Think Of What You Are Doing!

Think of what you are doing!

Luke 8:16-21

By: Rev. Phillip A. Wright

Jewell Baptist Chapel

North Bay, NY.

Introduction: This morning we will look into the Parable of the Revealed Light. Did you ever have something that others would love to have seen or look at and never said anything? Did you hide it from others so they would not know what you know? In my past career, in the U.S. Intelligence community it was my job to help keep our nation’s secrets secure. So in a sense we had knowledge and intentionally kept it from others in the world. However, when I see a Christian in America failing to share the love of Christ; I wonder why that is! In the intelligence community sharing secrets could present a national threat; in sharing the love of Jesus there is no threat – only glorious freedom for that soul and a reward in heaven for the witness.

Today we will look at Luke 8:16-21; Let’s read:

Passage: Luke 8:16-21 16 " No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light. 17 "For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light. 18 "Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him." 19 Then His mother and brothers came to Him, and could not approach Him because of the crowd. 20 And it was told Him by some, who said, "Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see You." 21 But He answered and said to them, "My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it." (NKJV)

Need: People need realize that everything they have ever said or thought – the true intention of every action – the real meaning behind every glance, smile or word will in fact be made known.

Textual Idea: Our passage is in red letters. Know what that means? These words were spoken by the Lord and he will be true to his word. He said it will all be made known and you can expect that he is true to his word. Some of these words today will smack some of us in different ways. Some may hit hard others may not. So let’s look at all of it.

Transition: Our text this morning suggests four things:

1. Enlightenment brings to mind Correctness.

Explanation: Recall the first verse I read. Some one with a lamp or knowledge does not hide it that others may not benefit from it.

Illustration: What if the chemist, engineers, inventors and statesmen who all had new ideas, formulas and devices kept their successes to themselves. Imagine no lights, no antibiotics, no elevators, no airplanes or cars, no irrigation systems, no entertainment. It makes absolutely no sense to have or develop something and then keep it. The idea of progress is to share new things with others to help mankind and future generations.

Argumentation: I admit there are times that someone gets testy and does not want to hear the gospel. Well that is their right, but you must diligently, lovingly, painstakingly share Christ’s love as if their very soul depended on it. After all – it does.

Application: The believer who brow beats the lost and uses warning or threatening comments to help convict someone of their sin; gives the cause of Christ a bad name. Share what you know expecting that God will use those words to bring glory to himself and let him take care of the conviction of one’s sins. You tell them the good news of Christ.

Transition: Face it most people do not like dirty work anyway. You tell them the good news and let the Holy Spirit do the conviction of sin. So we have “Enlightenment: Brings to mind Correctness” (in the sense of sharing in a proper spirit and manner).

2. Exposure brings to mind Conviction.

Explanation: I want you to see in our second verse that all things will be made known. There are no secrets, every thought, intention, glance, smile, word and deed it will all be shown in living color.

Illustration: I am tired of hearing about men with the "courage of their convictions." Nero and Caligula and Attila and Hitler had the courage of their convictions--but not one had the courage to examine his convictions, or to change them, which is the true test of character. Sydney Harris in Bits & Pieces, October 1991. (taken from sermonillustrations.com)

Argumentation: As we turn to verse 17, we see that as embarrassing as it will surely be, all the hush, hush stuff we have thought or said will be made known. God will make all things known to all parties involved.