You are the Light of the World
March 16, 2025
Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16
A minister was doing some carpentry work in front of his house. As he was pounding away with his hammer, he noticed that a little boy was watching him. The pastor said hello and asked him how he was doing. The youngster did not respond. He just kept watching the pastor. So, the pastor kept on working, thinking the lad would leave. But he did not. The pastor after a fairly long period of time then asked the little boy, “Well, are trying to pick up some pointers on carpentry?” The little boy finally responded, “No, I’m just waiting to hear what a preacher says when hits his thumb with a hammer.”
I sense people look at me in what I say and how I act. Fyi: People are looking at you also. It might be family members or friends. They are watching you to see if Christianity works or how it works. You will have an impact on how they view you and how they view Jesus. So, let’s dig into this concept that You are the light of the world.
In John 8:12, Christ declared, “I am the light of the world. The one who follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”
Jesus is the light of the world!!! Yet, the one who follows Him has the light of life. So, Jesus says we are the light of the world because as disciples of Jesus we are in Christ. You are the light of the world because Christ is in you!
How is it possible for someone to go from darkness into “having the light of life”? Jesus calls you and me to place our faith, a wholehearted faith in Him, because He died for our sins according to the Scripture, and was buried and rose again on the third day according to the Scripture, and was seen of many witnesses (I Corinthians 15:3-11).
When you place your faith in Jesus and His death on the cross for you, Jesus promises you eternal life in Him. You are born again of God’s Spirit. Gods Spirit/the Spirit of Jesus dwells within you.
As Paul writes in Colossians 1:12-14, …giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
As one knows Jesus as their Lord and Savior, one is a child of the Light (I Thessalonians 5:5).
One piece of evidence that Jesus is the Light, that He rose from the dead, that he transforms people from darkness to light is the story about Saul, who became Paul.
In Acts 26:13-18, Paul talked about his conversion experience as the Lord appeared to him. About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. 14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?......’ When I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ “ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. 16 ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. 17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
Paul was appointed to be a servant, a witness of Jesus, the True Light! Of course, he went on to plant numerous churches and write a good part of the New Testament.
We, the Church, have also been appointed to be witnesses to the True Light! The world is living in the dominion of darkness (II Corinthians 4:4). As the light of the world, we are to be influencers, difference makers. We are Jesus’ witnesses, ambassadors, to this dark, sick, death stinking world. We are to reflect the light of Jesus, dispelling spiritual darkness.
So, if we are the light of the world, what are we to do? How can we influence?
1. Do not hide the light of Jesus!
Jesus said this about the light. Verses 14, 15, 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.
Jesus makes the point that we are be like the town on a hill. We are not to be like a lamp under a bowl which is rather ridiculous. Jesus is making the point that light is to be visible, not hidden. Since we are to be the light of the world, we are not to hide the light of Jesus!
So, we must fight against tendencies to hide our light. There are various reasons why people hide the light of Jesus. For instance, it might be because of apathy or laziness. In a sense, they do not want to get out of bed to serve the Lord by going to church or helping out in some activity.
One might hide God’s light as one picks and chooses when to show it. It might be the woman who is very good to others, but to her husband she nags. Husbands might be so busy at work and neglect showing the light of Jesus to one’s wife and even the children. Some show God’s light when they go to church, but not at home. We are to display God’s light wherever the Lord places you.
Some do not share the light of Jesus because of materialism. They are greedy and do not want to help or serve others.
A major reason people hide the light of Jesus is because of fear! We are scared to offend someone or make waves. Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 10:26-33, So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. 32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.
2. Proclaim the gospel of Jesus! Share words of life and light! Speak the Truth in Love! Teach God’s word!
We share the light of Jesus by sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Mark 16:15 states, And he said to them, Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation (Note Matthew 28:19). Matthew 28:20 notes that we are then to teach them to obey what Jesus has commanded.
II Timothy 4:2 says, Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.
I Peter 3:15 states, But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
Now, please realize it is not just the pastor who is to proclaim the gospel and teach God’s word. We are all to do it! For instance, if you are a parent/grandparent, teach your kids God’s word. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 states, These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Psalm 119:105 states, Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path. God’s word brings light, wisdom, guidance, to numerous situations in life. Parents, all of you, I encourage you to grow in knowledge and understanding of God’s word and pass it on!
One Scripture verse that spoke to me in raising Aaron was Ephesians 6:4, Fathers, do not exasperate/provoke your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. I learned early on as a dad not to push, but to lead, to teach. I also recommend learning the temperament of your child and disciplining appropriately that you will not provoke them. I also encourage you if you discipline, then explain to them why. Please do not say, “Because I told you so.” I encourage you to parent like God parents you.
3. Walk in the Light! Be an Example of Christlike Character! Walk in His Spirit!
Light also represents putting on God’s moral standard while darkness refers to immoral deeds. Believers in Christ are called to put aside the deeds of darkness and to clothe themselves with Christ.
In Romans 13:12-14, The night has advanced toward dawn; the day is near. So, then we must lay aside the works of darkness, and put on the weapons of light. Let us live decently as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in discord and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to arouse its desires.
Ephesians 5:8-14 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said:
“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Christians are to be holy! We are to reflect the holiness of Christ. So, make sure your spiritual eyes are clear/good. As Luke 11:35 states, See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness (Note Matthew 6:22, 23).
As we walk in the light, we set a powerful example to others. Truth is powerful when it is verbally shared. It is more powerful when it is modeled. 1 Timothy 4:12, Set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity (Note Titus 2:7).
We are to set an example of godliness. We are to be a model to one another, husband and wife loving and honoring each other. Setting an example for your children or grandchildren. Set an example in reaching out to the hurting.
Oh, how we need models today! Research shows that the incidence of adultery, pre-marital sex and divorce is roughly the same inside the church as it is in society. Christians can be ungenerous, stingy, and hard to please. often society cannot tell the difference between the behavior of a Christian and the behavior of a non-Christian. If followers of Jesus are to be the light of the world, we must work on our own issues, temperament weaknesses, learning and applying the principles of God’s word, not just what you like or dislike.
Can you imagine what kind of impact the church would have on society if Christians really practiced what they profess to believe?
As a pastor, I know that am to be an example, a model. Years ago, I took Timothy 3:1-7 seriously. Now the pastor/overseer I am to be above reproach meaning there are no clear character flaws or behavior that would hinder the ministry. I am to be faithful to my wife. I am to be temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. I am to manage my own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. I am not to become conceited. I am to have a good reputation with people outside the church.
As a pastor, I know people look at me with a higher standard. If Jesus is going to be glorified, then I need to live in purity and set a Christlike example. Of course, you know I am not perfect-but I hope you realize this points to the grace of God, His love. Remember it is all about HIM! As you know, I say regularly it is the grace of God, and it truly is!
Lastly, Show Good Works!
Verse 16, In this manner, let your light shine in front of people so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in the heavens.
Jesus commands us to show good works. It is not a suggestion. Now, the word “good” can also be translated “beautiful.” The quality of one’s good work is to be attractive. In a sense, it should be so beautiful to reflect God’s beauty. We are to care for the poor and oppressed. We are to let our light shine for others by showing love, kindness, forgiveness, financial assistance, or helping in some way.
Scripture repeatedly instructs us to do good. For instance, Hebrews 13:16 states, Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
I remind myself often of Galatians 6:9, 10, Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
I have seen so much need in this community. I also know there are governmental programs and private organizations helping people. Many people just expect to be helped. Over the years, I would guess that I have had thousands of phone calls from people asking for assistance. I generally disregard such phone calls. However, there are times I will still help people outside the church, maybe they show up asking for help instead of just making a phone call. I pray that the person will appreciate it and turn to the Lord. However, I have experienced that helping random people makes very little difference in their lives. People just expect the church to help. I also realize there is tremendous need right here in the church body. So, I especially try to help those who belong to the church family.
As we influence, share the light of Jesus to others, it will hopefully wake up people to the Truth, to become a follower of Jesus. Romans 2:4 notes, God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance.
Showing the light of Jesus can also help others grow in Christ. People learn from your wisdom and/or your example. Showing the light of Jesus can prompt people to let go of the bitterness, the anger, and find fellowship, comfort, and encouragement. Oh, how the Church needs to show the light of Jesus to this dark world!
Now very quickly. How can we grow our light for Jesus!
1. Absorb the source of light, Jesus!
Second Corinthians 3:18 says, And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
As we walk with our Lord and Savior, we are daily transformed into his image and glory. If we are going to grow as light, we must spend time with and in the Light! In a way, we are like solar lights. Solar lights absorb the sun’s energy to power the light. We need to absorb the Son, Jesus, so we can reflect His light!
2. Grow in knowledge and wisdom of God’s word! Apply his principles (Psalm 19:8, Psalm 119:130, Proverbs 6:23).
3. Make it a priority to become spiritually and emotionally healthy!
4. Work to provide for yourself and others! Be wise financially!
Ephesians 4:28, The one who steals must no longer steal; but rather he must labor, producing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with the one who has need. We also need to apply the financial principles of God’s word!
5. Put on the perspective of storing treasures in heaven, not treasures of this world. Remember people are eternal. Things are temporary!
6. Fellowship and learn from other godly believers (Proverbs 13:20).
7. Learn to share the gospel of Jesus Christ! Be ready to tell why you believe in Jesus!
8. Have the right motivation!
Matthew 5:16 says, “let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.” We must notice the motive for shining our light. It is not so that people can glorify us, not for God to pour out his blessings here in this world, or some other reason. We let our light shine to glorify God.
Let me close with this story. At the last session of a two-week seminar on Greek culture, the professor asked, "Are there any questions?" He was greeted with silence. "No questions?" The professor then took one last look around the room. In the back row, a young man raised his hand and asked, "Professor, what is the meaning of life?" Several class members laughed. The professor held up his hand and stilled the room and looked at the gentleman wondering if he had asked in jest. After looking at the student, the professor said, "I will answer your question."
Taking his wallet out of his hip pocket, he fished into the leather billfold and brought out a very small round mirror, about the size of a quarter. And what he said went something like this: "When I was a small child, during the war, we were very poor, and we lived in a remote village. One day, on the road, I found broken pieces of a mirror. A German motorcycle had been wrecked in that place. "I tried to find all the pieces and put them together, but it was not possible, so I kept only the largest piece; This one.
I rubbed on a stone to make it round. I began to play with it as a toy and became fascinated by the fact that I could reflect light into dark places where the sun would never shine in deep holes and crevices and dark closets. It became a game for me to get light into the most inaccessible places I could find. I kept the little mirror, and as I went through life, I would take it out at various times and continue the challenge of the game.
As I became a man, I grew to understand that this was not just a child's game but a metaphor for what I might do with my life. I came to understand that I am not the light or the source of light.
"I am a fragment of a mirror whose whole design and shape I do not know.
Nevertheless, with what I have I can reflect light into the dark places of this world into black places in the hearts of men and change some things in some people. Perhaps others may see and do likewise.
This is what I am about. This is the meaning of life." And then he took his small mirror and, holding it carefully, caught the bright rays of daylight streaming through the window and slowly reflected onto all that was in the room.
Are you allowing the light of Christ to reflect off the mirror of your heart? Are you allowing God to shine through you?
