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

Mathew 5:14-16

Recurrent Thought

Christ-devoted followers are first and foremost who they are in Christ (Being). However, the world rarely knows or receives them without their works in and for Christ (Doing)

Communities of the Earth continue to live in brokenness largely due to the ineffectiveness of the Christians that dwell among them. The text gives two metaphors, Salt and Light, as identifiers for Christ-devoted followers. Both are revealing and penetrating in nature. Both of these elements, salt and Light, have overwhelming influence wherever they are set. Salt penetrates its host with flavor and helps with preservation; while the Light always drives away darkness.

Background: Sermon on the Mount

• Jesus presents this truth when he offered a detailed and powerful discourse that is popularly called the Sermon on the Mount. It was a presentation of the truths of the Kingdom to those that follow him as the Messiah. The Sermon on a Mount is in a class of its own ,with a sweep and power that is unmatched. 
• Although this is not study of the whole discourse, which covers three chapters (Ch. 5-7), it is essential to locate the theme verse in its proper context.
• In this sermon, he presents the Kingdom as a way of life where the King reigns, and exercises authority over his subject. He also describes the differences with other kingdoms, its laws, and obligations and the advantages and privileges of joining the Kingdom of God. 
• Our theme verse is Jesus description of who the followers are, in relation to their responsibility of informing others about their new found community also called the Kingdom of God.

Here are three Grounding Thoughts about Believers

1. You are the Light By Birth
   Christ-devoted Followers are Light by Birth in Christ (Math. 5:14)
   • Our Identity as light bearers is tied to our second birth. Jesus is the source of the Light and as His Sons; we radiate and reflect this light.
   • By the connection in their second birth, believes are the light for they are born from Jesus the source of Light. However, by their efforts and  their demonstration in life, they emit the Light of Christ
   • Every Christ-devoted follower is a Light bearer. Jesus is the main light bearer and believers are lesser light bearers (John 8:12; 9:5). Believers in Christ are sons of light by birth and association (John 12:36). They both bear and reflect the light of Jesus Christ. Everyone born of God, one who has become the child of light, are to light their communities, their cities, with the good news of Jesus.
   • Jesus is interested to bring Light to the people of the World. He therefore, expects His followers, who are light-bearers as he is; to bear the light in every location of the earth they are found
   • Bytheir character, believers in Christ are light bearers. This is a complete package of who they are.
   • Believers as individuals are the light; and collectively, followers are equally the light of the World, a city that his set on a hill.
   • Those who remain in Him, the true Light, are themselves light. Each believer is a center of Light. 
   • We are Light of the World against the darkness of the devil and his evil spirits. The bible states that “In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God (2 Cor. 4:4 ESV)
   • Some marks that show that one is darkness include: It includes such elements as ignorance; error, unbelief, sin, etc.
   • We are not only the Light to ourselves; we are the Light of the world. 
   • This is our identity: we are People of light by Birth and calling. We are born of God, and we bear his light.
   • This is our identity: we are People of light based on the position granted to us. Positionally  we are a city set on a hill, and eminently conspicuous
2. Never Hide the Light
   Christ-Devoted Followers Should never deliberately hide the Light (Math. 5:15)
   • Sometimes we fail to let our light shine for various reasons. Many times it is lack of courage
   • Reasons we hide the light include: Lack of Courage, Fear, Shame, Inadequacy, Careless attitude, irresponsibility, busyness, 
   • The irony is that which does not shine is not light at all. Hidden light dies.
   • When we don’t let the light shine we let darkness thrive
   • The essence of Light is in its movement; the life of the Christian Faith is kept alive by pure effort
   • Do not bury the light of the Word under cowardly and indifferent silence.
   • The truth is that by nature and its properties, light always radiate. Likewise, if we are light we shall shine.
3. Shine With the Light Found in You
   Christ Devoted Followers must be willing to Act as the Light  (Math. 5:16)
   • As a matter of duty and responsibility, Christ-devoted followers are required to shine their lights.
   • Let Your Light so Shine. Put effort to it. Do it consciously
   • Let your light shine conspicuously, so that it is evident to all. You are a city on a hill. 
   • Let your light shine constantly, so that its is obvious to all. Don’t be a shooting star
   • Let Your light shine and give direction to others. Put the Light in the right place
   • How do we bear the Light: 
     1. Inform and teach others what Jesus has done through the Cross
     2. Use Your testimony to show the power of the Lord in changing lives
     3. Show through Your life the power of the Living Christ in You.
   • Believers shine their light to bless people and glorify God. When you act wisely, your light produces good works that bring glory to God. Remember the Center of Glory is God.
   • Being the light is both a privilege and a responsibility. The obligation to produce the Light is grounded on the very reason Jesus came, to become the light to the World 
   • The agony and scandal today, is not to see Christianity opposed by non- believers but to see Christians who fail to keep their faith with zeal and proclaim it as their greatest honor and glory
   • As they take action in life, their motive is very clear: their good works must glorify God. Christ shines into the world through the lives of His people.
   • A good life is a great means of glorifying God. “Preach Christ at all times, if necessary use words.”(By St Francis of Assisi)

Altar Time

1. Take time to Repent for not having lived to the being of who we are: Light to the World
2. On many of your 2024, Resolutions add to be “Light to the City.” Pray for commitment and take the Responsibility seriously.