Session 11 – Let Your Light Shine

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Steps eleven and twelve of the 12 step program are as follows:

• Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
• Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

These steps were taken from Jesus’ instruction to let your light shine.

Matthew 5:13-16 – When the blessed attitudes described by Jesus become our attitudes, then we are the salt of the earth and the lights of the world.

Salt of the Earth

Salt is associated with integrity.  Salt was also known for its purifying, preserving, and healing qualities.

Living as our Lord instructs, we become the salt of the earth.  Should we choose to live outside of that life, we are like salt that has lost its savor (saltiness).  Then, our integrity is empty, and our ability to purify, preserve, and heal in the world becomes ineffectual. Without Christ, we are good for nothing. Obeying Christ, we have a powerful influence on the world.

Ye are the Light

Matthew 5:14-16 – As we obey our Lord’s commands, we are lit up. Our lives are very different from what is normal in the world. We are to let our light shine so that God may be glorified.

Glorify Your Father

The great aim of the Christian Church is to glorify God and help others to do the same.  Philippians 2:14-16 – As we live this godly life, we are to hold forth the gospel of the Kingdom so that others can do the same.

The great commission of the Church is: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:” (Matthew 28:19 and 20). “Go ye unto all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15).

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 – The ministry of the Church is the ministry of reconciliation.

We Are Ambassadors For Christ

THE LAW

Matthew 5:17-18 – The Law refers to the old covenant, the Mosaic Covenant.  Jesus fulfilled part of the Law when he became the sacrifice for sin and the high priest.  However, much of what the prophets said he has not yet fulfilled.  When he returns, then he will fulfill all.  We can have absolute confidence that everything which was prophesied in the Scriptures will indeed come to pass.

The Law was Israel’s responsibility in fulfilling the old covenant of which they fell very short of doing.  Jesus Christ established a new covenant with new commandments for followers to obey.

Christ is the end of the Law unto righteousness (Romans 10:4).  The Law was given to hold mankind in until Christ would come.  It served as a teacher and a type until Christ, but, now that Christ has come, we are no longer under the Law (Galatians 3:17-24). Christ abolished the Law of commandments with his blood (Ephesians 2:13-16).

Many of the principles of truth contained in the Law, Jesus included in his teaching and even brought a great depth of understanding and commitment. He raised the requirement on some issues.

Matthew 5:19 – How we respond to the commandments that Jesus has given will have impact on how we are perceived and placed by God in the coming Kingdom.

Verse 20 – The Pharisees righteousness was based upon the Law of Moses and primarily on the oral law which is the rabbi’s interpretation of the written Law. Therefore, their doctrine was not based entirely upon truth. Their traditions were more important than God’s Word.  In addition to wrong doctrine, they were hypocrites.  What they demanded that others do, they themselves did not do (Matthew 15:1-9).

Matthew 23:1-35 – Our righteousness must be based on God’s Word, and we must avoid hypocrisy at all cost.

In the remainder of chapter five, Jesus states five times, “Ye have heard that it was said” (21, 27, 33, 38, and 43). He did not say, “It was written.” Some of what he deals with is written, but some is not. He provides insight into what God had written, and clarified what had been wrongly interpreted and taught as the oral law by the Pharisees.

What Jesus taught, if applied, will keep the believer from the world.

Romans 12:2 – And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Galatians 1:4 – Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

Galatians 6:14 – But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

Jesus teaches how to deal rightly with others without getting pulled into the world. His teachings are radical and often the opposite of what most think and do. How we respond to others will determine our walk with God.

Matthew 16:24 – Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

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• Next Session 12 – Living Right