Plan for: Thanksgiving | Advent | Christmas
This sermon encourages Christians to utilize their divine light, or spiritual gifts, to serve God and others, rather than hiding or diminishing them.
Good morning, beloved family of God. As we gather here today, let us remember that we are all bearers of a light, a divine spark that has been bestowed upon us by our Creator. This light is not meant to be hidden away, but to shine brightly, illuminating the paths of those around us, and leading them towards the love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In the words of the renowned preacher Charles Spurgeon, "A Christian is not to be a village in a valley, but a city set upon a hill; he is not to be a candle under a bushel, but a candle in a candlestick, giving light to all." This is a call to action for all of us, a reminder of our divine duty to shine our light into the world, not just for our own benefit, but for the benefit of all.
Let us now turn to the book of Luke, chapter 8, verses 16-18: "No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them."
In these verses, we find a powerful message about the importance of using our light, our gifts and talents, to serve God and others. The light that God has given us is not meant to be hidden away, but to be put on a stand for all to see.
When we think about the light within us, we often imagine it as something that is already shining brightly. But the truth is, we may have hidden our light away, perhaps without even realizing it. We've buried it under layers of fear, doubt, and insecurity. We've allowed the challenges and hardships of life to dim our light, to make it less visible to the world. But the good news is, this light can be harnessed. It can be brought out from the shadows and allowed to shine brightly once again.
The first step in harnessing our hidden light is acknowledging its existence. We need to recognize that we have been gifted with a divine spark, a unique set of gifts and talents that can be used to serve God and others. This recognition is not about boasting or showing off. It's about understanding our worth and value in God's eyes. It's about realizing that we have something valuable to offer to the world.
Next is overcoming the obstacles that are keeping our light hidden. These obstacles could be anything from fear and doubt to past failures and disappointments. They could be the negative voices in our heads telling us that we're not good enough, that we don't have what it takes to shine brightly. But the truth is, these obstacles are just illusions. They're not real. The only way to dispel these shadows is by shining our light even brighter.
Thirdly, we need to be putting our light on a stand. This means using our gifts and talents in a way that is visible to others. It means stepping out of our comfort zones and taking risks. Putting our light on a stand is not about seeking attention or approval. It's about serving God and others in the best way we can. It's about making a positive difference in the world, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem.
The fourth step is maintaining our light. This means taking care of ourselves, both physically and spiritually. Maintaining our light is not about being perfect or meeting some unrealistic standard. It's about being the best version of ourselves, so we can continue to serve God and others in the best way possible.
Now, we continue to think about the lamp ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO