This morning is obviously very special for Laura and me. I have been speaking in many places over the last month and it is so encouraging and right to finally be addressing the local body of believers with whom we are in covenant. Our text for this morning, I believe, is easy to grasp mentally but hard to live out. Since this is our time of commissioning from this church we want to speak very specifically about ways in which we can continue partnering for the gospel now literally around the world.

Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

This morning we have two challenges: Be the Light and Expose the Light.

Be the Light
Since Lili was about 2 we have been singing the song “This little light of mine” with her. I sang this song as a kid and you probably did as well. I think we get that we are to show Jesus to the world but I do not believe that we can grasp the depths of Jesus’ words without understanding how his audience would have heard this charge. So, I want to spend a few minutes understanding its context—a context that was surely in the minds of those listening to Jesus’ message on that day.
Throughout the Old Testament, since God’s promise to Abraham, it becomes clear that God had selected a very specific people whom He called His own. In Deuteronomy 7:6-7 we read, “For you [namely Israel] are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.”

God’s promise becomes even clearer throughout the book of Joshua when God directs His leader, Joshua, to utterly destroy other nations in order to establish the land of promise for the Israelites. He was destroying peoples who were defiled and blasphemous to a holy God because as we saw in Deuteronomy Israel was to be a people holy to the LORD. As God continued to call Israel to be the unique nation He had selected they continued to rebel. In reading through the prophets one can sense the utter darkness among God’s people. One of those prophets, Isaiah, writes about a time that is dark in terms of Israel’s history. Through the prophet Isaiah we see God’s declaration of Himself and hope for salvation. Meanwhile, Isaiah also points out their sin, which in whatever sphere is committed is first and foremost against God. Isaiah 1:4 is indicative of the sin that is pervasive in the land during the time of Isaiah. He writes, “Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged.” Through this text and others, one can sense the utter darkness that had fallen upon God’s people who were meant to be holy to the LORD.
Current examples of darkness within a nation are not hard to find. I will give one, this morning, regarding the nation of Botswana. For those in Botswana who actually care about religion, the predominant belief is based in Animism. Animism is a somewhat complicated belief structure that in the end, at least for the peoples of Botswana, becomes a hodgepodge of many beliefs. For example, to cure illness many will go to a church on Sunday and a witch doctor on Monday. There will be prayers lifted up to both God and the spirits of ancestors seeking help and protection. On the other hand there is a young presence of Christianity in Botswana with the translation of the Scriptures and the first church established in 1829 by Robert Moffat. Africa, for centuries, had been known as the dark continent primarily due to so much of it being unexplored. Sub-Saharan Africa, that part of the continent south of the Sahara Desert, was recognized as Black Africa for its unknown territories as well as the skin color of the people. Today this terminology is used for different reasons. Darkness covers this land due to the overwhelming presence of AIDS. HIV which causes AIDS is an incurable disease that is predominately brought about because of behavior. HIV is only passed through the bloodstream; therefore, the primary means of the spread of this virus is through intravenous drug users and sexual promiscuity. Botswana contains the second highest number of people per capita of those living with HIV. It is said that as many as 1 in 4 are HIV positive. Furthermore, statistics show that possibly more than half the campus of University of Botswana where we will be serving as campus ministers are HIV positive. Recent reports show that the life expectancy rate is at 40 with the potential of reaching as low as 29 by the year 2010.
There are many innocent victims of AIDS, but most of the innocent have been plagued with this deadly disease because of the sin of another. The country is literally dying away because of a disease being spread primarily because of sin.

Going back to Isaiah we see that even as late as chapter 40 Israel continues to live in darkness. Jerusalem lies in ruins; Israel is in exile and had been for some time—so long that some were beginning to become comfortable in their new land. The LORD’s anger rested heavily upon them because of their sins and the people of Israel are in great distress. Through the prophet Isaiah, however, God is going to promise deliverance and urges them to believe this promise. Turn to Isaiah 49. In chapter 49:3 we see God’s declaration once more of Israel’s status before God and this time He identifies them as “servant.” At the end of verse 6 we find that God is going to use them as a light to the nations. For a nation who was experiencing utter darkness, being under God’s wrath and separated from their land of promise, the message of light was a message of hope. God had rescued His people over and over and He is declaring rescue again. This time, though, we see in verse 6 that it is too light of a thing that His servant simply redeem people from one nation. God’s plan, which was this way all along, is not just salvation for Israel but for the nations so that the salvation of God may reach the ends of the earth. However, the servant will also redeem Israel but seeing as how Israel is in captivity and in need of redemption we find from this verse and throughout the remainder of Isaiah that there is another servant who will fulfill the task of redemption even for Israel. This is the same one declared to be light for those dwelling in darkness in Isaiah 9, born of a virgin and called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Later, in the New Testament we know that this servant’s name is Jesus of Nazareth. In the end, Israel’s identity of the true servant who is holy unto the LORD and fulfills the task of a light for the nations is Jesus the Christ.

In Luke 2:32 we find that after Jesus’ birth when Simeon presented Jesus in the temple he took him in his arms and said that he was “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” Matthew writes in 4:16 that Jesus in the beginning of his ministry fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy stating that “the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death on them a light has dawned.” So, at the early stages of Jesus’ ministry the Scriptures testify that the light of God had come to earth. In John 1:9 John says that Jesus is the true light and then in John 8:12 Jesus declares Himself to be the Light of the world.

What is so significant about this light? John 1:4 says that in Him was life and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness does not overcome it. The themes of light and darkness are constant throughout the Scriptures and not too foreign to us. When our child is afraid of the dark, we put a night light in her room. The most joyous season of the year is made known through lights. Lights strung on trees, homes, buildings, yards, and everywhere tell at least our culture that it is Christmas time. There’s even a restaurant down the street from us that look like they just threw lights on the bushes with no intentional display but just to say, “Hey, we like Christmas too.” This is as opposed to the holiday that many do not enjoy—the one with dark colors and costumes that cover up who you really are—Halloween. Even the contrast of good and evil is portrayed in movies such as Lord of the Rings. It is not too difficult for us to understand what John means in I John 1:5 that God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all. Light represents the holiness of God and darkness represents sin. Jesus cannot be penetrated by darkness and overcomes it in His very nature. Jesus, the true Israel, was the long anticipated Light, the hope for those walking in darkness.

We must not forget, though, that this light is not just for Israel but Jesus says He is the light of the world. When Isaiah declared the coming of the light he indicated that it would bring salvation to ends of the earth. In Acts 13:47 Paul actually declares this Scripture as being fulfilled as they took the message of Christ not to the Jews but to the Gentiles. The hope of salvation for a dark world rests in the only Light who overcomes darkness. The one who truly represents God to all the nations by being Holy unto the LORD is the true Israel—Jesus the Light of the world. In Revelation 21 John describes the new heaven and new earth. In verse 24 when speaking of the temple he writes, “And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it and its gate will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there.” The glory of the Light to all the world is found in the true servant Jesus the Christ.

Now, back to our text. Matthew, who is writing primarily for a Jewish audience, records a message of Jesus that we now can hear with greater gravity. For those longing for and anticipating the Light of the world for so long, Jesus gives them a commissioning. He begins by telling them that they are the light of the world, which by implication means that the Church is the light of the world.

I can only imagine how his heard this. Some were probably confused and may have asked: “How can we be the light for the nations? That’s the role of God’s chosen servant. The only one who is truly holy and is the true Son of Yahweh.” Those who got what Jesus was saying, however, were motivated. Jesus is the light, the true hope of the nations and as people who have been brought into this light it should absolutely blow our minds that we get to be a part of His redemptive work. Furthermore, as the light of the world we are to be living models of the True Light Himself. As representatives of the divine Light we see in verse 16 that we are to let it shine for all to see so that salvation could come and the Father be glorified. This is our commissioning. Based upon this text my question for all of us this morning is “Are you living your life in such a way that it is furthering the advance of the gospel to the nations?” Now, before I address this question I want to state that I believe it is imperative that the gospel be spoken with our lips. I believe Romans 10:17 makes clear that one must hear the message of the gospel in order to believe and be saved. However, my focus this morning is on whether or not you are hindering God’s redemptive work to make a name for Himself among every tribe, tongue, and nation. When Jesus left the earth He mandated that we go and make disciples of all nations because the proclamation of His message is the means He has chosen to bring about a redemptive work among all peoples. But my question for all of us again is “Are you living your life in such a way that it is furthering the advance of the gospel to the nations?” It is tempting to think that in order to be apart of God’s global purpose that you have to pack up your family and move to another country like Botswana. Although that is necessary and should be a norm around here, I exhort all of you to examine your own world—the world in which God has placed you and ask, “How am I impacting the nations for Christ where I live?”

For any of you who have traveled abroad you are aware that America is perceived as Christian nation and thus define Christianity based on what they see in American television and movies. Now, I know this is unfortunate but here’s another testimony in our nation. I heard three back to back stories on NPR this week that hit close to home. The first story was about AIDS. Recently the UNAIDS released that they may have exaggerated the number of those worldwide living with HIV from 40 million to 33 million.
The problem for the US, though, is that probably means that the cases for HIV/AIDS in the States actually goes up. I won’t explain how, but they recorded that approximately 1.2 million people in the US are living with this disease. I mentioned how horrible this epidemic is in Botswana based on the number of people per capita. However, in America alone the number of cases of HIV is equal to the entire population of Botswana. This deadly disease, which is primarily a behavioral issue is destroying our own nation. The next NPR story was about a Senator in Iowa who has decided to question a number of mega churches to see if their lavish lifestyles violate their tax-free status. Senator Grassley is looking into the personal usage of Rolls Royce cars, private jets, multimillion-dollar homes, and the purchase of a $23,000 commode with a marble top which happens to be part of a bathroom set which was purchased for $261,000… In a world ridden with both literal and spiritual disease can they look to the church for a model of Christ-likeness?... The next story hits even closer to home. A Jewish girl wrote into NPR because she was frustrated that at Christmas time she wants to celebrate Hanukkah but can’t because she has to work. Her sincere desire, she states, is to worship God yet Christians are getting off for the Christmas holiday not to celebrate Jesus but to shop and exchange gifts.

Before you charge others examine the light that you are portraying. If I shout when I’m angry how can I ever stop my child from yelling at her brother? Just as parents are models of how to live before their children, in the same way the church is a model and a living declaration of the true Light of life before the world. My encouragement for each of you is to not blame others for the poor models of Christ but to first look within. Jesus said that we are the light of the world. If you are shining your light, truly representing Christ before others, you are showing the world the hope of salvation for all the nations. However, it begins with the gospel. God had commissioned the Israelites to be a light to the nations but were unable to fulfill this in themselves—only Jesus, the true Israel could complete that task. In the same way, without being transformed by the gospel we have nothing within ourselves to be the true light to the world. May the gospel transform you for the furtherance of His good news to the nations.

Expose the Light
When Jesus states that we are the light of the world we must keep Isaiah 49:6 in mind that the hope of salvation to the world was Jesus Himself as the true Light. The light we are called to broadcast is for the world to see not just our own home, dorm room, cluster of friends, family, or prayer closet. It is to be set on a hill for all to see so that it lights up the entire room wherever you are.
Before ascending to heaven, Jesus gave a command that we go into all the world preaching the gospel to all creation. In our text this morning Jesus says that our light is not to be hidden. He gives this example that no one puts their lamp under a basket but sets it up in a way so that everyone can experience the light. He says that in the same way our light is to shine so that everyone can see it and give glory to the Father. In Romans 3:23 we learn that that all have sinned, but, even more, the tragedy is that the glory of God which is rightfully His is being stripped on account of our sin. Jesus makes clear while He is on earth that the Father is worthy of glory but indicates here that in order for people to give God glory they need to be transformed by the Light. The Light is Christ; thus we need to constantly place ourselves in situations where Jesus is exposed. Fundamentally, this means that we must go outside our areas of comfort and begin speaking and being Christ to our neighbors or co-workers. If those around you are living in darkness and not giving glory to God ask yourself, “Are they seeing the Light of Christ in me or am I hiding the Light I have been commanded to illuminate?” Furthermore, recognize that this is light is for the world. I believe exposing the Light begins with those around you but we must all seriously contemplate what role this plays in terms of God’s activity around the world.

After eight weeks of training from Feb-April I along with Laura, Lili, and Elliot will be moving to Botswana, Africa. Our assignment is to proclaim Christ primarily among university students for the purpose of making disciples that grow into established churches. Young people are a significant target in Botswana at this time due to the drastic number of people dying from AIDS. 70% of the entire population is under the age of 25 and is worsening as time goes on due to the horrible pandemic. I believe that the most fundamental way to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS is through being the true light of Christ to the world. I do not believe that the gospel cures people of AIDS. However, I firmly believe that the message of Jesus’ death and resurrection which frees people from sin is the only source of eternal hope of those dying with this incurable disease and the only lasting solution to stopping its spread. HIV is most prevalent in Botswana among pregnant women, which is another indicator that sexual promiscuity is the leading factor in the spread of the virus. For one to cease fulfilling their sexual impulses and changing a lifestyle or behavior, something must change within their heart first. Like anyone in the world, behavior cannot be stopped from within. Determination is a short lived solution, which is why the powerful saving message of Jesus Christ is essential to proclaim among these people.

In closing, I want to offer four practical ways that this affects our being sent out to Botswana as well as how you can partner with us in taking the gospel to that nation:

Go. I want all of you to ask yourselves how you can personally be a part of God’s work in Botswana. I want to encourage you with the possibility of both short term and long term support by sending people. Sending people brings about the opportunity for encouragement, accountability, physical help through teaching, loving those we are serving, and spurs you on as a body to continue being a part of God’s worldwide redemptive work. Even more, your very presence among the people we are serving validates the Light that we are proclaiming.

Give. Through the International Mission Board the gospel is being taken literally around the world and is entirely funded through local church support. The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is the primary way that missionaries receive funding. We are able to be a light to the people of Botswana without worrying about a dime because of the cooperative work of Southern Baptists. Members of Cornerstone and others: by giving to the IMB you are directly supporting this calling we have on our lives. In addition, for us to be able to say we have a large body of support back home that is willing to sacrifice their dollars to enable us to proclaim the message of Christ once more validates the Light we are proclaiming.

Fight. Continue fighting for the holiness of each other. Hebrews 10:24 says that we are to spur one another on to good works and I John 4:11 tells us that we are to love one another in a way that is sacrificial. God has brought each and every one of you into this body not necessarily to be best friends but to link arms and contend for the faith of everyone so that Christ is truly represented to the world. Laura and I want to have a model of a Godly body of believers to share as a testimony to the people we will serve. Furthermore, we ask that you do the same for us. Do not think for one minute that because we are missionaries we are not prone to sin. We need you to fight with and for us as well in whatever way you can to ensure that we are representing Christ before a nation in need of Light. We will need constant encouragement and accountability through emails, phone calls, and people coming to do the same either short term or long term. Please fight sin together so that you do not fall and include us in that battle so that we do not invalidate by any measure the Light that we are proclaiming.

Pray. To be the light of the world means that we are not in darkness. Even more this means that on account of our faith in Jesus in his death and resurrection for our salvation, we are declared righteous before a holy God. Therefore, any light that is illuminated by us is only because of Christ’s atoning work. We will need constant prayer because no good works that will bring glory to God in heaven can be done apart from Christ. Pray for our diligence in the Word of God and daily devotion to Him. Pray for the salvation of our children as a testimony for those with whom we are working. Pray for daily strength, encouragement, and rest in the arms of God as our only eternal provider. We anticipate much spiritual warfare including daily temptations to retreat and lose heart. Writing to his parents from London shortly before sailing for Africa, Robert Moffat said: \"Oh, that I had a thousand lives and a thousand bodies! All of them should be devoted to no other employment but to preach Christ ... I have not repented in becoming a missionary, and, should I die in the march and never enter the field of battle, all would be well.\" I pray that this would be true of our mindset. We ask finally that words may be given to us that we may proclaim the gospel fearlessly and with power. Pray that we are empowered by the gospel so that the Light we proclaim does not come from us but from the True Light Himself.

A LIGHT FOR THE NATIONS

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