Untitled Sermon (7)

Next Sunday we will celebrate our Past 30 years. Look back, tell stories, give testimony of Gods faithfulness, celebrate the work in Uganda, Poland and etc. But as we look back in gratitude, we also look forward with anticipation.

What will the next 30 look like?

What will success look in the next 30? How will we know?

Will it a bigger congregation, bigger budget, or bigger buildings? Will that define success for Christ Church in the next 30 years?

To answer that question, We don’t have to look far… We have the very words of Jesus. The Son of God, the head of the Church. And today we will look to the His first sermon, known as the sermon on mount found in Matt 5. Considered the most famous sermons of all time.

Preaching from that text comes with a challenge, everyone’s heard it. Sinners/Saints/church goers/atheist have all “heard it before”

You’ve heard it before, but will you hear it again with fresh ears?

Familiarity has a way of dulling down the text.

Our familiarity with a text can lessen the power of the text as we read right over.

BUT this is Gods word. These words still carry the power, whether you’ve heard it one time, many times, 100 times, the word still has the power to convict, heal, and deliver.  The Word doesn’t just inform—it transforms. The word of God is active and powerful.

“The great temptation for church folks is to know the word and not live it.”

So let’s ask the Holy Spirit to help us hear it again—as if for the first time.

13 “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.

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

This is the word of the Lord, Thanks be to God.

And it’s the word of the Lord for you. It’s the first word of verse 13. “You” Jesus said is the salt of the earth. “You”. Who is Jesus speaking too? He was speaking to ordinary folks, with ordinary careers, these men/women and children, these aren’t spiritually super stars, at least not yet, these are the disciples and the crowd. He was speaking to anyone who is a follower of Him.

Now to the original hears there that day, this was quiet the statement for a number of reasons.

1. Salt was an valuable resource. Not so today. No one is charging for extra salt on your fries… or for the salt shaker at the dinner table. Its abundant, its cheap. But in those days and that region, Salt had value because of the variety of functions it provided. More on those in a bit. Salt was even paid to Roman Centurion Soldiers for their duties at times. Why? It was more tradeable, useable on the market verses the Roman currency. Could you imagine collecting a paycheck of salt?  

There was the dead sea notoriously known for its amount of Salt and buoyancy where just lay back, and float around. Sounds like a great bucket list event!

The dead sea would be the primary source for the salt production. Herod would build a fortress overlooking it and place an army to protect it. That how valuable salt was in those days.

In some African kingdoms, salt was literally traded ounce-for-ounce with gold.

To first-century ears, this was jaw-dropping when Jesus declare they are the Salt of the earth! This got their attention, if it didn’t have it already. Why?

Imagine sitting there on the shores of the sea of Galilee, small town peeps, country Jewish folks and to hear the from the one who does miracles after miracles, he is teaching like none other, its the creator speaking to the creation.. and Jesus looks at you says, let me tell you who you are…. you are the precious, valuable mineral that makes this world work! That is who you are!

These people had no hope or opportunity for financial wealth in that region, and Jesus saying in following him, they have already been made valuable. Oh man!

You are the salt of the earth! Salts valuable and it adds flavor.

Any steak lovers in the room? You know there’s nothing quite like a thick, juicy ribeye—about 4 inches thick, crusted in salt, grilled to perfection. Medium rare only. (And to the well-done folks... that’s not steak. That’s beef jerky.)

Salt brings out the flavor. A saltless steak is bland. Salt makes things better—eggs, tomatoes, fries—you name it. Salt enhances what’s already there.

Anybody got a “salt person” in your family? We do! My father-in-law, Mike. Before he even takes his first bite—boom, salt. Every time. Why? Because he knows—it just tastes better.

And it got me wondering... Is that what our community says about us?

“Life is better because of Christ Church.” “Our city tastes different because of the Christians.”

Jesus says you are the salt of the earth. Not just valuable, but flavor-enhancing.

Over the Fourth of July, I met a guy named Brian at a party. As we got talking about life, he told me he was a hockey coach. I asked what age group he coached, and he paused for a second, then said, “Well, it’s a bit different than most teams.”

That caught my attention. “What do you mean?” I asked.

He explained, “All the kids on our team have special needs. I saw a gap—there weren’t any hockey teams for kids with disabilities, so we started one.”

I said, “That’s incredible—what’s that like?”

Brian smiled and said, “It takes a lot of patience. A lot of drills, repetition, and breaking things down to the basics—sometimes even just teaching them how to skate.”

Then he shared a story that stuck with me. “We had a girl join about a year ago. Her parents had no expectations that she’d actually play. She could barely skate when she started. But she stuck with it. She worked hard. Her parents were amazed. And now? She's still not the highest scorer, and she tends to wander around the rink a bit,” he laughed, “but man—can she skate.”

That’s what it looks like to bring flavor to the world—to bring life and joy and possibility where it wasn’t before. That’s what it means to be salt. To show up in broken places and add value. To step into a space that feels impossible and bring out what’s beautiful. Flavor!

But that’s not all. Salt was also used to preserve. In fact, there are over 14,000 documented uses of salt—but its ability to preserve food made it essential. In a world without freezers, refrigeration, or A/C—salt was the difference between life and rot. It protected food from decay and bacteria. Salt literally extended life.

So don’t miss this:

Salt makes things better, and salt makes things last. And that’s what Jesus says about you.

When we live as Jesus calls us to live, we flavor the culture and we fight the decay. We make life better!

The second metaphor Jesus uses to teach us about true success is in verse 14: “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.”

We take light for granted today. With the flip of a switch, we illuminate our homes. Headlights and streetlamps light our path. Our GPS guides us safely, even in the dead of night.

But for ancient travelers, the night was dangerous. And I don’t just mean a little dark—I mean pitch black. Ever been in a basement when the power goes out? Can’t even see your hand in front of your face. That kind of dark. In those days, darkness meant danger—theft, wild animals, and the fear of losing your way.

So when travelers were journeying through the night and caught a glimpse of a city on a hill lit up in the distance—it meant relief. Hope. Safety. Direction. It was like the porch light saying, “Come this way. You’re not alone.”

Now picture the scene: Jesus is standing on a hillside by the Sea of Galilee. And across the water, clearly visible on the cliffs, is the Greco-Roman city of Hippos—a literal city on a hill. You can still see its ruins today. That’s likely what the crowd had in mind when Jesus said these words.

And yet Jesus says, “You are like that… and even more.”

Hippos’ lights may have been helpful to fishermen or nearby travelers—but Roman cities didn’t shine much at night. They weren’t beacons of righteousness or hope.

But the Church? We’re called to be a light not just to a few—but to the world. A visible, radiant community that points the way to life, safety, full of truth, and a hope in Jesus.

The church is a great beacon of light in a dark world!

This is what success looks like in the Kingdom: not buildings or budgets—but lives lit up with the light of Christ.

Jesus then shifts from the big, wide world to something closer to home—literally and figuratively.

In verse 15, He says:

“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.”

Now, for us today, that image might not land right away. How can one lamp light up a whole house? Jesus, have you seen our homes? We've got walls, doors, and multiple rooms!

But in the first century, most homes had one single room. One lamp could light the whole house. So when someone lit it, they didn’t hide it—they elevated it. They placed it on a stand so it could do what it was designed to do: shine for everyone inside.

It’s a vivid picture—and it hits home. Because the first place your light should shine… is in your home.

Let me say something directly to some of you:

To the trying to hold it together—your light matters.single mom

To the one married to someone who doesn’t share your faith—don’t give up. Keep shining.

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 7 that the believing spouse sanctifiesthe home—that the light of your life can influence your spouse and even impact your kids. Don’t underestimate the power of steady, faithful light.

So yes, let your light shine in the world… but start in your home.

Let it shine where you live, where you work, where you play.

Here’s a question worth asking:

Is there consistency between who I am and where I am?

How I am in should match how I am at .churchhome

And how I am at should match how I am at .homework

What a tragedy it would be to have a glowing reputation at church or on the job—while at home, there's no light. No joy. No Jesus. No reflection of the Father.

So wherever you are—be light.

In your —be light.marriage

With your —be light.kids

At —be light.work

On the —be light.internet

In the —be light.classroom

Jesus says, “You are the light of the world.”

And the Greek word He uses for "light" is phos—it’s where we get the word photo.

Think about that for a second.

Recently I’ve begun to notice how much like look my parents!

Looking a old photos and said, “Whoa… that’s my mom’s face!” Or “Man, that’s Dad’s expression right there.” Not just in the way you look—but the way you move, the way you speak.

It’s happening to me. My dad is bald... and I feel it coming. Pray for me, y’all.

But seriously—if we took a snapshot of your life today, would we see your heavenly Father? If someone looked at our church like a photo—would they see Jesus?

That’s what it means to be light.

To shine in such a way that others see your good deeds… and glorify your Father in heaven.

I love that this is the first mention of father in the New Testament. We get the privilege of sharing what god is like by how we live.

There’s a serious warning tucked into verse 13:

“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.”

That’s strong language. Jesus is saying that salt that doesn’t taste like salt isn’t just bland…

It’s useless. It gets thrown out. Walked on.

So the question is: Can salt actually lose its saltiness?

There are two well-known theological interpretations:

1. It Was Never Salt to Begin With

This view says the salt wasn’t truly salt—it just lookedlike it. It was imitation salt.

That’s the Pharisees, the religious elite—the ones who seemed pure on the outside, but inwardly were full of pride, corruption, and spiritual death.

Jesus often confronted them. They followed all the rules… but didn’t follow Him.

You can look the part. You can do the right things. But none of that makes you a disciple.

A lot of people carry the label “Christian” without the lifestyle of Christ.

2. Salt Gets Contaminated

Here’s the second view: Salt is salt. Chemically speaking, sodium chloride can’t stop being sodium chloride.

But in the ancient world, salt was often gathered from places like the Dead Sea. It was full of impurities—minerals, dirt, gypsum—and over time, the salt could become so diluted that it lost its distinctiveness.

It stopped tasting like salt.

It stopped preserving.

And when that happened, it was tossed aside.

This speaks to compromise. When our lives get mixed with other things—comfort, culture, sin—we lose our flavor. We lose our impact.

⚠️ The Warning for Us

Whether it’s imitation or contamination, Jesus’ warning is the same:

Don’t lose what makes you distinct.

Don’t trade in the life of Christ for a comfortable imitation. Don’t let the world dilute your convictions, your joy, your purpose. Salt was meant to preserve. To flavor. To stand out.

Stay salty. – in a good way. Not like the Karen down street, but like Jesus.

Top of Form

Bottom of Form

We are not the Light. Jesus is.

Jesus said in John 8:12:

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

We aren’t the source. We are reflections.

Think of the moon. It shines, but only because it reflects the sun.

Take away the sun, and you lose the light.

The same is true for us:

Take away Jesus, and you lose the light. Take away Jesus, and we are full of darkness.

This is not a to-do list.

This is not about trying harder or adding spiritual chores.

That’s religion.

We’re not in the religion game. We’re in on following Jesus.

Lay down your idols. Take up your cross. Follow Him.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Seek first His kingdom.

That’s when the light shines. That’s when the salt has flavor. That’s when we reflect Jesus most clearly—when He is everything to us.

Would They Miss Us?

Recently we found out, this summer, we found out, some of our neighbor are moving away. One of them had a 4-year-old son—Judah’s only little friend.

When he talks about it, he sticks out his bottom lip. He’s sad.

My wife and I are going to miss them too. But it made me wonder…

Would they say that about us?

If we moved away… If Christ Church closed its doors… Would anyone notice? Would our absence be felt in our neighborhood? Our city? Our world?

I believe that answer is tied too, what success is for us in the next 30 years!

Because what real salt does matters. That’s what real light does. It changes things. It has significance. It matters.

If you are part of Christ Church at Grove Farm—

You are called to change the city. You are called to be different… to make a difference.

A Song That Got Me Thinking

This week I had a song stuck in my head— “Difference Maker” by Needtobreathe.

The chorus goes:

“I am the difference maker I am the only one that speaks to Him I am the friendliest of friends of God.”

I looked up the meaning. One of the band members said:

“We were on tour with Taylor Swift—playing to 50,000 a night. But I didn’t feel like we were having the impact we were called to have.”

“It starts with asking, ‘Am I a difference maker?’ It ends with confidence—not in ourselves, but in the fact that God includes us in His work.”

He doesn’t need our talent. He wants our surrender.

That’s the shift.

From:

“Am I really a difference maker?” To: “I am a difference maker!” Not because of me—but because of Christ in me.

Embrace your calling, embrace your purpose. What I see before me, is not a room full of ordinary Joe’s and Jodi’s, no I see difference makers. You have been called to be different, to make a difference.

If Jesus was physically here, he would say thing. You are the light of the world, you are the salt of the earth.

So What’s Our Response Today?

1. Sample our flavor. Look for the light, look for darkness

Is there any space in my life that doesn’t align with living holy? Is my private life as holy as my public confession? We are great at looking good at church, but what about in every part of living? No space should be left alone. No space left hidden. No compromise, no sin left alone…

So we ask the Holy Spirit:

What do you want to change in me?

Where is my life dim?

Where has the flavor faded?

Is it in the workspace, is it home? Is it in board room? Is it when im with people or life alone?

If there’s anything out of alignment—repent. Following Jesus is a lifestyle of returning, realigning.

And when the Holy Spirit reveals it, we repent, turn away and walk in obedience. Transformation occurs.

2. Check your motivation.

As Christians, many of us serve. give. Attend, You would say I shine… but why?

Remember Jesus isn’t after behavior modification. He is after your heart!

The Pharisees were really good at doing good. But it was all for show.

Jesus said let your light shine before men that all may glorify God. The motivation behind our deeds is to please the lord!

Is it so people see you? Or so people see Jesus?

Remember Paul in the revelations writes remember your first love.

Why we do what we do (sing, give, attend, serve our neighbor)… is to love Him. Is to please him. Is to glorify him.

The church shines brightest when He is everything to us. Every space and every place. When we delight in Him, walk with him and live in him.

🌟 Final Exhortation

You may feel unqualified. But God doesn’t need your resume. He desires your surrender. He desires your heart.

You are the salt. You are the light.

You are the difference maker. Because Jesus lives in you.