Sabbath: Shining as Lights in the Night
Daily Lesson for Sabbath 24th of January 2026
Image © Pacific Press
Read for This Week’s Study: Philippians 2:12-30; Romans 3:23-24; Romans 5:8; 2 Timothy 4:6; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 2 Timothy 4:13,21; Luke 7:2.
Memory Text:
“Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:14-15, NKJV).
God told the Hebrews to obey because that obedience “is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people’ ” (Deuteronomy 4:6, NKJV).
Centuries later Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12, NKJV). He has also said, “ ‘You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden’ ” (Matthew 5:14, NKJV). How can we be that light? Only through a close connection with Jesus, “the true light that gives light to everyone” (John 1:9, NIV). As Philippians 2:1-30 says, God “has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow . . . and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Philippians 2:9-11, NKJV).
The light and power of heaven is available to all of us who have surrendered our lives to Jesus. But too often either we expect God to do it all or our own ideas and plans get in the way. That’s why Paul’s words to the Philippians are so relevant today.
One of the major changes I have seen in my lifetime is the switch from incandescent to LED lighting. LED lighting is cheaper, and more efficient by far. Most of us have switched from incandescent lights to LEDs in our houses, and I think most new cars also use LEDs. I particularly like LED head-band torches when I am camping. They are bright and leave both hands free.
One interesting thing about LED lights is that they can be switched on and off so fast they are used to transmit data. In fact, the world’s high-speed communication is based on LED lasers shining their lights down ultra-thin optical fibres. A few years ago they replaced the copper phone wires to our house with fibre and a little LED laser in a box. Our communication is much more reliable now.
I have seen a proposal and demonstration in a TED talk, where they demonstrated LED car lights communicating between vehicles intelligently, avoiding collisions and solving traffic flow problems. It would make cars truly driverless. That is not like the current so-called driverless cars that use passive detectors to locate other vehicles.
I have often thought about the parables Jesus used about candles and lights, 2000 years ago, and have imagined what Jesus would have implied if he had LEDs in mind.
Jesus said:
Just think of the implications of LED lights that not only shine but communicate with one another collaboratively. Could that be a model for a Christian community powered by Christ-centred love?
Happy Sabbath, Bro Maurice. I thank the Lord for all that He uses you to do on this platform. May your strength be ever renewed.
Please I have a question which is not related to the present study. I have been unable to get definite answers from the few places I have checked.
As a church, do we have a position on what is done with the thanksgiving offering collected during a church wedding service? In my local congratulation, some say the money goes to the couple, some say it stays in the church coffers and treated like other forms of thanksgiving offerings (child dedication, etc), while some say it goes to the presiding minister.
I would be happy if you and other members here help clarify this.
Forgive me for bringing something totally unrelated to the quarter’s studies.
Thank you for always 🙏🏾
Hi Levi,
To be honest, I wouldm’t have any idea. I have not even heard of a thanksgiving offering during a wedding service. I suggest it is probably a local tradition and may differ from location to location. Like any freewill offering, givers should be informed what the offering is for and where it goes to, but having said that I would not expect it to be the same for every church.
As in our church, we do not practice thanksgiving collection during wedding service in church.
However, our church request for deposit, for cleaning the church or for repair if there is any damage on the facilities. Otherwise the deposit is fully refunded to them.
A small token to be given to the local church coffer for the use of the church facilities and utilities.
Each of us is like an individual LED: shining light (living in Christ, showing love, doing good works).
We are interconnected through the Spirit: supporting, encouraging, and coordinating with one another.
The collective light becomes greater than the sum of its parts, reflecting God’s glory more powerfully than any individual could alone.
Each member has a function; all are needed. Like LEDs in a network, the community shines best when everyone is functioning in harmony.
Like LEDs, we need spiritual connection (prayer, teaching, fellowship) to shine effectively.
Coordinated efforts amplify impact — missions, service, mentoring.
Light that adapts to its surroundings reflects the wisdom of the Spirit guiding the church in a dynamic world.
The networked, visible light points people to God.
Each of us shines individually but thrives relationally and together the Church reflects God’s glory powerfully.
Happy Sabbath! Elder Maurice,
Based on our Memory Text for the week’s lesson study which says:
“Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:14-15, NKJV).
I want to believe that complaints and disputing existing in the church will bring the same result as the old incandescent lights that consumed a lot of energy and generated enormous heat making it expensive and uncomfortable too even though it gave light.
Matt. 18:15-17 gives us practical steps to help make our churches free from disputing and nurture brotherly love amongst us as we illuminate and brighten up our environment.
Thank God for LED!!!!
May God bless your efforts sir.
Maurice – interesting information about light generated using LED technology. Christ centered Light is spiritually based and synonomous with Love. The Christian communityis in need to consider the source of power if love is absent. I hold that if there is no Holy Light, there cannot be genuine Love.
Light continues to shape our lives in profound ways—from setting our biological clocks and distinguishing day from night, to awakening our senses to color and feeding the world through photosynthesis, which sustains plant growth and food. Light also inspires the wonder we see in rainbows and sunsets. From lasers to fiber optics, light has brought life-changing discoveries, yet its full nature still humbles even the wise.
With the understanding that light illuminates, reveals, and gives direction, we recognize our call in a world where darkness is growing thicker and increasingly evident and tangible: to reflect the light of heaven without delay. For when Christ’s light shines on us, it exposes the reality of darkness and reveals the world’s deep need for Him. Our sacred calling is clear: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it” (John 1:5), and again, “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14).
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14).
Jesus teaching His disciples (followers) right after the Beatitudes (the Sermon on the Mount). He was not talking to the elites or religious leaders, but ordinary disciples, the poor, meek, merciful and the persecuted. These ordinary folks might have been literally shocked when Jesus told them, “You are the light of the world”. Jesus calling these ordinary folks the “light of the world”, He was radically redefining the center of influence. In essence, He was telling them that they are the safety, guidance, life and truth of the world. How can ordinary folks have all these influences? God intends to reveal Himself to the world through ordinary people whose lives reflect His kingdom. If we truly live the gospel of Jesus Christ, we shall be seen, we shall be “visible”, and we shall serve as a point of reference. “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
How can we practically be the light of the world?
1. In our ordinary and day-to-day lives, we should be people of integrity.
2. We ought to be merciful people
3. We should be faithful even in small and unseen acts – “Let them see your good works”
4. We should be hopeful people – we should face reality honestly, refusing to despair, knowing that love and goodness still matter in the world today.
We shall be truly the light of the world if we are connected to the true source of light, Jesus Christ. “I am the light of the world.” (John 8:12)
We are to be the light of the world we can only shine as bright as a light emitting diode if we have the light of Christ. And it is not our light at all, it is the light of Christ. Reminds me of the famous hymne that has stood through the ages. Page 316 in the Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal, it is: ‘Live Out Thy Life With In Me Oh Jesus King Of Kings.’ And the phrase that fits especially is: I, the transparent medium, Thy glory to display. Our prayer this week.
Click below if you don’t have the Hymnal.
https://share.google/cjETW9qlRc7HERYKN
What does faithfulness produce in us? Is it not the fruit of the Spirit? The Fruit is the product of the Work of the Holy Spirit alive within us. Following the Light – engaging in conduct revealed by Jesus Christ – God brings about the Good Fruit as the reflection of the Light that shines within us. Others will see it, asking about its source.
Reflecting God’s Light is not the same as being the source of the Light. The Light – the Holy Spirit – has been with us from the Beginning. He is the Light and we reflect His Light to bear His fruit for the Honor and Glory of God for others to see the Spirit of God working within us.
We who believe can now recognize His Light shining into our heart and mind. We were awakened by His Grace and now can see the Light revealing God’s Truth in us. Now we walk by faith in His Spirit of Truth bearing the Fruit of His Wisdom and Truth. Faithfulness keeps us in His Light. We pray that, in our life, God’s Glory will be reflected for others to see and recognize God’s Grace – Eph.2:8-9;3:23-24.
God is amazing! A light is something difficult to hide in the dark! And each one of us has a light to share in our influence circle! Let us shine where we were placed.
Paul gives us a simple command regarding something that so many of us struggle with
Do all things without murmurings and disputings (Philippians 2:14)
A person who will shine as a light in a crooked and perverse world will not be known for their constant complaints or their tendency to quarrel over everything.
That could be a model for the Christian home, Maurice.
My initial thought, though, was:
Is Philippians 2: 14-15 possible? Really?
Is doing, “EVERYTHING without murmuring or arguing; that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons [and daughters] of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;…” even doable?
Yes.
As a trained health professional, and as a mental health enthusiast, I instinctively poured my thanks out for this, particularly Monday’s, lesson.
In Proverbs 30:33, Scripture acknowledges the conflicting consequences of anger. Thankfully, there are even more incredible Biblical methods to help us live true Philippians 2: 14-15.
Being true lights to the world often begins with our daily interactions, first at home. The following points may get us started, as needed:
*Fear not. Pause; breathe deeply.
Consider God’s word and Jesus’ perfect example of “power, love, and self-discipline. Psalm 34:4;
2Timothy 1:7
*Forget about winning. Do not scorn. Rather, seek to understand and to connect. Prov 22:10
*Practice emotional control. Promote peace by limiting actions when feeling angry. Prov 22:10
*Listen: Empathize with the other person. Air your perspective. Respect each other, even in disagreement. James 1:19
*Consider the heart of the matter and the ultimate aim.
Matt 5:16; Titus 2:7; Galatians 6:9
May we allow ourselves to work, trustingly alongside the Master, while being clothed in His righteousness; for, it is in Him we find our greatest integrity.
Amen. Well said, Omwenga Mwambi!
#2 Being merciful and empathetic appears to come through personal experience. Hence the supreme wisdom in Jesus’ condescending, in order to be our perfect example.
Thanks for the reminder and the encouragement, JC Zielak.