WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.320 Welcome to Ontario Community Church, where we are encouraging, equipping, and engaging lives for Christ. 00:00:06.320 --> 00:00:14.740 ! I'm Pastor Patrick Daly, and each week I share sermons that balance the grace and love of Jesus Christ with the truth of the Word of God. 00:00:15.359 --> 00:00:21.179 Together, we'll explore Scripture using observation, interpretation, and application. 00:00:21.839 --> 00:00:26.019 This helps us discover practical ways to live out our faith every single day. 00:00:26.400 --> 00:00:29.039 Let's dive in together into God's Word. 00:00:29.039 --> 00:00:33.579 Well, I want to say good morning to everyone here and those who are online. 00:00:34.179 --> 00:00:35.019 Good morning, everyone. 00:00:36.179 --> 00:00:42.939 It's been a fantastic week. I'm glad that the weather has not been so hot, but it's going to get hotter pretty soon here. 00:00:43.600 --> 00:00:48.539 It's just amazing how time flies. Matt, you were saying time flies when you're having fun, right? 00:00:48.859 --> 00:00:56.140 And it's really just great to be here as, can you believe it, this is our final parable. 00:00:56.140 --> 00:01:09.519 We have gone almost 40 weeks going through the parables of Christ, and this parable that you'll see, the lamp under a basket, is going to where we first began. 00:01:09.960 --> 00:01:14.200 When we began going through the parables, we talked about the seed and the sower. 00:01:14.200 --> 00:01:19.799 We went through prophetic parables, such as the parable of the ten virgins. 00:01:20.040 --> 00:01:23.120 We talked about the vineyard. We talked about the invitation. 00:01:23.320 --> 00:01:25.900 And this next week, we'll have a recap on all of it. 00:01:25.939 --> 00:01:30.040 I just wanted to let you know a little bit of what we've been doing, because it's been fantastic. 00:01:30.760 --> 00:01:32.100 Have any of you learned anything? 00:01:32.099 --> 00:01:40.780 I sure hope that you have. Learning about the parables of Christ, something that is so simplistic, but yet they're so deep and they are so powerful. 00:01:41.140 --> 00:01:44.839 They are applicable for us even today in 2025. 00:01:45.859 --> 00:01:54.459 And what's so great about God and his word is that no matter who you are, where you are, what you have been through, what you are going through, 00:01:54.459 --> 00:02:01.399 Jesus Christ calls you to salvation by believing in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 00:02:01.500 --> 00:02:02.699 Can I get an amen for that? 00:02:03.219 --> 00:02:08.120 The power of the word of God and the power of scripture is something that is remarkable. 00:02:08.659 --> 00:02:12.319 And going through all these parables, it's a lot to take in. 00:02:12.979 --> 00:02:15.819 But we are ending just like how we began. 00:02:15.919 --> 00:02:19.400 I want us to turn to the gospel of Luke chapter 8 real quick. 00:02:19.400 --> 00:02:27.000 You'll notice that the lamp under a basket shows up three times in three of the four gospels here. 00:02:27.240 --> 00:02:29.140 Shows up in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. 00:02:29.219 --> 00:02:30.319 Does not show up in John. 00:02:30.379 --> 00:02:34.319 But I want us to turn real quick to the gospel of Luke chapter 8. 00:02:35.140 --> 00:02:39.500 And I kind of want to show you where we began and where we are now. 00:02:39.500 --> 00:02:50.379 So it's going to be on page 1027, 1027 in your ESVPU Bible or your Bible of choice, Gospel of Luke chapter 8. 00:02:51.780 --> 00:02:56.979 And if you remember, we began with the parable of the sower. 00:02:57.780 --> 00:02:58.080 Right? 00:02:58.159 --> 00:03:00.680 There was the great crowd that was gathering from the town. 00:03:01.360 --> 00:03:04.819 And Christ goes on talking about the seed and the soil. 00:03:04.819 --> 00:03:12.459 When we were thinking about the status of our hearts, are there things that are hindering us from receiving God's word? 00:03:12.819 --> 00:03:16.699 Are there things that are hindering us from connecting with the Lord? 00:03:17.739 --> 00:03:19.280 I want you to turn then. 00:03:19.879 --> 00:03:22.939 You'll see in verse 9 where it says the purpose of parables. 00:03:23.099 --> 00:03:24.699 I want to go to verse 9 real quick. 00:03:26.139 --> 00:03:29.439 So he's teaching the parable of the soils. 00:03:29.439 --> 00:03:33.659 When his disciples asked him what this parable meant. 00:03:34.159 --> 00:03:37.280 I want to know what you meant, Christ, with these parables that you're teaching. 00:03:37.979 --> 00:03:41.879 He said to you, it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God. 00:03:42.039 --> 00:03:49.139 But for others, they are in parables so that seeing they may not see and hearing they may not understand. 00:03:49.900 --> 00:03:53.219 So he goes on in verse 11 explaining what this parable means. 00:03:53.219 --> 00:03:57.359 And you see that Christ, he explains it and he breaks it down. 00:03:57.439 --> 00:04:00.479 But it goes then into our reading that we have today. 00:04:00.979 --> 00:04:03.139 The lamp under a jar. 00:04:03.360 --> 00:04:06.280 So I want us to go then into verse 16 then. 00:04:07.020 --> 00:04:07.180 Right? 00:04:07.280 --> 00:04:08.479 Well, actually, verse 15. 00:04:08.680 --> 00:04:08.840 Right? 00:04:08.939 --> 00:04:11.800 For those that have good soil, there are those hearing the word. 00:04:12.219 --> 00:04:16.800 Hold it fast in an honest and a good heart and to bear fruit with patience. 00:04:16.800 --> 00:04:24.639 Which gets us connected then to what we find in the lamp under a jar or the lamp under a basket, depending upon your translation here. 00:04:25.360 --> 00:04:25.840 So it says, 00:04:26.100 --> 00:04:33.660 No one, after lighting a lamp, covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand so that those who enter may see the light. 00:04:34.120 --> 00:04:41.040 For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. 00:04:41.639 --> 00:04:44.259 Verse 18 is very important then, where it says, 00:04:44.259 --> 00:04:46.439 Take care then how you hear. 00:04:47.019 --> 00:04:48.779 For the one who has, more will be given. 00:04:49.219 --> 00:04:53.199 And from the one who has not, even what he thinks he has will be taken away. 00:04:53.759 --> 00:05:01.199 And it goes on right after in the Gospel of Luke, talking about who are Christ's mother and brothers. 00:05:01.319 --> 00:05:01.480 Right? 00:05:01.519 --> 00:05:02.279 Going on in that. 00:05:02.680 --> 00:05:07.360 But you see that this specific parable shows up three times in the Gospels. 00:05:07.819 --> 00:05:14.120 In the Gospel of Matthew, it's where Christ is talking on the Sermon of the Mount right after being salt of the earth. 00:05:14.259 --> 00:05:17.579 And then talking about the lamp, that you want it to shine. 00:05:17.740 --> 00:05:17.920 Right? 00:05:18.159 --> 00:05:19.159 We think of lamps. 00:05:19.240 --> 00:05:19.339 Right? 00:05:19.379 --> 00:05:20.099 That's pretty easy. 00:05:20.199 --> 00:05:21.699 I mean, we can light candles. 00:05:21.779 --> 00:05:25.459 I don't think we have, a lot of us have clay lamps anymore. 00:05:25.539 --> 00:05:27.360 Does anyone have clay lamps by chance? 00:05:27.980 --> 00:05:29.680 Or an oil lamp for that matter? 00:05:30.060 --> 00:05:30.779 Maybe you do. 00:05:30.899 --> 00:05:31.879 Maybe you do. 00:05:31.939 --> 00:05:34.180 But you can still think of the imagery of that. 00:05:35.040 --> 00:05:38.639 So in the Gospel of Matthew, it's showing up that you are the light of the world. 00:05:38.639 --> 00:05:38.920 Right? 00:05:39.000 --> 00:05:40.560 Right after the salt of the earth. 00:05:40.959 --> 00:05:46.160 And then for Mark and Luke, this is showing after the understanding of the purpose of parables. 00:05:46.639 --> 00:05:48.819 So three times we find this in Scripture. 00:05:49.780 --> 00:05:53.899 Church, when we find something in the Word of God that shows up even once, it's important. 00:05:54.019 --> 00:05:54.199 Amen? 00:05:54.740 --> 00:05:58.620 When we find it three times, how much more do we have to pay attention to something like this? 00:05:59.100 --> 00:06:00.800 So it's showing up these three times. 00:06:00.800 --> 00:06:01.020 Right? 00:06:01.220 --> 00:06:02.900 So immediately after the sower. 00:06:03.020 --> 00:06:03.180 Right? 00:06:03.220 --> 00:06:06.780 Where we're talking about the Word of God being put into our hearts. 00:06:06.900 --> 00:06:07.060 Right? 00:06:07.520 --> 00:06:11.259 When we hear the Word of God, we are to digest it as it were. 00:06:11.620 --> 00:06:11.860 Right? 00:06:11.900 --> 00:06:13.860 We think of this imagery of agriculture. 00:06:13.860 --> 00:06:15.759 The seed that goes into the soil. 00:06:15.879 --> 00:06:16.900 It needs to cultivate. 00:06:17.139 --> 00:06:18.780 You need to have the right type of soil. 00:06:18.879 --> 00:06:20.879 You need to make sure that the soil is cleared out. 00:06:21.100 --> 00:06:22.819 You got to clear out the weeds as well. 00:06:23.160 --> 00:06:23.560 Right? 00:06:23.580 --> 00:06:24.780 If you remember all of that. 00:06:25.019 --> 00:06:29.759 Then you see this connection that goes into putting a lamp. 00:06:29.759 --> 00:06:31.560 Not under a bed? 00:06:32.259 --> 00:06:33.060 Or a basket? 00:06:33.199 --> 00:06:33.659 What kind? 00:06:33.779 --> 00:06:35.159 I mean, you even think of that now. 00:06:35.240 --> 00:06:37.459 You think, how ridiculous to put something under that. 00:06:37.539 --> 00:06:40.360 And for some of us, we may even think of this little light of mine. 00:06:40.480 --> 00:06:40.599 Right? 00:06:40.659 --> 00:06:42.199 This little light of mine. 00:06:42.279 --> 00:06:42.459 Right? 00:06:42.620 --> 00:06:43.860 I'm going to let it shine. 00:06:43.959 --> 00:06:44.139 Right? 00:06:44.259 --> 00:06:45.579 Or that other verse. 00:06:45.800 --> 00:06:46.860 Hide it under a bushel. 00:06:47.519 --> 00:06:47.920 No. 00:06:48.060 --> 00:06:49.019 I'm going to let it shine. 00:06:49.099 --> 00:06:49.219 Right? 00:06:49.279 --> 00:06:50.219 Hide it under a bushel. 00:06:50.560 --> 00:06:50.939 No. 00:06:51.019 --> 00:06:52.019 I'm going to let it shine. 00:06:52.079 --> 00:06:52.259 Right? 00:06:52.259 --> 00:06:57.439 And we see this kind of connection that goes on with our real life. 00:06:57.620 --> 00:06:58.300 So, okay. 00:06:58.360 --> 00:07:01.599 We think about the imagery of the light. 00:07:02.579 --> 00:07:07.899 Well, when you have a light that is especially, well, nowadays, we have lights all around us. 00:07:07.959 --> 00:07:08.060 Right? 00:07:08.099 --> 00:07:10.500 We flip a switch and a light turns on. 00:07:10.639 --> 00:07:12.680 So, it may be hard for us to think for a moment. 00:07:12.680 --> 00:07:16.220 But think the last time your power went out. 00:07:17.040 --> 00:07:18.139 And you had to get a flashlight. 00:07:18.259 --> 00:07:19.680 Or maybe you had to light a candle. 00:07:20.160 --> 00:07:23.360 How that light radiates and shines in a dim room. 00:07:23.879 --> 00:07:28.600 When we think of back in Jesus' time, that light, you would want it to radiate the light. 00:07:29.160 --> 00:07:31.600 So that everyone in the household can see. 00:07:32.079 --> 00:07:35.439 And this is very beautiful imagery for the light of Christ. 00:07:36.120 --> 00:07:39.460 When we think of Jesus Christ as the source of life. 00:07:39.740 --> 00:07:41.259 The source of truth. 00:07:41.340 --> 00:07:41.519 Right? 00:07:41.519 --> 00:07:42.819 And the very light. 00:07:43.319 --> 00:07:45.740 We should all have the desire. 00:07:46.379 --> 00:07:47.159 I don't know about you. 00:07:47.219 --> 00:07:50.219 But I desire to be connected with the one who made me. 00:07:50.319 --> 00:07:52.139 I desire to go to the light. 00:07:52.740 --> 00:07:54.659 Some of us seek truth in this life. 00:07:54.839 --> 00:07:57.959 Well, we find that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. 00:07:58.259 --> 00:08:01.259 Some of us seek security and safety in this life. 00:08:01.419 --> 00:08:04.699 We find security and safety in Jesus Christ. 00:08:04.699 --> 00:08:10.319 And for some of us, we may identify with the language of, I feel as though I am in darkness. 00:08:10.319 --> 00:08:13.579 I feel as though there is so much evil that is around me. 00:08:13.579 --> 00:08:17.560 That is why we come to Jesus Christ, who is the light, as it were. 00:08:17.560 --> 00:08:21.500 So no one lights a lamp to hide it under a basket. 00:08:21.500 --> 00:08:21.759 Right? 00:08:21.780 --> 00:08:26.780 We can think, well, if I put a lamp under my bed, a burning candle, as it were, it's probably 00:08:26.780 --> 00:08:28.019 going to burn down my house. 00:08:28.019 --> 00:08:28.319 Right? 00:08:28.319 --> 00:08:30.959 So we can think about that. 00:08:31.040 --> 00:08:35.639 And then also, when we get this imagery of a basket, you get a little flame. 00:08:36.279 --> 00:08:43.439 The idea is, if you have a very large basket, it is to get rid of, to extinguish the light. 00:08:44.139 --> 00:08:49.299 Now, granted, we can think of that, well, if you're done with the light, you want to get 00:08:49.299 --> 00:08:49.759 rid of it. 00:08:49.779 --> 00:08:53.379 But we're thinking specifically of the light of Christ. 00:08:53.379 --> 00:08:57.200 Let us think of the salvation that comes from Jesus Christ. 00:08:57.519 --> 00:09:01.639 Let us think of the truth that comes from him, the love that comes from him, and how 00:09:01.639 --> 00:09:07.139 we are to radiate that light for other people, for our friends, for our families, for our 00:09:07.139 --> 00:09:07.439 neighbors. 00:09:07.840 --> 00:09:12.240 We can think of the community, our very own, our neighbor next door. 00:09:13.379 --> 00:09:14.600 Do you know your neighbors? 00:09:14.779 --> 00:09:16.100 Do you know the person next door? 00:09:16.139 --> 00:09:19.240 And how can you exhibit the light of Christ to other people? 00:09:19.240 --> 00:09:22.360 So let your light shine for others to see. 00:09:22.580 --> 00:09:24.840 We think of, we see this imagery, right? 00:09:25.379 --> 00:09:31.919 So the light, the lamp, it belongs on a stand to lighten up the whole house, as it were. 00:09:32.259 --> 00:09:37.259 We can even think of that, how we are to, with us having the light of Christ, we are to shine 00:09:37.259 --> 00:09:38.379 that for our family. 00:09:38.840 --> 00:09:40.759 We are to shine that for others to see. 00:09:41.240 --> 00:09:45.460 We also see in the Gospel of Matthew, where specifically it was talking about a city of 00:09:45.460 --> 00:09:47.480 a hill, on a hill cannot be hidden. 00:09:47.480 --> 00:09:50.259 We can think of the lights that, we can think of that, right? 00:09:50.300 --> 00:09:54.379 When you're driving by, you may see a city on a hill, or you may even see a house on a 00:09:54.379 --> 00:09:56.700 hill nowadays, how that light radiates. 00:09:56.980 --> 00:10:05.180 One of my favorite imageries is when you think of a lamp, excuse me, a lighthouse that shines 00:10:05.180 --> 00:10:10.740 out in the dark ocean, very powerful imagery of hope, especially if you're a sailor out 00:10:10.740 --> 00:10:12.680 sea and you need to know where you got to go, right? 00:10:13.159 --> 00:10:14.700 You go towards the light. 00:10:14.700 --> 00:10:20.640 And so we think of this imagery then about a city on a hill that light shines. 00:10:20.820 --> 00:10:25.700 And so when we talk about this language of letting our good work shine for others to 00:10:25.700 --> 00:10:31.560 see so that it glorifies the Father, we have to remember, first and foremost, we are saved 00:10:31.560 --> 00:10:33.020 by grace through faith, church. 00:10:33.180 --> 00:10:35.200 We are not saved by what we do. 00:10:35.420 --> 00:10:38.480 We are saved so that we can do good in the name of Christ. 00:10:38.480 --> 00:10:43.980 We're saved so that we can learn, we can grow more, and we can seek the Lord more. 00:10:44.340 --> 00:10:50.460 We are saved so that we can help our brothers and sisters in Christ to be an ambassador for 00:10:50.460 --> 00:10:50.920 Christ. 00:10:51.820 --> 00:10:52.940 Consider your neighbor. 00:10:53.519 --> 00:10:54.820 Consider your coworker. 00:10:55.259 --> 00:10:57.399 Consider your boss that you can't stand. 00:10:57.620 --> 00:11:00.700 Or that professor who just can't give you a good grade, right? 00:11:00.820 --> 00:11:03.220 We can think of all of these different things. 00:11:03.220 --> 00:11:09.300 So it's so important for us as we receive the light of Christ, as we receive the word, 00:11:09.399 --> 00:11:12.920 as we receive salvation, we are to continue to grow. 00:11:13.120 --> 00:11:14.560 Let the light shine brightly. 00:11:14.899 --> 00:11:20.160 Let it grow, as it were, just as we talked about the foundation and we build our house accordingly 00:11:20.160 --> 00:11:21.320 on the solid rock. 00:11:21.500 --> 00:11:23.519 We are to let that light illuminate. 00:11:23.940 --> 00:11:28.300 And we are to share in the light of Christ with other people so that they come to know 00:11:28.299 --> 00:11:31.459 Jesus Christ being the way, the truth, and the life. 00:11:32.579 --> 00:11:36.859 The language goes on talking about nothing is hidden except to be made manifest. 00:11:36.979 --> 00:11:41.059 That's a very interesting language where it's talking about as you are learning things. 00:11:42.359 --> 00:11:47.019 Many of you know my glasses here talk about Proverbs. 00:11:47.879 --> 00:11:50.299 It says on here, Proverbs 25.2. 00:11:51.000 --> 00:11:53.559 One of my favorite verses in all of scripture where it says, 00:11:53.699 --> 00:11:58.219 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to discover a thing. 00:11:58.500 --> 00:11:59.559 What in the world does that mean? 00:11:59.959 --> 00:12:05.759 God intentionally hides things matters so that we can discover them. 00:12:06.459 --> 00:12:09.839 We can think of the great discoveries that have been made in the universe. 00:12:10.079 --> 00:12:12.439 We can think of medical and scientific discoveries, 00:12:12.439 --> 00:12:19.079 but we can also think of how we are to grow in God and his word and grow in his understanding, 00:12:19.419 --> 00:12:21.000 our understanding of the word. 00:12:21.359 --> 00:12:26.199 That's something that's very powerful because we go from being children to becoming adults. 00:12:26.200 --> 00:12:31.420 How many of you, well, you can look in the mirror and see how old you've gotten, 00:12:31.759 --> 00:12:35.980 but we think in the same way that as we grow physically, we grow spiritually, 00:12:36.080 --> 00:12:38.080 or at least we should grow spiritually. 00:12:38.379 --> 00:12:40.600 You don't want to remain a baby all your life, right? 00:12:40.960 --> 00:12:43.480 Although you might want to be a baby from time to time, right? 00:12:44.259 --> 00:12:48.580 We all are on this journey in Christ where we are growing in him. 00:12:48.580 --> 00:12:54.360 The text goes on also talking about, so going back to nothing being hidden, 00:12:54.600 --> 00:12:59.460 as you learn things, as you learn salvation, as you learn the truth of God's word, 00:12:59.879 --> 00:13:00.780 share it with other people. 00:13:01.420 --> 00:13:04.660 You've got to share what has been revealed to you through his word. 00:13:04.780 --> 00:13:07.860 How many of you, you've read the same verse over and over, 00:13:07.860 --> 00:13:11.620 and yet it speaks to you in such a way that comforts you, 00:13:11.720 --> 00:13:15.960 or has you answered a question that you've been asking for a while, 00:13:16.019 --> 00:13:17.419 and yet it was right there in God's word. 00:13:17.560 --> 00:13:19.440 You've got to share that with other people, friends. 00:13:19.960 --> 00:13:22.120 Share how God is working in and through your life. 00:13:22.500 --> 00:13:26.060 Share how God has stirred your heart and changed your mind, right? 00:13:26.060 --> 00:13:30.240 When we talk about the idea of repentance, meaning the changing of mind. 00:13:30.840 --> 00:13:34.399 Well, not only does God change our minds, he changes our hearts too, 00:13:34.399 --> 00:13:38.199 so that we can become more like him every single day. 00:13:39.159 --> 00:13:41.659 The text goes on about hearing and measure. 00:13:42.100 --> 00:13:45.819 With what measure, with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 00:13:45.879 --> 00:13:48.799 It's talking about continuing to seek the Lord, 00:13:49.419 --> 00:13:52.559 and he will give you more revelation, more insight. 00:13:52.559 --> 00:13:57.019 I'm not talking about just necessarily material things like some people talk about. 00:13:57.319 --> 00:14:02.919 I'm talking about God will see to it that you grow in what he feels is necessary for you. 00:14:02.919 --> 00:14:06.620 I know a lot of us, we all think, oh, we just want more money, 00:14:06.699 --> 00:14:07.799 we want more material things. 00:14:07.860 --> 00:14:10.819 That's not what I'm talking about, and I want to make that very clear in here. 00:14:11.899 --> 00:14:14.019 So we talk about the lamp and the bushel, right? 00:14:14.099 --> 00:14:17.279 The bushel was the measuring basket, and as I was mentioning, 00:14:17.579 --> 00:14:21.519 when you put the basket over the light, it's going to snuff it out. 00:14:22.259 --> 00:14:24.659 Now, again, we think of normal candles. 00:14:24.779 --> 00:14:25.860 You've got to put it out eventually. 00:14:25.860 --> 00:14:30.500 But when we're thinking about how we are to show the light of Christ with other people, 00:14:30.639 --> 00:14:32.240 you don't want to snuff it out. 00:14:32.879 --> 00:14:36.120 You want to continue to have that light shine for others to see, 00:14:36.279 --> 00:14:39.480 so that others may know the goodness of God. 00:14:39.600 --> 00:14:44.320 So just as the text says, to taste and see that the Lord is good, right? 00:14:44.340 --> 00:14:49.879 Or how Christ even said when he invited people to come and see that the Lord is good. 00:14:50.300 --> 00:14:54.620 That's what we do when we are sharing in the light, love, and truth of Christ. 00:14:54.620 --> 00:14:58.980 We are shining so that others will be drawn to the light, 00:14:59.419 --> 00:15:02.259 going out of darkness into the marvelous light. 00:15:03.060 --> 00:15:06.460 And light also is a representation of God's truth and presence, 00:15:06.679 --> 00:15:11.840 where Scripture constantly uses this symbol to talk about guidance and holiness, 00:15:12.060 --> 00:15:15.220 where we were talking about in our interactive Scripture reading, 00:15:16.039 --> 00:15:20.240 your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light for my path, 00:15:20.279 --> 00:15:23.279 or a light unto my path, depending on your translation. 00:15:23.279 --> 00:15:28.439 So we can see that this idea of lamps and light have been used throughout Scripture. 00:15:29.059 --> 00:15:29.720 Let it shine. 00:15:30.779 --> 00:15:36.139 And so in all of this, then, we can see this is what we've observed in the text. 00:15:36.299 --> 00:15:40.919 Here at Ontario Community Church, we use what's known as the OIA method, 00:15:41.039 --> 00:15:43.079 observation, interpretation, and application. 00:15:43.639 --> 00:15:46.000 The observation is, let's just read the text. 00:15:46.539 --> 00:15:47.339 Let's read it. 00:15:47.659 --> 00:15:48.779 Let's see what it says. 00:15:48.779 --> 00:15:53.179 The I, then, is what can we learn from it? 00:15:53.500 --> 00:15:55.519 What can we learn as individuals? 00:15:55.879 --> 00:15:58.079 What can we learn collectively as a church? 00:15:58.379 --> 00:16:01.139 And then finally, the A, then, is the application. 00:16:01.319 --> 00:16:02.639 What can we do about it? 00:16:02.839 --> 00:16:05.179 It's important for us to read the Word of God. 00:16:05.240 --> 00:16:06.079 That is our source. 00:16:06.179 --> 00:16:06.860 That is our book. 00:16:06.919 --> 00:16:07.639 We've got to read it. 00:16:08.319 --> 00:16:12.699 It's also important for us to learn and for us to act upon what we learn. 00:16:12.700 --> 00:16:16.400 So the first thing we can see, what does it say, that first one, church? 00:16:18.960 --> 00:16:21.080 In Christ you are light, right? 00:16:21.879 --> 00:16:24.120 So the light is given. 00:16:25.000 --> 00:16:32.860 We think of this idea of you use a, how many of you have made a fire going like that? 00:16:34.420 --> 00:16:35.240 Some of you have. 00:16:35.460 --> 00:16:37.420 Maybe a couple of you have done that before, right? 00:16:37.419 --> 00:16:40.599 And we think how great it is when we have a match, right? 00:16:40.599 --> 00:16:42.459 Or we have a lighter that just lights, right? 00:16:42.459 --> 00:16:44.120 Or we think of the stove, right? 00:16:44.159 --> 00:16:45.699 You turn it on, right? 00:16:45.719 --> 00:16:46.379 And then it goes on. 00:16:46.419 --> 00:16:47.299 The flame goes on. 00:16:48.539 --> 00:16:55.439 Think of God as the spark that ignites the flame in your heart and in your very life. 00:16:56.199 --> 00:17:00.399 That light, that flame, as it were, is given to you. 00:17:01.059 --> 00:17:04.099 It is not something that we can make on our own merit. 00:17:04.099 --> 00:17:11.039 When we consider our very salvation, that is not something that we can earn. 00:17:12.139 --> 00:17:14.379 It is something that is given freely. 00:17:14.480 --> 00:17:19.679 Just like I've talked about the imagery of the invitation, or if you were here a couple weeks ago, 00:17:19.759 --> 00:17:24.419 the response stones to cast your stone, right? 00:17:24.539 --> 00:17:26.699 Who are you going to be devoted for? 00:17:26.700 --> 00:17:34.720 And so, in here, it is not by what we do, but what has been done for us in Jesus Christ. 00:17:35.600 --> 00:17:40.100 And we think Jesus names his disciples the light of the world, 00:17:40.279 --> 00:17:44.620 and scripture even mentions that Christ is the true light. 00:17:45.420 --> 00:17:50.819 And so, when we come to Christ, we are in that light, just as that verse is saying, 00:17:51.160 --> 00:17:54.059 going into darkness, into marvelous light. 00:17:54.059 --> 00:17:58.299 What a beautiful imagery that is. 00:17:58.839 --> 00:18:01.319 Just like how we've even talked about other parables, 00:18:01.460 --> 00:18:05.539 the idea of searching for the lost coin and being found, 00:18:06.059 --> 00:18:07.980 being once lost and being found. 00:18:09.339 --> 00:18:11.200 Think of all of these things. 00:18:12.220 --> 00:18:16.039 How good it is to be in the light, no longer in darkness. 00:18:16.179 --> 00:18:20.079 And I don't just mean having a bright light shining on your face. 00:18:20.079 --> 00:18:25.879 I'm talking about going from the former life to the new life that exists in Christ, 00:18:25.879 --> 00:18:31.419 from the former identity or the former things of the world to the things of God. 00:18:31.939 --> 00:18:34.659 Putting on the new self and being transformed, 00:18:34.839 --> 00:18:39.480 beginning on a spiritual journey in Christ where you are being molded by him, 00:18:39.559 --> 00:18:42.039 where you are becoming more like him. 00:18:42.859 --> 00:18:45.299 Be on that path and be on that journey. 00:18:45.299 --> 00:18:50.319 And we think so much about the imagery of a city on a hill, 00:18:50.319 --> 00:18:55.799 which talks about visibility, just like how you want to put that lamp outside, right? 00:18:55.819 --> 00:18:57.879 You want to put it on a stand and let it shine. 00:18:58.399 --> 00:19:01.259 Our faith is meant to be public. 00:19:01.759 --> 00:19:05.379 So let us share in the light, love and truth of Christ. 00:19:06.220 --> 00:19:07.899 That leads us into the second one then, 00:19:08.159 --> 00:19:10.319 that lamps are meant to be put under a basket. 00:19:10.319 --> 00:19:14.339 No, they are meant to shine then. 00:19:15.179 --> 00:19:19.500 So hiding the light, that contradicts the purpose of a lamp. 00:19:20.179 --> 00:19:22.279 That contradicts the purpose of a light. 00:19:22.799 --> 00:19:25.619 Now, I know maybe as kids, you might have done this before. 00:19:25.700 --> 00:19:26.740 I know my kids have done this. 00:19:26.799 --> 00:19:31.359 They get a little flashlight and they are under the blankets, right? 00:19:31.659 --> 00:19:32.879 They're shining the light everywhere. 00:19:33.019 --> 00:19:37.019 And it's kind of, they're trying to hide from you because they want to play. 00:19:37.019 --> 00:19:40.779 And they don't want to see that mom or dad or whoever, right? 00:19:41.000 --> 00:19:43.619 They don't want to see that they're, that you're up. 00:19:44.039 --> 00:19:48.400 Well, what an interesting example we can think of when we're talking about the light of Christ. 00:19:48.799 --> 00:19:50.839 We don't want to cover it as it were. 00:19:51.599 --> 00:19:54.740 For these lamps are meant to shine for other people to see. 00:19:55.240 --> 00:19:57.819 As I've mentioned, think of your neighbor. 00:19:58.500 --> 00:19:59.420 Think of your friends. 00:19:59.579 --> 00:20:00.400 Think of your families. 00:20:00.579 --> 00:20:03.559 Think of the people that you interact with every single day. 00:20:03.559 --> 00:20:07.159 Think about the person that cuts you off in traffic, right? 00:20:07.500 --> 00:20:10.440 Or think about the person that took a long time in Walmart. 00:20:10.779 --> 00:20:14.000 Not that that's never happened to me or never happened to any of us here. 00:20:14.299 --> 00:20:15.799 We've had those moments. 00:20:16.759 --> 00:20:24.240 And so let us think, you don't want to hide your light because that goes against the very nature of light itself. 00:20:24.359 --> 00:20:27.279 It goes against a candle. 00:20:27.279 --> 00:20:32.579 And so this is not to glorify yourself. 00:20:33.420 --> 00:20:40.940 This is meant to glorify God because God gives you the light so that you can shine it for others to come. 00:20:41.399 --> 00:20:44.779 Not necessarily to you, but to come to God the Father. 00:20:45.240 --> 00:20:48.220 To come to that saving faith in Jesus Christ. 00:20:49.019 --> 00:20:50.139 And so we think about this. 00:20:50.140 --> 00:20:59.360 Now, when we've talked about parabolic language, I've talked to you about the parable of the ten virgins, if you guys remember that. 00:20:59.700 --> 00:21:02.600 Where you had these ten virgins that were holding lamps. 00:21:03.340 --> 00:21:05.700 Very similar in that parabolic language. 00:21:06.300 --> 00:21:08.740 The lamp represents a vessel. 00:21:09.660 --> 00:21:12.100 The oil represents the Holy Spirit. 00:21:12.660 --> 00:21:18.520 And then you have the flame then, which is the love and truth, the salvation of Christ. 00:21:18.519 --> 00:21:21.619 You want to have your lamp filled with oil. 00:21:22.339 --> 00:21:26.160 So that's how it's connected even within parables in that. 00:21:26.980 --> 00:21:28.859 There's so many connections within Scripture. 00:21:29.119 --> 00:21:30.019 It's remarkable. 00:21:30.680 --> 00:21:34.400 Going to that third point then is listening and sharing. 00:21:34.599 --> 00:21:35.319 They bring what? 00:21:36.079 --> 00:21:37.559 They bring blessing, right? 00:21:38.839 --> 00:21:43.099 Now consider, and it always is interesting when you see in Scripture, 00:21:43.319 --> 00:21:45.440 He who has ears, let him hear. 00:21:46.099 --> 00:21:47.680 What in the world do you mean by that, right? 00:21:47.680 --> 00:21:50.259 Hearing so that we can understand. 00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:55.039 It's just like how sometimes you might have gotten in trouble by a parent or your spouse. 00:21:55.259 --> 00:21:56.620 Are you listening to me? 00:21:56.740 --> 00:21:57.920 Yeah, I'm listening to you. 00:21:58.120 --> 00:21:59.720 But are you really listening, right? 00:21:59.980 --> 00:22:02.120 Do you understand what I'm saying? 00:22:02.180 --> 00:22:04.420 It's very different than do you hear, right? 00:22:04.539 --> 00:22:07.980 So when we're talking about He who has ears, let them hear. 00:22:08.200 --> 00:22:09.259 Let them understand. 00:22:11.140 --> 00:22:13.259 Let them hear so that they understand. 00:22:13.259 --> 00:22:16.180 And that's something that's very important when we're thinking of this. 00:22:16.480 --> 00:22:20.519 Consider carefully how you listen to God and to His Word. 00:22:20.519 --> 00:22:27.359 So we think of the attention then as we grow and we follow in the footsteps of Christ. 00:22:28.139 --> 00:22:32.420 That is speaking of the measure that God uses to give you more understanding. 00:22:32.420 --> 00:22:38.480 I have found that the more that I hope in the Word of God, the more that God reveals truth to me. 00:22:39.400 --> 00:22:48.460 And the more that I walk with the Lord, I ask God, and I hope you as well, ask God to mold you and to change your heart and to change your mind. 00:22:48.460 --> 00:22:51.640 So that you become more like Him. 00:22:52.579 --> 00:22:57.579 Not to be someone that is, well, anti-Christ as it were. 00:22:57.980 --> 00:23:00.840 But rather to be more like Christ. 00:23:02.100 --> 00:23:05.100 And so light brings more light. 00:23:05.779 --> 00:23:07.539 Let us respond to the truth. 00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:15.440 May we respond to the light of Christ by believing in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 00:23:15.440 --> 00:23:20.400 That leads us nicely into our application then. 00:23:20.500 --> 00:23:21.940 What do we do about this? 00:23:22.019 --> 00:23:23.220 How should we live? 00:23:24.180 --> 00:23:26.240 Well, I was already touching on it, right? 00:23:27.200 --> 00:23:29.460 So let the light shine in your heart. 00:23:30.420 --> 00:23:31.920 Receive the light of Christ. 00:23:32.080 --> 00:23:36.440 The truth, the grace, the salvation that comes from the Lord. 00:23:37.180 --> 00:23:39.360 Trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:23:39.500 --> 00:23:41.460 The death, burial, and resurrection. 00:23:41.460 --> 00:23:46.180 I always mention it as 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verses 1 through 4. 00:23:46.519 --> 00:23:47.660 The simple gospel. 00:23:47.840 --> 00:23:51.680 If you ever want to share the gospel in a very simplistic way, that's how you do it. 00:23:52.620 --> 00:23:54.920 We think of how Christ is the door. 00:23:55.160 --> 00:23:57.720 Or how we are to enter through the narrow gates. 00:23:58.200 --> 00:24:00.440 We have to ask ourselves the question, 00:24:00.720 --> 00:24:02.519 Have I responded to Christ? 00:24:03.059 --> 00:24:05.880 Have I entered through the narrow gate? 00:24:05.940 --> 00:24:08.819 Or am I trying to do it on my own? 00:24:08.819 --> 00:24:16.740 Let us all come to Jesus Christ by believing in faith and responding to the gospel. 00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:18.819 It is so important. 00:24:19.319 --> 00:24:20.039 See the light. 00:24:20.639 --> 00:24:22.319 Go to it and receive it. 00:24:22.799 --> 00:24:29.179 This symbolic language is speaking of truth, grace, and most especially salvation. 00:24:29.180 --> 00:24:35.560 The second thing then is to remove the cover of the light. 00:24:35.640 --> 00:24:41.840 Just as I mentioned this imagery of how children, right? 00:24:42.039 --> 00:24:45.700 When they're playing and they have the flashlights and they're moving it all around, right? 00:24:46.320 --> 00:24:48.880 You don't want to cover your light. 00:24:49.259 --> 00:24:56.140 And I want you, church, to think of what is something that could cover the light that you can think of. 00:24:56.200 --> 00:24:58.240 There's many things that we can think of. 00:24:58.240 --> 00:25:01.200 What dims your witness? 00:25:02.019 --> 00:25:04.140 What covers the light of your life? 00:25:04.279 --> 00:25:05.140 Is it fear? 00:25:05.980 --> 00:25:07.160 Is it sin? 00:25:07.940 --> 00:25:09.099 Is it compromise? 00:25:10.740 --> 00:25:12.240 I can't answer that for you. 00:25:12.779 --> 00:25:14.220 Only you can answer that. 00:25:14.299 --> 00:25:16.380 But it's something for you to reflect on. 00:25:16.940 --> 00:25:19.059 Is there something that is covering the light? 00:25:19.299 --> 00:25:24.299 Is there something that is hindering you from sharing the light of Christ with other people? 00:25:24.299 --> 00:25:28.839 In other words, ask yourself, what am I afraid of? 00:25:29.399 --> 00:25:31.279 Never be afraid of Jesus Christ. 00:25:31.359 --> 00:25:35.240 Just like how scripture says to not be ashamed of the gospel. 00:25:36.259 --> 00:25:37.940 Never be afraid of your faith. 00:25:37.940 --> 00:25:40.480 And don't be afraid of your story. 00:25:40.900 --> 00:25:45.200 I know for some of us, we get so, I don't want to share that part of my story. 00:25:46.400 --> 00:25:54.700 You'd be amazed at how your story, how God changed your life, how that can impact others. 00:25:54.700 --> 00:26:03.460 Your very presence, your speaking to people, truth and love to others can have such a profound impact on people. 00:26:04.100 --> 00:26:05.680 You normally don't see it. 00:26:05.680 --> 00:26:10.700 Very rarely do you actually see the effect that it has. 00:26:11.340 --> 00:26:14.259 But we continue to do the work of ministry. 00:26:14.860 --> 00:26:18.720 We are all called to share in the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:26:19.240 --> 00:26:24.940 We're all called to share the truth of God's word and the love of Christ. 00:26:26.039 --> 00:26:27.660 So am I hiding anything? 00:26:28.180 --> 00:26:30.560 Is there a cover that's dimming out the light? 00:26:31.060 --> 00:26:32.759 Only you can answer that. 00:26:32.759 --> 00:26:38.779 And the third thing and the final thing then is to set the lamp on a stand to shine. 00:26:39.740 --> 00:26:40.819 Receive the light. 00:26:41.680 --> 00:26:43.500 Remove that darn cover. 00:26:44.160 --> 00:26:44.359 Right? 00:26:44.759 --> 00:26:47.960 And put it on a stand to let it shine. 00:26:48.759 --> 00:26:50.759 We think about this, this idea. 00:26:52.039 --> 00:26:55.740 How can we shine the light of Christ for others? 00:26:56.240 --> 00:26:58.980 For some of us, it may be speaking truth to others. 00:26:59.700 --> 00:27:01.599 For others, it may be serving. 00:27:01.599 --> 00:27:03.879 It might be serving this church. 00:27:03.980 --> 00:27:05.439 It might be serving the community. 00:27:06.219 --> 00:27:11.519 It might be practicing your faith, opening the word of God and praying more. 00:27:12.719 --> 00:27:17.099 What that looks like for you is different from the person next to you. 00:27:18.379 --> 00:27:21.240 Be an ambassador for Christ. 00:27:22.259 --> 00:27:26.599 Find the way for you to share in the light of Christ for others. 00:27:26.599 --> 00:27:30.639 May you grow so that you share. 00:27:31.219 --> 00:27:33.919 So that you can be that light for others. 00:27:35.519 --> 00:27:39.759 Let us do great things in the name of Jesus Christ. 00:27:40.299 --> 00:27:44.059 By transforming culture through his name. 00:27:44.719 --> 00:27:50.139 Because God will work in and through you in such profound and powerful ways. 00:27:50.140 --> 00:27:56.259 Sometimes God sends you a person that you need to speak to, you haven't talked to in forever. 00:27:56.920 --> 00:27:58.880 Or maybe it's someone you don't even know. 00:27:59.960 --> 00:28:01.060 Speak to that person. 00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:02.980 Don't be afraid. 00:28:03.800 --> 00:28:08.540 You know how many times scripture tells us to not be afraid and yet we do get afraid at times? 00:28:08.660 --> 00:28:08.759 Right? 00:28:08.800 --> 00:28:09.460 Don't raise your hand. 00:28:09.560 --> 00:28:09.680 Right? 00:28:09.720 --> 00:28:11.200 I know I do. 00:28:12.340 --> 00:28:13.440 I don't have time. 00:28:14.200 --> 00:28:15.180 I've got things to do. 00:28:15.320 --> 00:28:17.120 I've got places to go and people to see. 00:28:17.220 --> 00:28:18.600 But yet there are still those moments. 00:28:19.019 --> 00:28:19.820 We have to pause. 00:28:20.460 --> 00:28:21.820 We have to respond accordingly. 00:28:22.320 --> 00:28:23.220 The doctor can wait. 00:28:23.660 --> 00:28:23.900 Right? 00:28:24.980 --> 00:28:26.120 Just as an example. 00:28:26.299 --> 00:28:26.460 Right? 00:28:27.559 --> 00:28:28.660 So be that ambassador. 00:28:29.460 --> 00:28:30.920 Listen carefully to the word. 00:28:31.500 --> 00:28:34.980 And continue to share in what you have learned with others. 00:28:35.680 --> 00:28:40.640 Sometimes when you share in what you are learning or what you have learned. 00:28:40.640 --> 00:28:46.600 It may, you may be the very person that God is speaking through to get to. 00:28:47.080 --> 00:28:48.500 I learned about this. 00:28:49.240 --> 00:28:51.660 You know, I've been praying about that for a long time. 00:28:51.860 --> 00:28:53.300 They may not say that to you. 00:28:53.460 --> 00:28:53.680 Right? 00:28:55.220 --> 00:28:58.400 You'd be amazed how God will work in and through your life. 00:28:59.320 --> 00:29:05.800 And so ask yourself the question then, who specifically needs the light of Christ that I can speak to today? 00:29:06.240 --> 00:29:07.360 Who can I serve? 00:29:07.440 --> 00:29:09.600 Who can I minister to this week? 00:29:10.640 --> 00:29:15.060 Who needs the light of Christ that I can share with another person? 00:29:15.800 --> 00:29:22.100 And so as we close then, let us remember then to do not, if you don't know by now, 00:29:22.600 --> 00:29:27.259 one, the big takeaway, if you haven't learned anything, is to don't hide the lamp. 00:29:28.020 --> 00:29:29.740 Don't snuff out the light. 00:29:30.680 --> 00:29:33.960 Remove the basket and place it on a stand to shine. 00:29:33.960 --> 00:29:38.220 Pay attention to Christ and his words. 00:29:38.799 --> 00:29:41.700 How is God speaking to you today? 00:29:42.700 --> 00:29:48.440 Be a beacon of hope and number one, know the Lord first. 00:29:49.120 --> 00:29:51.960 Grow in him and be that light for others. 00:29:51.960 --> 00:30:04.700 And finally, just as we have been reading, consider the words, let your light shine before others and give glory to your father who is in heaven. 00:30:04.700 --> 00:30:06.100 That's from Matthew 16. 00:30:06.099 --> 00:30:10.480 We didn't have time to go through all three times that it pops up in here. 00:30:10.719 --> 00:30:15.459 We've gone through the Luke passages, but they do show up nonetheless. 00:30:15.460 --> 00:30:23.259 And so as we close, let us think in the most simplistic terms. 00:30:24.160 --> 00:30:25.779 Receive the light of salvation. 00:30:26.640 --> 00:30:35.200 Remove any barriers, anything that can snuff or dim the light and let your light shine for others to know Christ as well. 00:30:35.200 --> 00:30:45.819 So that we can share in the gospel and that we can transform culture, families, lives, and the world that we live in. 00:30:46.140 --> 00:30:47.180 Let us pray together. 00:30:48.480 --> 00:30:50.000 And Father God, we thank you. 00:30:51.720 --> 00:30:57.360 We thank you so much for this time and this opportunity for us to gather as we have just finished our final parable. 00:30:57.359 --> 00:31:06.240 These simple words that Christ taught are so profound, they're so deep, and at times they're very challenging. 00:31:08.019 --> 00:31:10.139 We thank you for your word nonetheless. 00:31:11.359 --> 00:31:20.959 We thank you for the opportunity for us to open your word and to observe it, to learn from it, and may we be moved to act accordingly from your word. 00:31:20.960 --> 00:31:32.140 What an amazing final parable we've done that brings us back to where we first began, talking about the seed and the soil. 00:31:32.880 --> 00:31:34.720 May we receive salvation. 00:31:35.420 --> 00:31:41.500 May it grow in us so that we can produce fruit, much like how we receive the light of Christ. 00:31:41.500 --> 00:31:51.240 May we put it on a stand to shine in our home, but also shine so that others may see all that we do in your holy name. 00:31:51.940 --> 00:31:56.619 It is in the name of Jesus Christ that we pray, and we all say together, Amen, Church. 00:31:56.940 --> 00:31:57.460 Amen. 00:31:59.500 --> 00:32:03.299 Thank you for listening for this week's message from Ontario Community Church. 00:32:03.660 --> 00:32:08.079 I pray that you are encouraged and strengthened in your walk with Christ. 00:32:08.079 --> 00:32:13.439 For more sermons and resources, visit OntarioCommunityChurch.org. 00:32:13.759 --> 00:32:18.439 May God bless you as you live out his grace and truth every single day.