"YE ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD"
Introduction:
1. John 8:12
2. Christ states if we follow him, we shall not walk in
darkness.
3. To walk in darkness is to walk in sin; thus by not following
Christ, one walks in darkness, without light.
4. NOTE: In the beginning, man walked WITH God, but SIN entered
into the picture and man was separated from God.
5. From this early beginning, man has grown worse, steeped in
sin, and farther from God.
I. MAN IS IN SIN, DARKNESS: WITHOUT GOD.
1. Eph. 2:1-3, 11-12; 4:17-19-- condition of man without God.
2. SIN stands between man and God, NO LIGHT.
3. Rom. 5:7-11--Christ dies for us, while we are yet in sin.
4. Isa. 9:2--"The people that walked in darkness have seen a
great light; they that dwelt in the land of the shadow
of death, upon them hath the light shined."
5. John 1:1-8--Christ came as light for man, John witnessed.
6. John 8:12--We MUST FOLLOW HIM.
7. 1 Peter 2:9--"Called out of darkness into his marvelous L.
8. 2 Thess. 2:14-- Called by the gospel.
II. MAN OBEYS THIS CALL; OBEYS CHRIST---FOLLOWS HIM:
1. He becomes Christ-like; results of the new birth, a new
creature, a child of God, etc.
2. Col. 1:13--delivered out of darkness into light.
3. Acts 26:18--Paul was to turn them from darkness to light.
4. What is the results of leaving the darkness (SIN) and
walking in the Light?
5. Mt 5:14-16--We become a reflector of Christ; as the moon
is a reflector of the sun. The moon has no light in
itself, dependent upon the sun. SO ALSO:
Draw diagram showing this relationship:
Christ--SUN; Christian--MOON; sin--WORLD.
6. 1 Thess 5:5 -- We are of the light, not of darkness.
7. 2 Cor. 6:14-- What communion hath light with darkness?
8. THERE MUST BE A DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE CHRISTIAN AND THE
WORLD.
9. Jas. 4:4-- "friendship of the world is enmity with God."
10. NOTE: How can one claim to be a Christian, yet say, "My
personal life is no one's business. What I do in private
is none of your business." We have those in public office
who seem to think it makes no difference what they do.
III. TOO OFTEN CHRISTIAN DOES NOT REFLECT CHRIST TO THE WORLD:
1. What causes the reflection of some Christians to diminish?
2. The world comes between them and Christ;
SIN cuts off the reflection -- darkness again.
SPIRITUAL ECLIPSE
3. When the world becomes the main interest, desire, etc.,
Christ is thus blotted out.
4. A Child of God MUST keep clear of the world. Jn. 17:15-16.
5. God demands that we "walk in the light" 1 Jn. 1:7.
IV. SOMEONE HAS COMPARED CERTAIN TYPES OF LIGHTS TO CHRISTIAN:
1. Candle Light -- faint light, slightest wind flickers
flame, blows out easily, not much light, dim, etc.
SOME CHRISTIANS LIKE THIS--easily discouraged, light
flickers with slightest trial, dim
2. KEROSINE LAMP (Coal oil) -- Old chimney smokes up easily,
more light than a candle, but clouds, dims rapidly, etc.
SOME CHRISTIANS LIKE THIS--A little brighter, but does
not take much to cloud their reflection. Their lives
are dulled with the world around them.
3. GASOLINE (COLEMAN) LANTERN -- bright and clear, for
awhile, but must be pumped up regularly, will go out if
someone does not watch it constantly.
SOME CHRISTIANS LIKE THIS--bright, active for awhile, but
they must be constantly encouraged, helped along,
never seem to mature
4. ELECTRIC LIGHT -- Constant, instant, bright, dependable,
SOME CHRISTIANS-- dependable, radiant, forceful influence
upon those around them.
Conclusion:
1. What reflection does the world see in me??? in YOU???
2. Are we a full moon, half moon, no moon???
3. 1 Jn. 1:5-- "In Him there is no darkness."
4. There shall be "no darkness in heaven."
5. We MUST live here in the light, if we desire to enjoy
heaven.
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