THEY SHALL BE SET UP AS LIGHTS.

 FRIDAY, 5TH MAY, 2023.

Topic: CHRISTIANITY: THE LIFE OF INFLUENCE – Part 5

THEY SHALL BE SET UP AS LIGHTS. 

MEMORIZE: “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.”  Matthew 5:15.

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:

Christ having lighted these candles, they shall not be put under a bushel, not confined always, as they are now, to the cities of Galilee, or the lost sheep of the house of Israel, but they shall be sent into all the world. The churches are the candlesticks, the golden candlesticks, in which these lights are placed, that the light may be diffused. The gospel is so strong a light, and carries with it so much of its own evidence, that, like a city on a hill, it cannot be hid, it cannot but appear to be from God, to all those who do not wilfully shut their eyes against it. It will give light to all that are in the house, to all that will draw near to it, and come where it is. 

 

THEY MUST SHINE AS LIGHTS, 

[1.] BY THEIR GOOD LIVING. They must be burning and shining lights (“"He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light.” John 5:35); must produce evidence of light in their whole conversation, that they are indeed followers of Christ, “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.” James 3:13.  They must be to others for instruction, direction, quickening, and comfort, Job 29:11. 

[2.] BY THEIR GOOD PREACHING. The knowledge they have, they must communicate it for the good of others; not to put it under a bushel, but spread it. The talent must not be buried in a napkin, but traded with. The disciples of Christ must not muffle themselves up in privacy and obscurity, under pretence of contemplation, modesty, or self-preservation, but, as they have received the gift, must minister the same, Luke 12:3 “"Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.”. 

PRAYER POINT: Lord, let my life show your light to the world and bring many to you in genuine salvation in Jesus name.

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  Ezra 5-7