Salt and Light: You are the light of the world

Matthew 514 “You are the light (φῶς/Phōs) of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Matthew 515 Nor do people light a lamp (λύχνος/luchnos) and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light (λάμπω/lampō) to all in the house.

Matthew 516 In the same way, let your light (φῶς/Phōs) shine (λάμπω/lampō) before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

First Point

We are called to be the light that dispels

darkness.

Matthew 514 “You are the light (φῶς/Phōs) of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

John 14In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Matthew 4:16The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.”

Matthew 514 “You are the light (φῶς/Phōs) of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

A City set on a Hill

cannot be hidden.

Jerusalem

Second Point

We are called to reveal the light of Christ, not

conceal it.

15 Nor do people light a lamp (λύχνος/luchnos) and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light (λάμπω/lampō) to all in the house.

Evangelism Stats (Barna)

When asked if they have a personal responsibility to share their faith with others, 73% of born again Christians said yes. When this conviction is put into practice, however, the numbers shift downward.

Evangelism Stats (Barna)

Only half (52%) of born again Christians say they actually did share the Gospel at least once this past year to someone with different beliefs, in the hope that they might accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.

“As with most convictions, there

usually lies a dividing line between theory

and practice.”George Barna

The Pew’s age-by-religion findings reveal that the evangelical church is top-heavy. That is, 45 percent of evangelicals will die within the next twenty-nine years —

meaning that evangelicals in the population could drop from about 7 percent of Americans now to about 4 percent or less— unless new disciples are generated.

Third Point

How do we reveal God’s light?

How do we reveal God’s light?

We reveal God’s light when we reflect His glory.

How do we reveal God’s light?

We reveal God’s light when, through God’s Spirit, we dial up the intensity.

Matthew 516a In the same way, let your light (φῶς/Phōs) shine (λάμπω/lampō) before others…

3 Questions

•Is there enough power in the light shining through me?

3 Questions

•Is there enough power in the light shining through me?•Is there enough brightness in the light shining through me?

3 Questions•Is there enough power in the light shining through me?•Is there enough brightness in the light shining through me?•Is there enough warmth in the light shining through me?

How do we reveal God’s light?

We reveal God’s light when we practically transmit it.

Matthew 516 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.

The 5 “Solas”1. Sola scriptura: “Scripture alone”2. Sola fide: “faith alone”3. Sola gratia: “grace alone”4. Solo Christo: “Christ alone”5. Soli Deo gloria: “to the glory of God

alone”

Matthew 516 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.

James 218 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.