You are the Light of the World [Audio] - Tom Shanklin Ministries

Share the Good News!

By Tom Shanklin

Did you ever think about it? Jesus said, “You are THE light of the world.” If it were not for you, the world would be in complete and utter darkness. But because of you, the world has light.

As followers of Christ, we can let our light shine brightly so that the world may clearly see and comprehend Jesus Christ. “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:” Ephesians 5:8, KJV.

In this podcast you will learn:

That the words “light” and “glory” are not just metaphors, but spiritual realities.
How your life can matter wherever you go every day.
That you are truly the hope for this dark world.
How you can turn up the dimmer switch in your life
Plus 10 tips for reaching others for Jesus

Listen and enjoy this inspiring and encouraging message. Use the notes and let it sink in through meditation.

Truly, you are the light of the world!

Notes: YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16, KJV.

Joh 8:12* Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Joh 9:5* As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

“That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;” Philippians 2:15, KJV.

“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:” Ephesians 5:8, KJV.

MAIN THOUGHT: By walking in the light of God’s glory, and letting it shine, you provide illumination for the people around you to find their way to Jesus.

Light: illuminates so you don’t stumble, gives warmth, makes things grow. Everything is a product of light. Coal, oil, plants, animals, all life is based on the light (energy) of the sun.

City on a hill—not normal to be a closet Christian. ONLY 3 percent of the churches are growing by evangelism. Why? Most Christians don’t evangelize. Only 1/3 have ever done anything about the Great Commission.

Lifestyle evangelism is what you do every day where you live, where you work, where you shop to reach others for Jesus. But 80 to 90 percent of people who come to the Lord come as the result of the witness or invitation of a friend or relative.

TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS

See 2 Cor. 3:7-18

“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” 2 Corinthians 4:3-7, KJV.

Glory—not a metaphor, manifested presence of God; tabernacle in the wilderness, Solomon’s temple. Ezekiel, Stephen saw the glory of God, my friend Doug when he died. Light, splendor, majesty.

Jesus says, “Look at me…” If you ever see Jesus, you’ll never be the same. Paul. T.L. Osborn, Tom

THE GLORIOUS GOSPEL

God made man perfect and sinless Genesis 1:1, 26-28
Man disobeyed and invited sin and brought death into the human race. Genesis 3:1-8, Romans 5:12, Romans 3:23
Jesus Christ the Son of God died on a cross to pay the penalty for our sin and rose from the dead. John 3:16, John 14:6, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Romans 5:8, Romans 6:23
When we repent and receive Him as the risen Lord and Savior, He forgives us, comes into our lives in by the Holy Spirit, transforms us into children of God, and gives us divine purpose. John 1:12, Romans 10:9-10, Mark 1:15 repent and believe the Gospel.

IT STARTS WITH OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

“As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.” John 15:9, KJV.

“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side. Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.” Isaiah 60:1-5, KJV.

DIVINE RADIATION FIELDS

“Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.” Acts 5:15, 16, KJV.

KJV – overshadow— to throw a shadow upon, to envelop in a shadow, to overshadow. From a vaporous cloud that casts a shadow the word is transferred to a shining cloud surrounding and enveloping persons with brightness. Used of the Holy Spirit exerting creative energy upon the womb of the virgin Mary and impregnating it (a use of the word which seems to have been drawn from the familiar OT idea of a cloud as symbolizing the immediate presence and power of God)

Carriers of the glory.
Carriers of the presence.
Carriers of the power.
Portable temples of the Holy Ghost.

Night lights, small LED lights, candles, Flood Lights, high wattage Christians. Crime Scenes. How to do you overcome darkness? Turn up the wattage. Turn on the lights. Turn up the dimmer switch. 30W, 60W, 100W.

Smith Wigglesworth—people convicted by his presence, then he leads them to the Lord.

Charles Finney, Radiation fields around cities. Finney in factory. This is God’s end-time plan to reach the world.

PRACTICAL TIPS FOR REACHING OTHERS FOR JESUS:

Totally consecrate your life to God and cry out of God’s love and purity to manifested in your life. Romans 12:1-2
Receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and be continually filled with the Spirit. The Spirit on your life will touch others. Acts 1:8, Ephesians 5:8, Rom 12:11 Phillips “keep the fires of the Spirit burning.” Amp. Aglow with the Spirit.
Pray for the lost and open your mind and heart to the reality of their lost condition. 1 Tim. 2:1-5
Be willing to suffer for the Lord. If you are relaxed and share your pleasure in knowing God through Jesus, most people will receive your testimony, but not all. Just get it settled. Be willing to be rejected and persecuted. It’s part of being a Christian. 1 Peter 4:1, 2 Tim. 3:12
Work with your local church to reach others and make disciples. It’s a team effort. Share Invite people to your church where they can be fed. Mat. 28:18-20, Tom and Susan invited to church.
Love people. Be nice. Care about their needs. Pray for them. Invite them to your house. Take them out for lunch. John 15:9
Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Acts 9:10-16, Acts 16:9-10
Share your personal story. Acts 26:13-19, College professor and student.
Prepare yourself to share the Gospel by studying and meditating on the scriptures concerning God’s plan of salvation. 2 Tim. 2:15, Jos. 1:8, https://shanklinministries.org////category/evangelism/
Learn how to lead people to Christ in prayer. Roman 10:9-10