Shining as Lighthouses: Embracing Our Divine Purpose

Today is a day to honour fathers and all the men in our lives, but it’s also a day to remember that, regardless of our earthly experiences, we have a perfect Father in God—our Abba Father—who is always present, always loving, and always ready to pour out living water on our weary souls. For those who feel withered, dry, or like they’re falling short, God’s desire is to refresh and restore, not to condemn. The heart of God is not about performance or show, but about authentic connection and time spent in His presence. Just as a plant revives when watered, so too do our hearts revive when we allow God’s Spirit to fill us afresh.

The call today is to embrace the identity and purpose God has given us: to be lighthouses in a world that desperately needs guidance, protection, consistency, and hope. Drawing from Matthew 5:14-16, we are reminded that we are the light of the world, meant to shine in such a way that others see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven. Like lighthouses, we are positioned on purpose for a purpose—to guide others through darkness, to warn of danger, and to provide a beacon of hope. This is not a passive calling; it requires intentionality, a fresh supply of oil, and a willingness to keep our “glass” clear so that the light within us is not dimmed by shame, failure, or distraction.

Lighthouses are not set in easy places; they stand where storms rage and waves crash. Yet, their foundation is the rock, and so must ours be—rooted in Christ and His Word. Consistency and reliability are marks of those who shine for others, not just for themselves. Our faith is not about self-preservation or status, but about serving, guiding, and protecting those around us. Every lighthouse is unique, just as each of us is uniquely called to shine in our own way, without comparison or competition.

Even when life gets foggy and direction seems lost, God provides not only light but also a sound—a reminder that we are not alone and that home is near. Jesus is our ultimate guide, protector, and hope. He is the true light of the world, and as we draw near to Him, He restores, heals, and gives us clarity and purpose. Today, the invitation is to step out of weariness, to receive a fresh touch from God, and to let His light shine through us for the sake of others and for the glory of our Heavenly Father.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God as Our Perfect Father and Source of Refreshing No matter our earthly experience with fatherhood, God stands as our perfect Abba Father, always ready to pour out living water on those who feel dry, weary, or inadequate. He does not measure us by our performance but invites us into authentic relationship and restoration. When we feel withered by life’s demands, His presence revives and sustains us, reminding us that our value is found in Him, not in our achievements. [01:33]
• 2. The Lighthouse: Positioned for Purpose, Not Autopilot We are called to be lighthouses—guides and protectors—intentionally positioned by God in our families, workplaces, and communities. This role cannot be fulfilled on autopilot; it requires a continual return to the source, a fresh supply of oil, and attentiveness to the state of our hearts. Just as light keepers tended their lamps, we must tend our spiritual lives, ensuring we are not running on yesterday’s supply but seeking God’s fresh presence daily. [06:36]
• 3. Standing Firm Amidst Storms: The Power of Foundation Lighthouses endure relentless storms because they are built on solid rock, not shifting sand. Likewise, our ability to protect and guide others depends on our foundation in Christ and His Word. Even when battered by life’s storms and feeling like parts of us have been washed away, if we are still standing, God can use us. Our resilience is not in our own strength but in the steadfastness of our foundation. [11:01]
• 4. Consistency, Reliability, and the Call to Shine True light is not intermittent or hidden; it is consistent and reliable, shining through every season. We are called to reflect God’s unchanging character, to be people of conviction whose lives are marked by dependability and courage. Clearing away the “baskets” of shame, fear, or distraction allows our light to shine unhindered, serving others and pointing them to the hope found in Christ. [12:44]
• 5. Hope in Darkness and the Uniqueness of Your Light In a world often shrouded in darkness and confusion, our lives are meant to be beacons of hope, reassurance, and direction. Each of us carries a unique light—no two lighthouses are the same—and comparison only clouds our calling. Even when vision is foggy, God provides a sound, a reminder of His nearness and the way home. Our hope and ability to shine come not from ourselves, but from Christ, the true light of the world. [17:46]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:33] - Sensitivity on Father’s Day & God as Abba Father
• [02:58] - The Desire for Presence Over Presents
• [03:24] - Let There Be Light: The Lighthouse Metaphor
• [04:45] - Matthew 5:14-16: Called to Shine
• [06:36] - The Light Keeper’s Role: Fresh Oil and Attentiveness
• [07:57] - Autopilot vs. Attending to Our Source
• [10:09] - Lighthouses in Storms: Standing Firm
• [11:01] - Foundation on the Rock
• [11:45] - Consistency and Reliability in Faith
• [12:44] - Clearing the Glass: Removing Shame and Distraction
• [14:13] - Serving Others: The Purpose of Our Light
• [15:12] - Hope in Darkness: Inspiring Faith in Others
• [16:55] - The Uniqueness of Your Light
• [17:46] - Navigating Foggy Seasons: God’s Guidance
• [18:40] - The Sound of Home: God’s Nearness in Uncertainty
• [20:09] - Running Together: Family and Community
• [21:17] - Jesus: Our Guide, Protector, and Hope
• [21:54] - Responding to God’s Invitation
• [25:12] - Prayer for Refreshing and Restoration
• [25:42] - The Light of God: Invitation to Salvation
• [29:01] - Responding to the Call
• [29:53] - Prayer of Salvation and Celebration

Bible Reading

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV) — > “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Observation Questions

1. According to Matthew 5:14-16, what does Jesus say about the purpose of our light? What are we supposed to do with it?
2. In the sermon, what are some of the reasons given for why God wants to “pour living water” into our lives? ([01:33])
3. What are some of the practical jobs of a lighthouse keeper that the pastor described, and how do they relate to our spiritual lives? ([06:36])
4. The sermon mentions that lighthouses are not placed in easy locations. What does this say about where God might position us in life? ([10:09])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus uses the image of light and a city on a hill to describe His followers? What does this say about our visibility and influence in the world?
2. The pastor said, “God’s desire is to refresh and restore, not to condemn.” How does this understanding of God as Father change the way we approach Him when we feel “withered” or like we’re falling short? ([01:33])
3. The sermon talks about the need for a “fresh supply of oil” and not living on “autopilot.” What might it look like for someone to run on yesterday’s supply spiritually? ([06:36])
4. The message says, “Every lighthouse is unique, just as each of us is uniquely called to shine in our own way, without comparison or competition.” Why is comparison so dangerous to our calling? ([16:55])

Application Questions

1. The pastor shared that God wants to “pour living water” into those who feel dry, weary, or inadequate. When was the last time you felt spiritually dry? What did you do about it, and what could you do differently next time? ([01:33])
2. Are there areas in your life where you’ve been living on “autopilot” instead of seeking a fresh supply from God? What is one practical step you can take this week to intentionally connect with God’s presence? ([07:57])
3. The sermon challenges us to “clear the glass” by removing shame, fear, or distraction so our light can shine. Is there a specific “basket” (shame, fear, distraction) that is dimming your light right now? What would it look like to remove it? ([12:44])
4. Think about your current “placement”—your family, workplace, or community. In what ways do you sense God has positioned you there “on purpose for a purpose”? ([10:09])
5. The pastor said, “Our faith is not about self-preservation or status, but about serving, guiding, and protecting those around us.” Who is someone in your life right now who needs guidance, protection, or hope? How can you be a lighthouse for them this week? ([15:12])
6. The message talked about “foggy” seasons when direction seems lost, but God provides a sound to guide us home. Are you in a foggy season right now? What would it look like to listen for God’s guidance, and how can your group support you? ([17:46])
7. The pastor reminded us that “comparison kills” and that each of us has a unique light. Is there an area where you’ve been comparing yourself to others? How can you embrace your unique calling and shine in your own way? ([16:55])