1. Let Your Light Shine Matthew 5:14-16

2. The Source of Our Light John 8:12 “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness”  Without Christ we are in darkness.  When we come to Him He pulls us out of that darkness.  Only when we follow Christ can we walk in light.  Therefore, our light is a reflection of His light

3. The Source of Our Light 1 Cor. 11:1 “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” (also Eph. 5:1)  We learn to reflect Christ’s light through studying the word of God (2 Tim. 2:15).  When we have studied we begin reflecting that light by becoming doers of the word (James 1:22-25).  The result: We will “walk just as He walked” (1 John 2:6).

4. Letting Our Lights Shine Not Showing off:  Like the Pharisees (Matt. 23:5-6).  Like Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-4).  Like the hypocrites (Matt. 6:1-2, 5). “Otherwise, you have no reward from your Father in heaven.” Rather “…that they may see your good works and GLORIFY YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN!”

5. Letting Our Lights Shine This requires humility (Luke 17:10). Not thinking our good deeds as something special to be given attention (Matt. 6:3).  Our light must be constant and steady (like a city on a hill or a light in a room, Matt. 5:14-15).  2 Tim. 3:17: Every good work!  Ti. 3:14: To maintain good works! A constant light is more likely to draw attention toward the direction it is pointing Rather than to the light itself! Glorify Our Father in Heaven!

6. Letting Our Lights Shine Our light must go far deeper than simply doing good deeds. Jesus did good deeds, but there was so much more that caused His light to shine. –The way He though about life. –The way He reacted to things. –The way He conducted Himself in this life. Therefore we must do more than good deeds. We must be transformed (Rom. 12:2)!

7. Letting Our Lights Shine Our lights shine when… –We have our goals and desires in the right place (2 Pet. 3:11-13). –When we interact with people according to God’s love (2 Cor. 5:16a). –When the manner of our life is “in meekness and wisdom” (Jas. 3:13). 2 Pet. 3:1-2 When we live the gospel our lights will be immensely brighter than if we speak the gospel only!

8. Under a Basket A light is useless when hidden under a basket! What is hiding our light? –Selfishness –Fear –Arrogance –Bitterness These things describe the darkness that is in the world. James 3:18-4:6

9. Conclusion Is your light shining? –If you have not obeyed the gospel you are still in darkness. –If you are not living like Christ you are not reflecting His light. Jesus’ life brought light to the world. We can be a part of that light if we follow Him.