“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” Mathew 5:14

Mathew 5:14; John 1:1-5; Dan. 12:3

Recurrent Truth 

Effective Christ-devoted followers are those who increasingly understand that the powerful Life (Spirit) of Jesus in their inside is demonstrated as Light outwardly and brings transformation to those who encounter them. 

The scriptures shows that those who understand the power of light are wise people. Wisdom is normally described as the application of knowledge in circumstances of judgment, decisions, choices, discretion, etc. Scriptures also describes a wise person as one who influences righteousness in people (Dan. 12:3). This way of transforming (witnessing to others) is likened to stars that shine in darkness. Stars produce light of transformation. This is actually the work of every Christ devoted follower. One thing however, worth noting is that such people do not do it within their power. In this world, we shine as delegated (apportioned) light centers (stars)

The life (Light) of Jesus is powerful and revolutionary; we are evidence of it. Ordinarily, the power and impact of the Light of Jesus is expressed through His Word. We experience His Word through Illumination from Scripture and Revelation from the Spirit; both have to remain within the foundations and principle and the spirit of the inspired word of God. Here are three ways of the Power of Light

1. Light Produces Life (John 12:36)
   • Just as Light give life to natural order through Photosynthesis to plants, similarly Jesus life, is the light of men (John 1:4). Light and life are intertwined. 
   • Jesus is the Source of Life; the actual light of Men. His Sons, the faithful followers, by virtue of being born of Him are light bearers (minor). Light is a Person, and his name is Jesus Christ. 
   • Yet, we too are the light of the World. Jesus is the light of the World, spiritually and morally. The very essence of His Life is being a great light to all. His life is the shining to all men (John 8:12)
   • Christ-devoted followers are light bearers after the Order of Jesus and wherever they go they impact lives through their light.
   • The light Jesus produces is life to all. People are touched and lives are transformed.
   • The Bible says the gospel of Jesus Christ is the light of the glory of God. It is this light that believers in Christ receive when they give their hearts to Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).
   • John 8:12. 12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.
2. Light Drives Darkness Away (John 1:4-5)
   • Light chases darkness. Where light comes, darkness flees
   • The dominion of light over darkness is instant and automatic (David Oyedepo)
   • Light exposes evil in the darkness.  Eph. 5:13  But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible
   • Light is seen brightly in the Dark night. Stars shine brighter in the darkest night
   • Spiritually, where the Light of the Gospel, the word of God, shines and is received, spiritual darkness flees away.
   • The Word carries Conviction, which is a prerequisite for repentance. The Power to judge and convict the world is in the power of the Light of the Spirit (John 16:8) 
   • Christ-devoted followers radiate the glory and brilliance of God in this dark world.
3. Light Shows Direction and Hope of Life
   • A city set on a Hill shines brightly and shows direction to humanity 
   • A city on the Hill is like a Lighthouse for sailors on the Sea. They look to it as a pointer of direction and a place of rest
   • God made the greater light (Sun)  to shine in the day and the lesser (moon) in the night night (Genesis 1:16-19). They were to give visibility and dominion in the environment
   • Christ-devoted Followers are the Oasis of Hope and ones who point to the True North
   • Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life” (John 8:12). 
   • Human activities are done largely under the guidance and superintendence of light. Life sustains human activities;
   • The Light that we give others is one with hope and direction in the affairs of the World. Light shines to give visibility. A city set on the hill screams of visibility and hope.
   • Whenever you manifest light, it is to offer visibility to life activities.
   • Without light, we don't see life in the measure God desires us to see

How is Light Expressed into the World?

1. First, By demonstrating the Love of God (Math. 5:16)
   • A life well lived with indelible marks of Christ, is a means of shinning the light to others
   • Mathew 5: 16 declares that “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.”
2. Second, By Speaking the Word of God (Truth of the scriptures)
   • The expressed Word of God is the  manifestation of the Light of God
   • Light is expressed as the Word of God (John 1:1-4)
   • Light bearing objects stand out more when they stand in the darkest environment. The word that we carry is brightest when sin abounds 
   • The light has power of itself. It does not depend on our knowledge, character nor our connections
   • Where the Light of the Gospel shines, spiritual darkness flees away. Trust in the power; don’t dilute or supplement to it!
   • The Power to judge and convict the world is in the power of the Light of the Spirit (John 16:8) 
   • The Word, of God, which is an embodiment of God’s Light is the Power to save human beings.  Rom_1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek
   • Luk 2:32 states that Jesus would be “. . . a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.

Altar Time

• Lord Help me not to be ashamed of the Gospel
• Lord Help me not to underrate Your Gospel
• Lord Help me to Trust Your Gospel