Tonight, we gather in the soft glow of candles, but let’s be honest — the world outside doesn’t feel very soft or very glowing right now. There’s enough darkness in the world today.
People are stressed, divided, anxious, angry, exhausted… and that’s just the line at Costco. Everywhere you turn, somebody’s carrying a heaviness they don’t know what to do with.
And into that world — this world — Jesus looks at His disciples and says something wild:
“You are the light of the world.”
Not “You might be the light…”
Not “Try your best to act like light…”
Jesus straight up says:
“YOU. ARE. THE. LIGHT.”
That means whether we’re ready or not, whether we feel holy or not, whether we’re polished or still a little rough around the edges — the world is watching us to see what the Light of Jesus actually looks like.
Tonight isn’t just a cozy ritual with wax, wicks, and a fire hazard waiting to happen. It’s a reminder of who we are — and what we’re supposed to do with what we’ve been given.
Preparing for tonight’s message a thought entered in my head…
What if we actually didn’t have candles tonight?
If this room was dark, and only one little candle was burning up here…
No passing flames…
No warm glow spreading from family to family…
Just… darkness.
There’d be confusion, disappointment, maybe a few folks ready to stone the pastor with their unlit candles.
But honestly?
That’s exactly how a lot of Christians live.
One light.
Hidden.
Untouched.
Unshared.
Jesus said, “No one lights a lamp and hides it under a bowl.”
But a whole lot of believers do exactly that.
We talk about the Light.
We sing about the Light.
We attend candlelight services ABOUT the Light.
But we never actually pass the Light.
The Hard Truth
Statistics tell us only 5% of Christians will ever even attempt to lead someone to Christ.
Five percent.
That means 95% keep their candle to themselves and call it “faithfulness.”
And I say this with love, but also with a little of that “Coach Kelly” energy:
That’s not okay.
If Jesus says YOU are the light of the world…
If Jesus says YOU are sent…
If Jesus says YOU are to make disciples…
Then keeping the Light to yourself is spiritual stinginess.
Illustration: “Electrician Evangelism”
There’s a story told about a small-town electrician who went around fixing people’s lights and wiring all week long. He wasn’t a preacher, he wasn’t a missionary, he wasn’t even comfortable praying out loud. He just knew how to fix things.
One day he was repairing a light fixture in an older woman’s home when she got emotional and started apologizing for being a burden. He stopped what he was doing and simply said,
“Ma’am, you’re not a burden — you’re loved.”
That one sentence opened the floodgates.
She shared her struggles…
He listened…
And before he left, he told her about the hope he’d found in Jesus.
By the end of the conversation, this woman — who hadn’t stepped foot in a church in years — bowed her head right there in her living room and surrendered her life to Christ.
Now here’s the part that hits me every time:
That electrician didn’t have a degree.
He didn’t have training.
He didn’t memorize five evangelism methods.
He just had a light… and he refused to hide it.
And that moment — not in a sanctuary, not in an office, but in a dusty old living room — changed someone’s eternity.
That’s what I’m praying to see among us.
Not rare stories…
Not “special” stories…
Normal stories.
Stories happening in your workplaces, in your neighborhoods, in conversations over fences, at pickleball courts, on job sites, in grocery lines.
I long for the day you walk up and say:
“Pastor, I shared the gospel with someone — and God moved.”
That would light me up brighter than every candle in this room combined.
Why It Matters
Some believers hide the light because they’re scared.
Others think they’re not qualified.
Some decide it’s the pastor’s job.
Nope.
Jesus didn’t say, “Pastors, shine your light.”
He said, “LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE.”
It’s personal.
It’s intentional.
And — brace yourself — it's a responsibility.
You have relationships I will never have.
Your circle includes souls I will never meet.
God placed you exactly where you are to shine there.
Is it uncomfortable sometimes?
Yup.
But is someone’s eternity worth the awkwardness?
Absolutely.
Someone thought your soul was worth the effort.
The Challenge
Tonight, as the flame passes from candle to candle, I want you to think of something deeper:
Who needs the Light that God put in you?
I’m challenging you — not gently — to name 10 people in your life who don’t know Jesus.
Write their names.
Pray for them regularly.
Look for opportunities.
Ask the Holy Spirit to open doors.
And learn how to clearly explain how someone can receive Christ.
Don’t let this be another nice Christmas tradition with no real-life follow-through.
Jesus meant what He said.
You are the light of the world.
So shine.
Not just in here — but out there, where it’s actually dark.
Candle Lighting: As we light our tonight, remember:
Someone, somewhere, once handed you the Light of Christ.
Someone took the risk.
Someone prayed for you.
Someone cared enough.
Let this room filling with light be a picture of what God wants to see in our town, our island, our homes, our workplaces.
One person sharing the Light…
Then another…
Then another…
Until the darkness doesn’t stand a chance.
