Shine Your Light by Brother Duke Hansen

         In the old testament, man's behavior often reaped either blessings or curses. In the first 12 verses of Matthew chapter 5 are the beatitudes. In this chapter, Matthew is writing Jesus' sermon on the mount. The beatitudes are blessings to groups of people who are often seen as unfortunate. 

        There are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, those who are persecuted, and those are you when you are insulted, prosecute you, and say all kinds of evil because of Jesus.

        We are going to start reading from verse 13 of Matthew 5.

        13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, where with shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

        Matthew was very precise in his writing. He didn't miss much in the way of details. Jesus was speaking about character traits of people. If you lost your savor you would be cast out and trample under people's feet. When your mind, soul, and spirit are aligned you are perfect. It is what God wants you to do. It is very hard to achieve for man because we are ensnared by our thinking processes.

        14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

        Note the progression in this verse where it's you to a city. Singular to plural. Jesus is speaking to his disciples, his followers in this verse. God teaches us to be a light. Reflect Jesus in our character, speech, and action.

        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.

        A bushel is a container which holds 8 gallons. Don't hide your light by your workings of your flesh. You need to examine yourself and accountable by his word. There are a lot of people who shine light sometimes. Walking in your flesh is hiding your light. God will take you through failure to failure in order to show yourself often that you are the problem.

        "But on a candlestick"The candlestick and the candle are there to hold the light. Who benefits from the light? All the people around you.

        16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

        Many people here have been trying to remove the bushel by reform or removing faulty character. If we aren't making progress, remain neutral or grow stagnant, we aren't growing.

        The bushel is our flesh and we hide Jesus with all our unrighteous behavior. God teaches us in the word to be his light. The holy ghost will not overtake or overcome the defects of your character. There are victories we can win that are life altering but there will always be another mountain to go around, up, or through.

        Being deceived by your own flesh darkens your light. In our character, actions, and ways should mirror the life of Jesus. We keep living wrong and use the light to feel better about ourselves. We will use the holy ghost to benefit only ourselves. We tend to neglect the soul of man and concentrate on our needs. We put our flesh, wants, needs, and even hates over others when we pray. Will anybody deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Jesus?

        How do you take up your cross? It is to deny your flesh. Allow the hurt, pain, and loss. You can't do anything about it. Stay the same with God whether it is bad or good in your life. Don't blame God in your low state or valleys of life. Don't go out to places or people of the world and seek God's face. It is very hard to see people who live godly lives without knowing God personally, and Christians don't do the work to befriend or reach out to them. It's also very hard to point the finger at everything for your problems all the time. Work on separating yourself from the attachment of worldly desires. Think, pray, and study on what draws you to temptation. What smells, touch, you listen, taste, and see moment to moment. Look how you are affected by things in the world with your 5 senses.

        We get so caught up satisfying our flesh. What would it be like if we were to satisfy God? You have responsibilities to handle. Don't hide your light under your flesh. Think about your purpose. Are you broken and contrite before God? If you can keep the purpose at the forefront of your mind, your soul, and spirit will follow along. You focus on Jesus' walk and teaching in your life. Beneficially, start looking at things that stimulate your flesh by your 5 senses in the world. 

        God has strategy for your life. You can't understand it until you ask, seek, and then listen to his words. You can win at this life. Don't cover your light under a bushel. These behaviors have to be learned.