Jesus, The Light of the World

I have always been a fan of Christmas lights. I love to ride around just before Christmas and see all the lights in the neighborhoods. I was hanging lights on our house today, and I began to think about the way it shines. The more lights, the lighter it got in the yard. It’s not the Grizwolds’ house or anything, but I like it. The concept of light vs. darkness came to mind.

There is always a reminder of this world’s darkness and what it represents. The apostle John recorded by inspiration two times when our Lord refers to Himself as the “light of the world” (John 8:12; 9:5), as well as the “light of life.” John also wrote: “the whole world lieth in wickedness” (1 John 5:19) teaching us that this world is so lost in sin. After Jesus had told the woman taken in adultery (John 8:1-11), “go and sin no more” (v. 11), he then turned to those He had been teaching and said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

Jesus is the answer to this world’s wickedness. Luke recorded: “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). He is the “light” that all mankind must come to see. His message of salvation is one for all. Paul wrote: “for I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of salvation to everyone who believes: to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16).

True disciples of Christ have the opportunity to teach and show the world through the preaching of the Gospel and through the living of the Gospel. Jesus with His authority gave the command: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20, NKJV). So, we “go and teach” (KJV), but we are also taught to live out the Gospel each day in our lives:  “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).

So, while you are out and about this next few weeks and seeing lights in your neighborhood, remember that Christ is the “light of the world” and that we are to live in such a way that others can see that “light.”

Wayne Rodgers

A Sermon of Attitudes (pt. 8)

The previous character trait or attitude discussed was that of a peacemaker, which gives us some insight as to “counting the cost” of the Christian life (Lk. 14:28). The type of persecution under consideration is that which comes from a life faithful to God.

Jesus along with the apostle Paul wrote of the real possibility of persecution: “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12, KJV); “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword” (Rom. 8:35, NKJV).

Persecution comes about in various ways and forms: physical violence, sharp tongues, angry pens, rejection from family, friends, etc., socially out casted, etc. Yet, whatever form it may show, we must learn to properly respond with a joyful and glad heart (Mt. 5:12). Jesus reminded us that we stand in good company: “for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” The kingdom of heaven is that for which Christ “suffered” (Heb. 5:7-8) and “tasted death” (Heb. 2:9) for each of us. He is our example (2 Pet. 2:21); therefore, we must follow in His steps. First, we must know that we, too, will face persecution, as did He. Second, we must face persecution as He has taught. These attitudes or character traits that are to be found in the man approved of God are those which were new to the Jewish economy, but would continue to this day in the church of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

What follows the Beatitudes are those verses teaching that we are, in fact, “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world” (Mt. 5:13-16). Therefore, “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which his in heaven.”

- Wayne Rodgers

A SEAMAN'S VIEW OF THE STRAIT AND NARROW - part 2

by Ted Brooks

I have often wondered what the first sailor thought when he realized that he had sailed or rowed beyond the horizon and lost sight of land (and whether he ever did it again after that). But sooner or later, men developed sufficient abilities and knowledge of the sea and the associated coastlines to be able to venture far from land with the expectation of safely returning. Maps and charts were drawn, and tools were devised which enabled mariners to determine with some degree of reliability where they were based on the sun, moon, and stars. Prominent landmarks were charted as waypoints and beacons to fix their position along the way. Soon men learned to line up landmarks to determine safe lines of approach and departure to and from a harbor. Fires and flags were eventually employed as navigation aids, and polished reflectors were developed to increase visibility from a distance.

This brings to my mind Christ’s words in Matthew 5:14-15 “a city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick and it giveth light to all.”

Using sounding lines, they were able to determine safe approaches to harbors and the shallow obstructed waters to avoid. As information was collected it was incorporated into charts, which in primitive form were not always reliable and constantly having to be revised. New charts were carefully compared for similarity and differences, which had to be resolved. Failure to keep properly updated charts invited disaster. This process of constant comparison and resolution also characterizes the church, and Luke addressed the Bereans’ careful study and harmonizing of the scriptures, when he wrote “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” (Acts 17:11)

Did I mention pirates earlier? Sometimes pirates did not need to attack ships at sea. They simply employed deceptive lighting to lure ships onto the rocks and shoals so they could scavenge the wreckage.  Particularly in times of war or political unrest or when law enforcement or military protection was unavailable, ships’ masters had to be alert to this deception. Some of us may remember the coastal blackout strategy employed during the World War II to confound enemy warships prowling near our shores.

In our Christian walk, we must avoid falling prey to false teachers and false religions who in Peter’s words “privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.” (2 Pet. 2:1-2).

In the times of the Roman Empire, ships either relied on sail power to carry them where they went, or oars to propel them. Large ships known as galleys or triremes were designed to be rowed by crews of men pulling scores of large oars to drive them through the water. Whichever method was used ships were always beset by wind, waves, and tides. It took knowledge, training, constant effort, and courage to face the unknown and to overcome hazards and obstacles along the way to safely make port. It took the ability to know where you were at all times and know where you were going. It took skill and courage to ride out the fierce storms, which sprang up suddenly or to avoid them when possible and then determine how far off course you had been carried.  It is not difficult to see this example in the metaphor used by Paul to the Ephesians in Chapter four when he entreated “That we henceforth be no more children tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;”

To be lost at sea meant loosing valuable time, straying into hostile waters, or running low on provisions. Worse, yet, it could mean loss of ship and crew.  It took knowledge of landmarks and inshore regions to determine if you were approaching the mouth of the channel or a blind inlet where you could end up aground. There were no GPS, no radar, and no radio positioning; Just faith, courage, a seaman’s eye, careful training, preparation and teamwork…lots and lots of teamwork.