NOW YOU SEE ME

Matthew 5:14-16

THE DISCIPLE’S HANDBOOKStudies in the Sermon on the Mount

THE DISCIPLE’S HANDBOOK

Disciple’s Character

Code

Worship Economy

Relationships

Choices

THE DISCIPLE’S CHARACTERLifestyles of the Poor and Nameless (5:1-5)

With Liberty and Justice for Me (5:6-8)

Peace Without Honor (5:9-12)

Oh, My Goodness! (5:13)

Now You See Me (5:14-16)

A METAPHOR: LIGHTMatthew 5:14-16

Matthew 5:14 "You are the light of the world.

Isaiah 42:6 "I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles

Matthew 4:16 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."

John 1:9 The true light that gives light

to every man was coming into the

world.

John 8:12 "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

John 12:46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in

darkness.

John 12:36 Put your trust in the light while

you have it, so that you may become sons of

light."

34%

66%

2. Which do you believe better expresses the meaning of "You are the light of the world"?

As the moon reflects the sun's light, we reflect Jesus' light to the worldAs we develop the character Jesus has been describing, his light shines from within us

Ephesians 5:8-10 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light … 10 and find out what pleases the Lord.

2 Corinthians 4:6 For God … made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of

the glory of God in the face of Christ.

Matthew 5:14 "You are the light of the world.

Matthew 5:14 “… A city on a hill cannot be

hidden.

49%51%

3. Some believe the "city on a hill" is a reference to Jerusalem (see Isaiah 62). Do you agree?

YesNo

Mathew 5:15 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.

Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before

men, that they may see your good deeds

and praise your Father in heaven.

1 Peter 2:11-12 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

WHAT WE’VE TRIED1. Isolation

1 Corinthians 5:9-11 I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral… In that case you would have to leave this world. 11 But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is immoral.

WHAT WE’VE TRIED1. Isolation2. Proclamation

1 Corinthians 2:4-5

My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.

WHAT WE NEED TO DO1. Make Contact

John 17:11, 15, 18

I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. … 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. … 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.

WHAT WE NEED TO DO1. Make Contact2. Build Relationships

1 Thessalonians 1:5; 2:7-9 You know how we lived among you for your sake. … 2:7 We were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. 8 We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. 9 Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel.

WHAT WE NEED TO DO1. Make Contact2. Build Relationships3. Be available

1 Peter 3:15

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

WHAT WE NEED TO DO1. Make Contact2. Build Relationships3. Be available4. Point to Jesus

Philippians 2:14-16

Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16 as you hold out the word of life.

28%

17%6%

2%2%

15%

30%

1. Whose influence most helped you come to faith?

MotherFatherGrandmotherGrandfatherBrother or sisterNeighborFriendOther

13%

19%

6%6%

13%

25%

19%

Breakdown of "other" as influences who helped you come to faith

Both parentsSpouseChildrenMother-in-lawHoly SpiritPDCOCChurch members (non-specific)

26%

13%

2%

28%

23%8%

4. How are you most likely to hide your light?

Being quiet when you should speakGoing along with the crowdDenying the lightLetting sin dim your lightNot explaining your light to othersIgnoring the needs of others