HOW OUR LIGHT MUST SHINE

 SATURDAY, 6TH MAY, 2023.

Topic: CHRISTIANITY: THE LIFE OF INFLUENCE – Part 6

HOW OUR LIGHT MUST SHINE

MEMORIZE: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9.

SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 5:14-16.

"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. "Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

EXPOSITION:

By doing good works that men may see, and may approve of; such works as are of good report among them that are without, and as will therefore give them cause to think well of Christianity. We must do good works that may be seen to the edification of others, but not that they may be seen to our own ostentation; we are bid to pray in secret, and what lies between God and our souls, must be kept to ourselves; but that which is of itself open and obvious to the sight of men, we must study to make congruous to our profession, and praiseworthy, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9. Those about us must not only hear our good words, but see our good works; that they may be convinced that religion (Christianity) is more than a bare name, and that we do not only make a profession of it, but abide under the power of it. 

 

FOR WHAT END OUR LIGHT MUST SHINE

"That those who see your good works may be brought, not to glorify you (which was the things the Pharisees aimed at, and it spoiled all their performances), 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 as Christians. Apostle Peter was moved by the Holy Spirit and says, “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:11. In this centre the lines of all our actions must meet.  We must not only endeavour to glorify God ourselves, but we must do all we can to bring others to glorify him. The sight of our good works will do this, by furnishing them, 

 

1. WITH MATTER FOR PRAISE. "Let them see your good works, that they may see the power of God's grace in you, and may thank him for it, and give him the glory of it, who has given such power unto men." 

 

2. WITH MOTIVES TO PIETY. "Let them see your good works, that they may be convinced of the truth and excellency of the Christian religion, may be provoked by a holy emulation to imitate your good works, and so may glorify God." The holy, regular, and exemplary conversation of the saints, may do much towards the conversion of sinners; those who are unacquainted with religion, may hereby be brought to know what it is. Examples teach. And those who are prejudiced against it, may hereby by brought in love with it, and thus there is a winning virtue in a godly conversation.

PRAYER POINT: Lord, I make myself available for you, shine the glory of your light through me, let me reflect your life to the world in Jesus name.

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  Ezra 8-10.