Spicy, Bright and Worth it!

Intro

I give thanks to God for you, and just like Paul opens up his letter to those in Thessalonica, I say the same to you.

I am SO thankful for you my sisters and brothers because the Gospel of Christ came to you and you are living it!

We gather as a community here and at RPC there is weekly chapel and Sunday swervices in which we take partwhich are important and formative to our lives.

The New Revised Standard Version The Thessalonians’ Faith and Example

your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ

It is Christ who has been the example and you have been imitators of him. And as people who want to be formed by God our Gospel message gives us three extra things that we have and maybe we didnt know about.

So what has God given you? Im going to add three things

I Have Flavor

l

SAY IT WITH ME: I HAVE FLAVOR

Jesus’ teaches in figurative ways and tell us that YOU are salt of the earth. Now what is salt? What purpose did salt have… it gives flavor. Did you know that salt also has other roles. Salt not only gives flavor but it preserved food and it also used to purify or cleanse. But you as people who continue to be transformed by Christ have the flavor of Jesus and are able to give flavor tot he world.

I HAVE FLAVOR

I Have Shine

We will return to this part

I Have Shine

2: I HAVE SHINE

Jesus says you are the LIGHT of the world. Just like salt is useless if it had no flavor, a light is useless if its shine or brightness is hidden. If im told I am light but I hide in my room and have no communion with anyone.... my light is no good to anyone.

In order to fulfil the nature of your light or your shine, those who are the light of the world must be prepared to be located in places of clear visibility… you have to live out your purpose.

John Nolland, The Gospel of Matthew: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press, 2005), 214.

I HAVE SHINE

I Have a Job To Do!

which eads me to the third which is

I HAVE A JOB

Because we know God has given each of us purpose we have a job to do.

Our Gospel message in Matthew STARTS with the end of Jesus teaching on the Beatitudes. Those two last verses in the beatitudes tell us, that we are blessed when we are persecuted for Christ sake, which doesn't seem like an easy blessing and quickly turns to REJOICE for your reward is in heaven. What God calls us to do is difficult but its a great investment. Jesus tells us we are blessed when persecuted and he understands its a hard thing, but comforts us and affirms that its going to be alright because the reward s grreat.

We will return to this part

Jesus understood persecution… and knows that this world needs the love and compassion you give.

Conclusion

Going back to 1 Thessalonians; I give thanks for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before God ad Father your, WORK IN FAITH and LABOR of LOVE, why because of your steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ!