March 15, 2010, Luke 8

Key Verse:

"No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.

(Luke 8:16 NIV)

Central Truth:
What blows out your little light?

THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE

Do you remember singing this Christian Hymn: "This little light of mine. I’m gonna let it shine. Hide it under a bushel, No! I’m gonna let it shine. Don’t let Satan blow it out. I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine till Jesus comes. I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine."

Of all the parables told in Luke Chapter 8, nothing brings back such sweet childhood memories than holding up our little finger as if it were a candle and singing our hearts out on Sunday mornings in the church in which we grew up. Shouting “No!” after a bushel and pretending to “blow” out our finger candle as if we were Satan trying to blow out the light of the candle. What is so ironic to us now, is we can’t really remember ever reading Luke 8:16. We just knew that little song, each and every little word, not to mention the hand motions and blowing. We just knew that the “light” was not to be hidden under anything and never allowed to be blown out. The light of our little finger candle was to remain shining brightly. We also knew the light represented the light of Jesus, His goodness, and His love for us. We knew that, as children of God, we were expected to try to be like Jesus by being kind to our friends, loving Jesus, telling others about Jesus, and loving our families.

Why isn’t it that simple for us today as adults? There are many times our little light is simply hidden from our co-workers, bosses, friends, family, and sadly even our children. Sometimes our little light even feels blown out. Our prayer for you today is that you may always strive to let your little light shine, no matter what!

http://www.biblestudycharts.com/CH_This_Little_Light_Of_Mine.html
(music set to This Little Light of Mine…..just in case you need to sing it!)