The Light Still Shines

Introduction – The Most Thrilling Story

Many years ago, when Adoniram Judson was doing powerful missionary work in Burma, he returned home for furlough and was invited to speak at a church in the United States.

The congregation expected an exciting account of danger and heroism—stories of jungle travel and dramatic conversions.

Instead, Judson stood and simply preached about Jesus.

He told the story of the cross and the resurrection.

Afterward, the minister said,

> “Thank you for your message, Dr. Judson. But our people were somewhat disappointed. They had hoped to hear more about your adventures in Burma.”

Judson replied,

> “I gave them the most thrilling story there is—the most thrilling story on earth.”

Friends, that story still thrills.

The Light that broke into the darkness on resurrection morning still shines today.

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Have We Lost the Wonder?

Could it be that we have heard the gospel so often that we are no longer amazed?

Have we somehow domesticated this story and the Great Commission Jesus gave us?

If we are not making disciples as He commanded, isn’t that, in essence, disobedience?

Why do some hesitate?

Perhaps we find it difficult to reveal our inner lives.

Perhaps we fear being called hypocrites because our lives don’t always match our words.

Perhaps we feel we have nothing to pass on.

But Jesus’ words still stand:

> “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:18–19).

The Light still shines—and He sends us out to carry it.

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1. “All Authority Is Given to Me—Therefore Go”

Christ gives us His authority, not our own.

But we live in a world where authority is constantly breaking down.

Some old structures needed to fall, but we’ve also learned that self-proclaimed authorities cannot always be trusted.

A gravestone in Pennsylvania reads:

> In memory of Ellen Shannon, age 26 years, who was fatally burned March 21, 1870, by the explosion of the lamp filled with R.E. Canforth’s non-explosive burning fluid.

Don’t you get tired of non-explosive things that explode?

Sure-fire cures that don’t cure?

Directions you “can’t miss” but that fail?

People look at Christians the same way.

A bus-stop sign once read: “— Christian Fellowship, where Jesus Christ is first.”

Someone crossed out Jesus Christ and wrote MONEY.

Douglas Steer tells of a young man hostile to Christianity.

> “It’s not that Christians preach brotherhood and peace,” the young man said.

“What I resent is that they are not Christian enough.”

People are watching—even when we wish they weren’t.

Our lives must match the Light we proclaim.

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2. “Go…Make Disciples…Baptize…Teach”

When Jesus said Go, the disciples may have heard,

> “Go to people just like us.”

But His command went far wider:

> “Go to all nations.”

Seventh-day Adventists are among the most generous mission supporters in the world.

But here is the deeper question:

Are we missionaries personally?

It isn’t a matter of if we are missionaries.

If we claim Christ’s name, we are His representatives everywhere—good ones or poor ones.

Jesus also said, “Make disciples.”

That means to teach and model the way of Christ, encouraging and exhorting one another to loving service.

Then He said, “Baptize them.”

Baptism is more than a ceremony.

It’s a sign of absolute commitment—a life so full of Jesus that others long to follow Him.

How do you know the work Christ is calling you to do?

I cannot give you the specifics, but I can promise this:

He has a job for you.

Do you want it badly enough to look for the opportunities He is placing in front of you?

Practical steps:

Discover your spiritual gifts and ask God to show how to use them.

Read and reread Scripture, especially 2 Corinthians 5, where Paul describes the ministry of reconciliation.

Pray for relationships that need healing—you won’t need to look far.

Simple but Powerful Witnesses

A woman who loved children and prayed for their parents saw many families baptized.

A businessman who found talking about faith difficult simply invited friends to church—dozens found Christ.

A young executive began giving away Bibles after discovering fresh joy in reading Scripture.

How will God give you opportunities?

I don’t know—but He will, if you are open.

The Light still shines through ordinary people like these.

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3. “I Am with You Always”

Finally, Christ promises His presence—not only in crises but every single day.

Some people’s need for Christ is obvious, like those on skid row.

Others seem self-sufficient and successful, but they need Him just as much.

To keep the most thrilling story alive and to share it faithfully, we must rely on His daily presence.

That is how the Light still shines in us and through us.

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Conclusion – The Light Still Shines