We Are The Light To The World (Ephesians 5:1-21, Matthew 5:14-16, Isaiah 49:1-7)
Rev. William L. Barron, December 19, 2021Part of the Morning Worship at North Greenville Church series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
As recipients of the Light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we must display that light; we must walk hand in hand with God. We must strive to be imitators of God. The scriptures proclaim of Jesus, the Messiah, "You are the light of the world." We must reflect that light that has come into the world, and we are told that our walk will cause others to praise God. Then, we receive a warning: do not allow; do not be deceived. We must watch out to not open ourselves to iniquity, being careful to walk circumspectly and rejecting immorality. We must avoid inappropriate joking, striving to be sober-minded. We are not to use deceptive words, remembering how the fall of Adam and Eve came by way of Satan's deceptive words. The fallen world uses deception to get ahead and to gain power. We must remember that we were once in darkness, and we were darkness. Paul exhorts the Ephesians not to fall back into darkness, meaning the Old Testament system that was awaiting the Messiah, who has now come. If we are saved, we are now in the light. If we love Christ, we will walk in obedience and live in the Truth. We have been given the light that we might be the light in the world. We are commanded to expose the lies of the world, showing that our life is different. Obedient living exposes falsehood, and in this God is glorified. We must strive to live and speak the Gospel so that people would see God. Confession and forgiveness are wonderful blessings. God is faithful to forgive. We must bear fruit, striving to understand the will of God; studying His Word. We must worship collectively, and by this means we will have a collective impact on the world as the church, walking in the unity of love.
| Earlier: | Same day: | Later: |
|---|---|---|
| « 'I Am The Light' | None | Our Response To The Light » |
Ephesians 5:1–21 (Listen)
5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
(ESV)
Matthew 5:14–16 (Listen)
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
(ESV)
Isaiah 49:1–7 (Listen)
49:1 Listen to me, O coastlands,
and give attention, you peoples from afar.
The LORD called me from the womb,
from the body of my mother he named my name.
2 He made my mouth like a sharp sword;
in the shadow of his hand he hid me;
he made me a polished arrow;
in his quiver he hid me away.
3 And he said to me, “You are my servant,
Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”
4 But I said, “I have labored in vain;
I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity;
yet surely my right is with the LORD,
and my recompense with my God.”
5 And now the LORD says,
he who formed me from the womb to be his servant,
to bring Jacob back to him;
and that Israel might be gathered to him—
for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD,
and my God has become my strength—
6 he says:
“It is too light a thing that you should be my servant
to raise up the tribes of Jacob
and to bring back the preserved of Israel;
I will make you as a light for the nations,
that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”
7 Thus says the LORD,
the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One,
to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nation,
the servant of rulers:
“Kings shall see and arise;
princes, and they shall prostrate themselves;
because of the LORD, who is faithful,
the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”
(ESV)