Matthew 5:14-16

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

The world is a dark place…and it’s getting darker. Yes, there are bright spots here and there, but ultimately, as the old saying goes, “Its just lipstick on a pig.”  Let’s bring it a little closer to home. How dark is the world in which you live on a day-to-day basis: At home, at work, in your neighborhood, or amongst your friends?

Once you have been born again, the lamp of grace, truth and love is lit inside of you. Jesus announces that YOU ARE the light of the world = it’s a fact. Is your conversion obvious, like the city on a hill or the lamp placed on a stand?

R.L. Dabney said, “The light of a holy example is the Gospel’s main argument.” Could it be that many of our friends, neighbors and co-workers are being negatively influenced regarding the Gospel by the lack of light in our lives? I played word association with some 11th grade boys I used to teach on Sunday mornings. When I said “Christian” they almost unanimously said “hypocrite”. The average un-churched person would say the same. How do we repair our reputation? Consider what these great men of God had to say:

“What I live by, I impart.”  – Augustine

“A Christian is the world’s Bible – and some of them need revising.”  – D.L. Moody

“The sermons most needed today are sermons in shoes.”  – C.H. Spurgeon

Let there be light today where you are!