Light of the World

Hope Mwemba

Midland SDA Church

February 4, 2012

Matthew 5:14-16 – the Sermon on the Mount. Are we the salt of the earth? Are we the light of the world?  Do we witness to the ones closest to us, the people we spend most of our time with? Our colleagues at our work places… can they see Christ in us, can they see His light shining through us or  have we become complaisant and blended in with the world if not worse. Can those around us see the one who resides in us? (Song –Love is the flag flown high from the castle of my heart) Do we join in on conversations that are not pleasing in God’s sight? Do we laugh at jokes or take no stand verbally or otherwise when our workmates/classmates are saying things or using words that you can not dare repeat in front of your Christian friends, better yet our savior? Do we make every opportunity a teachable moment? Christ did when He lived on this earth and He is the best teacher ever lived. He was the greatest because He had His father’s mission in focus all the time. He came and took on the human form so He could set an example for us. He lived among sinners but yet He was without sin. He lived in the world but did not become of the world.

Titus 2:11-14 “a Peculiar People”

Deuteronomy 14:2 “A peculiar people unto himself

1 Peter 2:9 – “a chosen generation – a peculiar people – called out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Talk about Kenneth Wuest – a Greek scholar who provides an interpretation of the Greek word “Peripoiesis” The Greek word means “to make around, that is to make something and then surround it with a circle, thus indicating ownership”. We are God’s possessions!

The world does not want us to be peculiar. To the world the term may mean some one who is weird, unusual, different, etc. Are we peculiar enough?

How about in our own families? I think that witnessing to our own family members is the most challenging task or mission. Witnessing to our own family members can be rewarding if we kept in our minds the fact that what ever we would like the people from the outside to see in us, should first be seen by those closest to us. Otherwise we are living a lie. Have you heard about the PK’s (preachers’ kids) and why many times they turn out to be the most rebellious kids? They are constantly seeking their parents attention amidst the pressures from their parent’s flock to be holy, but what we don’t know is that many times they receive only bread crumbs type of attention and not the actual bread.

I once read a story about a 2^nd grade teacher who one afternoon decided to ask her students to write down who they wanted to become when they grew up. She said that she received all kinds of responses ranging from firefighter to astronaut, but one response in particular touched her heart. It was from a little girl who wrote that she would like to become a guest when she grew up. When she asked the little girl the next day why she wanted to grow up to be a guest, she responded by saying, my parents are always inviting guests to our house, and my dad spends a lot of time talking to the guests while my mom serves them with the best meals ever and uses dishes we never ever use when we eat as a family. My dad is so kind to the children that often comes with the adult guests and my mom lets the kids play with my toys even the ones I do not play with often because I do not want them to get damaged. I would do anything to have my dad treat me with so much kindness, love and gentleness.  Can our children say we are gentle, loving towards them and forgiving and not quick to punish? Can they see Christ in us? Do our actions around the homes match those of our loving Savior? Can our families see Christ in us? Can they testify if asked to that indeed the savior lives within us. Was Christ a different person when He was out preaching than when He was with His family/disciples? How did He treat those closest to Him? (Mary, Lazarus, defending His disciple’s actions)

How about our spouses? Can they truly see Christ in us. Do we witness to each other? How kind are we towards one another? Do we speak about Christ to each other? Is our every encounter with each family member a witnessing moment? Is our every encounter with another human being Christ centered? ( I am sure you have heard of the slogan “what would Jesus Do” WWJD) Do we stop to ask Jesus what He would do when we find ourselves losing our focus of Him and on the verge of doing or saying something that is unpleasing in His sight? Are we quick to judge, criticize, put down those around us or are slow to anger, gentle with our words, compassionate and understanding? Are we quick to forgive or do we spend hours planning just how we can get even with our family members, co-workers, neighbors etc?

How about those we manage, or teach, we have power/authority over, can they see Christ in us.  (Talk about David’s comments regarding a math experience for his boys turning into a spiritual thing)*. How about your students, the people at the grocery store, can they see something wonderfully different about you? Or are you the most mean professor, care giver, nurse doctor co-worker, they have ever seen? (Talk about Patient education in nursing)* Can we apply the same concept to our mission here on earth?  I am not saying we should sacrifice the quality of education but we can uphold the highest standards of education while teaching students to be the most gentle, honest, compassionate workers. Christ was the greatest critical thinking educator. The great I am never missed an opportunity.

How about the people in the grocery stores or on the streets, can they see the light in us? How about our neighbors, have we talked to our neighbors enough? (Talk about Mary Ann’s speech in Sabbath school)* The Eulogy for Mrs. Grethel Moll- “the light has gone out at that house” by Mrs. Tait and Mrs. Schell. Do not miss or pass the opportunity to tell some body about God’s love for them. What is keeping us from talking to people about our savior? What is keeping you from reflecting His light? Remember who you are—God’s chosen people, “a peculiar people”.

Let your light shine- for you are the light of the world!