Shine Bright

In 1965, Paul Harvey broadcasted “If I Were the Devil.” I think it is incredible to realize over 58 years ago how accurately he “prophesied” the future spiritual condition of our nation. Many of his statements were considered ridiculously outlandish at that time in history. Just listen to a few:

“To the young, I would whisper that ‘The Bible is a myth.’ I would convince them that man created God instead of the other way around. I would confide that what’s bad is good, and what’s good is ‘square.’ And the old, I would teach to pray, after me, ‘Our Father, which art in Washington…

If I were the devil I’d soon have families at war with themselves, churches at war with themselves, and nations at war with themselves; until each in its turn was consumed. And with promises of higher ratings I’d have mesmerizing media fanning the flames. If I were the devil I would encourage schools to refine young intellects, but neglect to discipline emotions — just let those run wild, until before you knew it, you’d have to have drug sniffing dogs and metal detectors at every schoolhouse door.

As many of you have witnessed, our nation and world have increasingly become more evil with each passing decade.

Though the morals and values of our country have changed, our Christian values have not. Today, I want to remind and encourage each of you, "You are the light of the world... let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Yes, we may live in a dark time. Yes, wars are taking place in other parts of the world. These events and sometimes circumstances may cause you to be cold or become numb to wickedness. You may find it hard to maintain your Christian values, to bear your witness, but friend, you are here for a reason. Just as Mordecai encouraged Esther that she was made queen “for such a time as this,” we are here for the reason to be the light amid the darkness.

Similar to a rescue diver. A rescue diver, dives deep at times to rescue lives. They are a glimmer of hope for those surrounded by darkness.

You see friends our faith is a faith of rescue. Christianity is a rescue religion. It declares that God has taken the initiative in Jesus Christ to rescue us from our sins. This is the main theme of the Bible. You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. We have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world.

God couldn't trust everybody to represent Him in such unfavorable circumstances - but He has chosen you because He believes He can rely on you to be faithful. What a privilege to be trusted by God! By God’s grace, each of you is a light, and you are just the one for a dark place.

Look at the situation of these Philippian believers, as Paul describes it. They are in the world. It is a darksome place to live the Christian life in. At the best of times, it has an unfriendly atmosphere, and it is, along with the flesh and the devil, one of the three sources of our temptation.

In the New Testament, "the world" holds a moral significance and, in this sense, is used to stand for all that is not of God. A worldly Christian is like a ship that has sprung a leak and allowed the sea to enter. All is well with the ship in the sea, but all is ill when the sea is in the ship. The Christian is left here "in the world," and trouble begins when they allow the world to get into them.

That's how it was with one of Paul's former friends, "Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world," II Timothy 4:10. So, you see, the world is materially a location, but morally a lure. I know that you may think we have more temptations than these early believers had, but their world was as wicked as ours. They lived among crooked and perverse people who worship idols.

Like this early Christian age, how distorted are our times when we have a distorted view of God, an easy-going Father who doesn’t punish sin.

We have now distorted the view of Scripture as just another flawed book because man wrote it.

Our morals and values are out-of-date now in a free and promiscuous age, and I know I may sound old-fashioned, but there is a reason to have morals and values. That is what lights are made and meant for to shine in the darkness!

Of course, if we are not "children of God," then we don’t have the light, and we cannot be as lights to others. Unless, and until, we have entered the family of God, we have not begun to live in the Scriptural and eternal sense, whatever our other accomplishments may be. That was what astonished Nicodemus at his night interview with Jesus.

This highly educated, civil, and religious leader, and good-living man, come to discuss the new doctrine of this New Teacher, is suddenly held up at the outset of the conversation and challenged with the devastating statement that he had not yet begun - "You must be born again," Jesus said to him.

Next, as the lights, we must be a blessing to someone. Where there are no lights, there are always possible dangers, and often there is sin. It’s like walking in your house at night in the darkness and you stub your toe. The bad thoughts that rush through your mind as your toe is throbbing is how easy it is to sin in darkness. When you are living in sin you don’t want the light to expose your sin. You will do your best to justify why it is alright.

Let me remind you of Jesus’ words in John 3:19, "This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil."

Whether we are great or little lights, we can help in this world if only we would shine - aiding some to see and escape the dangerous cliff of sin, aiding others wounded and lost in sin to find their way home to GOD.

Jesus said, "I am the light of the world" John 8:12. He also said, "You are the light of the world" Matthew 5:14. It is His light that we get into ourselves and give out to others. It isn't always easy, but what happiness!

Our passage describes it as "holding firmly to the word of life.” This "word of life" is another name for the light; remember Psalm 119:105, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." A passenger was seriously ill in his cabin on a particular ocean liner. One night, he heard a cry, "Man overboard," while sensitive to all the excitement and hurry, he was too unwell to help.

One of the difficulties was that they could not see the man. Suddenly, a light shone out through the glass of a porthole. It fell full on the struggling man in the water so they could throw him a life belt and then go to his rescue.

Where did that light come from? From the sick man, who, feeling so distressed at his incapacity to help, managed to crawl out of his bunk, take the lantern down from the wall, and place it where it could shine forth.

He was overjoyed to learn that he had saved the man with his lantern. To shine as lights for souls drowning in sin, we must use and live the lantern of God's word.

Lastly, your light has first to be lit. Paul had started the fire, which is generally God's way. He uses people to create a fire in others. And sometimes lesser lights light larger lights - matches ignite torches. There are countless stories of unknown individuals lighting the flame of famous Christians.

We can't all be torches, but we can all be matches - though we are of such insignificant personality as a match, we can if we are lit, set another ablaze for God as a genuine torch and sometimes more than one.

Aim to light as many candles as possible with your match, even if you suffer burning of your fingers. You were not lit for yourself alone. As the hymn “Pass It On” goes, it only takes a spark to start a fire; once you experience God’s love, you want to pass it on!

Just like that match, there is no shining without burning. The rule is evident in the disappearing wax of the candle - or in the consumption of the lamp's oil, but it is true in all cases - there is no light without combustion. That is the sacrificial aspect of the Christian life.

The darkest places need the brightest lights. How many of you will be a bright light in a dark place somewhere this week?

Shine Brightly for Christ! Amen