Outside These Walls - Salt & Light

I’d like to ask us all a question to personally wrestle with a little bit:

Who are you outside these walls?

Who we are outside these walls is what is called our testimony to the world.

Testimony = Evidence Given; Proof Provided

Are you a bold worshipper of Jesus outside these walls

Are you a reflection of Jesus Christ outside these walls

Are you someone who’s speech is consistent outside these walls

Do you live by faith outside these walls

Are you generous outside these walls

Revelation 12:11 AMP

And they have overcome (conquered) him by means of the blood of the Lamb and by the utterance of their testimony, for they did not love and cling to life even when faced with death [holding their lives cheap till they had to die for their witnessing].

What is your life’s testimony outside these walls?

By the way, Jesus was not a sissified man who was a doormat to be walked all over and who avoided confrontation or offending people through who He was and the life that He lived.

A Big Question:

The late great evangelist Billy Graham is well known for asking this question to Christian believers:

“If you were arrested and placed on trial, accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”

What would the evidence of items in your home say?

What would your text communications portray?

What would your boss, employees, co-workers, neighbors or family say about you?

What would your bank statements testify?

What would your calendar appointments reveal?

What would your social media accounts say?

Our life bears evidence of who we truly are.

If you found a tree with mangoes growing on it, you would not hesitate to label it as a mango tree!

This is how the Bible puts it to us:

Matthew 7:17–20 NKJV

Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

We are known by the visible fruit of our life.

An Encouragement to Take Outside These Walls:

This is what Jesus says about you and who He made you to be:

Matthew 5:13–16 NKJV

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Be salt in the world

Salt reduces the perception of bitterness and acidity.

Are we helping to calm bitterness in people’s lives?

Be the light in the world.

Light brings color and understanding to the world

It can be tempting to shut down the light because in a dark room & when you are adjusted to the darkness, a bright light can be abrasive.

When we cover up the light in us to please others, we do them a disservice.

However, we don’t have to shine the light directly into their eyes!

Be bold about who you are.

Do people know what you stand FOR more than what you stand AGAINST?

John 14:9 NKJV

Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

When people see us, I want them to think - “This has got to be what Jesus was like!”

Isaiah 60:1–3 NKJV

Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising.

Just One Thing:

Let there be overwhelming evidence to convict us of being a genuine Christian by anyone who meets us.

Discussion Questions:

When you are old, what do you think children will ask you to tell stories about?

Considering all of the evidence of your life, would you be convicted of being a Christian if you were put on trial - Yes or No? Are there any areas of your life that you want your Christianity to be more visible than it currently is? Please share.

Please Read Matthew 7:17-20 and share what this passage says to you about your life personally. How would you describe the “tree of your life” in its current state?

In what specific way(s) can you authentically be more of the you that you want to be “Outside These Walls”?