How to Be a Lighthouse
Matthew 5:14-16
Intro:
1. What does letting your light shine before men mean to you?
2. It certainly means doing your good deeds because that’s what this passage says.
3. What are other ways to “let your light shine”?
a. Witnessing as a way of life.
b. Attending regularly Sunday services & ministries, ministry team meetings, Christian conventions, church work days, & other Christian events.
c. As a church, it means the ministries we do together; the “walk around”, the “Ministry to Shut-ins”, the “Halloween Night at the Church” or the “Thanksgiving Day Community Supper”.
4. Consider also becoming a “Lighthouse of Prayer” in your neighborhood.
a. ILL: The Fremont Lighthouses of Prayer Movement.
b. Here’s the plan - this is what is involved.
I. What’s a Lighthouse?
A. Lighthouses give out light!
1. ILL: Characteristics of a lighthouse beacon.
2. What light does for you.
a. Light gives life.
(1) As a basic ingredient of chlorophyll, light enables plants to grow. Without plants you wouldn’t have food.
(2) Jn 10:10 - The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
b. Light causes growth.
(1) Plants need light to grow & bear fruit.
(2) ILL: Parable of the Sower (Matt 13:2-23).
(3) The word of God produces the Fruit of the Spirit.
B. Lighthouses provide direction.
1. The Pharos of Alexandria (Egypt) was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was constructed by Alexander the Great in 332 B.C.
2. Since the 7th Century B.C. lighthouses have been guiding ships out of danger!
3. Jn 8:32 - Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
II. How Can You Be a Lighthouse?
A. How this works.
1. The Lord was the original lighthouse. Jn 8:12 - When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
2. Lord Jesus turned to His disciples & said, You are the light of the world. -v14.
a. ILL: The moon reflecting the sun.
b. In the same way, you can reflect the light of Christ!
B. You can be a lighthouse by establishing your perimeter of faith.
1. When military units set up a base camp, they establish a perimeter of defense.
2. You establish your perimeter by deciding how many families on your street you will pray for. (or your workplace, or your social club, or your family & close friends)
3. You establish your perimeter by learning those people’s names.
C. You can be a lighthouse by preparing for your “perimeter people’s” salvation. Write them a note referring them to connectionwithgod.org & biblelifemessages.org.
D. You can be a lighthouse by getting personally acquainted with your “perimeter people”.
1. Tell them you are praying for them & ask them for prayer needs.
2. If you are too shy to approach “perimeter people”, use the “stealth method”.
a. Attach a note saying you have decided to become a lighthouse of prayer & will pray for them regularly.
b. In the note, ask them if they have special needs you could pray for.
c. Leave whatever information you feel comfortable with for them to contact you.
d. Then - disappear!
E. You can be a lighthouse by consistently praying for each “perimeter person”.
1. How to Prayer Walk.
a. Walk near each neighbor’s house one night each week.
b. Pray for each neighbor during your prayer & devotion time each day.
c. Pray especially for their felt needs - the ones they tell you about.
d. Pray for the needs you observe they have.
2. Look for the opportunities to witness to them that the Lord obviously points out to you.
a. Ask them what they thought of the websites.
b. Ask them if they have any questions you can answer.
c. Pray for Divine encounters - i. e. one of them says, “Tell me about your faith”.
d. Live your life consistent with the faith you have.
F. You can be a lighthouse by sharing your faith as the Lord provides that opportunity.
1. Look for the Lord’s “Divine Encounters” = praying that people will come to you with questions.
2. I Pet 3:15 - But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect . . .
3. Talk about how the Lord has made a difference in your life.
4. Talk about the victories in your life & the failures when the Lord helped you through it.
5. Talk about the joy you have in looking forward to eternal life.
6. Talk about the victories you know about in other’s lives.
Would you dare to be a lighthouse for the Lord Jesus?
Would you commit yourself to trying to be His ambassador?
https://www.biblelifemessages.org