Key Scriptures: Matthew 5:14-16
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
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Throughout scripture, light is the major theme of God’s working in creation and in the world.
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Lesson one: The voice of God bringing light into creation.
• The voice of God speaks into the void and brings light
• The Word of God is the light of God that comes into the world and into our lives.
Genesis 1:1-3, In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep but the Spirit of God was hovering the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
Psalm 119:105, Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
Psalm 119:130, The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
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Lesson Two: The person of Christ bringing light into our lives.
• Jesus brings us from death to life by bringing us out of darkness and into his light
John 8:12, 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.”
1 Peter 2:9, But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness and into marvelous light.
Matthew 4:12-16, When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”
Isaiah 9:6, For to us a child is born, a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Luke 2:8-9, And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
Phose Hilaron—Hail gladdening Light, of its pure glory poured—who is the immortal Father, heavenly, blessed—holiest of Holies Jesus Christ our Lord. Now we are come to the sun’s hour of rest—the lights of evening round us shine—we hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit divine! Worthiest art thou at all times to be sung—with undefiled tongue—Son of our God, giver of life alone—therefore in all the world Thy glories, Lord, they own.
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Lesson Three: The people of God commissioned to be the light of the world.
• If the world is going to see and know the glory of God, it’s going to be because we shine brightly
2 Corinthians 4:5-7, For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.