Good evening, it's great to be here tonight and to open up this passage.
This is a great passage, I've really enjoyed looking at it over the last wee while.
So, as said, this is a Sermon on the Mount.
We've heard over the last two Sunday evenings that this sermon is Jesus, the radical king,
proclaiming his radical kingdom.
In case anyone hasn't been here, in the preceding chapters to the Sermon on the Mount,
Jesus has been baptised by John, he's been tempted in the wilderness by the devil
and has called his first few disciples to follow him.
It is at this point that we find Jesus teaching the disciples how they are to follow him.
This announcement of God's kingdom is to transform the hearts of his disciples
so that they can love God and their neighbour, including and especially their enemy.
If we are a follower of Christ here tonight,
if we have accepted Jesus as Lord of our lives and as Saviour through the work of the cross,
then this message tonight is for us.
If Christ is our King, then we are his subjects in his upside-down kingdom
where all are invited and no members are privileged over any other.
We are to live out the teachings of the Sermon
in loving response to the work of the Lord Jesus on the cross,
which has put us in the privileged position of being Christ's disciples.
Sponsorship. Sponsorship is big money.
In 2017-18, Federer, I've got a photo of him up here,
he was ranked seventh in Forbes list of the world's highest paid athletes.
He earned $77.2 million in earnings,
and that included $65 million in sponsorship.
He is sponsored by Uniqlo.
That's the clothing brand that he wears, a Chinese brand.
Mercedes-Benz, Lint, Rolex, Credit Suisse, and that's just naming a few.
All of these top brands, they pay massive amounts of money
for top sports people to represent them.
They choose based on who the person is,
how they come across to people,
and whether they'll represent their brand well.
What Federer does, whether it's on the tennis court
or in his personal life,
affects what people think of Uniqlo.
Federer is their representative.
He's got to wear their gear,
he's got to talk about them,
attend their events,
and represent the values of the brand.
Being a Christian means to be Christ-like.
We represent Christ here on earth.
What we say and do affects what people think of us,
which in turn affects what people think about Jesus.
The two go together.
This means that our values have to align with God's values.
Our attitudes are to be aligned with God's attitudes,
and our actions are to be what God would want us to do.
The passage we'll look at is all about being radically different
in the world that we live in,
in order to point people to God.
We are to be God's representatives.
The question to start off with is,
are you representing God in the way that he would want you to?
Last week, Alistair spoke to us about blueprint for the Christian life,
the Beatitudes,
the characteristics of the Christian.
Tonight, we're going to look at salt and light,
and how we are to be God's representatives on earth.
Great.
So, Jesus says in verse 13,
if you want to keep it in front of you, that would be great.
Jesus says that you are the salt of the earth,
in verse 13.
In order to try and understand this phrase,
we need to put ourselves in the mind of those listening at the time.
In Old Testament times,
under the law,
sacrifices were to be salted.
You can find that in Leviticus 2.13 later on,
if you want to look that up.
Now, Paul says in Romans 12,
that Christians are to offer themselves
as living sacrifices to God.
This means that we are to offer our lives
conformed to his ways,
and to live them out in the way that he teaches.
We are to allow God to mold us,
and use us however he chooses,
and for his glory.
Salt was also used as a sign of a covenant,
or an agreement.
Jesus established the new covenant
by offering himself on the cross for our sins.
Jesus dealt with our sins once and for all,
by being the perfect sacrifice.
Hebrews describes Jesus as the guarantor
of this better covenant.
We are the beneficiaries of this new covenant
as redeemed people who have been made right
before our holy and righteous God.
If you are here tonight,
and you are not right with God,
if you have not accepted Jesus as Savior,
then you need to seriously consider these things.
Why not speak to myself or someone else tonight about it?
And as Christians,
we are to lovingly and willingly serve Jesus
as those who have,
undeservedly,
been forgiven by grace.
Ephesians 5 verse 1 to 2 says,
Follow God's example therefore,
as dearly loved children,
and walk in the way of love,
just as Christ loved us,
and gave himself up for us,
as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Are you living your life
as a living sacrifice?
to God?
As well as the thoughts
that this image of salt would have
about sacrifices
and about covenants,
those listening would also think
about their everyday life
and what they used salt for.
Now in Bible times,
salt was the only way
that they could preserve anything.
In the modern world,
refrigeration and freezing,
we've lost this a little bit,
but salt's still used in brining processes
for meat and for fish,
and it stops it going off,
as well as being added into lots of different foods
to increase the shelf life.
So we can still relate to this image.
Now we are to be preservers
of the gospel message in the world.
We are to prevent the corruption
of Jesus' message
and of Christian values.
In an increasingly liberal
and secular society,
Christian values are under threat
from popular opinion
as well as the laws of the land.
We are called to defend our faith,
standing up for what we believe in
and our freedom to share
the good news of Jesus Christ.
Are you standing up
for what you believe in?
Now salt
also causes us to thirst.
So that's good timing.
We've all been there.
You're driving home
after the evening service,
you stop off
at the local Chinese takeaway
for a honey-shredded chili chicken,
and then you wake up
on a Monday morning
and you feel like you've slept
in the desert.
Yeah?
Maybe just us.
Anyway,
we've all had the salty meal
in the past,
and for a while afterwards
we find ourselves
needing to drink a lot.
Now we are called
to make others thirsty
for righteousness.
By our conduct
in our day-to-day lives,
others are to see
that we have something different
and that we are to make them
thirsty for that.
As Christians,
we are to point others
to Christ
and the righteousness
which comes
through our saving faith
in him.
We do so by
studying his word
so that we can learn
and live out his teachings.
We can't live out
his teachings
unless we study
and submit to them.
This is the importance
of regular Bible reading
and attendance at meetings
such as this one
where the Bible
is taught or discussed.
We need to learn
Jesus' teachings
to be conformed
to them
so that we can
carry them out
in our daily lives.
Are you causing others
to thirst for righteousness?
Salt also gives flavor.
I once turned to Corey
and said,
I don't really get
the whole salt thing.
I hardly use it.
To which I got the reply,
well, I put it in your food
every day.
You know,
salt brings out
the flavoring
of the ingredients
in order to make
the whole meal better.
I've been known
to bake from time to time
and almost every recipe
has a bit of salt in it.
And this might seem strange
in a sweet dish,
but it's an integral part
of the process
to bring out
the other flavors,
whether it's vanilla
or chocolate,
whatever it may be.
Now, we are to season
conversations
and situations
with wisdom
from God.
We are to bring out
God's love
and mercy
from the dealings
we have with people
in our day-to-day lives.
Our deeds
and words
are to point people
to the goodness
of God,
not of ourselves.
My sister,
and you can't tell her this,
but she once mixed up
the salt
and the sugar quantities
in a cookie recipe.
So we had one teaspoon
of sugar
and multiple tablespoons
of salt.
And as you can imagine,
as soon as we took a bite,
we just spat it back out again.
Now, we aren't to draw
praise and attention
to ourselves.
You don't put salt
in to taste it.
But we are to be
constantly pointing people
to God.
We are to be
representatives
of the one who saves
and who is truly good.
Are you pointing people
to God
by your words
and your deeds?
It is at this point
that we have a serious
warning about the lives
that we live.
The rest of verse 13 says,
But if the salt loses its flavor,
how shall it be seasoned?
It is then good for nothing
but to be thrown out
and trampled underfoot
by men.
Nowadays,
we eat a refined salt,
which is pure.
But in biblical times,
salt was impure
and it had little vegetable
and earthy parts
mixed in.
And if the salty bits
or the saltiness
had been lost,
then they would use this
for roads and paths,
a kind of equivalent
of gravel.
This helps us to understand
this image slightly better
of salt that has lost
its flavor.
Now we are to take this
as a serious warning.
We are called,
as Jesus' followers,
to be salt,
representing the new covenant,
preserving,
causing thirst
and flavoring.
If we are not doing so,
then we are not being subject
to our king
and following his teachings.
If we are not true
to our calling,
then we are good
for nothing
but to be thrown out
and trampled
underfoot by men.
If we are not true
to our calling,
then we will be trampled
in the world
as hypocritical,
self-righteous people
who do not practice
what we preach.
This is a serious warning
and it should motivate us
to radical change
in our lives.
Jesus also says
in verse 14
that you are the light
of the world.
Light in the Bible,
it's often associated
with goodness,
righteousness
and life.
Whereas darkness
in the Bible
is often associated
with evil,
sin and death.
We are to shine
for Jesus
in the world.
In John 8 verse 12
we read,
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 source
of the light.
We are the reflection
of that light.
Have you ever thought
about the moon?
Following the moon
theme of the week
and of the day
and of the walls.
You know,
the moon is just
a grey lump of rock
rotating around the earth.
There is nothing
of itself
that is beautiful
or gives any joy.
However,
when the sun shines on it,
it glows brightly
and beautifully
and it gives light
to the earth
during the night.
We are like the moon.
We have nothing bright
or attractive
about us on our own
but with Jesus
we have his light
to share
and to illuminate
the darkness.
First of all,
we need to realise
that the world
is a dark place.
Darkness
is the absence
of light.
As we look out
into the world
we can see
that the world
is a place
without God.
The world
is a sinful place
with many living
without God
and the peace
that comes
through our saving
faith in him.
The darkness
is great.
However,
the smallest light
can dispel
the greatest
of darkness.
I always remember
as a child
we would get
power cuts
during the night.
The street lights
would be out,
the hall light
would be off
and the house
would be pitch black.
I would be blindly
trying to find
the door out of my room
when my parents
would come in
holding a small torch
or a candle
and the whole room
would light up
with a warm glow.
This is how we are
to be in the world.
We are to go
through life
dispelling darkness
and shedding light
in the darkest
of places.
We are not strong
in ourselves
but by relying
on Christ.
We can approach
any situation
with confidence
and assurance.
We do not just
have a small light
to shine though.
We have the light
shining through us
of the very one
who is light.
This truth
should compel us
to go out
into the world
as shining
representatives
of Christ.
This is not saying
that we are to be
of the world
joining in sinful
activities
and going along
with the crowd.
We are to conform
to Jesus' ways
not to the ways
of the world.
But on the other
end of the scale
we are not to
shut ourselves off
from the world
and live in a
Christian bubble.
We are to live
in the world
but be so different
in the way
that we live
that people
can't help
but notice.
Are you a shining
representative
of Christ?
We are also
drawn to think
of light
in natural terms
as well.
You know light
allows us
to see the way.
As city dwellers
most of us
there is very
little darkness
even in the depths
of night.
But if you take
a trip out
to the countryside
you can appreciate
real darkness.
If you're on a walk
on a cloudy night
you wouldn't be able
to see a thing
and you'd be
stumbling and tripping
on your root.
You know we are
to shine for Jesus
in our daily lives
showing others
the path
and illuminating
the way.
We are to show
people who are
still in darkness
those who are
not yet Christians
the way that is
good and true
and leads to
eternal life.
We are to share
the good news
of Jesus
with everyone
we meet
be it close
friends,
family or those
who we are
just passing by.
God gives us
opportunities to do
so.
We need to be
brave enough
to take them.
A challenge
might be to go
away and pray
for opportunities
to show others
who you encounter
in your daily
lives
the way.
Furthermore
we can help
other Christians
through our
words and deeds.
We can be
shining examples
of how to live
in a world
that is
increasingly
difficult to
navigate and
full of bumps
in the road.
Are you praying
for and taking
opportunities to
share the good
news of Jesus
with others?
The rest of
verse 14 and
15 if you want
to look back
is a warning
not to hide
our light.
It says
a city that is
set on a hill
cannot be hidden
nor do they
light a lamp
and put it
under a basket
but on a
lamp stand
and it gives
light to all
who are in
the house.
With this
image I always
think of
Edinburgh Castle.
I cycle to
work near the
bypass on the
south side of
the city
and at one
point I can
look left
back across
the city
and I can
see cranes
I can see
tops of
buildings
you can see
Arthur's seat
but the one
thing that
always sticks
out is the
castle built
on the
crags above
the city.
You know
Edinburgh Castle
cannot be hidden
it is there
for all to
see.
This is our
responsibility
as guardians
of the
light.
We are to
shine forth
into the
world as
witnesses of
the one
who is
light.
As with
the salt
though this
is not
about us.
Verse 16
says let
your light
so shine
before men
that they
may see
your good
works and
glorify your
father in
heaven.
This is not
saying that we
are to be
boastful and
showy
in what
we do.
We are to
be
representatives
of God
not advertisers
of ourselves.
Further on
in the
sermon and
I won't
encroach on
what someone
will speak
on in a
few weeks
but there's
a warning
not to do
things so
that others
will see
and give
us praise.
We should
remember this
as we seek
to serve
God in
what we
do.
Jesus he
was the
ultimate
example of
humility
and meekness
and it
is his
example that
we should
follow.
Now you've
probably heard
many a story
about a
celebrity who's
had their
reputation
tarnished.
One of the
ones that
came to my
mind was
Lance Armstrong
the infamous
cyclist who
was central
of the
biggest doping
scandal in
cycling history.
One day he
was the most
successful cyclist
in the world.
He was loved
for his success
but also his
charitable work
but the next
day he was
labelled a
fraud and a
liar who
cheated his
way to the
top.
Suddenly all
the top
brands they
were all
running away
from him.
They didn't
want anything
to do with
him.
And this
isn't unique.
Tiger Woods,
Maria Sharapova,
Mike Tyson all
suffered the
same fate.
These people
were giving
the brand a
bad name by
what they had
done and how
they had
acted.
They as
representatives of
the brand
had tarnished
it in an
instant all
the good
work that
had built
up over
many years.
We are
representatives
of Jesus
reflecting his
light into
the world
in word
and deed.
As we've
heard over
the last
two weeks
being a
Christian is
something that
we behave as
well as we
believe.
Being a
Christian is
about our
attitudes and
our actions.
There are
many well-known
figures who are
Christians and
use their
position to
defend the
Christian faith.
I recently
heard Jeremy
Balfour,
MSP for
Lothian,
speak about
living as a
Christian in
the political
world.
He has a
history of
making challenges
in Parliament
to motions and
rulings which go
against his
faith.
He's a great
example of
someone who
is doing what
he can in the
position that he
has, albeit to
the potential
detriment of his
career.
Now there are
many other
examples that will
come to your
mind of
Christians who
are doing
likewise.
Some of you
might know that
I'm part of
the Edinburgh
Street Pastors.
In case people
don't know what
that is, every
Friday night of
the month and
two Saturdays of
the month, people
from churches all
over Edinburgh
go out into the
streets between
the hours of
11pm and
4am.
The tagline is
listen, care and
help, as that is
what we are there
to do.
We go around
seeing if anyone
is in a difficult
or a vulnerable
situation.
We're there for
people who maybe
just need someone
to listen to them
or people who
need practical
help.
It might be
finding lost
friends, getting
home safely or
getting a warm
drink for the
cold night.
As we meet
people living on
the streets or
spilling out from
pubs and clubs,
the most common
questions are who
are you and why
on earth are you
here at this time
of the night?
Once we explain
who we are and
why we do it,
people are often
amazed that it's
a volunteer service
and that we don't
get anything out
of it.
We do it because
as we go around
Edinburgh we are
shining the light
of Jesus into the
darkest of places
and proclaiming
that his kingdom
come.
This is an example
of being radically
different in the
world we live in.
It's counter-cultural
in today's society
to give up your
time and your
resources in such
a way to serve
others.
But street pastors
is just one example
and I would also
just add that good
deeds are not just
limited to Christians.
Drew a few weeks
ago he talked
about how Basics
Bank which is run
by the church is
such a great way
to care for people
holistically,
physically and
spiritually.
People here also
volunteer with the
Bethany Care van
feeding the homeless
or those who are
struggling.
CAP, Christians
Against Poverty,
also does great work
across the country
and many people
come to faith
through their work.
Practically speaking
it can be great
to be part of groups
who carry out
such activities
in a regular
and organised fashion.
However,
we can be radically
different and reflect
the light of Christ
in our daily lives
whether that's at home,
at work,
or on the sports field.
We are to be
salt and light
representatives
of Jesus
through his power
and for the glory
of our Father
in heaven.
There are many ways
we can serve God
and use our gifts
and skills
to witness for Jesus.
This is our call.
Will we take it up?
It's too easy
and I stress
that I'm challenging
myself here
to sit and nod along
when we hear
from God's word
and then not to put
it into action.
But we need to act.
We're God's representatives
and we need to act
accordingly.
In the morning series
recently we've been
going through the Psalms
and it's been great
to hear how
different hymns
and choruses
have really brought
to light the passages
that we've been studying.
And you know
as I was thinking
about this
if you're going home
and you're humming a tune
I would like it to be this one
and we all
probably all sang it
as we were a kid.
It was
This little light of mine
I'm going to let it shine.
This little light of mine
I'm going to let it shine.
This little light of mine
I'm going to let it shine.
Let it shine.
And then the second verse
Jesus is the light
I'm going to let him shine.
And it finishes
let him shine.
Let him shine.
I'm just going to pray to close
and then we'll
we'll have some questions
for us to discuss.
God and Father
we thank you for your word.
We thank you for the teachings
of the Lord Jesus
and how
even though they were so
many years ago
they are so relevant
to today's world
and to us
as we sit here tonight.
We pray that we will
really take these things on board
that we will think about
this passage
that we have looked at tonight
and that as we go home
we will put these things
into action
and that we will act
and that we will
live radical lives
and really make a difference
in the world that we live in.
That people will see
that we are different
and want to know
why that is
and that we will be
representatives of Jesus
no matter what we are doing
or where we find ourselves.
We pray that as we
open up for a discussion
that we will have
good discussions
and that
you'll bless the rest
of this evening.
We pray this
in Jesus name.
Amen.
We've got a couple
of questions up there
but if you just want
to get a tea or a coffee
if you want one first
bring them back
to your table
and then in a few minutes
if your table
is back together again
you can just discuss
the questions.
So we've got
how does the picture
of the church
as Jesus presents it here
challenge us
considering how we are
often portrayed
and the second one
is what are some
of the opportunities
you have
to be salt and light
representatives of Jesus
in your daily life.
and that
I know
you
I know
it
I know