Sermon
Let Your Light Shine
Theme
The Lord is our light. Lift him up and let him shine through you!
Object
A "never go out" candle. (When you blow them out, they keep re-lighting. You can get them at the grocery store, toy stores, or places where birthday party items are sold. See important note at the bottom!)
Scripture
Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16
Activities + Resources
The Bible tells us that we should let our light shine so that people will see our good works and praise our heavenly Father. I'm sure all of you know the song, "This Little Light of Mine." I'm going to light this candle and I ask you to join me in singing that song.
- "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine!"
- "Hide it under a bushel? No, I'm gonna let it shine."
- "Won't let Satan (blow) it out, I'm gonna let it shine."
(As you sing the last verse, blow the candle out each time the song says, "blow." Then raise the candle and move it in a circular motion until it re-lights.)
Hey! I couldn't blow out this candle! I tried, but it just kept shining. Does Satan ever blow your light out? If you make up your mind to let your light shine for Jesus, there is no way that Satan can blow it out because the Bible says, "Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world." Jesus is your light. Lift him up high because Jesus said, "If I be lifted up, I will draw all men to me."
Dear Lord, thank you for sending Jesus to be the Light of the World. May we lift him up and let his light shine through us. Amen.
IMPORTANT NOTE: I have used this sermon a couple of times with great success, but it is always a good idea to be prepared in case something goes wrong. What if the candle does not re-ignite? This happened to me once. I simply said, "Hey, wait a minute! The song says, "Won't let Satan blow it out", but my light has been blown out! Does Satan ever blow your light out?" I then went on with the rest of the sermon as planned. No one ever knew that I wasn't supposed to be able to blow out the candle. If you can't find the "never out" candles, you could use the sermon this way using a regular candle.
