In a certain mountain village in Europe several centuries ago, a nobleman wondered what legacy he would leave to his townspeople. At last he decided to build them a church building. No one saw the completed plans for the building until it was finished. When the people gathered, they marveled at its beauty and completeness. Then someone asked, “But where are the lamps? How will it be lighted?”
The nobleman pointed to some brackets in the walls. Then he gave to each family a lamp that they were to bring with them each time they came to worship. “Each time you are hear the area where you are seated will be lighted,” the nobleman said. “Each time your are not here, that area will be dark. This is to remind you that whenever you fail to come to the assembly, some part of God’s house will be dark.” Is your area often dark?
The above article was taken from the Beacon. It is a publication of the Bellview church of Christ in Pensacola, Fl. It is an excellent article that makes a very good point. Let us consider some areas also that are affected by your light.
The influence of your light is seen throughout the church building. Your church family notices when you are here and when you are not. That either encourages or discourages others. It encourages others when you are here because your light is shinning brightly. It shows that you are concerned for your soul and their soul. It encourages others in that it shows that you want to worship God. Just think at how encouraging it is when all the family of God shows up to worship God. Let us do our part to encourage others in their work and worship of God.
Just think about when you are not here and your light is missing. It throws shadows in the building and others of the family can not see properly. They may not be able to see properly the song book to sing praises to God. They may not be able to see the Bible clearly because of the shadows. One might misread a passage as they cannot see God’s Word because of the shadows. Your light missing may affect the way others partake of the Lord’s Supper. They may be waiting on you so that all can partake of the bread and the fruit of the vine in a united way. Your lamp being out may even affect the way some see to get around the building and stumble and fall. Oh, your lamp is so desperately needed to light the worship house. Please be here to light up your area of the building.
Your being at the services brightens the worship assembly but it darkens your own house. This is not bad but good. Others that live around you notice that you are gone and that you are at the worship house. This is a good influence to your neighbors. They know that you are serving God not the devil. This will encourage them to seek the God of heaven. This lets all your neighbors know that you are about your Father’s business. This is a good business that everyone in the world ought to be concerned about. If they are not concerned about it now, they will be in the future.
Your lamp being at the worship house affects your own physical family. If you are the head of the house, it lets all the family know that you are concerned about your soul. It shows that there is something of eternal importance. You take your lamp with you and they will follow. If your family sees your lamp at the worship house only occasionally this will show that there is concern but it is not of eternal importance.
Even if you are not the head of the house, your lamp needs to be at the church building because of all the above reasons. Just think… if you demand to be taken to the worship house because you want your light to shine, it is affecting others right then and there. It affects the head of the house. He will feel your influence and notice it. Those under you will also be affected by your light being taken the worship house. It lets them know that you are concerned about your soul, their soul and the souls of others. You know the importance of your light and you are shining brightly upon the path to the church building.
If you are a child and want the family’s lamp to be taken to the worship house this too affects everyone in the family. The head of the house takes notice that you are concerned for immediate family and the church family. You want them all to see what is really important. Seeing God in His true light is important and you want others to know that seeing God in the true light is important. This will tell the mother of the house that you are concerned for your soul and her soul. It lets your siblings know that you are concerned for your soul as well as theirs.
The bringing of the lamp to light the church house is one of the most important things a family can do yet many do not understand this. Do not let your area of the church house become darkened. Bring your lamp to each and every service. This shows just how concerned you are. Let us always show up with our lamps brightly polished and brilliantly shining.
“Ye 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. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 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 5:13-16
Many thanks go to the elders for letting me off so that we could be there for the marriage of the baby. It was a beautiful wedding. Also thanks to Leon, Ron and Eric for filling in for me.
Love, Keith
