“Keep Your Lamps Burning”

Introduction. (Luke 12:35-40) Note: 35 - “waist be girded” & “your lamps burning” Is this literal? Is Jesus teaching some ritual clothing or use of a lamp? Note: vs. 41 Peter calls it a parable. Years later note what Peter writes through the Holy Spirit - I Peter 1:13-16 Note: This is talking about readiness of mind looking forward to Christ’s “revelation” (i.e. second coming). What about “lamp burning”?
     This evening let’s consider some ways that this figure is used in Scripture and see how they relate to the Lord’s teachings here. We’ll look at five ways this figure is used -- some which are much different than this text and some that address the same type of readiness.

I. Man’s Spirit as a Lamp.

  • (Proverbs 20:27) - The Lord searches the heart
  • (I Chronicles 28:9) Illustration: I used to work at store that every now and then the company executives would visit. Everyone would try their best to “put on a good face” so that they could please the executives, If everything was as it was supposed to be -- no one would be embarrassed. If not -- everyone would be ashamed. God sees us for what we are.
  • (Psalm 139:1-4 ) This is not so much a matter of letting our own light shine but it refers to what God sees when He uses the lamp of man’s spirit to search our hearts.
  • This is not what Luke 12 is talking about.

    II. God’s Law as a Lamp.

  • (Psalm 119:105-112)
  • (John 11:9,10)
  • (John 12:35)
    Illustration: I enjoy going hunting. The best time to get in place is while it is still dark. You don’t want to give away your position so you try to move in the dark as much as possible. In the dim light the shadows and silhouettes can look like something they are not in the light of day.
  • Without the enlightenment that comes from God’s word we might imagine that all sorts of things are what they are not. Yet, again, this is not what Luke 12 addresses.

    III. The Joy of Faithfulness Shining.

  • (Proverbs 13:9) There is joy in doing right. We can be assured that the good that one does will endure beyond this life.
  • (Hebrews 11:4)
  • (I Timothy 4:8) This involves doing right so that the good which shines forth from our life endures.
  • This moves closer, but this, as well, doesn’t seem to be what Luke 12 addresses.

    IV. A Christian’s Influence.

  • (Matthew 5:14-16)
  • (Philippians 2:14-15) Illustration: In the famous Little House books, written by Laura Ingalls Wilder, she tells about one winter in the plains when the snow storms were so blinding that her father had to tie ropes from one farm building to the next to guide himself safely back into the house. Christians are a lifeline to the world. They wander around blinded by sin and we alone can help direct them to the safety of God’s word.
  • This, like the previous figure, does address our influence and the need to keep our lamp shining, but even this does address the same theme as Luke 12. Instead it addresses...

    V. A Christian’s Readiness.

  • (Matthew 25:1-13)
  • (Luke 12:35-40) These texts address preparation for the judgement and being ready for the Lord’s return.

    Conclusion. There are many figures that are used that relate to lamps burning.

  • We must keep our mind and heart right with God.
  • We keeping the guiding light of God’s word within us. (see Luke 11:33-36).
  • We must make certain that God’s word shines through us.
  • We must we ready at all times so that whenever the Lord returns we can enter the “wedding feast.” Is your lamp burning?