Influence of the Kingdom

Many of the students that are graduating at the end of this school term are what the world has come to call Generation Z.

Generation

Many of the students that graduation in one form or another during this month of March are what the world has termed Generation Z.

Generation Z deserves our attention.

This is an interesting generation, spending six-nine hours on social media Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube.

And guess what because of their exposure to they’ve seen porn. And maybe lots of it. No other generation has had pornography so readily available, literally at their fingertips

Sending and receiving around 3000 texts messages a month. They’ve never known a world without the internet or cell phones. Their language is unique and different. In fact

They’re racially diverse . . . and multiracial.

They’ve never known a world without the internet or cell phones. Their language is unique and different. In fact

In 2015 the Oxford Dictionary word of the year was an emoji.

They truly believe they can change it.

Contrary to what some parents may think “I’ve been your age before”. I’m sorry to say mom, you might not understand their reality.

After the millenials this generation will be the most racially diverse families.

Doesn’t it get to you when you go through a take out and grab your food to go only to realize that there’s no salty.

Gen Zs don't know a world before mobile technology. They are the most connected generation.

They’re racially diverse . . . and multiracial.

Pliny once said there are important things in life sunshine and salt.

(S) Quite frankly many church es have not taken them seriously… we relegate to basements, church prime time is only given to them once or twice ...

Gen Zs don't know a world before mobile technology

Contrary to what some parents may think “I’ve been your age before”. I’m sorry to say mom, you might not understand their reality.

The Church ought to understand that in the 21st Century this generation is most in touch with the reality of the world. They move with the pace of the technological world. They are not outdated...

(S) The world is paying attention to them. Products are no longer marketed to parents but they are market to them and they know parents will buy them.

Jesus looking through the ages of time saw a generation that could make an influence for the kingdom. And he says,

They are always on their phones.

Yearn to Connect. And the world is paying attention to them. Products are no longer marketed to parents but they are market to them and they know parents will get them.

The world is paying attention to them. Products are no longer marketed to parents but they are market to them and they know parents will get them.

What makes video games so amazing … community. On the contrary they value relationships —

This generation is the most connected Generation of all times.

God is calling this generation of game changers, a generation that has

Jesus looking beyond the through of time didn’t see a generation that is detached and not engaged. He saw a generation that desired community. yearned to connectthey desire for relationships. They desire for community. They desire to be heard, but often dismissed by Parents, Educators, and Pastors.

Jesus looking beyond the through the ages of time didn’t see a generation that could make an influence for the kingdom

And Jesus says,

Matthew 5:13 ESV

13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.

matthew 5:13

Salt!

Doesn’t it get to you when you go through a take out and grab your food to go only to realize that there’s no salty.

is detached and or not disengaged. He saw a generation that desired community, and yearned to connect. A people that have a strong desire for relationship. They want to Connect, their desire to be heard, but often dismissed by Parents, Educators, and Pastors.

is detached and or not disengaged. He saw a generation that desired community, and yearned to connect. A people that have a strong desire for relationship. They want to Connect, their desire to be heard, but often dismissed by Parents, Educators, and Pastors.

is detached and or not disengaged. He saw a generation that desired community, and yearned to connect. A people that have a strong desire for relationship. Posting stuff on media is their language of a desire to be heard, but often dismissed by Parents, Educators, and Pastors.

Gathered around on a sloppy hillside is a multitude of … The scene is reminiscent of Moses when he came down from Sinai with the law. Jesus looking into the eyes of this multitude, hungry and thirsty for something to quench their souls. Finally, the Messiah has come. He begins unpack some revolutionary teaching that left his audience in awe. To a bunch riffraff and rag-rats Jesus entrusts a counter cultural way of kingdom living. Even the poor in spirit get to inherit the kingdom, it’s ok to be meek, theres a blessing for you when you mourn.

(S) Perhaps Jesus could kept this teaching for the learned, and esteemed folks in the temple and synagogue.

Illustration: I was in the Philippines a couple of months ago. And on the last night before we departed from the area we were doing the Mission work. I decided to take a few of the Youth and Young Adults for Pizza...

It made me wonder, what makes video games so amazing? Fortnite, Apex, Dota 2, League of Legends.

Despite the fact they spend most their time glued to a screen, they value relationships. Belonging.

Let me tell you something about this generation z that most of us have not paid attention to, something crucial to the cause of Christ. Despite the fact they spend most their time glued to a screens, they value relationships. Belonging. Community.

They love to communicate through social media and texts, and while we say to them this is impersonal we have missed .

And it is to this generation that Jesus says too, “You are the salt.” An unlikely crew to be called to the fore-front of making an influence for the Kingdom. You are the Salt.

SALT

Interestingly the word ‘salary’ comes from ‘sal’ for salt. It was the Roman soldiers allowance to buy salt, from which wages began to be known as a ‘salary’ from salt. Something of value and worth.

And to this generation too, Jesus says “You are the salt.” Interestingly the word ‘salary’ comes from ‘sal’ for salt. It was the Roman soldiers allowance to buy salt, to which wages began to be known as ‘sal’ for salt. Something of value and worth.

I believe God has beautiful proposal this morning for us. When he looked down memory lane, he knew there would be a people so connected. Churches and committees would miss them altogether, they would plan for them but not with them. Miss their desire and yearning to for community. Miss out on their connectedness and being in touch with this post modern mind the church has struggled to reach. This morning young people, I want to acknowledge you. You are the Salt of the world, and God wants to use you to make a difference for the kingdom

Pliny once said there are important things in life sunshine and salt.

(S) There are several interesting qualities of Salt...

Preservative

I still recall vividly when l helped skin a goat. That wasn’t the fascinating part. It was watching how the skin of the goat was preserved and later used as a floor mat...

The NIV Application Commentary: Matthew Salt and Light (5:13–16)

In a society with no refrigeration, salt could be rubbed into meat or fish to slow decay.

Preservative —

This Generation must have an influence on the moral decay of this world.

When you show up are you the trouble maker? Your words must stay anger and fights at school.

Flavour

soar throat gaggle with salt.

Flavour

Doesn’t it get to you when you go through a take out and grab your food to go only to realize that there’s no salt. Imagine if you showed up to potluck and the potluck team decided we are not using salt in the food today.

Salt accentuates flavour, it brings out the ...

No sugar diet ...

God is calling you to be a flavourful christian.

Fertilizer

Salt can act as a fertilizer when added to certain kinds of salt. It sets the right growing conditions.

Now imagine Jesus looking into the eyes of this multitude. From the very beginning of the sermon on the mount Jesus has been presenting a counter cultural revolution.

And to the graduate today, whether young or old. He is calling you out. “You are the Salt”. Not maybe or consider being, but you are. Everyone of us has been given the capacity to have an influence for the kingdom of light.

The NIV Application Commentary: Matthew Contemporary Significance

Our lives are important to this world.

No one was a mistake. Despite what you have been through. Jesus declares you have flavour qualities, you can turn the events of evil to ...

…but if salt has lost it’s taste, how shall its saltiness be restored?...

Now if you are like me you are probably wondering how does salt lose its taste. It’s just like saying water has lost its wetness.

The verb translated tasteless is literally translated to make foolish or becomes foolish …

its like saying water water losing its wetness..

its like water losing its wetness..

Mōrainō - Tasteless, to make foolish

= to make foolish

....

.

The Gospel of Matthew 3. The Distinctiveness of the Disciples (5:11–16)

The “salt” collected around the Dead Sea13 contained a mixture of other minerals,14 and it is possible to imagine the true salt content being washed out, leaving a useless residue

It’s foolish or rather hypocritical for salt to be tasteless.

(S) Hypocrisy, yes thats the word. Hypocrisy has caused left many in doubt if the God of the Christians is loving or just like the Christians.

Kids can spot a fake …

The story is told of a zoo that was noted for their great collection of different animals. One day the gorilla died, and to keep up the appearance of a full range of animals, the zookeeper hired a man to wear a gorilla suit and fill in for the dead animal. It was his first day on the job, and the man didn’t know how to act like a gorilla very well. As he tried to move convincingly, he got too close to the wall of the enclosure and tripped and fell into the lion exhibit. He began to scream, convinced his life was over…until the lion spoke to him: “Be quiet, or you’re going to get us both fired!”

The NIV Application Commentary: Matthew Salt and Light (5:13–16)

In a society with no refrigeration, salt could be rubbed into meat or fish to slow decay. Some suggest that with this analogy Jesus was indicating the influence his disciples would have on the moral decay of a fallen world

The NIV Application Commentary: Matthew Salt and Light (5:13–16)

In a society with no refrigeration, salt could be rubbed into meat or fish to slow decay. Some suggest that with this analogy Jesus was indicating the influence his disciples would have on the moral decay of a fallen world

Many people have left God altogether because of hypocrisy. This kingdom life can’t be imitated or manufactured. It flows from a relationship with Jesus. There’s a saying

People don’t care what we know, unless they know that we care.

The kingdom of God has a light that shines so bright even in the darkest corners. If we lose it altogether we are no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. Jesus is calling this generation to impact the culture, and not to be impacted by the culture.

Preach the Gospel, if necessary use words

The Church ought to understand that in the 21st Century this generation is most in touch with the reality of the world. They move with the pace of the technological world. They are not outdated, they are the most connect with the greatest potential to impact our communities.

Trampled by men.

… trampled by men. A rejection of the gospel altogether…

Jesus is calling this generation to impact the culture, and not to be impacted by the culture.

This kingdom life can’t be imitated or manufactured. It flows from a relationship with Jesus.

The New American Commentary: Matthew 2. Paradigmatic Preaching: The Sermon on the Mount (5:1–7:29)

Christians must permeate society as agents of redemption.

Jesus is calling all of us to address moral corruption and be a glimmer of home in a society that has grown hopeless. How do we infuse the culture and make an influence of the Kingdom, by the Gospel.

Matthew 5:14–16 NASB95

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.

matthew 5:14-

How do we infuse the culture and make an influence of the Kingdom. The Gospel...

I need you to listen to me carefully students, and parents.

The NIV Application Commentary: Matthew Contemporary Significance

The salt metaphor informs us that our lives are important to this world.

You are not a waste of space and breath. This kingdom life can’t be imitated or manufactured.

The NIV Application Commentary: Matthew Contemporary Significance

preserving/seasoning/fertilizing effect

preserving, seasoning and fertilizing effect it has on the people around us. This kingdom life can’t be imitated or manufactured.

Salt in the cabinet is useless, but

The NIV Application Commentary: Matthew Contemporary Significance

live the truth of the gospel for people to see that it is real

The NIV Application Commentary: Matthew Salt and Light (5:13–16)

is living testimony to those in the world who do not yet have that light

You are important to this world. You are the Salt. Have an influence for the Kingdom of God.

No one was a mistake. Despite what you have been through. Jesus declares you can have flavour qualities, you can turn the events of evil for good because you have been entrust with power to preserve the beauty of the Gospel. You are not a waste of space and time.

Here is my appeal to each family represented here as we celebrate all these graduates …

There is one more graduation that we are all looking forward to....

You are not a waste of space and breath. There is one more graduation that we are all looking forward to....

You are the salt.

There is one more graduation that we are all looking forward to....

You are the salt.