Live Out Loud

Scripture

Matthew 5:14–16 ESV

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 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.

Introduction

God has created each of us to function as an emblem of the hope of salvation. God had a specific purpose in creating us and in calling us. Every single one of us was created in the image and likeness of God. (Genesis 1:27) This points to the general purpose of our existence. We all share in the duty of being ambassadors or representatives of God. to say that you have no purpose is simply a failure to acknowledge that you were uniquely designed to be an emblem of a God who is all-wise, all-powerful, gracious, and caring. The fact that you exist the way that you exist speaks 100% to the ability of God to create and sustain such a complex creation as humanity. Your achievements speak to the goodness of God. Your setbacks speak to the grace of God. Your gifts speak to the benevolence of God. Your poverty even says something about the way that God is able to keep you in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on him. Every thing that God does for us is not necessarily about us. So in our creation we serve as an emblem of something fascinating about God.

As it is in creation, so it is in salvation. Salvation is a gift of God designed to transform and influence the the actions of the saved so that they serve as an emblem for those who are not. Just as creation speaks to the power of God. (Romans 1:20) Salvation speaks to the power of Jesus. Being that you are saved through relationship with Jesus Christ, you become a form of light that resembles the light and hope of Jesus Christ.

The dilemma is that we often separate who we are from what we do. By definition we are light. But the question at this juncture is who are we by demonstration? There is a difference between who we are by definition and who we are by demonstration.

The beatitudes seek to bring both definiton and demonstration together as Jesus describes the attitudes and behaviors of those who are his disciples.

I. You

Ordinary people with extraordinary influence through relationship with Jesus Christ. There are two claims surrounding the idea of light that Jesus makes that we cannot disjoin, “I am the light of the world” John 8:12 and “You are the light of the world” Matthew 5:14. When it comes to faith You is probably the most neglected person in our worlds. We give attention to everything and everybody else. We spend much time examining every body else but You are often left out of the analysis.

II. No Hiding

Jesus calls for believers to be functioning and visible emblems of hope. The issue is that we struggle with either conformity or anonymity. The first point emphasizes who the Christian is. This second point places emphasis on what the Christian does.

Anonymity attempts to disguise the light and therefore hides the source of light.

Conformity extinguishes the light just as putting a bushel over it would.

III. Works

Jesus employs us in the service of directing people to him. The most important question at this juncture is, “how do I live as light?” In order to derive some potential solutions to this problem we need to understand something about the function of light. The purpose of light is to expose darkness. It is to reveal those things which were formerly hidden. It is revelation through demonstration. The more demonstration we give ourselves to, the less explanation we will have to participate in.

Light does not only make us aware of our dilemma, it gives us hope for our problems.

Conclusion

So in sum, we have inherited this ability to shine hope in dark places. What the Christian represents to the lost is what Christ represented to us. As James Rowe penned in his popular hymn:

I was sinking deep in sin, Far from the peaceful shore, Very deeply stained within, Sinking to rise no more; But the Master of the sea Heard my despairing cry, From the waters lifted me– Now safe am I.

Christians are to demonstrate externally what Christ has done internally. The message of Christ is not something reserved for academics. The message of Christ is not reserved for philosophers. The message of Christ is not reserved for the rich. The message of Christ is not reserved for the enlightened. The message of Christ was put on display for anyone to grasp. The message of the Christ is written very plainly. Not only was it written plainly, it was demonstrated in a way that is easy to grasp. Can I tell you two stories? Story number one is about a deacon at the Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church. Deacon Thomas Bledsoe said, “In 1986 I woke up one Thursday, andcouldn’t find no peace. Got in my car and drove around and couldn’t find peace nowhere. But that Thursday night I went to revival and I got my peace.” His day was on a Thursday. On Thursday he saw the light. But can I tell you about my day. My day was on a Sunday. One Sunday morning I saw the light. Sunday is alright with me. Your day might have been Monday, and Monday is alright with me. Your day might have been Tuesday, and Tuesday’s alright with me. Your day might have been Wednesday, and Wednesday’s alright with me. But can I tell you what makes the light so good?

One Friday, he died. But one Sunday, he got up. Won’t he do it? Won’t the Lord turn it around?