Matthew 6:22-23 The Lamp that Lights the Way

 

Introduction:  The word, light, in the text is literally “lamp.”  The lamp was a bowl of oil with a flax wick. The oil in the wick would burn and give light all around.  The lamp would be set on a lampstand or carried by hand as one would go from room to room.  The old time lamp here in our country had a glass bowl, a cotton wick and a glass chimney.  It was a much improved lamp over the biblical lamp.

 

I.  The eye, the lamp of the body, verse 22.

            A.  What the lamp was to the individual, the eye is to the body.

                        1.  Technically, the eye does not give light as a lamp does.

                        2.  It only reacts to light that comes from some other source.

                        3.  But for all practical purposes it behaves as a lamp.

            B.  The eye gives vision.

                        1.  Close the eyes and there is no light, no vision; open the eyes and there is vision.

                        2.  With vision there is warning of danger.  (It tells when to stop, start, or turn).

                        3.  With vision there is guidance.  (For walking, running, working, playing, sitting, etc.).

            C.  That is, the eye does these things if the eye be single or healthy.  The single eye does not see double.

            D.  But if the eye be unhealthy one is greatly handicapped. 

                        (He stumbles in his walk and cannot see danger ahead; is handicapped in work).

 

II.  The light within man, thru the mind’s eye.

            A.  Here Jesus talks not merely of the physical eye, but of an inward eye, inside of man.

            B.  The intellect, the mind of man is also a lamp which lights the man.

                        1.  It gives understanding, enabling man to see.  (See himself and about him).

                        2.  It gives warning of danger ahead.

                        3.  It tells him to stop certain habits and to start other habits.

                        4.  It gives guidance in one’s walk and work.

                        5.  It does for man inwardly all that the eye does for man outwardly.

            C.  If the inward vision operates properly, all is well.

            D.  But if it is fed the wrong information, then one is subject to tragic mistakes.

                        1.  If blinded by Satan and sin.

                        2.  If blurred by temptations.

                        3.  How great the darkness!

           

III.  The Bible needed to illuminate the mind of man.

            A.  In order for the mental eye of man to see properly in spiritual matters, it needs to be illuminated by

                         the Word of God.

            B.  The unsaved man needs to be illuminated in the way of salvation.

                        1.  He needs to see himself in sin and in need of a Savior.

                        2.  He needs to see that works will not save.

                        3.  He needs to repent of his sin.

                        4.  He needs to trust Jesus as Savior.

            C.  The saved needs to be illuminated in the way of godly living.

 

Conclusion: 

            1.  I am asking all who are unsaved to trust Jesus.

            2.  I am asking all who are in need of a church home to consider this church.

            3.  I am asking every child of God to live a clean godly life, doing the work and will of God.

 

Preached at Pleasant Hill 9-19-82 A.M.