Be a Lighthouse for Jesus

BE A LIGHTHOUSE FOR JESUS

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

INTRODUCTION

Good morning Southpointe!!! This month is one month out of the year that I don’t do series.

So I want to talk to you about being a lighthouse.

You to be a lighthouse, then it might be important to know what a lighthouse is and where this came from.

Web. definition: Lighthouse--1.A tower or other building with a powerful light at top, erected at the entrance of a port, or at some important point on a coast, to serve as a guide to ships at night;

n.1.A tower or other building with a powerful light at top, erected at the entrance of a port, or atsome important point on a coast, to serve as a guide to mariners at night; a pharos.

WordNet Dictionary

Noun1. lighthouse - a tower with a light that gives warning of shallow water or sandbanks to passing ships

a. beacon light

When we look at the Word of God, This is the only lighthouse reference in the Bible.

Commentators say that Paul’s reference is to the Colossus of Rhodes

Show the picture of the statue: Helio the Greek sun god.

This is the only lighthouse reference in the Bible. Commentators say that Paul’s reference is to the Colossus of Rhodes (one of the seven wonders of the ancient world) a gigantic man in brass, 126 feet high, through whose legs the ships sailed. He stood on blocks of white marble and acted as a lighthouse guiding ships into the harbor. Shakespeare refers to him in Julius Caesar: “He doth bestride the narrow world like a Colossus.”

(one of the seven wonders of the ancient world) a gigantic man in brass, 126 feet high, through whose legs the ships sailed.

He stood on blocks of white marble and acted as a lighthouse guiding ships into the harbor.

Shakespeare refers to him in Julius Caesar: “He doth bestride the narrow world like a Colossus.”

The apostle’s scene is set at night—suitable for a lighthouse. The world is dark with sin, as it is today.

The world then, as now, needs enlightenment, and the only true light for such a dark world is that given out by Christians, the “lights in the world” reflecting the Light of the World.

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow Me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."

Jesus goes on and tells them this:

But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world."

And on a hillside as Jesus is giving the Beattitudes Jesus tells them this:

"You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.

If you want to be a lighthouse for Jesus there are three valuable lessons to learn from Paul’s words:

1. A lighthouse is encircled by the sea.

I. A lighthouse is encircled by the sea

A lighthouse, built upon a rock some distance from the shore, is its own tiny island of light completely encircled by the sea.

So the Christian is in the world but not of the world any longer, and so he is a light on an island.

A lighthouse, built upon a rock some distance from the shore, is its own tiny island of light completely encircled by the sea. So the Christian is in the world but not of the world any longer, and so he is a light on an island.

Paul’s description of the sea: “crooked” (warped) and “perverse” (corrupt).

What an encircling sea we live in today with its warped men and women (some as sexually warped as in and others corrupt in high places of politics and finance).

Even when the sea appears calm and untroubled, it can be treacherous underneath with its conflicting currents, whirlpools, hidden rocks, and sandbanks.

How quickly the appearance can change from green to blue and from blue to grey. How boisterous it can become in a matter of moments.

And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.

And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.

Out of no where the storm came in. Have you been there?

We may are storms all around us but the light will shine forth.

II. A lighthouse is entrenched upon the rock

However high the seas and however strong the winds, the lighthouse has a solid foundation. Even at low tide the bottom of the rock cannot be seen. So the Christian is rooted and grounded upon a solid foundation, even Jesus Christ, the Rock of Ages. “Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid.” He’s the same today as yesterday.

A shipwrecked sailor who had been found clinging to a rock was asked: “Did you not tremble with fear?” “Yes, I did, but the rock didn’t!” The believer is as firmly attached to the Rock as a limpet. Like the limpet, we cannot be pried off for “neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”

There is no need to take anxious looks at the troubled sea. That is what Peter did and he began to sink. “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith”—that is the direction of the Christian’s gaze. No wonder the Psalmist prayed, “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”

III. A lighthouse is entrusted with the light

“Shine as lights” declares Paul. That is the function of the lighthouse. It is built and designed to—

A. be a warning light.

Each lighthouse has its own particular signal to warn ships of the whereabouts of land and imminent danger.

B. be a guiding light.

Lighthouses often serve to guide ships into the safety of the harbor.

C. be a cheering light.

Sailors are glad to know that their position is correct when they see a lighthouse which is indicated on their charts.

So the Christian must be and do all these things by shining for Jesus in a world of darkness. Our lamps must be trimmed for His second coming.

Hayden, E. (1976). All-Purpose Sermon Outlines (pp. 5–6). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.