A Lighthouse for Jesus

All-Purpose Sermon Outlines 2. Be a Lighthouse for Jesus (Philippians 2:15)

BE A LIGHTHOUSE FOR JESUS

Philippians 2:15

In the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.

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.”

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.

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

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.

Note 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 Romans 1 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 (remember the disciples on the Sea of Galilee when Jesus stilled the storm?). Don’t be afraid, for—

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.

INTRODUCTION

There was this time when I was younger that we had this massive thunder storm. The wind was blowing strong as it was moving leaves across our lawn and even blew our garbage can into the street. You could hear the crackling of branches and see the rain beating on the windows. My parents were quick to get us away from the windows. Suddenly we had all the lights go out and it was pitch black and I couldn’t see anything. At that time I felt afraid, alone, and literally, left in the dark. Eventually my parents we’re able fumble their way to find a flashlight so we could see again!

Maybe that happened to you too.

I remember a popular children’s song called “This little light of mine”. Most of us know the lyrics....

“This Little Light Of Mine, I'm gonna let it shine, This Little Light Of Mine, I'm gonna let it shine, This Little Light Of Mine, Yes, I'm gonna let it shine, Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine”

These lyrics are true. But, I struggled and wrestled with them. God said WE are the light of the world. On a city that cannot be hidden. To me that doesn’t seem so little. I picture a dark room full of people, and one person turning on their flashlight or cell phone. Yes, that light would be small. But imagine everyone in a dark room turning their flashlight or cellphone. Then that light wouldn’t be that small would it?

I think this is what God tries to tell us through His Word, when he says that we are to be the LIGHT of the World in a world filled with darkness and that we shine brighter together!

Let’s read what God says about this....

(KJV 1900)

(NKJV)

14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world

Commentators say that Paul’s reference is to one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. A gigantic man in brass, 126 feet high. He stood on blocks of white marble and acted as a lighthouse guiding ships into the harbor.

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.”

The apostle’s scene is set at night—suitable for a lighthouse. The world is dark with sin. The world needs hope, 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 Word.

Illustration:

In an article from the National Geographic, it shared a story about a lighthouse,

In North Carolina, lies one of the most dangerous stretches of ocean in the world. Over the past several years, there have been several hundreds of ships that have sunk in this area. It has become known as "The Graveyard of the Atlantic".

Recognizing the danger in this area, the U.S. government constructed a lighthouse there.

By Day the navigators could tell where they were on the coast by the unique paint pattern & design of the lighthouse and by night, they could tell which lighthouse it was by the frequency of the flash.

This Lighthouse is the biggest one in the United States. It is 208 feet tall (roughly 12 stories high) with 48" thick walls. 1.25 million bricks were used in it’s construction and the internal cast iron staircase to reach the top has 248 steps.

If you have ever looked at pictures of lighthouses, I am sure that you have seen photos of this lighthouse. It is the only one in the world that painted candy stripe in black and white.

What is the main purpose of that lighthouse? It was built to save lives.

When you think about it, the church’s mission is the same as that lighthouse. The world out there is a dark and dangerous place. People are sailing through life in very dangerous waters and the devil is constantly throwing new obstacles in their paths.

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

A lighthouse, built upon a rock some distance from the shore, is its own tiny island of light completely surrounded by the sea. So the Christian is in the world but not of the world.

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

Note Paul’s description of the sea: “crooked” and “perverse”. What an encircling sea we live in today with its warped humanity

Even when the sea appears calm and untroubled, it can be treacherous underneath with its conflicting currents, whirlpools, hidden rocks, and sandbanks.How dangerous it can become in a matter of moments (remember the disciples on the Sea of Galilee when Jesus stilled the storm?).

We are called to walk in the world but not be of it

“But if we walk in the light.”

Walking in the light is the state of being obedient to do all that God reveals to you through the Holy Spirit. For example, when He shows you that you need to overcome laziness, or lying, or any other lust.

This means... as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” .

The best explanation of the light is written in : “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.”

The sea without the lighthouse represents death and darkness, with it though there is hope, light, and life! Jesus is our light house. We are called to Holiness and sanctification. To be seperated from sin which is spiritual death. So we can walk in this new life found in Christ Jesus!

also.....

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, yesterday, and forever! Jesus is the anchor for our souls!

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. This is why it’s so important to come to church, to read your bible, and to pray. Because if we don’t cultivate a relationship with Jesus in the calm seasons of life, then we will tossed aside when the storms do come.

(NKJV)

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.”

24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

New Testament Ia: Matthew 1–13 7:24 Building on Rock

It is when the storm is violent, the upheaval great and the temptations continual that such a person is not shaken in the slightest. This is not a way of living that applies to fair weather only. For he says, “The rain came down, the floods came, the winds blew, and they beat against that house. And it did not fall because it was founded upon the rock.”

In referring to rain, floods and winds Jesus is speaking about all those human circumstances and misfortunes, such as false accusations, plots, bereavements, deaths, loss of family members, insults from others, and all the horrid things in life about which one could speak. Jesus says that a soul that pursues the way of excellence does not give in to any of these potential disasters. And the cause of this is that this soul has been founded upon the rock.

and also....

We will have violent storms in life and face temptations that are continually that will beat on the house called life.

(NKJV)

We will face misfortunes, accusations, plots against us, death, loss of loved ones, insults and all kinds of horrific actions against us but Jesus says that a soul that pursues Him will withstand these trials because their foundation is built on Christ!

New Testament Ia: Matthew 1–13 7:26 Building on Sand

For Paul was implying this when he said, “The one who sows to one’s flesh will reap corruption from one’s flesh.” Who are these persons who build on the sand? Those who are given up to fornication, debauchery, drunkenness and anger—they are building on sand

19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Paul said “The one who sows to one’s flesh will reap corruption from one’s flesh. The people who build on sand that fades are those who practice sin.

“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.

CONCLUSION

We are called to be a lighthouse that is seperated from the world and sanctified by God’s truth.

We are to be a lighthouse that sits upon the foundation of Christ. Our rock and redeemer in which we build our life upon

We are to be a lighthouse that shares the light we have been given.

“This Little Light Of Mine, I'm gonna let it shine, This Little Light Of Mine, I'm gonna let it shine, This Little Light Of Mine, Yes, I'm gonna let it shine, Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine”

(NKJV)

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

A Lighthouse for Jesus

A LIGHTHOUSE FOR JESUS

I. A lighthouse is surrounded by the sea

II. A lighthouse sits upon the rock

III. A lighthouse shares the light