The Light Of The World

17 March 2015

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"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.” (Matthew 5:14-15)

This statement must have been a shock to any Pharisee who may have heard it. "Light of the world" was title that the arrogant theologians used to call one another. They thought they had all the knowledge to bless the world. Jesus says exactly the opposite. It is the meek and lowly at heart that teach true wisdom to the world.

This statement also hints that we don't have to climb up on a hill to be evangelical. We are already there. The implication is that it is not as difficult as we claim it to be. All we need to do is follow the Spirit of God and act in love toward our brothers.

If we put our light under a bushel (cup), it still shines but it only gives enough light for us and that barely. It will only show you your own feet but not the path you are on. It will give you no direction nor will will it help others.

It is only logical that a person would put a candle on a candlestick to light up the whole house. Therefore, it is only logical for a born again child of God to let his light shine in righteousness.

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." (Romans 12:1)

Paul's word "reasonable" means "logical." Seeing what great things God has done for us in His mercy, it is only reasonable both at we let our light shine in thankfulness.

Moreover, David reminds us that the spiritual inclination in response to mercy and forgiveness is love and evangelism toward others.

"Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation;and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways;and sinners shall be converted unto thee." (Psalm 51:12-13)

Tags: discipleship, evangelism, harmony_of_the_gospels, matthew, psalms, romans, sermon_on_the_mount

Welcome

Brentwood Hills Primitive Baptist Church is a community of believers working together to transform our lives to the image of Jesus Christ. We believe it is our duty and privilege to live the gospel of the doctrines of grace in such a way as to edify the families within our church and other children of God in our community. Through regular worship based on strong Biblical principles, fellowship, admonishment, and outreach, we glory in the grace of the sovereign God working in our lives thereby showing the Spirit of God in the world.

Brentwood Hills was organized in 1906 in Fort Worth, Texas as Laodicea Primitive Baptist Church. You can find much of the history of the church, as well as other churches here: Primitive Baptist History Database

We identify ourselves as an old-line Primitive Baptist church. If you read our Articles of Faith, you’ll see that we hold to such doctrines as the inspiration and inerrancy of the Bible. We recognize the King James Version (KJV) as the only English translation worthy of being called the Bible. We believe in salvation solely by the grace of a sovereign God. We believe that Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, came to the earth to do the will of His Father, which was to deliver from the sentence of death all those the Father gave Him before the world began. We believe that Jesus fully satisfied the Father by atoning for all the sins of all His people. In time, we believe the Holy Spirit comes to each person that belongs to Jesus and regenerates them. Then (and only then) can anyone have faith, which is a fruit of the Spirit, by which you are able to believe the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. Whether or not you ever hear the gospel, or believe it if you did hear it, or obey it if you did believe it, rest assured that Jesus will remain forever faithful to you because, if He died for you, He will never deny that you belong to Him.

We believe that everyone for whom Christ died will without fail be raised again from the dead to a glorified life. Even if we are alive when He returns to raise the dead, we shall be changed to a glorified life. All the Redeemed will meet the Lord in the air. Then He will take us to Heaven and there we shall forever be with the Lord. The wicked will be raised at the same time as the righteous, but the wicked shall go away into everlasting punishment along with Satan and his angels. Until that glorious day when Christ returns to raise the dead, He has provided a place for His people to find rest for their souls. This place is the Church. Jesus Christ set-up His church on this earth before His death on the Cross. The church is there for those of His people who have come to believe that God saved them by His Son, Jesus Christ. To believe that Christ “paid it all” gives believers the strongest motivation to serve Him. Once enlightened to this glorious truth, then the child of God should feel an obligation to become and remain an active member of the His church. To serve the Lord in His church makes for one of the great blessings to experience this side of Heaven. It fulfills you to serve in His church and it gives your life purpose and meaning.

Living in Liberty

Elder Bryce Lowrance

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