EP129: The Lamp

Today we step into the second parable in our Parables of Jesus series - The Lamp

Jesus says “You are the light of the world” Not try to be, but you ARE.

Light isn’t meant to be hidden

Light isn’t private

Light is meant to shine in dark places.

This episode digs into why Jesus told this parable, how it connects directly to yesterday’s Sower episode, and how your personal story, your Jesus story, may be the light that someone near you desperately needs today.

Episode Transcript

(00:04):
The wooden cricket. Family Today, Sunday, November
9th, people all over the world are waking up into a day where
some are hopeful, others are numb, some are hurting, others

(00:28):
are angry, and some lonely. And Jesus still speaks into that
world this morning, right here, right now.
Yesterday we talked about the seed, the sower, and today we
talk about what happens when seed takes root.

(00:51):
Because if the word is truly planted, if roots are real,
something becomes visible. Jesus moves from soil to light.
And I'm Lawrence and welcome back to the Wooden Cricket
podcast. Turn with me, if you will, to

(01:12):
Matthew chapter 5. We're going to read verses 14 to
16. Jesus says you are the light of
the world, like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.
No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket.
Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand where it gives light to

(01:35):
everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good
deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise
your Heavenly Father. Jesus doesn't say try to be
light, He says you are light. This is identity language.

(01:59):
Light is not a personality type.Light is not a stage.
Light is what Jesus puts in you to display to the world.
Flip with me to Mark chapter 4, chapter 4, verses 21 to 25.

(02:21):
Then Jesus asked them, would anyone light a lamp and put it
under a basket or under a bed? Of course not.
A lamp is placed on a stand where its light will shine, for
everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the
open, and every secret will be brought to light.

(02:42):
Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.
Then, he added, Pay close attention to what you hear.
The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given
and you will receive even more. To those who listen to my
teaching, more understanding will be given.

(03:04):
But for those who are not listening, even what little
understanding they have will be taken away from them.
If the light of Christ Jesus is in you, hiding it is not
humility hiding, it is theft. Hiding Jesus robs the world of

(03:27):
the hope that they need, the hope of Jesus that they all
deserve. Let's continue on.
Let's flip to Luke chapter 8, verses 16 to 18.
Jesus says no one lights a lamp and then covers it with a bowl
or hides it under a bed. A lamp is placed on a stand

(03:52):
where its light can be seen by all who enter the house.
For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the
open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to
light and made known to all. So pay attention to how you
hear. To those who listen to my
teaching, more understanding will be given, but for those who

(04:16):
are not listening, even what they think they understand will
be taken away from them. Family listen.
Somebody you know today is in the dark.
Someone at work or someone in your family.

(04:36):
Someone who brings a fake smile to their face.
Someone who always says it's fine, it's fine.
Someone who feels empty on the inside.
Someone who's close to giving up.
They don't need a sermon. They need a light.
And you. Yes, you are the lamp they are

(04:59):
standing next to. So don't hide Jesus because
light is meant to be seen. Let's pray real quick, Jesus, if
we put a basket over our light, make us unashamed of that light.

(05:19):
Let the flame you produced in us, that you placed in us shine
clearly for you. Take the basket off.
Amen. Tomorrow, tomorrow we go deeper.
Wind on seed, roots growing while we sleep.
God making increase in secret. Sounds interesting, doesn't it?

(05:44):
You're gonna have to tune in tomorrow and family because
today's Sunday. If you don't have somewhere to
plug in, if you're searching, ifyou need a faith place, join us
online. Calvary Temple, Winnipeg later
today, worship with us, receive the word, grow with us.

(06:06):
We would love to have you there and until tomorrow, continue to
be a bright light in a dark place.
I'm outty. Peace.