2. This study…
is the last of a series of four
Presentations expanding from “The
Key Elements of Christian Living”.
The Four Key elements are being
presented as four separate
presentations. Faith Love
THE KEY ELEMENTS
OF CHRISTIAN
LIVING
The Power of Faith
The Power of Love Forgiveness Living
The Power of Forgiveness Example
The Power of Light
The Power of Light
3. The Significance of Light
We can defeat darkness only with light. The instant a
light is lit darkness disappears. Light and darkness
cannot remain at the same place at the same time.
If you are living in darkness you have no idea what lurks
beside you – whether good or evil because you are
unable to see. It can be the most venomous snake
beside you but you will not see. Likewise when you are
embroiled in Sin(moral darkness) you don’t see right
from wrong. Evil deeds are self justified.
When we bring light in to our lives we will be able to
observe the things gone wrong (Evil) in our lives, the
things that we do that are sinful and most importantly,
we get to understand what displeases God.
4. God sent us His only
begotten son Jesus...
Who is the Light.
John 3
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his
one and only Son, that whoever believes in
him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17
For God did not send his Son into the world to
condemn the world, but to save the world
through him.
5. Light that God sent
Humanity existed in a world of “moral darkness” with
mankind exceedingly becoming Godless and evil. God
sent us a light in Jesus...so that we may find the way to
light up our lives and beat the darkness - and also help
others to find light in their lives.
Matthew 4
16 the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those
living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” 17
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the
kingdom of heaven has come near.”
6. Jesus is the light
John 8:12 When Jesus spoke
again to the people, he said, “I
am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will never
walk in darkness, but will have
the light of life.”
7. Christians follow
the light
We are Christians because we believe in Jesus. He requires us to read, hear
or learn His teachings and transform our lives by practicing these Teachings.
If we don’t... then we cannot call our selves Christians or Christian
establishments.
46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 As for
everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice,
I will show you what they are like. 48 They are like a man building a house,
who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the
torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.
49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like
a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment
the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” –
Jesus (Luke 6)
8. Jesus said...
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its
saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good
for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be
hidden. 15 Neither 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. 16 In the same way, let your light shine
before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify
your Father in heaven Matthew 5
9. 13 “You are the salt of the earth- Jesus
As Christians we have to...
14 “You are the Light of the World - Jesus
10. Think...
How a simple compound called salt is required by the whole
world because it is essential... How even a small light can
give light in the darkest room...
Therefore Christians have to be a group of people who
are required by the whole world...and be a shinning
light so that others may see our good example...and
praise God in Heaven
We have heard this requirement many times over in our life
time... but let’s take a look at what it really means.
11. CHRISTIAN EXAMPLE
You are the SALT
OF THE EARTH You are the
JESUS SAID LIGHT OF THE
Be wanted by the WORLD
whole world
HOW ? Two Requirements
Conduct our lives in a
Be a living Example
manner that is
to others so that in
exemplarily so that
LIVING WITH... contrast they may
other who see will give
Love, Forgiveness, see the darkness in
praise to God
Goodness, their lives and turn
(and be drawn to our
Selflessness, Care, to God
salvation)
Help, Compassion,
Kindness, Honesty,
Dependability The Christian
HOW ?
God fearing Living Example
12. CHRISTIAN
EXAMPLE
As Christians WE ARE REQUIRED enlighten our world by holding up
the light of the Christian example. Unfortunately what we see today is
the very opposite of what it should be. A world filled with evil, greed
and destruction as every day occurrences... Evil ways have become
the way of the world.
In today’s world Christians too are embroiled in this mêlée of Evil -
without living in sharp contrast to the example of the ungodly activities
that are exponentially prevailing in the world today...
We have to always remember that Christians are required to be a
living example and THROUGH OUR GOOD INFLUENCE PRODUCE
A GOOD CROP by brining more to our God – for sake of their
Salvation.
13. Contrasting Good against Evil
We can enlighten the world by patient and firm perseverance in
releasing Goodness in to the world. Our lives should be filled with
perpetual light, constantly working firmly against the moral darkness that
is around us.
THIS PERPETUAL LIGHT IN US cannot be a flickering, wavering, and
an uncertain light. It has to be clear, steady and burn bright - even at the
toughest times - so that many would see our good example in STARK
CONTRAST TO THE EVIL that is going on around us each day.
Jesus said: “Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it
dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you.”
Luke 11 : 36
14. A Christian living example
in contrast to moral darkness...
light in a dark world
15. Many Christians living example
in contrast to moral darkness
Together we can Change the world
16. The Power of Light
If Christians in their individual capacity and as a community
that is spread worldwide, were to set a living example of
goodness, it is only then that we could dispel the moral
darkness that is engulfing the world today.
Because more and more will see our good example, and
want to learn about these special people...
In stark contrast to themselves notice the Goodness that is
released by Christians and be influenced by these actions
to turn to our God.
With the Power of Light we can change the world to be a
better place as intended by Jesus.
17. We have to be the Light
When we give our lives to Jesus we are able to repent for our
sinfulness and receive Forgiveness for our Sins. Thereafter we have to
protect our salvation “with fear and trembling” by conforming our lives in
keeping with Jesus’ teachings...
This enhances our Faith in God which in turn causes our lives be filled
with light...with righteousness.
In keeping with Jesus’ teachings we have to fill our lives with love as it is
a Key requirement for Christian Living. With Love we have to adopt an
attitude of Forgiveness as decreed by Jesus many times in His teaching.
It is only when we achieve this plateau of Christian Living that we
can fulfill Jesus’ directive for us and be the salt of the Earth and the Light
to the world!
18. It is our
responsibility...
Christians have to hear, read, learn, understand, Live and
practice the teachings of Jesus. When our lives are filled with
Faith, Love, Forgiveness and Gods light, our good example is
comparable to the seed that fell on good soil in the Parable of the
Sower. IT IS ONLY THROUGH THIS GOOD EXAMPLE that we
will be able to produce a good crop – 30, 60 or 100 times...in
accordance to His expectation.
23 Butthe seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears
the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a
crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
Matthew 13
The crop that Jesus refers to is obviously the increased numbers
of non believers finding salvation through our living example.
19. The Four elements of Christian Living
FAITH LOVE
Christian Faith relates to a Love is an essential element in Christian
confident assurance of Salvation living: 1 If I speak in the tongues of men or
through Jesus Christ and being of angels, but do not have love, I am only a
certain of His Guidance, resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If
protection and blessings upon I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom
your life(...and others whom you all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I
pray for). have a faith that can move mountains, but
do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all
FORGIVENESS I possess to the poor and give over my
14 For if you forgive other people body to hardship that I may boast, but do
when they sin against you, your not have love, I gain nothing.
heavenly Father will also forgive 1 Corinthians 13
you. 15 But if you do not forgive
others their sins, your Father will
not forgive your sins - Jesus LIVING EXAMPLE
13 “You are the salt of the earth...
(Matthew 6)
14 “You are the light of the world...
20. The true Christian...
Lives with absolute Faith in God and His teachings
Lives with Love and for God and Mankind
Lives a life with an attitude of Forgiveness
It is only then that you can become a Living Example that
others can learn from and due to your exemplarily
goodness give praise to our God and hopefully turn to
Him for their Salvation...
The Living Example
13 “You are the salt of the earth...
14 “You are the light of the world...
21. We pray
See to it, then, that the light
within you is not darkness...
- Luke 11:35