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Finding God In Narnia:
"Discover the Light: And Illuminate the Season"
Sunday, December 18, 2005 - Rev. Greg McKinnon
Scripture Text: Matthew 5:14-16
14“You are the light of the world. A city 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. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Outline:
I. Our World is in Need of Light
II. Discover the Light
A. How You Can Be the Light of the World
“You are the light of the world.”
Ephesians 5:8-10 we read, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.”
B. Light . . .
1. Cannot be Hidden
“A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.”
2. Is Meant to be Displayed
“Instead they put it on its stand.”
3. Benefits Everyone
“and it gives light to everyone in the house.”
III. Illuminate the Season – “In the same way, let your light shine before men,”
Let your light shine so that . . .
A. People Can See the Good You Do
“that they may see your good deeds”
B. People Will Give God the Glory
“and praise your Father in heaven.”
Discussion Questions:
1. When and where is the darkest place that you have ever been?
2. In the sermon Greg said that it may be that our country is the darkest it has every been. Do you agree? Why or why not?
3. What do you believe is the significance of the lamppost shinning in “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” although in the land of Narnia it was still always winter and never Christmas?
4. In what ways do you personally see our nation in need of light?
5. The scripture says, “You are the light of the world.” How can we be the light of the world, since Christ is the Light of the World?
6. Do all people who have not yet discovered the light of Christ realize that they are walking in darkness? Why or why not?
7. The scripture teaches us that light cannot be hidden. Do you believe that every person who is a Christian is a light? Why or why not?
8. Is it possible to have a “faith that is private?” In other words, can a person be a fully devoted follower of Christ and those around him or her not know it?
9. As Christians, how does our light benefit everyone around us, even those around us who are not Christians? Would the darkness and evil of our world be even worse without Christians serving as salt and light? If so, how might our world look?
10. Who are the people you know that are most in need of light in their lives? How as a Christian can you offer light to those who are disappointed, distressed, doubtful and depressed?
11. Where do we draw the line between letting people see the good we do and in doing the things we do for others secretly so that we do not get the glory for ourselves?
12. What are some things that you can do this Christmas season to let your light shine so that people will see your good works and praise our Heavenly Father?
13. Do you have a personal story of how someone gave glory to God and came to have a relationship with him because of what they saw in the lives of the Christians they knew?
