HOW TO LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE

By Richard Jenkins, pastor of First Southern Baptist Church in Coffeyville, Kansas

Matthew 5:14-16

Jesus calls Christians to shine like light in the darkness. Some say, “Religion is a private thing.” Jesus is saying that it is not a private thing!

A simple acrostic helps remind us how to shine our light.

L – Love people passionately. We must depend on the Lord of love to put his compassion for people in us. (Mark 6:34). Herb Hodges said that “every saved person this side of heaven should be concerned about every lost person this side of hell.”

I – Intercede for them persistently. In 2 Corinthians 2:3-4 the lost are described as spiritually blind and therefore cannot see the light. Only God can give sight to the spiritually blind. Pray that they will be “un-blinded.”

G – Go to them purposefully. In Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus said “Go.” “Go” could literally be rendered “as you are going.” Aren’t we always on the go? Jesus is simply telling us to do what we already are doing but with a greater awareness.

H – Help them practically. Our light really shines when we care for people in Jesus name. In October 2002, a sniper terrorized the Washington D.C. area. But the men of one church volunteered to pump gas for motorists as a ministry right in the area where the sniper had killed people and terrorized the community. Practical help doesn’t always have to be so dramatic to have a dramatic spiritual effect.

T – Tell them plainly. There will come a moment when the Spirit gives you an opportunity to share what Jesus means to you. Jesus said the result would be that God would be “glorified.” If we don’t plainly tell them why we do what we do, they will be praising us but not God.

There are three ways we can apply this message:

1)        We should be a light as an individual. Jesus said, “Your light.” It is an individual thing.

2)  We should be a light as a family. Ephesians 5 indicates that our marriages and families are to represent Christ. With so many hurting families this is a wonderful opportunity.

3) We should be a light as a church. In Revelation 1:20 and 2:1, 5 each church is compared to a lamp stand. We should support local church events and programs that are collective attempts at shining the light.

Sermon starters

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