You Are Light; Let Your Light So Shine
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
1/6/2019 PM
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Text:
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Matthew 5:14-16
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Psalters: |
137, 91, 182, 308 |
Confession of Faith |
- Our identity.
- The Biblical concept “light” describes the awesome glory emanating from perfect goodness.
- “God is light” (I John 1:5), i.e., perfect goodness with regard to every virtue, and He is so eternally.
- Jesus is “light,” for as the Word made flesh He is life (the life of God) and the life was the light of men (John 1:4).
- This world is in a state of spiritual darkness, i.e., absent of any goodness, unable to know God and truth (I Cor. 2:14).
- It is in this world that Jesus’ church and His people exist; in it but not of it.
- When the Spirit of this Jesus dwells in you and regenerates you, then you are “light in the Lord” (Eph. 5:8).
- Thus the church of Jesus Christ and every citizen of Jesus’ kingdom is “the light of the world.”
- Every citizen of Jesus’ kingdom and the church of Jesus Christ is light and is to “let your light shine.”
- First, we are admonished not to cover the light, but let it shine.
- When we shine, then we speak, walk, and live as Christ, walking in all “good works.”
- We shine when we proclaim and confess Him and the truth of His Word.
- Light, by its very nature, illuminates, so we cannot help but illuminate – with two results:
- We are admonished to shine “so,” i.e., shine in such a manner that God is glorified.
- The church and believers are not passive light-bearers (like candle or flashlight), but active, rational beings.
- Sinful reasons for letting our light shine:
- The right reason for shining in good works is so God is glorified by others who see our life and how we live out of Christ.
- God is glorified when the church is gathered, defended, and preserved.
- God is glorified when the ungodly are made more accountable when they refuse to give God the glory.