The Light of the World
Audio Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Imagining the Church
Matthew 5:1-16 (ESV)
1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Sermon Outline
The church is called to be light for the world (v14).
1. Which Light?
v16 “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
2. What Do We Uphold And What Do We Hide?
v15 “Nor do people… put it under a basket, but on a stand…”
3. Why Are We Left In The World?
v14 “A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”
Prayer of Confession
Our glorious God, you are the Creator and Sustainer of life. We are a people who walk in darkness. Forgive us for wanting to take your place. Forgive us for presuming darkness could be used for our own advantage. Forgive us for all the things we have thought and done that we fear could be found out. Forgive us for ways we have made the world a darker place through our sinful actions. We look to Jesus, the true light, and through faith ask that you dispel the darkness in our lives. Thank you for how you have blessed us; grant us the grace to live in the world as those who generously bring your blessing and light to the world around us. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
Why does the church exist?
How should we understand that Jesus tells us not to do good works in order to be seen (Matthew 6), yet tells us to do good works so that people may see them (Matthew 5)? What distinction is Jesus making?
Where do you look for “light”? What do you see in the world that promises life?
Why does the Bible insist that we look to God? What happens if we try to become like God (take God’s place)? What happens if we devote ourselves to people, things, ideals, with the devotion and hope that should be in God alone?
When Jesus claimed to be the light of the world, what did he reveal in his character, teachings and actions that demonstrate this?
Where can we see the glory of God? When the Holy Spirit open eyes to discern God’s reality, what kinds of things does the Spirit show you?
How does the pattern of the church – gathering every week, on the first day of the week since Jesus was raised to worship God – sustain us with spiritual health? What are some ways that church becomes lifeless and draining instead of life giving?
How do churches become a “city on a hill”? What characterizes faithful disciples who go into the world to bring God’s light into it?
What habits will help you remain in the paradigm of receiving blessing and light from God, and stewarding it by seeking to bless and bring light to your family, friends, coworkers, NYC?