Do you Shine?

In keeping with the pattern of the last sermon, here are my sermon notes on Light, posted directly instead of the usual document download. Be encouraged my friends, and be light in this dark world! 

1. Light (vs. 14-16)

Phil.
2:15 – That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of
God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation,
among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

Quick
Observations about Light:

• There
  are different kinds of light. (Wavelengths/Colors)

• Light
  has a dual nature (wave-particle, electromagnetic-photon.)

• Light
  carries messages and information. (Radio, Television, even Colors.)

1. We cannot hide our light (vs.
   14)

   1. Cities shine. Cities on hills
      shine for everyone to see.

   2. Either from its friends or
      its enemies.

      1. People
         seeking the light will come to us and rejoice.

      2. People
         hating the light and loving darkness will attack us.

         • Cockroaches
           (and other bugs) hate the light.

         • John
           15:18-21

      3. We
         should be prepared for both.

   3. Means
      we are being observed

      1. Whether
         we like it or not, the world is watching us.

      2. Illust.
         – College Girl and the fund raiser.

2. We are meant to shine! (vs.
   15)

   1. You don’t light a candle so you
      can cover it.

   2. God did not light us so
      he could hide us.

      1. A disciple of the Lord Jesus
         is not to hide his light.

      2. We should not be ashamed to
         shine, to name the name of Christ.

         • Mark 8:38 says if we are
           ashamed of Christ, he will be ashamed of us.

         • When in public, how do you
           behave? Are you careful not to mention Jesus if it comes up? Do
           you pray secretly so no one notices?

      3. God has a reason for us to be
         where we are.

         • Let
           there be Light – A young girl once consulted with her
           minister. “I cannot stick it out any longer. I am the only
           Christian in the factory where I work. I get nothing but taunts
           and sneers. It is more than I can stand. I am going to
           resign.”
           “Will you tell me,”
           asked the minister, “where lights are placed?”
           “What
           has that to do with it?” the young Christian asked him
           rather bluntly.
           “Never mind,” the minister replied.
           “Answer my question: Where are lights placed?”
           “I
           suppose in dark places,” she replied.
           “Yes, and
           that is why you have been put in that factory where there is
           such spiritual darkness and where there is no other Christian to
           shine for the Lord.”
           The young Christian realized for
           the first time the opportunity that was hers. She felt she could
           not fail God by allowing her light to go out. She went back to
           the factory with renewed determination to let her light shine in
           that dark corner. Before long, she was the means of leading nine
           other girls to the Light.

         • (This
           doesn’t mean we go to the “danger zone” to be wrongly
           influenced.)

         • There is a reason, but He
           might be the only one who knows what that is.

         • Are
           you being light
           where he has you right now?

   3. We are to give light to
      “all in the house” (all in our circle).

      1. Our light should touch all the
         areas of life.

         • Family, Work, Sports,
           Government, Education, etc.

         • Jesus Christ is Lord of all
           areas of life

         • Our faith in Christ should
           influence every aspect of our lives, and the lives we touch!

         • Are
           you keeping him out of some areas? Does the light shine to all
           in the house?

      2. We
         are not
         responsible for how the light is received.

3. The purpose is to glorify
   God. (vs. 16)

   1. God does the lighting. We do
      the shining.

   2. He gets the glory for our
      brightness.

      1. Illust. Lights off, light a
         candle or lamp

      2. When a candle is lit in
         darkness, do we say “Thanks, candle, for getting lit”? No, we
         thank the one that lit the candle, is holding the light, and
         bringing that light where it is needed.

      3. All the candle does is shine.
         Simply shine.

   3. We are only to shine, and
      allow the Lord to take us where the light is needed.

      1. “Shouldn’t
         I do something?” No, just shine. “How do I do that? Is there
         a five step plan to effective shining?” :o) No, you just let
         God do the lighting, and you do the shining. He’ll handle the
         rest.

   4. Ultimately, it is Christ that
      is the Light inside us.

      1. John 8:12; John 12:46

      2. Abide in Him!

4. In Closing…

   1. Realize we will be a target,
      for both good and bad.

   2. God wants us to shine, not be
      ashamed and cover our light.

   3. Shine for the glory of God, so
      he gets the credit, and many are brought to Christ.