Sermon Notes

Pastor Rick Brennan 10/5/25

The Enlightenment of the Holy Spirit Series

This Little Light of Mine

Do you remember as a child singing the song, “This Little Light of Mine”? Do you remember the verses? It was known as a children’s song, but the truth revealed in the song, does not change…..we do. “I’m going to hide it under a bush oh no; I’m going to let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.” “Let it shine til Jesus comes, I’m gonna let it shine, Let it shine until Jesus comes, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.”

More than just a children’s song, it reveals the true calling of Christian life that many in the world today seem to have outgrown. These are the verses that I am going to use to challenge you this morning. Challenge is to face your responsibilities, as a Christian, to the world. We have been “called out of the darkness” and called to be “a light unto the world!”

For many of his parables, Jesus said two things: (1) He speaks in parables because people have eyes that won’t see and ear’s that won’t hear (Mt. 13:10-15) and (2) those who have ears to hear, let them hear. (Mt. 13:9) These scriptures are not given to us to agree with; they are meant to change us!

These passages are taken from what is commonly referred to as the “Sermon on the Mount.” In these passages Jesus is telling His disciples what their new characteristics and role would now be in the world. He proclaims to the disciples, “You are the light of the world,” and He proclaims the same to us today.

We once lived in the darkness of sin, but we have now been set free to not only say “no” to sin, but to also take the fight to enemy on behalf of the Heavenly Father! However, it would take the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit for them to see and become it. But Jesus proclaimed, so shall it be! The Kingdom of Truth: they would come to proclaim the truth of God to the world and be examples for the rest of the world to follow.  A city on a hill is a beacon to draw people in; so is our calling.

A light works best when it is placed high for all to see, and the good news is, we are called to be God’s light to this world, for His glory and to share the good news of the gospel to whoever will listen. The sad news… we could draw people away from God if we chose to live out the gospel in our own strength and ability and not rely on the power of the Holy Spirit.

We see the same parable is being told by Jesus in the book of Mark, however, in this book he shares the same message but more in the line of discussing the Kingdom of Heaven. The light, as a lamp which brings light into the darkness. The Kingdom of Heaven is a symbol of light exposing darkness to the world, bringing guidance and hope and demonstrating how different it is from darkness. (Mt. 6:23) The biggest difference is, IT CAN’T BE FAKED OR BOUGHT BY HUMAN NEAMS!! Everything will be brought into the light for all the world to see. It also comes with a warning, that warning is: “take care you listen.”

The final part, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world,” He tells His disciples, “You are the light of the world.” As light reveals what is in the darkness, so what we are told by the Holy Spirit is secret and our responsibility is to tell the entire world. You are present day, watchers for God. If you share what God gives you in humility, He will continue to use you more. On the other side, if you fail to share what God has given you, you will lose what you have and when the day comes, you will have to give account for what God has given you!

It is a formidable adventure. God invites you to live it out! To be different and let the world see Jeus through you. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you ears to hear what He is saying and doing at this hour!

Are you up for the challenge?