Shining Christ's Light: Love, Truth, and Influence
Summary
The sermon emphasizes the importance of knowing and worshiping the truth found in Jesus Christ, and not just having knowledge about Him. The pastor uses the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well to illustrate this point. The woman's response to Jesus revealing Himself as the Messiah is to share this good news with others, demonstrating the importance of sharing the gospel without condemnation or shame. The pastor also discusses the concept of being the light of the world, emphasizing the need to shine the light of Christ to all, and not be infected by darkness.
The pastor acknowledges that if people do not see the light in believers, they will not be drawn to it. The challenge then becomes how to show the light of Christ without being perceived as "jerks for Jesus." The pastor encourages the congregation to make others thirsty for the light of Christ. He warns against ignoring the darkness or isolating themselves in a Christian "Country Club," as this would dim the light and prevent others from seeing it.
The pastor discusses the encounter between Jesus and a Samaritan woman at a well. He emphasizes that nobody else wanted to talk to this woman, especially the Pharisees who considered her a sinner. However, Jesus approaches her differently, speaking to her in a way that no one else has before. He speaks truth to her, introducing the concept of living water. The woman recognizes Jesus as a prophet and brings up the topic of worship. The pastor highlights the importance of calling out sin, as Jesus did in this interaction.
The pastor discusses the importance of delivering messages with love, patience, and kindness. He emphasizes the need to approach others in a conversational manner rather than simply pointing out their wrongdoings. The pastor uses the example of a conversation between Jesus and a woman to illustrate his point. The woman initially takes offense and tries to pivot the conversation away from Christianity, but Jesus responds by answering her questions and addressing her concerns. He explains that there will come a time when true worship will not be limited to a specific location, but will be based on worshiping in spirit and truth.
The pastor begins by describing a dark cave and how coming out into the light can be uncomfortable at first. He relates this to a woman in the Bible who is living in darkness and sees light for the first time. The pastor emphasizes the importance of letting our light shine and not hiding our faith. He encourages Christians to proclaim their faith and own it.
Key Takeaways:
- The encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well illustrates the importance of sharing the gospel without condemnation or shame. The woman's response to Jesus revealing Himself as the Messiah is to share this good news with others, demonstrating the importance of sharing the gospel without condemnation or shame ([12:45]).
- The pastor emphasizes the need to shine the light of Christ to all, and not be infected by darkness. If people do not see the light in believers, they will not be drawn to it. The challenge then becomes how to show the light of Christ without being perceived as "jerks for Jesus" ([22:30]).
- The pastor highlights the importance of calling out sin, as Jesus did in his interaction with the Samaritan woman at the well. He speaks truth to her, introducing the concept of living water. The woman recognizes Jesus as a prophet and brings up the topic of worship ([34:15]).
- The pastor discusses the importance of delivering messages with love, patience, and kindness. He emphasizes the need to approach others in a conversational manner rather than simply pointing out their wrongdoings. The pastor uses the example of a conversation between Jesus and a woman to illustrate his point ([45:20]).
- The pastor emphasizes the importance of letting our light shine and not hiding our faith. He encourages Christians to proclaim their faith and own it. He relates this to a woman in the Bible who is living in darkness and sees light for the first time ([56:30]).
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 5:15-16: "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.”
2. Matthew 5:13: "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”
3. John 4:7-19: "When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, 'Will you give me a drink?' (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, 'You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?' (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, 'If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.' 'Sir,' the woman said, 'you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?' Jesus answered, 'Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.' The woman said to him, 'Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.' He told her, 'Go, call your husband and come back.' 'I have no husband,' she replied. Jesus said to her, 'You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.' 'Sir,' the woman said, 'I can see that you are a prophet.'"
Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 5:15-16, what is the purpose of the light and where should it be placed?
2. In Matthew 5:13, what happens when the salt loses its saltiness and what is its fate?
3. In John 4:7-19, how does Jesus approach the Samaritan woman and what does He offer her?
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the light in Matthew 5:15-16 symbolize and how does it relate to our lives as believers?
2. How does the concept of salt losing its saltiness in Matthew 5:13 apply to our spiritual lives?
3. In John 4:7-19, what does the living water that Jesus offers to the Samaritan woman represent?
Application Questions:
1. How can you let your light shine before others in a way that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven in your workplace or school this week?
2. Can you identify an area in your life where you feel you've lost your 'saltiness'? What is one step you can take to regain it?
3. Think of someone in your life who, like the Samaritan woman, might be thirsting for the living water. How can you introduce them to Jesus this week?
4. Reflect on a recent conversation where you might have come across as a "jerk for Jesus." How can you approach such conversations differently in the future?
5. How can you ensure that you are not isolating yourself in a Christian "Country Club," but instead shining your light for others to see?
Devotional
Day 1: Sharing the Gospel with Love and Patience
The encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of sharing the gospel without condemnation or shame. It is crucial to approach others with love, patience, and kindness, even when discussing difficult topics. This approach not only fosters understanding but also opens the door for meaningful conversations about faith. [12:45]
Bible Passage: Colossians 4:6 - "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent conversation where you had the opportunity to share your faith. How did you approach the conversation? How can you incorporate more love, patience, and kindness into your future discussions about faith?
Day 2: Being the Light in the Darkness
As believers, we are called to be the light of the world. This means shining the light of Christ to all and not being infected by darkness. It is a challenge to show the light of Christ without being perceived negatively, but we are encouraged to make others thirsty for the light. [22:30]
Bible Passage: Ephesians 5:8 - "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light."
Reflection: How can you shine the light of Christ in your daily interactions? What are some practical ways you can make others thirsty for the light?
Day 3: Addressing Difficult Conversations with Patience
People often avoid addressing their own problems or issues, especially when it comes to matters of faith. However, Jesus demonstrated the importance of patience and understanding in these conversations. He answered the woman's question about worship, showing that even difficult topics can be addressed with grace and wisdom. [34:15]
Bible Passage: James 1:19 - "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry."
Reflection: Think about a recent conversation where you avoided addressing a difficult topic. How can you approach such conversations with more patience and understanding in the future?
Day 4: Being the Salt of the Earth
As Christians, we are called to be the salt of the earth. This means standing out and making others curious about what sets us apart. By being a positive influence on others, we can ultimately lead them to Jesus Christ. [45:50]
Bible Passage: Colossians 4:5 - "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity."
Reflection: How can you be a positive influence on those around you? What is one specific way you can stand out and make others curious about your faith?
Day 5: The Consequences of Disobedience
The story of Solomon's disobedience to God's commands serves as a warning about the consequences of our actions. Even seemingly insignificant actions can have a lasting impact on future generations. Solomon's decision to go against biblical teachings led to a downward spiral, reminding us of the importance of obedience to God's commands. [58:20]
Bible Passage: Proverbs 14:12 - "There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent decision you made that went against God's commands. What were the consequences of this decision? How can you ensure obedience to God's commands in your future decisions?
Quotes
1. "I know about Jesus yeah but do you actually know Jesus? Do you have a relationship with him? Have you made him Lord and savior of your life?"
2. "We share the gospel in a way that doesn't condemn people, that doesn't really get at them and make them shameful, but it calls out the sin. Yes, but it says hey this is the gospel, this is what Jesus did for you so now that you can walk in sanctification and salvation."
3. "What happens when we are not ignoring the darkness, not confronting it, but we're being infected by the darkness? Are we letting the darkness start to infect us in a way where we're not even showing our light at all?"
4. "In this conversation, Jesus challenges the woman's understanding of worship and the physical act of drawing water from the well. He introduces the idea of worshiping in spirit and truth, emphasizing that true worship is not limited to a specific location or ritual. He invites her to a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God."
5. "The woman's response to Jesus' offer of living water reveals her desire for something more. She recognizes the limitations of physical water and expresses her longing for a source of water that will satisfy her thirst permanently. Her request for this water shows her openness to the possibility of a new and transformative experience."
6. "They're not even going to see the light if they don't see the light in us. They're not even going to come right if they don't see the light in us."
7. "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet."
8. "Does it really hurt anybody? Does it hurt anyone for Solomon to have that much wealth and many wives? Well, it may not seem like it, but eventually his heart turned away from God and he led the whole nation astray, worshiping other idols."
9. "Even if we think that a little bit of darkness or compromise won't hurt anyone, we need to consider the impact on future generations. Are we really setting a good example for our children by justifying small wrongdoings?"
10. "He's doing it in a conversation manner, he's doing it with love, patience, he's doing it with kindness and he's just saying, 'Hey, you're wrong about this.'"
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