SOTM-Light

<p>For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ <a href="https://www.douglasjacoby.com/som-11-light/" target="_blank"><strong>website.</strong></a></p><p><strong>You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do men light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand. And it gives light to all who are in the house.</strong></p><p><strong>Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:14-16).</strong></p><p>God said, “Let there be light” (<strong>Gen 1:3</strong>). God is our light (<strong>Psalm 27:1</strong>). Jesus is the light of the world <strong>(John 8:12</strong>). God’s word is a light for our feet (<strong>Psalm 119:105</strong>). And we are called to be enlightened, and to reflect his light—not the lightheadedness of Eastern bliss, but the truth of God and his Word.</p><p><strong>Lifestyle, not just evangelism</strong></p><ul><li>Being the light of the world isn’t so much about evangelism as about lifestyle.</li><li>In the later 2nd century, the Christian apologist Athenagoras declared to the Romans<strong> [in particular, the emperor, Marcus Aurelius]</strong>: “Among us you will find uneducated persons, craftsmen, and old women, who, if they are unable in words to prove the benefit of our teaching, yet by their deeds demonstrate the benefit arising from their conviction of its truth. They do not rehearse <i>speeches</i>, but instead exhibit good works. When struck, they do not strike back. When robbed, they do not go to law. They give to those who ask of them and love their neighbors as themselves.” <i>A Plea for the Christians</i> 11 (ANF 2.134).</li><li>Light involves things we do, but also things we <i>don’t</i><ul><li>How we react—or do not react—when wronged.</li><li>What we don’t participate in—worldly activities.</li><li>We are oriented <i>towards</i> the Kingdom of God—and away from not the kingdoms of men.</li></ul></li><li>The Sermon on the Mount focuses almost entirely