Sermon for the Fourth Sunday in Lent
March 26, 2017, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wallis, Texas
Sermon Text: Ephesians 5:8-14
Sermon Theme: “Are We Children of the Night, or Children of the Light?”
(Sources: Anderson’s Cycle A Preaching Workbook; Emphasis Online Commentary; Emphasis Online Illustrations; “You Stupid Darkness,” avclub.com; original ideas; Nelson’s Three-in-One; Believer’s Commentary)
Grace, mercy and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
A little girl walked around her house singing a song which she had learned in Vacation Bible School: “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. This little light of mine; I’m, gonna let it shine, let it shine, shine, shine.” Her parents enjoyed hearing her sing. One evening she got into a terrible fight with her brother and she was sent to her room. The next morning she was in a bad mood. Seeing this, her mother said to her, “What happened to my happy, singing girl? What happened to that shining light?”
To this the young girl replied, “My brother blew it out!”
Paul says to us in today’s sermon text, “Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true).” In Matthew 5:14, Jesus tells His followers, “You are the light of the world. . . . Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Continue reading