Salt, Light, & Law
Notes
Transcript
Opening
Opening
Did you know that there are over 2.4 billion people self-identifying as Christians today. That’s catholic, orthodox, and protestants. A third of the world’s population.
Jesus Christ is undoubtedly the most influential person to ever live, and yet only a small minority actually put his words into practice.
Why? Because it’s difficult!
As Pastor Josue emphasized the past two weeks, the Kingdom of God is counter-cultural.
And as we follow Christ, it is evident that there is tension between His kingdom and the ways of the world.
But before we point figures, let’s first consider how much you and I have added to that tension against His Kingdom with sin in our lives.
Romans 5:10 says that we (everyone of us) were enemies of God!
We’ve all missed the mark . . . the standard of righteousness that God calls us to.
But thank Jesus for His amazing grace and that there is forgiveness for all who turn to Him.
And all God’s people said, Amen.
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Opposition to God’s Kingdom has been around since the beginning of time. But have you noticed an increase in the celebration of sin in our culture?
My family went bowling with our neighbors this week and there were big screen TVs playing music videos. Every video seemed to celebrate sex outside of God’s design. They were borderline pornographic. That might be putting it too kindly.
The videos weren’t empowering women as celebrities argue. They were objectifying them. And young girls are watching thinking that this must be how they need to dress and behave to get attention.
Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter.
I am concerned about our world that this is becoming an increasing trend. There is so much depravity! So many people living outside of God’s will.
Leaders abusing power in a way that is harming others. The elite controlling narratives with their exorbitant amounts of money. And a society with a very tainted view of morality.
It’s overwhelming! Sometimes it’s hard to even know where to begin with a solution.
But I have an idea {hold up Bible]
What if I told you we could change the world? We have a BIG God and He has BIG plans for us. Don’t give up yet!
Bible
Bible
I invite you to open up your Bibles to Matthew 5
If you need a copy an usher can bring you one.
Mathew 5 is on page 830 of our church Bibles.
If you are able, I’d like to invite you to stand and read aloud with me Jesus’ words from the sermon on the mount.
Today we will read verses 13-20
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
“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. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
You may be seated.
Salt, Light, and Law.
Here are three ingredients that can turn our world around. Jesus is at the center of it all and each of you have a role to play.
How can we change the world?
1. Be Salt: Preserve what is Good
1. Be Salt: Preserve what is Good
Jesus said, “YOU” speaking to His disciples - including the Church today . . . You are the salt of the earth
Salt had a variety of functions in the ancient world. I’ll highlight two today and the first one is that is was used for preservation.
Before refrigerators, salt would be added to food, especially meat, to keep it from going bad.
Believers are called to preserve what is good in our world.
Our culture tends to say “let the old ways die.” If a leader in the past had any kind of character flaw, we should cancel them and every idea they had.
But remember the Kingdom of God is counter-cultural!
We are called to preserve what is good.
Here are seven good things that the church needs to preserve.
Our Families
(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) Our families are our first ministry.
Too many families are splitting apart! Seek unity wherever you can. Spend time together. Listen to one another. Pray for one another. Show kindness. Apologize and forgive one another.
2. We need to preserve Marriages
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Than means husband and wives should both be sacrificing for the other person.
3. Preserve Childrens’ innocence -
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Don’t be afraid to speak out and protect your kids. You are their parents. The schools are not, the government is not, the media is not.
4. Preserve Human dignity -
Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy.
You can’t do everything, but you can do something. See the people who are suffering, living on the streets, grieving, dealing with illnesses and show compassion. Love them, pray for them, speak to them, give and serve where you can.
5. Preserve our Minds -
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Set personal boundaries for yourself and your family with technology & media. Declutter your lives. Rest at least once a week - that’s a commandment from the Lord.
6. Preserve creation
The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
We are called too take care of our planet - all that God created. Always stand for life and participate in stewardship of the earth as God instructed.
7. Preserve the church -
I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.
There are many more things that need preservation and God will help us. He will give us wisdom, strength, and open doors. We are called to preserve what is good!
How can we change the world?
2. Be Salt: Act Tastefully
2. Be Salt: Act Tastefully
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
Salt was also used in ancient times like it is today -as seasoning - to bring out flavor.
Have you ever eaten meat or veggies that don’t have any salt on it? It’s bland!
The best steak I ever had was a filet minon at Argyle steakhouse in Carlsbad. Perfectly cooked and seasoned well. Nice and salty, especially with butter and blue cheese. Mmmm
Psalm 34:8“Taste and see that the Lord is good.”
Salt makes food taste better. We also as believers should make things better!
Our work places should be better because we are there. Our neighborhoods. Our schools. Our sports arenas. Our courts (basketball, tennis & judicial courts).
Even the way we talk to others should be better!
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
The Faithlife Illustrated Study Bible says, “Conversation that is figuratively seasoned with salt is uplifting.” People are craving encouragement in the right areas.
We need believers seasoning every facet of society.
For example, It’s easy to get frustrated with our government. Then let’s send more of our people to participate tastefully in Sacramento and DC and our local government.
Let’s send more believers to work in higher education.
More believers as journalists. As scientists, etc.
Where else? Where is God calling you? Let’s begin with where He has you today. Are you making things better where you live, work, and play?
Jesus mentioned losing saltiness. We lose saltiness when we give up and make no effort to make things better.
As long as you have breath in your lungs, God has purpose for your life. Roles may change, environments too, but never stop laboring for the Kingdom.
We don’t graduate or age out of it, so stay salty.
Act tastefully!
How can we change the world?
3. Be Light: Illuminate Christ
3. Be Light: Illuminate Christ
He is everything. For long lasting change to take place, people need Jesus.
Jesus is the source of light. John communicates this well as he sets the scene in his Gospel.
The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.
And that light was Jesus!
Think about it as the sun and the moon. The moon doesn’t have it’s own light, it reflects the sun. We are like the moon that does not generate our own light, rather we reflect His light.
Jesus said . . .
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
Lights are meant to be seen. A question we need to consider is are we covering it up? Are we dimming the light because we are embarrassed? Maybe we don’t want people to think we are weird, so we keep our faith tucked away. Trust me they already think you’re weird so just embrace it.
Is your home or even this church building a bowl that has become the only place your light shines? Is your faith only coming through when you’re around other believers?
I’ll admit it is much easier to be a light around believers than when I’m somewhere else and the only Christian.
But “this little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine”
I think of the hundreds of names written on the panels in this building. People we are praying will know and follow Jesus.
If I can get over my pride, my fears, my insecurities . . . maybe they’ll see Jesus. Maybe they’ll respond. Maybe their lives will change for the better!
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
The key is that last phrase - glorify the Father. Being a light is not about illuminating Jeff. I don’t need to be seen. I don’t need to be puffed up.
The goal is not to show people what a great person I am, rather who God is so that He gets the praise He deserves.
This is counter cultural because our society would say do everything possible to step into the spotlight.
I encourage you to be mindful of where the light is pointing. Examine your motivation. Look at the outcome of how you are living. Are people drawn to you only or to Jesus through you.
D.L. Moody once said, “We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won’t need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don’t fire cannons to call attention to their shining, they just shine.”
God’s first commandment in the Bible is in Genesis 1 when God says “let there be light.” And there was light. Jesus now commands us let there be light.
Let it shine! Illuminate Christ!
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Jesus then begins talking about the law and this often gets taught as a completely different section of His Sermon on the Mount, but I believe it flows well with Salt and Light.
How can we change the world?
4. Obey His Law: Rely on Jesus
4. Obey His Law: Rely on Jesus
“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. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
Jesus did not come to erase the Old Testament. Jesus clarifies that He fulfills it. And as we read from Genesis through Malachi, now we can see it constantly points forward to Him.
Jesus was the only person able to keep every commandment in the law. He also fulfilled every prophecy regarding His first coming as Messiah
Born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:1)
Son of David (2 Samuel 7:12-13)
Ministry in Galilee (Isaiah 9:1-2)
Proclaiming good news to the poor (Isaiah 61:1)
Teaching in parables (Psalm 78:2)
Betrayed with 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12-13)
Pierced in His hands and feet (Psalm 22:16)
He was the exact model of the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53:1-12)
He Raised from the dead in view of hundreds of witnesses (Psalm 16:10)
He also Ascended into heaven in front of his disciples (Psalm 68:18)
You can see the references to these prophesies in the sermon notes.
Scholars agree that Jesus fulfilled over 300 prophesies. Some count in the 4-500 Old Testament verses fulfilled
He was the perfect sacrifice and is our eternal high priest.
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Jesus says that the smallest letter of the law would not disappear until heaven and earth disappear. Since we’re on earth at the moment, I think its safe to say that hasn’t occurred yet.
Jesus continued . . .
Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
This is similar to the language in the Great Commission in Matthew 28 where Jesus says to make disciples and teach them to obey all He has commanded.
Here is where obedience comes in. God is not pleased with hypocrisy. He wants us to practice what we preach - or more importantly what He preached.
His people are expected to live righteous lives, not to earn His love, but in response to His love for us.
We seek to live God-honoring lives because Jesus gave His whole life for us. And now we can actually achieve this with His help.
He ends this section of the sermon by saying . . .
For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
The religious leaders followed God more rigorously than anyone else and their righteousness was not enough? Who then could be saved?
With this line of thinking, forget about changing the world . . . we’re all doomed!
Jesus’ point was that no one could be saved . . . except through Him.
Trusting Jesus is recognizing that we cannot do any of it without Him. We are not righteous on our own. We can only be considered righteous when Jesus’ blood covers us.
And Jesus offers this to anyone who is willing to turn to Him.
In the same way that we submit to Jesus in faith to save us, we are also called to submit to Him to guide us.
How can we change the world? We rely on the one who left the greatest impact on this planet.
This week in the Behind the Point Podcast, Pastor Josue and I will talk more about Jesus fulfilling the law. How does the church determine which OT laws are still applicable for the church today? Why do we quote the 10 Commandments and verses on marriage, but not sacrifice animals or abstain from certain food? Didn’t Jesus say nothing will disappear from the law? Listen on our church app, Spotify, Apple podcast, and now YouTube and we will talk in more depth about these things tomorrow afternoon.
But for now let’s focus on what God’s law and relying on Jesus has to do with salt and light.
If we are people who truly follow and rely on Jesus, we will naturally be salt and light. Relying on Jesus is our starting point.
Closing
Closing
As we live out these principles, don’t be surprised by opposition.
When people are living far from God, our salty lives may be received as salt in the wound. It stings!
If you’ve ever been woken up by someone turning on a bright light, you know that it is not always pleasant when light suddenly appears in the darkness.
And the law is not appealing to rule breakers.
But be patient! That was all believers at one point in time. And while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8)
Stay faithful!
Preserve what is good, Act Tastefully, Illuminate Christ, and Rely on Him.
