June 10, 2010, Acts 26

Key Verse:

“The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner”

(Acts 26:26)

Central Truth:

There are people that are dying and going to Hell every day. We cannot afford to keep our lights hidden any longer.

HEY BUDDY, DO YOU HAVE A LIGHT?

“Hide it under a bushel? No! I’m gonna let it shine!

Hide it under a bushel? No! I’m gonna let it shine!

Hide it under a bushel? No! I’m gonna let it shine!

Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine!”

I’m going to be straight up with you right out of the shoot here: I think that song is a load of hooey.

I know, I know . . . a lot of you most likely grew up in church, singing that song in Sunday School or in your children’s choir. I’m sure you absolutely adore that song. “It brings back such good memories,” you say.

I still think it’s a bunch of baloney and that most Christians really don’t live that way. Oh, I think it’s a great little children’s song, and it’s awesome to listen to my kids when they sing it. But in reality, when they “grow up,” like us, will they really take those words to heart and actually let the light of Christ in their lives shine for the world to see? Will the community they live in really know that Jesus reached down from Heaven with blood stained hands and snatched them from the pit? Or, will that song just become another children’s song that is cute for their kids to sing, but isn’t really practical in the world that they live in?

I ask that because the truth of that song has to become practical in our world. The reality is that we live in a world, in a community, that needs Jesus so badly they can almost taste Him. They know they need something, and they keep reaching for everything else because they don’t know that it’s Jesus that they’re missing. People are dying and going to Hell each and every day, and the real tragedy here is that you and I know it; yet we aren’t willing to do anything about it. We are too embarrassed to be seen giving living water to those in need of a drink from the deep well of God’s love.

Now, most of us won’t ever be thrown in jail or forced to defend ourselves the way that Paul had to in this passage. But Matthew 5:14-16 says: “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” We are called to do these “good deeds,” whether or not we are comfortable with them. We have the light for those in darkness, the living water for those who thirst. It might not be easy sometimes and it might cost us something, but Hell is banking on us keeping our doors, wallets and mouths shut. It is time for us to step up and shower our community with the compassion, love and grace of Jesus Christ. Let’s make that children’s song mean something again.

Hey, do you have a light?