What Your Light Needs to Shine

Exodus 35:14

The candlestick also for the light, and his furniture, and his lamps, with the oil for the light,

Jesus said in Matthew 5:16, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. The believer is to be the light of the world. Our light should shine brightly so everyone who sees it knows that Jesus is the Light, and they will know Who they need to accept if they want to go to Heaven. Sadly, the lifestyle of many believers has kept their light from shining brightly. You must understand that any dimming of your light will keep someone from hearing the Gospel. Therefore, we must do everything in our power to be sure that our light shines brightly.

God shows what it takes for the believer’s light to shine brightly in Exodus 35. When God talks about what the tabernacle needed for light, He was showing the believer the elements they need in their life to keep their light shining brightly. Let me share from these verses what your light needs to shine brightly.

First, you can't have a light without salvation. The first thing God mentioned in verse 12 was the ark. On this ark is the mercy seat. The blood was to be applied on that mercy seat. A person immediately becomes a light once they put their trust in the shed blood of Christ for their sins.

Second, a person needs to know doctrine for their light to shine brightly. You will notice right after God mentions the ark in verse 12, He talks about the staves. The staves were the poles that carried the ark; thus, every believer needs to spend time with God in His Word learning about Him and what He wants us to believe so we can carry the testimony of the Light everywhere we go.

Third, a person needs to serve for their light to shine brightly. God talks about the table of shewbread in verse 13. The table is used to serve others. Your light will never shine brightly by just sitting. You must take the bread of Life and serve it to others through service and soul winning if your light is to shine brightly. Your light has no purpose if you are not serving others through ministry or soul winning.

Fourth, a person needs to attend church services for their light to shine brightly. God told Moses to take the candlestick in verse 14. The candlestick is a representation of the church. In the book of Revelation, God calls the seven churches the seven golden candlesticks. You will never be a believer whose light shines brightly when you are unfaithful to the church services. Church has a way of making the believer’s light brighter through preaching, teaching, singing, and fellowship. You will never have a bright light for Christ without being faithful to all the church services.

Fifth, a person needs a personal walk with God for their light to shine brightly. Verse 15 talks about the incense altar, which is symbolic of personal prayer. Your light becomes dimmer every time you miss your personal time with God in prayer. You need to pray daily so that your light becomes brighter from the influence of the Light, Jesus Christ.

Sixth, a person needs the Holy Spirit’s power for their light to shine brightly. Verse 14 talks about the oil for the light, which represents the Holy Spirit’s power. Yield to the Holy Spirit and beg for His power; you need it for your light to shine brightly in a dark world.