Scripture Reference

Matthew 5: 14-16

Sermon Audio

Sermon Notes

We continue our journey through the 2020 Vision with particular focus on the initiatives related to Reaching Out. Our passage is perhaps the one most closely associated with the vision of the lighthouse.

We are God’s Lighthouse when we Embrace Christ, Explain Christ, and Embody Christ

1. We Are the Light of the World – Embrace It (verse 14)
   1. This is a powerful statement and also our reality – totally transformed (John 1: 9)
   2. We Must EMBRACE the Light of Jesus Christ (1 John 1: 7, John 1: 4-5)
2. We Must Explain the Light, Not Hide It (verses 14-15)
   1. Two illustrations saying Don’t Hide the Light
      1. A City on a Hill (like Jerusalem was) – everyone will see it, day or night
      2. A Lamp in a house
   2. We’re called to be the highly visible, prominently placed lighthouse, shining light in every corner
3. We Shine the Light by Embodying Christ (verse 16)
   1. Jesus is clear – we shine the light through our good works, not words – Embody Christ
      1. These don’t save us, but they demonstrate our salvation and that we’ve embraced Christ
   2. Initiatives 2 and 3 – Meeting Needs in a Way that Brings Glory to God
      1. We need to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those in need
      2. We need to know the needs