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Stones Hill Community Church
250 Candles, 1 Light - Matthew 5:13-16
As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday, we think about candles on a cake. Two hundred fifty candles on one birthday cake? Wow! 250 candles representing 250 years of history, struggle, sacrifice, blessing, failure, repentance, courage, and providence. Yet in the midst of them all, shines one true Light—the light of Christ that has guided generations and continues to shine today.
Locations & Times
Ligonier, IN
151 W Stones Hill Rd, Ligonier, IN 46767, USA
Saturday 5:00 PM
MESSAGE TEXT
Matthew 5:13-16
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PROPOSITION
People who stay close to Christ become impossible to ignore because His light naturally shines through them. Matthew 5:13-16 gives Jesus gives three memorable WORD-PICTURES that show how ordinary believers become extraordinary influence. God specializes in using what might seem like small, but faithful people to make a disproportionate Kingdom difference.
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OUTLINE
Salt of the Earth (it preserves and seasons):
Stay Distinct and Preserve What is Decaying (v.13)
Don’t dilute it.
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Light of the World (it reveals and exposes):
Stay Visible and Shine Where it is Dark (v.14-15)
Don’t obscure it.
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Glorifier of the Father (your influence points people to God)
Stay Humble and Frame God's Character (v.16)
Don't steal the glory.
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Don't be tasteless and bland — you're salt.
Don't go into hiding and cower — you're light.
Don't showboat and steal the glory — you're a window.
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CONCLUSION
America has had many remarkable lights throughout her history—Washington, Adams, Franklin, countless pastors, missionaries, soldiers, teachers, and faithful citizens. But every candle eventually burns out. Every human light fades. There is only one Light that never goes out. Jesus Christ is the Light of the World. Our hope is not finally in the brightness of America, but in the brightness of Christ. And only when His light fills us can we become lights to our nation. Because Jesus entered our darkness as the true Light and bore our corruption as the true Salt, His people are now free to engage a dark world without compromising and to shine without fear. Christ is: the One who never hid, the One who never compromised, the One who absorbed the world's decay on the cross, the One whose entire life glorified the Father. Unlike us, Jesus never lost His saltiness. He never hid His light. He never stole His Father's glory. Instead, He gave Himself away. Because He was "thrown out" by the world (echoing the discarded salt imagery), we are accepted. Because His light was seemingly extinguished at Calvary, our lamps can burn forever.
Matthew 5:13-16
*
PROPOSITION
People who stay close to Christ become impossible to ignore because His light naturally shines through them. Matthew 5:13-16 gives Jesus gives three memorable WORD-PICTURES that show how ordinary believers become extraordinary influence. God specializes in using what might seem like small, but faithful people to make a disproportionate Kingdom difference.
*
OUTLINE
Salt of the Earth (it preserves and seasons):
Stay Distinct and Preserve What is Decaying (v.13)
Don’t dilute it.
*
Light of the World (it reveals and exposes):
Stay Visible and Shine Where it is Dark (v.14-15)
Don’t obscure it.
*
Glorifier of the Father (your influence points people to God)
Stay Humble and Frame God's Character (v.16)
Don't steal the glory.
*
Don't be tasteless and bland — you're salt.
Don't go into hiding and cower — you're light.
Don't showboat and steal the glory — you're a window.
*
CONCLUSION
America has had many remarkable lights throughout her history—Washington, Adams, Franklin, countless pastors, missionaries, soldiers, teachers, and faithful citizens. But every candle eventually burns out. Every human light fades. There is only one Light that never goes out. Jesus Christ is the Light of the World. Our hope is not finally in the brightness of America, but in the brightness of Christ. And only when His light fills us can we become lights to our nation. Because Jesus entered our darkness as the true Light and bore our corruption as the true Salt, His people are now free to engage a dark world without compromising and to shine without fear. Christ is: the One who never hid, the One who never compromised, the One who absorbed the world's decay on the cross, the One whose entire life glorified the Father. Unlike us, Jesus never lost His saltiness. He never hid His light. He never stole His Father's glory. Instead, He gave Himself away. Because He was "thrown out" by the world (echoing the discarded salt imagery), we are accepted. Because His light was seemingly extinguished at Calvary, our lamps can burn forever.
Closing Song
America the Beautiful | The U.S. Army Field Band
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyUAcxoFMJc