Thank you for reading the sermon this week. I am glad to be able to post the sermon today. We are still expecting a bad ice storm in my area. Please pray that there is not a lot of problems from this. Pray that the amounts are not too high and that there aren't any power outages. I thank you for your prayers.
This week has been very hectic with all the preparations for the bad weather. We have a new supervisor at work, so I am still not sure how that is all going to work out.
In prayer this week, continue to pray for those affected by the bad storms in various parts of the United States. Also, continue to pray for peace in this world. Pray for peace in Syria, South Sudan and Iraq.
For our prayer focus countries this week, let us all pray for those in Bangladesh and Albania. Pray that people will hear the good news about Jesus. Also, pray for Christians who are facing persecution around the world.
Last week, we began a new series of messages on the parables of Jesus. We began by examining what parables are and why Jesus used parables as one of His primary methods of communication.
Today, I want us to look at the parable of the lamp that Jesus spoke in Mark 4:21. Mark 4:21 states, "Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine."
This is a familiar verse of Scripture. But, this short parable has a light of meaning.
From our series in the Sermon on the Mount, we saw that Jesus described His followers as being the light of the world. We are to be the ones who spread the light into the dark places of this world to drive out the darkness. That's what Jesus did. He is the light of the world. He came to shine the light of His love into every place where darkness dwells. Now that Jesus has ascended into Heaven, those of us who are His followers have been given the task of being lights in a dark place. As we are empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are to let our light shine.
One of the most important ways that we let the light shine is to share the message of salvation with those who need to hear the message of the saving grace of the Lord Jesus. When we obey the Great Commission and tell other people about the love of Jesus, we are letting our light shine for all the world to see.
Another way that we let our lights shine is by doing as much good as we can in this world in order to make this world a better place. There are many people who need our help in this world. Let all of us find some way to do something good and positive to help others and to help the planet. In this way we let our light shine for all to see.
Here is the problem. Many keep their light under a bushel, and no one can see the light. Many never share their faith in Jesus with others, and many never do anything to help anybody else or try to make this world a better place. Jesus said that this is not the way that things are supposed to be. No one would do this with a lamp in the physical world, and no one should do this with the light of Christ that is to shine in them and outside of them.
I hope that in this new year that you will take the time to share your faith with others. Let the light of the love of Jesus shine out of you and drive away the darkness. Find something that you can do to help others in need and make this world a better place.
Next week, we will continue with our parables of Jesus series. I am not sure what I will be posting during the week. It will depend on the weather. Thank you for your prayers. May God be with you . Amen.
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