This little light of mine

Jacob Ebbett

Until He comes • Sermon • Submitted 6 years ago

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Power Outage

It was December, and Christmas was approaching but due to some typical northern weather, ice and snow had fell multiple power lines. The original estimate of return for our area was undetermined but later updated to weeks. I seemed that most of the bottom part of the province was also without power, and cities are always given priority.

Every time it seemed like they were making headway another storm would come causing more damage. Christmas concerts were postponed, even canceled at some churches. We were among the lucky ones who had a wood stove for heat. But drinking water was hard to come by. As soon as Moncton power was restored to certain parts of the city the bottled water shelves were bare. We managed ok, able to buy enough for our family. We also had a small stream next to our house. After breaking through the ice we used that water to flush toilets and wash. We turned the giant snow back on our porch into a fridge using a shovel and a piece of plywood for the door. We cooked in the garage with a camp stove and the door open for ventilation. It was cold but nice to have hot food.

No showers meant smelly people, but no one ever said anything because we were all in the same boat. Of course no power also meant no TV. Sometimes to break up the boredom we would go for a drive. Of course Christmas lights without power are kind of a let down, but it was fun just to be out of the house. We would go to Moncton to the part of the city that had power just to be where there was power and be able to use the bathroom with out a pail of water.

Of course night time was the hardest. As we approached Christmas and daylight hours were scarce darkness filled our lives. The sun went down by 4:30 or 5 it seemed and so we faced the choice go to bed at supper time, sit in the dark or run our candles and flashlights so we could stay awake a do very little.

I am telling you as someone how is effected emotionally by the weather/seasons, this was not a good time for me. And the thought of waking up Christmas morning without electricity was possibly the most depressing thing I could imagine at the time.

Luckily for us after 2 plus long weeks of no power the lights finally came back on just days before Christmas. We were able to go have our community Christmas eve service at the Baptist Church, but not everyone was so lucky. Many families work up Christmas morning still without power and everything closed. I know they made the best of it, but still Christmas without lights is like Mr. Noddle without boiling water. You can eat it that way, but what’s the point.

I will never forget the December when the lights went out.

The reason I tell you this is because Last week I introduced a question What should we be doing till Christ returns? To answer this question we have been looking at parables found in and 25. As Jesus was preparing for the end of His ministry on earth He wanted to make sure those whom He was leaving understood a couple things. He wanted us to know He was going to return. This is a key part of these parables as in each one the Master would return. It is important for us to always remember that Jesus will return some day.

But that is not all He wanted to leave them with. Along with the promise and hope of His return He also wanted them to know what to do while they waited. And that is what we’ve been talking about.

Last week we learned what it means to be a good servant by taking care of the household while the master is away. This was all about how we treat each other, but today as we look at another Parable Jesus shares to explain what it will be like when He returns we will learn yet another thing that is expected of us.

Not only does God expect us to...

Manage His Household

He also expects us to...

Keep our lights shining

I want to read from today.

Matthew 25:1–13 NLT

“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. “At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’ “All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’ “But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’ “But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’ “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’ “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.

What should we be doing till Christ returns?

Keep our lights shining

Me: When I was a kid I loved playing with sparklers Id write my name in the air and jump and play with them. It was a grand old time. Anyone here ever play with sparklers? Of course, I used to light them straight from the camp fire. Sparklers are a lot of things. They are exciting, they are safe and dangerous at the same time, they are as close to fire works as children are aloud to touch, but one thing sparklers are not is long lasting. Unlike a candle. A candle may not be as sparkly but the light is longer lasting and illuminates much further.

We: As Christians we are a lot like candles and sparklers. When we first come to Christ seeking forgiveness and receive that amazing grace, man we are like sparklers. (light sparkler)we are all excited and want everyone to know. We sparkle like crazy people notice a change before we say a word, but we don’t really shed much light because we are just learning about Jesus ourselves. But as the excitement wares off and the sparkle dies down one of two things will happen. Either we will mature into candles, so to speak (light candle) gaining stability and shedding a light that disperses the darkness. Or we sizzle out. The excitement is gone and the light in our lives just goes out.

God: That is what this parable teaches us, isn’t it. 10 women 5 wise 5 foolish The wise were in it for the long haul but the foolish were not prepared for a longer wait and so their lights went out before the Groom returned.

This picture reminds us that Christ return could happen quickly or it could be a ways off, and the best thing we can do is prepare to shine our lights for the long haul. If He returns quickly great if it is longer returning we would still be good.

Unfortunately too many are allowing their lights to sizzle out after the exciting stage. When shining your light requires dedication, determination and, well, work really many aren’t willing to grow into a candle.

You: What about you? Are you in it for the long haul? Even when life is kicking you and following Christ isn’t easy? Are you willing to shine your light for all to see even when the world seems to be anti light?

We: We can either be wise candles or foolish sparklers. The choice is up to us. Don’t get me wrong, it is ok to sparkle but at some point we need to mature and provide a stable light.

Next: Take this sparkler and candle and put them somewhere to remind yourself, you are in it for the long haul.

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