WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.779 Well, good evening. It is wonderful to be with you in Stornoway. And as you can tell, probably very quickly, this accent is not a Scottish one. 00:00:10.779 --> 00:00:28.060 I am from a little further south in South Africa. And yes, I came to join the team of SOLAS, the SOLAS Center for Public Christianity, two years ago this month to join them to be doing the ministry that we do, which has been alluded to slightly. 00:00:28.059 --> 00:00:55.840 So if you're not too familiar with SOLAS, we are a ministry that exists to do evangelism, persuasive evangelism. That means going out to universities and partnering with churches to go to restaurants or cafes or just joining at their churches to do really outreach, sharing the truth of the Bible, the truth of Christianity and the truth that Jesus Christ is indeed risen. 00:00:55.840 --> 00:01:08.680 And I am absolutely blessed to be able to do that. That is one part of what we do. The other side of what we do, very much what we were doing yesterday in the hall just next door, was training. 00:01:09.120 --> 00:01:17.700 Basically training Christians to be a little more confident, to be able to have good conversations and to share the hope that we have in Jesus. 00:01:17.700 --> 00:01:28.960 A hope that is found nowhere else but in the pages of Scripture and the reality that indeed Jesus is risen and he has gifted us his Holy Spirit. 00:01:29.579 --> 00:01:36.060 So that's what we're about. And it's been my pleasure since Friday to be here on the Isle of Lewis and Harris. 00:01:36.260 --> 00:01:41.800 It's my second time out here and I just thoroughly enjoy being here. So I am blessed to be here. 00:01:41.799 --> 00:01:50.799 The title of the message for this evening is Mission Manifests the Kingdom. Mission Manifests the Kingdom. 00:01:52.099 --> 00:02:01.019 Often when I'm out speaking at universities or doing evangelism events and sharing the truth and the relevance of Christianity, 00:02:01.019 --> 00:02:06.379 there is a question that comes up more often than I would like. And it is this. 00:02:06.379 --> 00:02:16.639 Why do you Christians feel that you have to share what you believe? Why go and tell other people? Why not just leave them alone? 00:02:17.379 --> 00:02:25.900 Recently I made a short video that was shared on several platforms and in the comments section in one of those platforms was that very question. 00:02:26.620 --> 00:02:31.579 And so it's something that happens regularly. But it's something that I've been seeing for many, many years. 00:02:31.580 --> 00:02:44.240 When I was still in South Africa at the church there, there was a team that used to go out and do ministry on the streets of Johannesburg to ladies who were working on the streets, prostitutes. 00:02:44.840 --> 00:02:50.380 And they would go out and interact with these ladies and share the hope of the gospel with them. 00:02:51.100 --> 00:02:55.740 And so I decided that this sounded like something I was very keen to go and do. 00:02:55.860 --> 00:02:58.600 And so a few times I went out and joined the team as they did this. 00:02:58.599 --> 00:03:06.639 And one evening I was able to have an extended conversation with one lady and she opened up as we spoke to her. 00:03:06.699 --> 00:03:16.400 She opened up about her broken family background and all of the things that had happened to her in her life to reach that point of being on the streets of Johannesburg. 00:03:17.099 --> 00:03:18.479 And it was a great conversation. 00:03:18.780 --> 00:03:27.519 We had the opportunity to share the gospel with her, the hope of Jesus Christ, the good news of forgiveness of sins and new life with him. 00:03:27.520 --> 00:03:34.020 And we were able then to connect her with a ministry that helps ladies stuck in that situation to get out of that. 00:03:34.360 --> 00:03:35.420 And it was wonderful. 00:03:36.439 --> 00:03:45.980 The team asked me if I would be open to just writing up a few thoughts that they had put on a website about that experience just to encourage others to maybe think about doing the same thing. 00:03:46.660 --> 00:03:49.300 And so I happily obliged and wrote a short piece. 00:03:49.300 --> 00:03:55.360 And that went out and a few days later there was a comment that got posted on that piece and it said this. 00:03:56.140 --> 00:03:57.460 What is wrong with you Christians? 00:03:58.140 --> 00:04:00.100 Why don't you just leave these people alone? 00:04:00.240 --> 00:04:02.280 It's their choice to live the way that they want. 00:04:02.740 --> 00:04:04.680 Why do you feel like you need to get involved? 00:04:05.260 --> 00:04:07.280 Just leave them alone. 00:04:07.720 --> 00:04:08.760 Just leave them alone. 00:04:08.759 --> 00:04:11.840 And that so often is the attitude. 00:04:12.199 --> 00:04:14.639 Let people just live the way they want. 00:04:14.739 --> 00:04:21.019 Thinking that we should, you know, everyone, the things that we do, we do them because that is just simply our desire. 00:04:21.599 --> 00:04:22.959 But I was there. 00:04:23.019 --> 00:04:30.360 I was there speaking to this lady, hearing about the abuse, the desperation that had led her to that place. 00:04:30.360 --> 00:04:35.780 You know, in the first ten minutes of chatting to her, she put on a bit of a face and said, oh, she loves the work that she does. 00:04:35.840 --> 00:04:47.620 But it took just those ten minutes until she was in tears and telling us about the struggle and that she was doing this to put food on the table for her children who thought that she was actually off doing waitressing work somewhere. 00:04:48.199 --> 00:04:49.420 And the point is this. 00:04:49.720 --> 00:04:50.319 I'll share that. 00:04:51.060 --> 00:04:53.280 Because the world is dark. 00:04:53.680 --> 00:04:54.600 The world is dark. 00:04:54.600 --> 00:05:01.840 It's broken and we desperately need a savior, even when we don't really want to acknowledge that. 00:05:02.220 --> 00:05:07.320 Even if we've bought into the lie that we are indeed the masters of our own fate. 00:05:08.040 --> 00:05:14.480 And so every day as we go about speaking to people at work, be it, you know, colleagues or family or friends, 00:05:14.480 --> 00:05:19.840 we are rubbing shoulders with people who might look like they have it all together on the outside, 00:05:19.839 --> 00:05:25.239 when in fact they are broken and they are desperate for something more. 00:05:25.919 --> 00:05:31.060 They're desperate for a true and lasting hope and they just don't know where to find it. 00:05:31.659 --> 00:05:40.519 And so they move from one thing to the next thing, searching and searching, be it money or broken relationships or throwing themselves at work, 00:05:40.620 --> 00:05:46.279 thinking that is where they will find satisfaction and fulfillment or alcohol and other substances. 00:05:46.279 --> 00:05:51.259 Moving from one thing to the next thing, looking for meaning. 00:05:52.039 --> 00:05:57.919 And all too often I think people, many people have been blinded into thinking that this is just the way it is. 00:05:58.019 --> 00:06:00.299 This is the extent of life. 00:06:00.859 --> 00:06:07.439 But deep down I think we can all attest to the fact that we know there must be something more. 00:06:08.599 --> 00:06:13.619 So, why do Christians feel that they need to share the gospel? 00:06:13.620 --> 00:06:20.079 With the time that we have remaining together this evening, I'd love to share just some thoughts on that. 00:06:20.459 --> 00:06:24.600 And we've had this wonderful scripture from the Sermon on the Mount that's been read. 00:06:24.860 --> 00:06:27.340 I'm going to read it again because it's a short piece and so relevant. 00:06:28.120 --> 00:06:28.879 Jesus says, 00:06:28.879 --> 00:06:43.800 You are the light of the world. 00:06:44.240 --> 00:06:50.060 A city set on a hill cannot be hidden, nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. 00:06:50.060 --> 00:06:54.079 But they put it on a stand and it gives light to all in the house. 00:06:55.180 --> 00:06:57.740 In the same way. 00:06:58.319 --> 00:06:59.360 In the same way. 00:07:00.220 --> 00:07:08.740 Let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. 00:07:08.740 --> 00:07:13.040 So, Jesus has been teaching in this section of the Sermon on the Mount. 00:07:13.160 --> 00:07:15.199 He's been teaching about the new life. 00:07:15.560 --> 00:07:20.060 The new life that is the life in the kingdom of heaven that he has ushered in. 00:07:20.300 --> 00:07:22.000 In what we know as the Sermon on the Mount. 00:07:22.360 --> 00:07:26.259 And in the first few paragraphs of that, he's been speaking quite generally. 00:07:26.879 --> 00:07:32.740 But then here in verse 13, he immediately begins to speak to those hearing him in second person. 00:07:32.740 --> 00:07:37.500 To bring direct application to those who are hearing his words. 00:07:37.600 --> 00:07:37.980 He says, 00:07:38.500 --> 00:07:41.199 You are the salt of the earth. 00:07:41.560 --> 00:07:44.319 You are the light of the world. 00:07:44.879 --> 00:07:50.420 And I'm fully convinced that these same words apply to every single one of us here today. 00:07:50.420 --> 00:07:53.199 If you call yourself a follower of Jesus. 00:07:54.060 --> 00:07:55.120 It's amazing. 00:07:55.360 --> 00:07:56.879 These are amazing words from our Lord. 00:07:57.300 --> 00:08:00.500 And Jesus, he uses such simple illustrations, I think. 00:08:00.500 --> 00:08:04.579 But the point that he makes comes with great force. 00:08:05.139 --> 00:08:06.660 And it's simply this. 00:08:08.040 --> 00:08:12.939 Each of these things, both salt and light, they are essential. 00:08:13.639 --> 00:08:16.839 But has its necessary effect on its environment. 00:08:17.319 --> 00:08:22.980 Only if it is both distinct from it and also fully involved in it. 00:08:23.500 --> 00:08:24.279 I'll say that again. 00:08:24.620 --> 00:08:27.439 Each of these things, salt and light, is essential. 00:08:27.439 --> 00:08:30.399 But has its necessary effect on its environment. 00:08:30.579 --> 00:08:35.279 Only if it is both distinct from it, yet fully involved in it. 00:08:36.080 --> 00:08:37.379 Fully involved in it. 00:08:37.399 --> 00:08:38.139 What does that mean? 00:08:38.419 --> 00:08:38.879 What does that mean? 00:08:39.720 --> 00:08:44.120 Salt is very different to the bland meat that we put it on. 00:08:44.500 --> 00:08:48.320 I'm South African, which means sort of naturally I love meat. 00:08:48.620 --> 00:08:52.820 We have something in South Africa called biltong, which is basically a dried, cured meat. 00:08:52.820 --> 00:08:54.760 It is a very popular snack. 00:08:54.840 --> 00:08:55.340 It's amazing. 00:08:55.780 --> 00:08:59.840 If you've had it and not liked it, I'm terribly sorry, but I must disagree with you. 00:08:59.900 --> 00:09:00.440 It's wonderful. 00:09:00.960 --> 00:09:05.060 But it takes a lot of salt to get it to be what it is supposed to be. 00:09:05.140 --> 00:09:10.540 To get it to have the right flavor and to be preserved so that you can keep it for a long time. 00:09:11.540 --> 00:09:11.700 Right? 00:09:12.800 --> 00:09:16.240 The meat of the biltong, of that meat, is not the salt. 00:09:16.240 --> 00:09:20.539 But the salt has an effect on it and it brings out the flavor. 00:09:20.860 --> 00:09:23.139 It causes the preservation. 00:09:24.200 --> 00:09:29.240 Light, to carry on with Jesus' illustration here, is not the darkness. 00:09:29.779 --> 00:09:30.279 They're different. 00:09:31.000 --> 00:09:34.240 But light dispels the darkness and it makes us see things properly. 00:09:35.220 --> 00:09:39.060 And so a light in a dark room is absolutely useless if we cover it up. 00:09:39.200 --> 00:09:39.899 Why would we do that? 00:09:40.019 --> 00:09:42.399 I mean, Jesus uses such simple illustrations. 00:09:42.779 --> 00:09:44.980 You look and yeah, that makes no sense. 00:09:44.980 --> 00:09:49.019 If there's a light, you put it on a stand and it lights things up. 00:09:49.159 --> 00:09:50.779 If you cover it up, there's no illumination. 00:09:51.019 --> 00:09:51.500 It's pointless. 00:09:52.200 --> 00:09:52.779 It's pointless. 00:09:53.820 --> 00:09:56.800 Are you getting what Jesus is saying to us here today? 00:09:57.759 --> 00:09:59.180 I don't think it's very difficult. 00:09:59.779 --> 00:10:01.180 It's not difficult at all, actually. 00:10:01.320 --> 00:10:03.340 It's just uncomfortable. 00:10:04.300 --> 00:10:11.800 And I think we all feel that as we read these words, as Jesus commissions us to be going out and being the salt and light of the world. 00:10:11.799 --> 00:10:14.379 Jesus says, no, no. 00:10:14.899 --> 00:10:16.240 Don't cling to your comfort. 00:10:16.959 --> 00:10:19.399 Don't be scared to maybe cause a stir. 00:10:19.719 --> 00:10:22.879 Don't be scared to make things awkward if that's the perception you have. 00:10:22.919 --> 00:10:23.399 He says, no. 00:10:23.719 --> 00:10:25.399 You were made for a purpose. 00:10:25.839 --> 00:10:31.620 And life with me as my disciple means that you shine for the glory of God. 00:10:31.620 --> 00:10:45.759 So that when others see that light manifest in the world, they would be so drawn that they could not but come to me and glorify my name and live in the light of God's glorious kingdom. 00:10:46.139 --> 00:10:50.720 That is the point of what Jesus is saying, commissioning us to go out. 00:10:50.720 --> 00:11:02.379 And so with that purpose and with that calling in mind, I think here are just three points that I'd like you to consider as we think of this idea of mission manifesting the kingdom. 00:11:03.240 --> 00:11:04.000 Three points. 00:11:04.080 --> 00:11:06.420 The first is the reality of the kingdom. 00:11:06.879 --> 00:11:09.340 The second is the hope of the kingdom. 00:11:09.680 --> 00:11:14.840 And the third is the emissaries of the kingdom, which I will then explain. 00:11:15.220 --> 00:11:18.240 So the first, the hope, sorry, the reality of the kingdom. 00:11:18.240 --> 00:11:22.299 What is this kingdom that Jesus speaks about so much? 00:11:22.340 --> 00:11:23.919 I think that's a very, very good question. 00:11:24.080 --> 00:11:25.700 And it can be somewhat complicated. 00:11:25.860 --> 00:11:32.139 So hopefully I'm just going to unpack it for you just a little and touch on what is a very, very big theological concept. 00:11:32.840 --> 00:11:39.279 If we look at Jesus' words about life in the kingdom, as we've heard just a portion of from the Sermon on the Mount, 00:11:39.680 --> 00:11:47.000 it's a good thing, I think, to pause and say what is it that we're actually speaking about or thinking about when Jesus uses this terminology. 00:11:47.000 --> 00:11:54.580 It's important because when we look at the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, these biographies of Jesus' life and ministry, 00:11:55.080 --> 00:12:03.960 we, I think, are inescapably confronted with the fact that Jesus' message was that the kingdom has come. 00:12:05.000 --> 00:12:05.500 Interesting. 00:12:05.820 --> 00:12:07.340 Matthew 4.17 says, 00:12:07.340 --> 00:12:17.800 Mark 1.14 and 15 says, 00:12:17.800 --> 00:12:23.519 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God and saying, 00:12:23.920 --> 00:12:25.019 The time is fulfilled. 00:12:25.440 --> 00:12:27.360 The kingdom of God is at hand. 00:12:27.860 --> 00:12:29.700 Repent and believe in the gospel. 00:12:30.500 --> 00:12:32.540 And we see the same thing in Luke. 00:12:33.000 --> 00:12:34.160 So what was this gospel? 00:12:34.159 --> 00:12:39.379 What was this good news that Jesus speaks about, that he came to declare? 00:12:40.059 --> 00:12:50.839 It is that the kingdom of God was at hand, being enacted and being brought into administration by his coming into the world. 00:12:51.100 --> 00:12:52.459 And that is the good news. 00:12:52.799 --> 00:12:54.459 It's that the kingdom is at hand. 00:12:54.539 --> 00:12:58.339 It has come in the Messiah, Jesus Christ. 00:12:58.340 --> 00:13:05.540 And the kingdom of God is what Jesus spoke about, I think, more than anything else, really. 00:13:06.000 --> 00:13:11.460 Just in the Gospel of Matthew alone, Jesus mentions the kingdom 50 times. 00:13:11.759 --> 00:13:12.320 50 times. 00:13:12.379 --> 00:13:13.879 That's in a sort of normal-sized Bible. 00:13:14.160 --> 00:13:16.540 That's around about one and a half times per page. 00:13:17.100 --> 00:13:21.899 And so if we want to understand who Jesus is and what the gospel is really all about, 00:13:21.899 --> 00:13:26.220 we need to perhaps pay very close attention to what the term means. 00:13:27.319 --> 00:13:31.299 Now, over the years, considering what is Christianity all about, 00:13:31.659 --> 00:13:35.799 I think different traditions and different people have emphasized a couple of different things. 00:13:36.059 --> 00:13:39.779 All true, but maybe not the full picture. 00:13:40.059 --> 00:13:44.000 Here are some examples that sort of touch on it, but not the whole picture. 00:13:44.639 --> 00:13:50.679 Each of these shows a small part of the reality of what Christianity is about, what the kingdom is about. 00:13:50.679 --> 00:13:54.679 The first is that people would say, well, it's all about Jesus' ethical teachings. 00:13:55.459 --> 00:13:59.479 You know, his morals that he comes to teach us, the good way to live, the right way to live. 00:13:59.599 --> 00:14:03.599 And that's true, but it's not really what the kingdom is all about. 00:14:04.659 --> 00:14:07.679 The second is that Jesus is what would be called our moral exemplar. 00:14:08.579 --> 00:14:10.439 He is the example for us to follow. 00:14:10.539 --> 00:14:15.199 We look at his life, we see what he did, and we try and follow that out by the way we live. 00:14:15.459 --> 00:14:19.819 That is absolutely true, but again, it's not the full picture. 00:14:20.679 --> 00:14:26.719 Some would say that, you know, you read the gospels, you read the parables, the stories about Jesus' life. 00:14:27.500 --> 00:14:30.859 And, you know, these are stories that we can identify with and step into. 00:14:31.519 --> 00:14:32.979 And that's what it's all about. 00:14:33.399 --> 00:14:38.259 Well, again, I think that's sort of, you know, usefulness to us as we reflect and meditate on scripture. 00:14:38.399 --> 00:14:40.500 But it's, again, not the full story. 00:14:40.500 --> 00:14:48.220 And many would say, well, Christianity, the message of the gospel of the kingdom is all about going to heaven. 00:14:48.580 --> 00:14:49.539 That's what it's all about. 00:14:50.039 --> 00:14:52.639 Now, again, that's not the full picture. 00:14:53.019 --> 00:14:57.159 But let me focus on this one for a moment because I think this is very, very prevalent. 00:14:57.820 --> 00:15:01.980 The idea is this, is that Jesus came to teach people how to go to heaven. 00:15:01.980 --> 00:15:08.240 Basically, this is sadly in our time been taken to almost be a get out of jail free card. 00:15:08.420 --> 00:15:12.060 You know, if you profess faith in Jesus and that just means you've got your ticket to heaven. 00:15:12.279 --> 00:15:13.399 And that's the extent of it. 00:15:14.120 --> 00:15:16.560 That is not at all what we see in scripture. 00:15:16.559 --> 00:15:23.119 Now, absolutely, there is a very strong affirmation in the whole of the New Testament. 00:15:23.559 --> 00:15:32.299 And I think through the whole of scripture that God has a wonderful, wonderful future prepared for his people after their bodily death. 00:15:33.039 --> 00:15:38.299 Climaxing in the new world of resurrection and new heaven and new earth, whatever that might look like. 00:15:38.299 --> 00:15:45.839 But this is not what Jesus' teaching is primarily about as we think about this concept of the kingdom of heaven. 00:15:45.840 --> 00:15:51.420 The point of our faith is not just so that you get to go to heaven one day. 00:15:51.620 --> 00:15:53.399 I think that is insufficient. 00:15:54.360 --> 00:16:00.240 The phrase the kingdom of heaven is actually about the rule of heaven coming to earth. 00:16:00.600 --> 00:16:02.040 The rule of heaven coming to earth. 00:16:02.040 --> 00:16:14.639 When Matthew has Jesus talking about heaven's kingdom, he means that heaven, in other words, the God of heaven, is establishing his sovereign rule, not just in heaven, but on earth as well. 00:16:14.639 --> 00:16:18.720 And that, in Jesus' coming, is what he came to begin. 00:16:19.519 --> 00:16:32.779 And so in a very poor nutshell, if you will, it's all about Jesus taking up his place as Messiah, the true king, ushering in the true kingdom. 00:16:32.779 --> 00:16:41.419 And it is a kingdom in which we, as followers of Jesus, play a very important part. 00:16:42.139 --> 00:16:50.039 I promise, this does build to the point of the sermon, this question of why we should be sharing our faith. 00:16:50.120 --> 00:16:54.220 But to me, I think that is very important to understand the context of these verses. 00:16:54.439 --> 00:16:57.000 It's all in the context of the kingdom of heaven. 00:16:57.000 --> 00:17:01.700 Before I began, we also read Psalm 8. 00:17:02.220 --> 00:17:03.259 Why did we do that? 00:17:03.980 --> 00:17:09.299 Psalm 8 is a reflection, I think, on Genesis 1. 00:17:09.819 --> 00:17:19.000 It's a reflection on the order of creation and our place as stewards over creation, being made in the image of God. 00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:27.019 That is the reality of the way God initially set things up as we read those pages of Scripture in Genesis 1 and read about the Garden of Eden. 00:17:27.359 --> 00:17:28.819 It's that he is the creator. 00:17:28.980 --> 00:17:40.500 He is the ultimate sovereign, but he has put his royal image onto humanity to be stewards of that creation, looking after it, to functionally rule over it in some way. 00:17:40.500 --> 00:17:43.940 And so this initial created order was good. 00:17:44.339 --> 00:17:52.059 It was a reality where God's space, God's kingdom was overlapping with or in harmony with the earth. 00:17:52.880 --> 00:17:54.380 And it was this glorious harmony. 00:17:54.700 --> 00:18:07.500 And it's a description of this wonderful unity where God has set up this world and humanity was in right relationship with its creator, working to be his stewards, his emissaries. 00:18:07.500 --> 00:18:10.500 In Genesis 1, 27 and 28, it says, 00:18:10.880 --> 00:18:12.880 So God created man in his own image. 00:18:13.240 --> 00:18:14.900 In the image of God he created him. 00:18:15.279 --> 00:18:17.000 Male and female he created them. 00:18:17.400 --> 00:18:19.079 And God blessed them and said to them, 00:18:19.140 --> 00:18:24.559 Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it. 00:18:25.140 --> 00:18:25.799 Subdue it. 00:18:26.660 --> 00:18:30.420 See, we were set up as stewards of the creation. 00:18:30.960 --> 00:18:35.440 But we know from Genesis 3, just a few pages on, that something went wrong. 00:18:35.440 --> 00:18:37.160 That humanity went astray. 00:18:37.720 --> 00:18:41.660 And in doing so, the right ordering of things was broken. 00:18:42.420 --> 00:18:45.279 And following that, sin and death entered the world. 00:18:45.480 --> 00:18:52.880 And the proper setup of what we saw in Genesis 1, this picture of perfect harmony reflected in Psalm 8, was then broken. 00:18:53.259 --> 00:18:54.440 It was marred. 00:18:55.320 --> 00:18:57.480 And since then, there was death. 00:18:57.980 --> 00:18:58.740 There was decay. 00:18:59.039 --> 00:19:00.600 And there was separation from God. 00:19:00.599 --> 00:19:04.959 So much of the ills that we see in the world around us. 00:19:06.679 --> 00:19:17.579 But God, in his sovereign wisdom, had already a plan in mind to restore all things and bring about restoration and redemption and set all things right. 00:19:19.259 --> 00:19:20.519 Okay, so I know I've said a lot there. 00:19:20.740 --> 00:19:26.659 But in summary so far, number one is that there is a reality in which God reigns. 00:19:26.660 --> 00:19:29.220 And everything that is done is God's will. 00:19:29.500 --> 00:19:30.200 And it is good. 00:19:30.880 --> 00:19:39.019 Number two is that the story of the Bible is that the earth has become a place where God's will isn't being perfectly carried out. 00:19:39.120 --> 00:19:41.420 Because we assert our will over it. 00:19:41.519 --> 00:19:44.820 And God, in some way, has allowed us to be doing that. 00:19:44.819 --> 00:19:55.500 And third is that with the arrival of Jesus is the announcement of God's reign to take back his world and put things right. 00:19:56.179 --> 00:20:01.939 And therein lies an amazing hope for every single one of us. 00:20:02.519 --> 00:20:05.659 That is the second point, the hope of the kingdom. 00:20:05.960 --> 00:20:06.799 The hope of the kingdom. 00:20:07.439 --> 00:20:10.159 Jesus says, you are the light of the world. 00:20:10.240 --> 00:20:11.919 You are the salt of the earth. 00:20:11.920 --> 00:20:22.460 And when we read these words, or when I read these words anyway, I experience sort of a cognitive dissonance, if you will. 00:20:22.500 --> 00:20:23.720 There's a disconnect. 00:20:24.519 --> 00:20:25.220 What do I mean? 00:20:25.820 --> 00:20:31.840 I don't know about you, but I identify with, maybe you'll identify with this. 00:20:32.180 --> 00:20:34.019 The thing is, I know myself. 00:20:34.400 --> 00:20:36.220 I know who I am. 00:20:36.259 --> 00:20:37.620 I know how I am. 00:20:37.619 --> 00:20:40.579 I like to think that I'm somewhat self-aware. 00:20:41.179 --> 00:20:45.859 And so if I'm honest, I don't feel like I'm the salt of the earth. 00:20:46.319 --> 00:20:51.299 I don't feel like I'm the light of the world, as Jesus says that I am. 00:20:51.559 --> 00:20:54.419 As Jesus is talking to his disciples here in this text. 00:20:55.719 --> 00:20:59.239 Rather, if I'm honest and I look at my life and everything I experience, 00:20:59.240 --> 00:21:03.740 I'm rather in full agreement with the Apostle Paul in Romans 7, where he says, 00:21:04.200 --> 00:21:10.240 For I do not do the good that I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 00:21:11.660 --> 00:21:17.740 You see, we still are experiencing a world inside of us and around us that is broken. 00:21:18.500 --> 00:21:20.920 But here is the hope of God's kingdom. 00:21:20.920 --> 00:21:28.240 When the kingdom of God comes, it brings with it healing and restoration. 00:21:29.000 --> 00:21:34.000 And the restoration of a broken humanity and a broken creation. 00:21:34.779 --> 00:21:45.080 And that reality has already begun with Jesus coming into this world and declaring that the kingdom has come, 00:21:45.140 --> 00:21:47.640 as we see all through the Gospels. 00:21:47.640 --> 00:21:55.540 And that reality, I think, is birthed inside each one of us as we draw near to God. 00:21:55.880 --> 00:22:01.960 For the first time in faith, and as we do this as an ongoing process, as we grow in the Lord, 00:22:02.620 --> 00:22:04.960 this process called sanctification. 00:22:07.040 --> 00:22:10.200 God's kingdom is all about restoration. 00:22:11.860 --> 00:22:15.759 I don't know about you, but I love watching restoration shows. 00:22:15.759 --> 00:22:22.039 Maybe you've come across these on TV or wherever, you know, things where they'll find an old, dilapidated, broken-down house, 00:22:22.099 --> 00:22:25.379 and they'll revamp it, or be it someone who goes for a makeover. 00:22:25.940 --> 00:22:29.940 I just love watching these things, how the transformation happens. 00:22:30.299 --> 00:22:37.319 And not too long ago, I was on YouTube, and I found this channel where a guy would take these really, really old, 00:22:37.319 --> 00:22:39.359 broken little trinkets. 00:22:40.079 --> 00:22:46.480 And in a sort of a time-lapse thing, he shows how he takes it and just starts restoring it. 00:22:47.299 --> 00:22:55.599 And this thing here that he found that I thought was just so amazing to look at was an old Zippo lighter. 00:22:55.599 --> 00:23:00.039 And it was rusted and dented and broken and just not functioning at all. 00:23:00.419 --> 00:23:08.219 And through this sort of time-lapse photography, he files and he hammers and he sandblasts and chemical baths and twists and bends 00:23:08.219 --> 00:23:16.319 until finally, in the hands of this skilled craftsman, is revealed this beautifully restored little thing. 00:23:16.319 --> 00:23:23.019 And in the closing image, the closing part of the video, he flicks it open and it sparks to life. 00:23:23.099 --> 00:23:26.139 And there's this little flame just fluttering away. 00:23:27.000 --> 00:23:33.579 There's this little lighter doing what it's supposed to be doing, restored to its proper function. 00:23:34.539 --> 00:23:39.220 In the same way, Jesus came to restore us. 00:23:39.220 --> 00:23:48.860 He came on a mission to manifest his kingdom now and reaching its fullness one day when he will return in glory to bring that kingdom in its fullness. 00:23:49.500 --> 00:23:52.819 And it's a reality where we are now made new. 00:23:53.500 --> 00:24:02.799 We're forgiven of our sins and we're restored to right relationship with God so that we can function as we're meant to function. 00:24:03.160 --> 00:24:08.660 Being God's representatives in this world, being good stewards over this creation, 00:24:08.660 --> 00:24:15.480 bringing light, showing God's love and bringing in that kingdom as he has commissioned us to do, 00:24:15.680 --> 00:24:18.880 which goes right back to Genesis 1 and Psalm 8. 00:24:19.840 --> 00:24:27.519 And so when we're restored to that right relationship with God and continually drawn near to him with open hearts, with soft hearts, 00:24:27.680 --> 00:24:30.160 he then uses us for his kingdom purposes. 00:24:30.580 --> 00:24:33.580 I've seen this and I've experienced this so many times. 00:24:34.019 --> 00:24:36.259 We are obedient to the Lord. 00:24:36.259 --> 00:24:43.140 And he does this very much in spite of us, but he does it through the power of his Holy Spirit, 00:24:43.299 --> 00:24:47.779 bringing hope to a dark world that so desperately needs it. 00:24:47.779 --> 00:24:53.160 So we've seen the reality of the kingdom, the hope of the kingdom. 00:24:53.500 --> 00:24:56.680 And my third point is emissaries of the kingdom. 00:24:56.759 --> 00:24:57.579 What is an emissary? 00:24:57.660 --> 00:24:58.319 It's a strange word. 00:24:58.379 --> 00:24:59.220 We don't really use much. 00:25:00.039 --> 00:25:04.259 Basically, it's a representative, if you will. 00:25:04.299 --> 00:25:07.099 We are representatives of the kingdom. 00:25:07.599 --> 00:25:10.339 I'll make this point short as I bring things to a close. 00:25:10.339 --> 00:25:17.759 There's an interesting phenomenon that happens to many soldiers while they're in the midst of extended battles. 00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:22.819 Eventually, given the darkness and the violence and the chaos around them, 00:25:23.059 --> 00:25:27.179 they simply get overwhelmed by all of it and end up giving up, 00:25:28.000 --> 00:25:31.919 sometimes even forgetting what they were fighting for in the first place. 00:25:31.920 --> 00:25:36.880 And so they batten down the hatches, they give up the fight, they give in to despair, 00:25:37.279 --> 00:25:40.539 and the darkness that just seems to consume everything. 00:25:41.840 --> 00:25:46.700 And I have to be honest, sometimes it can feel the same way for us. 00:25:47.279 --> 00:25:50.600 If you look around at the brokenness of the world, if you look at the headlines, 00:25:50.800 --> 00:25:57.580 if you even just look at yourself and the sin that still clings so closely, 00:25:57.579 --> 00:26:02.339 we can forget what we are here for. 00:26:02.779 --> 00:26:07.419 We can forget that we indeed are God's representatives in this world. 00:26:07.500 --> 00:26:11.399 We can forget our purpose in the hands of the master craftsman. 00:26:12.619 --> 00:26:17.099 But the words of Paul in Colossians, I think, are so encouraging, such a good reminder. 00:26:17.740 --> 00:26:19.359 In Colossians 1.13, he says, 00:26:19.359 --> 00:26:35.139 And so we started with this question of why Christians feel they need to share the gospel, 00:26:35.299 --> 00:26:36.759 why they do share the gospel. 00:26:38.199 --> 00:26:41.959 God himself has stepped in to rescue us, 00:26:42.219 --> 00:26:44.279 to bring the light of his kingdom. 00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:48.379 And in a piece of theology that I just can't get my head around, 00:26:48.380 --> 00:26:50.980 God, the very creator of all, 00:26:51.320 --> 00:26:59.440 has now found it pleasing to continue to use us as his means of demonstrating his kingdom. 00:27:00.300 --> 00:27:08.100 And it's a kingdom that is marked by love and righteousness and humility and peace and joy and mercy and truth. 00:27:09.220 --> 00:27:11.420 So why do Christians feel they need to share the gospel? 00:27:11.420 --> 00:27:19.539 Because it is our mission to manifest that kingdom of God and shine his love into the world. 00:27:19.980 --> 00:27:21.460 We are his emissaries. 00:27:21.640 --> 00:27:23.660 We are his representatives. 00:27:25.279 --> 00:27:27.080 You are the salt of the earth. 00:27:27.539 --> 00:27:29.539 You are the light of the world. 00:27:30.360 --> 00:27:31.519 In the same way, 00:27:31.680 --> 00:27:33.000 Storn Away Free Church, 00:27:33.000 --> 00:27:35.700 Let your light shine before others, 00:27:35.819 --> 00:27:38.079 So that they may see your good works 00:27:38.079 --> 00:27:42.259 And give glory to your Father who is in heaven. 00:27:44.420 --> 00:27:46.019 Would you bow your heads with me? 00:27:46.319 --> 00:27:46.779 Let me pray. 00:27:54.160 --> 00:27:55.359 Almighty Lord in heaven, 00:27:55.359 --> 00:27:58.019 We come before you humbly this evening 00:27:58.019 --> 00:28:00.339 And we acknowledge that you are God. 00:28:01.019 --> 00:28:02.099 You are God. 00:28:03.319 --> 00:28:05.699 And how amazing it is that you, 00:28:06.179 --> 00:28:07.219 Lord of all creation, 00:28:07.579 --> 00:28:08.939 Sovereign on high, 00:28:09.719 --> 00:28:11.559 Would choose to use us 00:28:11.559 --> 00:28:14.219 To shine your light 00:28:14.219 --> 00:28:15.740 Into this dark world 00:28:15.740 --> 00:28:17.839 That so desperately needs it. 00:28:18.839 --> 00:28:21.359 Lord, I pray that for everyone seated here 00:28:21.359 --> 00:28:22.539 As we think about 00:28:22.539 --> 00:28:24.219 Just how tough it might be 00:28:24.219 --> 00:28:25.119 Sharing our faith 00:28:25.119 --> 00:28:27.059 That Lord, by the power of your spirit 00:28:27.059 --> 00:28:28.879 You would infuse into us 00:28:28.879 --> 00:28:30.740 Encouragement. 00:28:31.039 --> 00:28:32.159 You would infuse into us 00:28:32.159 --> 00:28:33.059 Boldness 00:28:33.059 --> 00:28:35.679 And deep love for people. 00:28:36.159 --> 00:28:37.979 How if we have been saved 00:28:37.979 --> 00:28:39.879 With such great a salvation 00:28:39.879 --> 00:28:40.699 Could we not 00:28:40.699 --> 00:28:42.599 Go out and tell other people 00:28:42.599 --> 00:28:45.339 About the mercy that is available to them 00:28:45.339 --> 00:28:46.659 The forgiveness of sin 00:28:46.659 --> 00:28:47.379 And new life 00:28:47.379 --> 00:28:48.699 With their creator. 00:28:48.700 --> 00:28:51.440 I pray that you would be with us 00:28:51.440 --> 00:28:52.559 That you would bring people 00:28:52.559 --> 00:28:53.380 Into our path 00:28:53.380 --> 00:28:54.080 That you would bring 00:28:54.080 --> 00:28:55.299 Conversations our way 00:28:55.299 --> 00:28:56.680 And you would help us 00:28:56.680 --> 00:28:58.400 By your spirit 00:28:58.400 --> 00:29:00.580 To have good conversations. 00:29:01.279 --> 00:29:02.860 We would openly declare 00:29:02.860 --> 00:29:05.240 The truth of Jesus Christ 00:29:05.240 --> 00:29:06.360 And that people's hearts 00:29:06.360 --> 00:29:07.720 Would be soft and open 00:29:07.720 --> 00:29:09.000 And they would receive it 00:29:09.000 --> 00:29:09.940 And we would see them 00:29:09.940 --> 00:29:12.759 Restored to relationship 00:29:12.759 --> 00:29:13.580 With their creator. 00:29:13.700 --> 00:29:15.400 That is our heart's cry, Lord. 00:29:15.420 --> 00:29:16.420 And we know that you have 00:29:16.420 --> 00:29:17.480 Commissioned us to go out 00:29:17.480 --> 00:29:18.500 But you wouldn't do that. 00:29:18.500 --> 00:29:20.140 You haven't left us alone 00:29:20.140 --> 00:29:21.119 To do that. 00:29:21.660 --> 00:29:22.660 You have gifted us 00:29:22.660 --> 00:29:24.000 Your Holy Spirit 00:29:24.000 --> 00:29:25.440 And so we pray, Holy Spirit 00:29:25.440 --> 00:29:26.640 That you would be with us 00:29:26.640 --> 00:29:27.779 As we go. 00:29:28.819 --> 00:29:30.319 And we would be pleasing to you 00:29:30.319 --> 00:29:32.039 Knowing that you have 00:29:32.039 --> 00:29:33.660 Wiped our slate clean 00:29:33.660 --> 00:29:35.279 As far as the east is from the west 00:29:35.279 --> 00:29:36.839 You have removed our sin from us 00:29:36.839 --> 00:29:38.579 In your amazing grace. 00:29:38.759 --> 00:29:40.059 And so, Lord, we come before you 00:29:40.059 --> 00:29:40.680 Humble 00:29:40.680 --> 00:29:42.279 Say thank you. 00:29:43.579 --> 00:29:44.779 Pray this in Jesus' name. 00:29:45.279 --> 00:29:45.599 Amen. 00:29:45.599 --> 00:29:45.699 Amen. 00:29:54.759 --> 00:29:56.699 Well, I'd like to thank Steve 00:29:56.699 --> 00:29:58.119 For that message to us 00:29:58.119 --> 00:29:59.980 This evening, a great reminder to us 00:29:59.980 --> 00:30:02.019 Of what we are to be 00:30:02.019 --> 00:30:03.599 As salt and light 00:30:03.599 --> 00:30:04.899 In this world 00:30:04.899 --> 00:30:06.219 And in this community 00:30:06.219 --> 00:30:07.579 In which we find ourselves 00:30:07.579 --> 00:30:10.259 We're going to conclude our worship 00:30:10.259 --> 00:30:11.919 By singing to God's praise 00:30:11.919 --> 00:30:13.179 In Psalm 103 00:30:13.179 --> 00:30:17.399 In the last part of the psalm 00:30:17.399 --> 00:30:18.779 On page 136 00:30:18.779 --> 00:30:20.960 To sing psalms version 00:30:20.960 --> 00:30:22.539 We're going to sing from verse 15 00:30:22.539 --> 00:30:24.960 To the end of the psalm 00:30:24.960 --> 00:30:26.700 Verse 12 00:30:26.700 --> 00:30:28.340 Mentions these words 00:30:28.340 --> 00:30:29.819 That Steve had in prayer 00:30:29.819 --> 00:30:31.579 As far as east is from the west 00:30:31.579 --> 00:30:32.180 So far 00:30:32.180 --> 00:30:34.079 His love has borne away 00:30:34.079 --> 00:30:35.120 Our many sins 00:30:35.120 --> 00:30:35.920 And trespasses 00:30:35.920 --> 00:30:36.799 And all the guilt 00:30:36.799 --> 00:30:38.120 That on us lay 00:30:38.120 --> 00:30:39.100 And then in verse 15 00:30:39.100 --> 00:30:40.759 Each human life 00:30:40.759 --> 00:30:41.720 Is like the grass 00:30:41.720 --> 00:30:42.539 And like a meadow 00:30:42.539 --> 00:30:43.500 Flower it grows 00:30:43.500 --> 00:30:45.319 Its place will never 00:30:45.319 --> 00:30:46.400 Be recalled 00:30:46.400 --> 00:30:47.799 Once over it 00:30:47.799 --> 00:30:49.059 The tempest blows 00:30:49.059 --> 00:30:51.500 But everlasting is God's love 00:30:51.500 --> 00:30:52.879 For those who fear him 00:30:52.879 --> 00:30:54.220 And their seed 00:30:54.220 --> 00:30:56.299 For those who keep his covenant 00:30:56.299 --> 00:30:59.359 And carefully his precepts heed 00:30:59.359 --> 00:31:00.659 We'll sing from verse 15 00:31:00.659 --> 00:31:02.019 To the end of the psalm 00:31:02.019 --> 00:31:02.919 We stand to sing 00:31:02.919 --> 00:31:04.079 To God's praise 00:31:04.079 --> 00:31:04.799 Amen 00:31:04.799 --> 00:31:05.799 Amen 00:31:05.799 --> 00:31:05.799 00:31:05.799 --> 00:31:05.799 00:31:05.799 --> 00:31:05.799 00:31:05.799 --> 00:31:05.799 00:31:34.799 --> 00:31:35.799 Amen 00:31:35.799 --> 00:31:35.799 00:31:35.799 --> 00:31:35.799 00:31:35.799 --> 00:31:35.799 00:31:35.799 --> 00:31:35.799 00:31:35.799 --> 00:31:35.799 00:31:35.799 --> 00:31:35.799 00:32:04.799 --> 00:32:05.619 Amen 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:05.619 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:15.199 O grace over all, in heaven he has set his throne. 00:32:15.199 --> 00:32:27.419 O you his angels, praise the Lord, some once by whom his will is done. 00:32:27.420 --> 00:32:39.779 O praise the Lord, you heavenly host, his serenity, and all his work. 00:32:39.779 --> 00:32:45.920 Praise God, his work, to earth his well. 00:32:45.920 --> 00:32:51.920 And you my soul, O praise the Lord. 00:32:52.519 --> 00:32:58.460 And you my soul, O praise the Lord. 00:33:00.060 --> 00:33:05.600 After the benediction, if you allow Steve, he'll go to the main door and I'll go to the door to my left. 00:33:05.700 --> 00:33:07.060 We'll close with the benediction. 00:33:07.059 --> 00:33:17.659 Now may grace, mercy, and peace from God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit rest upon and abide with you all now and forevermore. 00:33:18.059 --> 00:33:18.500 Amen.