STEWARDS OF THE LIGHT
This message is about being a good steward of the light. When we accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, we were never the same. We became men and women with a mission. Within us, something had greatly changed. For one, we became a bearer of the light to the perishing, to this dark and dying world. Our lives became a silent sermon of God’s grace, mercy, love and blessings. As Christians, how are we in our personal ministry as stewards of the light that is Jesus Christ? Our main verse today is in Matthew 5:14-16: You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
From darkness to light
Before we accepted Jesus Christ into our lives, we lived in the dark. Within us was darkness. As such, we did not know where we were going. We did not know what our purpose was. Reason why we went astray, committed too many mistakes and felt empty. We were lost in that darkness.
However, when Jesus Christ came into our lives we became the light of the world. We became a new creation. Ephesians 5:8-9 says, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” There is only one source of light – Jesus Christ. In John 8:12 Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Jesus is the light. He is the sun and we are the moon, so to speak. We only carry and reflect this light. In the Bible, light is used to symbolize God, faith or holiness.
This light now dwells within us. Our bodies have become the temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). As stewards, we have to guard this light because this is a treasure that has been entrusted to us (2 Timothy 1:14).
Powerful light
The light within us is a very powerful one. Nothing compares to it. It is Jesus Christ himself because he is the light. It is the same light that shone upon Paul on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:5). It is the glory of the Lord (Revelations 21:23). It is a living light because we serve a living God. This light is the Savior of the world.
It is important that we must be connected to the source of the light 24/7. Otherwise, we will die spiritually. We will live again in darkness. Apart from the source, we are nothing (John 15:4-5).
A story was told about a church member who stopped attending services regularly. One cold evening, the church pastor visited him in his house. Guessing the reason for the pastor’s visit, the member welcomed and led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace. The pastor said nothing. He was just watching the flames dancing around the burning logs. After some minutes, the pastor took the fire tongs and picked a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone. The member watched all this in quiet contemplation. After a while, the ember’s flame diminished and eventually died. The pastor still said nothing. Thereafter, the pastor got the ember and placed it back to the fire. Immediately, it began to glow once more with the light and warmth of the fire around it. (http://www.gospelweb.net)
The same thing happens if we disconnect from the source of the light.
What to do with the light within us
We have already established that within us is a very powerful light that is Jesus Christ. Our duty as stewards of this light is to make it so shine! This is our lifetime ministry. Sometimes, we wonder what we can do for the Lord. Not all of us like to speak on the pulpit and share God’s word. Not all of us can do what our pastors can do. However, I believe that all of us can choose to make our lights so shine. By how we live, we can already minister to others and glorify God! Our lives are our everyday silent sermons.
There is no other purpose for the light except to shine to dispel darkness. Our Bible verse says, “Let your light so shine.” Take note of the word “let”. This means that it is our decision to make this light shine through our lives or not. How bright the light will shine is within our full control. We play a very important part because the light will be useless if not allowed to shine.
Not only that we will make it shine, God tells us to make it “so” shine! We must do our very best so that those who will see it will glorify God. This is also one way of distinguishing fake light from true light. Many people do good works but they are not Christians. Many people also pretend or claim to be Christians. Hence, their good works only glorify themselves and not God. Importantly, it is the brightest light that attracts the most. A bright lighthouse can be seen miles away. We need to make it so shine so that many people will notice it and it can brighten a wide area. Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”
What is in the light
When Jesus said, “let your light so shine,” he was referring to our good works. We are created for good works (Ephesians 2:10). These good works come from our faith in Jesus. Faith alone, without good works, is dead (James 2:26). Our good works are manifestations of our faith. We cannot just say that we know God but do nothing to show for it. We are competent and equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:17).
There are so many examples of good works such that there is no reason that we cannot do one or more of it. When we show to others the fruits of the Holy Spirit such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control we are making our light shine (Galatians 5:22). When we help and pray for each other; are honest in everything that we do and say; forgive those who insult and hurt us; continue to praise and serve the Lord even in the midst of trials; remain loyal to our friends when others are not; share God’s words; share our blessings to others; bring our family to church every Sunday; participate in community works; respect and encourage one another; do not use social media to malign or insult another; obey the laws of our country and the commandments of the Lord, we are making our lights shine.
There is an opportunity every day. Do not waste it. Why do we have to show our good works? It is because people will judge us first if we are following the teachings of Jesus Christ before they will be interested. They will see first what they could get if they will have Jesus Christ. They want to know if we are for real. If they see bad things, they will not be eager to know God. Attraction comes first. Then people will wonder what makes us wonderfully different.
Where should the light shine
First, in our homes. How are we in our homes? We show our true colors in our homes – our comfort zones. Outside, we can pretend. How are we when no one is watching us? Are we the source of discouragement or backsliding in our homes, to our spouses and children? If we are not a good example in our own homes, we cannot be a true example outside because we would only be pretending.
Second, to the world. This includes our community, workplace, church, friends and social media. Are we making our lights so shine in these areas? How are we in our church ministries? Sadly, many Christians fight and destroy each other on Facebook and other social media to the full view of the world!
Today, we will baptize new souls. This is partly because some of us here in the church have made their lights so shine to these new members. How wonderful it is when we bring more souls to Jesus Christ! Let us all shine so brightly!
Present condition of some lights
Sadly, some Christians are suffering a spiritual eclipse these days. They no longer shine. They are busted lights. Luke says, “Be careful, then, that the light within you is not darkness” (Luke 11:35). Some Christians are the reason why people do not glorify the Lord. You see them in dark and unlikely places enjoying the darkness. They are an obstacle to many. They let darkness so shine in their lives. They need to replace their lights.
Some lights are dim and dying. They are flickering in the dark. In a short while, it will die. These lights are not fully effective anymore. They are fading away. They are becoming cold. They need to clean and fix their lights. Sin can dim the lights. Do not get tired. Keep it shining so bright!
Some lights are still shining brightly but covered. Our Bible verse says, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.” Some are ashamed for fear that they will be ridiculed and considered as outcasts. There is no such thing as a “secret agent Christian”. We are obviously different as Christians. So, there is no use hiding it. It will show. Jesus says, “Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels” (Luke 9:26).
Do we belong to any of these categories?
Conclusion
Are we good stewards of the light? Are we setting a good example to others? How long have we become Christians? How many have given glory to God through our good works? The world is getting darker each day. We are experiencing the signs mentioned in Revelation. Please let us make our lights so shine in the places where God has put us. He has a purpose. When people see our shining lights, point them to Jesus Christ.
When we make our lights so shine, we also benefit from it. We are guided in the right direction and we are glorifying God.
True Christians are getting smaller every day. Many are perishing. Let us light the way so that they will find their way back to the Father. When we let our lights so shine, the world will see the Lord. Our enemy who covers this world with darkness will perish because he cannot dwell in the light. Let us make our lights so shine!
