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Sermon Guide

Making Sense of Church
Week 9 | The City on a Hill

Teaching Text

Matthew 5:14-16

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Sermon Recap

This Sunday, guest Pastor Guy Mason continued our sermon series, Making Sense of the Church, with a teaching on the Church as the City on a Hill. Anchored in Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5 commissioning His people to be the light of the world and a city set on a hill, we are reminded of our calling to pursue a life of undivided worship and Christ-centered holiness as a witness to the world.

As the Church, we have been set apart to shine Christ-like the holiness into the world. Though Jesus lived in the world, He was neither shaped nor consumed by the world. He is the true light, and in Him there is no darkness. The more people draw near to His presence, the more they are able to see and experience light, and the same should be true of His people. The Church is called to incite God to rid us of all darkness—whether hidden in the shadows or in plain sight—so we may walk in light. Just as David prayed, we should ask God to search, know, and test our hearts so we may be free of all darkness and bear His light for the world to see.

Pastor Guy reminded us that this calling is also not an individual commission. Instead, a fundamental piece of our identity as the Church is that we are a people set apart and built together in love. Though we live in an era of expressive individuality and consumerism, we must be careful not to treat the Church like a spiritual marketplace of goods. The Church is not a product to consume, but a people we belong to. We are made for people and we need each other to jointly push back darkness with light. In doing so, we are able to lead beautiful lives that mirror the good works Jesus began, ultimately bringing praise to our Father in Heaven.

The end goal of this calling is not only mission, but worship, and it began with Jesus Himself. Jesus didn’t just eat with sinners and tax collectors, He died for them. Through His death and resurrection, He embodied the light that conquered darkness for good. As we become a people set apart and built together in love to push back darkness with light, we can rest in the knowledge that this calling is simply a continuation of the perfect work Jesus began in and for us.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  • What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

  • Ask someone to read Matthew 5:14-17 aloud to the group.

    1. What words, images, or phrases stand out to you? If this is a familiar passage for you, through this sermon or re-reading the text, is there anything that resonates with you in a new way?

    2. What does this text tell us about Jesus and His hope for the Church?

LEAN IN | THE NINE DISTINCTIVES

Communitas

    • How would you describe the difference between community for comfort and community for growth/mission? Have you experienced a group of friends or believers that really pushed you closer to Jesus (share what that was like)?

    • In this group, what do you personally need to feel safe to open up? Conversely, what commitment from you will help build trust here? (For example: “I need confidentiality; and I commit to be honest and not hide.”) Discuss and perhaps draft a few agreed-upon values for your communitas.

    • Read Hebrews 3:12-13 and 10:24-25. What do these verses imply about the urgency and frequency of encouragement and accountability in Christian community? What dangers do they warn against if we don’t have communitas?

    • Are there any hesitations or fears you have about deeper accountability (such as confessing sins or being challenged)? Let’s talk about those openly. How can we cultivate both grace and truth so that this group isn’t about shaming but about freedom and growth (James 5:16)?

  • 1. What does it look like for you to surrender being "searched" by the Light of Christ?

    2. Is there anything holding you back from receiving the identity of being the light of the world and a city set on a hill?

    3. What does it practically look like for your community to be "built together in love"? Are there any areas you are consuming from the Church more than belonging to it as a people?

    4. How can you let your light shine before others this week? 

  • Spend time asking the Holy Spirit how you can join Him in pushing back darkness with light this week as a group. Then, cover individual prayer requests as needed.

  • What is a shared mission or service that our group could undertake together in the next month or two? Brainstorm ideas (nothing is too small). How might engaging in that mission strengthen our bond as believers and friends?