Let your light Shine

Pray

I was 16 years old when the Lord first called me into ministry. I didn’t realize it at the time, but that’s what he was doing. Granted, this call on my life began before I was even born. The youngest and only boy of 4, my mom desperately wanted a son. So, she began to pray to God for a son. And God would give her the answer in the form of scripture. 1 Samuel 1:27

“For this child, I have prayed and the Lord has granted the desires of my heart.”

This scripture is speaking of Hannah’s mom, who was barren… But God would miraculously give her a son. In this, she vowed to the Lord that Samuel’s life would be dedicated to the Lord. In the same way, my mom prayed for a son. And obviously God came through on that, but also went on to call me into ministry.

Fast-forward, to the age of 16… I’m in Brooklyn, New York, with my evangelism team from Laconia Christian School. As we’re preparing to head out for street out reach one morning, ,y teachers, Ron and Chris St. Cyr, asked if anyone would like to pray for us before we began our day… In that moment, I answered the call… and as I was praying it was like I didn’t even know what I was saying. The Holy spirit was speaking powerfully through me…

After I finished praying. A lady came up, she put her hand on my shoulder, and she spoke a prophetic word, she said, “son, you’re going to be a preacher.”

Looking back, at the time, I laughed at this idea. Afterall, I’m 16, I had no intention of going into ministry. An though my friends at the time would call me preach, I laughed at the idea of ever serving the Lord. I said “there’s no way I’m going into ministry, it’s not like I’m going to Africa or something.”

Fast-forward several years, past high school graduation, past my time in the service, and firefighting years, and God began to make this call real.

Kim and I were sitting in our newly found home church, LC3, one Sunday morning in April 10 years ago. Not only did I become a Gideon on one Sunday. But on a different Sunday, there was a missions team that came back from Nakuru Kenya, who was speaking before our church. They we’re talking about how they just got back from a trip to Kenya, and were preparing to go again in September. They also said “if anyone wants to join us, we would love that.”

When they said these words. I was in. God had already ordained me to be on this trip.

Fast-forward to September, Now in Nakuru Kenya, God would reaffirm this call into ministry. Granted, the entire summer, God had been pricking my heart and preparing me for something more. I had already been faithfully serving as a Gideon, but God showed me he had something else in store.

It was here that God would give me a dream. I woke up one morning, to the sound of either angels singing or music in Swahili… and to this day, I’m not sure which of the 2 it was… but it was the most beautiful sound, I’ve ever heard in my life. And I forget the details of the dream, but what I do remember is that God had given me the scripture of Matthew 4, 5, 6. I woke up with this scripture on my mind…

And I began to read… and weep, and this encounter with God was like nothing else in my life.

Here in this scripture, Jesus begins to is first tempted by Satan in the wilderness, after fasting 40 days, Satan would then try to deceive Jesus 3 times… and 3 times, Jesus would use scripture to respond to Satan’s attacks.

Then We see in Matthew 4, Jesus begins to call his disciples, he would tell them the words: “Come follow me, And I will make your fishers of men.” Jesus begins to perform miracles, casting out demons and healing all kinds of sickness and disease, and Jesus begins to preach.

Now at the time, I was dealing with a season in my life of worry. Worry about finances, and having enough. And God would speak to me through this scripture of Matthew and tell me not to worry.

31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.(Keep or condense?)

But the biggest take away that morning was in Matthew 5:14-16

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

You see at the time, Kim and I had a cleaning business. Shine bright cleaners. “a cleaning company with character.” Was our slogan… and this business was of course about providing for our young family of 3 at the time, but also, about shining a light for Jesus.

In the coming days, in having this scripture revealed to me. I thought I was preparing to be a teacher in Kenya, but God made it clear that he would be calling me to be a youth pastor. (details?)

Why do I share this with you? Fast-forward 10 years, 10 years of ministry, 10 years of faithful service to the Lord. Combine with several years as a youth pastor in Myrtle beach, a few in New Hampshire at Journey Church, and now for Just over 3 years, as the Pastor of Kenton Alliance. I’ve seen God’s hand on my life. During times, of uncertainty, during times of joy, and times of pain, God has been there, God has been faithful.

This morning, after having my MRI done on Thursday. I ________________________

And still I must preach the word. I must continue to shine my light. I must continue to be his hands and feet.

So, for the next 15 minutes or so. We’re not going to do a deep theological study on each of these scriptures… but I want to take us through 3 key points, through 3 key chapters. So that in the coming days, no matter what my health looks like, albeit I pray the Lord gives me another 50+ years of living, but so long as Jesus doesn’t return, these things we’ll discuss this morning, should be things that we should be striving for as we follow the Lord.

3 lessons learned from Matthew 4-6 in 15 minutes.

1. Make disciples (Matt 4:18-20)

If you have your bibles turn with me to Matthew 4:18-20, as your turning there, here’s what we find. Jesus goes from being baptized in Matthew 3 16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

To the testing of satan, where for a period of 40 days, Jesus would be led by the spirit, and Satan would appear before Jesus 3 times.

Matthew 4:2-4 : 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

The bible Continues… 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” 7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test

We get to this last test and the bible tells us: 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” 11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

We see in this scripture, 3 times, Satan appears before Jesus, trying to throw Jesus of His game. Trying to deceive Jesus by way of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.

And 3 times over, Satan would be defeated. Jesus would use scripture to refute Satan’s attacks.

We then go from the baptism of Jesus, to his testing in the wilderness. And then Jesus begins to preach. The bible says:

17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

Finally we get to this point where he begins to call his disciples. This call wasn’t accidental; These weren’t random guys. No, Jesus knew exactly who he was calling. 18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.

21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Now I want us to notice several things. This is Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, He could have called anyone. He could have called those that were noble by birth, influential men, with power and ability to get things done.

He could have called the wealthy, those with the financial means to help support the mission ahead. Maybe the philosophers, or highly educated, that way when he begins to share the gospel, these other men could help sway those who listened…

But that’s not who Jesus had in mind. No, Jesus is reaching out to averages Joes. Average Guys, fishermen, tax collectors, zealots. Young men, really just beginning life in many ways. And through these 12, he would radically change the world.

And what was the word he gave them when he called them? The bible tells us: 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.

Notice, there is no hesitation. There is no delay. These men act with obedience, at once, immediately… They begin to Follow Jesus.

Now as you know, this verse has been a pivotal verse for our church.

We actually use which is the NKJV Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” and when we talk about discipleship, using this verse, there are really 3 parts. 1st- 19 “ follow me,” ( Salvation) And I will make you (Transformation) Fishers of men (Or his hands and feet, the idea that we are to evangelize.)

So Jesus Calls his disciples, they didn’t understand what was before them, they didn’t understand that in follow Jesus, they would be persecuted, hated by the world, and most would go on to be martyred for their faith. But they went none-the-less.

For me, in receiving my dream in Kenya. I didn’t know what was before me, I knew God was preparing to do something great in my life… but I had no idea that he would call me into ministry, where I would serve for the next 10 years.

I wonder about us this morning, are we willing at all Costs to follow Christ? Are we committed to living our lives for the Lord? Are we committed to making disciples who make disciples this morning?

2. Let your light shine. (Matt 5)

As we continue with the scripture Matthew 5 introduces us to the sermon on the Mount. Now up until this point, Jesus’ words have been limited.

In Matthew 5 through 7, Jesus begins to preach a new message on hope. One which would contradict and stand against the Judaistic salvation by works system of the time, and usher in a sense of grace, made possible only through Jesus.

You see, the old testament ends in the book of Malachi, with the 6 He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”

Here however, as Jesus begins to preach in Matthew 5. The message is not on a curse, but on a blessing.

The message is one of grace.

And Jesus would echo this sentiment all throughout this sermon, and continue to do so in his ministry.

He would explain: 38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.

This phrase “Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.” Is taken directly from the books of Exodus, Leviticus and Deuteronomy. And it reflects the common ideology of the time known as the lex talionis, one of the most ancient law codes in place at the time. And it meant that the punishment must exactly match the crime. It’s this for that…

So 38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.

Jesus would go on to say a few verses later 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.

44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

And he would go on to say: 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

You see, unlike the first Adam, who failed. Unlike the Old Testament teachings under the Law. Jesus came to give life, and life abundantly. Jesus came, and challenged the people, radically with their thinking… and radically with their actions… He tells them, don’t stop at just loving your neighbor… love everyone. That’s the greatest commandment.

37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40

Love well. Love often, and if necessary, use words. For us this morning, that call remains. The call to love others, at all times. You see this morning church:

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

Are we letting our light shine. (Song – this little light of mine..) Are we sharing Jesus with every tribe tongue and nation. Are we being his hands and feet?

3. Do not worry. (Matt 6)

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

As we wrap up with the sermon this morning. We see Jesus tell the crowd not to worry. He tells them: 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[e]?

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

You see, I don’t know about you… but one thing I’ve historically done really well is worrying. And when I was in Kenya, God was not only calling me to pick up my Cross and follow after him, he was not only calling me to put aside my business, shine bright cleaners… and instead, to let my light shine for His glory. He was also calling me to not worry.

Do not worry… because he’s our father. Because he loves us, because he knows what we need before we even ask…

With my health, in the coming days. I believe God is going to bring healing. And restoration.

But I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to fear. He is with me, always. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Call the worship team back up at this time

How is God speaking to you today?