You Are the Light of the World: Stop Hiding Your Faith and Let It Shine (Matthew 5:14–16)
- Jeremy Laughlin
- Mar 18
- 5 min read
A Reminder We All Need
My message today is a reminder—and like Reverend Earley said last week, God runs the message through the preacher first. So this is a word to me, and it’s a word to all of us.
It’s the kind of reminder that feels like a swift spiritual kick in the butt—in a good way. Sometimes we don’t need new truth… we need truth we already know, because we’ve gotten lax.
And the title the Lord put on my heart is simple:
You are the light of the world.
Not just “the church” in general—you personally. Christ in you.
Jesus Said He’s the Light… Then He Said You Are (John 8:12 + Matthew 5:14)
First, Jesus declares: “I am the light of the world.” (John 8:12)
Then in Matthew 5, He turns it outward: “You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14)
That means Christ within you is the light this dark world needs to see. And it’s time for the light to shine.
A City on a Hill Can’t Be Hidden (And Neither Can a Real Faith)
Jesus says: “A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.”
Think about it. A city on top of a hill—how would you hide it? You can’t. You don’t have a blanket big enough.
And then He gives an example that’s almost humorous because it’s so obvious: “Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.”
The Lamp-and-Garbage-Can Illustration
Imagine you come over to my house. It’s getting dark. I say, “Let me turn on a light.” I turn the lamp on… and then I take a garbage basket and set it over the lamp so it covers it completely.
You’d look at me and say, “Pastor Josh… that was pointless. I still can’t see you. Why did you cover the light?”
Exactly.
Jesus says that kind of behavior is ridiculous. Lamps belong on a stand—lifted up—so they give light to everyone in the house.
“Let Your Light Shine” Is More Than “I’m a Good Person”
Here’s the aim: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
But let’s clarify something: this isn’t just “I’m a Christian” as a box you check, then God goes back in the box until Sunday.
This is about relationship with the living God—peace that passes understanding, shame removed, guilt removed, fear being lifted, rest from God, the gospel actually changing your life.
Yes—good deeds matter. But the light is bigger than behavior.
It’s Jesus in you, and you pointing to Him when opportunity comes.
If You Shine, Expect Pushback (Matthew 5:11)
Jesus doesn’t sugarcoat it: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.”
So if you decide you’re done being undercover… don’t be surprised if you feel resistance.
This kind of message gets the attention of hell—because hiding your light keeps things comfortable for the enemy.
Undercover Christians: When the Real Battleground Starts Monday
It’s easy to be a believer in the room on Sunday. It’s another thing to shine among unbelievers.
The message brings up an old skit about “undercover Christians”—trench coat, glasses, tiptoeing around, slipping someone a tract and then hiding behind a tree to see what happens.
Funny… but also too real.
Too many of us are living two lives in two circles. We keep morals, we keep standards, but we hide under the guise of “I’m a good person.”
And the challenge is direct: Are we shining bright enough that people actually know we belong to Jesus?
The Kind of Growth God Wants: The Lost Being Saved
The goal isn’t “how do we gather more disgruntled Christians from other churches” or “how do we boost viewership.”
The heart is this: The lost being saved.
Yes, missions matter. Giving matters. But we can’t use it as a crutch to avoid being on mission locally—because America needs Jesus.
And you’ve been planted right where you are—workplace, school, even government—for such a time as this to be gospel salt and gospel light.
Practical Places to Shine: Work, Friends, Family
The message gets very specific—especially about the workplace—because that’s where many believers are surrounded by unbelief.
Why do you do things by the book?
Short answer: “I’m a follower of Christ.”
Long answer: God’s Word tells me to work like I’m working for God—not just a human boss. Integrity is what you do when no one’s looking—like cleaning up the French fry kicked under the stove because it’s the right thing to do.
Why don’t you complain when it’s unfair?
Sometimes we do. But we strive not to—because Scripture calls us to live clean lives and shine like bright lights.
And there’s another reason: God is my provider. If this job fails me, my God will not fail me.
Why don’t you curse or join in with dirty jokes?
Because it’s not for me. I’m not perfect—I’ve failed in categories like anyone else—but I’m not letting perfectionism stop me from pursuing the way of the Lord.
The message points to Ephesians 5 about avoiding coarse joking and impurity—and says plainly: if you’ve been involved in those things, it’s time to repent and shine again.
Your “No” Speaks Loud (Sometimes Louder Than Your “Yes”)
What you don’t do speaks as much—or maybe more—than what you do.
That’s why the example of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego matters: people noticed when they refused to bow. And because they stood, God showed up—and their story still encourages us today.
Don’t Be “Yoked” Like You Used to Be (2 Corinthians 6:14)
We can’t shine light if we never interact with darkness (we must be around unbelievers to reach them).
But we should be careful about deep, pulling-in-the-same-direction partnerships that drag our hearts back to old appetites and old goals.
We’re called to influence toward Christ—not be pulled back toward what we were.
The Real Obstacle: Fear of Man
What keeps us quiet most of the time? The fear of man.
Fear of a boss. Fear of coworkers. Fear of losing a friend. Fear of family conflict.
But Jesus’ words are weighty: don’t fear those who can only affect the body; whoever acknowledges Jesus publicly, Jesus will acknowledge them; and the Holy Spirit will teach us what to say in the moment.
Peter’s Story: From Cowardly to Bold (And Why That Matters for Us)
Peter denied Jesus when pressure hit. But Jesus didn’t wash His hands of Peter.
That same Peter is later filled with the Holy Spirit and preaches boldly in Acts 2—so boldly that thousands are saved.
Two takeaways: (1) There is forgiveness if you’ve denied Christ or hidden your light—God still has purpose for you. (2) The Holy Spirit gives boldness to overcome fear and shine in a dark world.
A Simple Next Step for Monday Morning
This doesn’t have to be “save the whole world by lunchtime.”
Commit today: Monday morning, ask the Holy Spirit to direct you… and as opportunities come, shine a little brighter.
One of the best open doors? “Can I pray for you?”
You might be “number 13” in a long line of people God used to reach someone—but what if that moment is the one where the fruit is ripe and God lets you harvest?
Let’s not be the kind of Christians who pull the garbage can off the lamp on Sunday… and put it right back over it on Monday.
This week, ask the Holy Spirit for one opportunity to shine—at work, at home, or with a friend—and take it.
Support the Mission
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You can also watch the full sermon on our Youtube page below.
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