Randall Baptist Church

Have you ever seen a lighthouse up close and personal? At one particular spot where my family vacations is a place called Harbortown. The location is aptly named for the boat harbor it surrounds. At the entry to the harbor stands a lighthouse which is no longer in active service, but instead is open to tourists. A long climb up the circular stairs inside the lighthouse leads to the walkway surrounding what used to be the room where the actual light was located. When looking out from the walkway, one can see past the channel to the ocean beyond and imagine the boats proceeding at night from the darkness of the sea to the safety and shelter of the harbor by following the light.

We are in a world where people live in a state of spiritual darkness, their sinful natures separating them from God. Jesus came as the light of the world saying, “Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12b). As He shined forth His light by preaching and living out the gospel, people found their way from the domain of darkness into God’s kingdom by following His light.

Our responsibility as children of the light is to continue to do Jesus’ kingdom work by shining forth His light into the darkness around us. In short, we are to be lighthouses. And how do we accomplish that? First, we must walk in the light ourselves. This consists of living by the truth, having fellowship with one another, and obeying His commands (I John 1:5-8). Second, we must love one another with actions and in truth (I John 3:11, 16-18; 4:7-12). Third, we must make disciples by witnessing to the gospel and living it out with others, caring enough about them to befriend them and, ultimately, share Christ with them (II Corinthians 5:17-20).

The “lighthouse strategy” can be explained simply in three words: pray, care and share. The strategy is a useful tool to help us fulfill our responsibility to Him. It involves praying intentionally and specifically for our neighbors (around our homes, at work, at school, wherever), caring for people (by liking them, drawing out the best in them, doing acts of caring), and sharing the gospel with people - especially our neighbors - in creative ways using every day language. We need to keep practicing the strategy as a part of our everyday lives, making it a spiritual habit.

Will you practice the lighthouse strategy and shine light into the darkness? By God’s grace and the enabling of the Holy Spirit, you will. And I will too.

Tags: Discipleship, Discipleship Dimensions //