Campmeeting 2023 | Ptr. Andres Boncales
This sermon, "The Believer as the Light of the World," draws from Matthew 5:14-16 to emphasize the Christian's role in displaying a good testimony through good works. We are called to be in the world, but not of the world, overcoming its sin and wickedness throughout our lives. Our source of light is God, for "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5). Just as Christ is the light of the world, we, as followers of Jesus, are to function as the light of the world, shining forth the truth of the glorious gospel. We must be vigilant against our adversary, the devil, who, as a "roaring lion," seeks to steal our joy and testimony (1 Peter 5:8). Satan's desire is to hinder believers from functioning as God intended. To overcome the enemy, we must "submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). We cannot defeat Satan in our own strength; it is only by God's grace and submission to His will. Remember, "Ye cannot serve God and mammon" (Matthew 6:24); we cannot love God and the world simultaneously. We are called to live as faithful believers, not merely hearers, but doers of the Word.
Published: 7/8/2025
What Will You Be in Your Local Church?
This is a very important question for every one of us, especially the young people: What will you be in your local church after this camp meeting? Will you still be the same, or will you have changed? Are you encouraged or discouraged? Will you be a blessing or still a burden in your local churches? Are you increasing or decreasing in your Christian life? What you will be in your local church after this event is why we are here—because we want to be edified and admonished by the preaching of God’s Word.
My presence in this camp meeting is like that of Barnabas in the book of Acts chapter 11, verse 23, where the Bible says, “Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.” The question for us is, are we still cleaving unto the Lord? Are we serving the Lord?
Our text says, “Ye are the light of the world.” This speaks of our testimony. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid; you cannot cover it. We must show it. Verse 15 says, “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.” These verses speak about the testimony of the believer—not just a testimony, but a good testimony. In verse 16, the Bible says, “Let your light so shine before men.” Not just let your light shine, but let it so shine before men, “that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Good works are the fruit of righteousness, not bad works.
This brings me to my message: The Believer as the Light of the World.
In the World, But Not of the World
We know that we are living in the world. We are in the world, but we are not of the world. This means we need to overcome the world; we are overcomers. Overcoming the world is not a one-time duty, but a lifetime one. As long as we are still breathing and alive, we are to be overcomers. We know what is going on in this world we are living in; it is a world full of sin and wickedness. The Bible reminds us that we need to show our light, that our light must shine in our lives. We must stand as believers, as real Christians. We must show our light not only to the unsaved but also to all believers, showing that we are real in our faith, our conviction, and our service.
This is the reality: the world we are living in is full of sin and wickedness that we need to overcome for a lifetime. As Preacher Bob says, the flesh is flesh. The flesh yesterday is still the flesh now. This is a reality we cannot avoid, and sometimes we Christians are overcome by it. The Bible is very clear in 1 John chapter 2, verses 15 and 16:
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
This is a good reminder for each and every one of us. In Matthew 5:16, the Bible says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” We must consider these verses.
The Source of Our Light
We must remember that we have an unseen enemy: the devil. But first, let us open our Bibles to 1 John chapter 1, verse 5 through 7:
“This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
We are the children of light, and the truth is in us. That is the reason why we must show this light—because there is truth in us. First John chapter 2, verses 9 and 10, says, “He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.” But he that hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, not knowing where he goes, because that darkness has blinded his eyes. It is very clear that God is light, and we are the children of light.
In John chapter 8, verse 12, one of the well-known “I ams” of Jesus is found. Then Jesus spoke again to them, saying, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” Our life is no longer in darkness; we are in the light. At the moment you believed the right message—the gospel—and got saved, Jesus became your Lord and personal Savior. And then, God wants us to function as the light of the world, just as Christ is the light of the world. What I am trying to say is that our testimony must be a real, good testimony, a shining light to the people.
We are living in a perverse and crooked, wicked world. That is why God wants us to show the world the light, hope, and truth that is in us. We have the light of the glorious gospel of Christ that needs to shine in our hearts.
Related Topics
TestimonyOvercomingSubmission