Christians in the Public Arena

Consider an interview a Christian leader had with a reporter in 2018. The reporter asked why so many Christians were willing to support political candidates who revel in disobeying Jesus’ teachings. “I think they are finally glad that there’s somebody on the playground that is willing to punch the bully,” the Christian leader replied. “What happened to turning the other cheek?” the reporter asked, referring to Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount about nonretaliation.

“You know, you only have two cheeks,” the Christian replied. Still, the Christian leader’s point is revealing. He apparently thinks Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount are to be followed up to a point. Once important things are at risk, like political power, it’s okay to ignore Jesus’ commands. I call this the “Only Two Cheeks” excuse, and it’s one I’ve heard a lot.

Skye Jethani, What If Jesus Was Serious?: A Visual Guide to the Teachings of Jesus We Love to Ignore, Moody, 2020.

This week we will dig in to this idea of Christians in the public arena. We will be in the Sermon on the Mount in a passage that we have all probably heard many times, but I think speaks particularly well to what we, as followers of Jesus, should look like in any public arena, but especially if we are in any leadership position, and how we should live in order to fulfill the great commission.

Let’s think for a minute what a picture of the saved life might look like. In August, we will spend several weeks in the Beatitudes, which will help to complete the picture that I start to paint today. The last beatitude is a great foundation for this picture, one who hungers and thirsts after righteousness.

A saved person is The Supremely Blessed person which Christ is describing throughout the Beatitudes. His or her life has been changed by the Gospel, and the fruit of that change is found within the beatitudes.

Hatred is the natural response of people who have no affection for Christ when they are confronted by His truth. And since believers are called to be ambassadors for Christ, we are often the objects of this hatred. This is seen often in the media and probably through many other examples in our everyday lives.

Christians speak out on the truths of the word, and they are immediately vilified by those who have no affection for God or His Word. It seems those who speak against God can say anything they desire without little consequence; however, those who speak for God and His Word are called bigoted, narrow minded, hateful and ignorant.

This is the world we are living in; a world greatly opposed to our God. And friends, I fear it is only going to continue to get worse. If you’ve read in your Bible, we know this to be true before the return of Christ.

So, what are we to do? Do we retreat to the monasteries or the wooded communes to avoid this world? Sometimes that may seem to be a nice thought... to totally divorce ourselves from this world. To leave the world and simply live as believers with other believers. But is this the call that believers have from Christ? To run from the world?

NO, IT IS NOT!!!

In fact, the very next words of Christ after the Beatitudes are a call to be influential in this world. We are not to hide; in fact, quite the opposite. We are supposed to influence this world!

We are going to see today that Christ moves from His beatitudes to a very specific message of urgency for His apostles (and by extension all His followers). We are to be Agents of Change in this world.

If you have your Bibles, please turn with me to:

Matthew 5:13–16 NIV

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.

Matthew 5:13–16 The Message

13 “Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. 14 “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. 15 If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. 16 Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

Now you may ask why I read that in two different versions. I think that the Message version leads us to think about why the illustrations of salt and light would convey this important message from Jesus in His day. Salt and light were ideas that would convey a certain level of importance in that day.

1) Salt

Let’s look back at verse (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.

You must take this into context, and you must understand the importance of salt in the ancient world at the time. They had no refrigeration, so they never had a freezer full of food that they would grab something from. Salt was of infinite value because it did two things; it was a preservative and it was a flavoring. Kings actually store-housed salt and at one time was used as money for exchange of goods.

Salt, to be potent, must be mixed with the material it needs to either give taste or conserve.

Because of primitive mining of salt, salt was sometimes impure and lost its saltiness. It was then thrown out and used as a hardener for sidewalks.

So, what does Jesus want to tell us when He calls us to be the salt of the earth?

First, he is talking to all of us that profess Christ as Lord and proclaim to be followers of Christ. “You are the salt of the earth” Who does you refer to? Of course, He is referring to His disciples, and to the crowd that was there with Him.

He is telling us to be preservatives. We are to make an impact with those we come into contact with. We are to be an influence to people. Salt had to be rubbed into the meat so that it would prevent decay. Becoming part of the meat and keeping it from being spoiled. We are to do that.

Christianity- Christ-followers must make a positive effect on the world.

Most colleges started in the USA were started by Christians, hospitals, Red Cross, orphanages, also started by Christians.

You can never make an influence if you never make contact. Fellowship is such an important part of being a Christ-follower – with the body of believers, but also with those who need Christ and His salvation in their lives.

Have you ever gotten salt in an open wound? Stings! Irritates.

Have you ever been around Christians that the only way they get involved in your life is to tell you all the things you are doing wrong? Even what they say may be true; they will not connect and build community because they are not making a positive connection.

Jesus says as followers of Christ we can change the world, change circumstances, change situations, but it will come as we are pure salt with pure motives. Because of impure mining procedures, salt lost its worth and it was thrown on the ground and walked on. Pure salt will do what it was created to do- preserve and flavor.

When people look at you and your life, are they saying you are the real deal? Inconsistent lifestyle rebels people from the church. Does your walk draw people toward God or away from God? How many times have you heard – “If that is what a Christian looks like, I don’t want any part of it.”

How many times have you heard someone say that they are Christian and do things that they know is wrong?

Illustration-

As preacher was building a wooden trellis to support a climbing vine, he was pounding away; he noticed a little boy was watching him. The youngster did not say a word, so the preacher kept on working, thinking the boy would leave, but he didn’t. Pleased at the thought that his work was being admired, the pastor finally said, are you trying to pick up some pointers on gardening? No, said the little boy, just waiting to hear what a preacher says when he smashes his thumb with a hammer.

We are always influencing someone- positive or negative. If your influence was to wait for us to become perfection, none of us would be able to do anything for God.

Listen to some quotes about salt and see how that can influence the way that you connect to people.

“Neither sugar or salt taste particularly good by itself. Each is at its best when used to season something else.”

“Nobody likes salt rubbed into their wounds, even if it is the salt of the earth.”

It is not about perfection, it is about obedience.

We are called by God to be authentic, to be the real deal.

We cannot allow the impurities of the world to affect our usefulness in the kingdom of God.

We cannot be an irritant for the sake of just irritating, but allow those around us to become thirsty for the things of God.

Remember the story of Lot’s wife- she became a pillar of salt because she wanted to be a part of the world. She looked back and wanted the world more than escaping. We are not to be pillars of salt, but emphatically told by Jesus to be salt of the earth.

Our church sign, our Facebook, our website tells people who we are. People pass by that sign or see us on Facebook or our website every day. Most will never step foot in these doors, but if we had an inappropriate saying on one of those, the ones that would never step in now would have ammunition to use because we are held to a higher standard. We are supposed to be the salt of the earth. People are watching each one of us and evaluating their own thoughts on being a Christian and what that looks like.

“You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt loses it saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.”

Most of the salt used in Israel came from the Dead Sea and was full of impurities. This caused it to lose some of its flavor. Salt is a preservative and seasoning, but unless it contacts something or someone, it is wasted.

Salt that stays in the shaker is useless.

2) Light

Let’s look again at verses (14-15). “You are the light of the world; a town 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.”

Again, you is all of us- and light in darkness will make a difference. You cannot have complete darkness as long as there is a bit of light there. Although Jesus fulfilled his promise to be the light of the world, he instructs us that we must be light where we are placed also.

Clearly Jesus expects His people to transform the world by our presence. Our testimony is a light that we shed on those that we encounter. It can be positive or negative.

Jesus says 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.”

Jesus is the light, and as followers of Jesus we reflect that light that comes from Him and we become light to this world.

As believers, we are to reflect the things of God to a world that needs Christ. Just as leadership is to influence people to go in the right direction, we are to be a light and move people toward the things of God, and away from the world.

3) What is our responsibility

So, what is our responsibility as Christ-followers?

Let’s look at verse 16 again. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

People today are all over are looking at us saying, “Don’t tell me, show me” Don’t just talk about it, do it! There is no such thing as a secret Christian. Halfway Christians don’t influence anyone. Also, in case you missed it in Scripture, there is no such thing as a halfway Christian.

Revelation 3:15–17 NIV

15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.

Folks, we are either on fire for Jesus or we are not. I’ll say it again, as I did last week. If you are truly on fire and living for Christ, this will be your natural way of thinking and living. You can’t help but do anything else. It is a natural extension of your life in Christ.

If you take nothing else away from this message this morning, please remember this: God wants us, as followers of His Son,

Let’s talk about politics for a moment. This is one particular area where we see Christians not looking very “Christ-like.” First, some examples of some Godly “politicians” we see in Scripture:

Joseph was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, unfairly accused by Potiphar’s wife, and unjustly imprisoned. After thirteen years of such injustice, he was appointed prime minister of Egypt.

Esther won the beauty contest of Babylon. The king of Babylon, Xerxes, chose her as his wife. As the first lady for a world super power, God’s used her to save the Jews from the treacherous plans of Haman, one of the king’s closest deputies who wanted to exterminate the Jews. In the end, Haman was executed and Esther’s uncle, Mordecai, was promoted in his place.

Nehemiah was a royal cupbearer for Artaxerxes, the Persian king. Being a cupbearer was a position of great political influence. God later used Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. It is important to note how his position as cupbearer aided the process of rebuilding the ruined walls of Jerusalem. He later was to serve as its governor.

Daniel was among the Jewish exiles during the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar. He excelled in his studies together with his three friends—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They were employed into the Babylonian civil service, and because of their excellence were constantly promoted. Daniel later became one of the most respected governors of one of the provinces of Babylon. When Darius, king of Persia, conquered Babylon, Daniel continued his political career under the new regime as the first of the three presidents supervising the work of the 120 princes who ruled the kingdom of Persia. Daniel was also a man of prayer and had prophetic insight.

Most of us today are not in politics, but if we were to, here is some practical advice for us to keep in mind, which I also think is good advice for any of us in any kind of leadership position:

Start by giving all of your life to Jesus. Real service starts with giving our lives as living sacrifices to him—that he may do with us what he wills

Romans 12:1–2 NIV

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

2 Corinthians 5:15 NIV

15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

Know your calling.

Research and know your community. What are the greatest felt needs of the people? Do you have what it takes to meet these needs?

Get involved; start somewhere.

Begin with small steps and be faithful in “small” things.

Learn, learn, learn. Be an example of excellence, good quality, and professionalism.

Be informed. Politicians and other leaders should be people who have the latest information.

Pray, pray, pray. Daniel prayed three times a day. Pray for God’s wisdom and guidance. Politics is like a minefield. Prayer will give you the spiritual glasses and discernment needed to know where to step on.

There are some dangers I have observed in getting involved in politics or leadership in general. But these dangers are also there in other facets of life:

Political involvement and in some leadership situations can become an end in itself instead of a means to an end.

People who are not well-grounded in Christ can easily fall when faced with temptation.

Christian politicians and leaders become prime targets of the enemy because they are directly involved in an area that has been the devil’s domain. In Daniel we read of demonic princes responsible for nations and kingdoms. Light coming into this sphere of darkness will be noticed and reacted against.

Politics demands a lot of work and may influence family relations.

Evil companionship corrupts good manners. Be careful with whom we relate closely.

And if we are not in politics or any sort of leadership position, here is some practical advice for you:

Appreciate, encourage, and support Christian politicians around you.

Do not judge or condemn them because they are associated with a political party or group whose manifesto you consider to be un-Christian.

Pray for other Christian politicians. Request prayers from them. Meet with them occasionally to pray for and with them.

Do not exploit or take advantage of them for your own ends. Many Christians consider politicians as their source of financial support. This is unethical. If there are ways they can be of help to you, go through the normal administrative channel.

Do not put them on a pedestal. They are normal, ordinary people. Give honor to whom honor is due but do not exaggerate. It could be embarrassing.

Friends, God is looking for people he can use as his vessels to reach out to the perishing world. Salt and light are useful only when they are in the right place fulfilling their functions of giving taste, conserving, revealing, and giving direction. God is still asking, “Whom shall I send? Who shall go for us?” Jesus is still commanding us to go into ALL the world and make disciples of all. The creation is groaning in expectation for the manifestation of the children of God. God wants to use you.

So, my question for you is this: Is your life making light in the darkness or don’t people even know you are a believer? People inside church see you one way, but does the world see you the same way? Are you reflecting the light of Jesus to those that you encounter everyday?

It is important what you do when you walk out these doors! People know that you proclaim to be Christ-followers, and whether you like it or not, we are on display all the time. People are just waiting for us to slip up.

To praise the Lord with one’s life is even more important that praising Him with our lips. Let that sink in for a minute. If we are only praising Him with our lips on Sunday mornings and our all day every day is not praise and worship to the Father, we might be that lukewarm person that is despised. We must think about if we really are living our lives for Jesus Christ.

As we close, what impact are you making with those that you encounter?

Or do we fall prey to becoming so busy that we forget the command that Jesus gives each one of us to be a factor in other people’s life by influence and by shedding God’s love by example.

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