A Candle For The Lord
1. Being A Candle For The Lord
We recently finished our Youth Jubilee and we are rejoicing in the week we had. We worshipped in song and in the preaching of God's precious Word. I missed the service on Tuesday morning because the ladies were preparing lunch for the group. Michael shared the sermon notes with me that Preacher Charles Mustian preached on being a candle for the Lord and letting your light shine. Michael has agreed to share those notes for our devotionals this week.
"No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light." (Luke 8:16)
2. A Candle Shines Independently
(Thanks so much to Preacher Mustian for some wonderful thoughts. This outline is basically his with a few of my own thoughts added...)
God never asked Christians to be a bonfire. He never asked Christians to be a "sparkler", though some do shine for a while then fizzle out to grey ash. God asked us to be a candle, and we are to shine. We will look at ten characteristics of a Christian who is a "candle".
A candle shines independently. It does not matter to a candle what other candles are doing. A candle does not actually make a noise. All it does is shine. Are we shining? It is one thing to shine on Sunday, and quite another thing to shine the rest of the week. Do we only shine at church, or do we shine on the job, and in the home, or around the neighborhood? We are not going to answer for what other candles are doing--we must continue to shine whether we are surrounded by other candles, or whether we are shining alone.
3. A Candle Shines In Spite Of Darkness
A candle shines in spite of darkness. It does not matter how dark it is, the candle will continue to shine. Darkness does not conquer light--the light conquers the darkness. We do indeed live in "dark days", but that is no excuse for us not to shine. In fact, the darker it is, the brighter the candle looks. The world is so full of darkness, that even one candle can have an amazing effect. If you are going through dark times, keep trusting, keep praying, and by all means, keep on shining!
"I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness." (John 12:46)
"The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up." (Matthew 4:16)
4. A Candle Shines In Spite Of Criticism
A candle shines in spite of criticism. Take a candle in your hand and tell it how little you think of it. Tell it that you do not like its looks, and that it is not nearly as important as some of your other candles. What you say will have no effect on the candle--the candle will just continue to shine. That is our job as a Christian; we are to shine no matter what others may say about us. A local preacher said that when he got saved, a close relative said that his "religion" would only last a week or two. Thirty years later he is still shining--pastoring a wonderful church! So no matter what others say to discourage you, just keep on shining!
"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 5:15-16)
5. A Candle Shines Regardless Of Recognition
A candle shines regardless of recognition. This is the flip side of what we saw yesterday. You do not have to praise a candle or recognize it publicly to get it to shine. It just shines. There is often some degree of public praise for preachers and singers, but many people get no recognition at all for the things they do for the Lord. I remember an elderly widow at a former church who had a greenhouse and always brought flowers for the church. Most people had no idea how much time and effort she put into her gift, but the Lord always sees what is done for His kingdom. I think of another widow who prayed so much for our pastor that after she passed away the pastor said from the pulpit that he could sense a difference since she was gone. Only when we are in heaven will we fully know how important many people were to our church and our community. If you are feeling overlooked, just remember that God sees and knows all. To paraphrase Paul, "It doesn't matter what you think of my ministry, or what others think of my ministry, or even what I think of my ministry--All that matters is what God thinks!"
"Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord." (I Corinthians 4:1-4)
6. Candles Vary In Shapes And Sizes, But They All Do One Thing -- They Shine
Candles vary in shapes, sizes, and styles, but they all do one thing--they shine. You can find expensive candles and cheap candles. They come in large and small sizes. Some are simply made, and others are elaborately decorated. They come in all colors, and while some are heavily scented, others give off no scent at all. And although some candles are for decorative use only, the only true function of a candle is to shine. I am so thankful that God did not make "cookie-cutter" Christians, and then require us to all look, sound, and act the same. God formed us in His own image, but then in His infinite wisdom, He made us all different. We look different. We sound different. We are gifted differently. We do not need to try to be like anyone else. We can just be our own unique candle--and then shine.
"Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all."
(I Corinthians 12:4-6)
7. Candles Shine For Those In Darkness
Candles shine for those in darkness. They do not shine for themselves. Hudson Taylor was once asked if he was going to the mission field to convert the lost. His answer was, "No, I am going to the mission field to glorify God." This is a very important distinction. There is a movement in modern Christianity to make winning the lost the ultimate goal. But if you do that, then ye may resort to some questionable means and methods that do not glorify God. However, if we put glorifying God as our ultimate goal, then lost people will indeed be converted. John 12:32 says, " And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." I realize that the phrase "lifted up" is a reference to crucifixion. But the verse also seems to indicate that if we "lift up" the Lord in our lives, He will draw men to Himself. We are to shine, and our shining will glorify the Lord so that those in darkness will see Him.
"No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light." (Luke 11:33)
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)
8. It Is The Shining Flame That Is Noticed And That Matters
Candles that are not shining are noted often for their beauty. But once a candle is lit, it is the flame that is noticed; it is the flame that matters. The Scottish preacher, James Stewart, said one time that the message he preached was the most important message in the world, and that it did not really matter what anyone thought of him. He stated that he was only a vessel, and you could think anything you wanted to think of the vessel, as long as you accepted the message. In much the same way, as Christian candles we must realize that Christ is the flame, and that He is all that matters. One song writer named Mylon R. Lefevre put it this way:
"Without Him I could do nothing
Without Him I’d surely fail
Oh, Without Him I would be drifting
Like a ship without a sail."
The Holy Spirit does not give us spiritual gifts for "the performing of the saints." Rather they are given for "the perfecting of the saints," for the building up of God's kingdom. In Colossians 3:11 Paul says, "Christ is all, and in all."
"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." (John 15:5)
9. A Candle's Flame Always Shoots Upwards
A candle's flame always shoots upwards no matter how the candle is placed or held.
One of the nicest things that can be said about a Christian is that he or she is positive. The media and the world often view Christians as being very negative and judgmental. But most Christians that I know are happy people. My father passed away earlier this year, but it is amazing how positive he was over the last several years. He went through several bouts of cancer, and suffered a heart attack in his last year. But he never stopped laughing. I will never forget leaving the intensive care unit one night, and then returning the next morning. I was surprised to see him sitting up in the recliner instead of being in the hospital bed, but his answer was very simple. He said, "I got to thinking that a lot of people probably died in that bed, so I decided to change places." His poor health and dementia would have conquered many people, but he insisted on seeing humor in almost every situation. His reasoning was simple: "I can either cry about it, or laugh about it, so I think I'll laugh." You can only have that kind of attitude when you know that God is in control of everything. How positive are we when things go wrong? Do we stay Christ-like in negative situations, or do others hear us gripe and complain?
"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
(Philippians 4:6-8)
I recently ran across a song by Jonathan Davis, and the chorus goes like this:
"Above the storm, the sun still shines,
The reason for those silver lines,
Though you can't see the skies are blue,
It's all clear from heaven's view.
Above the storm, a peaceful calm,
He weighs the winds within his palm,
So you can trust in Him when clouds begin to form,
Because the sun still shines above the storm."
No matter how the world knocks you around, just keep your flame pointed upwards. Vance Havner said, "The devil might can wall you up, but he can't roof you in!" Keep looking up!
10. A Candle Will Shine Wherever It Is Placed
A candle will shine wherever it is placed.
Supposedly, the three most important words in real estate are "location, location, and location." And it does make sense that where a property is geographically located affects its value greatly. But God is more concerned with our relationship to Him and our relationship to people around us. Many people mistakenly think that their lives would be much happier if they only lived in another place. The truth is that being in the center of God's will is more important than any geographic region. If God calls you to the most dangerous mission field in the world, you will be safer there than you are where you call home. Changes in moving, job changes, school changes--all these are difficult. But God wants us to shine wherever we are. One old preacher said, "Bloom where you're planted!" When my oldest son was transferred from here in North Carolina to Minnesota, his wife said her favorite verse was Philippians 4:11, "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." We need to learn that lesson, and we need to shine wherever God places us.
When I teach about Abraham in my middle school Bible class, I tell them to imagine how they would feel if they went home and a large moving van was backed up to their front door and it was being loaded up with all their belongings. Imagine your parents saying your family is moving, and when you ask them, "Where to?" the answer is "We don't know." That would take such great faith, but that is essentially what God asked Abraham to do. Are we willing to shine wherever God's will takes us?
"By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went." (Hebrews 11:8)
11. A Candle's Worth Is In Its Light
A candle that does not shine may be decorative, but it has no worth as far as giving off light, which is the true function of a candle.
I learned a lot from Preacher Charles Mustian's sermon about candles. It is the tenth and last point that is so simple, and so full of truth. Salvation by grace is an amazing doctrine. Songwriter William Reed Newell put it this way:
"Oh, the love that drew salvation’s plan!
Oh, the grace that brought it down to man!
Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span
At Calvary!"
But if salvation was the end process, then the Lord would have taken us home to heaven the moment we were saved. Why didn't He? Because He left us here with a task. We are to glorify God in every aspect of our lives. We are to shine for Him. The Scottish missionary James Stewart posed this scenario: imagine that I had a job selling shoes. My boss made it clear that it was my job to sell shoes, but instead I followed my boss around the store telling everyone how wonderful my boss was. My praise would be flattering, but no shoes would be sold. We are to praise our Lord, but we are also to shine. We are to point souls to Calvary, and tell others how they can be saved. As a candle we are worth nothing unless we shine. Keep on shining!
12. Let Your Candle Shine To Give Light To Others
I am so thankful to Michael for sharing some of his thoughts and the notes from Preacher Charles Mustian's sermon from Youth Jubilee. As I take my seat back at my computer I want to continue with a few more thoughts on candles and the Light of the Lord. We read in John 8:12, "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." Jesus is the Light and He expects for us to let His Light shine through our lives.
"14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 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.
16 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)
When I made birthday cakes for my children it only took one light to light all the candles on the cake. Jesus is our Light. Wouldn't it be great to learn at the end of time that your light was used to help light other candles for God's glory!
13. To Have More Light For The Way
When I was a young teenager my uncle asked me to babysit his four girls one evening, so when it was time I walked down the steep hill, through woods on both sides, over the culvert which carried water to the creek and back up the hill to his house. It was a little lengthy, but an easy walk... in the daytime. It was very late when he came back home and I started my journey home in the darkness, under the light of the moon. I knew that the raccoons ate the corn in the field next to the creek and we had heard a bob cat scream in the woods next to the road, and there were many more animals that I didn't want to even think about. I didn't want them to think I was sneaking up on them so I sang. Loud. I sang songs of praise to my God as I walked down the hill and back up the hill and thanked God when I finally came through the woods and saw the lights of home. That night I wanted more light. It was easy enough to stay in the middle of the country road, but I didn't know what might be on either side. How often in our lives do we wish for more light? We struggle with finding our way, and wanting to be on the right path, and asking God to let us see His will. We ask, "Why can't I see the right way to go?" The key verse for my devotional web site is "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Psalm 119:105) God has given us a light for the way. There are answers for life's problems in the Bible but we often continue to struggle along in the darkness, scared of what may be ahead, when we could be walking with a lamp at our feet and a light upon our path. Turn to God's Word and let Him light your candle. "For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness." (Psalm 18:28)
14. Our Lights Shine Brighter When We Shine Together
On the top shelf of my closet is a small basket of candles. It is always in the same place, so I can find it in the dark if needed. When the power goes off I pull out my basket and start lighting the candles. After the first one is lit, there is a very small light in the room. It is much brighter when I light several candles and place them in front of a mirror, so that the light is reflected across the room. In Exodus 25:31, 32, and 37 we see that there were several candlesticks and lamps in the temple. "And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same. And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side:... And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it." As we apply this to our lives we can see that our lights will shine brighter when we are with those who are also shining bright for the Lord. Have you ever noticed that it is so easy to talk about the Lord when you are around God's faithful servants? We can see this principle applied in Proverbs 13:20, "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed." We can turn to the New Testament and see how we can be an encouragement to others when we are faithful in letting our light shine. "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:23-25)
15. "Here Am I"
It is such a blessing to read the Bible when God opens my eyes to see great truths from His Word. My focus in reading changes with each new devotional theme, so I often see familiar scriptures in a whole new light. Think about "light" as you read these great old verses.
"1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.
2 And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;
3 And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;
4 That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I." (I Samuel 3:1-4)
Eli was the priest, but his two sons were very wicked. Hannah had prayed for a son and promised to give him back to God, so she took little Samuel to the temple to serve the Lord. To see the setting, we can look at the last verse in the book of Judges. "In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes." (Judges 21:25) The darkness of the days is shown further in our first verse, "...And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision." The Children of Israel had turned away from God and were serving idols. In their choice of darkness, God turned down the Light. Next, in verse two, we see the old priest. "... Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;" Eli may have not seen the wickedness of his sons, but he heard of it. " And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people." (I Samuel 2:23) And God held him accountable for them. "Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, ... and honourest thy sons above me,...?" (I Samuel 2:29) Eli's sons were in line to be the priests, but he had closed his eyes to their sins and God told him that both of them would die on the same day. Finally, just in time, we come to verse three, "And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD..." The Children of Israel had been commanded to always keep the lamps burning. "And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always." (Exodus 27:20) But, I want to look at the spiritual realm. The old priest would soon pass on, and his sons were not serving the Lord. Would the light go out in the temple of the Lord? No. God has a servant to carry on His work. Look at verse four, "That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I." Our world seems to be growing darker and darker, but God still has a remnant of people who are willing to say, "Here am I." As the older generation of Christians pass on to heaven, we need to make sure we stand and take their place and let our light shine, and say like Samuel, "Here am I."
