Comparing a Christian’s Life
to a Lighthouse
Matthew 5:14-16
Pastor Craig Ledbetter
Oct 26, 2014 AM
Bible Baptist Church, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland
I.
Introduction
(Matthew 5:14-16; Philippians 2:14,15)
A.
This morning I want
to
compare a Christian to a Lighthouse
1.
I have always loved
lighthouses – I don’t really know why
2.
But when I got
saved, they got a whole new meaning for me!
B.
Jesus says that His
followers are Lights in the world (Matthew 5:14-16)
1.
Ye are the light of
the world.
2.
NOTICE. As a group,
we are like a city that is SET ON AN HILL - It cannot be hid!
3.
We are like “a
light on the top of a candlestick” - Gives light to all around
4.
Let your light so
shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father
which is in heaven.
C.
The world needs a
lot of light – the ability to see where it is headed
1.
This is a Dark World
a.
The Bible describes our
world, our culture as being in darkness:
1)
"For we wrestle not
against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the
rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high
places" (Eph.6:12).
2)
"To open their eyes, and
to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that
they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are
sanctified by faith that is in me" (Acts 26:18).
b.
This world loves the
darkness: "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world,
and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil"
(John 3:19).
1)
This world does not think
straight, act straight, or live straight. Our modern culture is characterized by
a lifestyle that is crooked and in contrast to that which is straight.
2)
1 in 4 in Ireland have been
sexually abused
3)
1 in 4 sexually active
teenage girls have a sexually transmitted disease, and most don’t know it
4)
3,000 hospital beds are
occupied every night by stupid drink related illnesses
5)
People think it is “fun” to
snort cocaine up their nose, heroin into their veins, smoke into their lungs,
alcohol into their brains, and ecstasy into their heart!
6)
Instead of getting married,
people choose to only live together, partner after partner.
7)
Instead of one man and one
woman, it’s a man with a man, and a woman with a woman.
8)
Television and movies are
filled with lust, pornography, adultery, incest, hundreds of murders, and lying
and stealing like there is no tomorrow!
9)
And people think it is all
normal?
c.
Behind all these facts is a
lifestyle without morals, convictions, principles, scruples, and standards. To
live "straight" is considered old fashioned. To have a high standard of morals
is out of date. To be a Christian is the worst thing imaginable to most
people!
2.
But it is IN THE WORLD is
where Christians shine! In a DARK WORLD! (Philp 2:14-16)
a.
“Among whom” (among
crooked and perverse people)
b.
“ye shine” – not
angels, but YE, YOU ALL shine!
c.
“as lights” – Jesus is
THE Light, and we are reflectors of that light – we are not light
d.
“in the world”
D.
Let’s find out how
to shine, by learning from something called “A Lighthouse”
II.
Message
1.
A lighthouse is a
tower, building, or other type of structure designed to emit light from a high
enough place as to aid the navigation of maritime pilots at sea or while on
inland waterways.
2.
In other words, a
lighthouse is something that sends out a warning light of dangers nearby
so that ships and sailors could pass on, and arrive home safely!
3.
The lighthouse is
not the light but holds up the light. Like a giant CANDLESTICK!
4.
It itself is not the
light. It just powerfully projects it to the farthest reaches!
Provides a Magnifying lens for the light!
5.
It is there to Warn
and Guide!
6.
It must be HEEDED,
obeyed!
B.
Why Were
Lighthouses Built?
2.
To Warn Sailors of
Dangerous Areas nearby!
a.
Many areas just
under the calm surface of water, are dangerously shallow, have rocky reefs, have
dangerous rip tides that can force ships against rocks and shorelines in the
blink of an eye
b.
Sailors looked for
the lighthouses to warn them of the dangerous areas in enough time to change
their direction and avoid a crash.
c.
Warn them of dangers
and dangerous areas to stay away from
d.
Many ships DON’T
have radar, GPS, good maps. Many times you just have joy-riders, who have no
idea what is just ahead of their journey
e.
In extremely stormy
weather, or foggy conditions when the light could not be seen, naval ships
depended on the light station’s FOG HORN. Sometimes it would be whistles, bells,
and horns. The horns were a low pitched, sad and eerie in sound. Each foghorn
signal was unique – their own combination of sound and silence to mark what
lighthouse they were near.
C.
Where Were
Lighthouses Built?
2.
As near to the
dangerous waters as possible – always near the danger. Lighthouses are placed in
hazardous regions to mark dangerous coastlines, hazardous shoals, reefs, safe
entries to harbours, and can also assist in aerial navigation. They are not
built where the waters are calm, and the travel is safe!
3.
In some places where
it is too dangerous, too difficult or too expensive to build a lighthouse,
Lightships take position, RIGHT IN THE WATER, and act like floating lighthouses,
anchoring themselves, and riding out every storm, so that passing ships can see
where the dangers are!
1.
They are built out
of stone, concrete, wood, steel, brick, or cast iron.
2.
Usually built with
the strongest materials that were readily available in that area.
3.
Lots of Shapes and
sizes
a.
Most are round, or
cone shaped.
b.
Others are like
Pyramids, Octagons (8 sides), and Square lighthouses.
4.
Beautiful –
something that stands out from the surrounding rock and water
a.
Every lighthouse has
its own beauty
b.
Designed so that it
could be identified during the day
c.
But at night,
mariners could not see the lighthouse’s structure. They could only see the
light.
5.
Permanently there –
always shining – always dependable!
1.
Very simple system
2.
They have a light at
their top
3.
Oil, or electricity
to power the light
4.
A clear protecting
outer glass surrounding the light so that the storms don’t extinguish the light
5.
A glass lens,
shaped like a beehive around the light that focuses the light in one direction –
making it very bright
6.
And a platform that
turns the light in all directions
7.
And that is it!
F.
The Most
Important Part of the Lighthouse - the Light
1.
The tallest, most
beautiful lighthouses are WORTHLESS without their light!
a.
Lighthouses were not
really needed during calm, sunny days
b.
But they were
desperately needed during stormy, dangerous weather
c.
And they were needed
to SHINE!
2.
The first warning
lights were made of wood and coal fires out in the open top of a high platform
called a lighthouse.
3.
By the late 1600’s
they started putting the fire into a ”lantern” room so it wouldn’t blow out.
4.
Later, wood and coal
was replaced by whale oil, and later by kerosene oil.
5.
Then, in 1822, a
French scientist, Augustin Fresnel (fray-nel), invented the fresnel lens.
a.
Made of hundreds of
pieces of specially cut glass, that surrounds the lamp.
b.
The lens was
designed to collect and direct light rays to produce a beam more powerful than
ever before – like a magnifying glass!
c.
He designed 6
different kinds of lenses:
1)
One kind is the
brightest and its light can reach the furthest out into the waters. They were
very bright and when placed 100’ above sea level, the light could reach 18 miles
out into the ocean.
2)
Other lenses were
for shining shorter distances, when they didn’t have to shine as far or as
brightly.
6.
But the key thing is
that everything about the lighthouse was so that the LIGHT could shine! Really,
not for much else!
1.
When lighthouses
were first built, keepers were paid to take care of the lighthouses.
2.
A home was usually
built right alongside the lighthouse so that the keeper could quickly get to the
lighthouse and take care of anything that needed to be done.
3.
As a keeper, you
were required to do strenuous, around the clock tasks. Keepers had to light the
lamp at sunset and keep it going all the way until sunrise. The keeper might
have to climb to the top of the light every 4 hours to check on the flame, trim
the wick, fill the oil or clean the glass. Some keepers had to climb hundreds of
steps each time they needed to complete a job at the top!
4.
It was a very
important job to keep the lantern glass clean so the light’s beam would not be
dimmed at night in any way. So the keeper had to shined the brass, clean the
windows and walls, clean and polish the lamp and lenses. Quite often it would
take an entire day to clean and polish a huge lens alone!
5.
Everything – the
light, the home, and even the gardens around the lighthouse had to be kept in
top order. Passing ships needed to see that the lighthouse was occupied by
someone who loved their job!
6.
There was not
usually just one keeper! Fathers taught their sons and daughters, and husbands
taught their wives how to care for the light. It was very important that someone
would be able to take over the position if the keeper should become ill, held up
on shore because of the weather, helping out in a disaster somewhere else, or if
the keeper should die.
7.
It was a lonely job!
a.
Because most
lighthouses were isolated from the rest of the world, the keepers that lived
there usually led lonely lives.
b.
Not a very popular
job – who would want to be married to a lighthouse keeper, living nearest to the
storms, and having so much work to do every day? Not many!
8.
But, it was a Most
Necessary Job
a.
Because of
SHIPWRECKS
1)
The United nations
gives an estimate of
3 million
shipwrecks sitting at the bottom of every ocean, lake and canal
2)
Just remember three
of the most recent shipwrecks:
a)
Jan. 13,2012 Italy:
the Italian cruise ship Costa Concordia capsizes near the Tuscan coast. There
are 4,200 passengers on board. At least 11 people are killed and dozens missing.
The ship's captain, Francesco Schettino, reportedly changed course to sail
closer to shore to show off the luxury liner. In addition, he is accused of
abandoning the ship after the crash.
b)
October 3, 2013
Mediterranean
Migrant ship capsized in the Mediterranean near the Sicilian island of
Lampedusa. at least 360 people died when it. The boat, carrying African migrants
to Europe, sank after passengers lit a blanket on fire to signal their position.
The fire spreads from the blanket to gasoline, creating a panic that sinks the
boat. It is the worst boating accident of its kind in the region.
c)
April 16, 2014 South
Korea: a ferry
carrying 459 people, mostly students from Danwon High School, sinks off the
southern coast of South Korea. When the ship begins sinking, the ship's captain,
Lee Jun-seok, is not at the helm. Instead, the third mate is steering the ship.
Lee is taken into custody. There are 146 confirmed deaths with more than 150
people still missing.
b.
Lighthouse keepers
could often serve as a rescue service if necessary.
1.
Among the hundreds
of thousands of lighthouses in the world, several stand out!
2.
The Statue of
Liberty
in New York is a lighthouse! I bet you didn’t know that!
3.
The Hook Lighthouse
(also known as Hook Head Lighthouse)
a.
Is a building
situated at the tip of the Hook Peninsula in County Wexford, in Ireland.
b.
It is one of the
oldest lighthouses in the world, and the oldest operating lighthouse in Ireland.
c.
The existing tower
dates from the twelfth century,
d.
Tradition states
that Dubhán, a Bible believing missionary to the Wexford area, established some
sort of beacon there as early as the fifth century.
e.
The original tower
was built by Strongbow's son-in-law William Marshall, Earl of Pembroke, who
succeeded Strongbow to also become Lord of Leinster. Marshall had established a
port in the town of New Ross, approx. 30km up river. In order for his new port
to be successful and for ships to safely reach their destination, Marshall had a
36m high tower built at the mouth of Waterford Harbour. The exact year of
construction is not known, however, Marshall first came to the region in 1201
and the first map that shows the lighthouse serving its function is dated 1240,
therefore construction must have taken place between these dates.
4.
The Lighthouse of
Alexandria,
sometimes called the Pharos of Alexandria, was a lofty tower built by the
Ptolemaic Kingdom between 280 and 247 BC and between 393 and 450 ft (120 and 137
m) tall. It was one of the tallest man-made structures on Earth for many
centuries, and was regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
5.
The Tower of
Hercules
is an ancient Roman lighthouse in north-western Spain. The structure is 55
metres (180 ft) tall and overlooks the North Atlantic coast of Spain. The
structure, almost 1900 years old and rehabilitated in 1791, is the oldest Roman
lighthouse in use today. The tower has been in constant use since the 2nd
century and is considered to be the oldest existing lighthouse in the world.
1.
By the 1920’s,
lighthouses changed to electricity. One by one, the lights of lighthouses around
the world were changed to electricity, and it didn’t take long for the keepers
to be out of a job. The
lighthouses became automated – the
lighthouses themselves could do the job on their own.
2.
But with the keepers
gone, these beautiful structures
began to fall apart. Vandalism and the
weather elements quickly took their toll.
3.
Slowly, lighthouses
are being just abandoned. Left to become ruins.
4.
Because it is too
expensive to maintain them
5.
And because more and
more ships have super accurate GPS systems on board and radars
6.
There are still 81
lighthouses in operation around Ireland!
1.
A lighthouse is not
a big thing anymore. Not popular. Expensive to build and maintain. For many,
they are in the way of the scenery.
2.
But they are still
needed – even in the 21st century!
3.
Because storms knock
out power on ships
4.
Because not all
ships have radar and gps
5.
Because it is still
dangerous to travel on the water
6.
The waters are full
of ejits who only want to have fun and play the fool, and ignore common sense
even
7.
Because there should
be a beacon of warning near every place of danger
8.
Because just one
SOUL is worth saving!
III.
Application –
How a Christian, and a Church is Like a
Lighthouse
A.
What is a
Christian Supposed to Be? (John 1:1-9)
1.
Not the Light, but
someone who shines the light
2.
In other words,
Someone who stands high enough to be seen by the world around them, sending out
warnings of dangers nearby so that people could can on, and arrive home safely!
4.
We Warn and Guide,
but WE cannot save. Only JESUS saves!
B.
Why Be a Light?
(John 1:7,5)
1.
To “bear witness”
means to lift up high and let everyone see the Light of Jesus Christ
2.
To Warn people of
Dangerous Areas
a.
Much of life is
deceptive – it can have a calm surface, but just beneath are rocky reefs, and
dangerous rip tides of popularity and fads that can force young and old alike
against disasters in the blink of an eye!
b.
People USED to look
to Christians to see what was RIGHT and GODLY to do, and wear, and listen to.
They expected Christians to be helpers, and people who would risk their own
lives that others would be saved!
c.
Most people DON’T
have any sense! They are just joy-riders, who have no idea what is just ahead of
their journey!
3.
People don’t often
understand what we are doing, but we shine anyway (John 1:5)!
C.
Where Are
Christians Placed? (Luke 10:3; Acts 9:15,16)
1.
High on a hill – “a
city set ON A HILL!”
2.
As near to the
dangerous waters as possible – always near the danger.
3.
Not all in Texas, or
in comfortable Cork…
4.
God places
Christians, Missionaries, Church Planters, in many hazardous regions to mark
dangerous coastlines, hazardous shoals, reefs, safe entries to harbours, and can
also assist in aerial navigation.
5.
Have you noticed
that they are not placed where life is calm, and everything is safe!
6.
I have known many
missionaries who are like the Lightships – they go into Cuba, and Iran, and even
North Korea with the Gospel, risking their own lives to save some souls! They
can’t STAY, but they can get between sinners and the rocks of life and can shine
for as long as possible!
D.
How Christianity
Works (Matthew 10:18-20)
1.
Very simple system
3.
Powered by OIL – the
Holy Spirit
4.
We keep our
testimony clean so that sin don’t cloud out, or extinguish the light
5.
We are supposed to
have a burden that focuses the Light in certain directions – no matter how far
away may be the need
6.
A platform that
turns the light in all directions – our church, that keeps people always moving,
always giving, always having a new focus, always shining, even when tired!
7.
And that is it!
E.
The Most
Important Part of the Christian Life is… the Light (Philp 2:14-16)
1.
All that matters is
that a Christian shines! Doesn’t hide, or try and change the light!
2.
The world is dark
and deadly. It needs LIGHT!
3.
It is not about US,
and our happiness, and our successes
4.
It is about the
Light that we shine forth
5.
You cannot improve
on it – you can’t make it prettier, brighter, clearer than it already is
6.
We just need to let
it shine!
F.
A Word About The
Keeper
(Luke 11:39,40)
1.
Every Christian is a
Keeper of their own life – no one else will do your job
2.
As a keeper, you
will have to do strenuous, around the clock tasks.
3.
Light the lamp when
it gets dark around you
4.
And keep it going
all the way until sunrise (until Jesus comes again).
5.
Keep your testimony
clean so the light’s beam is not dimmed in any way. That means, no smoking! No
drinking! No porn! No murmuring! No complaining! No fighting! No drugs! No
laziness!
6.
Yes, being a
Christian can be a lonely job! Not super popular – people mock it daily!
7.
But, it is a Most
Necessary Job (Col 1:28)
a.
Because of
SHIPWRECKS (1Tim 1:19)
1)
There may be 3
million shipwrecks sitting at the bottom of every ocean, lake and canal…
2)
But there are
billions of souls right now playing and singing and ignoring even their own
conscience, living like there is no danger
3)
And they need a
lighthouse to shine and warn them of the dangers of sin, and self-righteousness,
and living without God!
4)
Warning people, even
Christians of
a)
Drink, Drugs
b)
Sex outside of
marriage
c)
Rock Music, and
wicked entertainment
d)
Ungodly friends
e)
The love of money
(1Cor 6:9,10)
b.
It is a great
privilege for a Christian to serve as a rescue service if necessary.
G.
I Wish I Could
Talk About Famous Christians (John 5:32-35)
– who lived like
bright lights, bright LIGHTHOUSES in a dark culture!
1.
John the Baptist
John 5:32-35 There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that
the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. Ye sent unto John, and he bare
witness unto the truth. But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I
say, that ye might be saved. He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were
willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
2.
Peter, James, and
John
(Acts 4:7,8,10-13)
3.
Stephen, and all
Christians in the first century (Acts 8:1-4)
4.
The apostle Paul
(Acts 17:22)
5.
Peter Waldo
(c. 1140 AD – c. 1218 AD), Founder of the anabaptists called the Waldensians,
who preached across northern Italy, turning Switzerland and surrounding
countries to faith in Christ alone!
6.
John Wycliffe
(1330 – 1384), a converted catholic priest in Oxford England, who began to turn
the entire nation of Egland to faith in Christ alone!
7.
Martin Luther
(1483 – 1546), a German friar, who was converted to faith in Jesus Christ alone
– turned half of Germany away from Catholicism to Christ alone!
8.
George Whitfield
(1714 – 1770), was an English preacher who helped spread the Gospel throughout
Britain, and especially in the American colonies. He preached wherever men would
gather - in parks and fields - sometimes just at dawn! Many times, the audiences
would swell to over 30,000 to hear him preach Jesus Christ!
9.
Dwight Moody
(1837 – 1899), a converted shoe salesman who answered God's call to preach, and
ended up filling stadiums up with 15,000 to 20,000 people, with 1,000's getting
saved in every meeting!
10.
Charles Spurgeon
(1834 – 1892), a British Particular Baptist preacher, known still as the "Prince
of Preachers" because of his ability to preach the Bible so clearly and
thoroughly! His church would fill to capacity on Sunday mornings, with over
5,000 attending in London!
11.
Billy Sunday
(1862 – 1935) was an American baseball player, who during the 1880s, heard the
Gospel at an RU meeting in Chicago, and became the most celebrated and
influential American evangelist during the first two decades of the 20th
century. Over the course of his Christian life, Billy Sunday probably preached
to more than one hundred million people face-to-face, without any electronic
amplification. And over 1,000,000 get saved in those 20 years!
H.
Christianity
TODAY is Kind of Dim
1.
One by one, the
light of the Gospel is being replaced with entertainment, and prescription
drugs!
2.
Churches are almost
automated – just come in, go through the motions, and then go home!
3.
Christian lives are
quickly falling apart.
4.
Bible preaching
churches are being just abandoned.
5.
Many people believe
they are too expensive to maintain them – to pay their pastors, and do all the
ministries
6.
Besides, people
don’t NEED all that hellfire and damnation preaching, and line by line teaching
through the Bible
7.
People have
self-help books, and counsellors, and courses, and drugs for when things get
tough!
8.
Well, thank God
there still are many Bible preaching churches all around Ireland and the world –
but they are dimming fast!
I.
Christians are
Still Needed!
1.
Because…
a.
Sin, and troubles
still sink people’s lives down the toilet
b.
People do NOT have
goodness inside that naturally tells them what to do
c.
It is still
dangerous to live without God – deadly.
d.
Just one SOUL is
worth saving!
2.
That’s why…
a.
We pick up our Bible
every day, and beg God to be FILLED with His Holy Spirit – because our
brightness must be constantly replenished
b.
That’s why we don’t
HIDE, and shy away from preaching and teaching the truth – we live out in the
open, even high on a hill. Not ashamed. A lamp must be high enough to be seen
before the danger is reached by a mariner. So must the bright life of a
Christian!
c.
That is why we are
CONSTANT. Cannot ever go out!
d.
That’s why there
should be Christians near every place of danger, warning the passers-by
e.
Yes, Biblical
Christianity is COSTLY to operate. That's why so many churches are automated,
and cost little to nothing for most people, but you can't automate Gods work! It
costs to send church planting missionaries, to pay for pastors, do all the
ministries for people like RU, etc!
3.
Our Purpose is for
OTHERS – the safety, salvation of others! No matter the cost!
IV.
An Invitation
A.
Christian… This
Halloween, during THESE dark days…
1.
Clean up your
testimony, and get some fresh oil, and start shining!
a.
Start telling this
lost world that they need Jesus Christ! They need to be SAVED! Born again!
b.
Preach like John the
Baptist did
c.
Live like Paul, and
Peter and Philip and Stephen
2.
Be a light, folks!
Shine like a Lighthouse!
B.
What about the rest
of you? Are YOU the lost sailor, headed for the rocks of sin?
C.
Today, you can heed
the Lighthouse, and turn from your wicked ways (2Chron 7:14)