Italian word for “influence” is “influenza.” Italian word for “influence” is...

Italian word for “influence” is “influenza.”Italian word for “influence” is “influenza.”

Italian word for “influence” is “influenza.”Italian word for “influence” is “influenza.”The term “influenza” was introduced in English The term “influenza” was introduced in English

in the 1700’s from the Italian phrase in the 1700’s from the Italian phrase influenza di influenza di freddofreddo (influence of the cold). (influence of the cold).



Influenza is highly contagious!Influenza is highly contagious!



Influenza is highly contagious!Influenza is highly contagious!We are contagious people!We are contagious people!




We influence others & we are influenced by We influence others & we are influenced by others!others!




We influence others & we are influenced by We influence others & we are influenced by others!others!

““My little boy My little boy learnslearns byby example!” example!”

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

The Olympics begin next week in China.The Olympics begin next week in China.

The Olympics begin next week in China.The Olympics begin next week in China.As we speak, the Olympic torch is making its As we speak, the Olympic torch is making its

way through China.way through China.


way through China.way through China.The Olympic flame goes back to antiquity. It The Olympic flame goes back to antiquity. It

commemorated Prometheus’ stealing fire from commemorated Prometheus’ stealing fire from the gods.the gods.




The torch relay has no precedent in antiquity.The torch relay has no precedent in antiquity.




The torch relay has no precedent in antiquity.The torch relay has no precedent in antiquity. First used by Hitler in 1936.First used by Hitler in 1936.




The torch relay has no precedent in antiquity.The torch relay has no precedent in antiquity. First used by Hitler in 1936. He wanted to show off First used by Hitler in 1936. He wanted to show off

Germany & demonstrate that the ancient Greeks were Germany & demonstrate that the ancient Greeks were the forerunners of his Aryan race.the forerunners of his Aryan race.




The torch relay has no precedent in antiquity.The torch relay has no precedent in antiquity. First used by Hitler in 1936. He wanted to show off First used by Hitler in 1936. He wanted to show off

Germany & demonstrate that the ancient Greeks were Germany & demonstrate that the ancient Greeks were the forerunners of his Aryan race.the forerunners of his Aryan race.

Since then, the torch relay has been used by countries to Since then, the torch relay has been used by countries to show their nation to the world.show their nation to the world.

Let’s see how we can show off Let’s see how we can show off Jesus’ country!Jesus’ country!

The Torch’s Character: The Torch’s Character: LightLight

V 14V 14

““You are the light of the world” (v 14, ESV).You are the light of the world” (v 14, ESV).

““You are the light of the world” (v 14, ESV).You are the light of the world” (v 14, ESV).What a compliment! The Father and Son are What a compliment! The Father and Son are

both light.both light.


both light.both light.““Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of

the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (Jn 8:12, darkness, but will have the light of life” (Jn 8:12, ESV).ESV).




““This is the message we have heard from him This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1 Jn 1:5, ESV).him is no darkness at all” (1 Jn 1:5, ESV).




““This is the message we have heard from him This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1 Jn 1:5, ESV).him is no darkness at all” (1 Jn 1:5, ESV).

This is also a great responsibility: We are to This is also a great responsibility: We are to model ourselves after the Father and Son.model ourselves after the Father and Son.

We must live morally pure lives.We must live morally pure lives.

We must live morally pure lives.We must live morally pure lives.Light often stands for purity/holiness & Light often stands for purity/holiness &

darkness stands for sin.darkness stands for sin.


darkness stands for sin.darkness stands for sin.““This is the message we have heard from him and This is the message we have heard from him and

proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth” (1 Jn 1:5-6, ESV).the truth” (1 Jn 1:5-6, ESV).


darkness stands for sin.darkness stands for sin.““This is the message we have heard from him and This is the message we have heard from him and

proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth” (1 Jn 1:5-6, ESV).the truth” (1 Jn 1:5-6, ESV).

““At one time you were darkness, but now you are light At one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true)” light is found in all that is good and right and true)” (Eph 5:8-9, ESV).(Eph 5:8-9, ESV).

Do we walk as children Do we walk as children of light?of light?

Our light is reflective light.Our light is reflective light.

Our light is reflective light.Our light is reflective light.We, like the moon, have no light of our own.We, like the moon, have no light of our own.

Our light is reflective light.Our light is reflective light.We, like the moon, have no light of our own.We, like the moon, have no light of our own.““At one time you were darkness, but now you At one time you were darkness, but now you

are light in the Lord” (Eph 5:8, ESV).are light in the Lord” (Eph 5:8, ESV).

Are we going to be the light of Are we going to be the light of the world?the world?

““LET LET your light shine before others” (v 16, your light shine before others” (v 16, ESV). ESV).


There are many Christians who do not allow There are many Christians who do not allow their light to shine!their light to shine!


There are many Christians who do not allow There are many Christians who do not allow their light to shine!their light to shine!

““Brethren, the Master will Brethren, the Master will take care of the great light-take care of the great light-house; let us keep the lower house; let us keep the lower lights burning.”lights burning.”

The Torch’s Corner: The The Torch’s Corner: The WorldWorld

V 14V 14

Jesus says, “You are the light of the Jesus says, “You are the light of the worldworld.”.”

Jesus says, “You are the light of the Jesus says, “You are the light of the worldworld.” .” There’s our corner, our place to shine: the There’s our corner, our place to shine: the world.world.


God has placed us in the world so that we God has placed us in the world so that we might shine.might shine.


God has placed us in the world so that we God has placed us in the world so that we might shine.might shine.Throughout Christian history, there have been Throughout Christian history, there have been

those who have attempted to remove themselves those who have attempted to remove themselves from the world.from the world.




We’re not to segregate from the world!We’re not to segregate from the world!




We’re not to segregate from the world!We’re not to segregate from the world!How can we be the light of the world if we aren’t in the How can we be the light of the world if we aren’t in the

world?world?




We’re not to segregate from the world!We’re not to segregate from the world!How can we be the light of the world if we aren’t in the How can we be the light of the world if we aren’t in the

world?world?““I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but

that you keep them from the evil one” (Jn 17:15, ESV).that you keep them from the evil one” (Jn 17:15, ESV).

““I wrote to you in my letter not to associate I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—not at all with sexually immoral people—not at all meaning the sexually immoral of the world, or meaning the sexually immoral of the world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world” (1 then you would need to go out of the world” (1 Cor 5:9-10, ESV).Cor 5:9-10, ESV).

We are to shine in the world!We are to shine in the world!

““The Lord has commanded us, saying, ‘I have The Lord has commanded us, saying, ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth’” (Acts bring salvation to the ends of the earth’” (Acts 13:47, ESV).13:47, ESV).

““The Lord has commanded us, saying, ‘I have The Lord has commanded us, saying, ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth’” (Acts bring salvation to the ends of the earth’” (Acts 13:47, ESV).13:47, ESV).

““Do all things without grumbling or Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Phil 2:14-15, ESV).(Phil 2:14-15, ESV).

Do we allow our lights to Do we allow our lights to shine?shine?

The Torch’s ClearnessThe Torch’s Clearness

Vv 14-15Vv 14-15

““A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, people light a lamp and put it under a basket, put on a stand, and it gives light to all in the put on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house” (vv 14-15, ESV).house” (vv 14-15, ESV).

““A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, people light a lamp and put it under a basket, put on a stand, and it gives light to all in the put on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house” (vv 14-15, ESV).house” (vv 14-15, ESV).You cannot hide a city set on a hill!You cannot hide a city set on a hill!

““A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, people light a lamp and put it under a basket, put on a stand, and it gives light to all in the put on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house” (vv 14-15, ESV).house” (vv 14-15, ESV).You cannot hide a city set on a hill!You cannot hide a city set on a hill!You light a candle in order that it might give You light a candle in order that it might give

light to those in the house.light to those in the house.

““A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, people light a lamp and put it under a basket, put on a stand, and it gives light to all in the put on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house” (vv 14-15, ESV).house” (vv 14-15, ESV).You cannot hide a city set on a hill!You cannot hide a city set on a hill!You light a candle in order that it might give You light a candle in order that it might give

light to those in the house.light to those in the house.If we are to be the light of the world, our light If we are to be the light of the world, our light

absolutely must be clear.absolutely must be clear.

Are we holding forth our light Are we holding forth our light before others?before others?

The Torch’s CareerThe Torch’s Career

V 16V 16

““In the same way, let your light shine before In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (v 16, ESV).heaven” (v 16, ESV).

““In the same way, let your light shine before In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (v 16, ESV).heaven” (v 16, ESV).Here is the purpose, the career of our torch: to Here is the purpose, the career of our torch: to

bring others to glorify God.bring others to glorify God.


bring others to glorify God.bring others to glorify God.That indicates that we aren’t to do our good That indicates that we aren’t to do our good

works in private.works in private.



works in private.works in private.But, Jesus condemns doing good in front of others!But, Jesus condemns doing good in front of others!




““When you give to the needy, do not let your left When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret” (Mt 6:3-4, ESV).your giving may be in secret” (Mt 6:3-4, ESV).




““When you give to the needy, do not let your left When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret” (Mt 6:3-4, ESV).your giving may be in secret” (Mt 6:3-4, ESV).

““When you fast, anoint our head and wash your face, When you fast, anoint our head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Mt 6:17-18, ESV).sees in secret will reward you” (Mt 6:17-18, ESV).

What gives?What gives?

What gives?What gives?

Jesus says, “Do good works in front of Jesus says, “Do good works in front of

others” & then turns around and says, others” & then turns around and says,

““Don’t do good works in front of others.”Don’t do good works in front of others.”

Jesus condemns the selfish desire to be praised Jesus condemns the selfish desire to be praised by men.by men.

Jesus condemns the selfish desire to be praised Jesus condemns the selfish desire to be praised by men. “When you give to the needy, sound by men. “When you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward” (Mt 6:2, they have received their reward” (Mt 6:2, ESV).ESV).


In tonight’s text, Jesus encourages us to do In tonight’s text, Jesus encourages us to do good in front of others so that God receives the good in front of others so that God receives the praise.praise.


In tonight’s text, Jesus encourages us to do In tonight’s text, Jesus encourages us to do good in front of others so that God receives the good in front of others so that God receives the praise.praise.

It all comes down to It all comes down to MOTIVATIONMOTIVATION..

How do our good works bring How do our good works bring glory to God?glory to God?

Light reveals the dangers in our paths.Light reveals the dangers in our paths.

Light reveals the dangers in our paths.Light reveals the dangers in our paths.““The light is among you for a little while longer. The light is among you for a little while longer.

Walk while you have the light, lest darkness Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you” (Jn 12:35, ESV).overtake you” (Jn 12:35, ESV).

As we live before the world, we As we live before the world, we point out the dangers in the path point out the dangers in the path aheadahead

Light can also guide you out of the darkness.Light can also guide you out of the darkness.

Light can also guide you out of the darkness.Light can also guide you out of the darkness.““I have come into the world as light, so that I have come into the world as light, so that

whoever believes in me may not remain in whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness” (Jn 12:46, ESV).darkness” (Jn 12:46, ESV).



As we allow our lights to shine, others are able to As we allow our lights to shine, others are able to come to truth from darkness.come to truth from darkness.



As we allow our lights to shine, others are able to As we allow our lights to shine, others are able to come to truth from darkness.come to truth from darkness.

““Wives, be subject to your own husbands, so Wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their be won without a word by the conduct of their wives—when they see your respectful and pure wives—when they see your respectful and pure conduct” (1 Pt 3:1-2, ESV).conduct” (1 Pt 3:1-2, ESV).

Does our conduct draw others to Does our conduct draw others to Jesus?Jesus?

Are you a light in this world?Are you a light in this world?

Do you need to come & light Do you need to come & light your torch?your torch?

Italian word for “influence” is “influenza.” Italian word for “influence” is...

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