AS SHINING LIGHTS
Matthew 5:14-16
I. How Do Our Lights Shine?
a. By manifesting good works.
i. Many do good works. Are they shining lights in God’s sight?
1. Temperance movement
2. Community, civic, charitable works
3. Boy scout deeds, Red Cross worker
4. Even the atheist does good works
b. Even Satan, the ruler of darkness, presents his works as a great light, a
good work! II Corinthians 11:13-15
i.
Magicians performed some miracles in
ii. Apostles did signs & wonders by the Name of Jesus (Acts 4:30; etc.), but Satan also: II Thessalonians 2:9, 10.
iii. As always, when God presents Truth, the right way, Satan presents
False light
1. True religion, false religion, doctrine of Christ, doctrines of
demons. Christ’s church, human denominations, etc.
c. When God does not authorize a thing, the only place one can find his
authority for it is in ‘darkness’, the power of Satan.
d. Good Works:
i.
Matthew 5:16 = to glorify God!
ii.
Yes, many purported mighty works, but actually works of
iniquity ; Matthew 7:20-23
iii. Christ did not deny they did those works. Good benefit?
iv. Why then ‘iniquity’? Without Authority from God!
v. The Scripture’s define and establish all ‘good works’; II Timothy 3:16, 17
e. Many do good works from different motives.
i. Doing ‘right’ from the ‘wrong’ motive is just as wrong as doing ‘wrong’ with the ‘right’ motive! Matthew 6:1-4
II.
The light we shine is only the reflection of the
knowledge of the Will or Authority of God.
a. Only a child of God can be a light to let his light shine by good works; Ephesians 5:8-11
i. One ‘out of Christ’ is in darkness; he has no light to shine.
ii. One ‘in Christ’ walks in the light; his walk should be as children of light, Christ’s reflection: Colossians 1:27; Galatians 2:20.
b. Christ is the Light of men: John 1:1-11.
i.
Are we like the radiant Bride! Why? Love for her groom! How? Through His
knowledge: II Corinthians 4:3-6.
iii. Thus: Psalm 119:105; “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and light unto my path”; Proverbs 6:23; “For the commandment is a Lamp;
and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life…”
III. Light dispels darkness
a. There is no darkness that light cannot penetrate as long as light shines.
b. Early church dispelled darkness of Judaism and heathenism as long as it worked and preached with zeal the pure light of the Gospel.
c. “God
is light, and in Him is no darkness at all” I John 1:5.
i.
No power of darkness can veil the glory of God: John
11:9, 10.
ii.
One who walks in fellowship with God cannot be
covered with darkness. We are to walk in the light: I John 1:6,7.
IV. Light is powerful
a. Light rays so minute, able to penetrate thickest metals. Lasers can cut through & disintegrate things within its path.
b. Spiritual Light, the Truth of the Gospel is powerful. Romans 1:16, 17; Hebrews 4:12.
c. Examples:
Acts 24:24, 25. Nebuchadnezzar, the mighty ruler of
against him humbled him to the position of the brute beast of the field.
d. Light must shine, else its power will not dispel darkness!
i. A broken light bulb is no good.
ii. A good light without shining will not dispel darkness. (what good is a flashlight not turned on?)
e. Hidden Truth cannot enlighten and teach God’s Will! When we are afraid or unwilling to live according to God’s will, and to teach God’s Truth,
we are hiding our light under a bushel!
f. A life without the Truth of God radiating from within us is a life swallowed up in darkness.
g. Many times some feel that they should not ‘cause trouble’ over differences and unscriptural practices.
i. False doctrines and false practices are works of darkness
ii. We are to “reprove the unfruitful works of darkness”
iii. Every time we yield to, or fail to reprove works of darkness, we are allowing the bushel to hide the light of God’s Truth, and then the light is covered from us.
Conclusion:
a. What
determination do you possess, to be in the light, or in darkness? Proverbs
4:18, 19
b. May we desire to be shining lights for God, and the world. May we always remember who we are! I Thessalonians 5:4-11.
