This Little Light Of Mine

The Places of this light (Matthew 5:14b-15)

A. There is the light of an institution

Jesus refers to “city set on a hill.” A city is a collection of many lights. The cities in that day were often constructed out of white limestone. The sun rises and reflects off that city. Some cities could be seen for miles in the day time. Unable to be hidden!

This image of a city on a hill, speaks of us letting our lights shine as a community of faith. This speaks of the influence of the church in the world around us. Unable to be hidden!

B. There is the light of an individual

Next, Jesus speaks of a lamp. The lamps of that day were clay containers filled with olive oil in which was placed a piece of twisted flax to serve as a wick. Since most houses were windowless, an oil lamp was necessary for anyone to be able to see. But, no one lit a lamp and then hid it under a bowl. This would be foolish!

This is talking about the power of the individual Christian’s witness. Just as a church has a testimony so does every individual. Jesus saves us to be a light for him. As He shines His light through us, those around us who are in darkness are helped to see their way to God.

Some think that they have done their duty to be a light by going to church. We come to church we are being equipped to go out there and be a light. When we step out the back doors after church, we are entering the mission field! We are to go out from this place into a dark, dead and dreary world and tell them about a Savior who loves them and will save them if they will come to Him by faith. “He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Mark 16:15, 16, NIV.

Notice that Jesus spoke of some people who hid their lamp under a bowl. People hide their light under all kinds of bowls (bushels in KJV). Let’s mention a few:

Bowl of fear-

A young man became a Christian. The next summer he went to the lumber camp to work. His preacher became concerned about him because he knew it would be difficult to be a Christian in the lumber camp. So after the summer was over and the young man returned home, the preacher said to him, “Son, I want you to know that I was praying for you while you were working this summer at the lumber camp. I know they can be hard men and I prayed that they wouldn’t make it too hard on you.” The young man replied, “Oh no, preacher, I didn’t have it hard at the lumber camp. You know, preacher, none of them ever found out I was a Christian.”

“Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” 1 Peter 3:14, 15, NIV.

Bowl of apathy- Apathy and indifference on the part of Christians certainly obstructs effective evangelism. The causes of such conditions are many, such as spiritual immaturity, tangled up in sin, a lack of biblical understanding and a lack of a sense of urgency. This life determines so much of eternity. ““He (rich man) answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’” Luke 16:27, 28, NIV.