It is not easy to be a dedicated Christian. Our society is not a friend to God nor to God’s people. Whether we like it or not, there is conflict between us and the world. Why? Because we are different from the world and we have different attitudes.
Our Attitude Toward The
World (Matt. 5:10–16).
·
As we read the Beatitudes, we find that they
represent an outlook radically different from that of the world. The world
praises pride, not humility. The world endorses sin, especially if you “get
away with it.” The world is at war with God, while God is seeking to reconcile
His enemies and make them His children. We must expect to be persecuted if we are living as God
wants us to live.
·
But we must be sure that our suffering is not
due to our own foolishness or disobedience.
1. We Are to be Righteous in
This World (5:10). “they which are
persecuted for righteousness’ sake” Believers will be persecuted
for the sake of righteousness.
a. The
Role (5:10 A, 11): God blesses those who are
persecuted because they live for Him.
1. Unfortunately,
believers who exemplify the characteristics already mentioned, who put others
before themselves and who attempt to make peace, will seldom receive applause
and honors. Often, they will be persecuted instead.
2. Because
we are "righteous," having oriented
our lives around God and his will (see 5:6), we stand out from the world and
become targets for enemy attacks. The world is under Satan's control, and
believers belong to the opposing army. Persecution
should not surprise Christians. (see 2 Chron 18:7).
·
John 3:20, For every one
that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his
deeds should be reproved.
·
John 7:7, The world
cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works
thereof are evil.
·
John 15:19, If ye were
of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the
world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world
hateth you.
3. Our
integrity condemns the ungodly world and brings out its hostility. People hate
a righteous life because it exposes their own unrighteousness.
a. Sometimes
Christians are not included in their social gatherings.
b. Some
family members may disown a believer for taking a strong stand for Christ.
c. Supervisors
may have a prejudice toward believers and block opportunities of advancement.
d. Godly
young ladies may find themselves mocked and laughed at because they refuse to
live immorally.
e. Young
men face rejection because they refuse the alcohol and drugs that the popular
guys are involved with.
4. The
world will persecute us and injure
our good names, reputation, property, or even threaten to take our life, on
account of our spiritual commitment and obedience to God.
5. We
are not to seek persecution. We are not to provoke it by strange
ideas or misconduct; by violating the laws of civil society, or by using words
and language that are unnecessarily offensive to others.
6. But
if, in the honest effort to be Christians, and to live the life of Christians,
others persecute and revile us, we are to consider this as a blessing.
It is an evidence that we are the children of God, and that he will defend us
in His timing.
7. 2 Tim. 3:12, Yea, and all that will live godly in
Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
b. The
Reward (5:10 B, 12): The Kingdom of Heaven is
ours.
1. The
reward for such believers will be the kingdom of
heaven.
a. God
will make up for the suffering that his children have undergone because of
their loyalty to him.
b. The
reward here matches the reward in 5:3, rounding
out this list of characteristics of those who belong to God.
2. The kingdom of heaven is promised to those
believers who suffer for doing right.
a. Christ
comforts believers who suffer loss and persecution for living righteously with
the blessedness of the kingdom.
b. Such
believers enjoy a foretaste of kingdom life right now.
·
2 Cor. 1:3-4, Blessed be
God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God
of all comfort; [4] Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may
be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we
ourselves are comforted of God.
·
1 Peter 5:10, But the
God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus,
after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen,
settle you.
·
Romans 8:28, And we know
that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are
the called according to his purpose.
3. The
order and orientation of the Beatitudes provide several key insights.
a. The
Beatitudes begin and end with the promise of the
kingdom of heaven (5:3,10).
b. They
progress from the point of greatest need (spiritual bankruptcy) to the
point of greatest identification with Christ (experiencing rejection for
his sake).
c. The
first four beatitudes outline a deepening relationship with God; the second
four depict the impact of our relations to others.
d. Clearly,
the Beatitudes are not stages through which we pass and go on, but responses
that we must keep on making.
e. Each
day we must utilize our opportunities to show mercy, practice peacemaking, and
purify our intentions.
2. We Are to Represent Christ in
This World (5:11-12). “for my sake”
Believers will also be persecuted
for the Sake of Christ.
a. The Role (5:11): God blesses those who are persecuted for
Loyalty to Christ.
1. The
final beatitude seems to be a repetition of the preceding one. However, there
is one difference. In the previous verse, the subject was persecution because
of righteousness; here it is
persecution for Christ’s sake.
·
Luke 21:12, But before
all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you
up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for
my name's sake.
·
Luke 21:17, And ye shall
be hated of all men for my name's sake.
·
John 15:20-21, Remember
the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If
they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my
saying, they will keep yours also. [21] But all these things will they do unto
you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
·
Rev. 2:2-3, I know thy
works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which
are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not,
and hast found them liars: [3] And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my
name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
2. The
Lord knew that His disciples would be maltreated because of their association
with, and loyalty to, Him.
a. History
has confirmed this: from the outset the world has persecuted, jailed, and
killed followers of Jesus.
b. We
can be completely loyal to only one person.
Jesus revealed that association with Him often results in conflict.
1. He
demands a response so intimate that other relationships may be torn apart when
some choose to follow him and others refuse to do so.
2. There
is no middle ground with Jesus. Loyalties must be declared and commitments
made, sometimes to the point of severing other relationships.
3. Are
you willing to risk your family's or friends approval in order to remain loyal
to Christ?
c. Loyalty
is an essential part of true friendship. There is a vast difference between
knowing someone well and being a true friend.
1. The
greatest evidence of genuine friendship is loyalty (see 1 Cor 13:7) -- being available and true in times of struggle.
2. Too
many people are fair-weather friends. They stick around when the friendship
helps them and leave when they're not getting anything out of the relationship.
3. Think
of your friendship to Christ, and assess your loyalty to Him.
4. Be
the kind of true friend the Bible encourages (Prov
17:17).
3. Jesus
was telling his disciples that they shouldn't be surprised when people insult
you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
a. Jesus
would face such treatment.
b. Later
he explained to his followers that they should expect nothing different (Matt.10:18; 24:9; John 15:20).
c. To
imitate Jesus is to live righteously, and, as explained above, this evil world
hates righteous living.
4. “Discipleship
means allegiance to the suffering Christ, and it is therefore not at all
surprising that Christians should be called upon to suffer. In fact it is a joy
and a token of his grace.” -- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
5. Later,
when Peter wrote to persecuted believers, he urged them to be sure that their
persecution was truly for Christ’s sake and not for wrongdoing on their part (1 Peter 4:12-19).
b. The Reward (5:12): a Great Reward in Heaven.
1. Jesus
clearly described the way the disciples should respond to this kind of
treatment: Rejoice and be exceeding glad.
a. The
words "be… glad," refers
to deep, spiritual joy (see Luke 1:46-47; Acts 16:34).
It means to leap for joy!
·
1 Peter 4:13-14, But rejoice,
inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall
be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. [14] If ye be reproached
for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God
resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is
glorified.
b. This
type of rejoicing is eternal -- unhindered and unchanged by what happens in
this present life.
1. Persecution
brings maturity.
2.
1 Peter 1:6-7, Wherein
ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness
through manifold temptations: [7] That the trial of your faith, being much more
precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be
found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
3. Peter
mentions suffering several times in this letter: 1Pet.
1:6-7; 3:13-17; 4:12-19; 5:9.
a. When
he speaks of trials, he is not talking about natural disasters or the
experience of God's punishments, but the response of an unbelieving world to
people of faith.
b. All
believers face such trials when they let their light shine into the darkness.
c. We
must accept trials as part of the refining process that burns away impurities
and prepares us to meet Christ.
d. Trials
teach us patience (Rom 5:3-4; James 1:2-3) and
help us grow to be the kind of people God wants.
c. Jesus
said to rejoice when we're
persecuted. There are four reasons that persecution can be good:
1. It
can take our eyes off earthly rewards
2. It
can strip away superficial belief,
3. It
can strengthen the faith of those who endure, and
4. Our
attitude through it can serve as an example to others who follow.
2. How
can anyone rejoice when being insulted, persecuted, or slandered?
a. While
that would not be the first and most natural response, a person with righteous
character can rejoice and be glad because of the promise: great is your reward in heaven.
1.
Luke 6:23, Rejoice ye in
that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven:
for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
2.
Luke 6:35, But love ye
your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your
reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he
is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
3.
Col. 3:24, Knowing that
of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve
the Lord Christ.
4. Hebrews 11:26, Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater
riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the
recompence of the reward.
b. When
God judges the world, the persecution will pale in comparison to the great
reward that awaits. The reward is heaven itself. See Matt.16:24-27
and Matt.19:28-30 for more on rewards.
c. When
you are pressured to give up and turn your back on Christ, don't do it.
Remember the benefits of standing firm, and continue to live for Christ.
c. The Reason (5:12):
Companions with the Prophets in Sufferings.
1. Besides
that, the disciples had good company. The Old Testament described many prophets who had come with God's message and
had faced persecution, rejection, and even death (see Matt.
21:33-46).
·
“People possessing these qualities would
naturally stand out in the crowd and would not be understood by others. Thus
they would be persecuted; others would speak evil of them (v. 11). However,
Jesus’ words encouraged His followers, for they would be walking in the train
of the prophets, who also were misunderstood and persecuted (v. 12; cf. 1 Kings
19:1-4; 22:8; Jer. 26:8-11; 37:11-16; 38:1-6; Dan. 3; 6; Amos 7:10-13).”---John
Walvoord
2. Jesus
placed his disciples in a long line of God's followers who lived righteously
and spoke truthfully -- only to suffer for it. The Jews held the ancient
prophets of God in high esteem; to be placed among them was a great honor.
Jesus explained that to live and speak for God in the face of unjust
persecution, as did the ancient prophets, would bring great reward in heaven.
3. We
can take comfort in knowing that God's greatest prophets endured persecution
(Elijah, Jeremiah, Daniel). Persecution proves that we have been faithful;
faithless people would be unnoticed. In the future, God will reward the
faithful by receiving them into his eternal kingdom, where there is no more
persecution. No matter what you face today, if you remain faithful to Christ,
one day you will receive a joyful reward.
4. To
suffer for Christ’s sake is a privilege that should cause joy. A great reward awaits those who thus become
companions of the prophets in
tribulation. Those OT spokemen for God stood true in spite of persecution.
All who imitate their loyal courage will share their present exhilaration and
future exaltation.
5. The
Beatitudes present a portrait of the ideal citizen in Christ’s kingdom. Notice
the emphases on righteousness (v. 6), peace
(v. 9), and joy (v.
12). Paul probably had this passage in mind when he wrote: “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but
righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” (Rom. 14:17).
3. We Are to Be Useful as Salt
and Light in This World (5:13-16). “Ye are the salt
of the earth”
To demonstrate the impact believers
should make on our world, Jesus used two common illustrations: salt and light.
Believers are useful to the Lord when we sustain a positive influence and
good testimony in the world.
a. We are to
Function as the Salt of the Earth (5:13).
1. Jesus
likened His disciples to salt.
a. Believers
are to the world what salt is in everyday life:
1. Salt
seasons food; it hinders the spread of corruption; it creates thirst; it brings
out the flavor.
2. So
Christ’s followers add spice to human society, serve as a preservative, and
make others long for the righteousness described in the Beattitudes.
b. Primarily
Salt is both a preservative and a flavor enhancer.
1. Jesus’
followers would be like salt in that they would create a thirst for greater
information. When one sees a unique person who possesses superior qualities in
specific areas, he desires to discover why that person is different.
2. Salt
also means believers serve as a preservative against the evils of society. In
fact salt as a preservative is what Jesus has mostly in view here.
2.
If salt loses its savor
[flavor], how can its saltiness be restored?
a.
The important quality to note is that salt ought
to maintain its basic character.
1. If
it fails to be salty, it has lost its purpose for existence and
should be discarded.
2. There
is no way to restore the true, natural taste. Once it has lost its flavor, salt
is good for nothing—it cannot flavor nor preserve.
b.
Bad Salt is discarded on a footpath. Albert
Barnes’ comment on this passage is illuminating:
·
“The
salt used in this country is a chemical compound—and if the saltiness were
lost, or it were to lose its savor, there would be nothing remaining. In eastern
countries, however, the salt used was impure, mingled with vegetable and
earthly substances; so that it might lose the whole of its saltiness, and a
considerable quantity [of salt without flavor] remain. This was good for
nothing except that it was used, as it is said, to place in paths, or walks, as
we use gravel.”
·
“Pure salt cannot lose its flavor or
effectiveness, but the salt that is common in the Dead Sea area is contaminated
with gypsum and other minerals and may have a flat taste or be ineffective as a
preservative. Such mineral salts were useful for little more than keeping
footpaths free of vegetation.”---John MacArthur
·
Pure Salt is useful and maintains is
flavor, but contaminated salt cannot be trusted to preserve nor to flavor!
1.
If a seasoning has no flavor (has lost its taste), it
has no value. Jesus clearly told his disciples (the word “ye” is emphatic, meaning “you, my followers”)
that if they wanted to make a difference in the world, they would have
to be different from the world.
2.
God would hold us accountable to maintain our “saltiness”
(that is, our usefulness).
·
Romans 12:1-2, I beseech
you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies
a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable
service. [2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by
the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and
acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
·
1 John 2:15-17, Love
not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love
the world, the love of the Father is not in him. [16] For all that is in the
world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life,
is not of the Father, but is of the world. [17] And the world passeth away, and
the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
·
If we are too much like the world, we are useless.
Christians should not blend in with everyone else. Jesus tells us, as he told
the disciples, that we must be different if we want to make a difference.
·
We dare not allow the world to dilute our
effectiveness. If we do, we are of no value to Him.
c.
As salt preserves and brings out the best
flavor, so believers should make a positive impact and influence in society.
1. Faithfulness
should be characteristic of God's people. Jesus used salt to illustrate three qualities that should
be found in his people:
a.
We should remember God's faithfulness, just as salt
used with a sacrifice recalled God's covenant with his people (Lev 2:13).
b.
We should make a difference in the "flavor"
of the world we live in, just as salt changes meat's flavor (Matt 5:13).
c.
We should counteract the moral decay in society, just
as salt preserves food from decay.
·
When we lose this desire to "salt" the earth with the love and
message of God, we become useless to Him.
·
Be faithful to your Lord, His Word, your spouse
and family, your church, job, your word and promise, commitments, and service
to Christ.
2. Jesus
stressed this responsibility of each disciple toward God.
a.
Mark 9:50, Salt is good:
but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have
salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.
·
The disciples would be held accountable by God
to maintain their "saltiness" (that is, their usefulness) by
maintaining a close relationship with Him.
b. The
disciples were told to “have salt in yourselves”
-- good, useful salt.
·
The "salt"
that believers have in themselves refers to true discipleship: obedience,
denial of self, humility, and willing suffering for the sake of the kingdom.
·
The disciples were to allow God's
purifying work to be done in them. They, in turn, would be purifying
agents in the community and in the world. The result, then, would be peace with each other.
c.
If the disciples had the "salt"
in themselves, then they would not be arguing about who would be the greatest
in Christ's kingdom (9:34).
·
They must not allow the salt within them to be
made useless by their wrangling over position and concerns of this world.
·
Instead, they must serve Christ; then they would
be doing their duty in the world and be at peace
with each other.
·
This peace among
the disciples would be of vital importance after Christ's return to heaven (see
1 Thess 5:13). The future of the gospel and of
Christianity would be left in their hands.
3.
Even the things we say and how we say them should add
flavor and prevent decay.
·
Col. 4:6, Let your
speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought
to answer every man. (Col. 3:8).
·
Ephes. 4:29, Let no
corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the
use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
3. The
disciple has one great function—to be the salt of
the earth! By living out
the terms of discipleship listed in the Beatitudes and throughout the rest of
the Sermon.
a. If
he fails to exhibit this spiritual reality, men will tread his testimony under
their feet (Matt. 5:13).
b. The
world has only contempt for an undedicated believer.
4. There
is also the possibility that some only claim to be Christians, but are really
not.
a. Therefore
they cannot be “salty” people, though they may be influenced for a while with
Christian ideals and values.
b.
2 Peter 2:20-22, For if
after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome,
the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. [21] For it had been
better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they
have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. [22] But
it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to
his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
c.
Hebrews 6:4-9, For it is
impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly
gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, [5] And have tasted the good
word of God, and the powers of the world to come, [6] If they shall fall away,
to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son
of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. [7] For the earth which drinketh
in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by
whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: [8] But that which beareth
thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be
burned. [9] But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things
that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
d.
2 Tim. 2:19-22,
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord
knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ
depart from iniquity. [20] But in a great house there are not only vessels of
gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some
to dishonour. [21] If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a
vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared
unto every good work. [22] Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness,
faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
b. We are to
Function as the Light of the World (5:14-16).
1.
Jesus also calls Christians the light of the world.
a.
He spoke of Himself as “the
light of the world” (John 8:12; 12:35, 36, 46).
1.
The relationship between these two statements is that
Jesus is the source of light; Christians are the reflection of His light.
2.
Our function is to shine for Him just as the moon
reflects the glory of the sun.
b.
A godly life gives convincing testimony of the saving
power of God. This brings Him glory. (1 Pet. 2:12).
c.
A light is
meant to shine and give direction.
1.
Beattitude Christians (vs 3-10)
would obviously radiate and point others to the proper path of
righteousness—Jesus Christ.
2.
Our influence should be evident, like a city that is set on a hill or a candle . . . on its candlestick.
3.
A concealed lamp, placed under
a bushel [bowl] (a clay container for measuring grain)
would be useless.
4.
Light-radiating believers live so that others see their good
works and give praise to or “glorify”
God! It’s all about our Father which is in heaven.
2.
Your Testimony for Christ Should be Obvious. The
Christian is like a city that is set on a hill:
it is obvious and elevated above its surroundings and it shines in the midst of
darkness. Those whose lives exhibit the traits of Christ’s teaching cannot be hid.
a. Christ's
disciples must live for Christ, shining like lights in a dark world, showing
clearly what Christ is like.
b. Who
could hide a city that is sitting on top of a hill? Lanterns glowing from
behind its walls send a light at night that can be seen for miles.
c. Because
Jesus is the Light of the World, his
followers must reflect His light. If we live for Christ, we will glow like
lights, showing others what Christ is like.
d. Why
would anyone try to hide a light?
Unfortunately many Christians do just that. We hide our light by:
1. Being
quiet when we should speak
2. Going
along with the crowd
3. Denying
the truth
4. Letting
sin dim our witness for Christ
5. Not
explaining the truth to others
6. Ignoring
the needs of others or failing to help
7. Be
a beacon of truth -- don't shut off your light from the rest of the world.
3. Don’t
Hide Your Light, But Share It With Others. People do not light a lamp and
put it under a basket. Instead, they put it on a lamp stand so that it will
give light unto all that are in the house.
a. He
did not intend that we hoard the light of His teaching for ourselves, but that
we share it with others.
1. Being
Christ's disciples means being distinctive.
2. Being
Christ's disciples means spreading the light to everyone in the house -- that
is, everyone with whom they have contact.
·
Matthew 28:18-20, And
Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven
and in earth. [19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [20] Teaching
them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with
you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
·
2 Cor. 4:3-6, But if our
gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: [4] In whom the god of this
world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the
glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. [5]
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your
servants for Jesus' sake. [6] For God, who commanded the light to shine out of
darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the
glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
3. The
lower lights surrounding a lighthouse guide the boats in the harbor away from
the treacherous rocks and into the channel. The interesting analogy in the hymn
Let the Lower Lights Be Burning was suggested to author and composer
Philip P. Bliss as he listened to D. L. Moody tell a sermon anecdote about a
pilot during a storm.
·
“Brethren,” concluded Mr. Moody, “the Master
will take care of the great lighthouse. Let us keep the lower lights burning.”
Bliss, as he often did, immediately put this challenging thought into a hymn.
He usually worked rapidly, completing both the text and the music in one
sitting.
·
We may not all be powerful lighthouses, such as
Mr. Moody, Ira Sankey, or Philip Bliss, but God calls us each to be “lower lights”
wherever we are to guide some fainting, struggling person to the eternal haven
with deeds that direct all the praise to our heavenly Father.
·
“Brightly
beams our Father’s mercy from His lighthouse evermore, but to us He gives the
keeping of the lights along the shore.
Dark the night of sin has settled. Loud the
angry billows roar; eager eyes are watching, longing for the lights along the
shore.
Trim your feeble lamp, my brother! Some poor
sailor tempest tossed, trying now to make the harbor, in the darkness may be
lost.
Chorus: Let the lower lights be burning! Send a gleam
across the wave! Some poor fainting, struggling seaman you may rescue, you may
save.”
4. Resolve
to keep a gleam burning for Christ by words and actions so that some seeking
individual may be directed into a calm and secure relationship with the Lord.
b. We
should let our light so shine that
as people see our good works, they
will glorify our Father in heaven.
1. The
believer's light shines not for himself but to reflect the light back to the
Father and so direct people to Him.
·
Isaiah 61:3, To appoint
unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of
joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they
might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he
might be glorified.
·
John 15:8, Herein is my
Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
·
2 Thes. 1:10-12, When he
[Christ Jesus] shall come to be glorified
in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our
testimony among you was believed) in that day. [11] Wherefore also we pray
always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil
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 ye
in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. In
an attempt to steer clear of works for gaining righteousness, good works are often neglected in church life
today.
·
But clearly the Bible supports the importance of
doing good (see Eph 2:8-10; 4:12; 1 Tim 5:10; 6:18; 2
Tim 2:21; 3:17; Titus 3:1,8,14; James 1:22; 2:14-26; 3:13).
·
Good works
are important not only as a witness to others but as a continuation of the work
Christ began on earth.
·
Titus 2:14, Who gave
himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto
himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
·
2 Tim. 3:17, That the
man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
·
Hebrews 10:24-25, And
let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: [25]
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is;
but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
·
1 Peter 2:12, Having
your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against
you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold,
glorify God in the day of visitation.
·
James 2:19-20, Thou
believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and
tremble. [20] But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is
dead?
·
“I do
not ask for mighty words to leave the crowd impressed, But grant my life may
ring so true my neighbors shall be blessed.
I do not ask for
influence to sway the multitude; Give me a “word in season” for the soul in
solitude.” —Unknown
·
“Do not wait until some deed of greatness you
may do … but brighten the corner where you are!” “Brighten the corner where you are! Brighten
the corner where you are! Someone far from harbor you may guide across the bar;
brighten the corner where you are!”
·
Resolve that regardless of the frustrating and
mundane duties you may face, you will, with God’s help, do them cheerfully as
unto the Lord, seeking to bring some spark of joy and kindness into the life of
another.
3. Who
gets the spotlight when you witness for Jesus -- God or you?
·
When you work all day on a service project, give
testimony on Sunday, or lead the church building campaign, whose image and
reputation is most important?
·
Your life is what people see, but the spotlight
is all God's. Not that God needs an image boost, but the focus of your witness
should always point beyond you to the one you represent.
·
Give your ego a break and give the honor to God.
The emphasis is on the ministry of Christian
character. The winsomeness of lives in which Christ is seen speaks louder than
the persuasion of words. 
