Sunday 31st January 2021
John 8:12 & Matthew 5:13-16
‘You are the light of the world.’
Keep the light shining…
When it comes to the subject of light there are many amazing facts:
- Light travels at a speed of 300,000 km/second.
- The sunlight we see on earth left the sun ten minutes before.
- A rainbow appears in seven colours because water droplets break white light into the 7 colours of the spectrum.
- In a double rainbow light is reflected twice inside each water droplet and the colours in the outer arc appear in reverse order – violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, red…I’ll be looking out for that next time!
- Light is pretty amazing and a fascinating subject…
Today, we’re going to think about the subject of light focusing on two other amazing light facts. Neither of these facts are found in an encyclopaedia but instead on the lips of Jesus. One fact concerns Himself and the other concerns you and me and both have profound implications for all our lives…
The theme or subject of light can be traced through the pages of Scripture like a series of steppingstones:
- In the opening verses of our Bible God announced, ‘Let there be light.’ Genesis 1:3.
- God, through His prophets, pointed to the coming of One who would be the light.
- Israel was called to be a light to the nations.
- In John Chapter One: ‘In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the Word was God. Through Him all things were made…in Him was life…and that life was the light of men and women. The light shines in the darkness…’ John 1:1,3-5.
- Then in John Chapter 8 comes another of the great ‘I AM’ sayings as Jesus declares this amazing ‘light fact’ as He says, ‘I am the light of the world.’ John 8:12.
What did Jesus mean by that? Why did He choose this moment to make His declaration? To answer we need a little background…In Jerusalem, when Jesus made this announcement, it was the time of one of the great festivals, the Feast of Tabernacles, and it was a spectacular sight. During the Feast there was a ceremony called the ‘Illumination of the Temple’, involving the lighting of four golden oil-filled lamps. They were huge, about 75’ high, lighting the temple all night to remind the people of the pillar of fire that guided Israel in the wilderness. The flames reflecting off the white limestone of the temple would have been visible for miles around. Imagine in your mind’s eye Jesus pointing to those great lamps and then saying, ‘I am the light of the world.’ Not just a light for Jerusalem, not just a light for the surrounding area, ’I am the light of the world…’At the end of the Feast those great temple-lights would be extinguished but in Jesus the light would remain…But that wasn’t the only amazing ‘light fact’ that Jesus would declare…For what else did Jesus say? He also said: ‘You are the light of the world’ Matthew 5:14. That’s you and me…As followers of Jesus we are called not only to FOLLOW the One who is the light but to also BE the light…
What does that mean for you and me? It means firstly don’t hide your light. Don’t be embarrassed, short on confidence, worried when it comes to showing your faith, talking about your faith, pointing people to Christ and don’t leave it to someone else. Jesus didn’t say:
- ‘Some of you are the light of the world.’
- He didn’t even say, ‘Would you like to be the light of the world?’
- He said, ‘You ARE the light of the world…’
And He added, ‘A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl…let your light shine…’
SO, LET ME SAY THIS TO ALL OF YOU: KEEP THE LIGHT OF CHRIST SHINING IN YOUR LIFE
Stay close to God through your daily Bible reading and prayer, keep listening for and to His voice and His call on your life, stay on the path, the way…As your minister, I have been so encouraged by your heart for the Lord and your love of Jesus. As you stay close to Him and obedient to Him, so His love and light will flow through your life and others will notice the difference He makes. And keep in mind a verse from Scripture from 1 Peter, one we have talked about many times, ‘Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have…’ 1 Peter 3:15
KEEP THE LIGHT OF CHRIST SHINING IN YOUR LIFE
AND KEEP THE LIGHT OF CHRIST SHINING IN AND THROUGH THIS CHURCH
The light has been shining through First Donaghadee Presbyterian Church since the 1600s. This was one of the first Presbyterian Churches established in Ireland. Now in 2021 the baton is in your hands. So, keep the light shining as you come together in worship, prayer and Bible Study. Keep the light shining as you continue to look after and encourage each other…keep the fellowship strong…
A Christian commentator once wrote this: ‘The local church is the hope of the world. The future of the world rests in the hands of local congregations like yours and mine. It’s the church, he wrote, or it’s lights out…Strong, growing communities of faith can turn the tide of history. Don’t bother looking elsewhere. The church is it. The local church is the hope of the world.’
You know, the first time I read that, I had to pause and read it again. It’s a very powerful, thought-provoking statement and definitely one to keep in mind – ‘The local church is the hope of the world…’
This church has made a difference in the past, it’s making a difference today, and that quote reminds us that it must make a difference tomorrow and continue to make that difference…The local church, strong, growing, communities of faith, is the hope of the world…
KEEP THE LIGHT OF CHRIST SHINING IN YOUR LIFE
KEEP THE LIGHT OF CHRIST SHINING IN AND THROUGH THIS CHURCH
AND KEEP THE LIGHT OF CHRIST SHINING IN THIS COMMUNITY AND BEYOND
The town of Donaghadee is a wonderful community, there is such a strong sense of community and togetherness in this town and surrounding area and this church is at the very heart of that community. I think back with joy to some of our Community events:
- Our Community Carol Services – as we have come together as local churches and with local schools to celebrate the joy of Christmas.
- The Festival of Christmas Trees, as again we came together as a community to celebrate Jesus as the light of the world.
- Songs of Praise on the shorefront on an August afternoon. That was a great day and a great outreach…
- ‘Reflections’, Thursday by Thursday, as folks from many walks of life come into the church to pray and gather in our hall for a bite of lunch and some chat.
- Other Ecumenical Services and multiple community events…
So, keep doing what you’re doing at the heart of this community. Through your care, your encouragement, your witness for Christ and through your incredible generosity both to local and global causes, generosity that makes a difference…
As I said earlier, I’m really sorry not to be able to lead you in this service face-to face and I have so missed our worship together. I’ve missed the buzz and chat before the Sunday service, I have missed the privilege of taking a service with you all here, I’ve missed our cuppa and chat here afterwards – that was always great – and so I look forward to coming back to see you all when these days are passed. And you know that Tim and I both love Donaghadee so you never know when or where we might turn up!
KEEP THE LIGHT OF CHRIST SHINING IN YOUR LIFE
KEEP THE LIGHT OF CHRIST SHINING IN AND THROUGH THIS CHURCH
KEEP THE LIGHT OF CHRIST SHINING IN THIS COMMUNITY AND BEYOND
‘You are the light of the world…’
- And we know it doesn’t take much light to make a big difference. Think of a power cut; the light from one torch or one mobile phone can be enough to make that difference…
- In the same way, never underestimate the power and impact of each life lived for Christ.
- Never underestimate what one life can do for Christ, yours…
Jesus said, ‘I am the light of the world’. He also said, ‘You are the light of the world, a city on a hill cannot be hidden. Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven.’
May the Lord bless you richly in your life and witness for Him and all to His glory.
Let’s pray together:
Heavenly Father, today we want to thank you for all your blessings in our lives. For all Your grace and mercy showered upon us. Thank you for how, through Christ, You call us to yourself. Help us, by Your Spirit at work in our lives, to bring the light of Christ to this world. Show us Lord what You want us to do and help us be the best we can be for You. Thank you for how You have blessed Your church in this place down through the years. May the congregation of First Donaghadee Presbyterian Church continue to shine for You today, tomorrow and in the days ahead. And to You be all the praise and glory, in Christ’s Name, Amen.