WEBVTT

00:00:00.300 --> 00:00:04.360
 Good evening, it's great to be here tonight and to open up this passage.

00:00:05.740 --> 00:00:10.179
 This is a great passage, I've really enjoyed looking at it over the last wee while.

00:00:11.040 --> 00:00:13.179
 So, as said, this is a Sermon on the Mount.

00:00:14.019 --> 00:00:19.240
 We've heard over the last two Sunday evenings that this sermon is Jesus, the radical king,

00:00:20.140 --> 00:00:21.820
 proclaiming his radical kingdom.

00:00:22.760 --> 00:00:27.519
 In case anyone hasn't been here, in the preceding chapters to the Sermon on the Mount,

00:00:27.519 --> 00:00:33.600
 Jesus has been baptised by John, he's been tempted in the wilderness by the devil

00:00:33.600 --> 00:00:36.460
 and has called his first few disciples to follow him.

00:00:37.379 --> 00:00:42.039
 It is at this point that we find Jesus teaching the disciples how they are to follow him.

00:00:43.299 --> 00:00:47.719
 This announcement of God's kingdom is to transform the hearts of his disciples

00:00:47.719 --> 00:00:52.960
 so that they can love God and their neighbour, including and especially their enemy.

00:00:52.960 --> 00:00:57.380
 If we are a follower of Christ here tonight,

00:00:58.359 --> 00:01:04.239
 if we have accepted Jesus as Lord of our lives and as Saviour through the work of the cross,

00:01:04.519 --> 00:01:06.659
 then this message tonight is for us.

00:01:07.500 --> 00:01:12.480
 If Christ is our King, then we are his subjects in his upside-down kingdom

00:01:12.480 --> 00:01:16.719
 where all are invited and no members are privileged over any other.

00:01:16.719 --> 00:01:20.640
 We are to live out the teachings of the Sermon

00:01:20.640 --> 00:01:24.019
 in loving response to the work of the Lord Jesus on the cross,

00:01:24.200 --> 00:01:29.140
 which has put us in the privileged position of being Christ's disciples.

00:01:31.659 --> 00:01:33.680
 Sponsorship. Sponsorship is big money.

00:01:34.379 --> 00:01:37.960
 In 2017-18, Federer, I've got a photo of him up here,

00:01:38.780 --> 00:01:42.960
 he was ranked seventh in Forbes list of the world's highest paid athletes.

00:01:42.959 --> 00:01:47.119
 He earned $77.2 million in earnings,

00:01:47.319 --> 00:01:50.780
 and that included $65 million in sponsorship.

00:01:52.179 --> 00:01:54.679
 He is sponsored by Uniqlo.

00:01:55.339 --> 00:01:58.119
 That's the clothing brand that he wears, a Chinese brand.

00:01:58.199 --> 00:02:02.219
 Mercedes-Benz, Lint, Rolex, Credit Suisse, and that's just naming a few.

00:02:03.280 --> 00:02:06.599
 All of these top brands, they pay massive amounts of money

00:02:06.599 --> 00:02:08.819
 for top sports people to represent them.

00:02:08.819 --> 00:02:12.159
 They choose based on who the person is,

00:02:12.639 --> 00:02:14.039
 how they come across to people,

00:02:14.299 --> 00:02:16.439
 and whether they'll represent their brand well.

00:02:17.739 --> 00:02:20.620
 What Federer does, whether it's on the tennis court

00:02:20.620 --> 00:02:22.019
 or in his personal life,

00:02:22.500 --> 00:02:24.500
 affects what people think of Uniqlo.

00:02:25.740 --> 00:02:27.680
 Federer is their representative.

00:02:28.740 --> 00:02:30.019
 He's got to wear their gear,

00:02:30.299 --> 00:02:31.560
 he's got to talk about them,

00:02:31.759 --> 00:02:32.759
 attend their events,

00:02:32.979 --> 00:02:35.079
 and represent the values of the brand.

00:02:35.080 --> 00:02:39.300
 Being a Christian means to be Christ-like.

00:02:40.420 --> 00:02:42.560
 We represent Christ here on earth.

00:02:43.340 --> 00:02:46.260
 What we say and do affects what people think of us,

00:02:46.640 --> 00:02:49.320
 which in turn affects what people think about Jesus.

00:02:50.400 --> 00:02:51.900
 The two go together.

00:02:53.320 --> 00:02:56.820
 This means that our values have to align with God's values.

00:02:57.260 --> 00:03:00.400
 Our attitudes are to be aligned with God's attitudes,

00:03:00.680 --> 00:03:03.640
 and our actions are to be what God would want us to do.

00:03:03.639 --> 00:03:08.419
 The passage we'll look at is all about being radically different

00:03:08.419 --> 00:03:09.639
 in the world that we live in,

00:03:09.859 --> 00:03:11.959
 in order to point people to God.

00:03:12.719 --> 00:03:14.459
 We are to be God's representatives.

00:03:15.579 --> 00:03:17.279
 The question to start off with is,

00:03:17.399 --> 00:03:20.859
 are you representing God in the way that he would want you to?

00:03:22.319 --> 00:03:26.560
 Last week, Alistair spoke to us about blueprint for the Christian life,

00:03:26.819 --> 00:03:27.539
 the Beatitudes,

00:03:28.099 --> 00:03:29.879
 the characteristics of the Christian.

00:03:30.859 --> 00:03:32.659
 Tonight, we're going to look at salt and light,

00:03:32.659 --> 00:03:36.060
 and how we are to be God's representatives on earth.

00:03:38.379 --> 00:03:38.719
 Great.

00:03:39.000 --> 00:03:41.479
 So, Jesus says in verse 13,

00:03:41.560 --> 00:03:43.439
 if you want to keep it in front of you, that would be great.

00:03:44.199 --> 00:03:46.659
 Jesus says that you are the salt of the earth,

00:03:46.819 --> 00:03:47.800
 in verse 13.

00:03:48.879 --> 00:03:50.780
 In order to try and understand this phrase,

00:03:50.840 --> 00:03:53.659
 we need to put ourselves in the mind of those listening at the time.

00:03:54.800 --> 00:03:56.139
 In Old Testament times,

00:03:56.139 --> 00:03:57.799
 under the law,

00:03:58.039 --> 00:03:59.539
 sacrifices were to be salted.

00:04:00.059 --> 00:04:03.599
 You can find that in Leviticus 2.13 later on,

00:04:03.639 --> 00:04:04.539
 if you want to look that up.

00:04:05.899 --> 00:04:07.459
 Now, Paul says in Romans 12,

00:04:07.599 --> 00:04:09.179
 that Christians are to offer themselves

00:04:09.179 --> 00:04:11.339
 as living sacrifices to God.

00:04:12.639 --> 00:04:14.699
 This means that we are to offer our lives

00:04:14.699 --> 00:04:16.159
 conformed to his ways,

00:04:16.560 --> 00:04:18.560
 and to live them out in the way that he teaches.

00:04:18.560 --> 00:04:21.480
 We are to allow God to mold us,

00:04:21.660 --> 00:04:23.480
 and use us however he chooses,

00:04:24.040 --> 00:04:24.939
 and for his glory.

00:04:27.420 --> 00:04:29.860
 Salt was also used as a sign of a covenant,

00:04:30.019 --> 00:04:30.620
 or an agreement.

00:04:32.480 --> 00:04:34.160
 Jesus established the new covenant

00:04:34.160 --> 00:04:37.519
 by offering himself on the cross for our sins.

00:04:38.779 --> 00:04:41.019
 Jesus dealt with our sins once and for all,

00:04:41.240 --> 00:04:42.560
 by being the perfect sacrifice.

00:04:42.560 --> 00:04:47.300
 Hebrews describes Jesus as the guarantor

00:04:47.300 --> 00:04:48.639
 of this better covenant.

00:04:49.959 --> 00:04:52.439
 We are the beneficiaries of this new covenant

00:04:52.439 --> 00:04:55.120
 as redeemed people who have been made right

00:04:55.120 --> 00:04:57.160
 before our holy and righteous God.

00:04:58.800 --> 00:05:00.019
 If you are here tonight,

00:05:00.100 --> 00:05:01.360
 and you are not right with God,

00:05:02.160 --> 00:05:04.439
 if you have not accepted Jesus as Savior,

00:05:05.040 --> 00:05:07.319
 then you need to seriously consider these things.

00:05:08.319 --> 00:05:10.980
 Why not speak to myself or someone else tonight about it?

00:05:10.980 --> 00:05:13.180
 And as Christians,

00:05:13.379 --> 00:05:16.439
 we are to lovingly and willingly serve Jesus

00:05:16.439 --> 00:05:17.900
 as those who have,

00:05:18.400 --> 00:05:19.180
 undeservedly,

00:05:19.560 --> 00:05:20.879
 been forgiven by grace.

00:05:22.400 --> 00:05:24.580
 Ephesians 5 verse 1 to 2 says,

00:05:24.939 --> 00:05:26.540
 Follow God's example therefore,

00:05:27.020 --> 00:05:28.300
 as dearly loved children,

00:05:28.819 --> 00:05:30.180
 and walk in the way of love,

00:05:30.620 --> 00:05:32.000
 just as Christ loved us,

00:05:32.120 --> 00:05:33.660
 and gave himself up for us,

00:05:34.080 --> 00:05:36.920
 as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

00:05:38.060 --> 00:05:39.580
 Are you living your life

00:05:39.580 --> 00:05:40.879
 as a living sacrifice?

00:05:40.980 --> 00:05:41.520
 to God?

00:05:44.520 --> 00:05:45.580
 As well as the thoughts

00:05:45.580 --> 00:05:47.140
 that this image of salt would have

00:05:47.140 --> 00:05:49.240
 about sacrifices

00:05:49.240 --> 00:05:50.400
 and about covenants,

00:05:50.800 --> 00:05:52.080
 those listening would also think

00:05:52.080 --> 00:05:53.379
 about their everyday life

00:05:53.379 --> 00:05:55.240
 and what they used salt for.

00:05:56.200 --> 00:05:57.300
 Now in Bible times,

00:05:57.439 --> 00:05:58.319
 salt was the only way

00:05:58.319 --> 00:05:59.879
 that they could preserve anything.

00:06:00.920 --> 00:06:01.819
 In the modern world,

00:06:01.920 --> 00:06:02.960
 refrigeration and freezing,

00:06:03.100 --> 00:06:04.259
 we've lost this a little bit,

00:06:04.700 --> 00:06:06.920
 but salt's still used in brining processes

00:06:06.920 --> 00:06:09.160
 for meat and for fish,

00:06:09.460 --> 00:06:10.939
 and it stops it going off,

00:06:11.280 --> 00:06:13.400
 as well as being added into lots of different foods

00:06:13.400 --> 00:06:15.480
 to increase the shelf life.

00:06:16.040 --> 00:06:17.819
 So we can still relate to this image.

00:06:18.879 --> 00:06:20.580
 Now we are to be preservers

00:06:20.580 --> 00:06:22.680
 of the gospel message in the world.

00:06:22.680 --> 00:06:25.959
 We are to prevent the corruption

00:06:25.959 --> 00:06:27.579
 of Jesus' message

00:06:27.579 --> 00:06:28.939
 and of Christian values.

00:06:30.220 --> 00:06:31.819
 In an increasingly liberal

00:06:31.819 --> 00:06:33.439
 and secular society,

00:06:33.660 --> 00:06:35.400
 Christian values are under threat

00:06:35.400 --> 00:06:36.980
 from popular opinion

00:06:36.980 --> 00:06:38.879
 as well as the laws of the land.

00:06:38.879 --> 00:06:41.860
 We are called to defend our faith,

00:06:42.560 --> 00:06:44.100
 standing up for what we believe in

00:06:44.100 --> 00:06:45.779
 and our freedom to share

00:06:45.779 --> 00:06:47.180
 the good news of Jesus Christ.

00:06:48.279 --> 00:06:49.420
 Are you standing up

00:06:49.420 --> 00:06:50.360
 for what you believe in?

00:06:51.620 --> 00:06:52.279
 Now salt

00:06:52.279 --> 00:06:55.300
 also causes us to thirst.

00:06:55.759 --> 00:06:56.399
 So that's good timing.

00:06:58.040 --> 00:06:59.019
 We've all been there.

00:06:59.339 --> 00:07:00.120
 You're driving home

00:07:00.120 --> 00:07:01.120
 after the evening service,

00:07:01.579 --> 00:07:02.300
 you stop off

00:07:02.300 --> 00:07:03.540
 at the local Chinese takeaway

00:07:03.540 --> 00:07:05.040
 for a honey-shredded chili chicken,

00:07:05.300 --> 00:07:06.579
 and then you wake up

00:07:06.579 --> 00:07:07.319
 on a Monday morning

00:07:07.319 --> 00:07:08.319
 and you feel like you've slept

00:07:08.319 --> 00:07:08.860
 in the desert.

00:07:10.019 --> 00:07:10.240
 Yeah?

00:07:10.920 --> 00:07:12.339
 Maybe just us.

00:07:13.819 --> 00:07:14.219
 Anyway,

00:07:14.519 --> 00:07:16.579
 we've all had the salty meal

00:07:16.579 --> 00:07:17.120
 in the past,

00:07:17.319 --> 00:07:18.360
 and for a while afterwards

00:07:18.360 --> 00:07:19.219
 we find ourselves

00:07:19.219 --> 00:07:20.540
 needing to drink a lot.

00:07:22.259 --> 00:07:23.199
 Now we are called

00:07:23.199 --> 00:07:24.560
 to make others thirsty

00:07:24.560 --> 00:07:25.680
 for righteousness.

00:07:27.259 --> 00:07:28.319
 By our conduct

00:07:28.319 --> 00:07:29.500
 in our day-to-day lives,

00:07:30.019 --> 00:07:30.779
 others are to see

00:07:30.779 --> 00:07:32.120
 that we have something different

00:07:32.120 --> 00:07:34.439
 and that we are to make them

00:07:34.439 --> 00:07:35.519
 thirsty for that.

00:07:37.000 --> 00:07:37.800
 As Christians,

00:07:37.800 --> 00:07:38.900
 we are to point others

00:07:38.900 --> 00:07:39.500
 to Christ

00:07:39.500 --> 00:07:40.840
 and the righteousness

00:07:40.840 --> 00:07:41.680
 which comes

00:07:41.680 --> 00:07:42.759
 through our saving faith

00:07:42.759 --> 00:07:43.240
 in him.

00:07:44.600 --> 00:07:45.920
 We do so by

00:07:45.920 --> 00:07:47.100
 studying his word

00:07:47.100 --> 00:07:48.199
 so that we can learn

00:07:48.199 --> 00:07:49.460
 and live out his teachings.

00:07:50.340 --> 00:07:51.500
 We can't live out

00:07:51.500 --> 00:07:52.139
 his teachings

00:07:52.139 --> 00:07:53.560
 unless we study

00:07:53.560 --> 00:07:54.920
 and submit to them.

00:07:55.800 --> 00:07:56.660
 This is the importance

00:07:56.660 --> 00:07:58.100
 of regular Bible reading

00:07:58.100 --> 00:08:00.100
 and attendance at meetings

00:08:00.100 --> 00:08:00.920
 such as this one

00:08:00.920 --> 00:08:01.740
 where the Bible

00:08:01.740 --> 00:08:02.780
 is taught or discussed.

00:08:02.779 --> 00:08:04.719
 We need to learn

00:08:04.719 --> 00:08:05.639
 Jesus' teachings

00:08:05.639 --> 00:08:07.359
 to be conformed

00:08:07.359 --> 00:08:07.819
 to them

00:08:07.819 --> 00:08:08.859
 so that we can

00:08:08.859 --> 00:08:09.579
 carry them out

00:08:09.579 --> 00:08:10.619
 in our daily lives.

00:08:11.919 --> 00:08:12.779
 Are you causing others

00:08:12.779 --> 00:08:13.879
 to thirst for righteousness?

00:08:16.019 --> 00:08:17.579
 Salt also gives flavor.

00:08:18.239 --> 00:08:19.199
 I once turned to Corey

00:08:19.199 --> 00:08:19.619
 and said,

00:08:19.679 --> 00:08:20.179
 I don't really get

00:08:20.179 --> 00:08:21.059
 the whole salt thing.

00:08:21.279 --> 00:08:22.179
 I hardly use it.

00:08:22.279 --> 00:08:23.299
 To which I got the reply,

00:08:23.500 --> 00:08:24.519
 well, I put it in your food

00:08:24.519 --> 00:08:25.019
 every day.

00:08:26.559 --> 00:08:26.819
 You know,

00:08:26.899 --> 00:08:27.519
 salt brings out

00:08:27.519 --> 00:08:28.319
 the flavoring

00:08:28.319 --> 00:08:29.159
 of the ingredients

00:08:29.159 --> 00:08:30.000
 in order to make

00:08:30.000 --> 00:08:30.919
 the whole meal better.

00:08:30.920 --> 00:08:32.340
 I've been known

00:08:32.340 --> 00:08:33.539
 to bake from time to time

00:08:33.539 --> 00:08:34.800
 and almost every recipe

00:08:34.800 --> 00:08:36.019
 has a bit of salt in it.

00:08:36.740 --> 00:08:37.779
 And this might seem strange

00:08:37.779 --> 00:08:38.620
 in a sweet dish,

00:08:39.080 --> 00:08:40.980
 but it's an integral part

00:08:40.980 --> 00:08:41.539
 of the process

00:08:41.539 --> 00:08:42.120
 to bring out

00:08:42.120 --> 00:08:42.920
 the other flavors,

00:08:43.139 --> 00:08:43.899
 whether it's vanilla

00:08:43.899 --> 00:08:44.600
 or chocolate,

00:08:44.700 --> 00:08:45.420
 whatever it may be.

00:08:46.940 --> 00:08:47.980
 Now, we are to season

00:08:47.980 --> 00:08:48.759
 conversations

00:08:48.759 --> 00:08:49.940
 and situations

00:08:49.940 --> 00:08:50.620
 with wisdom

00:08:50.620 --> 00:08:51.720
 from God.

00:08:53.259 --> 00:08:54.279
 We are to bring out

00:08:54.279 --> 00:08:54.980
 God's love

00:08:54.980 --> 00:08:55.940
 and mercy

00:08:55.940 --> 00:08:57.480
 from the dealings

00:08:57.480 --> 00:08:58.340
 we have with people

00:08:58.340 --> 00:08:59.539
 in our day-to-day lives.

00:09:00.919 --> 00:09:01.759
 Our deeds

00:09:01.759 --> 00:09:02.259
 and words

00:09:02.259 --> 00:09:03.139
 are to point people

00:09:03.139 --> 00:09:03.759
 to the goodness

00:09:03.759 --> 00:09:04.279
 of God,

00:09:04.939 --> 00:09:06.279
 not of ourselves.

00:09:07.319 --> 00:09:08.120
 My sister,

00:09:08.459 --> 00:09:09.639
 and you can't tell her this,

00:09:10.019 --> 00:09:10.979
 but she once mixed up

00:09:10.979 --> 00:09:11.419
 the salt

00:09:11.419 --> 00:09:12.459
 and the sugar quantities

00:09:12.459 --> 00:09:13.479
 in a cookie recipe.

00:09:14.019 --> 00:09:15.079
 So we had one teaspoon

00:09:15.079 --> 00:09:15.659
 of sugar

00:09:15.659 --> 00:09:17.059
 and multiple tablespoons

00:09:17.059 --> 00:09:17.599
 of salt.

00:09:18.120 --> 00:09:18.939
 And as you can imagine,

00:09:19.059 --> 00:09:19.919
 as soon as we took a bite,

00:09:20.000 --> 00:09:21.199
 we just spat it back out again.

00:09:22.360 --> 00:09:23.279
 Now, we aren't to draw

00:09:23.279 --> 00:09:24.299
 praise and attention

00:09:24.299 --> 00:09:25.079
 to ourselves.

00:09:25.319 --> 00:09:26.139
 You don't put salt

00:09:26.139 --> 00:09:26.879
 in to taste it.

00:09:27.679 --> 00:09:28.620
 But we are to be

00:09:28.620 --> 00:09:30.019
 constantly pointing people

00:09:30.019 --> 00:09:30.699
 to God.

00:09:31.399 --> 00:09:32.279
 We are to be

00:09:32.279 --> 00:09:32.899
 representatives

00:09:32.899 --> 00:09:34.519
 of the one who saves

00:09:34.519 --> 00:09:36.179
 and who is truly good.

00:09:37.279 --> 00:09:38.399
 Are you pointing people

00:09:38.399 --> 00:09:39.019
 to God

00:09:39.019 --> 00:09:39.939
 by your words

00:09:39.939 --> 00:09:41.139
 and your deeds?

00:09:43.679 --> 00:09:44.799
 It is at this point

00:09:44.799 --> 00:09:45.679
 that we have a serious

00:09:45.679 --> 00:09:46.759
 warning about the lives

00:09:46.759 --> 00:09:47.299
 that we live.

00:09:48.159 --> 00:09:49.799
 The rest of verse 13 says,

00:09:49.799 --> 00:09:51.939
 But if the salt loses its flavor,

00:09:52.399 --> 00:09:53.559
 how shall it be seasoned?

00:09:54.500 --> 00:09:55.959
 It is then good for nothing

00:09:55.959 --> 00:09:57.139
 but to be thrown out

00:09:57.139 --> 00:09:58.539
 and trampled underfoot

00:09:58.539 --> 00:09:59.199
 by men.

00:10:00.819 --> 00:10:01.259
 Nowadays,

00:10:01.519 --> 00:10:02.659
 we eat a refined salt,

00:10:03.299 --> 00:10:04.079
 which is pure.

00:10:04.259 --> 00:10:05.279
 But in biblical times,

00:10:05.779 --> 00:10:06.579
 salt was impure

00:10:06.579 --> 00:10:07.659
 and it had little vegetable

00:10:07.659 --> 00:10:08.679
 and earthy parts

00:10:08.679 --> 00:10:09.419
 mixed in.

00:10:10.139 --> 00:10:11.479
 And if the salty bits

00:10:11.479 --> 00:10:12.339
 or the saltiness

00:10:12.339 --> 00:10:13.159
 had been lost,

00:10:13.659 --> 00:10:14.639
 then they would use this

00:10:14.639 --> 00:10:15.759
 for roads and paths,

00:10:15.919 --> 00:10:16.620
 a kind of equivalent

00:10:16.620 --> 00:10:17.139
 of gravel.

00:10:17.139 --> 00:10:19.620
 This helps us to understand

00:10:19.620 --> 00:10:20.860
 this image slightly better

00:10:20.860 --> 00:10:22.179
 of salt that has lost

00:10:22.179 --> 00:10:22.720
 its flavor.

00:10:24.120 --> 00:10:25.319
 Now we are to take this

00:10:25.319 --> 00:10:26.279
 as a serious warning.

00:10:27.240 --> 00:10:27.740
 We are called,

00:10:27.879 --> 00:10:28.879
 as Jesus' followers,

00:10:29.419 --> 00:10:30.080
 to be salt,

00:10:30.720 --> 00:10:32.039
 representing the new covenant,

00:10:32.539 --> 00:10:33.000
 preserving,

00:10:33.559 --> 00:10:34.460
 causing thirst

00:10:34.460 --> 00:10:35.460
 and flavoring.

00:10:36.559 --> 00:10:37.860
 If we are not doing so,

00:10:38.240 --> 00:10:39.519
 then we are not being subject

00:10:39.519 --> 00:10:40.340
 to our king

00:10:40.340 --> 00:10:42.419
 and following his teachings.

00:10:43.819 --> 00:10:45.200
 If we are not true

00:10:45.200 --> 00:10:47.560
 to our calling,

00:10:47.900 --> 00:10:49.020
 then we are good

00:10:49.020 --> 00:10:49.580
 for nothing

00:10:49.580 --> 00:10:50.660
 but to be thrown out

00:10:50.660 --> 00:10:51.300
 and trampled

00:10:51.300 --> 00:10:52.740
 underfoot by men.

00:10:54.000 --> 00:10:54.920
 If we are not true

00:10:54.920 --> 00:10:55.580
 to our calling,

00:10:56.060 --> 00:10:57.000
 then we will be trampled

00:10:57.000 --> 00:10:57.560
 in the world

00:10:57.560 --> 00:10:58.540
 as hypocritical,

00:10:59.100 --> 00:11:00.100
 self-righteous people

00:11:00.100 --> 00:11:00.980
 who do not practice

00:11:00.980 --> 00:11:01.780
 what we preach.

00:11:02.860 --> 00:11:04.180
 This is a serious warning

00:11:04.180 --> 00:11:05.240
 and it should motivate us

00:11:05.240 --> 00:11:06.280
 to radical change

00:11:06.280 --> 00:11:06.920
 in our lives.

00:11:09.060 --> 00:11:10.120
 Jesus also says

00:11:10.120 --> 00:11:10.940
 in verse 14

00:11:10.940 --> 00:11:11.980
 that you are the light

00:11:11.980 --> 00:11:12.540
 of the world.

00:11:12.539 --> 00:11:15.379
 Light in the Bible,

00:11:15.699 --> 00:11:16.719
 it's often associated

00:11:16.719 --> 00:11:17.500
 with goodness,

00:11:18.079 --> 00:11:18.480
 righteousness

00:11:18.480 --> 00:11:19.659
 and life.

00:11:20.199 --> 00:11:21.059
 Whereas darkness

00:11:21.059 --> 00:11:21.620
 in the Bible

00:11:21.620 --> 00:11:22.799
 is often associated

00:11:22.799 --> 00:11:23.559
 with evil,

00:11:24.240 --> 00:11:25.480
 sin and death.

00:11:26.980 --> 00:11:28.039
 We are to shine

00:11:28.039 --> 00:11:28.519
 for Jesus

00:11:28.519 --> 00:11:29.559
 in the world.

00:11:31.360 --> 00:11:33.240
 In John 8 verse 12

00:11:33.240 --> 00:11:34.199
 we read,

00:11:34.659 --> 00:11:35.379
 I am the light

00:11:35.379 --> 00:11:35.980
 of the world.

00:11:36.259 --> 00:11:37.299
 Whoever follows me

00:11:37.299 --> 00:11:38.139
 will never walk

00:11:38.139 --> 00:11:38.639
 in darkness

00:11:38.639 --> 00:11:39.899
 but will have

00:11:39.899 --> 00:11:40.439
 the light

00:11:40.439 --> 00:11:41.199
 of life.

00:11:41.200 --> 00:11:43.780
 Jesus is the source

00:11:43.780 --> 00:11:44.700
 of the light.

00:11:45.720 --> 00:11:46.940
 We are the reflection

00:11:46.940 --> 00:11:48.140
 of that light.

00:11:49.320 --> 00:11:49.920
 Have you ever thought

00:11:49.920 --> 00:11:50.440
 about the moon?

00:11:51.080 --> 00:11:51.800
 Following the moon

00:11:51.800 --> 00:11:52.600
 theme of the week

00:11:52.600 --> 00:11:53.340
 and of the day

00:11:53.340 --> 00:11:54.220
 and of the walls.

00:11:54.879 --> 00:11:55.120
 You know,

00:11:55.180 --> 00:11:55.740
 the moon is just

00:11:55.740 --> 00:11:57.680
 a grey lump of rock

00:11:57.680 --> 00:11:58.860
 rotating around the earth.

00:11:59.640 --> 00:12:00.259
 There is nothing

00:12:00.259 --> 00:12:00.940
 of itself

00:12:00.940 --> 00:12:01.780
 that is beautiful

00:12:01.780 --> 00:12:03.200
 or gives any joy.

00:12:03.500 --> 00:12:03.820
 However,

00:12:04.200 --> 00:12:05.460
 when the sun shines on it,

00:12:06.460 --> 00:12:07.480
 it glows brightly

00:12:07.480 --> 00:12:08.120
 and beautifully

00:12:08.120 --> 00:12:09.100
 and it gives light

00:12:09.100 --> 00:12:09.759
 to the earth

00:12:09.759 --> 00:12:10.759
 during the night.

00:12:11.819 --> 00:12:13.039
 We are like the moon.

00:12:13.639 --> 00:12:14.700
 We have nothing bright

00:12:14.700 --> 00:12:15.259
 or attractive

00:12:15.259 --> 00:12:16.399
 about us on our own

00:12:16.399 --> 00:12:17.919
 but with Jesus

00:12:17.919 --> 00:12:18.860
 we have his light

00:12:18.860 --> 00:12:19.439
 to share

00:12:19.439 --> 00:12:20.539
 and to illuminate

00:12:20.539 --> 00:12:21.179
 the darkness.

00:12:23.740 --> 00:12:24.539
 First of all,

00:12:24.740 --> 00:12:25.799
 we need to realise

00:12:25.799 --> 00:12:26.340
 that the world

00:12:26.340 --> 00:12:27.259
 is a dark place.

00:12:28.439 --> 00:12:28.740
 Darkness

00:12:28.740 --> 00:12:29.960
 is the absence

00:12:29.960 --> 00:12:30.740
 of light.

00:12:31.740 --> 00:12:32.580
 As we look out

00:12:32.580 --> 00:12:33.059
 into the world

00:12:33.059 --> 00:12:33.679
 we can see

00:12:33.679 --> 00:12:34.179
 that the world

00:12:34.179 --> 00:12:34.779
 is a place

00:12:34.779 --> 00:12:35.419
 without God.

00:12:36.080 --> 00:12:36.679
 The world

00:12:36.679 --> 00:12:37.740
 is a sinful place

00:12:37.740 --> 00:12:38.919
 with many living

00:12:38.919 --> 00:12:39.620
 without God

00:12:39.620 --> 00:12:40.240
 and the peace

00:12:40.240 --> 00:12:40.680
 that comes

00:12:40.680 --> 00:12:41.259
 through our saving

00:12:41.259 --> 00:12:42.200
 faith in him.

00:12:43.820 --> 00:12:44.539
 The darkness

00:12:44.539 --> 00:12:45.180
 is great.

00:12:45.960 --> 00:12:46.360
 However,

00:12:46.799 --> 00:12:47.759
 the smallest light

00:12:47.759 --> 00:12:48.399
 can dispel

00:12:48.399 --> 00:12:48.879
 the greatest

00:12:48.879 --> 00:12:49.500
 of darkness.

00:12:50.759 --> 00:12:51.480
 I always remember

00:12:51.480 --> 00:12:52.000
 as a child

00:12:52.000 --> 00:12:52.360
 we would get

00:12:52.360 --> 00:12:52.980
 power cuts

00:12:52.980 --> 00:12:53.600
 during the night.

00:12:54.279 --> 00:12:54.879
 The street lights

00:12:54.879 --> 00:12:55.419
 would be out,

00:12:55.779 --> 00:12:56.240
 the hall light

00:12:56.240 --> 00:12:56.740
 would be off

00:12:56.740 --> 00:12:57.120
 and the house

00:12:57.120 --> 00:12:57.960
 would be pitch black.

00:12:58.700 --> 00:12:59.299
 I would be blindly

00:12:59.299 --> 00:12:59.940
 trying to find

00:12:59.940 --> 00:13:00.779
 the door out of my room

00:13:00.779 --> 00:13:01.299
 when my parents

00:13:01.299 --> 00:13:01.879
 would come in

00:13:01.879 --> 00:13:03.039
 holding a small torch

00:13:03.039 --> 00:13:03.600
 or a candle

00:13:03.600 --> 00:13:04.840
 and the whole room

00:13:04.840 --> 00:13:05.539
 would light up

00:13:05.539 --> 00:13:06.459
 with a warm glow.

00:13:07.699 --> 00:13:08.500
 This is how we are

00:13:08.500 --> 00:13:09.399
 to be in the world.

00:13:10.419 --> 00:13:11.259
 We are to go

00:13:11.259 --> 00:13:11.959
 through life

00:13:11.959 --> 00:13:13.019
 dispelling darkness

00:13:13.019 --> 00:13:14.000
 and shedding light

00:13:14.000 --> 00:13:14.860
 in the darkest

00:13:14.860 --> 00:13:15.519
 of places.

00:13:17.199 --> 00:13:18.439
 We are not strong

00:13:18.439 --> 00:13:19.039
 in ourselves

00:13:19.039 --> 00:13:20.439
 but by relying

00:13:20.439 --> 00:13:21.519
 on Christ.

00:13:22.620 --> 00:13:23.679
 We can approach

00:13:23.679 --> 00:13:24.639
 any situation

00:13:24.639 --> 00:13:25.579
 with confidence

00:13:25.579 --> 00:13:26.419
 and assurance.

00:13:28.179 --> 00:13:29.199
 We do not just

00:13:29.199 --> 00:13:30.039
 have a small light

00:13:30.039 --> 00:13:30.679
 to shine though.

00:13:31.599 --> 00:13:32.419
 We have the light

00:13:32.419 --> 00:13:33.459
 shining through us

00:13:33.459 --> 00:13:34.539
 of the very one

00:13:34.539 --> 00:13:35.699
 who is light.

00:13:37.459 --> 00:13:38.339
 This truth

00:13:38.339 --> 00:13:39.539
 should compel us

00:13:39.539 --> 00:13:40.039
 to go out

00:13:40.039 --> 00:13:40.639
 into the world

00:13:40.639 --> 00:13:41.259
 as shining

00:13:41.259 --> 00:13:42.019
 representatives

00:13:42.019 --> 00:13:43.120
 of Christ.

00:13:44.959 --> 00:13:46.259
 This is not saying

00:13:46.259 --> 00:13:47.579
 that we are to be

00:13:47.579 --> 00:13:48.439
 of the world

00:13:48.439 --> 00:13:49.679
 joining in sinful

00:13:49.679 --> 00:13:50.299
 activities

00:13:50.299 --> 00:13:51.299
 and going along

00:13:51.299 --> 00:13:51.899
 with the crowd.

00:13:52.899 --> 00:13:53.980
 We are to conform

00:13:53.980 --> 00:13:55.079
 to Jesus' ways

00:13:55.079 --> 00:13:56.599
 not to the ways

00:13:56.599 --> 00:13:57.159
 of the world.

00:13:58.099 --> 00:13:58.639
 But on the other

00:13:58.639 --> 00:13:59.339
 end of the scale

00:13:59.339 --> 00:14:00.519
 we are not to

00:14:00.519 --> 00:14:01.379
 shut ourselves off

00:14:01.379 --> 00:14:01.959
 from the world

00:14:01.959 --> 00:14:02.819
 and live in a

00:14:02.819 --> 00:14:03.519
 Christian bubble.

00:14:04.539 --> 00:14:05.699
 We are to live

00:14:05.699 --> 00:14:06.219
 in the world

00:14:06.219 --> 00:14:07.379
 but be so different

00:14:07.379 --> 00:14:07.959
 in the way

00:14:07.959 --> 00:14:08.539
 that we live

00:14:08.539 --> 00:14:09.339
 that people

00:14:09.339 --> 00:14:10.079
 can't help

00:14:10.079 --> 00:14:10.799
 but notice.

00:14:12.219 --> 00:14:13.199
 Are you a shining

00:14:13.199 --> 00:14:13.839
 representative

00:14:13.839 --> 00:14:14.459
 of Christ?

00:14:17.480 --> 00:14:18.199
 We are also

00:14:18.199 --> 00:14:18.740
 drawn to think

00:14:18.740 --> 00:14:19.079
 of light

00:14:19.079 --> 00:14:20.019
 in natural terms

00:14:20.019 --> 00:14:20.379
 as well.

00:14:21.219 --> 00:14:21.599
 You know light

00:14:21.599 --> 00:14:22.139
 allows us

00:14:22.139 --> 00:14:22.799
 to see the way.

00:14:23.240 --> 00:14:24.159
 As city dwellers

00:14:24.159 --> 00:14:24.759
 most of us

00:14:24.759 --> 00:14:25.759
 there is very

00:14:25.759 --> 00:14:26.360
 little darkness

00:14:26.360 --> 00:14:27.539
 even in the depths

00:14:27.539 --> 00:14:27.899
 of night.

00:14:28.559 --> 00:14:29.339
 But if you take

00:14:29.339 --> 00:14:29.819
 a trip out

00:14:29.819 --> 00:14:30.419
 to the countryside

00:14:30.419 --> 00:14:31.839
 you can appreciate

00:14:31.839 --> 00:14:32.579
 real darkness.

00:14:32.580 --> 00:14:34.360
 If you're on a walk

00:14:34.360 --> 00:14:35.160
 on a cloudy night

00:14:35.160 --> 00:14:36.240
 you wouldn't be able

00:14:36.240 --> 00:14:36.940
 to see a thing

00:14:36.940 --> 00:14:37.800
 and you'd be

00:14:37.800 --> 00:14:38.860
 stumbling and tripping

00:14:38.860 --> 00:14:39.700
 on your root.

00:14:41.200 --> 00:14:41.940
 You know we are

00:14:41.940 --> 00:14:42.820
 to shine for Jesus

00:14:42.820 --> 00:14:44.160
 in our daily lives

00:14:44.160 --> 00:14:45.460
 showing others

00:14:45.460 --> 00:14:46.120
 the path

00:14:46.120 --> 00:14:47.220
 and illuminating

00:14:47.220 --> 00:14:47.940
 the way.

00:14:49.500 --> 00:14:50.400
 We are to show

00:14:50.400 --> 00:14:51.100
 people who are

00:14:51.100 --> 00:14:51.940
 still in darkness

00:14:51.940 --> 00:14:52.900
 those who are

00:14:52.900 --> 00:14:53.660
 not yet Christians

00:14:53.660 --> 00:14:54.980
 the way that is

00:14:54.980 --> 00:14:56.020
 good and true

00:14:56.020 --> 00:14:56.980
 and leads to

00:14:56.980 --> 00:14:57.800
 eternal life.

00:14:59.160 --> 00:15:00.120
 We are to share

00:15:00.120 --> 00:15:00.700
 the good news

00:15:00.700 --> 00:15:01.100
 of Jesus

00:15:01.100 --> 00:15:01.820
 with everyone

00:15:01.820 --> 00:15:02.320
 we meet

00:15:02.320 --> 00:15:03.700
 be it close

00:15:03.700 --> 00:15:04.160
 friends,

00:15:04.379 --> 00:15:05.379
 family or those

00:15:05.379 --> 00:15:05.800
 who we are

00:15:05.800 --> 00:15:06.640
 just passing by.

00:15:08.400 --> 00:15:09.280
 God gives us

00:15:09.280 --> 00:15:10.360
 opportunities to do

00:15:10.360 --> 00:15:10.640
 so.

00:15:11.440 --> 00:15:12.140
 We need to be

00:15:12.140 --> 00:15:12.560
 brave enough

00:15:12.560 --> 00:15:13.140
 to take them.

00:15:14.560 --> 00:15:15.180
 A challenge

00:15:15.180 --> 00:15:15.920
 might be to go

00:15:15.920 --> 00:15:16.879
 away and pray

00:15:16.879 --> 00:15:17.620
 for opportunities

00:15:17.620 --> 00:15:18.600
 to show others

00:15:18.600 --> 00:15:19.720
 who you encounter

00:15:19.720 --> 00:15:20.360
 in your daily

00:15:20.360 --> 00:15:20.820
 lives

00:15:20.820 --> 00:15:22.060
 the way.

00:15:23.840 --> 00:15:24.320
 Furthermore

00:15:24.320 --> 00:15:25.040
 we can help

00:15:25.040 --> 00:15:25.740
 other Christians

00:15:25.740 --> 00:15:26.420
 through our

00:15:26.420 --> 00:15:27.060
 words and deeds.

00:15:28.140 --> 00:15:28.680
 We can be

00:15:28.680 --> 00:15:29.620
 shining examples

00:15:29.620 --> 00:15:30.379
 of how to live

00:15:30.379 --> 00:15:30.899
 in a world

00:15:30.899 --> 00:15:31.820
 that is

00:15:31.820 --> 00:15:32.340
 increasingly

00:15:32.340 --> 00:15:33.299
 difficult to

00:15:33.299 --> 00:15:34.080
 navigate and

00:15:34.080 --> 00:15:34.679
 full of bumps

00:15:34.679 --> 00:15:35.159
 in the road.

00:15:36.759 --> 00:15:37.620
 Are you praying

00:15:37.620 --> 00:15:38.740
 for and taking

00:15:38.740 --> 00:15:39.740
 opportunities to

00:15:39.740 --> 00:15:40.320
 share the good

00:15:40.320 --> 00:15:40.899
 news of Jesus

00:15:40.899 --> 00:15:41.419
 with others?

00:15:43.779 --> 00:15:44.580
 The rest of

00:15:44.580 --> 00:15:45.259
 verse 14 and

00:15:45.259 --> 00:15:46.139
 15 if you want

00:15:46.139 --> 00:15:46.700
 to look back

00:15:46.700 --> 00:15:48.139
 is a warning

00:15:48.139 --> 00:15:49.000
 not to hide

00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:49.620
 our light.

00:15:50.580 --> 00:15:51.320
 It says

00:15:51.320 --> 00:15:52.159
 a city that is

00:15:52.159 --> 00:15:52.840
 set on a hill

00:15:52.840 --> 00:15:53.659
 cannot be hidden

00:15:53.659 --> 00:15:55.080
 nor do they

00:15:55.080 --> 00:15:55.799
 light a lamp

00:15:55.799 --> 00:15:56.379
 and put it

00:15:56.379 --> 00:15:57.139
 under a basket

00:15:57.139 --> 00:15:58.699
 but on a

00:15:58.699 --> 00:15:59.319
 lamp stand

00:15:59.319 --> 00:15:59.939
 and it gives

00:15:59.939 --> 00:16:00.679
 light to all

00:16:00.679 --> 00:16:01.100
 who are in

00:16:01.100 --> 00:16:01.539
 the house.

00:16:02.899 --> 00:16:03.500
 With this

00:16:03.500 --> 00:16:04.120
 image I always

00:16:04.120 --> 00:16:04.500
 think of

00:16:04.500 --> 00:16:05.100
 Edinburgh Castle.

00:16:06.139 --> 00:16:06.919
 I cycle to

00:16:06.919 --> 00:16:07.500
 work near the

00:16:07.500 --> 00:16:08.259
 bypass on the

00:16:08.259 --> 00:16:08.679
 south side of

00:16:08.679 --> 00:16:09.000
 the city

00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:10.220
 and at one

00:16:10.220 --> 00:16:10.740
 point I can

00:16:10.740 --> 00:16:11.299
 look left

00:16:11.299 --> 00:16:12.059
 back across

00:16:12.059 --> 00:16:12.480
 the city

00:16:12.480 --> 00:16:13.460
 and I can

00:16:13.460 --> 00:16:14.340
 see cranes

00:16:14.340 --> 00:16:14.960
 I can see

00:16:14.960 --> 00:16:15.340
 tops of

00:16:15.340 --> 00:16:15.679
 buildings

00:16:15.679 --> 00:16:16.199
 you can see

00:16:16.199 --> 00:16:16.860
 Arthur's seat

00:16:16.860 --> 00:16:18.019
 but the one

00:16:18.019 --> 00:16:18.519
 thing that

00:16:18.519 --> 00:16:19.080
 always sticks

00:16:19.080 --> 00:16:19.559
 out is the

00:16:19.559 --> 00:16:20.519
 castle built

00:16:20.519 --> 00:16:20.799
 on the

00:16:20.799 --> 00:16:21.319
 crags above

00:16:21.319 --> 00:16:21.779
 the city.

00:16:23.279 --> 00:16:23.460
 You know

00:16:23.460 --> 00:16:24.179
 Edinburgh Castle

00:16:24.179 --> 00:16:24.960
 cannot be hidden

00:16:24.960 --> 00:16:26.019
 it is there

00:16:26.019 --> 00:16:26.720
 for all to

00:16:26.720 --> 00:16:26.940
 see.

00:16:28.320 --> 00:16:29.019
 This is our

00:16:29.019 --> 00:16:29.820
 responsibility

00:16:29.820 --> 00:16:31.600
 as guardians

00:16:31.600 --> 00:16:32.399
 of the

00:16:32.399 --> 00:16:32.639
 light.

00:16:33.879 --> 00:16:34.360
 We are to

00:16:34.360 --> 00:16:35.080
 shine forth

00:16:35.080 --> 00:16:35.460
 into the

00:16:35.460 --> 00:16:35.920
 world as

00:16:35.920 --> 00:16:36.720
 witnesses of

00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:37.100
 the one

00:16:37.100 --> 00:16:37.680
 who is

00:16:37.680 --> 00:16:37.940
 light.

00:16:39.200 --> 00:16:39.680
 As with

00:16:39.680 --> 00:16:40.060
 the salt

00:16:40.060 --> 00:16:40.540
 though this

00:16:40.540 --> 00:16:40.940
 is not

00:16:40.940 --> 00:16:41.540
 about us.

00:16:43.080 --> 00:16:43.840
 Verse 16

00:16:43.840 --> 00:16:45.240
 says let

00:16:45.240 --> 00:16:45.740
 your light

00:16:45.740 --> 00:16:46.279
 so shine

00:16:46.279 --> 00:16:46.940
 before men

00:16:46.940 --> 00:16:47.940
 that they

00:16:47.940 --> 00:16:48.379
 may see

00:16:48.379 --> 00:16:48.759
 your good

00:16:48.759 --> 00:16:49.500
 works and

00:16:49.500 --> 00:16:50.379
 glorify your

00:16:50.379 --> 00:16:51.080
 father in

00:16:51.080 --> 00:16:51.340
 heaven.

00:16:53.180 --> 00:16:54.139
 This is not

00:16:54.139 --> 00:16:54.759
 saying that we

00:16:54.759 --> 00:16:55.220
 are to be

00:16:55.220 --> 00:16:56.100
 boastful and

00:16:56.100 --> 00:16:56.580
 showy

00:16:56.580 --> 00:16:57.060
 in what

00:16:57.060 --> 00:16:57.420
 we do.

00:16:58.460 --> 00:16:59.120
 We are to

00:16:59.120 --> 00:16:59.280
 be

00:16:59.280 --> 00:17:00.080
 representatives

00:17:00.080 --> 00:17:01.480
 of God

00:17:01.480 --> 00:17:03.320
 not advertisers

00:17:03.320 --> 00:17:04.480
 of ourselves.

00:17:05.960 --> 00:17:06.640
 Further on

00:17:06.640 --> 00:17:06.900
 in the

00:17:06.900 --> 00:17:07.680
 sermon and

00:17:07.680 --> 00:17:07.980
 I won't

00:17:07.980 --> 00:17:08.539
 encroach on

00:17:08.539 --> 00:17:08.860
 what someone

00:17:08.860 --> 00:17:09.220
 will speak

00:17:09.220 --> 00:17:09.579
 on in a

00:17:09.579 --> 00:17:10.019
 few weeks

00:17:10.019 --> 00:17:10.720
 but there's

00:17:10.720 --> 00:17:11.160
 a warning

00:17:11.160 --> 00:17:11.840
 not to do

00:17:11.840 --> 00:17:12.480
 things so

00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:12.920
 that others

00:17:12.920 --> 00:17:13.480
 will see

00:17:13.480 --> 00:17:14.019
 and give

00:17:14.019 --> 00:17:14.600
 us praise.

00:17:15.740 --> 00:17:16.420
 We should

00:17:16.420 --> 00:17:17.100
 remember this

00:17:17.100 --> 00:17:17.579
 as we seek

00:17:17.579 --> 00:17:18.019
 to serve

00:17:18.019 --> 00:17:18.799
 God in

00:17:18.799 --> 00:17:19.120
 what we

00:17:19.120 --> 00:17:19.360
 do.

00:17:20.640 --> 00:17:21.380
 Jesus he

00:17:21.380 --> 00:17:21.660
 was the

00:17:21.660 --> 00:17:21.920
 ultimate

00:17:21.920 --> 00:17:22.799
 example of

00:17:22.799 --> 00:17:23.299
 humility

00:17:23.299 --> 00:17:24.539
 and meekness

00:17:24.539 --> 00:17:25.460
 and it

00:17:25.460 --> 00:17:25.779
 is his

00:17:25.779 --> 00:17:26.480
 example that

00:17:26.480 --> 00:17:26.759
 we should

00:17:26.759 --> 00:17:27.079
 follow.

00:17:29.139 --> 00:17:29.859
 Now you've

00:17:29.859 --> 00:17:30.379
 probably heard

00:17:30.379 --> 00:17:31.000
 many a story

00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:31.419
 about a

00:17:31.419 --> 00:17:32.379
 celebrity who's

00:17:32.379 --> 00:17:32.799
 had their

00:17:32.799 --> 00:17:33.399
 reputation

00:17:33.399 --> 00:17:34.159
 tarnished.

00:17:35.119 --> 00:17:35.700
 One of the

00:17:35.700 --> 00:17:36.059
 ones that

00:17:36.059 --> 00:17:36.579
 came to my

00:17:36.579 --> 00:17:37.740
 mind was

00:17:37.740 --> 00:17:38.480
 Lance Armstrong

00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:39.480
 the infamous

00:17:39.480 --> 00:17:40.279
 cyclist who

00:17:40.279 --> 00:17:40.919
 was central

00:17:40.919 --> 00:17:41.539
 of the

00:17:41.539 --> 00:17:43.299
 biggest doping

00:17:43.299 --> 00:17:44.319
 scandal in

00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:45.139
 cycling history.

00:17:45.940 --> 00:17:46.859
 One day he

00:17:46.859 --> 00:17:47.259
 was the most

00:17:47.259 --> 00:17:48.299
 successful cyclist

00:17:48.299 --> 00:17:48.839
 in the world.

00:17:49.039 --> 00:17:49.539
 He was loved

00:17:49.539 --> 00:17:50.379
 for his success

00:17:50.380 --> 00:17:51.040
 but also his

00:17:51.040 --> 00:17:51.880
 charitable work

00:17:51.880 --> 00:17:53.020
 but the next

00:17:53.020 --> 00:17:53.780
 day he was

00:17:53.780 --> 00:17:54.300
 labelled a

00:17:54.300 --> 00:17:54.940
 fraud and a

00:17:54.940 --> 00:17:55.500
 liar who

00:17:55.500 --> 00:17:56.020
 cheated his

00:17:56.020 --> 00:17:56.520
 way to the

00:17:56.520 --> 00:17:56.800
 top.

00:17:58.060 --> 00:17:58.720
 Suddenly all

00:17:58.720 --> 00:17:59.100
 the top

00:17:59.100 --> 00:18:00.160
 brands they

00:18:00.160 --> 00:18:00.440
 were all

00:18:00.440 --> 00:18:00.880
 running away

00:18:00.880 --> 00:18:01.260
 from him.

00:18:01.500 --> 00:18:02.220
 They didn't

00:18:02.220 --> 00:18:02.760
 want anything

00:18:02.760 --> 00:18:03.260
 to do with

00:18:03.260 --> 00:18:03.400
 him.

00:18:05.120 --> 00:18:05.500
 And this

00:18:05.500 --> 00:18:06.040
 isn't unique.

00:18:06.200 --> 00:18:06.800
 Tiger Woods,

00:18:06.980 --> 00:18:07.880
 Maria Sharapova,

00:18:08.060 --> 00:18:08.860
 Mike Tyson all

00:18:08.860 --> 00:18:09.320
 suffered the

00:18:09.320 --> 00:18:09.820
 same fate.

00:18:11.080 --> 00:18:11.820
 These people

00:18:11.820 --> 00:18:12.400
 were giving

00:18:12.400 --> 00:18:13.240
 the brand a

00:18:13.240 --> 00:18:14.260
 bad name by

00:18:14.260 --> 00:18:14.820
 what they had

00:18:14.820 --> 00:18:15.700
 done and how

00:18:15.700 --> 00:18:16.040
 they had

00:18:16.040 --> 00:18:16.360
 acted.

00:18:17.780 --> 00:18:18.680
 They as

00:18:18.680 --> 00:18:19.640
 representatives of

00:18:19.640 --> 00:18:20.140
 the brand

00:18:20.140 --> 00:18:21.360
 had tarnished

00:18:21.360 --> 00:18:22.220
 it in an

00:18:22.220 --> 00:18:23.320
 instant all

00:18:23.320 --> 00:18:23.640
 the good

00:18:23.640 --> 00:18:24.060
 work that

00:18:24.060 --> 00:18:24.380
 had built

00:18:24.380 --> 00:18:24.820
 up over

00:18:24.820 --> 00:18:25.460
 many years.

00:18:26.900 --> 00:18:27.540
 We are

00:18:27.540 --> 00:18:28.120
 representatives

00:18:28.120 --> 00:18:29.280
 of Jesus

00:18:29.280 --> 00:18:30.540
 reflecting his

00:18:30.540 --> 00:18:31.500
 light into

00:18:31.500 --> 00:18:32.100
 the world

00:18:32.100 --> 00:18:32.800
 in word

00:18:32.800 --> 00:18:33.440
 and deed.

00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:35.440
 As we've

00:18:35.440 --> 00:18:35.759
 heard over

00:18:35.759 --> 00:18:36.080
 the last

00:18:36.080 --> 00:18:36.600
 two weeks

00:18:36.600 --> 00:18:37.360
 being a

00:18:37.360 --> 00:18:37.900
 Christian is

00:18:37.900 --> 00:18:38.420
 something that

00:18:38.420 --> 00:18:39.460
 we behave as

00:18:39.460 --> 00:18:39.880
 well as we

00:18:39.880 --> 00:18:40.340
 believe.

00:18:41.220 --> 00:18:41.600
 Being a

00:18:41.600 --> 00:18:42.120
 Christian is

00:18:42.120 --> 00:18:42.580
 about our

00:18:42.580 --> 00:18:43.600
 attitudes and

00:18:43.600 --> 00:18:44.180
 our actions.

00:18:46.580 --> 00:18:47.180
 There are

00:18:47.180 --> 00:18:47.740
 many well-known

00:18:47.740 --> 00:18:48.540
 figures who are

00:18:48.540 --> 00:18:49.200
 Christians and

00:18:49.200 --> 00:18:49.580
 use their

00:18:49.579 --> 00:18:50.379
 position to

00:18:50.379 --> 00:18:50.919
 defend the

00:18:50.919 --> 00:18:51.539
 Christian faith.

00:18:52.439 --> 00:18:53.059
 I recently

00:18:53.059 --> 00:18:53.659
 heard Jeremy

00:18:53.659 --> 00:18:54.159
 Balfour,

00:18:54.399 --> 00:18:55.059
 MSP for

00:18:55.059 --> 00:18:55.439
 Lothian,

00:18:55.899 --> 00:18:56.439
 speak about

00:18:56.439 --> 00:18:57.399
 living as a

00:18:57.399 --> 00:18:57.960
 Christian in

00:18:57.960 --> 00:18:58.399
 the political

00:18:58.399 --> 00:18:58.859
 world.

00:18:59.699 --> 00:19:00.000
 He has a

00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:00.460
 history of

00:19:00.460 --> 00:19:01.279
 making challenges

00:19:01.279 --> 00:19:02.039
 in Parliament

00:19:02.039 --> 00:19:02.960
 to motions and

00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:03.699
 rulings which go

00:19:03.699 --> 00:19:04.259
 against his

00:19:04.259 --> 00:19:04.559
 faith.

00:19:05.559 --> 00:19:06.039
 He's a great

00:19:06.039 --> 00:19:06.740
 example of

00:19:06.740 --> 00:19:07.839
 someone who

00:19:07.839 --> 00:19:08.859
 is doing what

00:19:08.859 --> 00:19:09.699
 he can in the

00:19:09.699 --> 00:19:10.539
 position that he

00:19:10.539 --> 00:19:12.839
 has, albeit to

00:19:12.839 --> 00:19:13.419
 the potential

00:19:13.419 --> 00:19:14.339
 detriment of his

00:19:14.339 --> 00:19:14.659
 career.

00:19:15.879 --> 00:19:16.299
 Now there are

00:19:16.299 --> 00:19:16.759
 many other

00:19:16.759 --> 00:19:17.519
 examples that will

00:19:17.519 --> 00:19:18.000
 come to your

00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:18.799
 mind of

00:19:18.799 --> 00:19:19.339
 Christians who

00:19:19.339 --> 00:19:19.680
 are doing

00:19:19.680 --> 00:19:20.140
 likewise.

00:19:22.960 --> 00:19:23.599
 Some of you

00:19:23.599 --> 00:19:24.039
 might know that

00:19:24.039 --> 00:19:25.079
 I'm part of

00:19:25.079 --> 00:19:25.380
 the Edinburgh

00:19:25.380 --> 00:19:26.200
 Street Pastors.

00:19:27.440 --> 00:19:28.400
 In case people

00:19:28.400 --> 00:19:28.819
 don't know what

00:19:28.819 --> 00:19:29.460
 that is, every

00:19:29.460 --> 00:19:30.180
 Friday night of

00:19:30.180 --> 00:19:30.880
 the month and

00:19:30.880 --> 00:19:31.660
 two Saturdays of

00:19:31.660 --> 00:19:32.380
 the month, people

00:19:32.380 --> 00:19:33.420
 from churches all

00:19:33.420 --> 00:19:34.000
 over Edinburgh

00:19:34.000 --> 00:19:35.140
 go out into the

00:19:35.140 --> 00:19:35.819
 streets between

00:19:35.819 --> 00:19:36.400
 the hours of

00:19:36.400 --> 00:19:37.380
 11pm and

00:19:37.380 --> 00:19:37.980
 4am.

00:19:38.700 --> 00:19:39.640
 The tagline is

00:19:39.640 --> 00:19:40.759
 listen, care and

00:19:40.759 --> 00:19:41.920
 help, as that is

00:19:41.920 --> 00:19:42.680
 what we are there

00:19:42.680 --> 00:19:43.079
 to do.

00:19:44.039 --> 00:19:44.880
 We go around

00:19:44.880 --> 00:19:45.680
 seeing if anyone

00:19:45.680 --> 00:19:46.620
 is in a difficult

00:19:46.620 --> 00:19:47.779
 or a vulnerable

00:19:47.779 --> 00:19:48.539
 situation.

00:19:49.560 --> 00:19:50.299
 We're there for

00:19:50.299 --> 00:19:51.140
 people who maybe

00:19:51.140 --> 00:19:52.320
 just need someone

00:19:52.320 --> 00:19:53.299
 to listen to them

00:19:53.299 --> 00:19:54.519
 or people who

00:19:54.519 --> 00:19:55.140
 need practical

00:19:55.140 --> 00:19:55.580
 help.

00:19:55.779 --> 00:19:56.200
 It might be

00:19:56.200 --> 00:19:56.880
 finding lost

00:19:56.880 --> 00:19:58.140
 friends, getting

00:19:58.140 --> 00:19:59.400
 home safely or

00:19:59.400 --> 00:20:00.240
 getting a warm

00:20:00.240 --> 00:20:01.120
 drink for the

00:20:01.120 --> 00:20:01.600
 cold night.

00:20:03.180 --> 00:20:03.920
 As we meet

00:20:03.920 --> 00:20:04.660
 people living on

00:20:04.660 --> 00:20:05.640
 the streets or

00:20:05.640 --> 00:20:06.380
 spilling out from

00:20:06.380 --> 00:20:07.160
 pubs and clubs,

00:20:07.560 --> 00:20:08.340
 the most common

00:20:08.340 --> 00:20:09.279
 questions are who

00:20:09.279 --> 00:20:10.460
 are you and why

00:20:10.460 --> 00:20:10.980
 on earth are you

00:20:10.980 --> 00:20:11.700
 here at this time

00:20:11.700 --> 00:20:12.140
 of the night?

00:20:12.140 --> 00:20:14.600
 Once we explain

00:20:14.600 --> 00:20:15.520
 who we are and

00:20:15.520 --> 00:20:16.300
 why we do it,

00:20:16.740 --> 00:20:17.480
 people are often

00:20:17.480 --> 00:20:18.220
 amazed that it's

00:20:18.220 --> 00:20:19.400
 a volunteer service

00:20:19.400 --> 00:20:20.100
 and that we don't

00:20:20.100 --> 00:20:20.759
 get anything out

00:20:20.759 --> 00:20:21.040
 of it.

00:20:22.220 --> 00:20:23.960
 We do it because

00:20:23.960 --> 00:20:24.740
 as we go around

00:20:24.740 --> 00:20:25.500
 Edinburgh we are

00:20:25.500 --> 00:20:26.360
 shining the light

00:20:26.360 --> 00:20:27.440
 of Jesus into the

00:20:27.440 --> 00:20:28.400
 darkest of places

00:20:28.400 --> 00:20:29.860
 and proclaiming

00:20:29.860 --> 00:20:30.480
 that his kingdom

00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:30.820
 come.

00:20:33.200 --> 00:20:34.300
 This is an example

00:20:34.300 --> 00:20:35.400
 of being radically

00:20:35.400 --> 00:20:36.140
 different in the

00:20:36.140 --> 00:20:36.940
 world we live in.

00:20:37.420 --> 00:20:38.420
 It's counter-cultural

00:20:38.420 --> 00:20:39.740
 in today's society

00:20:39.740 --> 00:20:45.579
 to give up your

00:20:45.579 --> 00:20:46.599
 time and your

00:20:46.599 --> 00:20:47.799
 resources in such

00:20:47.799 --> 00:20:48.839
 a way to serve

00:20:48.839 --> 00:20:49.200
 others.

00:20:50.339 --> 00:20:50.960
 But street pastors

00:20:50.960 --> 00:20:51.880
 is just one example

00:20:51.880 --> 00:20:53.400
 and I would also

00:20:53.400 --> 00:20:54.299
 just add that good

00:20:54.299 --> 00:20:55.079
 deeds are not just

00:20:55.079 --> 00:20:56.019
 limited to Christians.

00:20:57.180 --> 00:20:58.140
 Drew a few weeks

00:20:58.140 --> 00:20:58.700
 ago he talked

00:20:58.700 --> 00:20:59.599
 about how Basics

00:20:59.599 --> 00:21:00.579
 Bank which is run

00:21:00.579 --> 00:21:01.920
 by the church is

00:21:01.920 --> 00:21:02.620
 such a great way

00:21:02.620 --> 00:21:03.480
 to care for people

00:21:03.480 --> 00:21:04.140
 holistically,

00:21:05.140 --> 00:21:05.859
 physically and

00:21:05.859 --> 00:21:06.420
 spiritually.

00:21:07.759 --> 00:21:08.700
 People here also

00:21:08.700 --> 00:21:09.519
 volunteer with the

00:21:09.519 --> 00:21:10.400
 Bethany Care van

00:21:10.400 --> 00:21:11.240
 feeding the homeless

00:21:11.240 --> 00:21:11.879
 or those who are

00:21:11.879 --> 00:21:12.279
 struggling.

00:21:13.759 --> 00:21:14.420
 CAP, Christians

00:21:14.420 --> 00:21:15.180
 Against Poverty,

00:21:15.319 --> 00:21:16.460
 also does great work

00:21:16.460 --> 00:21:17.559
 across the country

00:21:17.559 --> 00:21:18.319
 and many people

00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:19.059
 come to faith

00:21:19.059 --> 00:21:19.859
 through their work.

00:21:21.639 --> 00:21:22.539
 Practically speaking

00:21:22.539 --> 00:21:23.400
 it can be great

00:21:23.400 --> 00:21:24.700
 to be part of groups

00:21:24.700 --> 00:21:25.400
 who carry out

00:21:25.400 --> 00:21:26.359
 such activities

00:21:26.359 --> 00:21:27.139
 in a regular

00:21:27.139 --> 00:21:28.259
 and organised fashion.

00:21:29.139 --> 00:21:29.519
 However,

00:21:29.639 --> 00:21:30.420
 we can be radically

00:21:30.420 --> 00:21:31.819
 different and reflect

00:21:31.819 --> 00:21:32.759
 the light of Christ

00:21:32.759 --> 00:21:34.099
 in our daily lives

00:21:34.099 --> 00:21:35.559
 whether that's at home,

00:21:35.779 --> 00:21:36.400
 at work,

00:21:36.500 --> 00:21:37.559
 or on the sports field.

00:21:37.559 --> 00:21:41.399
 We are to be

00:21:41.399 --> 00:21:42.139
 salt and light

00:21:42.139 --> 00:21:43.700
 representatives

00:21:43.700 --> 00:21:44.359
 of Jesus

00:21:44.359 --> 00:21:46.399
 through his power

00:21:46.399 --> 00:21:47.319
 and for the glory

00:21:47.319 --> 00:21:48.079
 of our Father

00:21:48.079 --> 00:21:49.000
 in heaven.

00:21:50.519 --> 00:21:51.579
 There are many ways

00:21:51.579 --> 00:21:52.519
 we can serve God

00:21:52.519 --> 00:21:53.879
 and use our gifts

00:21:53.879 --> 00:21:54.500
 and skills

00:21:54.500 --> 00:21:55.500
 to witness for Jesus.

00:21:57.039 --> 00:21:58.220
 This is our call.

00:21:59.119 --> 00:22:00.039
 Will we take it up?

00:22:00.980 --> 00:22:02.019
 It's too easy

00:22:02.019 --> 00:22:03.179
 and I stress

00:22:03.179 --> 00:22:03.879
 that I'm challenging

00:22:03.879 --> 00:22:04.619
 myself here

00:22:04.619 --> 00:22:06.299
 to sit and nod along

00:22:06.299 --> 00:22:07.059
 when we hear

00:22:07.059 --> 00:22:07.819
 from God's word

00:22:07.819 --> 00:22:09.159
 and then not to put

00:22:09.159 --> 00:22:09.759
 it into action.

00:22:10.619 --> 00:22:11.619
 But we need to act.

00:22:12.359 --> 00:22:13.619
 We're God's representatives

00:22:13.619 --> 00:22:15.019
 and we need to act

00:22:15.019 --> 00:22:15.619
 accordingly.

00:22:17.059 --> 00:22:18.139
 In the morning series

00:22:18.139 --> 00:22:18.819
 recently we've been

00:22:18.819 --> 00:22:19.719
 going through the Psalms

00:22:19.719 --> 00:22:22.339
 and it's been great

00:22:22.339 --> 00:22:22.919
 to hear how

00:22:22.919 --> 00:22:24.579
 different hymns

00:22:24.579 --> 00:22:25.139
 and choruses

00:22:25.139 --> 00:22:25.839
 have really brought

00:22:25.839 --> 00:22:26.819
 to light the passages

00:22:26.819 --> 00:22:27.739
 that we've been studying.

00:22:27.740 --> 00:22:29.880
 And you know

00:22:29.880 --> 00:22:30.559
 as I was thinking

00:22:30.559 --> 00:22:31.279
 about this

00:22:31.279 --> 00:22:32.460
 if you're going home

00:22:32.460 --> 00:22:33.799
 and you're humming a tune

00:22:33.799 --> 00:22:34.920
 I would like it to be this one

00:22:34.920 --> 00:22:36.220
 and we all

00:22:36.220 --> 00:22:37.039
 probably all sang it

00:22:37.039 --> 00:22:37.620
 as we were a kid.

00:22:37.799 --> 00:22:37.960
 It was

00:22:37.960 --> 00:22:39.200
 This little light of mine

00:22:39.200 --> 00:22:40.599
 I'm going to let it shine.

00:22:41.480 --> 00:22:42.940
 This little light of mine

00:22:42.940 --> 00:22:44.480
 I'm going to let it shine.

00:22:45.519 --> 00:22:46.859
 This little light of mine

00:22:46.859 --> 00:22:48.019
 I'm going to let it shine.

00:22:48.339 --> 00:22:49.099
 Let it shine.

00:22:49.680 --> 00:22:50.339
 Let it shine.

00:22:50.740 --> 00:22:51.299
 Let it shine.

00:22:51.779 --> 00:22:52.900
 And then the second verse

00:22:52.900 --> 00:22:54.359
 Jesus is the light

00:22:54.359 --> 00:22:56.240
 I'm going to let him shine.

00:22:56.240 --> 00:22:57.799
 And it finishes

00:22:57.799 --> 00:22:58.640
 let him shine.

00:22:59.039 --> 00:22:59.700
 Let him shine.

00:23:00.519 --> 00:23:01.160
 Let him shine.

00:23:02.339 --> 00:23:03.460
 I'm just going to pray to close

00:23:03.460 --> 00:23:03.960
 and then we'll

00:23:03.960 --> 00:23:05.319
 we'll have some questions

00:23:05.319 --> 00:23:06.220
 for us to discuss.

00:23:07.839 --> 00:23:08.500
 God and Father

00:23:08.500 --> 00:23:09.519
 we thank you for your word.

00:23:09.640 --> 00:23:10.620
 We thank you for the teachings

00:23:10.620 --> 00:23:11.380
 of the Lord Jesus

00:23:11.380 --> 00:23:13.000
 and how

00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:14.759
 even though they were so

00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:16.720
 many years ago

00:23:16.720 --> 00:23:17.640
 they are so relevant

00:23:17.640 --> 00:23:18.720
 to today's world

00:23:18.720 --> 00:23:19.539
 and to us

00:23:19.539 --> 00:23:20.539
 as we sit here tonight.

00:23:21.180 --> 00:23:22.420
 We pray that we will

00:23:22.420 --> 00:23:24.480
 really take these things on board

00:23:24.480 --> 00:23:25.339
 that we will think about

00:23:25.339 --> 00:23:25.960
 this passage

00:23:25.960 --> 00:23:27.079
 that we have looked at tonight

00:23:27.079 --> 00:23:28.640
 and that as we go home

00:23:28.640 --> 00:23:29.440
 we will put these things

00:23:29.440 --> 00:23:30.019
 into action

00:23:30.019 --> 00:23:31.519
 and that we will act

00:23:31.519 --> 00:23:32.360
 and that we will

00:23:32.360 --> 00:23:33.740
 live radical lives

00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:35.259
 and really make a difference

00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:36.319
 in the world that we live in.

00:23:36.940 --> 00:23:37.920
 That people will see

00:23:37.920 --> 00:23:38.700
 that we are different

00:23:38.700 --> 00:23:39.460
 and want to know

00:23:39.460 --> 00:23:40.200
 why that is

00:23:40.200 --> 00:23:41.700
 and that we will be

00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:43.340
 representatives of Jesus

00:23:43.340 --> 00:23:45.180
 no matter what we are doing

00:23:45.180 --> 00:23:46.360
 or where we find ourselves.

00:23:47.740 --> 00:23:49.400
 We pray that as we

00:23:49.400 --> 00:23:51.000
 open up for a discussion

00:23:51.000 --> 00:23:51.700
 that we will have

00:23:51.700 --> 00:23:52.360
 good discussions

00:23:52.360 --> 00:23:53.360
 and that

00:23:53.360 --> 00:23:54.640
 you'll bless the rest

00:23:54.640 --> 00:23:55.200
 of this evening.

00:23:55.759 --> 00:23:56.360
 We pray this

00:23:56.360 --> 00:23:57.200
 in Jesus name.

00:23:57.620 --> 00:23:57.820
 Amen.

00:23:59.020 --> 00:24:00.160
 We've got a couple

00:24:00.160 --> 00:24:01.460
 of questions up there

00:24:01.460 --> 00:24:03.020
 but if you just want

00:24:03.020 --> 00:24:04.140
 to get a tea or a coffee

00:24:04.140 --> 00:24:05.080
 if you want one first

00:24:05.080 --> 00:24:06.380
 bring them back

00:24:06.380 --> 00:24:06.980
 to your table

00:24:06.980 --> 00:24:08.360
 and then in a few minutes

00:24:08.360 --> 00:24:09.520
 if your table

00:24:09.520 --> 00:24:10.500
 is back together again

00:24:10.500 --> 00:24:11.560
 you can just discuss

00:24:11.560 --> 00:24:12.160
 the questions.

00:24:12.880 --> 00:24:13.400
 So we've got

00:24:13.400 --> 00:24:14.720
 how does the picture

00:24:14.720 --> 00:24:15.480
 of the church

00:24:15.480 --> 00:24:17.180
 as Jesus presents it here

00:24:17.180 --> 00:24:18.020
 challenge us

00:24:18.020 --> 00:24:19.300
 considering how we are

00:24:19.300 --> 00:24:20.160
 often portrayed

00:24:20.160 --> 00:24:22.140
 and the second one

00:24:22.140 --> 00:24:22.779
 is what are some

00:24:22.779 --> 00:24:23.519
 of the opportunities

00:24:23.519 --> 00:24:24.220
 you have

00:24:24.220 --> 00:24:25.640
 to be salt and light

00:24:25.640 --> 00:24:27.360
 representatives of Jesus

00:24:27.360 --> 00:24:29.000
 in your daily life.

00:24:29.000 --> 00:24:29.799
 and that

00:24:29.799 --> 00:24:43.059
 I know

00:24:43.059 --> 00:24:44.460
 you

00:24:44.460 --> 00:24:47.099
 I know

00:24:47.099 --> 00:24:49.220
 it

00:24:49.220 --> 00:24:51.140
 I know

00:24:51.140 --> 00:24:55.660
 I know