3/19/2025

Have you ever visited a lighthouse? To see one rise majestically above the rugged coastline as the waves break violently against the rocks, silently beaming light out into the darkness is alone (well, that and the seafood) worth a trip to the eastern seaboard!  Catch one on a foggy night and it is magical.

Around the top of the lighthouse, where the light is, are windows that allow the light to shine. No one would think of enclosing the light with walls to keep the light in! Sure, the light is glorious, but the light is not there for the enjoyment of the lighthouse keeper! 

You see where this is headed. 

We are called to be people of light. Jesus says in Matthew 5, “You are the light of the world . . . No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, 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 in heaven.”  

What is Jesus saying to all the people gathered around him? “You are now called to be for the world what Israel was always called to be for the world: the light-bringing people. But! If you try to keep the light for yourself, you might be very bright for a while, but the light will eventually go out.” Like putting shutters on a lighthouse, we can’t keep the light to ourselves, flattering ourselves by saying, “We’re the people of the Light – isn’t it bright in here!”

No. As the people of God, we are to be the people through whom God’s light will shine.

And this might seem obvious, but it apparently isn’t to some: this isn’t a light we produce ourselves. We’re not to be like that East Tennessee preacher who told me, “We’re going to build this church around a personality – mine!” then tossed me a card featuring his face flashing a toothy gold-capped smile. We’re not the light that attracts.  It’s not our performance or our stage show that attracts people. We’re like the moon that shines at night, with no source of light of our own; we only reflect the Greater Light that bounces off of us into the darkened world. 

That’s what Jesus means by, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven,” (I’ll get into the specifics of that in this week's sermon).

Paul takes up on this theme several times when he’s talking about his own ministry. I mentioned Sunday that one of Paul’s favorite texts is Isaiah 49. In this chapter, the Lord tells his servant Israel,  “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” Through Israel, God wanted to restore his scattered people but didn’t stop there! He also called Israel to be a light to the nations (in Greek, the Gentiles). 

Paul quotes this passage several times in his ministry. In Acts 13, Paul said to the Jews of Antioch who were opposing him, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. Since you reject it and judge yourselves to be unworthy of eternal life, we are now turning to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, ‘I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles, so that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” Recognize the verse he was quoting? Isaiah 49:6.

Later, in Acts 26, when Paul is on trial before King Agrippa, he recounts his conversion on the road to Damascus, quoting Jesus’ words, “I will rescue you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light.” 

Hear that echo from Isaiah 49? Paul is identifying himself with the servant of Isaiah 49, telling the king that God has called him to be an agent of Light.

At the end of the defense, Paul tells King Agrippa that what happened to Jesus was prophesied by the law and the prophets, “that the Messiah must suffer, and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.” 

As God’s people, that’s our calling as well. Don’t panic – it’s not as hard as it may sound. You share everything in the world on Facebook, and that’s a good place to start. Instead of posting about March Madness, or how much you love/hate the current president, post our Holy Week schedule and invite people to come. That’s a great time for first-time guests to meet us. 

In addition, open up your hand and look at your 5 fingers. Now, think of 5 people in your sphere of influence with whom you can share your faith – or at least invite to church. As you look at your hand throughout the day, let each finger represent one person.  

As I said Sunday, they might be your children or grandchildren. Your neighbor. A co-worker. A parent. A spouse. An ex-spouse – Lord knows they need Jesus, too! Pray for them over the next year. Let your light shine before them so they can see your good deeds and give glory to God.

Five fingers, five friends, one year – that’s the challenge.

Blessings,
Pastor Terry

PS - As I said, Holy Week is coming up and that’s a great time to visit Christ Church! Here’s the schedule:

Palm Sunday - Sunday, April 13, 10:30 am
Passover Seder - Thursday, April 17, 6:00 pm
Good Friday - Friday, April 18, 12:00 noon
Easter Vigil - Saturday, April 19, 6:00 pm
Easter Sunday - Sunday, April 20, 10:30 am

Any of these would be a great way to introduce your family and friends to Christ Church. And don’t miss them yourself!