It's not clear who invented the first microscope,
but around 1600, the Dutch spectacle maker Zacharias Janssen
is credited with making one of the earliest compound microscopes,
ones that used two lenses.
The development of the microscope opened a whole new world of discovery,
allowing scientists to make new insights into the body, disease,
and to see the intricacies of creation.
One such discovery, laminin.
Fun fact, laminin protein is the cell adhesive molecule
that holds our cells together.
Under a microscope, we see it is shaped like a cross.
Last week, we stood and declared what it is we believe,
based on Colossians 1 and verse 17.
Jesus is before all things, and in him all things are held together.
It's crazy how scientific discovery has allowed us to see God's blueprint
for holding the body together.
Laminin.
It's shaped like a cross.
And as we know, the cross connects us to God
and holds us together as one body in Christ.
Is that a coincidence?
Well, back to why I mentioned a microscope.
As Christians, we are under ever-growing scrutiny.
People are vigilantly pulling out the microscope
and interrogating Christians under a magnifying glass,
trying to catch us out.
People want to see our lives matching our faith and belief in Jesus.
And fair enough, really.
As soon as we slip up, people are ready to pounce.
I heard a Christian say this.
I saw a Christian do that.
You wouldn't believe it.
Of course we will fail.
Our human nature is sinful.
It makes me feel better when Christians fail.
I think possibly...
It doesn't make me feel better, sorry,
but it makes other people who aren't Christians feel better.
And I think possibly so they can justify their own disbelief
or their own sinfulness
or maybe feel self-righteous about their own behaviour.
But we are different.
We have a clear understanding and conviction
of the total depravity of our hearts.
We are drawn to God's irresistible grace
and unconditional love,
knowing that if we humble ourselves,
we are forgiven through Jesus.
Christianity isn't a club for good people.
It's a hospital for broken sinners
who need a life overhaul, healing transformation.
How is Jesus impacting our lives?
This new year, we've been looking at Jesus' upside-down kingdom
revealed in the Sermon on the Mount.
The last two weeks,
the Beatitudes, blessings,
or congratulations
go to those who have the complete attitude of Jesus.
We can't have one or a couple
who have the whole attitude of Jesus.
There's no escaping it.
We are under the microscope.
We need our lives
and our love for Jesus
to shine
and we need them to match our calling.
Today, we're considering Jesus' call
to be salt and light in the world.
Before I unpack this,
remember,
when Jesus spoke,
there were no verses.
It's one giant speech.
We can dissect it into fragments,
but we still need to see the big picture.
So while we may focus on a handful of verses,
we need to see what's going on around these
to build context and meaning.
In Matthew 5, verses 13 to 16,
Jesus calls us to be different.
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 are the light of the world.
A city 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 all people
that they may see your good deeds
and praise your Father in heaven.
Jesus uses the metaphor of salt and light
to describe how we should live in this world.
This follows directly after Jesus
has rattled off the Beatitudes.
In other words,
if we live with the beautiful attitudes of Jesus,
we will be salt and light in the world.
And after the salt and light metaphor,
Jesus continues taking the Ten Commandments
to the next level
and concludes actually with a phrase
in verse 48 of chapter 5,
be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Jesus is presenting to those
who are willing to participate in his kingdom
a very difficult task,
a standard in the way we relate to one another,
and it's not being a good person,
it's perfection.
So before we panic,
remember the Christian message
is not about work salvation,
about doing things to be saved.
The good news is stop trying
and start trusting.
Jesus did what we can't do.
He alone meets God's impossible standards.
Jesus who did not come to abolish the law,
but to fulfil it.
Then, once we're right with God,
we're then to be salt and light in the world,
with Jesus as our foundation.
Motivated by love for Jesus
and love for others,
what follows is good works.
And Jesus later goes on to say,
this is the fruit of what you believe.
So the significance of salt and light,
the imagery,
let's draw that out
and let's start with salt.
Salt is essential.
Our bodies require salt
as an element in our diet.
Salt was a vital necessity
for everyday life.
Taken in this way,
Jesus indicates his followers
are vitally important
to the welfare of this world
with their daily presence
and their message.
Salt preserves.
Before people had fridges and freezers,
food was salted to preserve it.
The salt stopped decay.
Jesus wants his followers
to work to preserve
all that is good in our world.
As the world turns even more rotten,
Christians are to have the effect
of delaying moral and spiritual decay.
Salt is valuable.
It was extremely expensive
and labour-intensive
to harvest the mass quantities of salt
necessary for food preservation
and seasoning.
Salt was used as currency
in Jesus' day
and for centuries.
What value can we place on our soul?
Jesus alone
has the words of eternal life.
Salt has value.
Salt is pure.
Many people in ancient times
thought salt was pure
just because of its colour.
It's pure white.
Jesus wants his followers
to have hearts that are pure.
There's high standards
in our thoughts,
our speech,
and our actions.
Salt is seasoning.
Salt enhances the flavour of food.
It makes it taste more interesting.
Try eating chips without salt
to get it.
Knowing Jesus gives life.
It's life to the full
and makes it meaningful.
Jesus wants his followers
to make life more pleasant
for others.
Salt protects.
Salt scattered on roads
melts ice
and makes conditions safe.
In biblical times,
salt was even put on manure heaps
to stop the spread of germs.
Jesus wants his followers
to spread the good news about him
to everyone they meet
and so offer the protection
of God's love to everyone.
Salt was actually used
in small quantities
as a fertiliser
when applied to certain types of soil.
Jesus' disciples
will enhance
the growth of God's work
in this world.
Jesus likens his followers
to salt.
Essential,
valuable,
pure,
preserving,
seasoning,
pleasant,
protecting,
bringing growth.
If our lives
are like salt,
Christians cannot help
but be an influence
for good in society
and history shows this.
Hospitals,
schools,
aged care facilities,
care of the homeless,
orphanages,
abolition of slavery,
worldwide literacy programs.
Christians have been
at the forefront
of these initiatives.
The second metaphor
Jesus uses
to describe
the Christian witness
in the world
is that of light.
Have you ever been
in a place
that is so dark
you actually can't even
see your hand
in front of your face?
When I was in year nine
we were taken
to Currie Currie
on a geography excursion
and I was one of a handful
picked to go down
a mine.
We were in a few
kilometres underground
and we had the
safety helmets
with the torches on top.
At one point
they asked us all
to switch the torches off
and it was eerie.
I'd never been
in something so pitch black.
We left them off
for a while
even as our eyes adjusted
we couldn't see anything
and then further down
in the mine shaft
some other miners
were coming
and just a glimpse
of their light
before it actually
the full blown light
appeared
was enough to start
to illuminate
the darkness.
If we're to be
light in the world
the implication
is that the world
is actually shrouded
in darkness
thick darkness
blind to Jesus' identity.
We are witnesses
for Jesus
we need to shine
God's light
so that those
stumbling through life
in spiritual darkness
can come into
the safety of the light.
Jesus talks about
two sources of light here
the light from
the city on a hill
and the light
from a lamp.
You are
the light of the world
a city 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.
We should be able
to picture these images
if you've done
some long driving
stints out in the country
it can be really dark
but before you get
to the next town
you see it coming
from a distance
because of the glow
reflecting onto the sky.
In ancient times
darkness and light
would have been absolutes
there was no electricity
but you could still
make out the glow
of a city
when navigating
the deserts.
Imagining a world
without light
we can understand
how darkness
can be a terror
and a symbol of evil.
Imagine walking
through a park at night
and I've actually done this
I've actually put the keys
between my fingers
feeling worried
for myself.
The same goes
for hiding a lamp
under a bush.
By modern standards
a lamp doesn't cast
a great amount of light
but if the alternative
is pitch darkness
to distinguish
or cut off the light
it seems ludicrous.
Darkness
things can be hidden
but in the light
things are revealed.
A light
is a guide.
Like in the tunnel
of the coal mine
we needed light.
Lights are used
to guide people
and indicate
the safest direction.
Jesus wants
his followers
to act as guides.
He wants them
to point others
to Jesus
the way
the truth
and the life
and show others
the best way
to live.
A light
is a warning.
Many lights
act as warnings.
Flashing lights
on ambulances
fire engines
the police
lighthouses.
Christians
need to warn
the world
the judgement
is coming
and without Jesus
there is no
prospect
of eternal life.
Light is effective
illuminating darkness.
Without light
there are many things
that we would not
be able to do.
Drive at night
read in bed
and there's all kinds
of accidents
and mischief
that take place
under the cloak
of darkness.
Crimes tend
to happen
at night.
Light increases
our enjoyment
of life
but more importantly
it chases away
the darkness.
Without Jesus
the light
of the world
we shipwreck
our lives.
Jesus wants
his followers
to chase away
sin and darkness
in their own lives
and around them.
Light
is essential.
Plants
need light
in order to grow.
People also
need sunlight
for health
and strength.
We need a good
dose of vitamin D.
They also need
to know
the light
of Christ
in order
to live life
to the full.
Jesus wants
his followers
to shed
the light
of God's love
into the lives
of those
they meet.
A light
should not
be hidden.
A light
that is hidden
is of no help
at all.
Imagine what
would happen
if a set
of traffic lights
were under
a blanket
or a lighthouse
on the clifftops
was extinguished.
Lights
are meant
to be shown
to good advantage.
There is no place
for a quiet
shy
hidden
personal faith.
Jesus wants
us to be open
about the fact
that we follow
him
otherwise
we are of no
use to others.
Be salt
and let your
light shine.
Jesus then
takes it to the
next level
and we glimpse
how upside down
God's kingdom
really is
while further
drawing out
the implications
of what salt
and light
really look like.
Referring to
the Mosaic
law
Jesus says
you've heard
it said
long ago
do you remember
this?
You've heard
it said
long ago
and then he
lists off
a handful
of commandments
do not
murder
most people
can say
great
that's not
me
I haven't
murdered
Jesus
then declares
that anyone
who harbours
anger in their
heart
or even
calls someone
a fool
receives the
same judgment
as a murderer
okay that's
pretty much
everyone
and it does
seem a bit
extreme
do not
commit adultery
you've heard
it once said
do not
commit adultery
everyone goes
yeah we've
heard that
well we may
be hearing
more of this
in society
it is still
frowned upon
by most people
no matter what
their belief
system
and so
you hear this
and if you've
never done this
you go
well good
I'm a good
person
tick
I haven't
done that
but Jesus
then goes
to the next
level
he says
if you've
looked at
someone
lustfully
you've
committed
adultery
in your
heart
now that
seems pretty
extreme
and I'm
pretty sure
that covers
most everyone
so they're
starting to
think well
murder
anger
adultery
lust
oh hang
on Jesus
this is
an impossible
standard
let's go
up a level
love your
enemies
say what
Jesus
now you've
gone too
far
Israel
was under
Roman
occupation
this was
God's
promised
land
and you
want us
to go
to extra
mile
you want
us to
turn the
other
cheek
you want
them to
us to
give our
tunic
you want
us to
lend
willingly
this is
outrageous
Jesus
and when
you give
to the
needy
he goes
on
don't
make a
show of
it
do it
humbly
in secret
no giant
checks
and big
TV coverage
do it
in humility
and don't
boast
you need
to forgive
as your
heavenly father
has forgiven
you
that's
unmerited
it's
unconditional
loving
others
but hang
on
God
please
there's
some
people
that have
just
rubbed me
up the
wrong
way
they've
just
pushed
it too
far
they're
just
too
hard
to
forgive
don't
worry
as
God
looks
after
the
birds
in the
air
and the
flowers
in the
field
how much
more
will he
look
after
us
so
don't
worry
but hang
on
Jesus
I've
just
lost
my
job
and
we've
got
this
huge
mortgage
how are
we're
going to
pay
that
off
don't
judge
others
in the
same
way
you
judge
you
will
be
judged
we're
in such
a
judgy
age
at the
moment
people
just
desperate
to get
likes
on
insta
the
big
pile
on
that
takes
place
when
people
are
cancelled
that's
a
judgment
and
people
are
ruthless
Jesus
standard
is the
next
level
if
we're
going
to be
genuine
followers
of
Jesus
we
need
changing
Jesus
presents
us
presents
us
with a
very
difficult
task
a
standard
in the
way
we
relate
to
one
another
and that
standard
is
100%
reliant
on
God
caring
for
the
poor
and
needy
being
humble
pure
in
heart
meek
peace
loving
persecuted
for
righteousness
loving
enemies
forgiving
not
worrying
not
judging
not
boasting
about
giving
basically
being
salt
and the
light of
Jesus
in the
world
when
the
light of
Jesus
and his
love
shines
through
Christian
deeds
they do
expose
darkness
for what
it is
evil
and
estranged
from
God
here's
another
reason
Christians
experience
persecution
just as
we
cringe
or cover
our
eyes
when a
bright
light
hits
us
in the
eyes
and
just
think
of
driving
at
night
and
someone's
high
beam
when
we
are
salt
and
light
in
the
world
it
can
draw
attention
to
sinful
behaviour
biblical
Christianity
doesn't
win a
popularity
contest
I
could
think
of
times
when
I've
been
at
parties
and
I've
been
talking
with
someone
and
eventually
they say
oh so what do you do for a living
I say I'm a minister
and they go oh what political party are you with
and then when I say I'm a Christian
there's this awkward pause
sometimes a bit of an uncomfortable silence
some discomfort
and then it's almost like you can see in their mind
they're going through
what have I just said
oh I've just been swearing
or blaspheming
and a lot of people start to apologise
for me
to me
and
some even sort of politely go
oh
the others
just got to go and make this
yeah they excuse themselves
Jesus
and by association
Christianity
spotlight things
and actually this is Jesus' verdict
light has come into the world
but people love darkness instead of light
because their deeds are evil
everyone who does evil hates the light
and will not come into the light
for fear that their deeds will be exposed
whoever lives by the truth comes into the light
so that it may be seen plainly
that what they have done
has been done through God
Jesus warns
the world
does not like the light
it likes the darkness
but don't sell out
don't lose your saltiness
and don't hide your light
can salt lose its saltiness?
well because salt by its very nature
cannot be anything other than salt
it cannot lose its property of salt
but it can be sufficiently ruined
rendering it useless
for example if you mix it with sand
you won't discern the salt
and so it loses its saltiness
likewise
when Christians conform
to the immoral
materialistic patterns
of this world
our witness can be rendered ineffective
we can lose our saltiness
the purpose of salt
is to fight
deterioration
the worse the world becomes
the more corrupt
the more it stands
in need of Jesus' followers
when we fail
and it happens to all of us
remember there is grace
we all need God's grace
the Sermon on the Mount
is challenging
it's an impossible standard
that's why we desperately
need Jesus
we all sin
Christians sin
ministers sin
I know colleagues
who are now no longer
in public ministry
due to their sin
Romans 7 reminds us
we don't always do
the good we want to do
so until the new creation
we battle
but in the strength
of the Holy Spirit
and by God's grace
we can be conquerors
don't lose your saltiness
don't hide your light
the answer to living in this world
is not imitation
be like everybody else
fit in
do what everyone else is doing
that's not the answer
and the answer is not isolation
don't be like anybody
don't have any association
with the world
in fact remove yourself
become a recluse
and maybe live in the hills
the answer is not
imitation
the answer is not
isolation
the answer is
insulation
and D.L. Moody
expresses it this way
Christians should live
in the world
but not be filled
with it
a ship in the water
insulated from its surrounds
like a ship
lives in the water
insulated from its surrounds
but if water gets into the ship
she goes to the bottom
so Christians may live in the world
but if the world gets into them
they sink
Jesus concludes
in the same way
let your light shine before others
so that they may see your good works
and give glory to your Father
who is in heaven
believe it or not
the composer
Johann Sebastian Bach
was obscure
for a century
after his death
until he was rediscovered
by Felix Mendelssohn
as a result
many of his compositions
were lost
no one knows how many
but of those
that do survive
on each manuscript
the interesting insertion
in Bach's own hand
of the letters
J.J.
at the beginning of each
and S.D.G.
at the end
they are abbreviations
for the Latin
Jesu
Juva
Jesus
help me
and
Soli
Deo
Gloria
glory
to God
alone
Bach recognised
that his ability
to compose
was not natural
or normal
and was in fact
a gift from God
as a result
his desire
was not to make
a name for himself
but rather use
his gifts
to honour God
and give God
the glory
there needs to be
something different
about us
we are under the
microscope
we need to be
like Jesus
Jesus wants us
to be open
about the fact
that we follow him
otherwise
we are of no use
to him
at all
not only no use
to him
but no use
to others
we need to be
salt and light
in the world
as followers
of Jesus
he wants us
to have an effect
on those
around us
like salt
and light
does
on everything
they come
in contact
with
we are to
have one
motive
like Bach
Soli
Deo
Gloria
glory
to God
alone
in Jesus
upside down
kingdom
being salt
and light
will point
others to
Jesus
and our
motivation
is clear
let your
light shine
before others
so that they
may see
your good
works
and give
glory to
your father
who is in
heaven
let's pray
heavenly
father
we thank
you for
Jesus
witness
and example
how he's
shown us
how to
live
and to
love
help us
to follow
in his
steps
to be
salt
and light
in this
world
for your
glory
and your
glory
alone
in Jesus
name we
pray
amen