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Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins
"Let There Be Light!"
Light existed on this earth for five days before man came on the scene. Genesis 3:1 records the words of God saying, “Let there be light.” That was the first day of the Creation week, and on the fourth day, the sun and moon were “set” in the heavens, one to rule the day, the other to rule the night. Even in the darkness of the night, light existed when man came to be. Seldom is man in a place in which there is absolutely no light by which he may find his way.
In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount to His disciples, He included the mandate that they were to be the “salt of the earth…the light of the world,” Matthew 5:13-16. No, we do not fulfill His words by carrying a salt shaker or a flashlight. Much, much more will be required if we take upon ourselves the qualities of salt and light.
Even in the dark of the darkest night there is usually sufficient light to see our way from the garage to the house. Egypt, however, did see three full days of such total darkness, so fearful that it was a factor in Israel’s release from slavery. It was a “darkness which may be felt,” and they “saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days,” Exodus 10:21-29. It must have been a fearful time.
How can Christians be the “light of the world”? What qualities exist in “light” that can be exhibited by those who follow in His steps?
LIGHT DISPELS DARKNESS
Years ago I went down into the Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. At one point in the tour the guide warned us to be very still. Then they proceeded to turn out all the lights. That memory is still with me, as though a thick curtain was over my eyes – a darkness “to be felt,” and it is not a pleasant memory. When the lights came on I had “seen” all I wanted to “see” of that place.
Christians can dispel today’s darkness by spreading the “light of the glorious gospel of Christ” in the minds and hearts of those in that darkness, 2 Corinthians 4:4. You do not have to be a “preacher” to do so; you just have to take the same words of the same gospel that saves you and give it to those who have not heard or obeyed it.
The light of one candle in a large, darkened stadium can have an amazing impact on the darkness. Every Christian has the capacity of being this “candle” for family, friends, neighbors and all with whom we come in contact.
If you cannot see the need for dispelling the darkness of this age, you may need to go down and live in the darkness of those caverns.
LIGHT ENABLES US TO SEE
Some in my mother’s family were blind, and it frightened me to think of not being able to see. Those who do not have the “hope of eternal life” need someone to lead them to the source of that light – and that’s where you and I come into the picture. We, by our example, by our words, by our association with them, can bring them “out of darkness into His marvelous light”, 1 Peter 2/9.
If you have ever been in a strange place, faced an unfamiliar experience or felt intimidated by a task, you know how good it is for someone to take the time to show the way, guide you through the experience, give you assistance. I may not see myself as a beacon of light. I may not be able to light up the entire neighborhood, but I can lighten others’ way to God’s truth. I can, like Philip in Acts 8, show others the way to salvation in Christ.
Note the ways others can be led to Christ, including these from Psalm 119:
“The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” :130
“Your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” :105
Note also Proverbs 4:18-19:
“The path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is like darkness: they do not know what makes them stumble.”
We will lead someone, by our example, words and choices, Philippians 2:15
LIGHT REVEALS LIFE’S DANGERS
The coastline of America once was dotted with hundreds of lighthouses that warned great ships of the rocks and danger of shallow water. Today they are mostly tourist sights, but they were then so valuable to sailors at sea that sufficient funds were provided to sustain them 365 days a year.
Just as the moon reflects the light of the sun, ours is the reflected light of the Son, Jesus Christ. As such, Christians can serve as beams of light for those on today’s dangerous sea of life.
Dangers appear on every side; temptation lurks in the shadows of every city and town. Satan is still as a “roaring lion…seeking whom he may devour,” 1 Peter 5:8. Young and old alike must be made aware of those dangers, and it is our job to do just that, we – a “city set on a hill,” Matthew 5:14.
A light is of little value if it does not shine. Next time you step on a scorpion in the middle of the night, think of those living in the darkness of sin.
Carl B. Garner
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“There are two kinds of light – the glow that illumines, and the glare that obscures.”
“Not the cry, but the flight of the wild duck, leads the flock to fly and follow.”
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What is New Testament Christianity?
Nineteen centuries ago Christ and His apostles began a system of spiritual power that encompassed the earth and blessed the world. The pure religion of the Savior, once established, has never vanished from the human scene, even though the darkness of the ages often has dimmed its pristine beauty. God promised that kingdom would “stand forever” (Daniel 2:44). Jesus promised, “I will build my church, and the gates of hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). In spite of persecution by Rome, jealousy of the Jews, economic poverty and a startling message, the gospel of Jesus swept the ancient world by storm.
The ardent zeal of devoted servants of the Lord emblazoned a noble page in the volume of ancient history. The spiritual army of the Lord made many valiant conquests for the Captain of their salvation (Hebrews 2:10). Shining as “lights in the midst of a wicked and perverse generation” (Philippians 2:15), early Christians took seriously the task to “live soberly, righteously and godly in the present world” (Titus 2:12). The simple organization of the Lord’s church made clear its autonomous government. Adhering strictly to divine principles of self-governing procedures set forth in Acts 14:23, Titus 1:5-6, Acts 20:28-30 and 1 Peter 5:1-4, there was no need for earthly headquarters, bureaucracy or hierarchy.
In Philippians 1:1, Paul wrote to the church at Philippi, “To all the saints in Christ Jesus that are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.” Worship in the first century church was conducted “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). Reverently, as the Scriptures directed, the body of Christ “continued stedfastly” in the homage the apostles taught (Acts 2:42). The first day of the week was especially set aside for the Lord’s Supper and the contribution (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2). Nineteen centuries ago the church, which Christ established by His shed blood, was strong in its exposure of error (2 Timothy 4:2-4), as well as its proclamation of truth (1 Timothy 3:15).
That church was aggressive in spreading the gospel: “Daily in the temple and in every house, they ceased not to preach and teach Jesus as the Christ…They that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word…But the word of God grew and multiplied” (Acts 5:42; 8:4; 12:24). Christians of that era prayed boldly and fervently (Hebrews 4:16; James 5:16), even as they joyously sang praises unto God (Acts 16:25; Colossians 3:15-17). Christianity was not a “church house religion” to them. It was more than a way of life, it WAS life! Paul wrote, “For me to live is Christ” (Philippians 1:21). Let us all study the Bible more to become more like what they were.
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