THE CHURCH USHER: LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE

                                                           THE SILENT LANGUAGE OF THE CHURCH USHER

                                            

NEW BOOK COMING SOON!!

                            LET MY LITTLE LIGHT SHINE.

“…You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.…” (Matthew 15:14-15 NASB).

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One of my mother’s favorite songs is “This little light of mine.” It’s a simple, but profound song PACKED with meaning. What an appropriate song for an USHER.

God told his disciples, “…You are the light of the world. …Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.…” (Matthew 15:14-15 NASB).

Like disciples, who are also believers, USHERS are to BE the light to the world. “…You are the light of the world. … (Matthew 15:14-15 NASB). 

They are “to BE” the light in opposed to “BEING” darkness, which is sin or “deeds of the flesh.” “ … the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these …” (Galatians 5:20-22  NASB).

To the degree of its influence, a LIGHTED city set on a mountain CAN “NOT” be hidden. “… A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. …” (Matthew 15:14-15 NASB).

A disciple or an USHER should let their LIGHT so shine that it enlightens those in their neighborhood of influence, where they live and minister. “…Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.…” (Matthew 15:14-15 NASB).

“…You are the light of the world. … (Matthew 15:14-15 NASB). Here is another distinctive trait from God’s HOLY character and he describes Jesus, his LIVING Word, as the LIGHT “…Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life…” (John 8:12 NASB).

“…I am the Light of the world…” (John 9:5 NASB). “…In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men…” (John 1:4 NASB).  “…The true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man…” (John 1:9 NASB). “…Jesus said to them, “For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes.  While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light…” (John 12:35:36).

“…I am the Light of the world…” (John 9:5 NASB). “…In this world …[YOU]… are like Jesus (also the light)…” (1 John 4:17 NIV). “…You are the light of the world. … (Matthew 15:14-15 NASB).

Being the “LIGHT” is ascribed to men, by God, through the indwelling spirit. “…The true Light …enlightens every man…” (John 1:9 NASB). “…Jesus …spoke… “I am the Light of the world…” (John 8:12 NASB). “…Jesus Christ is in you…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). “…Christ in you, …” (Colossians 1:27 KJV). ).  

Therefore, “…You are [now]… the light of the world. … (Matthew 15:14-15 NASB). Ushers, God’s disciples, shine HIS light upon their sphere of influence.

 Ushers, as should ALL disciples, WILL shine as witnesses of the TRUTH by virtue of the indwelling spirit and by having the same mind as Jesus Christ. ^“…Christ liveth in [you]…” (Galatians 2:20 KJV). ““…Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see…” (Matthew 15:14-15 NASB). “…Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 2:5 KJV).

An Usher’s indwelling LIGHT was GIVEN to them to influence those who in come in and out of the DOORS of the church.    “…You will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world…” (Philippians 2:15 NASB).

An USHER exhibiting the “true LIGHT” can NOT be hid, but will be SEEN by many. “…Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see…” (Matthew 15:14-15 NASB).

An USHER’s LIGHT shines every week or regularly at the DOORS of the church and during the service. They aim at giving glory to God “…You are the light of the world. …Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.…” (Matthew 15:14-15 NASB).

Women are told to let their LIGHT shine before their husbands. “…..Let your conversation be …the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit which is in the sight of God of great price...” (1 Peter 3:1-6 KJV).

This KIND of LIGHT can be seen and NOT necessarily spoken. It is a non-verbal witness. “…Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see…” (Matthew 15:14-15 NASB).

USHERS use signs and signals to communicate with each other and it requires very little talk. “…whatsoever [the  usher does], [Let him or her]…do it heartily, as to the Lord…” (Colossians 3:23 KJV). ). “…whatsoever ye do in WORD or DEED, do ALL in the name of the Lord Jesus…” (Colossians 3:17 KJV).

Each USHER is trained to use and learn the meaning of each sign and signal of church usher codes. “…every man hath his proper GIFT of God...” (2 Corinthians 7:7 KJV).

USHERS use and learn these sign and signal codes so as not to attract unnecessary attention to themselves while they serve. “…OBEY…not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God…” (Colossians 3:22 KJV).

What makes this silent communication, between USHERS, so effective is a thorough knowledge of the usher codes and constant alertness. “…God has given us different GIFTS for doing certain things well…” (Romans 12:6 NLT).

Without knowledge of the proper codes one USHER can create havoc for the whole usher board and make them look incapable of fulfilling their office. “…ONE sinner….destroy[ed]… MUCH GOOD…” (Ecclesiastes 9:18 NASB).

Working together, in a team effort, IMPACTS every USHER involved; negatively or positively.  Just like the bible said: “…through one man SIN entered into the world, and DEATH THROUGH SIN, and so death passed to “all” men…” (Romans 5:12 KJV).

When an USHER doesn’t know the codes or misinterprets them it doesn’t just affect the caregiving services of the Ushers, but it COULD also impact their silent witness, which is the indwelling LIGHT. “…Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners…” (Romans 5:19 NLT). “…Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness…” (Luke 11:35 KJV).

USHERs often master the ART of the silent language. They LEARN there is“…a time to keep silence, and a time to speak….” (Ecclesiastes 3:7 KJV).

Being quiet must be a struggle at times for USHERS, but it is a virtue that allows the indwelling LIGHT to be seen. “…You are … the light of the world. … (Matthew 15:14-15 NASB).

Many callings and offices require that people speak out and they are empowered to do so.

However, USHERS have the incredible skill of being silent, peaceful, and personally humble. “… A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered…” (Proverbs 17:27 NLT).

Ushers do NOT have a spirit of timidity, but of power, love, and a sound mind, which makes them a Godly example of being a silent witness that lets their LIGHT shine. “…For God has not given …[ushers]…  a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline…” (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT). “…Let your light shine before men  …that they may see…” (Matthew 15:14-15 NASB).

The importance of USHERS letting their LIGHT shine is to witness silently to others around them. “…that they may see…” (Matthew 15:14-15 NASB).

The silent witness, or actions, or works of USHERS speak LOUDLY about the fruit within. “…by their fruits ye shall know them…” (Matthew 7:20 KJV).

Many USHERS, as a whole, are welcoming, kind, caregiving, helpful, humble, self-disciplined, and cooperative. That“…They may see your good works.…” (Matthew 15:14-15 NASB).

These are ALL Christlike traits that can be SEEN or READ by others without USHERS ever uttering a single, verbal word. “…[USHER’S]… lives are a letter written in [their]… hearts; everyone can read it and recognize [their]…good work among… [them]... Clearly, [ushers]… are a letter from Christ showing the result of [their]… ministry among you. This “letter” is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on [the]… human hearts…[of ushers]...” (2 Corinthians 3:1-3 NLT). “…In this world …[they]… are …[to be]…LIKE JESUS…” (1 John 4:17 NIV).

Most USHERS preach sermons without ever saying a word. Their allegiance to Jesus Christ is witnessed through their conduct. “…that [others]… may see…” (Matthew 15:14-15 NASB).

Speaking the WORD of God is necessary because hearing the gospel is important for salvation. “….The gospel of Christ …. is the power of God unto SALVATION TO EVERY ONE THAT BELIEVETH…” (Romans 1:16 KJV). “….How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14 KJV).

However, there are TIMES when it is the FRUIT of our ACTIONS that SPEAK the loudest. “…by their fruits ye shall know them…” (Matthew 7:20 KJV). “…that they may see…” (Matthew 15:14-15 NASB).

The silent language, witness, and service of USHERS reveal their personal love and relationship with Christ. "…My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so PROVE to be My disciples” (John 15:8 NIV).

Ushers are SHARING Christ with those who come in and out of the DOORS of the church BY their SILENT, but profound witness of GODLY LIGHT!!! “…Let your light shine before men  …that they may see…” (Matthew 15:14-15 NASB).

If you look closely, “…[an usher]… gives light to all who are in the house…” (Matthew 15:14-15 NASB).