Don't Blow Your Light Out

Introduction:

Honored to be here and edify Pastor Luke

Don’t Blow Your Light Out

“A little girl got home from Sunday school, where she had been taught Matthew 5:16: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” She asked her mother what the verse meant. Her mom said, “Well, it means that when you are good and kind and thoughtful and obedient, you are letting Christ’s light shine in your life before all who know you.”

The very next week in Sunday school, the little girl got in a bit of a fracas with another student and created somewhat of an uproar—to such an extent that the Sunday school teacher had to find her mother to get her settled down. Her mother was concerned when she got to the classroom and said, “Sweetie, don’t you remember about letting your light shine for the Lord before men?” The girl blurted out, “Mom, I have blowed myself out.””

I start with that story in hopes to communicate to you all, especially the graduates, to not blow your light out. A recent study done by Barna Group and USA Today found that 75% of Christian young people fall away from their faith and leave the church after high school. While this stat is alarming, I do believe the scriptures provide some key insights on how this graduating class, and all of us for that matter, can keep the light shining for Christ. Turn with me to Colossians 2, and while my message will center around verses 6-10, I want us to get a picture of what Paul is stating early in his letter.

Colossians 2:1–10 NLT

I want you to know how much I have agonized for you and for the church at Laodicea, and for many other believers who have never met me personally. I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I am telling you this so no one will deceive you with well-crafted arguments. For though I am far away from you, my heart is with you. And I rejoice that you are living as you should and that your faith in Christ is strong. And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

(Prayer)

1.) Stay The Course:

Paul opens up this portion of the letter by letting the church in Laodicea know how much he loves them and is caring for them. In verse 6, Paul is encouraging them to stay the course in their walk with the Lord Jesus.

Colossians 2:6 NLT

And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him.

Notice that Paul makes mention that there was a time in their journey that they accepted Jesus Christ as Lord. Many in this room tonight may have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord, but I ask, have you made a daily decision to follow Him?

(Personal Example: 6 Months After Saying Yes To Jesus)

“Saying yes to Jesus is not just a one time decision, its an everyday decision.”

2.) Establish A Lasting Relationship:

Colossians 2:7 NLT

Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Deep Roots:

Article: The Importance of Healthy Roots

Work as an anchor to keep the plant in place

Roots are the life line of the plant. This is how the plant gets all the water and nutrients they need to survive.

Strong Foundation:

The foundation of a house determines if the building will continue to stand.

If you decide to follow Jesus daily, you must make sure your roots/foundation are deep and not shallow. Shallowness will not protect you from the storms of life and shallowness will tempt you to do this journey on your own. Jesus warns us about shallowness.

Matthew 7:24–27 NLT

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

John 15:1–8 NLT

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

“As you graduate from this season of your life, please don’t be tempted to think you have “arrived” and can graduate from Christ.”

3.) Don’t Get Captured:

Colossians 2:8–10 NLT

Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

As you go into this new season, the world and the evil forces are going to everything they can to capture your heart, mind, and soul to keep you away from Christ. They will try to make you think that your faith in Christ is a lie and foolishness.

(Personal Example: Panera Bread Experience)

One of the ways we make sure to not be captured by the vines of empty philosophies and nonsense of the world is to know the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. His word, will cut those vines.

2 Corinthians 10:3–5 NLT

We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.

Conclusion:

Pilgrims Progress by John Bunyan

“This hill, though high, I covet to ascend; The difficulty will not me offend. For I perceive the way to life lies here. Come, pluck up, heart; let's neither faint nor fear. Better, though difficult, the right way to go, Than wrong, though easy, where the end is woe.”

My hope and prayer for you all, especially the new graduates is that you stay the course, grow a deep relationship with Christ, and don’t get captured by the foolishness of this world and the evil powers. It is very tempting to walk the “easy path”, but as Jesus said;

Matthew 7:13–14 NLT

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.

(Prayer)