Continuously at Work
We are the Church • Sermon • Submitted
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· 4 viewsAs Christians, we are called to be continuously at work. If we have been saved by the gospel, then Christ has commissioned us to go out and be salt and light in our world. We are called to stave off the decay of our world (salt ministry) long enough for the hope of the gospel (light ministry) to penetrate and transform the hearts of those far from God.
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The Backdrop
The Backdrop
A Look at the Beatitudes -
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
“Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Jesus surveys the crowd and begins to point out the characteristics that described some of them and that others desired. With each one, Jesus points to the work of the Father in spite of or alongside the character of man.
The poor in spirit are not blessed because they are spiritually bankrupt, but rather their joy comes in knowing their need for the Father and the Lord being faithful to fill them.
Those who mourn are not blessed because they mourn, but rather their joy comes from the comfort of the Lord.
The meek are not blessed by their humbleness, but rather that they experience God more fully in their humbleness.
In other words, God works for the sake of His goodness in all people. We experience His goodness as our eyes are opened to our need for Him.
It is with this truth that God is our reward and has intentionally engaged us for His glory that Christ commissions us to our work.
“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.
Matthew 5:13
Work A: We are to be the salt of the earth
Work A: We are to be the salt of the earth
In the ancient world, there were two key characteristics associated with salt:
Purity - Salt filled with impurities lost its flavor and its ability to preserve, it was only good to be tossed out to kill the weeds. In a decaying culture with lower moral standards, the Christian is called to live a life that points to the purity and righteousness of Christ
Preservative - Salts primary use in the ancient world was to preserve. Preserving things does not prevent decay, but rather delays it. We are called to delay the decay, stand up for what is moral and righteous that the ministry to Christ, the light ministry has time to work.
Flavor - The Christian life is the life lived abundantly. Only in Christ are we able to be joyful in the midst of trial for our reward is not here on earth but with our Father in heaven
Flavor - Salt is necessary to enhance the flavor of food. Life is
Christians are called to preserve what is good, righteous and holy in the face of the brokenness of our world and in doing so, stave off the decay that comes as a byproduct of sin and death.
Jesus follows this with the continuation of our calling to work.
“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.
Work B: We are called to the the light of the world.
Work B: We are called to the the light of the world.
We are filled with the Spirit that transforms the darkness into light.
We have been saved with the blood of Christ that brings hope to the most broken, the mist vile, the most undeserving.
We are called to be a witness to the world of the wonder of God that as they see our good deeds, they will not revere us but rather the Father who has saved us.
My prayer for us as the church our community, neighbors, friends and family would know without a shadow of a doubt what our purpose is and who has sent us, as a body and as individuals.