The text for the year 2023AD. Here is the substance of a sermon preached by the Rev’d Peter Michell on New Year’s Day.
We may bemoan the darkness of these days with all the challenges we face. Amid all the gloom, Jesus pays His believing people a great compliment when He says to us: Ye are the light of the world. …Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14&16)
These words are familiar but not necessarily thought out or lived out. So, let us consider them with care.
1. Ye are the light…
Forty years ago, I was preaching on the text and when I said the words “You are the light of the world”, a child looked up from the front row and announced audibly, “No! Jesus is the light of the world.” She was right. The Lord said it Himself: I am the light of the world and then went on to say: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life (John 8:12). Christ is the light who enlightens us. We bear His light. Moses went into the mountain to receive the commandments and came down with his face glowing because he had been with God. (See Exodus 34:29-30.) We must keep company with the Lord to shine with His light.
2. Ye are the light…
‘Ye’ indicates a plural. The Lord, here, is not saying that you are a light as an individual in isolation. It is yous are the light and not you (singular) are the light; The sentiment of Jesus bids us shine – you in your small corner is not entirely wrong. (See Philippians 2:15.) But in our text, Jesus was teaching that the churches are the light. There is a similar reference in the book of Revelation: And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned I saw seven golden candlesticks. … the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches (Revelation 1:12 & 20).
3. …the light of the world
You are the light not just in your small corner, nor your neighbourhood, village or county, but in the whole world. There is a global emphasis in the Bible God so loved the world … (John 3:16); Go ye into all the world (Mark 16:15);Ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8). No wonder it is not dependent upon you or me as individuals.
4. Let your light so shine before men
You will make no impact if you are not seen shining. The Lord taught: Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light unto all that are in the house (Matthew 5:13). Christianity is not just a personal and private matter. It is a personal experience, but it is of public significance. Visibility is all-important.
To illustrate the point: though it is not so popular among ministers of the gospel today, the clerical collar is useful in making the church visible on the high street.
5. … that they may see your good works
The message of the Christian gospel is that we are reconciled with God by the gift of His grace. Nevertheless, there are good works to be done and observed. This is explicit in Christ’s words. The evangelical works to be seen by men are:
(i) The word preached. This is the chief work of the church in this world. We are all involved. Not all stand in the pulpit, but we pray for the preaching and invite others to hear it.
(ii) Love for Christ – That love is evident (shining) as we keep the Sabbath, attending the services, singing and tithing. If we go to church, people see and conclude that we love the Lord. If you do not attend, it will not be seen that you love Him.
(iii) Love for men – This is the Christian trademark. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another (John 13:35).
6. …and glorify your Father which is in heaven
That people are impressed, not by us, but by God is our motive and the result. The glory of God is:
(A) our motive. Our concern is not our own reputation; we do not do good to be applauded.
(B) the result. Sometimes we may be disappointed, but at other times, by a work of the Holy Spirit in another, he sees that it is God who works in us.
7. Ye ARE the light
This is not primarily a command but your condition. You ARE the light. There are practical implications and requirements, but we should take seriously that light is what we are. We are simply sto be ourselves as Christians. Light, by definition, shines. Just be light. Just shine!
And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:
“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown”.
And he replied:
“Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God.
That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way”.
So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night.
And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.
From ‘God knows’ by Minnie Louise Haskins
Higham Congregational Church 