Christian's influence in kingdom
Kingdom instructions for kingdom living • Sermon • Submitted
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· 5 viewsJesus teaches us through parable to be a good influence in kingdom
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Character and blessings
Character and blessings
We have seen the character and the blessings of the kingdom dwellers (Mt5:3-11). Now today we turn to the influence that the kingdom dwellers have for the kingdom. Though the world may be against us (Mt5:10-12), we need to be an influence to the world instead of the world influencing us. Influence and impact are what Jesus is addressing in our passage today.
Some things you may ask yourself as we go.
What possible influence could I have as a kingdom dweller in impacting the world?
What lasting good can the poor, meed, mourners who are merciful who try to make peace do?
What can we do if our only appetite is for righteousness and our only weapon is purity of heart?
Are we just too feeble to achieve these lofty ideals in the beatitudes, especially since we are a minority?
In order to define then display the Christian’s influence in the kingdom and for the kingdom Jesus uses to common metaphors that regardless of person, or position they would know. Salt and Light.
Church and the world are two distinct communities that are inter-related but yet separate.
Today the lines between the two may seem a little blurred, the church looks too much like the world instead of the world looking like the church.
In a world where God has been made evident (Rom1:19); man (the world) in general is trading the truth (God) for created thing (Rom1:25); the world in which is darkness is going to be contrast with the kingdom which is light. In the world that is decaying, but the kingdom dwellers are salt to help be a preservative and to add flavor to the world to lead them to the Light of World.
19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.
and add to that now as just mentioned
25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
Now Jesus tells us who we are in our passage, but also puts a condition too. We must be visible (not a hidden light) and as salt we need to keep our saltiness.
So now let’s read our passage
13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;
15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
What did you see, what did you notice, what sticks out to you?
YOU ARE SALT
YOU ARE SALT
Salt a preservative, salt a flavor additive. You are salt, not just salt, but salt of the earth to impact, to preserve, to add flavor to this world for the kingdom.
God through His infinite grace with foreknowledge established several institutions to help prevent the world, society from slipping into anarchy.
Government, from Federal to local
Given the authority to write, enforce laws to protect the people
Home, family
To instill morals, values, community within the family that will impact the world.
God’s people
The justified, the sanctified, the redeemed, the regenerated are the most powerful. Why? Because they have been made salt, been made light.
R.V.G. Tasker puts it like this.
“Disciples are to be a moral disinfectant in a world where moral standards are low, constantly changing, or are non-existent.”
How can you, as salt be a preservative to someone’s life, or in the world?
How can you, as salt add flavor to someone’s life, or to the world?
How can you loose your saltiness?
6 “Can something tasteless be eaten without salt, Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
A look at the metaphor
Jesus shows the relationship of the kingdom dwellers as one who
Makes the world palatable to God
by preserving and possibly making palatable to others too
Making it possible for God to bear with the wickedness, the distastefulness of this world
By the salt of the world bringing the flavor of the kingdom to the tasteless world.
Jesus warns against losing our flavoring ability
Remember we are discussing the Christian’s influence today as well as the impact of the Christian on the world and in the kingdom.
When mixed with impurities of the world it can lose its ability to flavor and to impact (1Cor15:33; Eph5:3-7)
We are to be a flavoring agent for God in the world
33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”
Or know we need to keep ourselves free from the impurities of sin.
3 But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; 4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
7 Therefore do not be partakers with them;
Don’t become tasteless (or in other words loose our flavor) (Mt13:40-43; Rev3:15-16)
How are we going to be seasoned? Impurities take away our ability to be useful for the kingdom and in the kingdom.
What does Jesus say to do with tasteless salt (v.13)?
40 “So just as the tares are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at the end of the age. 41 “The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness,
42 and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 “Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.
Add to that
Rev
15 ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 ‘So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.
Don’t lose your saltiness, become flavorless for this seems Jesus is teaching of the possibility of losing your salvation, doesn’t it? (or at least implied in our passage today; confirmed in the supporting passages I just brought in).
One more thought, verse before moving on
50 “Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
So kingdom dwellers are to have salt in yourselves. Christian saltiness is Christian character displayed in the beatitudes. As kingdom dwellers may be be committed disciples in both word and deed. For effectiveness the Christian must retain his Christlikeness, maintain his saltiness. Don’t let the impurities of the world impact your influence in the world and for the kingdom. The glory of the gospel is the distinct nature of the kingdom vs. the world.
YOU ARE LIGHT
YOU ARE LIGHT
The light of the world (Jn8:12; Jn9:5) came so you can be light of the world. Jesus using another metaphor that should shine bright as we illuminate the scripture here.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
Mt5:1
16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?
Here we have the Light of the world saying we will have light
12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”
So, now look at this
5 “While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.”
5 “While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.”
So
Jesus has gone from the world, physically but even before He calls people light.
What people does He call light (you have to look, or think back)?
H
What does Jesus tell us about the light (v.14)?
What does the light do (v.15)?
What is the command (v.16)?
What are the results when you keep the command (v.16)?
I think it is plainly said (v.16) that the light is our good works in the kingdom and for the kingdom. And it brings glory to the Father when we do them.
Jon Stott says this:
“Light is a common biblical symbol of truth, a Christian’s shining light must surely include his spoken testimony of the Truth who is the Light of the world and the Light to the nations.”
It is healthy for us to know, and to be reminded that believing, confessing and teaching the truth are good works in which the Father see’s and is glorified in. Works must also include works of love, as well as works of faith. These works display the kingdom dwellers devotion to God a our care for fellow man too.
_____________
As light we are commanded to let our light shine (v.16)
When we keep the command we have great results (v.16)
Don’t loose the fact there is the command, “let your light shine.”
__________________
Looking at the metaphor of light.
____________________________________
As light we are to transmit God’s glory to the World (Php2:14-15; 1Pt2:9; Eph5:8-9)
As light, we are not light in and of ourselves but the light in the Lord (Eph5:8; Jn8:12)
As light we must be visible (Jn13:35)
As light we must radiate (give light)
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As light we are to transmit God’s glory to the World (Php2:14-15; 1Pt2:9; Eph5:8-9)
As light we are to illuminate God in the midst of the darkness of this world
As light we must be visible (Jn13:35)
14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing; 15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,
As light we must radiate (give light)
And as light to proclaim His excellencies
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
As light we are to transmit God’s glory to the World (Php2:14-15; 1Pt2:9; Eph5:8-9)
As light, we are not light in and of ourselves but the light in the Lord (Eph5:8; Jn8:12)
I already read Eph5:8 in which
8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light 9 (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),
As light we must radiate (give light)
As light we are to transmit God’s glory to the World (Php2:14-15; 1Pt2:9; Eph5:8-9)
As light, we are not light in and of ourselves but the light in the Lord (Eph5:8; Jn8:12)
As light we must be visible (Jn13:35)
35 “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Let you love light shine, you are a city set o hill that cannot be hidden. When you have the love of God in you He will shine through you and it will be apparent you are His!
As light we are to transmit God’s glory to the World (Php2:14-15; 1Pt2:9; Eph5:8-9)
As light, we are not light in and of ourselves but the light in the Lord (Eph5:8; Jn8:12)
As light we must be visible (Jn13:35)
As light we must radiate (give light)
As Jesus spoke about putting the light on a lampstand so should you be, visible and radiating out light to all who are in the house (or room). We are not to be undercover (or basket) Christians. Light does not announce itself, it is just there, remember the light we shine is the light of Jesus in us and through us.
Christians influential lessons to learn
Christians influential lessons to learn
As salt, as light, comes with responsibility and with that comes application, so may we make a couple of observations and applications from our passage today.
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Lessons to learn by.
There are differences between the Church and the world. Christians and non-Christians.
Jesus tells us that we are to be different as light and darkness
Different as to adding flavor or being tasteless
Christians must accept responsibility for Christian character.
We must know the distinction, accept the distinction that being a Christian has on us. You are salt, You are light, so be who you are!
Let your light shine, don’t hide it
Understanding our responsibility
As salt we need to be salt shaker, not in a salt container
As light; we are to be light of the world
The truth of the gospel is light, we have the light, we need to share the light.
Let us be light in the midst of the earthly vessels that so need the light
_____________________________
Lessons to learn by.
There are differences between the Church and the world. Christians and non-Christians.
Jesus tells us that we are to be different as light and darkness
Different as to adding flavor or being tasteless
While may professing Christians may be indistinguishable from non-Christians these are ones who are denying their Christianity because of there non-Christian behaviour.
John Stott says this.
“Probably the greatest tragedy of the church throughout its long and checkered history has been its constant tendency to conform to the prevailing culture instead of developing a Christian counter-culture.”
Lessons to learn by.
There are differences between the Church and the world. Christians and non-Christians.
Jesus tells us that we are to be different as light and darkness
Different as to adding flavor or being tasteless
Christians must accept responsibility for Christian character.
We must know the distinction, accept the distinction that being a Christian has on us. You are salt, You are light, so be who you are!
Let your light shine, don’t hide it
May we remember we are not helpless or powerless, we have our power in the power of the gospel. We need to shine the light of the gospel and the flavor of the gospel as light and salt.
In the midst of a world that is filled with darkness and is decaying, it needs the Christian’s influence to help preserve it from further decay and to shine the light to lead out of the darkness.
It is our responsibility, it is our command to “be”
Be salt
Be light
Be going (See Mt28:19)
Lessons to learn by.
There are differences between the Church and the world. Christians and non-Christians.
Jesus tells us that we are to be different as light and darkness
Different as to adding flavor or being tasteless
Christians must accept responsibility for Christian character.
We must know the distinction, accept the distinction that being a Christian has on us. You are salt, You are light, so be who you are!
Let your light shine, don’t hide it
Understanding our responsibility
Salt and light have one thing in common; they given and they expend themselves, and thus are the opposite of any kind of self-centered religiosity. Meaning that salt and light are for others, not and of themselves, just like the kingdom dweller is to be.
Salt in its function is to prevent (negative) and to add (positive); the function of light is illuminate (positive) the darkness (negative). So the kingdom dweller has a double responsibility
As salt we need to be a salt shaker not be in a salt container!
Our place as salt as a preservative, is to be rubbed into society just as salt is rubbed into meat to preserve it.
So don’t get discouraged when the world turns against you when you rub them wrong. Be salt regardless! Be strong, be courageous, be bold
As light; we are to be light of the world
The truth of the gospel is light, we have the light, we need to share the light.
Let us be light in the midst of the earthly vessels that so need the light
A closing thought.
A kingdom dwellers character is described in the beatitudes and his influence described in the metaphor of salt and light. Our influence depends on our character and kingdom character depends on the King of Kings!
So as blessed people go and be salt and light to others by how you live today. Don’t conform to the world, but transform the world by your Christian life.
Understanding our responsibility