THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

Matthew 5: 14- 16
14 Kayo ang ilaw ng sanglibutan. Ang isang bayan na
natatayo sa ibabaw ng isang bundok ay hindi maitatago. 15
Hindi rin nga pinaniningasan ang isang ilawan, at inilalagay
sa ilalim ng isang takalan, kundi sa talagang lalagyan ng ilaw;
at lumiliwanag sa lahat ng nangasa bahay. 16 Lumiwanag na
gayon ang inyong ilaw sa harap ng mga tao; upang
mangakita nila ang inyong mabubuting gawa, at kanilang
luwalhatiin ang inyong Ama na nasa langit.

INTRODUCTION:

A couple took their young son and daughter to a cave. When the
tour reached the deepest point in the cave, the guide turned off all
the lights to dramatize how completely dark and silent it is below
the earth's surface. The little girl, suddenly enveloped in utter
darkness, was frightened and began to cry. Then she heard the
voice of her brother, saying, "Don't cry. Somebody here knows
how to turn on the lights."

This is the good news of Jesus Christ. There is somebody who is

able to turn on the lights for those engulfed in the darkness of sin.
But you may be surprised about where Jesus says this light is
found. Matthew 5:14 says, "You are the light of the world."

These familiar words have massive implications. Think about it.

God created light. Genesis 1:3 says, " At sinabi ng Dios
Magkaroon ng liwanag; at nagkaroon ng liwanag." James
1:17 says, "Ang bawa't mabuting kaloob at ang bawa't sakdal
na kaloob ay pawang buhat sa itaas, na bumababa mula sa
Ama ng mga ilaw, na walang pagbabago, ni kahit anino man
ng pagiiba."

Likewise, God controls the light. In Joshua 10, Israel's army is

defeating its enemy in battle. But the sun began to go down,
giving the enemy an opportunity to retreat. Joshua prayed. And
the Lord made the sun stand still, until the fighting men of Israel
defeated the enemy. I cannot explain how God did that. But the
Bible says it and I believe it. God controls the light.
In fact, God is light. 1 John 1:5 says, "At ito ang pasabing
aming narinig sa kaniya at sa inyo'y aming ibinabalita, na ang
Dios ay ilaw, at sa kaniya'y walang anomang kadiliman."

In John 8:12, Jesus declares, " Muli ngang nagsalita sa kanila

si Jesus, na sinasabi, Ako ang ilaw ng sanglibutan: ang
sumusunod sa akin ay hindi lalakad sa kadiliman, kundi
magkakaroon ng ilaw ng kabuhayan." In this statement, Jesus
claims to be God. It was a scandalous claim.

But Jesus makes an even more scandalous claim in Matthew

5:14: "Kayo ang ilaw ng sanglibutan." This is the second of two
statements about how Christ-followers maximize kingdom
influence. Matthew 5:13 says: " Kayo ang asin ng lupa: nguni't
kung ang asin ay tumabang, ay ano ang ipagpapaalat? wala
nang ano pa mang kabuluhan, kundi upang itapon sa labas at
yurakan ng mga tao."

Salt is a dynamic metaphor for the influence Christians are to

have in the world. But it is not as powerful as the metaphor of
light. Salt seasons.

Light transforms. Jesus says, "You are the light of the world." The
pronoun "you" is plural. The church and every redeemed member
is the light of the world. It is emphatic: "You, and only you, are
the light of the world." What a wonderful privilege, awesome
responsibility, and important stewardship! The Lord wants to use
you to change the world! Let's consider the call to be the light of
the world by asking three questions of the text.

I. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD?

In verse 14, Jesus says: "Kayo ang ilaw ng sanglibutan."

Jesus does not command us to become light. He says you are
light. The pronoun is plural. Followers of Christ are the light of the
world. This metaphor teaches that God is more concerned about
what you are than what you do. Character precedes performance.
A godly life is the foundation for good works. Before any call to
action, Jesus defines our identity in him. You are the light of the
world. There is bad news and good news here.
A. THE WORLD IS DARK.

When you are in the dark, you cannot see. Things are not clear.
You trip over little things. You bump into other people. You run
into things. You hurt yourself. You cannot find what you are
looking for. And you easily get lost in the dark.

Isaiah 60:1-2 says, "Ikaw ay bumangon, sumilang ka:

sapagka't ang iyong liwanag ay dumating, at ang
kaluwalhatian ng Panginoon ay sumikat sa iyo. 2 Sapagka't
narito, tatakpan ng kadiliman ang lupa, at ng salimuot na
dilim ang mga bayan: nguni't ang Panginoon ay sisikat sa
iyo, at ang kaniyang kaluwalhatian ay makikita sa iyo." The
world is covered with intense and intentional darkness.

IT IS INTENSE DARKNESS.

In Genesis 19, God sent two angels to rescue Lot and his family
before he destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot, Abraham's
nephew, met them at the gate. Lot invited the two men home with
him. They rejected his invitation. But Lot insisted. The men of the
city gathered outside of Lot's house, demanding the two men be
brought out. Lot offered to send out his two virgin daughters,
rather than his two male guests. But they threatened Lot and tried
to knock down the door right thru him. But the angels snatched Lot
into the house.

Genesis 19:11 reads: "At ang mga taong nangasa pintuan ng

bahay ay mga pinagbulag nila, ang munti't malaki: ano pa't
sila'y nangayamot sa paghahanap ng pintuan." This is the
intense darkness of the world. People wear themselves out
fumbling after sin.

IT IS INTENTIONAL DARKNESS.

John 3:16-17 says, "16 Sapagka't gayon na lamang ang

pagsinta ng Dios sa sanglibutan, na ibinigay niya ang
kaniyang bugtong na Anak, upang ang sinomang sa kaniya'y
sumampalataya ay huwag mapahamak, kundi magkaroon ng
buhay na walang hanggan. 17 Sapagka't hindi sinugo ng Dios
ang Anak sa sanglibutan upang hatulan ang sanglibutan;
kundi upang ang sanglibutan ay maligtas sa pamamagitan
niya." These are famous and important words.

The next two verses are not as famous but just as important.
John 3:18-19 says, "18 Ang sumasampalataya sa kaniya ay
hindi hinahatulan; ang hindi sumasampalataya ay hinatulan
na, sapagka't hindi siya sumampalataya sa pangalan ng
bugtong na Anak ng Dios. 19 At ito ang kahatulan, na
naparito ang ilaw sa sanglibutan, at inibig pa ng mga tao ang
kadiliman kay sa ilaw; sapagka't masasama ang kanilang
mga gawa." Light has come in the person of the Lord Jesus
Christ. But the world rejects the light to enjoy the darkness.
 People love darkness rather than light.
 People love sin rather than righteousness.
 People love iniquity rather than holiness.
 People love lies rather than truth.
 People love deception rather than reality.
 People love self rather than God.
 People love worldly pleasure rather than spiritual
blessings.

B. CHRISTIANS ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.

CHRISTIANS ARE REFLECTED LIGHT.

In John 9:5, Jesus says, "Samantalang ako'y nasa

sanglibutan, ako ang ilaw ng sanglibutan." But in Matthew
5:14, Jesus says to his disciples, "Kayo ang ilaw ng
sanglibutan." How is it Jesus is the light of the world and we are
the light of the world?

The simple answer is that we are not the light, in and of ourselves.
Christian light is reflected light. It does not originate with us. It
comes from and through the Lord Jesus Christ. When Christ was
in the world; he was like the shining sun at midday. When the sun
sets, the moon comes up. But the moon does not shine with its
own light. It reflects the light of the sun.

BROOKE FOSS WESTCOTT wrote: "At times the church has

been a full moon, dazzling the world with an almost daytime
light. And at other times the church has been only a
thumbnail moon, with very little light shining upon the earth.
But whether the church is a full moon or a new thumbnail
moon, waxing or waning, it reflects the light of the Son."
IT IS INHERENT LIGHT.

1 Peter 2:9 says, "Datapuwa't kayo'y isang lahing hirang,

isang makaharing pagkasaserdote, bansang banal, bayang
pagaaring sarili ng Dios, upang inyong ipahayag ang mga
karangalan niyaong tumawag sa inyo mula sa kadiliman,
hanggang sa kaniyang kagilagilalas na kaliwanagan:" Without
Christ, we were in the dark. But God has called us into his
marvelous light. But we are not just in the light. We are light.

Ephesians 5:8 says, " Sapagka't noong panahon kayo'y

kadiliman, datapuwa't ngayon kayo'y kaliwanagan sa
Panginoon: magsilakad kayong gaya ng mga anak ng
kaliwanagan." We were the personification of darkness. But now
we are light in the Lord. The Lord did not merely change our
circumstances. He made a change within us. We who were
darkness are now light in the Lord.

JAMES MONTGOMERY BOICE wrote: "If it is only a question

of seeking the light or living in the light, then Christianity is
no different from any other religion or philosophy, and there
is no more hope from it than from any of them. But if
becoming a Christian involves a change from darkness to
light, then the presence of Christians in the world is itself
hope as together we stand against the darkness."

II. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BEING THE LIGHT OF

THE WORLD.

In verses 14b-15, Jesus explains that light cannot and should not
be hidden.

A. LIGHT CANNOT BE HIDDEN.

Matthew 5:14 says, "Kayo ang ilaw ng sanglibutan. Ang isang

bayan na natatayo sa ibabaw ng isang bundok ay hindi
maitatago." Ancient travelers did not have bright lights, directional
signs, and paved highways to aid their journey. Most people only
traveled during the day. Sometimes the darkness would fall before
the traveler made it to the next town. The darkness would put him
in a dangerous situation. Thieves, robbers, and predators waited
to take advantage of the vulnerable sojourner. But when the
traveler saw the lights of the hilltop city, it brought direction,
comfort, and safety. That is what Jesus calls us to be in this dark
world. The church is a city set on the hill that cannot be hidden. As
kingdom citizens, it should be impossible to blend in with the
world. The world understands this. When they catch us saying or
doing something we should not, they say, "I thought you were a
Christian." They are right. If you are a Christian, you ought to
stand out.

B. LIGHT SHOULD NOT BE HIDDEN.

Verse 14 says it is impossible to hide light: "Ang isang bayan

na natatayo sa ibabaw ng isang bundok ay hindi maitatago."
Verse 15 says it is illogical to hide light: "Hindi rin nga
pinaniningasan ang isang ilawan, at inilalagay sa ilalim ng
isang takalan, kundi sa talagang lalagyan ng ilaw; at
lumiliwanag sa lahat ng nangasa bahay." This ridiculous
scenario is an important warning about kingdom influence.

A city set on the hill speaks of the position God gives us in

salvation. A light hidden under the basket speaks of the purpose
the Lord gives us in salvation. God didn't save you to hide you.
Salt works covertly. Its power operates as it disappears into the
food. But light works openly.

Proverbs 31:18 commends the virtuous woman: "Kaniyang

namamalas na ang kaniyang kalakal ay makikinabang: Ang
kaniyang ilaw ay hindi namamatay sa gabi." While others
sleep, she keeps the lights burning as she continues working for
her family. This is how the Christian should live in the world. We
are to live openly, consistently, and boldly for others to see Jesus
in us. What is it that tempts you to hide your light?

1 Thessalonians 5:5 says: " Sapagka't kayong lahat ay

pawang mga anak ng kaliwanagan, at mga anak ng araw:
tayo'y hindi ng gabi, ni ng kadiliman man." Human parents get
upset when their children leave lights on in the house. But the
heavenly Father gets upset when his children turn off the lights.
Don't let anything make you hide your light!
III. WHAT IS YOUR DUTY AS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD?

Verse 16 commands: "Lumiwanag na gayon ang inyong ilaw

sa harap ng mga tao; upang mangakita nila ang inyong
mabubuting gawa, at kanilang luwalhatiin ang inyong Ama na
nasa langit."

A. THE MANDATE (ANG UTOS)

Verse 16 says: ""Lumiwanag na gayon ang inyong ilaw sa

harap ng mga tao." This is no recommendation. It is a divine
mandate. Jesus commands us to shine as lights. There are no
imperatives in the "salt" metaphor of verse 13. Jesus seems to
trust the hearer to get the point of salt losing its flavor. Like unsalty
salt, worldly Christians are spiritually useless. But he does not
leave it to us figure out the point of the "light" metaphor. Jesus
explicitly commands us to let our lights shine before others. It is
not enough to let our lights shine Sunday mornings when all the
lights get together for corporate worship. We are to let our lights
shine at all times, in every place, no matter the circumstances.

B. THE MODE (ANG PARAAN)

Jesus commands: "upang mangakita nila ang inyong

mabubuting gawa," Jesus does not say others should hear our
words. He says others should see our works.

Romans 10:14 asks: " Paano nga silang magsisitawag doon

sa hindi nila sinampalatayanan? at paano silang
magsisisampalataya sa kaniya na hindi nila napakinggan? at
paano silang mangakikinig na walang tagapangaral?" Hearing
is essential for salvation. But what people hear us say should not
be contradicted by what they see us do. We must declare the truth
of Christ and demonstrate the love of Christ.

The world should see our good works. The word "good" refers to
apparent goodness. The Christian life should be filled with works
of service that make Christ attractive to others. Titus 2:10 exhorts
believers to "upang pamutihan sa lahat ng mga bagay ang aral
ng Dios na ating Tagapagligtas." The verb "adorn" is where we
get our word "cosmetics." Our good works should make Christ
beautiful to others. Good works are a key way to go public for
Jesus. We don't shout at the darkness. We turn on the lights by
showing
the mercy of Christ in dark places.

C. THE MOTIVE (ANG DAHILAN)

Why should we let our lights shine in the world? Verse 16

answers: "at kanilang luwalhatiin ang inyong Ama na nasa
langit." Others should see your good works. But you should not
get the credit for what they see. Your good works should cause
others to give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

In Christ we are beneficiaries of the amazing grace and sovereign

authority of God. We are covered by God's love and power. This is
why we should let our lights shine. So, others may see our good
works and give glory to our Father who is in heaven.

JOHN MACARTHUR wrote: "This is the supreme calling of

life: glorifying God. Everything we do is to cause others to
give praise to the God who is the source of all that is good."