To be like Jesus we are to become "the light of the world."

This will require a radical transformation !

More and More - Day By Day we must reflect the light of Jesus Christ!

2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT

18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

2 Corinthians 4:6–7 NCV

6 God once said, “Let the light shine out of the darkness!” This is the same God who made his light shine in our hearts by letting us know the glory of God that is in the face of Christ. 7 We have this treasure from God, but we are like clay jars that hold the treasure. This shows that the great power is from God, not from us.

Light Is and Light Does Several Things

Light is clear

Light is pure

Light is clean

Light brings goodness

Light brings right living

Light brings truth

Ephesians 5:8–9 NCV

8 In the past you were full of darkness, but now you are full of light in the Lord. So live like children who belong to the light. 9 Light brings every kind of goodness, right living, and truth.

Light penetrates.

By it’s very nature it cuts through and eliminates darkness

1 Thessalonians 5:5 NLT

5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.

Light enlightens.

It enlarges our vision and knowledge of an area or situation!

John 12:35 NCV

35 Then Jesus said, “The light will be with you for a little longer, so walk while you have the light. Then the darkness will not catch you. If you walk in the darkness, you will not know where you are going.

Light reveals.

It opens up the truth of an area, a whole new world, and it clears up the way to the truth and the life.

John 14:6 NKJV

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

John 12:36 NLT

36 Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light.” After saying these things, Jesus went away and was hidden from them.

Light guides.

It directs the way to go, leads along the right path.

John 12:46 NLT

46 I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.

Light strips away the darkness.

John 3:19–20 NLT

19 And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. 20 All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed.

Light cuts through the chaos.

Philippians 2:15 The Message

15 Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night

Light differentiates between the right way and the wrong way

John 8:12 NLT

12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

Light warns.

It warns of dangers that lie ahead in a person's path.

Ephesians 5:11–14 NKJV

11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.”

Light protects.

Light protects us from the dangers of darkness,

Light protects us from from stumbling,

Light protects us falling,

Light protects us from injuring ourselves

Jesus has called us to be light of the world. He said, "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world" .

Jesus is no longer in the world, not bodily. His light is now in the lives of those who are believers.

We are a reflection of Jesus

Our light is only a reflective light.

We reflect "the light of the Lord."

The character of light is pure.

We are to walk in purity

Philippians 2:15 NKJV

15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

Let Your Light Shine

Matthew 5:14 NKJV

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Check this out:

Jesus tells us or light is in the world;

The City is in the World

Matthew 5:15 NKJV

15 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.

The lamp or the candlestick is in the home.

The same is true of us : we occupy some place in the world.

Wherever that place is, Where ever you are at let your light shine.

You are the light!" The world has no other light.

"You are the light.

The light is to be placed where its influence can be best used and felt.

You are the light in your family,

You are the light in your community

You are the light in your city

You are the light in your state

You are the light in this nation

Let your light shine

Acts 13:47 NKJV

47 For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”

Serving God means letting the light of Christ reflect in this world