Characteristics of Christianity pt 3:
A Radiant Life
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 “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. 16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Mt. 6:14-16 (MKJV)
“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. Mt. 5:14-16 (The Message)
Three statements that are true of all Christians. (Jn. 10:10)
1- I am a “LIGHT”.
1. Light removes darkness and reveals DANGER. (Light house)
2. I am a WITNESS to reveal God’s will to my world.
3. In fact, I’m an illuminated human church SIGN.
1Thess 5:5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. (NKJV)
Php 2:15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, (NKJV)
Eph 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.” (NKJV)
Prov 4:18 But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. (NKJV)
2- I am Producing “GOOD WORKS”.
1. I am following Jesus’ EXAMPLE.
Acts 10:38 “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. (NKJV)
2. Producing good works is the BASIC reason for Christians being left on the earth.
Titus 2:14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. (NKJV)
Titus 3:7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. (NKJV)
Titus 3:14 And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful. (NKJV)
Heb 10:24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, (NKJV)
3- I am GLORIFYING my Heavenly Father.
1. The RESULT of the believer’s influence is God’s honor.
2. To bring honor to the Father I must be HONORABLE.
1 Pet 2:12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. (NKJV)
1 Pet 3:16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. (NKJV)
Jn15:8 “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. (NKJV)
2 Thess 1:10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. 11 Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, 12 that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (NKJV)
