WEBVTT 00:00:00.920 --> 00:00:02.280 Matthew chapter 5. 00:00:03.839 --> 00:00:10.640 Let me begin reading, if I may, in chapter 5, verse 1, and you follow along in your copy of the Scriptures. 00:00:12.780 --> 00:00:18.980 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. 00:00:20.539 --> 00:00:22.719 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying, 00:00:23.339 --> 00:00:26.199 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 00:00:26.199 --> 00:00:31.019 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 00:00:31.859 --> 00:00:34.519 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 00:00:36.280 --> 00:00:41.240 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 00:00:43.219 --> 00:00:46.719 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 00:00:47.939 --> 00:00:50.379 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 00:00:51.820 --> 00:00:54.899 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 00:00:54.899 --> 00:01:00.799 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 00:01:02.119 --> 00:01:09.159 Blessed are you, when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 00:01:10.840 --> 00:01:14.620 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven. 00:01:15.000 --> 00:01:17.879 For so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 00:01:17.879 --> 00:01:21.599 You are the salt of the earth. 00:01:22.959 --> 00:01:29.840 But if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? 00:01:30.179 --> 00:01:34.859 It is no longer good for anything except be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. 00:01:35.859 --> 00:01:37.259 You're the light of the world. 00:01:38.519 --> 00:01:40.319 A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 00:01:40.319 --> 00:01:46.379 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand to give light to all in the house. 00:01:48.239 --> 00:01:58.919 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. 00:01:59.780 --> 00:02:00.399 Let's pray. 00:02:00.400 --> 00:02:10.159 Our Father, this morning we are very thankful that you have given to us your word which is settled in the heavens. 00:02:10.460 --> 00:02:11.219 It is sure. 00:02:12.920 --> 00:02:14.960 It is valuable and reliable. 00:02:14.960 --> 00:02:25.460 And it is the means whereby we who are blessed by salvation can know exactly how to live in the day and the hour in which you've placed us. 00:02:25.460 --> 00:02:36.700 We confess in advance this morning that we are dependent, both me in preaching and your dear people in hearing the word, 00:02:37.580 --> 00:02:43.140 on the enabling of the Spirit of God that your word would have free course and bear fruit in our lives. 00:02:44.480 --> 00:02:49.960 We want to be humble listeners and allow what your scriptures have to say in the ministry of the Spirit of God 00:02:49.960 --> 00:02:54.980 to resonate in our heart, to form and shape us to be more like the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:02:56.120 --> 00:02:58.700 And we thank you in advance for what you will do in us. 00:03:00.240 --> 00:03:02.180 And we pray this in Jesus' name. 00:03:02.580 --> 00:03:02.879 Amen. 00:03:04.580 --> 00:03:12.060 As I take this passage in hand this morning, I am mindful of a conversation that I had several months ago in the process. 00:03:12.280 --> 00:03:19.819 And you know that we are in the process of looking for a man that eventually will call to be one of our pastors here 00:03:19.819 --> 00:03:23.780 and hopefully prepare him for someday a transition in our fellowship. 00:03:23.780 --> 00:03:34.520 And in the process of one of the interviews, I had an individual comment on, he was curious about how preaching has taken place in this fellowship. 00:03:34.840 --> 00:03:40.560 And part of the reason was, is he was thinking, so if I come in and am involved in preaching from week to week, 00:03:40.560 --> 00:03:47.199 how does that look or what's it like and what governs what we do in our fellowship, particularly in the pulpit. 00:03:48.080 --> 00:03:50.979 And he asked me questions about national holidays. 00:03:51.140 --> 00:03:52.360 And I said, absolutely. 00:03:52.360 --> 00:03:58.680 I take advantage of those days, whether it's Mother's Day or Father's Day or Christmas or whatever else. 00:03:59.240 --> 00:04:05.820 The holiday becomes a moment to reflect that day against the backdrop of Scripture. 00:04:06.020 --> 00:04:10.200 And so today is a day that we celebrate our nation's birthday. 00:04:10.340 --> 00:04:11.680 And you couldn't miss that, could you? 00:04:12.680 --> 00:04:18.639 I mean, Judith and I, for the last two nights, and we normally go to bed, when the lights turn off, we're gone. 00:04:18.639 --> 00:04:20.159 You know, it's like, that's a good time. 00:04:20.979 --> 00:04:27.979 And in our neighborhood, I don't know what possessed them other than wild abandon. 00:04:28.180 --> 00:04:35.680 But people felt required to shoot off bottle rockets and firecrackers way past my bedtime. 00:04:36.099 --> 00:04:36.259 Okay? 00:04:36.719 --> 00:04:41.319 And so I didn't miss the fact that the 4th of July was being celebrated in our neighborhood. 00:04:41.319 --> 00:04:44.159 I did not go down to Red, White, and Boom. 00:04:44.259 --> 00:04:48.620 I remember someone in my neighborhood, I said, hey, are you going to Red, White, and Boom? 00:04:48.680 --> 00:04:50.180 And he says, no, I've done that. 00:04:50.259 --> 00:04:51.000 That was enough. 00:04:52.219 --> 00:04:54.639 Something about the crowds and all that kind of stuff. 00:04:54.740 --> 00:04:58.159 But you can watch from a distance and get quite the eyeful. 00:04:58.339 --> 00:04:59.120 It goes on. 00:04:59.120 --> 00:05:12.360 And so I want to tell you that I look at an opportunity such as today as a wonderful opportunity to draw attention to what the Scriptures have to say to us as citizens of our nation, 00:05:12.600 --> 00:05:15.620 and in particular as representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:05:16.340 --> 00:05:17.840 Today really is the Lord's Day. 00:05:17.920 --> 00:05:19.639 It's a day that belongs to Him. 00:05:20.879 --> 00:05:25.399 And it's also a day that, in a sense, we celebrate our nation's birthday. 00:05:25.399 --> 00:05:36.560 And as we think about our nation, I would imagine that many of us sitting here this morning would probably recognize that there's something, a shift, and things are changing in our country. 00:05:36.779 --> 00:05:39.159 And there's a little bit of concern in the midst of all of that. 00:05:39.219 --> 00:05:39.899 What's happening? 00:05:40.099 --> 00:05:41.439 Where are we going? 00:05:41.500 --> 00:05:42.259 What's going on? 00:05:43.099 --> 00:05:49.879 And so what I want us to do this morning is remind ourselves, first of all, that the Lord is not the least bit surprised by what is taking place. 00:05:49.879 --> 00:05:55.180 And He is not scrambling, trying to put together another plan for what we do as His people. 00:05:55.680 --> 00:06:05.779 And so I want us to focus this morning on what the Scriptures give to us as clear instruction for how we respond in the culture and the day that we live. 00:06:06.019 --> 00:06:10.980 And so I want you to look in particular at verses 13 through 16 where Jesus makes this statement. 00:06:11.319 --> 00:06:11.719 He says, 00:06:11.720 --> 00:06:25.460 Let me put it another way and kind of have you mark this in your notes or at least think this in your own heart. 00:06:25.900 --> 00:06:27.980 You are proof of His power. 00:06:28.800 --> 00:06:30.620 You are proof of His power. 00:06:31.220 --> 00:06:38.820 Can you imagine someone selling a medical product or a pharmaceutical product and say, 00:06:38.819 --> 00:06:40.620 Well, this is going to be a wonderful thing. 00:06:40.980 --> 00:06:43.480 You take this for 30 days and here you are. 00:06:43.560 --> 00:06:44.800 You're going to be changed radically. 00:06:45.379 --> 00:06:51.939 And if there is not evidence of that product producing anything of significance, guess what's going to happen to its market share? 00:06:52.719 --> 00:06:54.600 It's going to fade away pretty quickly, isn't it? 00:06:54.759 --> 00:07:00.680 If it doesn't perform according to promise, there's an outcome to that. 00:07:00.680 --> 00:07:10.939 And so this morning I want you to understand what it means to be a believer and how that is to play out in the community and in the nation in which we've been put. 00:07:11.040 --> 00:07:13.079 So let's look first of all at the big picture. 00:07:14.259 --> 00:07:20.120 Our lesson is eventually going to touch on what Jesus said in relationship to our role in this world. 00:07:21.199 --> 00:07:27.699 And He describes us there in verse 13 and again in verse 14 He calls us salt and light. 00:07:27.699 --> 00:07:41.579 Given that American Christianity is only in the early stages of testing, I think there are still many professing believers who really are uncertain about what it means to be a Christian. 00:07:41.699 --> 00:07:51.539 But I believe the day is coming when those issues are going to be quite clear and those who stand for Christ and believe truly in the power of the gospel are going to be an exception to the rule. 00:07:52.060 --> 00:07:53.699 They will be salt and light. 00:07:53.699 --> 00:08:04.180 And so as you think about this, I want you to recognize that what we see in verse 13 through 16 or 15 actually is premised on what has proceeded in the text. 00:08:04.560 --> 00:08:11.319 And so let's go up just for a moment and look in broad terms on several overarching truths that we find in the Beatitudes. 00:08:11.539 --> 00:08:13.980 The blessed are, blessed are, blessed are. 00:08:14.339 --> 00:08:20.019 For one, I want you to recognize that the true believer is utterly different from the unbelieving world. 00:08:20.019 --> 00:08:24.459 The true believer is utterly different from the unbelieving world. 00:08:25.379 --> 00:08:34.220 That doesn't mean that we don't pay our taxes or mow our lawns, but it is saying that there is something different about us and it's something that is recognizable. 00:08:34.840 --> 00:08:38.139 Let me give you a couple points from the Beatitudes and have you track them with me. 00:08:38.600 --> 00:08:41.860 Our view of self is different than the world's. 00:08:41.860 --> 00:08:47.120 Look there, if you will, in verse 2, 3, and 4, it says, 00:08:47.440 --> 00:08:48.620 I have verse 3 rather, it says, 00:08:48.980 --> 00:08:52.759 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 00:08:53.060 --> 00:08:54.539 Blessed are those who mourn. 00:08:55.340 --> 00:08:56.220 Blessed are the meek. 00:08:56.300 --> 00:09:01.500 Now, what value does the world put in mourning and meekness and in poverty? 00:09:02.460 --> 00:09:03.879 Does the world value those things? 00:09:04.060 --> 00:09:06.940 When you go to school and people say, what do you want to become eventually? 00:09:07.300 --> 00:09:09.460 Well, I would like to be a person who mourns. 00:09:09.460 --> 00:09:12.420 I would like to be a person who is poor. 00:09:13.019 --> 00:09:15.660 I would like to be an incredibly humble person. 00:09:15.980 --> 00:09:22.660 How many of you have had anyone at any place say something like that and not kind of be viewed kind of rather cynically? 00:09:22.759 --> 00:09:23.800 Well, what's the deal with you? 00:09:24.820 --> 00:09:32.600 You see, the world's value structure puts no benefit or value on issues of humility, 00:09:32.600 --> 00:09:37.740 on issues of recognizing the moral bankruptcy of our soul, 00:09:38.120 --> 00:09:40.920 and understanding the needs of our heart. 00:09:40.980 --> 00:09:42.879 And those are things that are pushed away to the side. 00:09:43.879 --> 00:09:46.580 Not only is our view of self different from the world's, 00:09:46.600 --> 00:09:51.259 but also our longings, ambitions, and ambitions are different from the world. 00:09:51.740 --> 00:09:54.800 Look down there, if you will, just for a moment, what it says there in verse 6. 00:09:55.220 --> 00:09:59.320 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. 00:09:59.320 --> 00:10:01.800 I want you to put your finger on that word righteousness. 00:10:02.000 --> 00:10:02.960 Think with me just a moment. 00:10:03.640 --> 00:10:08.379 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness. 00:10:09.780 --> 00:10:11.940 How many of you in this last week have been hungry? 00:10:12.400 --> 00:10:13.460 I mean, go ahead, raise your hand. 00:10:13.740 --> 00:10:14.560 Really hungry. 00:10:15.120 --> 00:10:17.960 Here's what most of us think hunger looks like. 00:10:19.080 --> 00:10:22.360 It's we eat at 12, and it's 12.15. 00:10:22.360 --> 00:10:28.779 Or we eat at 12, and it's gotten all the way until 12.45, 00:10:29.300 --> 00:10:32.580 and our stomach just gives a little bit of a wrinkle and an announcement 00:10:32.580 --> 00:10:34.539 that it's waiting for something, right? 00:10:34.600 --> 00:10:35.039 Do you follow me? 00:10:35.159 --> 00:10:38.740 A little grumbling downstairs, and we're, I am famished. 00:10:39.800 --> 00:10:42.960 The term that is used here to speak about hunger and thirst 00:10:42.960 --> 00:10:49.139 is something that goes far beyond the person who's been NPO since midnight. 00:10:49.360 --> 00:10:50.279 How many of you have been there? 00:10:50.279 --> 00:10:53.279 Nothing by mouth. 00:10:53.439 --> 00:10:57.939 You're waiting for a surgery, and you are told that you're going to have surgery at 7.30. 00:10:58.079 --> 00:10:59.879 You think to yourself, I'm good. 00:11:00.079 --> 00:11:00.579 I'm good. 00:11:00.879 --> 00:11:01.539 I'm all right. 00:11:01.740 --> 00:11:02.539 I can take it. 00:11:02.759 --> 00:11:03.720 And then they come in. 00:11:03.799 --> 00:11:06.559 You've been NPO since midnight, and they come in and say, 00:11:06.799 --> 00:11:07.500 oh, guess what? 00:11:07.819 --> 00:11:09.199 The doctor is delayed. 00:11:09.419 --> 00:11:12.059 He won't be here till 1 o'clock in the afternoon. 00:11:12.199 --> 00:11:13.279 What goes through your mind? 00:11:14.100 --> 00:11:15.139 You're freaking out. 00:11:15.199 --> 00:11:17.419 It's like, well, I don't think I can do that. 00:11:17.559 --> 00:11:19.259 I may pass out here on the gurney. 00:11:19.259 --> 00:11:20.720 It's like, I got to eat. 00:11:20.720 --> 00:11:28.460 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness. 00:11:28.860 --> 00:11:35.940 The image that is being used here is a person who is just absolutely wrapped up in a desire for something. 00:11:35.940 --> 00:11:45.580 Remember what Jesus said over there in the Scriptures about the business of the things that the world worries about? 00:11:47.580 --> 00:11:53.980 Possessions, clothing, the issues that God knows we need and takes care of? 00:11:53.980 --> 00:12:05.940 You see, believers are different from the unbelieving world because the things we really care about are His righteousness and our own walk with Christ. 00:12:05.940 --> 00:12:15.880 If that's true, listen, does it govern the things that we invest our energy in early in the morning? 00:12:16.100 --> 00:12:16.900 And the answer is what? 00:12:17.560 --> 00:12:18.180 Does it? 00:12:19.020 --> 00:12:19.480 Yeah. 00:12:19.480 --> 00:12:22.879 How many of you like coffee? 00:12:23.000 --> 00:12:23.580 Just curious. 00:12:24.039 --> 00:12:27.720 The coffee affectionados, those people who actually really... 00:12:27.720 --> 00:12:29.279 Okay, I'm going to ask a second question. 00:12:29.379 --> 00:12:31.759 How many of you are marginally dependent on coffee? 00:12:33.019 --> 00:12:34.539 I'm in that camp too, you know. 00:12:34.580 --> 00:12:47.860 It's like the first thing I do in the morning before all other things take place is I come down and I move the little button that begins the process so that when I come down 30 minutes later, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, 00:12:47.860 --> 00:12:48.980 guess what's waiting for me? 00:12:49.879 --> 00:12:53.360 A full pot, you know, that I share with my wife. 00:12:54.460 --> 00:13:01.919 So here, blessed are those who hunger and thirst, not after coffee but after righteousness. 00:13:02.860 --> 00:13:03.639 We're different. 00:13:04.639 --> 00:13:09.159 The things that we care about reflect an affection for things of eternity. 00:13:10.180 --> 00:13:13.120 You see, we're not obsessed with our possessions. 00:13:13.399 --> 00:13:15.560 We're not obsessed with our kids or their accomplishments. 00:13:15.559 --> 00:13:19.259 We're not obsessed with things that have no eternal value. 00:13:19.579 --> 00:13:21.319 Our interests are in the things of God. 00:13:22.679 --> 00:13:32.919 Our view of self is also different because what we long for, the way we treat others, is a reflection of our affection for the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:13:32.919 --> 00:13:38.979 And so when you stop and think this morning about that opening statement, remember, it says we're salt and light. 00:13:39.159 --> 00:13:44.559 The underlying supposition, the assumption is that we're different from the unbelieving world. 00:13:45.459 --> 00:13:55.339 And so if you're sitting out here recognizing, hey, the Spirit of God says I am salt and light, you have to recognize that in order to be salt and light, you have to be different from the unbelieving world. 00:13:55.340 --> 00:14:01.600 Secondly, I want you to understand that we are here on temporary assignment from our coming King. 00:14:02.259 --> 00:14:03.139 Why am I here? 00:14:03.540 --> 00:14:05.080 How many of you would rather be in heaven, truthfully? 00:14:05.580 --> 00:14:06.200 I mean, honestly. 00:14:07.420 --> 00:14:13.740 Heaven is a wonderful place and I look forward to the day that I will be in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:14:13.740 --> 00:14:18.620 And yet, I am here on temporary assignment and I'm here for one reason. 00:14:22.259 --> 00:14:28.600 I am here at the appointment of the King for His glory and for His gospel. 00:14:29.279 --> 00:14:36.159 And so as you think about the matter of your assignment, you recognize that you're a temporary visitor in a foreign land. 00:14:36.360 --> 00:14:38.299 Now, are we citizens of this nation? 00:14:38.659 --> 00:14:39.539 Yes, we are. 00:14:39.539 --> 00:14:45.939 But we recognize that this world is not our home and we are only short timers here. 00:14:46.059 --> 00:14:59.219 And so as a result of that, we recognize that because we are His ambassadors, our assignment and our responsibility is to represent Him fairly and clearly in an unbelieving world. 00:14:59.220 --> 00:15:11.740 And I want you to understand as Jesus spoke about this business of the role that we play, He made it very clear to us that those who played the role that He assigned to them would face some adversity. 00:15:12.560 --> 00:15:13.700 Look back, if you will. 00:15:13.779 --> 00:15:15.100 You're in verse 13, salt. 00:15:15.540 --> 00:15:16.540 Verse 14, light. 00:15:16.899 --> 00:15:19.779 But look back, if you will, just for a moment to verse 10. 00:15:19.860 --> 00:15:20.040 It says, 00:15:20.120 --> 00:15:24.259 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. 00:15:24.259 --> 00:15:26.980 Blessed are those who are... 00:15:26.980 --> 00:15:29.340 And by the way, do you know what the word blessed means here? 00:15:29.620 --> 00:15:31.000 Pencil it in if you're not sure. 00:15:31.360 --> 00:15:32.139 It means happy. 00:15:33.080 --> 00:15:33.480 Happy. 00:15:34.299 --> 00:15:37.939 I mean, I'm not talking about giddy, but I am talking about happy. 00:15:38.679 --> 00:15:39.519 I'm glad. 00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:40.860 I'm happy. 00:15:41.659 --> 00:15:42.500 I'm enthused. 00:15:43.740 --> 00:15:44.720 Jesus makes this. 00:15:44.799 --> 00:15:45.860 He makes this statement. 00:15:45.939 --> 00:15:46.159 He says, 00:15:46.159 --> 00:15:51.220 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. 00:15:52.059 --> 00:15:53.399 He goes on in verse 11. 00:15:53.399 --> 00:16:00.079 Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely. 00:16:00.360 --> 00:16:10.259 Is that something that you anticipate is going to come in the future when you make it clear where your faith leads you to stand in our culture? 00:16:10.399 --> 00:16:11.439 The answer is yes. 00:16:12.379 --> 00:16:13.319 I want to encourage you. 00:16:13.500 --> 00:16:20.860 God doesn't call us to go out of our way to be snarky and argumentative, kind of the Westboro Baptist Church type of deal. 00:16:21.100 --> 00:16:22.519 That is not of God. 00:16:23.399 --> 00:16:28.419 But on the other hand, there come points in every one of our lives where we have to stand and say, 00:16:28.600 --> 00:16:30.340 That's what I believe the Scripture says. 00:16:30.579 --> 00:16:32.639 Here's what God has to say about that matter. 00:16:32.899 --> 00:16:34.579 And here's what the Scriptures teach. 00:16:35.299 --> 00:16:43.279 And when that happens, we shouldn't be surprised at persecution that will come because Jesus made it clear that those kind of things would happen. 00:16:43.279 --> 00:16:49.039 Let me make one point clear in regards to this, and I think it's important for us to understand. 00:16:49.039 --> 00:17:06.899 The characteristic of the genuine believer that we've seen pictured in this passage so far is one that helps us minister in the culture and community we are without being unduly abrasive and argumentative. 00:17:06.900 --> 00:17:13.620 So I want you to recognize at the heart of what we are is that we are different because of the work of Christ. 00:17:13.720 --> 00:17:18.660 And so the believer is different because Christ does a work in salvation that is supernatural. 00:17:19.160 --> 00:17:25.860 It's not something that just kind of happens because I grew up in a particular kind of home or I had a particular kind of education. 00:17:25.859 --> 00:17:37.939 It was the grace of God that found me and found you in the absolute moral bankruptcy of the place you were in and got a hold of you and dragged you out of that pit and gave you new hope and new life. 00:17:38.799 --> 00:17:41.279 And I want you to think with me just for a moment about what that means. 00:17:42.179 --> 00:17:47.299 I think about the passage over in 2 Corinthians 5, verse 17, where it says this, 00:17:47.939 --> 00:17:52.079 If any man be in Christ Jesus, he is a new creation. 00:17:52.079 --> 00:18:01.699 I had a conversation not too long ago with a young man in which he alluded to the fact that he grew up in a Christian home. 00:18:01.859 --> 00:18:07.399 And the truth of the matter is that when he was in Sunday school, he made one of those professions. 00:18:09.899 --> 00:18:15.679 But he said, you know, I never saw the power of God changing any part of my life. 00:18:17.439 --> 00:18:18.659 Can you identify with that? 00:18:18.660 --> 00:18:32.360 Watching, learning, picking up all the vocabulary of spirituality, but never ever seeing the power of the cross which transforms the life of a believer 00:18:32.360 --> 00:18:39.640 and changes him from where he used to be to where he is going to be, moving him by grace and the power of God. 00:18:40.200 --> 00:18:44.980 And he says, you know, I never saw any of the power of God at work in my life. 00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:48.620 And then later on, about 21 or so, he came to faith. 00:18:48.720 --> 00:18:51.759 He realized the bankruptcy of his heart and he trusted in Christ. 00:18:51.839 --> 00:18:52.579 And he says, you know what? 00:18:52.839 --> 00:18:58.620 I have the power of Christ at work in me and I'm not the same today as I used to be. 00:18:59.559 --> 00:19:06.380 So I want you to recognize this morning, salvation is the work of Christ that makes us different. 00:19:06.819 --> 00:19:11.140 And that difference is something that is evident to the unbelieving world. 00:19:11.140 --> 00:19:17.940 Well, let's step now from the larger picture of the fact that we're different to understanding our particular role. 00:19:18.640 --> 00:19:27.360 When Jesus announced to his followers that they are salt and light, he wasn't just saying something about what we ought to be. 00:19:27.520 --> 00:19:28.980 He was saying what we are. 00:19:29.759 --> 00:19:30.259 We are. 00:19:30.980 --> 00:19:32.120 Look at the passage again. 00:19:32.560 --> 00:19:34.900 You are the salt of the earth. 00:19:35.240 --> 00:19:37.360 You are the light of the world. 00:19:37.359 --> 00:19:45.500 I want you to recognize that salt and light were precious commodities in the ancient world. 00:19:46.919 --> 00:19:53.839 Salt was something that was valued to the point that the Roman soldier was actually paid with salt in some case. 00:19:54.099 --> 00:19:56.939 Have you ever heard the phrase, he's worth his salt? 00:19:57.379 --> 00:19:58.059 Ever heard that one? 00:19:58.740 --> 00:20:01.219 It's actually a reference to value. 00:20:01.220 --> 00:20:05.220 And salt was so highly prized that receiving... 00:20:05.819 --> 00:20:07.400 How many of you like food without salt? 00:20:07.480 --> 00:20:09.900 Anybody here on Mrs. Dash or anything like that? 00:20:09.980 --> 00:20:13.420 You know, it's like the best way to live life is with Mrs. Dash, right? 00:20:13.680 --> 00:20:14.880 No salt additives. 00:20:15.000 --> 00:20:15.220 It's like... 00:20:15.779 --> 00:20:18.680 Hello? 00:20:20.500 --> 00:20:23.779 Salt is very important to flavor. 00:20:23.900 --> 00:20:24.539 Would you agree with that? 00:20:24.539 --> 00:20:34.539 Salt was not only valuable for flavoring things, but it was also something that kept... 00:20:34.539 --> 00:20:37.180 I want to use a real nice word here, putrefaction. 00:20:37.399 --> 00:20:37.700 How many... 00:20:37.700 --> 00:20:39.119 Get with rotting. 00:20:39.859 --> 00:20:40.059 Okay? 00:20:41.059 --> 00:20:44.000 You didn't have refrigeration in the good old days. 00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:48.460 You had brining or salt curing. 00:20:49.039 --> 00:20:50.559 Talk about blood pressure problems. 00:20:50.799 --> 00:20:52.379 You know, it was right up there. 00:20:52.380 --> 00:20:56.960 But anyway, you relied upon salt to preserve things. 00:20:57.080 --> 00:20:59.720 It was something that was an antiseptic in a sense. 00:21:00.180 --> 00:21:05.660 And so when Jesus said, you're the salt of the earth, he was commenting on the fact that 00:21:05.660 --> 00:21:11.900 that highly prized and valuable functioning in a very particular way to add flavor and preservation. 00:21:12.480 --> 00:21:14.000 And light, what's the sense of light? 00:21:15.060 --> 00:21:16.440 We take light for granted. 00:21:17.500 --> 00:21:21.060 What happens when you don't have light and God turns the big ones off? 00:21:22.380 --> 00:21:22.740 Huh? 00:21:23.280 --> 00:21:27.380 How many of you are very careful walking at night when you don't have light? 00:21:27.760 --> 00:21:27.920 Huh? 00:21:28.220 --> 00:21:28.860 You ever done that? 00:21:29.620 --> 00:21:33.240 Creeping around very carefully hoping nobody moved furniture into your path? 00:21:33.380 --> 00:21:35.820 Because without light, you're in trouble. 00:21:37.720 --> 00:21:44.640 Jesus says you are salt and light because your ministry is one of protecting, 00:21:44.640 --> 00:21:51.440 of blessing with flavor, and also of dealing with the putrefaction of the culture. 00:21:51.600 --> 00:21:52.820 So understand this. 00:21:52.900 --> 00:21:55.920 The world, this is another thing that Jesus says when he says you're salt and light. 00:21:56.200 --> 00:22:00.800 He is commenting on the fact that the world is really a putrid in a dark place. 00:22:01.780 --> 00:22:03.820 I don't mean that there aren't beautiful places. 00:22:03.819 --> 00:22:13.460 I remember noticing over on the side on my computer the other day 20 beautiful places to visit in the world. 00:22:13.639 --> 00:22:15.099 You know, I was like, oh, wow, that's great. 00:22:15.319 --> 00:22:18.259 And we all have been to places that are pretty spectacular, right? 00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:20.480 Niagara Falls, wherever it is. 00:22:20.779 --> 00:22:24.359 You know, we're out there in nature, and man, that's beautiful. 00:22:24.460 --> 00:22:25.460 Man, look what God did. 00:22:25.460 --> 00:22:30.340 But I want you to understand when Jesus says that the world is what it is, 00:22:30.380 --> 00:22:34.600 he's recognizing just the darkness and the depravity of human existence. 00:22:35.660 --> 00:22:42.819 We've all read the news, and we read about the horrible things that happen in the world. 00:22:43.240 --> 00:22:48.700 And we recognize that those things happen because of the heart of darkness in mankind. 00:22:48.700 --> 00:22:56.580 And we recognize that those things don't just exist apart from the struggle and the depravity of man. 00:22:57.480 --> 00:23:00.500 And since the world is absolutely filled with cruelty and darkness, 00:23:00.779 --> 00:23:05.160 it is important to remember that we've been put here to be salt and light. 00:23:06.080 --> 00:23:10.120 By virtue of being a believer, by virtue of coming to faith, 00:23:10.819 --> 00:23:13.440 you are without question salt and light in this world. 00:23:13.440 --> 00:23:20.400 To be more specific, being salt has to do with adding flavor and preserving something. 00:23:21.180 --> 00:23:26.340 We've been appointed to salvation to be a wholesome and winsome example of Christ, 00:23:26.740 --> 00:23:30.740 and our words and our behavior is to draw people to our Savior. 00:23:31.580 --> 00:23:35.140 I can't help but think of Paul's ministry to unbelievers 00:23:35.140 --> 00:23:41.019 and notice how he was far more focused on the gospel hope than he was on anything else. 00:23:41.019 --> 00:23:48.660 I want you to know that the ancient world was even more immoral and godless than the world we live in today. 00:23:48.859 --> 00:23:53.400 We think it's pretty bad sometimes, but recognize that when Paul wrote what he did, 00:23:53.660 --> 00:23:56.740 he wrote to a church that lived in Rome, 00:23:56.839 --> 00:24:02.400 which was absolutely the armpit of the moral catastrophe of the world at that time. 00:24:02.519 --> 00:24:03.759 And he writes to them and says, 00:24:03.839 --> 00:24:06.460 Listen, I have confidence in the power of the gospel. 00:24:06.460 --> 00:24:11.700 So I want you to know that the ruling of the Supreme Court on marriage 00:24:11.700 --> 00:24:16.880 has not made marriage or sexual behavior more important than the gospel, 00:24:17.100 --> 00:24:20.120 and we should not get sidetracked from that primary issue. 00:24:20.880 --> 00:24:25.100 Unless people are changed by the grace of God and salvation, 00:24:25.519 --> 00:24:30.700 they will perish and go to hell regardless of where they stand on the marital issues, 00:24:30.880 --> 00:24:32.799 and I think it's important for us to remember that. 00:24:32.799 --> 00:24:38.779 Our gospel appeals should be gentle and winsome, 00:24:38.859 --> 00:24:42.879 and by that I mean kind and spirited in a sweet way 00:24:42.879 --> 00:24:46.099 rather than argumentative like Westboro Baptist Church. 00:24:46.180 --> 00:24:47.159 I am embarrassed. 00:24:47.720 --> 00:24:51.599 I am embarrassed when I hear about those people that carry the name Baptist 00:24:51.599 --> 00:24:53.519 and are showing up at all different kinds of places 00:24:53.519 --> 00:24:58.299 and just absolutely making godless wretches of themselves and dishonoring Christ. 00:24:58.299 --> 00:25:02.659 The believer is to be an illustration of the kindness and mercy of God, 00:25:02.799 --> 00:25:04.159 not to play Jonah. 00:25:04.319 --> 00:25:06.940 And by the way, do you know what Jonah's problem was in part? 00:25:07.700 --> 00:25:10.059 How many of you ever stopped and thought about why Jonah really wrote the book? 00:25:10.859 --> 00:25:13.059 I know God instructed him, right? 00:25:14.000 --> 00:25:19.519 But Jonah also makes himself a clear illustration of what a wrong heart looks like 00:25:19.519 --> 00:25:22.379 and how God uses a wrong heart despite the wrong heart. 00:25:23.079 --> 00:25:24.500 So do we want to be Jonah's? 00:25:24.500 --> 00:25:27.539 The answer is no, no. 00:25:28.480 --> 00:25:32.279 We want to be faithful to our high calling and to be gracious in doing it. 00:25:33.400 --> 00:25:39.859 I want you to recognize that the early church silenced its critics far more 00:25:39.859 --> 00:25:44.500 by the kindness and mercy that they displayed than by anything else, 00:25:44.660 --> 00:25:47.380 and we are in the same situation and need to do the same. 00:25:47.380 --> 00:25:55.240 It is no accident that while abortion has been the law of our land since 1970, 00:25:56.840 --> 00:26:01.880 that the attitude of our culture towards abortion has shifted significantly, 00:26:02.200 --> 00:26:04.560 not as a result of legislation, 00:26:05.020 --> 00:26:10.320 but because of the kindness and mercy of believers that are exercising mercy 00:26:10.320 --> 00:26:12.720 towards those who have been snared by Satan. 00:26:12.720 --> 00:26:18.480 And so we've got to be careful that we're involved in being salt and adding flavor and preserving 00:26:18.480 --> 00:26:20.960 rather than just being belligerent and argumentative. 00:26:22.180 --> 00:26:26.740 The second description that Jesus gives of the believer here is he says we're called to be light, 00:26:27.059 --> 00:26:30.740 and I want you to understand that what he's saying here is we're called to shed light 00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:33.360 and truth on the darkness around us. 00:26:33.819 --> 00:26:36.460 That doesn't mean that we just kind of sit quietly by ourselves 00:26:36.460 --> 00:26:40.779 and we kind of hold back and don't have anything to say at all, 00:26:40.880 --> 00:26:45.180 but it does mean this, that when we do it, we do it with a gentle spirit. 00:26:46.220 --> 00:26:48.920 We don't join the debauchery in sin. 00:26:49.779 --> 00:26:52.880 We don't agree with the moral perversion that is going around, 00:26:53.259 --> 00:26:57.440 but our nature in doing that is not belligerent and argumentative. 00:26:58.279 --> 00:27:00.180 There is rottenness in our culture. 00:27:00.180 --> 00:27:05.660 There is sin that is affecting every fiber of our nation, 00:27:06.100 --> 00:27:09.539 and we as believers are called to be, first of all, 00:27:09.580 --> 00:27:13.080 a holy example of what the Spirit of God does in salvation, 00:27:13.480 --> 00:27:17.299 and secondly, illustrating that to give opportunity to speak to it 00:27:17.299 --> 00:27:20.400 when it comes to our attention or we have opportunity. 00:27:22.160 --> 00:27:25.519 That means that against the bitterness and the cruelty that we see 00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:32.339 when men mistreat one another, we are to be examples of mercy and grace. 00:27:32.920 --> 00:27:36.940 That means that in place of the greed that possesses our nation 00:27:36.940 --> 00:27:39.920 and drives so much of our business, 00:27:40.339 --> 00:27:43.839 that we are individuals who are examples of charity and kindness, 00:27:44.379 --> 00:27:49.400 that instead of the dishonesty that just absolutely floods our politics 00:27:49.400 --> 00:27:50.879 and the world that we live in, 00:27:50.879 --> 00:27:55.039 we are examples that our yes means yes and our no means no. 00:27:56.180 --> 00:28:00.359 Let me draw a couple other pictures here of the issue of what it means to be salt and light. 00:28:00.480 --> 00:28:02.139 One is negative and one is positive. 00:28:02.940 --> 00:28:06.039 I want you to recognize, going back up there into verse 13, 00:28:06.599 --> 00:28:09.599 Jesus makes it clear that when salt loses its savor, 00:28:10.660 --> 00:28:12.119 it's discarded as worthless. 00:28:13.359 --> 00:28:14.660 Let me read the passage to you. 00:28:14.720 --> 00:28:14.900 It says, 00:28:14.900 --> 00:28:20.180 If a salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? 00:28:20.539 --> 00:28:23.900 If you know anything about salt, and I'm not a chemist, 00:28:23.900 --> 00:28:26.620 but I do understand that salt remains salt. 00:28:28.120 --> 00:28:33.380 But what can happen to salt is it can be diluted with other products. 00:28:33.519 --> 00:28:39.640 Much of the salt that was used in Jesus' day was salt that was gathered by evaporation 00:28:39.640 --> 00:28:43.400 or gathered from sources where it had appeared naturally. 00:28:43.740 --> 00:28:49.200 And as a result, many of the times that salt was diluted with a variety of other things. 00:28:49.200 --> 00:28:52.840 And the more it was diluted, the less salty it tasted. 00:28:52.839 --> 00:28:59.659 And when it reached the point that its saltiness was just overwhelmed by its dilution, 00:28:59.879 --> 00:29:03.299 the product was thrown out and was used and just trampled under feet. 00:29:03.459 --> 00:29:05.199 What do we use salt for today primarily? 00:29:05.819 --> 00:29:06.759 I mean, forget the food. 00:29:07.720 --> 00:29:12.679 The greatest amount of salt that we use here at this church is not used in our church dinners. 00:29:12.779 --> 00:29:13.519 Do you know where it's used? 00:29:14.319 --> 00:29:15.579 It's in the parking lot. 00:29:17.339 --> 00:29:18.859 I mean, people come walking in and say, 00:29:18.959 --> 00:29:20.299 Oh, we need more salt out there. 00:29:20.379 --> 00:29:21.059 No, throw it down. 00:29:21.059 --> 00:29:21.839 Lots of it. 00:29:22.039 --> 00:29:23.119 We buy it by the ton. 00:29:24.679 --> 00:29:25.539 It gets trumped on. 00:29:27.539 --> 00:29:28.339 Jesus is saying, 00:29:28.339 --> 00:29:38.279 Hey, listen, if you lose your saltiness by diluting the sweetness of the gospel with unholy living, 00:29:38.759 --> 00:29:42.159 don't be surprised if the outcome is not pretty. 00:29:43.159 --> 00:29:46.980 And I want you to understand that compromising your mission doesn't go well. 00:29:47.659 --> 00:29:49.159 Doesn't go well for a believer. 00:29:49.160 --> 00:29:51.960 Look at another illustration here. 00:29:52.820 --> 00:29:55.440 In the passage in verse 15, it says here, 00:29:56.440 --> 00:29:59.500 People don't light a lamp and put it under a basket. 00:29:59.620 --> 00:30:00.400 Now, who lit us? 00:30:01.740 --> 00:30:02.779 Why are you a light? 00:30:04.519 --> 00:30:05.880 Well, I made a career decision. 00:30:05.980 --> 00:30:07.040 I thought I'd be a good Christian. 00:30:07.440 --> 00:30:07.580 Huh? 00:30:07.880 --> 00:30:08.160 Really? 00:30:09.360 --> 00:30:09.759 No. 00:30:09.759 --> 00:30:14.000 God in His grace found me in my moral bankruptcy and brokenness, 00:30:14.140 --> 00:30:15.920 and He drew me out of the pit, 00:30:16.039 --> 00:30:18.299 and He lit me for His glory. 00:30:19.920 --> 00:30:23.400 And do you know what He's going to do with the candle that He lights? 00:30:23.539 --> 00:30:26.379 He's going to put it in an obvious place. 00:30:26.380 --> 00:30:30.740 Every one of you are in places that God has put you, 00:30:31.140 --> 00:30:34.720 and He puts you there as a candle to be an illustration of His grace. 00:30:34.980 --> 00:30:38.060 And all you have to do is be who He made you, 00:30:38.240 --> 00:30:41.040 and the result is other people notice the difference, 00:30:41.140 --> 00:30:42.940 and they ask questions for what's going on. 00:30:42.940 --> 00:30:48.740 So I want you to recognize that Jesus saved us and left us here to show His light. 00:30:49.460 --> 00:30:52.620 And that's our appointment in this perverse and wicked world. 00:30:53.200 --> 00:30:56.960 So let's close with thinking about living with confidence in the world that we live in. 00:30:58.680 --> 00:31:02.279 We become salt and light by the power of God. 00:31:03.140 --> 00:31:05.279 We become salt and light by the power of God. 00:31:05.320 --> 00:31:06.519 How is it that I came to faith? 00:31:06.840 --> 00:31:08.759 How is it that you have become salt and light? 00:31:08.759 --> 00:31:08.799 Right? 00:31:09.119 --> 00:31:12.960 Remind yourself that you are who you are as salt and light 00:31:12.960 --> 00:31:17.119 because of the power of God that found you in your darkness 00:31:17.119 --> 00:31:19.980 and gave you light in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:31:21.660 --> 00:31:25.119 Secondly, I want you to recognize that He has given you specific instructions 00:31:25.119 --> 00:31:26.099 for how to live your life. 00:31:26.920 --> 00:31:29.940 There's no reason to go floundering along with an indifference 00:31:29.940 --> 00:31:33.160 to what your principal purpose in this life is. 00:31:33.460 --> 00:31:37.680 He's called you, and He's given you explicit and specific instructions. 00:31:37.680 --> 00:31:40.420 I want you to take just a moment and turn over to Philippians. 00:31:40.640 --> 00:31:43.380 You're there in Matthew, but turn to Philippians chapter 2. 00:31:47.779 --> 00:31:50.220 Philippians chapter 2, verse 14 and 15. 00:31:53.920 --> 00:31:56.680 Do all things without grumbling or questioning, 00:31:57.420 --> 00:32:01.299 that you may be blameless and innocent children of God without blemish 00:32:01.299 --> 00:32:05.879 in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation 00:32:05.879 --> 00:32:10.419 among whom you shine as lights in the world. 00:32:10.919 --> 00:32:12.599 Hey, Monday's coming. 00:32:13.599 --> 00:32:14.379 Lord willing. 00:32:15.440 --> 00:32:17.299 And when you arrive on the job, 00:32:18.339 --> 00:32:21.599 I'm going to venture to say that a lot of people are going to have 00:32:21.599 --> 00:32:26.779 kind of a moral or mental hangover from the long weekend. 00:32:26.839 --> 00:32:27.339 Am I right? 00:32:27.339 --> 00:32:31.919 How many of you go to work and have everybody else walking in the day saying, 00:32:32.119 --> 00:32:33.459 Monday, it's here. 00:32:33.619 --> 00:32:34.399 I get to work. 00:32:34.459 --> 00:32:35.659 How many of you have that kind of thing happen? 00:32:38.419 --> 00:32:38.799 How many? 00:32:38.939 --> 00:32:44.539 And complaining, grumbling, unhappy, unsettled, 00:32:45.079 --> 00:32:50.799 their lives in turmoil, chaos because they're living apart from the grace 00:32:50.799 --> 00:32:52.379 and the purposes of God. 00:32:52.519 --> 00:32:54.519 And in the midst of that, guess what you are? 00:32:54.519 --> 00:32:56.420 Go back to that passage again. 00:32:57.059 --> 00:32:57.720 What's it say? 00:32:58.779 --> 00:33:03.119 That you may be blameless, innocent children of God without blemish 00:33:03.119 --> 00:33:07.319 in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation. 00:33:09.400 --> 00:33:11.139 So ask yourself the question. 00:33:11.140 --> 00:33:25.560 Does your life, your humility, your truthfulness, your kindness, 00:33:26.780 --> 00:33:32.840 your joy, lift up the character of Christ 00:33:32.839 --> 00:33:38.659 and help other people who are broken by the unintended consequences of sin 00:33:38.659 --> 00:33:42.839 to wonder what it is in you that's different? 00:33:46.240 --> 00:33:47.539 Peter says this, 00:33:48.399 --> 00:33:52.519 that we're to be ready to give an answer for the hope that lies within us. 00:33:53.379 --> 00:33:54.359 Let me tell you something. 00:33:55.059 --> 00:33:59.939 People won't ask about the hope if you don't live the hope. 00:33:59.940 --> 00:34:04.900 Let's close in prayer. 00:34:08.300 --> 00:34:10.579 Gracious Father, this morning as we consider 00:34:10.579 --> 00:34:14.500 the high and holy calling that we have as believers, 00:34:15.200 --> 00:34:20.159 we want to be faithful to what you have done in saving us 00:34:20.159 --> 00:34:21.760 and calling us to be salt and light. 00:34:21.760 --> 00:34:25.260 And as we think about the responsibility we have, 00:34:26.820 --> 00:34:29.980 Father, I am confident that there are some here today 00:34:29.980 --> 00:34:34.060 whose hearts have been diverted by this world from their holy calling. 00:34:35.680 --> 00:34:37.880 And this morning they need to humble themselves 00:34:37.880 --> 00:34:41.000 and rededicate their lives to serving the King of kings, 00:34:41.120 --> 00:34:42.900 the Lord of glory, the Lord of lights. 00:34:44.640 --> 00:34:48.260 There are also some here today that do not know Christ as their personal Savior. 00:34:48.260 --> 00:34:53.140 And this morning as they consider the reality of the darkness of their soul, 00:34:53.300 --> 00:34:56.700 they recognize that there is no hope in themselves. 00:34:57.820 --> 00:34:59.220 And the gospel is clear. 00:35:00.220 --> 00:35:02.460 Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 00:35:03.420 --> 00:35:07.600 And all who call upon His name receive everlasting life. 00:35:08.480 --> 00:35:11.300 And Lord, as we come to the close of the service this morning, 00:35:11.400 --> 00:35:14.560 we're thankful for the fact that Scriptures make it clear 00:35:14.559 --> 00:35:16.079 that our hope is in the Lord Jesus. 00:35:16.440 --> 00:35:20.039 And let us display that as believers by the way we live. 00:35:21.059 --> 00:35:23.579 And let those that don't know Christ be drawn to Him. 00:35:24.259 --> 00:35:25.920 We ask in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:35:25.920 --> 00:35:26.019 Amen.