Sermon Tone Analysis
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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.
A LIGHTHOUSE FOR JESUS
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)
(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.
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