August 2, 2009

SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH
Of Princeton, New Jersey

Matthew 5: 17: Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.

MEETING LOCATION
Rocky Hill Firehouse, 2nd floor
150 Washington Street, Rocky Hill, NJ, 08553

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
Sunday 10 AM Bible Class
11 AM Morning Service
Thursday 7:00 PM Mid-week Service

WEB ADDRESSES AND MAILING ADDRESS
www.sovereign-grace.us/
www.sermonaudio.com/sgbcpnj
www.freegraceradio.com

7 Birch Street
Pennington, New Jersey, 08534
Phone: 615-513-4464
Email: clay@sovereign-grace.us

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www.sovereign-grace.us

The Light of the World
Matthew 5: 14: Ye are the light of the world.

The Lord does not say, "Ye ought to be the light of the world" or "Ye will be the light of the world." He says, "Ye are the light of the world." Our Lord's statement is not a suggestion or a recommendation but fact. Christ is the Light of the world. All in whom he dwells are light (Jn 8:12.)

Nor does the Lord say, "Ye are a light" but he says, "Ye are the light of the world." The only light in this world are those in whom Christ the Light has given light. Those without Christ sit in darkness (Phil 2: 14-16.)

A City On A Hill--A Candle On A Candlestick
Matthew 5: 14: A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15: 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.

The light that the believer is can not be hidden. We have all travelled at night along a dark highway and come upon a city on a hill. There is no way to hide the light of that city in the dark night. Neither can the light of the believer be hidden.

Neither did Christ give us his light for it to be hidden, but to give light. When we light a candle we place it in a candlestick to give light to all that are in the house. In creation, God expressly declares the purpose for light: 1) To give light upon the earth, 2) To rule over the day and over the night, 3) and to divide the light from the darkness (Gen 1: 3, 16, 17.)

Christ the Light is the Sun of righteousness who gives light upon the earth; Christ the Light rules the day and the night; Christ the Light divides the light from the darkness. Those whom Christ has made light are the light of world. The believer is a lesser light who rules in the midst of the night of this sin-dark world as he reflects the light of Christ like the moon reflects the sun. Through those he has given light, Christ divides the light of his people from the darkness of this unbelieving world. This is what Light does. This is the purpose for which Christ came into this earth and it is the purpose for which Christ gives light to his people.

THE MASTER'S WORD
Matthew 5: 16: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Seeing that Christ is our Light the Master says, "Let your light so shine before men." The good works which the Lord Jesus Christ speaks of consists of two things: our gospel and our walk. Make sure we understand the difference between speaking and conducting ourselves in a manner that men MAY SEE our good works and TO BE SEEN of men (Mt 23: 5-7; 24-28.)

First, consider the Master himself. The Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Word and the Truth, spoke the truth with profound clarity. Our Lord's gospel was the same whether in the midst of brethren or in the midst of religious men who accused him of being against the law (Jn 6:35; 8: 58; 10: 7-11; 10: 36; 11: 25; 13: 13: 14: 6-10; 15: 5.) Our Lord not only spoke the truth but he also walked in sinless perfection because he is sinless perfection. Though all tried, including Satan himself, none could find any sin in him. In one day, the Pharisees, the Herodians and the Sadducees tried to entangle him in his talk using his own law to do it (Mt 22: 15-40.) Yet, Light silenced darkness with this question: "What think ye of Christ?" (Mt. 22: 41-46.) Christ is the Light of the world (Jn 8:12.) This world of darkness hated him (still does) for righteousness sake (Jn 15: 22-25; 3: 19-21.) But it is through his gospel and through the wonderful works of his grace that sinners are given the light of life.

Likewise, we must always speak the gospel of Christ Jesus and walk in a manner which adorns the doctrine we believe (Ti 2: 10.) Most hate this gospel. They will try to find a reason to discredit the believer so they can discredit Christ and the gospel we set forth (Mt. 10: 25; Jn 15: 20.)

Concerning our speech the Lord Jesus Christ says, "What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell" (Mt. 10: 27, 28; 2 Cor 4: 1-7.)

Concerning our walk, we can not be holy as God is holy except in Christ Jesus our holiness. But we follow after Christ our Holiness. He has left us an example to follow and we do so simply because we are constrained by his love in the heart (2 Cor 5: 14.) We are careful in our walk giving no offense in anything, that the ministry be not blamed (2 Cor 6: 3.) Read I Peter 2: 11-25; I Peter 3: 8-18; I Peter 5: 1-11. These words are not "commanded" but "beseeched," not works to obtain acceptance with God but works of honesty in our dealings with men: our rulers, our employers, our spouses, our congregations, our pastors, and one another in the church. We need no other constraint than the words of our Master, "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: 14-16.)

GROWTH IN GRACE
By Todd Nibert, Pastor of Todd's Road Grace Church, Lexington, KY.
"Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18).Growth in grace is utterly unique. When anything else grows it gets bigger. When a Christian grows, he becomes smaller! Like John the Baptist said, "He must increase, I must decrease." In a dark room, if a candle is but a flicker, it is all you see in the room. But if it is a strong flame, it lights up the room and you actually see less of the candle. As we grow, Christ will be seen more clearly and self will more and more take the background.

SERMONS
Reasoning From God's Word

CONFERENCE SERMONS
A Convenient Season--Marvin Stalnaker
Salvation As God Describes It--Don Fortner
Grace--Don Fortner
Strive Together With Me--Marvin Stalnaker
Trust in the Lord--Marvin Stalnaker
Light of the World--Clay Curtis

ARTICLES FROM OTHERS
What Position Do You Hold?
Glory Is NOT a Place
I Trust In My Works
Sin Is Not In Things
Thanksgiving for the Gospel
Are You Right On This?