Upside Down Kingdom (Week 2)

Announcements:

Upside Down Kingdom Series Part 2 (Sermon on the Mount)

Deep Dive into Matthew 5-7

Explore Jesus' Teachings on Kingdom Values

Next Week: "Resurrection Facts" for Easter, Invite Someone

Historical Evidence of Jesus' Resurrection

Opportunity to Share Easter Message

Fundraising Update: $14 raised for Esteban, $45 goal

Two Wednesdays Left to Meet Goal

Encourage Contributions Tonight

Volunteers Needed: Durham Rescue Mission Dinner

Raise Hand If Available

Forms to Sign

Parking Lot Meeting at 3:30 PM

Dodgeball Tournament: April 5th

Time: 4:30-6:30 PM

Dinner Plans TBA

Email tomorrow w/ signup and more details

BBQ Fundraiser: April 20th

Support Camp and Mission Initiatives

Envelopes for Donations Tonight

Document Available for Fundraising Questions

Introduction

Attention Grabber:

Parched and lifeless desert

Single tree

Believers = Oasis tree

Preserve goodness (salt)

Guidance (light)

Fullfull God’s law through transformation

Part of of Upside Down Kingdom

Need:

Counter-cultural

Transformative-impact

Identity and purpose

Let’s dive in!

Body:

The Big Idea: Believers are transformed to transform the world.

1. Believers preserve the world.

2. Believers live differently.

3. Believers do what no one can.

Matthew 5:13 (ESV)

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.

A weird saying from Jesus

Questions:

Who?

Disciples

Us

What?

The purpose of salt

Flavor (Q.)

Potatoes

Watermelon

Preservative

Pre-Fridge

Salt slows down decay

The connection: preserving the world

Unkindness

Selfishness

Lostness

The call: to slow this down

How?

Upside-Down Kingdom values

Uselessness of unsalty salt

New nature

God’s grace

Preserved to preserve

Application:

How use your saltiness?

Good role-model

Model servant-leadership

Stand for truth

Be peacemakers

1. Believers preserve the world.

2. Believers live differently.

3. Believers do what no one can

Matthew 5:14–16 (ESV)

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.

“Light” = big Bible theme

Light = illumination of truth

Illus. Walking in the woods in the dark with a flashlight

God Himself is light

1 John 1:5 ESV

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.

God is perfect

But what about us?

The darkness within

But… God’s miracle

His light shines in us

Reflection

2 pictures:

City on a hill

Lamp on a stand

The point = Elevation > see

Light shining in darkness

“Upside-down” living

Demonstrating relationship with God.

Not earned; transformation

Pointing to God

Application:

Unashamed to be different?

Practice humility

Display God’s character

1. Believers preserve the world.

2. Believers live differently.

3. Believers do what no one can .

Matthew 5:17–20 (ESV)

17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

False interpretations of SOTM

Jesus = anti-law?

But he emphasizes otherwise!

Fulfilling the law

Meaning… ?

Clarification

“You have heard it said, x.... but I say to you, y...”

Don’t misinterpret this

Jesus: “This is how you’ve misinterpreted what the law meant to begin with.”

Verse 20:

Thesis for SOTM

Doing a better job than the pharisees

The point: no one can earn their way to Heaven

Remember; God’s transformation

Upside down

Salt & light

This = more righteous

Personal lives upside down > the world upside down

Application:

Embrace God’s transformative power

Live out genuine faith

Conclusion:

God’s kingdom = upside down

Our lives = upside down

The world = upside down

Believer = transformed

Live according to this

If not, salvation is available.

Review:

The Big Idea: Believers are transformed to transform the world.

1. Believers preserve the world(Matthew 5:13)

2. Believers live differently(Matthew 5:14-16)

3. Believers do what no one can(Matthew 5:17-20)

Small Group Questions:

What does God’s ability to transform your life mean to you personally?

What does it mean to be the “salt of the earth?”

How can we be the salt of the earth in our own lives?

What does it mean to be the “light of the world?”

How can you be the light of the world in our own lives?

How is it that we are able to be more righteous than the pharisees?

How are you going to specifically apply this to your life this week?