Be A Lamp Lighter

BE A LAMP LIGHTER

“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” - Matthew 5:14-16

John Maxwell has often said that leadership is influence, nothing more and nothing less. Every person has a certain degree of influence. Sadly, many people waste their influence. Rather than making their homes, businesses, churches and communities a better place, they selfishness pursue goals and dreams at the expense of those who love them.

Several years ago, I read about the great British preacher, Charles Spurgeon. He lived in the 1800's, before electricity became a way of life. He was looking out his window at the close of day. Nighttime lighting for the streets was accomplished by lamps. Every evening a man would come to each lamp stand and light the lamp on top, then move to the next lamp stand.

Mr. Spurgeon watched the man light these lamps once evening. Slowly, the man made his way up the hill, then disappeared as he walked down the other side of the hill. The great preacher then said, “That's what I want to be. I want to be a lamp lighter. I want God to use me to light the lamp in people's hearts so that, when I am off the scene, the lights will continue to burn.”

I believe God has called every believer to be a lamp lighter. Like the man that Spurgeon saw in London that evening, one day you and I will fade from sight. How great it would be to leave behind many lives set ablaze with spiritual passion, people touched and helped because God worked through our lives. Like Spurgeon, I want to be a lamp lighter, what about you?

How can we be lamp lighters for God?

WE MUST BE SAVED

Of course, before this can occur, God must first of all place a fire within our own hearts. You can't give away what you don't have. You can't share what you don't possess. You can't light a candle without fire.

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” When He comes to reside within us at the moment of salvation, the light of His presence begins to shine forth from our own lives. The Bible refers to salvation as being an experience when a person goes from living in darkness to walking in the light.

To be a lamp lighter for God, you must be saved.

YOU MUST BE SERVING

Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Notice that Jesus said to, “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works.” The light shines through our good works. No, we don't do good works to be saved, but we do good works because we are saved. The presence of the Lord in our lives prompts us to serve in His Name. While much of our piety is private, it is impossible to keep the light inside of us. Light is most prominently displayed in an atmosphere of darkness. Too many people believe in armchair Christianity. They want God to use them --- as long as it doesn't require them to get out of their recliner. While it is good for our light to shine, it should be our desire that our lives be used to set others aflame with holy zeal. We need to be lamp lighters. While many believers want to win souls to Jesus, they want to do this as long as they don't have to say anything. Do you see the problem with all of this? To be a lamp lighter, you must get close to other lamps.

To be a lamp lighter, you must be serving.

YOU MUST BE STRATEGIC

We need to be strategic with a basic goal in mind. There is a reason we should be lamp lighters: “that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” We want God to be glorified as we seek to light the lamps in the hearts of others. Doing works for our fame or glory is nothing more than idolatry. The spotlight needs to shine on Jesus and not ourselves. He is the source of the light. He is the difference maker, not us.

My time on earth is limited. When I move off the scene below, I want to leave behind many people who've been positively impacted by my influence. In the days I have left I want to be a lamp lighter.

What about you?