PASTOR'S PEN

Candle Christians

Scripture Text:  Matthew 5:13 

¹³Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

¹⁴Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

 ¹⁵Neither 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.

¹⁶Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Introduction:

There are two things in this passage that I would like to draw your attention to, Salt and Light.  Both of these are important to all of us.

1.  Salt – Speaks of “Spiritual Influence”

2.  Light – Speaks of “Spiritual Influence”

Salt creates Desire – This is a work of the Spirit of God in your life.

Light creates Direction – This is a work of The Son of God in your life.

I.  THE FIGURE OF THE CANDLE – Matthew 5:15

There are 4 parts to a candle:

1.  There is the candle.  It represents a saved man.

      It’s formed in the shape and size by the candle maker.

2.  There is the wick.  It represents our human spirit, our attitude.

      It must be trimmed and cleaned at times.

3.  There is the flame.  It represents the power of God.

      Every candle must be lit from an outside source.

4.  There is the candlestick.  This represents the church house.

      A candle is dangerous when it is out of the candlestick.

II.   THE FUNCTION OF THE CANDLE

            1.  It shines privately, v15 “it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

2.  It shines publicly, v14 “Ye are the light of the world.”  I don’t have to   light all the world, but I do have to do my part.  A city that is lit up speaks of light that was developed because of cooperation.

3.  It shines purposefully,  “Glorify your Father which is in heaven”

A.  Light dispels darkness, It clears up ignorance and purifies the dirty.

B.  Light discovers dangers, it exposes and uncovers.

C.  Light determines direction and it helps you see where you are going.

III.   THE FACTS OF THE CANDLE

1.  The candle shines independently.  Not just when other candles are around.

2.  The candle shines brighter when it is darker.  Some people quit shining when trouble, sickness, disaster, affliction, and tragedy come

3.  The candle shines in spite of criticism.  Talk about its shape, size, color, amount of light, position, height but yet the candle keeps on shining.

4.  The candle simply burns and shines where it is.  You can place it in a Cadillac or in a Yugo it still shines.  Dress a candle in royalty or rags and it just keeps on shining.

5.  The flame of the candle.  The flame burns until the candle is melted and nothing is left.  This means as we burn for the Lord, we die to self.  We decrease that He may increase.

IV.   THE FAILURE OF THE CANDLE

Mark 4:21  ²¹And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?

THE LIGHT ONLY FAILS IF IT IS HID

1.  Hide it under a bushel.  A flour bin from which they made their daily bread.   This meant they were so busy making a living that they were apt to hide the light. 

2.  Hide it under a bed.  This shows laziness.

ARE WE CREATING DIRECTION OR DARKNESS?