Song:
Give me oil in my lamp
Keep me burning
Give me oil in my lamp
I pray
Give me oil in my lamp
Keep me burning
Keep
me burning till the break of day.
Types of Light
1. The Match
Light: The match light refers to the kindle that is gotten from striking a match stick. A prominent feature
of this light is that it actually lights up, glows a little but just as
quickly, goes out. It is not a reliable light for lasting illumination. Likewise, the lives of some believers whose ‘lights’ possess negligible staying
power. The match light reminds us of the ‘Parable of the Sower’(Mark 4:1-20). Jesus
describes what happens in v.15, “These [in the first group] are the ones along the
road where the word is sown; but when they hear, Satan immediately comes and
takes away the word which has been sown in them”. In the same way, the influence and excellence of the match
light is fleeting, not enduring.
2. The Candle
Light: The
light from a candle burns, illuminates the room, provides visibility but
extinguishes as soon as the candle itself burns out. There are believers whose
‘lights’ have limited capacity – only as long as the candle lasts. Mark 4:16-17
describes the candle light thus: “In a similar way these [in
the second group] are the ones on whom seed was sown on rocky ground, who, when
they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy [but
accept it only superficially]; 17 and they have no real root in themselves, so they
endure only for a little while; then, when trouble or persecution comes because
of the word, immediately they [are offended and displeased at being associated
with Me and] stumble and fall away”.
The candle light lasts as long as conditions remain favourable; it is limited
also.
3. The Torch
Light: The
torch is an electrical device which derives energy from a battery powered by
another light source. Its light is only as sustainable as the source of its power.
The ‘light’ of the believer (how bright they shine) is only as effective as
their source of power. Some sources of human power include fame, fortune,
wealth, and status. Enduring light does not depend on any of these for when
people are stripped of these sources of power, they become ordinary mortals
that they truly are!!!
Other lights include sunlight, moonlight, starlight, emberlight, etc, but the
ultimate light that the world needs is Jesus (John 1:1-9). His light has the capacity to displace every kind of
darkness on the battlefield. When there is darkness, it speaks of night time,
poor or no visibility, little or no activities, unpleasant situations, etc (John 9:4). The light of Jesus shines at
all times and liberates one from the darkness (Ps. 30:5). We are the carriers of His light!!!
The Importance
of Light of Jesus
1. His Light helps us to see.
God gave us the sun by day and the moon and stars by night. The light of Jesus
guides us out of darkness (Luke 1:76-79).
We are where we are today because we have found our way out of the darkness of
ignorance, fear and sin through the light of Jesus.
2. Light eliminates darkness.
Light brightens the environment, every nook and cranny and leaves no place for
darkness (John 12:46). Darkness has
no hiding place where there is light. The moment light beams in any
environment, darkness unravels and flees.
3. His light guides our faith.
In the struggle against darkness, it is the light of Jesus that can see us
through the difficulties, enticements, distraction and distortions of this
world. His light points us to the pain hidden in that pleasure and the
falsehood in that favour.
4. His light exposes every evil.
Evil thrives where there is darkness because that is the cover it needs to
perpetrate harm. But when the light of Jesus shines, evil has no hiding place.
The light of Jesus uncovers the act, art and intent of evil with information,
knowledge and power (John 8:12).
5. His light brings about
boldness. Psalms 27:1 says, “The Lord is
my light and my salvation, so why should I be afraid? The Lord protects me from
danger, so why should I tremble”? With the light of Jesus, the believer
becomes fearless and confident because His light is full of unfathomable power.
Why do people live in darkness?
1. There is darkness in the
heart of man – like forces attract. And because some people do not respond
easily to change, they prefer the ‘familiar territory’ which, of course, is
enmeshed in darkness.
2. Darkness provides a hiding
place. Many people are so afraid of the embarrassment of exposure of their
unwholesome deeds. So, they prefer the darkness to conceal them.
3. Darkness gives one fake
confidence (Eph. 4:17-19). Those who
get involved in the occult and other unsavoury groups often confess that their
association emboldens them to do strange things they never thought they were capable of (John 3:19-21). The distinguishing factor between them and the
believer is the Source of Power!!!
Conclusion
1. 1
Thessalonians 5:5-6,
“For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to
darkness and night. So, be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay
alert and be sober”.
2.
Romans 13:12-14, “12 The
night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your
dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. 13 Because
we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t
participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual
promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy.14 Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus
Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires”.
3. 1 John 1:7, “7 But
if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship
with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin”.
4. Ephesians 5:8-9, “8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light
from the Lord. So live as people of light!9 For
this light within you produces only what is good and right and true”.
Divine lights shine out on all
sides – like a “city on a hill”. They are prominent and influential. They
become an example to others because they affect lives, for good, through their
deeds. They carry the light of Christ (John 10:10) – the light that transforms
lives!!!
Song:
I have the light of God in me
I have the light of God in me
I have the spirit of the Son of God
I have the light of God in me
No comments:
Post a Comment