Tuesday 9 July 2013

Let your light so shine! (Women Founder’s day sermon CBC Boko;Douala)



Text:  Matt 5 :14-16
Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do [men] light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house. Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

Introduction
What is light and how does it shine?
Light is an energy that produces brightness. The bundles of energy which make light are called photons. Light makes seeing possible. We cannot see without light.  To see, light falls on the object and then comes to your eyes for you to see. If it does not come to your eye then you are either in darkness or may be blind. Something can also close your eyes so that you cannot see. In either way you are still in darkness because you cannot see!
The quantity of the energy that falls into your eyes determines the brightness of the light you see.  We have been talking so much as Christians. The world now is tired of what some of us Christians say. They want to hear something new and better!
[My  intention is that at the end of this text we will be able to show our good works to all men so that they might come to Christ.]
 How can we spiritually let our light shine?
Many people today are not responding to our talks especially our salvation testimonies now. It is so sweet what we say about who we were and what we have become. Yes! There is repentance; we have changed from what we were. But why do very few respond to our call to accept Jesus Christ from our testimonies? Perhaps it is because it is not enough. They want to know what we can do. We no longer steal or lie or fornicate; but what can we do, now that we have been saved.
Can you do what you talk as Christian? They want to listen when you do what you talk. When can you do something new because you are now a new person?
-          Living a lifestyle that draws people to Jesus Christ.
-          Jesus is the true light and when light comes, darkness disappears. Amen!
-          How can you show Jesus to the lost? How can you shine the light of Jesus to these people in pain?
o   these people who are living in the dark,
o   these people who want to see light shine in their life,
o   these people who are living in this crooked and corrupt generation with sin
Answer:
Ø  Physically, we have electricity, sun, lamps, fire etc that produce light to help us and animals see in the dark, and this also helps plants in photosynthesis. Light is very important to all the creatures on earth.
Ø  Spiritually, sin brought darkness into the world. Jesus is the true light of this world.
o   His death on the cross brought light to man that if man believes in what Jesus did on the cross he will receive Jesus who is light and the Holy spirit into his life.
o   If you received Jesus, then you need to shine in this dark world of sin to those in pain and trouble. Be the light in their lives through
§  Love and mercy to the needy
§  Obedience to God’s command in all situations
§  Obedience to the authorities of the church and the state in the Lord
o   Let your life in Christ influence people, encourage, comfort, help and even in sharing the word of God to them.
o   Obey God’s command in all situations!  A pastor said, some of us leave in a way that when things are good we sing “It must be permanent , what the Lord has done for me, it must be permanent”. But when things change, and our live is getting hard, we forget that God, the same who blessed us is the same who reigns in our situation and that He wants us to worship and glorify Him. He wants us to show that same love to all men. We change our song and start singing “Change my story Dady oh! Change my story!”
o   Do you obey God in all situations? Do you allow your light to shine even to your enemies for them to glorify God?
To whom should you let your light shine?
Is it for the pastor to see? For your fellow Christian to see while the lost are in the dark? Your light needs to shine where there is darkness. It is darkness that needs light. If you put on your light during the day and switch it off during the night then you do not know the use of the light. You may be called a hypocrite.
Jesus is the true light that came to the world; and He says he came for the lost. Even if there were just one sinner, Christ would have still come to die on the cross for that sinner. But Satan closed the eyes of unbelievers from seeing the light II Cor 4:4
To see the light, your eyes have to be open for the light to fall on it. But Satan closed the eyes of the unbelievers. We are called to show this light to the lost,the unbelievers in our way of life. If our life is crooked, then we are spoiling God’s harvest, you are tarnishing God’s name.
Ø  Do you cheat your employer? In lateness/absences with no excuse. You take things from work or steal at work. Can you preach to your colleagues? Will they hear you if you do these things?
Ø  How do you treat your husband or your wife? Can you preach to your spouse or children? Are you ashamed to preach to your children because of your own character?
Ø  Can you share the gospel to your neighbors when they know you are quarrelling, fornicating, stealing in farms or cheating in the market and so own?
Ø  Does your life glorify God? Will you be showing your light when you women support your husbands in “country fashion” or dress poorly to expose your body?
Why should our light shine before men?
The light is meant to be seen. Your light should shine before men for them to see! What are they seeing? Your good works! James 2:26 says faith without works is dead. When you are saved, you have to be able to do good works; that is the fruit of the Holy Spirit should be seen in you.
Ø  Let the people see your good works in studying the Bible, obeying, doing what is in the word of God and winning souls.
Ø  Your light should shine! How many women tried to win souls this week of founders day? Or is it by carrying your good uniforms, Bibles and beautiful bags along that you are letting the light shine?
Ø  There are people around your house, work, farms, market etc who are in darkness. They want to see what you can do. Are you ashame of witnessing? Then you have a hidden sin which you are hiding and God will thunder you these days. It is my wish that you take up the “Operation Andrew” seriously! That is another way for you to let your light shine.
If they see your works they will glorify God; your father who is in heaven. They will be attracted to God. Titus 2:10 says slaves and hence workers should respect their masters and should not steal from them so that God’s teaching will be attractive. Can your boss talk good about Christianity because of you?
Do you ask people to do what you say or teach? Can you ask some one to follow your example as Paul said in 1 Cor 11:1 that he too is following the example of Christ? All these things you have learnt from God’s word, put into practice so that the God of peace will be with you (Phil 4:9)
Ø  Let people who know you, know that you are a seasoned Christian. Not a Christian of circumstance; who change at work; in church he is different and at home he is another person. Do not be hypocrites! Change your ways! Amen!