Serve God - Part 4

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:

It’s time To Shine

Matthew 5:15–16 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. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Shine! Don’t Hide.

We must make people thirsty for Jesus

We must make people thirsty for God !

like candles sitting in a dark world.

Where is your light!

Light has different strengths. It can be strong or weak, bright or dim. In fact, it can be so dim and provide so little light that it can make someone stumble and fall.

Where is your light

Some places in the world are brightly lit; others are dimly lit. Some cities have many bright lights, other cities have few bright lights. Some homes have strong lights; other homes have weak lights.

Where is your light

Every city, every home, and every business—every place on this earth that has the witness of a Christian believer—has some light, either weak or strong.

A light can become so weak it is of no use.

Where is your light

A light is not lit to be hid. It is lit to be seen and to give light. Therefore, a light is conspicuous. It has many eyes upon it.

Where is your light

There are times when everyone wants light—at least for some time. They seek it out; admire it; walk in it; reap its benefits; joy in it and suggest its use.

2 Corinthians 4:6 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.

Ephesians 5:13–14 NLT

13 But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, 14 for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

Mission

Let’s talk about the purpose of those who believe in Jesus

We have light. The light is within us.

We are the light of Jesus on this earth.

Jesus tells us to "Let your light so shine."

But you can refuse to let your light shine.

You can turn it off,

You can refuse to turn it on,

You can shade it,

You can darken it,

You can turn it away,

You can direct its beam in another direction.

Note the two purposes for letting our light shine.

We are called to serve God - We are called to let our light shine in order to show forth good works.

The command "Let your light so shine" means let your good works be seen.

Serve God

James 3:13 The Message

13 Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It’s the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts.

Serve God

Titus 2:7 NLT

7 And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.

Hebrews 10:24–25 NCV

24 Let us think about each other and help each other to show love and do good deeds. 25 You should not stay away from the church meetings, as some are doing, but you should meet together and encourage each other. Do this even more as you see the day coming.

We are to let our light shine in order to stir people to glorify God.

This is the supreme reason why our light is to shine before people: to stir men and women, boys and girls to glorify God.

The glory of God is to be the primary aim of every believer!

1 Peter 4:11 NLT

11 Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

The very way God is glorified is by the light, the good works of each believer of Jesus Christ shining before men.

Serve God

God is glorified when we get out into the darkness where men are.

The good works of every believers should be done out in darkness, not within closed in walls with other lights.

John 15:8 NLT

8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

John 15:16 NKJV

16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

1 Corinthians 6:20 NKJV

20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Remember your Light has one purpose: to shine before people

Your Light is not seen unless it is placed before people.

If there are no people, there are no eyes to see the light.

A believer must not seclude himself from others.

Other lights do not need light. It is the people in darkness who need light.

"Let your light so shine before men"—before men out in darkness!

As believers we are not to be secluded in the church, moving only among other lights.

The more light that is put out in the darkness, the more the darkness is eliminated.

As believers we are not the only ones who are to glorify God. Are mission to Serve God is to go out and cause those in darkness to glorify Him.

Jesus is telling you and me today is the way to Serve God is to change the flavor of this earth by being like salt and light up the darkness by serving as his light of the world!

Salt Shakers and Light Wielders - It’s time to Stand up and Serve God!!!