The lesson will focus primarily on the two texts. You are encouraged to read both texts before we begin our thinking.
Begin by examining your religious foundation for your thoughts/actions. As a Christian, do you believe two worlds actually exist simultaneously? “What two worlds?” The physical and the spiritual worlds are the two worlds. Do you believe one is temporary and one is continual? The physical world as we know it is temporary. The physical world as we know it had a beginning and will have an end. The physical world as we know it contains two powerful influences—the influences of good and the influences of evil. It was the influences of evil that perverted the existence and purpose of the physical world.
The spiritual world existed before the physical world existed. The spiritual world exists now. The spiritual world will continue to exist after the physical world as we know it ceases. In fact, the spiritual world challenges our thinking—it is without beginning or end, and we do not experience things in our physical world without beginning or end.
God’s intention for the physical world was that it would exist in genuine compatibility with the spiritual world (Genesis 1:31; 3:8). Evil perverted the intent of God in the physical creation. The physical world as you and I know it is not the physical world God brought into being.
The issue or question is this: should we invest ourselves and our lives in a world that is temporary or a world that is continuing? As 2 Peter 3:11, 12 states it, “. . . (W)hat sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God . . .” (NASV)? Please notice that the issue is not them (those who do not place their trust in what God did and does through Jesus Christ). The issue is us (those who trust what God did and does through Jesus Christ by entering Jesus Christ). In words we use more frequently, if we Christians understand this physical world is temporary, do we truly exist for the coming reality that will not end?
How do Christians live for the reality of the spiritual world? How will we live if we understand this physical world is temporary? Some of these answers are given in today’s texts.
The first text (Matthew 5:14-16) is in Jesus’ words. Jesus said God’s followers realize the example of their lives and priorities are essential. The illustration Jesus used was light. In our society, we often take light for granted. Not so in their world! Life and work began at sunup and ended at sundown. Why? They could see what they were doing! They had light!
As much as is possible, illustrate two things. (1) Illustrate how small first-century lamps were. It would be quite necessary to elevate the lamp without obstructions to provide even a dim light in a dark room. (2) Illustrate how important light is—always!
We of today in this society would regard their artificial lighting of little value. The typical lamp of that time would fit in the palm of a hand. Oil (often olive oil) and a crude wick provided a dim light in darkness. If the light was elevated, people could see how to get about a room without stumbling. Because most people were extremely poor and artificial lights were regarded to be expensive, such light was welcomed but used sparingly. Darkness was for sleeping until the sun shone again.
Jesus used the obvious to form his illustration. People light a lamp to be able to see. It is being able to see that allowed people to avoid injury. Do good works so people can “see” the value of doing good. Do good works in rightful ways that make it obvious that your good exists because God directs your life. Your good is done to glorify God.
The Christian example of how to live for God is an essential function of people who belong to and follow the living God. Jesus gave this emphasis before he gave his life and was resurrected. This example always has been true of people who belong to and follow the living God in every age. Such people serve the essential function of reflecting God’s light in a world darkened by evil. Never assume that people automatically understand how to distinguish good from evil. People who do not know God also do not “see” or understand evil.
Following God by trusting what God did in Jesus’ death and resurrection increasingly grew more difficult as the first century ended. 1 Peter 2:11, 12 spoke to Christians who endured opposition. They found it difficult to be godly people because evil thinking and actions opposed their efforts in numerous ways. They received these admonitions:
1. See yourselves as aliens and strangers in this physical world. The values and principles that direct your lives are not the values and principles of evil people. It is true that you do not belong to physical existence. Physical existence never will be a friendly force to those who belong to Jesus Christ. If you “see” yourselves as belonging to physical existence, this is horrible for you!
2. Know there is an internal war being waged within you. Satan attacks your choice to belong to God. He appeals to your physical desires in ways that limit God’s influence in you. Compare this statement to Paul’s earlier statements in Galatians 5:16-24 and Ephesians 6:10-18.
3. Satan is serious and determined in his desire to destroy you spiritually!
4. Be a consistent example of godliness among people who misunderstand who God is and what God values. They may cause you all types of difficulty, but represent God well to them.
a. They will misunderstand who you are by considering your godly values to be a morally undesirable weakness—do not expect them to understand or respect the “whys” of what you do.
b. Just know they cannot deny the good effect of what you do in your forgiveness, grace, and mercy. The good results of your values and principles in Christ cannot be denied!
c. The eventual effect of the example of your consistent lifestyle will cause them to honor the God you serve—the God who at first they despised.
d. Your consistent actions will result in the salvation of those who refused to listen to your messages.
Never forget that serving God includes the way Christians look at physical life, physical existence, and divine purpose. Never forget that consistent godly examples reach godless people who reject godly messages. If Christians are small lamps for God, God’s church should be a beacon of light for people lost in the darkness.
For Thought and Discussion
1. Contrast the spiritual world and the physical world.
2. State and discuss the “issue question.”
3. Describe a first-century lamp. How did Jesus illustrate the value of Christian example?
4. Discuss the “essential function” of Christians being a godly example.
5. Enumerate the admonitions of 1 Peter 2:11, 12.
6. What two things should Christians never forget?
Link to Teacher's Guide
Lesson 8