A Public Display of an Inward Reality: Part 2

Sermon on the Mount Context

The Sermon on the Mount began with the Beatitudes for a reason: address the norms of the Kingdom of Heaven. Before anyone attempts to address the behaviors or heart condition of man, we have to understand the unmet goal. We have to under the standard the rules before we play the game.

The Beatitudes sets the stage for Christian living by establishing the rules, or economy, of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Poor in spirit = obtaining the Kingdom of Heaven

We have nothing to offer God.

Mourning = comfort

We are broken over sin.

Meekness = inheriting the earth

We have an appropriate perspective of ourselves.

Hunger and thirst for righteousness = satisfaction

We desire righteousness because we recognize our desperate and hopeless situation.

Merciful = receiving mercy

We show mercy because we have received perfect mercy.

Pure in heart = seeing God

We are genuine in our efforts.

Peacemaking = being a child of God

We seek to be a help to the brokenness of the world.

Persecution for righteousness’ sake = obtaining the Kingdom of Heaven

We do not see persecution as hopeless but know that our hope is higher than this world.

If we align with the rules, expectations, and results of being a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven then it has to go beyond ourselves. For the Beatitudes to be true in one’s life, they cannot be only private. This kind of heart will flow out into life.

Salt

Matthew 5:13 “13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.”

Preservative

We should be some kind of good in a rotten world, slowing the rotting process.

Seasoning

The things of God are to be enjoyed in the way he created them.

Thirst

Those around us should desire the Living Water.

Light

Matthew 5:14-16 “14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 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.”

Understanding Darkness

We naturally, and sinfully, prefer darkness. We desire the things of our heart, which is sin. Even when we know the darkness is wrong, harms us in the long run, and eventually leads to death we enjoy the mystery of darkness. The “What if…?” is never answered for us even when we know the answer.

Our lives and culture are in the dark. It is what we know and have always known. Perspective is key in understanding the light/dark relationship. In a dark place, light is strange!

A flashlight in your eyes or bright high beams of a car in your face is only hurtful because of the contrast around you.

Ephesians 5:6-8 “6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light”

Luke 1:76-79 “76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Given the dark nature of the world, light exposes the darkness. We do not realize how dark a place is until there is a little bit of light.

The result of contrasting darkness and light is the things in the darkness is exposed. There is nothing in the dark that can be hidden by darkness in the presence of light. Light fills the space.

Light Cannot Be Hidden By Others

God places us in situations and circumstances for a particular reason. Understanding that we have been placed in visible spots, you cannot be hidden.

Acts 20:24 “24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”

Those around us will feel the light in their darkness. It may be awkward or uncomfortable but it is necessary.

Sometimes it is simply by our position or reputation.

Example of guy in the gym this morning. “Oh I go to church...”

Sometimes it may not be so obvious and we have to be intentional about shining

Hard conversations, calling people out, confronting sin

Keeping our mouth closed, practicing wisdom

Jesus assures us that we have his backing

Matthew 28:16-20 “16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Acts 1:8 “8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.””

Do we act according to the boldness that Jesus gives us?

Light Should not Be Hidden By Us

Paul saw that he had one response to Jesus: go tell the world!

Acts 26:12-23 “12 “In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. 14 And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, 17 delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you 18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ 19 “Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance. 21 For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. 22 To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: 23 that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”

Paul tells to live out the light in him

2 Timothy 2:14-26 “14 Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 16 But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. 19 But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” 20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. 22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.”

John says there’s only one way of life

1 John 1:5-10 “5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

Do we hide the light in us because of the darkness around us? Jesus says it would be absurd to light a lamp then cover it up!