This Little Light of Mine Matthew 5:14-16

This Little Light of Mine This little light of mine, I’m gonna’ let it shine. This little light of mine, I’m gonna’ let it shine. This little light of mine, I’m gonna’ let it shine. Let is shine all the time let it shine.

This Little Light of Mine Hide it under a bushel? NO! I’m gonna’ let it shine. Hide it under a bushel? NO! I’m gonna’ let it shine. Hide it under a bushel? NO! I’m gonna’ let it shine. Let is shine all the time let it shine.

This Little Light of Mine Won’t let Satan, Whoof it out! I’m gonna’ let it shine. No, Won’t let Satan, Whoof it out! I’m gonna’ let it shine. Won’t let Satan, Whoof it out! I’m gonna’ let it shine. Let is shine all the time let it shine.

The Source of Our Light 1 John 1:5 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. Who is the source of the light we are to shine?

The Source of Our Light John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Matthew 5:14-16 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Like it or not, we are on display. People look at us and expect us to act a certain way, talk a certain way. They are watching how we act. Just like a job interview, you are on display. When I walk in a room, I expect my light bulbs to work. I expect that when I flip the switch I get to see better because things are illuminated. God expects the same from us – We are His flashlights, His lighthouses, and His light bulbs.

We are Lights 1 John 1:6-7 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. Matthew 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Power of Light Conquers Darkness Colors Drabness Psalm119:130; 105 Phil. 1:27 Conquers Darkness: Wherever there is the least bit of light, darkness is forced to flee. You can be in the darkest place imaginable and just a tiny match, when lit, has the power to drive away all that darkness. The Bible says, “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple,” Psalm 119:130. The Psalmist also said, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path,” Psalm 119:105. When the light enters, darkness flees! By the way, a godly Christian can bring rays of light into the darkest of situations! Colors Drabness: Jesus said that His people were “the light of the world.” Not only should our presence put darkness to flight, it should also cause the world to be a more colorful and beautiful place. There is nothing like meeting a Christian who is reflecting all the light of the Savior. That person is a ray of light in a dark place. That person is a thing of beauty in a drab world. This is what the Bible teaches us that every believer ought to be, Phil. 1:27! 27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

Power of Light Changes Deadness Conditions Dreariness Luke 19:10; Matthew 28:18-20 Conditions Dreariness Matthew 5:14 Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Matthew 28:18-20 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Changes Deadness: Now, we know that it was the light of the Gospel of grace that brought life into our dead souls. Our hearts were warmed by the truth of the Word of God and we were delivered from death and darkness by His light. As we let our lights shine in a dark and dead world the same phenomenon takes place. God uses the light of our witness and testimony to warm the dead sinner’s heart and to draw them to Jesus for salvation. Our light, which is really His light being reflected by us, is a means of bringing the life of Heaven to the dead ones on earth.) Conditions Dreariness: How many times have you seen days of gloomy, dreary weather suddenly replaced with the gleaming light of the sun? This world can be a dreary place. I am not referring to the weather, but to the spiritual climate. However dark, dank and dreary a day may be, when I am exposed to the light of the people of God I am instantly brightened! There may be a chill in my own soul, but a few minutes around a Brother or Sister who is shining with the Light of Jesus in their hearts, can cause the chill to thaw, and can help me to be a little warmer. Thank God for the redeemed children of God! They are like a warm ray of light in a dreary place!

We are Lights Matthew 5:14 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. The image of “a city on a hill” speaks of us letting our lights shine as a community of faith. It speaks of the influence of the church in the world around us. As a church we let our light shine by our standards, our style of worship and by the things we stand for. You can tell most everything you need to know about a church by the preaching they have; the Bible they use; the songs they sing and the activities they engage in. Like a city set on a hill we cannot be hidden! We either declare our stand for Jesus and we testify to His saving grace and power; or we take our stand with the world. It cannot be both ways!

The Purpose of Our Light Matthew 5:15 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

The Purpose of Our Light Men don’t light a lamp and then hide it. God brought light into your life. 2 Cor. 4:6 God intended for your light to be seen. 1. Mark 16:15 2. Titus 2:7–8 Jesus saved us to be a light for Him. As He shines His light through us, those around us who are in darkness are helped to see their way to God. 2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. So many people think they have fulfilled their calling to be a witness when they head off to the church house. Friend, when you come in here, it is to worship Him and to be equipped to go out there. When you step through those back doors you are entering the mission field! We are to go out from this place into a dark, dead, deceived and doomed world and we are to tell them about a Savior who loves them and will save them if they will come to Him. That is our mandate, Mark 16:15-16. Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned. Titus 2:7-8 7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. Are you, as an individual, fulfilling God’s call to be a light for Him?

Do we keep our light hidden?

Letting Our Light Shine Matthew 5:16 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Letting Our Light Shine A. As a Christian your light will shine. 1. We should “let” it shine before men. 2. We should not “shine” it before men. B. The purpose of letting your light shine: 1. Not self–gratification, honor, or glory. 2. It is to glorify or praise God

Letting Our Light Shine Philippians 2:12-15 12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Letting Our Light Shine Philippians 2:12-15 14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

Letting Our Light Shine Ephesians 5 1. Be followers of God 2. Walk in love 3. Let no darkness be named once among us 4. Don’t be deceived 5. Don’t partake of sin 6. Walk as children of light

Letting Our Light Shine Ephesians 5 6. Prove what is acceptable 7. Have no fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness—reprove them 8. Walk carefully 9. Redeem the time 10. Submit yourself to God!

Conclusion You are a light that God has turned on for the purpose of being seen in the world. Let your light shine so that God may be glorified!