THE LIGHTS OF GOD--MATTHEW 5:14-16; PHILIPPIANS 2:15

THE LIGHTS OF GOD

MATTHEW 5:14-16; PHILIPPIANS 2:15

Introduction:

The Lights of God include His Word, His Spirit, and the Believer in Christ.

We tend to think that only the Word of God and perhaps God’s Spirit are the only lights that man sees. However, the Lord reminds us that we who know Christ as Savior are lights also, v. 14, Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

I. THE REVEALING LIGHT—THE WORD OF GOD

A. He reveals the deep and secret things, Daniel 2:22, “He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.”

1. It reveals the truth about mankind, Romans 3:10-12, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”

2. It reveals the depth of man’s sin, Isaiah 64:6, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”

B. It reveals the condemnation that man is under, John 3:18, ”He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

1. God’s love does not dwell in man without Christ, John 5:40-42, “And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. 41 I receive not honour from men. 42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.”

2. Because he doesn’t believe God’s Word, 1 John 5:10, “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.”

C. It reveals God’s love for man, 1 John 4:9, “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.”

1. He became sin for us, 2 Corinthians 5:21, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

2. That we might be made the righteousness of God in him, Romans 3:21-22, “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:”

II. THE GUIDING LIGHT—THE SPIRIT OF GOD

A. He testifies of the Lord, John 15:26, “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:”

B. He dwells in the believer, John 14:17, “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”

C. He teaches the truth, John 14:26, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

D. He convicts us of sin, John 16:8, “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:”

III. THE SHINING LIGHT—THE BELIEVER

A. You are the light of the world, John 5:14, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.”

B. Let your light shine, Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

1. We have the light of life, John 8:12, “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.”

2. We need to share it with others, Ephesians 5:8, “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:”

3. We need to communicate the joy of knowing Christ as our Savior, Titus 2:7-8, “In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.”

CONCLUSION

The Light of the world is Jesus Christ. If you have been saved you are a light of some kind. You might be a DIM light or you might be a BRIGHT light, but you ARE A LIGHT.

If you have never trusted Christ as your Savior it’s time to do so right now and quite living in DARKNESS.