LET IT SHINE (2)

LET IT SHINE Matthew 5:14-16 INTRO: Welcome; Wave and Greet; New Series-Parables of Jesus Sermon on the Mount; TODAY-Teaching on DISCIPLESHIP. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. INTENTION of DISCIPLESHIP IMPACT of DISCIPLESHIP INFLUENCE of DISCIPLESHIP

INTENTION of DISCIPLESHIP - 14 “You are the light of the world. John 8:12 “I am the light of the world.” Because you are my disciples, You ARE the light of the world. YOU - Jesus is talking to Ordinary people. LIGHT – possible to see. WORLD - (ORDER of things surrounding you). Christ’s INTENTION is that You LIGHT (reveal) His way to the WORLD. Change the order. Jesus Says “Like a city on a hill, you cannot be hidden.” You will always be noticed. Not because of the location but because of the LIGHT! ILLUS: Assisi, Italy. Lord make Me an instrument of Your peace Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. You are the light of the world. You are intended to show the way to God’s Peace. You were not lit to be concealed, but to reveal. His Sacrifice. Christ’s INTENTION was you would make an IMPACT.

IMPACT of DISCIPLESHIP - 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ILLUS: A Lamp vs A Match – Too many Christians are like matches. Fire goes out because there’s no oil in the lamp. Your IMPACT is . The House = close family. Your IMPACT has PURPOSE –by doing and saying what Jesus did people to respond to God with humility and repentance. ILLUS: Nathaniel; Woman at the Well; Zacchaeus. There’s no REPENTANCE without RESITUTION. The IMPACT of Discipleship is never for your glory. Always for His glory. In order to have true IMPACT we must have INFLUENCE. INFLUENCE = t limited It’s Stand; he capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone.

INFLUENCE of DISCIPLESHIP - 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. The INFLUENCE of YOUR GOOD DEEDS – Let it shine. This is active faith. Good Deeds are Acts of Mercy shelter the homeless visit the sick bury the dead Good Deeds are Acts of KINDNESS- ; Compliment others; Greeting Others To feed the hungry To give water to the thirsty To clothe the naked To visit the imprisoned, or ransom the captive. Pay it forward Your good DEEDS can be at work classroom , in your neighborhood ;. If you're a boss... If you're a parent... Doesn’t this contradict MT 6:1? - “Be careful not to do ‘good works’ in front of others. Don’t do them to be seen by others. If you do, your Father in heaven will not reward you. Good Deeds don’t “Buy” heaven. The ticket to heaven is the blood of Jesus Christ through faith. When your GOOD DEEDS are seen the Father is glorified. AND you know when you shine bright? In the darkest circumstance.

CLOSE: 14 “You are the light of the world. Are we reflecting the light of Christ on the world around us? Are YOU reflecting the light of Christ on the world around YOU? INTENTION of DISCIPLESHIP IMPACT of DISCIPLESHIP INFLUENCE of DISCIPLESHIP