SPECIAL DAYS: Fourth Sunday in Lent

March 10, 2002 -Lesson: Matthew 5.14-16

Sermon Title: This Little Light of Mine

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 INTRODUCTION:

Song: this Little Light of Mine.

This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine,
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Hide it under a bushel NO!
I'm gonna let it shine,
Hide it under a bushel NO!,
I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Don't let Satan blow it out,
I'm gonna let it shine,
Don't let Satan blow it out,
I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Shine it all over the whole-wide world
I'm gonna let it shine
Shine it all over the whole-wide world
I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

MAIN BODY:

  1. This little light of mine.
    1. Well it is ours, but it is not actually ours.

Edith Wharton has said, "there are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it."

    1. There is some truth in the use of the word mirror
      1. Mirrors May not be the best metaphor.
      2. A mirror is made of a hard non-absorbent material
      3. We are to be absorbent
      4. Like Bounty, the quicker, picker-upper.
    2. We absorb the light of Jesus, who is the light.

Back in our living memory Debbie Boone wrote and sang a hit song You Light Up My Life.

So many nights I'd sit by my window
waiting for someone to sing me his song.
So many dreams I kept deep in side me
Alone in the dark but now you've come along.

CHORUS:

And you light up my life
You give me hope to carry on
You light up my days and fill my nights with song.

Rollin' at sea a-drift on the waters
could it be finally I'm turning for home
Finally a chance to say "Hey! I love you"
Never again to be all alone

(repeat chorus, repeat ending)

And you light up my life
You give me hope to carry on
You light up my days and fill my nights with song.
It can't be wrong when it feels so right
'cause you, you light up my life.

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      1. It's a love song.
        1. Sung by lovers to one another.
        2. You light up my life.
      2. Jesus is also a lover.
      3. He lights up our loves,
        1. 1The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1 (NRSVA)
        2. 9The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. John 1:9 (NRSVA)
        3. 12Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life." John 8:12 (NRSVA)
        4. 5As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." John 9:5 (NRSVA)
  1. We strive to acquire all the light that we can.
    1. We strive for the light to identify the works of darkness

11Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; 12the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; 13let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. Romans 13:11-14 (NRSVA)

    1. We strive for the light do that we will not be blinded by the darkness.

3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake. 6For it is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 (NRSVA)

An ancient rabbi once asked his pupils how they could tell when the night had ended and the day was on its way back.

"Could it be," asked one student, "when you can see an animal in the distance and tell whether it is a sheep or a dog?"

"No," answered the Rabbi.

"Could it be," inquired another, "when you can look at a tree in the distance and tell whether it is a fig tree or a peach tree?"

"No," the Rabbi replied.

"Well, then, what is it?" his pupils demanded.

The wise old teacher responded with words of immense wisdom: "It is when you look on the face of any woman or man and see that she or he is your sister or brother. Because if you cannot do this, then no matter what time it is, it is still night."

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    1. We strive for the light so that we can be strong.

11May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:11-14 (NRSVA)

The Greeks had a race in their Olympic games that was unique. The winner was not the runner who finished first. It was the runner who finished with his torch still lit. (1)

    1. We strive for the light so that we can be good examples.

Norman Vincent Peale once remarked, "Nothing is more confusing than people who give good advice but set bad examples."

      1. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works...
      2. We are to do good works.

In a Texas ranching community, one man was deeply respected for his quiet goodness, fair judgment, and under standing toward all. His family held him in highest esteem; his children recognized his authority and obeyed him. From his wife, he received the truest devotion. His family-and other people too-depended on his steadfast faith.

When he died, many came to his funeral. One of his sons delivered the eulogy. After describing his father's life and character, he summed it up in the sentence, "Dad was like a hitching post; you could tie to him." (2)

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      1. We are to be the kind of people of whom that can be said about us.
  1. We are to be good examples.
    1. We are to be good examples for ourselves.
      1. It is a wondrous and joyous experience to be seen as a good example.
      2. The personal recognition should not create an self-centered egoism.
      3. It is the source of humility instead of pride.
    2. We are to be good examples who 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
      1. Good examples do not hide their light.

A pastor phoned the home of some recent church visitors. (3)

A voice answered with a whispered "Hello."
Pastor: "Who is this?"
Whisper: "Jimmy."
Pastor: "How old are you, Jimmy?"
Whisper: "Four."
"Jimmy, may I please speak to your mom?"
"She's busy."
"Then may I speak to your dad?"
"He's busy."
"Are there any other adults at your home?"
"The police."
"Then let me speak to one of the police officers."
"They're busy."
"Who else is there?"
"Firemen."
"Well, put one of the firemen on the phone."
"They're busy."
"Jimmy, what are they all busy doing?
"They're looking for me."

      1. People are looking for God.
      2. If we're hiding where are the people going to find God?

Hide it under a bushel NO!
I'm gonna let it shine,
Hide it under a bushel NO!,
I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Shine it all over the neighborhood
I'm gonna let it shine
Shine it all over the neighborhood
I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

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    1. So that others may see the light and accept the light, and praise God for what has come into and for them.

CONCLUSION:

John Ruskin lived in the days when English villages were lighted by lamps along the street. One evening, he watched with a friend as a lamplighter moved slowly on a distant hill, lighting the lamps along the street. Ruskin said, "There is what I mean by being a real Christian. You can trace his course by the lights that he leaves burning."

  1. It is our job to light up the night.
  2. It doesn't take much, it only takes one.

ONE (4)

One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream.
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.
One smile begins a friendship,
One handclasp lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame the goal.
One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam lights a room.
One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.
One step must start each journey,
One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise our spirits,
One touch can show you care.
One voice can speak with wisdom,
One life can make the difference,
You see, its up to you!

1. J. Stowell, Fan The Flame (Chicago: Moody Press, 1986) 32.

2. Source Unknown

3. Leith Anderson, Winning the Values War in a Changing Culture (Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1994) 101-102

4. Author Unknown

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