Candlelight Service

Have you ever wondered why in the world would people come to church? I was walking around our church today thinking about how many folks just don’t go, or who have walked away from God. So, how do we as believers encourage our lost friends and neighbors to come and hear about good news? When we as believers understand the mission of Jesus and why he came, we can understand the mission and purpose of the church. In other words, why do we do what we do? Why are we here this evening?

Tonight I want to share with you why we need the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew chapter 5. Because it is here that we see not only how can we relate to those who don’t know Christ, but also how we should act and behave.

When you pick up the Bible and turn to the book of Matthew right off the bat you see the genealogies of Christ and how the wise men came to worship the baby Jesus. In Matthew chapter 3 we witness the baptism of the Lord and in chapter 4 we see the temptation of Jesus and the start of his earthly ministry. What all of this is pointing us too is that Jesus came into the world to be our Light when so many things are dark, depressing and even fearful. Notice Matthew chapter 4 verse 16.

Matthew 4:16 ESV

the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.”

The people have seen a great light, a light has dawned. What light is this? It is Jesus, the one we all need. We then come to this famous message that Jesus gives called his sermon on the Mountain. Here is what Jesus has to say about how we as his disciples should look.

Matthew 5:14–16 ESV

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

1. The first thing that jumps out to us here in verse 14 is that Jesus is the source of Light. We live in a world where we are told about a lot of other sources of light or bright things like riches, fame, pleasures, or relationships, but there is only one source of hope and that is the Light of Jesus. Listen to these words from the Gospel of John.

John 8:12 ESV

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 9:5 ESV

As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

Jesus is the source of light and the reason why this is so important is because where there is light people can find their way around and not get lost. This is a path that is clear, a path of obedience, of joy and peace, that honors God. The exact opposite is true as well. Where there is darkness people often stumble and easily get lost. This is a path of destruction and pain, and ultimately death, the second death.

The hill top mentioned here in verse 14 is a metaphor for us to see here that we are to be effective and visible. Also, this is not just one big corporate church light that is shining but it is many individual lights. The lights of each and every believer. This type of light can not be hidden it is attractive and bright. When people see this type of light burning bright within us they are led to ask what is going on what is this? And we can point others to Christ and the work that He has done in us.

2. The second thing we see here is that we are to never hide this bright light!

(Here is a Picture of an early Jewish lamp) This would be a domestic lamp that was a shallow bowl of oil with a wick. It would be placed on a fixed lampstand rather than like a mobile thing like a torch. The point of the matter is that it sounds absurd to hide or put a light under a basket when light is needed.

So, the lamp here illustrates the revelation which comes thru our witness and preaching and teaching about the good news of Jesus.

The light shown to others is through the good works that we do. We do these works not so that people see us or self-glorification, but that people see God in us and so that they give glory to the Father who is in heaven.

We should never live in a way where we totally isolate ourselves from the world, like the passage says here to put the light under a basket. We want the whole world to see who Jesus is. Not hide Him!

3. The final thing we see here is that we as Christ’s followers should be reflectors. We are told to let our light shine before others. In other words, we should have a desire to reflect the light of Christ to others around us.

Philippians 2:15 ESV

that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

But what exactly does this look like? We as Christians should be fired up to let our good works shine into the world. Like raising our children in the fear of God, (to help them be kind, obedient and respectful of their leaders) going to work every day as unto Christ, doing good to our non-Christian neighbors, pursuing works of compassion and justice, engaging in the market places as we have opportunities.

We must remain excited and active for the Lord telling others about Him and His Word and how to live by His standards.

We as believers are to make the world a better place. We have been called to be distinctive and make contributions to our society.

When we as a church come together and obey God’s commands. The commands that we see in the rest of Matthew chapter 5 like to forsake anger, to reject lustful ways, to love our enemies, to give to the needy, to not be anxious about anything. When we act this way toward one another and then toward those who don’t know Christ, the world will see our good works, they will see a city set on a hill and illuminated by the light of Christ. We have to make sure first of all that we are living for the Lord and acting right toward each believer, so that we can shine so brightly and so sharply that the world wonders what in the world in happening there? I want to go and see and be a part of this!!!

Paul said it this way in Galatians 6:10

Galatians 6:10 ESV

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

When we as believers do good to one another, we can shine as a beacon of holy hope for a world trapped by the darkness of night. Adolphe- Charles Adam said it like this in his lyrics for the famous Christian hymn, “O Holy Night.”

Truly he taught us to love one another:

His law is love and his gospel is peace.

Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother;

And in his name all oppression shall cease.

(In just a moment we are going to stand and sing Silent Night. What will start out as a dark room in the beginning will slowly as we sing come to blaze with light as we each light each other’s candle. One candle shines bright against the darkness. However, Dozens of candles being lit can chase away the darkness. This is what happens when we as believers and a church come together to obey the commands of Christ.

(Pray and Lead into Communion)

As we stand to sing tonight I will light the first candle on this side and then over on this side. As your candle is lit then take time to light someone else’s candle as we all join in and sing together, “Silent Night.”