If the Lamp is lit, Let it Shine!
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Big Idea: We must not hide the light we have been given
Lamps are lit to be seen
Nothing will remain hidden
Use it or lose it!
“No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light.
For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.
Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.”
Context: Jesus has just finished explaining the parable of the sower/seeds/soil. However, he is recorded as saying this and similar things in the other gospels. Likely he had many teachings that were repeated in different contexts. One such context is the sermon on the mount.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
“No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light.
What is the lamp?
not explicitly stated
some have thought the lamp is the gospel
more likely, the lamp is the one who received the gospel
the gospel seed fell on good soil
it yields a crop
So then, the one who has received the gospel becomes a witness. It may not always be a verbal witness (but should be that also). It is also your good works. Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
(It should never be the case that a lamp that is lit is hidden (or hides itself). Let your light shine among men.
For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.
Good works will be seen
Evil works will be exposed
This being the case, why hide your faith?
Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.”
Another common teaching of Jesus. Parable of the talents.
Can more light be given to a lamp of Christ? Yes!
The more you dedicate yourself to knowing God and sharing Him with others, the more light you will see.
When you are saved yourself, you have been given faith. When you see others saved, your faith is increased.
Will your light shine only on the good days?
And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples,
saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here.
If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’ ”
So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them.
And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?”
And they said, “The Lord has need of it.”
And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it.
And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road.
As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen,
saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.”
He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
Would you have the joy of crying out that Jesus is Lord, the joy of sharing the good news, the joy of being part of his mission, would you have that joy taken from you by a stone?
Big Idea: We must not hide the light we have been given
Lamps are lit to be seen
Nothing will remain hidden
Use it or lose it!