TEXT: MATT 5:14-16(NIV)
OUTLINE
1. Introduction
2. Definition of terms
3. Objective of the lesson
4. Light of the world
5. What does let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven mean?
6. What does good work mean
INTRODUCTION
The light of the Gospel illuminates the dark world through Christian living and teaching. Christian must not only remain steadfast to truth they must be in unity, zealously proclaims the gospel message (2 Tim 2:2).
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Light: The energy from the sun, a lamp etc. that makes it possible to see things.
So: Used for saying what the purpose of an action is.
Shine: To have a bright attractive appearance.
OBJECTIVE OF THE LESSON
(A) As Christians we should endeavour not only to approve ourselves to God but to recommend to others, that they may also glorify God.
(B) We should differ from the sons of men and Children of God to stand out in this perverse society as innocent children (1 pt 2:12)
LIGHT OF THE WORLD
Christ calls himself the light of the world, John 8:12. They who are workers together with Him, have some of His honour put upon them. As light we are conspicuous and have many eyes upon us. Some admire you, commend you rejoice in you and study to imitate you. Others envy you, hate can sue you and study to blast you.
We are therefore asked to walk circumspectly because of our observers and we must take heed of everything that looks ill, because we are so much looked at. As lights, we are intended to illuminate and give light to others.
Christ has lighted these candles, He did not put under a bushed (a bowl or basket), not confined to the cities of Galilee, of the lost sheep of the house of Israel, but He sent it into all the world, Paul said in 1 Cor 11:1 ( Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ, More example of Paul and others!!!. 2 Tim 4:7
5. WHAT DOES LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE BEFORE MEN THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD LOOKS AND GLORIFY YOUR FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN MEAN?
(A) Disciples display the light of Christ by doing the good works which God intends for them. Christians must not muffle themselves up in privacy and obscurity under a pretense of contemplation, modesty, or self preservation, but as we have received the gift must minister the same, Lk 12:3
We must be burning and shining lights. We must show evidence that we are indeed followers of Christ. We must be “a light” to others for Instruction, direction, quickening, and comfort.
(b) Jesus said let your light so shine before others (Matt 5:16a) he explained that no one lights a lamp just to hide it under a basket or bowl. A lamp is meant to placed on a stand to give to everything around it, whether you are timid or outgoing, you are called to a light to the people.
6. WHAT DOES GOOD WORK MEANS?
(a) Those who see your good works may be brought not to glorify you but to glorify your Father which is in heaven. The glory of God is the great thing we must aim at in everything we do. We must do all we can to bring others to glorify Him.
(b) We are God’s children and called to “give glory” to our father in Heaven through our “good works”. This reminds us of the importance of our actions. Our actions allows us to let our light so shine and also allows us to share the light of Jesus with those around us.
CONCLUSION
Emphasis is upon letting light so shine, not proudly shining one’s light. Through honest and upright living, the world can see the light of the gospel by seeing upright Christians living 1 Pt 2:12. we live the principles of the gospel, we are fulfillment of the Saviour’s pronouncement “ye are the light of the world” (Matt 5:14)
Posted by Bro-Uwah-Usen
Sept. 1, 2024, 10:18 a.m.