Light City Lights

Light

City Lights

I think all of us would like to see our name in lights

Shining in the darkness

There are many lights in the world

In a way we are like stars and our lights are worlds apart

Jesus made a very bold claim 

"I am the Light of the world.”

Jesus’ claim promises

 Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."  John 8:12

Your city needs a light

Jesus commissions you to be that Light

Not a light of self-promotion but a Light generated by Faith in Jesus

Let your Faith generate Light and Hope

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

“Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works,

deeds” and praise your Father in heaven.

City Lights

It is hard to describe light

without referring to the opposite.

I think all of us would like

to see our name in lights…

Shining in the darkness.

There are many lights in the world

In a way we are like stars

and our lights are worlds apart.

Jesus made a very bold claim…

 

"I am the light of the world.”

Jesus’ claim promises…

 Whoever follows me will never walk in

darkness, but will have the light of life."

 John 8:12

Times Square in the city of New York is full of lights.

Lights of names and products.

The streets are never dark.

 But is there a name or a product

that gives the “Light of Life”?

 Many in their dying moments

have claimed to see a bright light.

 But with the last breath, the

lights of this world went out.

The lights of this world

could no longer help them.

Jesus’ claim to be the Light of the World

is a claim to not only help us see

in this world, but have everlasting life…

To live in a city where the sun and the moon

don’t shine because the Glory of God gives it Light…

Revelation 21:23

City Lights

Jesus came into the world to show us the Light.

The very Light that will illuminate the eternal city.

Jesus spoke of City Lights

as He refused to His disciples…

"You are the light of the world.

A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

Matthew 5:14

Gilbert Keith Chesterton, (29 May 1874 – 14 June 1936)

was an English writer, poet, philosopher, dramatist, journalist,

orator, lay theologian, biographer, and literary and art critic.

Wikipedia

G.K. Chesterton was entranced by the billboard lights in Times Square

 advertising soaps and cigarettes and hair tonic and remarked,

"How beautiful this would be for someone who could not read."

The lights of Time Square are beautiful but

the messages cannot give Hope of Eternal Light.

Interesting that at the apex of the triangle

defining the north end of Times Square,

there is a massive statue of Father

Francis Patrick Duffy (1871-1932).

In Charles Keck the sculptor of the bronze effigy is of a soldier-priest,

he depicts a stoic Duffy, nearly eight feet tall, in military garb,

helmet at his feet and Bible in hand.  The statue is set on a pedestal

backed by a green granite Celtic cross, which is more than 17 feet tall.

On the Cross it says…

“A life of service for God and country.”

On dubitably there are a lot of lights in your city.

Lights that light up a name or product.

They are powered by

electricity and marking plans.

New York City needs a Light.

Your city needs a Light.

Jesus commissions you to be that Light.

Not a light of self-promotion but

a Light generated by Faith in Jesus.

Let your Faith generate Light and Hope.

“Let your light shine before men,

that they may see your good works, deeds”

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16

Scripture Reading

Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.