[Both salt and light must be applied.  Salt goes inward and disappears, light comes from within and always appears.  Salt speaks of character, light speaks of testimony.  The world needs both penetration and illumination.] 

A.     The Source of Light (vs 14) [- You are the light of the world ] 

1.      The Generation of the light (Rev 21.23; 1 John 1.5-7; John 1.1-9; John 8.12) [- All light must be produced.  Without a source there can be no light.  The sun at the center of our solar system provides the brilliant illumination and heat we need for life here on earth.  There are other suns in the universe, but our Sun is of primary importance for you and I.]   

[Likewise there is a source for the spiritual illumination of our lives.  Without this source and its life giving provision there could be no spiritual vitality at all.  It is of the utmost importance that people recognize the source of their spiritual illumination for their failure to do so will result in their blindness and decay.] 

[The Bible reveals that Jesus is the sun that provides the spiritual light needed in our lives.  In the Revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ John wrote about the New Jerusalem where the redeemed of the ages will dwell in the perfect provision and perfect presence of God for all eternity to come.  In speaking of this glorious place we Christians call heaven, John wrote,] 

[Rev. 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. ] 

[John saw Jesus as the glorious, life giving light of that wonderful place.  But John not only realized that the Lord Jesus Christ would one day be the brilliant light of heaven to come, John also saw Jesus as the life giving light of this mortal life as well.  John wrote,] 

[1 John 1:5-7 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. 6If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7But 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.]  

[Light needs a source, whether it be physical light or spiritual light.  The light of life, the illumination of life, the revelation of life, the manifested meaning of life, the satisfaction of life, all of these are only found in the brilliance of the only light that spiritually illuminates our lives and that source of life’s light is only and will only ever be the Lord Jesus Christ.] 

[John 1:1-9 ¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² The same was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. ⁴ In him was life; and the life was the light of men. ⁵ And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. ⁶ There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. ⁷ The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. ⁸ He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. ⁹ That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.]

[Jesus said,] 

[John 8:12 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.]

[My friend, if you are listening to this message today, then you need to hear the words of God and know that without the Lord Jesus Christ you are walking without the light of life and you are in spiritual darkness.  You are spiritually blind and mortally corrupt and decaying.  You need the light and life that only the Lord Jesus Christ can give you.  You need to get connected to the only source of life giving light, you need to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior right now!] 

2.      The Reflection of the light (vs 14, Luke 11.35; 1 Pet 2.9; 2 Pet 1.19; Eph 5.8; 2 Cor 4.6) - Ye are the light of the world . . . -  

a.       [Ye are - The word you is emphatic, it means you and nobody else.] 

(1)   [He is not talking to philosophers or rulers, but to his disciples who were ordinary people.  Jesus is speaking then to the average individual.] 

(2)   [If Jesus were here Jesus would look you in the eye and say you are the light of the world.] 

(3)   [If we are the light of the world, if people are the light of the world, then is it any surprise that spiritual darkness seems to be so prevalent in our world today, since so few seem to really have the true light of life.  If your light is darkness, then the world around you is dwelling in darkness and there is no light or life present.  Jesus said, 

[Luke 11:35 Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.]

(4)   [You are the light  - My Christian brothers and sisters, do you understand that you are the light of the world!  Yes, Jesus is the source of all spiritual light, but the world sees and receives this essential life giving light through its reflection through you.] 

[Are you being the light of the world?] 

b.      [We are the moon that reflects the light (1 Pet 2.9; 2 Pet 1.19; Eph 5.8; 2 Cor 4.6) – Our solar system is a great illustration for the concept beign taught by our Lord.  In our solar system the Sun burns brightly providing brilliant light, heat, and radiation.  During the day time we all see and take the sun and its light for granted.  At night we see the moon, the moon shines brightly in the night sky, but the moon provides no light of its own, it merely reflects the suns light and we see the light of the sun reflected off the moon.  So it is with us as Christians, we provide no light at all.  We merely reflect the brilliant life giving light of the Son of glory, the Lord Jesus Christ.  The Bible revelas this truth in passage like,] 

[1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: ] 

[2 Peter 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: ] 

[Ephes. 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: ] 

[2 Cor. 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. ] 

3.      The Manifestation of the light (John 11.10; John 12.35-36; 1 Cor 1.21; Rom 10.13-15; 2 Cor 4.6) [– If there is anything our world needs today it is light.  People need the light of hope and the light of life.  Why does the world need light?] 

a.      [The world is stumbling in darkness (John 11.10; John 12.35-36).] 

[John 11:10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. ] 

[John 12:35-36 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. 36While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.  

b.      [Christians must bring light to their darkness (1 Cor 1.21; Rom 10.13-15; 2 Cor 4.6) God takes ordinary people and uses them to do extraordinary things.] 

[1 Cor. 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. ] 

[Romans 10:13-15 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! ] 

[2 Cor. 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. ] 

[Our world is walking in darkness and needs the light of life.  Christian are you being light in the midst of this world’s darkness?  Are you connected to the source of all light?  Are you letting the world see Jesus through you?] 

[If Our World Is In Darkness, Then Why Is It In Darkness?  Where is your light?] 

B.     The Significance of Light (vs 14-15). 

1.      The Foolishness Of Concealed Light (vs 14-15; Eph 5.13; John 3.21) [- 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.]  

a.       [The bushel is something you would put commodities in, but you wouldn’t put a lit candle in a bushel basket.  Our Lord is warning us not to let the things of life or the affairs of life stifle the light.] 

(1)   [Lighting a candle was very different in Jesus day then it is in our.  We light candle like incense, they lit candles for light.  Hence, a candle for them was like a light bulb for us.  If you need light you turn on the light switch, if they needed light they lit a candle.  If you are lighting a candle then you are after some light.] 

(2)   [Hence, it would have been ridiculous to light a candle and then hide the light.  Just as it is foolish to turn on a light and leave the room.] 

b.      [Light manifests (Eph 5.13; John 3.21)  It reveals the dangers hidden in the darkness.  This is exactly what the spiritual light of our Lord Jesus Christ does, at least in part.  The Bible reveals,] 

[Ephes. 5:13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. ] 

[John 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. ] 

[Notice that light reveals the dangers, not necessarily the evil. Just because something is in darkness does not necessarily mean it is evil.  The things in your closet are not evil just because they are in a dark closet.  Many of those things are helpful, when used properly.  So it is with the spiritual light as well.  All things in this world that are in darkness are not necessarily evil, they are just in darkness.] 

c.       [Christians let your light shine, Don't be ashamed to shine forth your light, in this world.  You shine the light of Jesus in our world by,] 

(1)   [Dispelling the darkness of our world.  You dispel the darkness of our world by manifesting the dangers of life.]   

a)      [The danger of the lack of absolute truth.]

b)      [The danger of the failure to submit to God.]

c)      [The danger of the corrupting influence of immorality.]

d)      [The danger of the futility of failing mortal treasures.] 

(2)   [Being a Lighthouse in our world. You must be the lighthouse for life's storms.  What is a lighthouse?  A lighthouse is hope in the midst of great despair!  What do we know about lighthouses?]  

a)      [A lighthouse is placed in the midst of the trouble or problem.  Our world is in trouble and God has placed you in our world.] 

b)      [A lighthouse must be firmly anchored or founded.  Our only true foundation is our Lord Jesus Christ and the Word of God.] 

c)      [A lighthouse must have the fortitude to withstand the worst storms.  Christians we should expect the storms and persevere or stand through the storms.] 

d)      [A lighthouse must let its light shine. Especially in the storm.] 

2.      The Faithfulness Of Courageous Light 

a.       [Lighting the Light - Someone might say, “You don't know how evil my job is; I want a Christian work place.” - Why?  So you can light the light?] 

(1)   [God led Israel out of bondage in Egypt.  When He brought them to the Promised Land He did not take them to some island or peninsula where they could be separated and protected from the world.  He place them right is the middle of the major trade routes of the day that the world might know the one true God.] 

(2)   [God put you where you are to shine a brilliant light in a dark world.  You are the light of the world.  You are their lighthouse.] 

a)      [God is the sun that provides the light, we are the moon that reflects the light.] 

b)      [People living in a dark culture and world need to be able to see Jesus through us.] 

b.      [Which light is most important, the chandlers in the foyer, with the big windows, or the little bulb over the basement stairs, where there are no windows?  How important is your light in our world?] 

c.       [The Reflectiveness of Pure Light – What reflects more light?  The dark dirt or the freshly fallen snow?  My Christian friend you will never be a more brilliant light fro our Lord than when your life is pure.  Even when our Lord places your light house in the midst of life’s storms remain pure and persevere.  Why?  Because you are the light of the world!] 

3.      The Forcefulness Of Collective Light (vs 14) [- A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid . . . – During World War II many coastal US cities were ordered to enact light curfews or black outs.  This was done to make it harder for enemy ships and planes to navigate at night.  It reinforces the statement of our Lord when He said, A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid . . .  The lights from the city make the city glow and stand out.  This has never been more true than in our modern day of Halogen Lights.  In our day there is a dome of light over cities and metropolitan areas.  This dome is the result of the thousands of lights that illuminate the city.  It is the forcefulness of collective light. ] 

[The Church is the city of God and should not to be hidden.  One candle puts off light, but not the same light that many candles will provide.  Our Lord needs each of us to be the light of the World, but He also needs for Churches to collectively be the light of the world together.  Our Church will never shine as brightly as it will when we all determine that we will illuminate our world together.  There is a forcefulness to collective light.] 

C.     The Shining of the Light (vs 16) [- Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. -  If we will hear our Lord and be the light of the world then we must determine that we are going to let our light shine before men.] In order for us to let our light shine we must, 

1.      Surrender To Our Lord (vs 16) [- Let your light so shine before men . . . - You don't have to force it.  If you force it, it will be a glare, not a glow.  This is the light of Christ in you.  This is not your light and you cannot make it shine.  Just let Jesus live in you.  Live the life of Christ before men. 

2.       Serve Our Lord Diligently (vs 16, Matt 5.44-48; Prov 25.21-22) [- . . . That they may see your good works . . . – James Merritt once said, I am convinced that the two greatest days in the life of an individual who is a Christian are, first of all, the day when he is born again, and second, the day when he comes to understand why he is born again. When you begin to live your life in such a way that people are attracted to Jesus Christ, and want to glorify your Father in heaven, you will know that your salt is tasty and your light is bright.] [James Merritt, Pour the salt and turn on the light, Pastorlife.net] 

a.       [Do good in service and your light will shine brilliantly. ] 

[Matthew 5:44-48 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect].  

3.      Sacrifice For Our Lord Consistently (Col 1.16-17; 3.23) [- . . . and glorify your Father which is in heaven. – The light that this world needs is not the light of you, it is the light of God shone through you.  You will know you are casting the right light by who is getting the glory form it.  God is the only one the people need to see through the light of Jesus that shines through you.] 

[Col. 1:16-17 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.]  

[Col. 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;]  

[Burning For Jesus - There is no shinning without a burning, will you burn for Jesus. The candle will burn down as the light shines. 

[Are you the light of the World?  If not, why not?] 

[For the lost – Jesus is the light you need to see through us.  There are dangers in this world, but there is no danger as great as an eternity lost because you did not respond to the truth and light of the Lord Jesus Christ.  You need the light of life and His name is Jesus.]

Crossroads Baptist Chruch, January 11, 2009