Why Do We Let Our Light Shine?
See full series: 2026-sermons
Why Do We Let Our Light Shine?
Sermon by Thomas Thornhill Jr
Passage: Philippians 2:15
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Editor’s Note: Because I just completed a week of preaching and returned late Saturday there is no recording associated with this lesson. After it is preached (Sunday AM), I will work to have the MP3 recording published. Thanks for your understanding.
ALSO, being the 4th Sunday, our evening service is a singing service, thus there is no lesson presented here. TATJR
WHY We Let Our Lights Shine!
As most here know, I just completed a gospel meeting based upon letting our light shine. It consisted of a series of lessons related to being a proper example. Over the past several months I have also shared most of these lessons here in Bellflower, EXCEPT the final lesson. Today, I would like to share that with you. We have addressed the importance of being a proper example, the example of Jesus, contrasted darkness and light, noted what different looks like, how we are to be examples in every area of our lives, and noted some things to consider about HOW we let our lights shine – through holiness, serving others and with a proper attitude. This lesson deals with some reasons WHY we need to let our lights shine.
- It’s about winning souls –
- The world desperately needs more bright lights.
We are living in troubled times. People are hurting and misinformed. People are confused and some are looking for real direction and hope. Sadly, most are not really interested in God. Far too many don’t even know if Jesus Christ is the Savior they need. But SOME are searching!
These are the ones we are looking for, and the ones whom we hope to attract by letting our lights shine.
Paul lived his life realizing that. He became all things to all men, to win some – 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
Paul realized a day of judgment is coming. Therefore, “Knowing the terror of the Lord, we persuade men” – 2 Corinthians 5:10-11 - WE HAVE TO CARE! That is associated with Christian love.
This is loving your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:39). This is the “golden rule” – Matthew 7:12. - Are we making the gospel as appealing as possible? Are we living our lives holy to God, serving others and with a pleasant disposition (as noted in our last lesson)?
When we are letting our lights shine that is what we are doing.
- The world desperately needs more bright lights.
- It’s about making the world a better place –
- I have often said how much better this world would be IF everyone would follow God’s standard. But they won’t because if it worked, they would have to acknowledge the source – God and His will. Far too many refuse to do that.
BUT that doesn’t change our need to let our lights shine, even in a dark world.
Jesus said we are to love our enemies – Matthew 5:44-46. We are to live peaceably with our neighbors – Romans 12:18-21.
We have seen this in Matthew 5:16 – as our lights shine, some glorify God in that matter. - If we are going to change the world for the better, how will it happen? It has nothing to do with who is president or governor. It is not about what laws are passed and what judgments the Supreme Court makes. It is about us letting our light shine in our neighborhood.
You may not be able to affect change on a large scale, but what about your neighbor, friend, co-worker, or family member? If you are going to change the world for the better, it will only happen one person at a time – and that is where you can do your good. Just remember the parable of the Good Samaritan – who is your neighbor? Luke 10:36-37.
- I have often said how much better this world would be IF everyone would follow God’s standard. But they won’t because if it worked, they would have to acknowledge the source – God and His will. Far too many refuse to do that.
- It’s about saving ourselves –
- One of the things we must remind ourselves of is that God DEMANDS genuine obedience. He expects us to do what we can. Romans 2:7 speaks of the one who faces God in judgment and will receive eternal life – he by patient continuance in doing good, seeks for glory, honor and immortality.
- Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-16 – the great commission? Does it apply to us? While spoken at first to the apostles, we find its fulfillment included all who learned the truth (cf. Acts 8:4, 2 Timothy 2:2, etc.).
- Consider – James 4:19 to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
Galatians 6:10 – as we have opportunity, let us do good to all – Is trying to reach others good? Is letting our light shine by putting it on a lampstand a good thing? We know it is! - We are in a race for eternity. DON’T quit! Hebrews 12:1-2 – run the race with endurance. Don’t be ashamed of Him by hiding your light (Matthew 10:32-33)
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 – run to finish but beware lest you too be disqualified.
- It is worth it?
- Think about when someone you have influenced and taught obeys the gospel. Think of the rejoicing. Paul’s attitude toward his brethren – as he thought about them as his children – Philippians 1:3-4, 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20. 3 John 4 – this is where John found his joy.
A willingness to sacrifice for them – Paul was willing to spend and be spent – 2 Corinthians 12:15 - Think about how much better off you will be. The godly life is a good life – not always easy, and certainly not without its troubles, but it grants you peace of mind with yourself and knowing where you stand with God. None regret having served God. Philippians 4:6-7 – the peace of God, Galatians 5:22-23, “against such there is no law.”
- Think about your eternal reward.
- There is a reward associated with godly living. It is what gives our lives real and lasting meaning.
- Paul realized this. Philippians 3:12-14 – “I press toward the goal of the prize…”
2 Timothy 4:6-8 as he was about to depart this life, he knew heaven was waiting for him – a victor’s crown. - Isn’t that our ultimate goal? Consider 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:1. Romans 8:18, For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
- This is why we do what we do. We will not be in heaven 5 minutes before we will declare that EVERYTHING we endured was worth it.
As one preacher said, “IF you miss heaven, you miss all there is.”
Jesus said it this way, Matthew 16:26, “What profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul…” - Heaven – the realm of light
- Remember that such is where we find Jesus – some 3 times in John, Jesus describes Himself as light (the light of the world) – John 8:12, 9:5, and 12:35-36. John introduced Him as the light that was the life of men (John 1:4, 9; 3:19-21 which describes why men hate the light).
Clearly, that light that He revealed originated in heaven. - The glory of God – 1 John 1:5 tells us that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.
One of the characteristics of His glory was the presence of great light. At Mt. Sinai we find great light (Exodus 24:16-17), when Moses came down from Mt. Sinai having been with YHWH for 40 days, his face shone so brightly he had to wear a veil (Exodus 34:29-35) At the mount of transfiguration the face of the Lord shone brightly (Matthew 17:2).
2 Corinthians 4:6, For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Of course, God is in heaven! - Light in heaven – Revelation 21:22-27, 22:3-5 – describing the “new Jerusalem”, we find the glory of God and the Lamb are the light. No need for the sun, etc. Revelation 21:9-11 – the bride, the Lamb’s wife – having the glory of God. Her light was a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.
- The light we are shining originated in heaven and will continue to shine brightly when we get there.
- Remember that such is where we find Jesus – some 3 times in John, Jesus describes Himself as light (the light of the world) – John 8:12, 9:5, and 12:35-36. John introduced Him as the light that was the life of men (John 1:4, 9; 3:19-21 which describes why men hate the light).
- Heaven – a place that is different from this world
- A place of rest – we work busily serving our Lord while on this earth, and struggle to keep our light shining. Sometimes it is hard work. In heaven we will enjoy rest. 2 Thessalonians 1:7 speaks of those who are troubled for serving Him will be given rest when the Lord is revealed.
Revelation 14:13, blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on,…that they may rest from their labors… - A place where there will be no persecutions, sorrows, sickness or pandemics – one of the wonderful descriptions of heaven is how nothing evil or vile will be there.
Revelation 21:4, God will wipe away every tear, no more death, sorrow or crying.
Revelation 21:27, there will by no means enter in anything that defiles, causes an abomination or lie.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 – the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God. In heaven you won’t have to worry about identity theft, or ugliness among neighbors, corrupt leaders, etc. - A place of the faithful
First and foremost consider that in heaven we will finally be in the presence of God – the triune God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We will finally see them face to face.
Heaven is where you will find all those “heroes of faith” we read about in Hebrews 11.
Hebrews 11:13-16.
It is where the apostles who were faithful until death and other Christians recorded in the New Testament who sacrificed and paved the way for us.
it is where the godly of all ages will be. Will that number include you? - AND we should desire to take as many with us as possible. Paul warned that we must all appear before the judgment seat of God (2 Corinthians 5:10-11). Shining our light in this dark world prepares us for that home, and hopefully will influence others so that they can spend eternity in that heavenly home as well.
- A place of rest – we work busily serving our Lord while on this earth, and struggle to keep our light shining. Sometimes it is hard work. In heaven we will enjoy rest. 2 Thessalonians 1:7 speaks of those who are troubled for serving Him will be given rest when the Lord is revealed.
- Think about when someone you have influenced and taught obeys the gospel. Think of the rejoicing. Paul’s attitude toward his brethren – as he thought about them as his children – Philippians 1:3-4, 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20. 3 John 4 – this is where John found his joy.
And thus we conclude this short study about shining as lights in this dark world. Let each of us resolve that as we move forward, we are going to let HIS light shine through us as brightly as possible. And if for some reason, we have let that light grow dim, let’s rekindle it. God wants you to! You need to! The world desperately needs it TOO! Think about it. This study is humbly yours.