1. SHINE THE LIGHT! Sin is like cockroaches; it thrives in dark places. When the light is turned on; sin goes away. We as Christians must shine our lights that sin may scatter. Flash light Cockroach

2. SHINE THE LIGHT! Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Jesus commands us to let our light shine before men. Jesus commands us to let our light shine before men. -We are not to be closet Christians. -The only Christians who refuse to shine their lights are those who still have something to hide.

3. SHINE THE LIGHT! Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” We shine our lights by doing good works. We shine our lights by doing good works. -Good works are found in Matthew 25:31-46. -Feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, clothe the naked, visit the sick, visit those in prison, take in strangers.

4. SHINE THE LIGHT! Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Our light is not to point people to us; it is to point people to God. Our light is not to point people to us; it is to point people to God. -Whenever we shine our lights to point people to us, this is pride. -Whenever we shine our lights to point people to God, this is humility.

5. SHINE THE LIGHT! Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Our light is a sign. Signs point and give direction. Our light is a sign. Signs point and give direction. -Christians don’t work to be saved; but when we do good works, it points people to Jesus Christ and gives them direction. -Freeway Analogy- signs tell people where to exit; how many people are missing their exit out of sin because we are not shining our light.

6. SHINE THE LIGHT! Matthew 2:1-2/2:9-10 “(1)Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,(2) Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. (9) When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. (10) When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.”

7. SHINE THE LIGHT! Matthew 2:1-2/2:9-10 What made the men wise? -According to verse 2, they were seeking Jesus. -In order to be a wise church, we must be a church not who seeks the world, but a church who seeks ONLY JESUS. How did they find Jesus? -According to verse 9, there was a star in the east that led them to Jesus. -The name of our church is New Rising STAR & we are located in EASTlake. -We are to be the Star in the East that leads people to Jesus!