15 Feb 2026, Matthew 17: 1 – 9, 5: 14 – 16, ‘You are the light of the World.’

My family had a bit of a drama recently. Our fridge,…. which had been doing a great job, suddenly gave up the ghost. So Dana and I rushed down to The Good Guys in Hectorville.

Walking in, there were all these shiny, fancy fridges lined up.  While we were choosing one, I noticed something interesting. Dana and I were checking out the fridges, but we were seeing completely different things.

Where do you think I looked first? Of course, the price tag. My eyes were fixed on the "How much is the discount" sticker. After that, I looked at the energy rating, and then the brand.  For me, a fridge is just about keeping things fresh. That’s it.

But Dana’s focus was the total opposite. Where did she look first? “The colour.”  Then she was checking the “harmony”, seeing if it actually went…. with our kitchen.

Then the brand, the size, the inside...  Choosing is one thing, but it was clear that the colour and how it fits the house were …her top priorities.  Can you imagine the scene? We had a different view. Anyway, we pick up the silver colour.

Do you know what happened in the end? I never knew buying a fridge could be this hard. Get this, believe it or not, we had four deliveries and four returns. I mean, every single one of them arrived …with some sort of damage. Trying to stay calm every single time was incredibly stressful.

Eventually, we just had to change the model entirely. We went from silver, to white, and finally ended up with black. Dana and I basically brainwashed ourselves. We kept saying, 'Black is the best!' Seeing different things in the same fridge just shows that we all have a different order… of what we value and what has meaning to us. I don’t think that’s a bad thing at all. In fact, being different …is what gives us richer…. and more diverse stories in life.

As I was reflecting on this 'difference in perspective,' a certain painting came to mind. It’s a well-known masterpiece. “Vincent van Gogh’s 'The Starry Night.' I’m sure everyone knows this painting and the song, but has anyone actually seen it in person?

Let’s explore, when you look at this painting, what’s the first thing you notice?  

Some of you might see that swirling, dynamic blue night sky. Others might see the sparkling stars first. Maybe some of you see that cypress tree, rising up like a flame. And if you’re into art, you might notice Van Gogh’s unique brushstrokes or his bold use of colour.

If you ask me, where do my eyes land? Surprisingly, they went straight to the church at the bottom centre… the one sitting quietly in the heart of the village.

I never even noticed it before, but after hearing the background of this painting recently, I realized there's a church in it. I think it was just overshadowed by that beautiful blue night sky.

So, I started looking more closely around the church itself… and then, it really hit me. Do you know what it is?

It was the windows. The windows of the church are dark!!..... In a world swirling with such vibrant light and energy, the church, the very place that should be glowing with hope, is cold and dark. It’s like the light is simply missing.

But what’s even more surprising is this: while the church is dark, the houses nearby are filled with light. You can see warm yellow light peeking through their windows. 

The church is the only dark place. the lights in the church are off  in the middle of the village.

Why is it that the church? What could that really mean…..?

Let’s turn back to today’s scripture, Matthew chapter 5. 'You are the light of the world.' As I mentioned last week, Jesus didn't tell us to become light; He defined who we already are. This is such a huge encouragement and a blessing to us.

But it brings us to a very important question: What exactly is light? I would say the light the Bible talks about… only has meaning …..when it is shining out. More than just being called 'light,' what matters is where that light is directed.

We sing, 'Christ came into this world as light!' And yes, He is the light. But if that light hadn't come down to this earth, if it hadn't shone brilliantly for the world, and if it hadn't moved toward our broken lives,  it… would mean …nothing to us.

That’s why Jesus says so clearly: 'No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.”

And…look at the Transfiguration in Matthew chapter 17. He shows us exactly how this works through His own life.

When Jesus went up the mountain with His disciples, an incredible thing happened: 'There…. he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.' I love how The Message Bible translates it, saying Jesus changed 'from the inside out.'

This wasn't some spotlight shining on Him from the outside. No, the glory of God that lived within Jesus ..could no longer be contained.

It breaks through His skin..clothes and poured out. Sunlight streamed from His face! His face beamed with a powerful light, and His whole being was filled with it.

This is what it truly means to be 'a light on a stand.' Because, being light isn't a passive state where we just stand still.

Light….., by its very nature, cannot be contained. It has to move; it has to push back the dark. That's why Jesus didn't stay on the mountain, He brought that light down into the dark valleys of our lives, so that through Him, everyone could see, feel, and be made new by the Holy Spirit

So, we aren't just people who 'believe' in the light. The light of Christ isn't meant to be kept hidden in our hearts; it’s meant to overflow into every corner of our lives. We aren't just 'believers'—we are 'carriers' of Christ’s light. This is the message for us today.

Brothers and sisters, look again at that dark church. Why would Van Gogh paint the windows so dark and lifeless? They should be the brightest part of the painting, shouldn't they?

I found something truly remarkable. According to the records, before he became a painter, he desperately wanted to be a minister. But he failed his training and his studies. College and church leaders told him, 'Vincent, you are too emotional, too intense, and frankly, too radical.' He didn't follow the rules, and to those in charge, he seemed like an uncontrollable madman.

So, instead of becoming an ordained minister, he went.. as a lay preacher to a poor mining village in Belgium. Though he was deeply disappointed and discouraged, it was there that his spirituality truly caught fire. I mean, his genius and his artistic nature… poured into …his ministry. To the world, he might have looked like a madman, but to the miners living at the bottom of society, Vincent was the only friend who truly understood their pain.

I can say that he was 'molten salt' and 'living light.' He didn't just visit them; he lived among them. He shared their meals and their drinks, and even gave up his bed for the sick.

He worked alongside them, his face, hands, and feet blackened with the same coal dust as theirs. He was a preacher they could actually touch and feel. It’s no wonder the people there called him 'The Christ of the Coal Mine.' They didn't just accept him; they embraced him.

However, he was rejected by the church leaders. They thought Vincent was too dangerous, lack of dignity and was damaging the church's authority. In the end, they dismissed him. He was devastated. Deeply wounded, he eventually left the church for good. Never to return.

Now, I’m not trying to make him out to be a saint.  Yes, he was a difficult and broken person. But one thing is clear: his burning life and even his anger were pointed in exactly the same "direction" as Jesus. Now... finally, I think we understand. We understand why in the middle of this beautiful painting, the church sits there lifeless and empty.

It’s because to Vincent, the church had stopped being a source of light anymore.

 He was painting a painful truth:

a church! that is closed off from the world,

a church! that cares more about its own rules than about people’s pain,

is a church! that has lost its fire.

He didn't just paint a dark building; he painted the tragedy of a light that had failed to shine….. I have to say, it forces us to look at ourselves.

Jesus’ message today is clear: “We are the light of the world. Don't hide it under a bowl, let it shine!” Remember the Transfiguration. Jesus shone brilliantly, but He didn't stay on the mountain. He came down into the heart of the world. He soaked in like salt, and He shone His light to save lives.

What message should we find today as we look at this World?

In a few moments, we’re going to hear from Bernie and Melissa about their recent journey to Cambodia. I don’t know all the stories yet, but just thinking about their time there…. makes my heart swell with joy and fills it ….with light.

Now, here I am, standing on this comfortable place, preaching about being ‘salt and light.’ But Bernie, Melissa, and their team members—they actually went out and lived with people. They lived as salt, soaking into the lives of the people, and they lived as light, shining close to those in need.

I have no doubt that they shared immense joy to the people of Cambodia. Yet, what I am most grateful for is …..how that heavenly joy overflowed into the hearts of the team members themselves.

This is a special joy. We only find it …when we share Christ’s light. It flows from the heart, from the inside out.

Our church is where all our individual lights meet. And today, the Lord is calling us right into that painting.

It’s like that dark church from 130 years ago has been waiting just for us. Now, it is our turn to go inside!

Let’s brighten our community, our society, and our world. Let’s shine His radiant light together. Are you ready to turn on the lights?

Let the love of Christ and the brilliant light of salvation start within us and pour out toward the world without hesitation. And I promise you: we are not lights that simply burn out. Instead, as we shine, we will be filled with a cheerful joy and a strength that no worldly achievement could ever give.

Go out into your lives today. Be Christ’s lamps, lighting up the windows of those still in the dark. I bless you all. In your lives, and upon this earth—let there be light! Amen

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May His face shine upon you and give you peace.

Go now, and be the windows of hope for those in the dark. Shine His light into the shadows of your lives, and brighten the windows of those in pain.

As you shine, may the joy of the Lord be your strength—today, and every day.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

Amen.