“Through the Looking Glass” The Kingdom of Heaven as seen through the parables of Jesus

“For now we see through a glass…” – I Cor. 13:12


“Night Lights”

The Lamp on a Stand: Matthew 5:14-15

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.15Neither 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.

 “YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.”

YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.

  • (15) “A LAMP” = YOU! (A CHRISTIAN)
  • GOD’S POWER IN YOU!

Y’ALL ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.

  • (14) “A TOWN” = YOU ALL, TOGETHER! (THE CHURCH)
  • GOD’S POWER IN US!

THE “LAMPLIGHTER’S” PURPOSE.

“…people light a lamp…”

II Corinthians 4:6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light

shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face

of Christ.

(Mark) “hidden is meant to be disclosed… concealed is meant to be brought out…

(Luke) hidden… disclosed… concealed… known or brought out into the open.

Personal sin done “in the dark”

 “…it gives light to everyone…”

(Mark 4) “bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed?”

(Luke 8) “lights a lamp… on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.”

“hidden is meant to be disclosed… concealed is meant to be brought out… hidden…

disclosed… concealed… known or brought out into the open.

“Mystery” of the Gospel hidden in the darkness of spiritual blindness

HOW DO WE SHINE?

GET LIT!

Ephesians 1:18-21 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you

may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his

holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the

same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated

him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and

dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to

come.

GET OUT!

“puts it on a stand” / “built on a hill”

Philippians 2:12-16 12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life.

“Whoever has ears, let them hear.” – Matthew 11:15