WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.660 Good morning. There we go. User error. Sorry about that. It's good to see you all here this morning 00:00:09.660 --> 00:00:18.539 as we gather together on the Lord's Day to worship Him. It's a little hot and muggy. 00:00:18.980 --> 00:00:23.940 I do want to remind you, if you are feeling overwhelmed, there is a meeting room downstairs 00:00:23.940 --> 00:00:32.260 that has the service live streamed and has air conditioning. So if you need that, don't feel any shame in getting up and moving down there. 00:00:32.859 --> 00:00:37.020 The delay is probably enough that if you move quickly, you won't miss anything at all. 00:00:37.020 --> 00:00:52.060 So salt has many uses. I put it on my broccoli and my chicken to bring out its flavor or on my caramel chocolate ice cream sundae 00:00:52.060 --> 00:00:56.640 to make it salted caramel chocolate, which is really yummy, right? 00:00:57.620 --> 00:01:01.579 Some of us might use salt to throw over our shoulders for good luck. 00:01:02.600 --> 00:01:07.820 Many of us eat food that is salted for preservation. 00:01:08.439 --> 00:01:18.820 In the winter, if it snows, we throw it on our paths to melt ice, or at least we used to before they created those chemical pellets that work better. 00:01:18.819 --> 00:01:21.159 But it's one of the uses. 00:01:22.259 --> 00:01:27.339 It can be used to kill weeds in your garden or on your path when they're growing up between the bricks. 00:01:29.199 --> 00:01:30.859 Salt has many uses. 00:01:31.299 --> 00:01:36.719 In the ancient world, salt was so precious that it was actually used as a form of currency. 00:01:37.599 --> 00:01:40.239 And so the phrase that we have in English today, 00:01:40.359 --> 00:01:45.280 he's not worth his salt, actually comes from the fact that he's not worth what we're paying him. 00:01:45.280 --> 00:01:50.040 Because salt was used to pay workers at times. 00:01:51.460 --> 00:01:53.400 Why am I talking about salt? 00:01:54.200 --> 00:01:56.859 Well, because Jesus talked about salt. 00:01:57.140 --> 00:02:00.740 In our passage this morning, if you've been here for the summer, 00:02:00.840 --> 00:02:05.020 you know we've been preaching through the Matthew chapter 5. 00:02:05.260 --> 00:02:10.539 And if you want to turn there now, it's page 759 in your pew Bible. 00:02:10.539 --> 00:02:15.299 We've been going slowly through the first 12 verses, verse by verse. 00:02:16.299 --> 00:02:23.159 The Beatitudes, as we explored what it meant to live in the kingdom of God, 00:02:23.219 --> 00:02:25.579 and what it would look like in our personal character. 00:02:26.539 --> 00:02:29.899 And as we transition into the fall, we're going to keep going. 00:02:30.280 --> 00:02:34.399 We're going to do the rest of the Sermon on the Mount through the end of chapter 7. 00:02:34.400 --> 00:02:38.280 Again, it will probably extend beyond Christmas. 00:02:38.760 --> 00:02:42.879 We're not going to take it one verse at a time exactly, although today we are. 00:02:43.219 --> 00:02:50.960 But typically, we're going to let Jesus' words break up our passage from one topic to the next. 00:02:51.680 --> 00:02:55.420 So the passages will get a little bit longer as we go. 00:02:56.240 --> 00:02:58.360 And again, if you're new here and you have, 00:02:58.700 --> 00:03:02.460 what is God doing or what is Jesus doing in this sermon? 00:03:02.460 --> 00:03:07.700 Well, if you go back to chapter 4, Matthew says this, 00:03:07.780 --> 00:03:11.560 and he, that is Jesus, went throughout all Galilee, 00:03:12.000 --> 00:03:15.480 teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom 00:03:15.480 --> 00:03:20.100 and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. 00:03:20.800 --> 00:03:26.920 So it said, Matthew says, Jesus is going around preaching and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom. 00:03:26.919 --> 00:03:32.919 And what we then have is a teaching section that helps fill in what is it that he was teaching. 00:03:33.280 --> 00:03:36.339 He was teaching about the nature of God's kingdom. 00:03:36.459 --> 00:03:40.379 That is, what does it look like when God rules and reigns, 00:03:40.379 --> 00:03:44.139 whether it's in a person's heart or in a society or a community, 00:03:44.379 --> 00:03:48.959 what does it look like for God's kingdom to come? 00:03:48.960 --> 00:03:53.219 And this is really good news that he's preaching. 00:03:53.500 --> 00:03:56.719 It's a gospel that is good news of the question. 00:03:57.400 --> 00:04:02.620 The question I want us to be asking as we go through this passage all fall is, 00:04:03.140 --> 00:04:11.700 how is it that God calls us to live distinctively as Christians in God's kingdom? 00:04:11.699 --> 00:04:21.979 What are the ways that he wants us to understand and live distinct from the kingdoms of this world 00:04:21.979 --> 00:04:24.060 and the worldviews of this world? 00:04:24.439 --> 00:04:31.120 How is it that he calls us to be set apart, distinct in the way that we live? 00:04:32.699 --> 00:04:39.079 And so this brings us to chapter 5, verse 13, which will be our passage today on salt. 00:04:39.079 --> 00:04:41.800 But I'm just going to read the context. 00:04:41.979 --> 00:04:46.620 So I'm going to start in verse 2 of chapter 5 for our reading. 00:04:47.219 --> 00:04:53.500 So let me read through this, and then after I pray, we'll take a look particularly at verse 13. 00:04:54.019 --> 00:04:55.699 So let's read God's word. 00:04:56.299 --> 00:05:01.360 As he opened his mouth and taught them, and he opened his mouth and taught them, saying, 00:05:01.860 --> 00:05:04.919 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 00:05:05.459 --> 00:05:08.680 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 00:05:08.680 --> 00:05:11.740 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 00:05:12.160 --> 00:05:16.720 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 00:05:17.319 --> 00:05:20.259 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 00:05:20.840 --> 00:05:24.100 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 00:05:24.639 --> 00:05:28.800 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 00:05:29.399 --> 00:05:34.040 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 00:05:34.040 --> 00:05:35.040 Blessed are you. 00:05:35.040 --> 00:05:35.980 Blessed are you. 00:05:37.020 --> 00:05:42.800 When others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account, 00:05:43.260 --> 00:05:50.280 rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 00:05:51.420 --> 00:05:53.720 You are the salt of the earth. 00:05:53.720 --> 00:05:59.480 But if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? 00:06:00.260 --> 00:06:05.740 It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. 00:06:06.480 --> 00:06:08.120 You are the light of the world. 00:06:08.660 --> 00:06:11.560 A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 00:06:11.920 --> 00:06:15.900 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, 00:06:15.899 --> 00:06:19.279 and it gives light to all in the house. 00:06:19.879 --> 00:06:23.939 In the same way, let your light shine before others, 00:06:24.199 --> 00:06:30.039 so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. 00:06:32.079 --> 00:06:33.459 So this is God's Word. 00:06:33.539 --> 00:06:36.079 Let's pray for His help as we look at it today. 00:06:36.859 --> 00:06:38.159 Lord, help us this morning. 00:06:38.160 --> 00:06:45.720 Lord, I pray for Your help, that You would help me to speak as I ought with clarity, 00:06:46.720 --> 00:06:47.720 and Lord, with truth. 00:06:49.140 --> 00:06:50.820 Spirit, help me this morning, 00:06:51.440 --> 00:06:55.160 and help us as a congregation to sit under Your Word, 00:06:55.620 --> 00:06:56.980 to receive this Word, 00:06:57.540 --> 00:07:01.840 to allow Your Spirit to work it into our hearts and into our lives. 00:07:03.100 --> 00:07:05.120 Lord, use this Word this morning 00:07:05.120 --> 00:07:07.879 so that we might love You more, 00:07:08.300 --> 00:07:10.060 so that we might obey You more, 00:07:10.699 --> 00:07:13.160 so that we might know You more. 00:07:13.879 --> 00:07:15.560 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:07:16.600 --> 00:07:16.920 Amen. 00:07:20.259 --> 00:07:23.000 So in some ways, verse 13 is very straightforward. 00:07:23.560 --> 00:07:24.980 It's a very simple image. 00:07:25.480 --> 00:07:27.620 It's a very straightforward idea. 00:07:28.480 --> 00:07:31.340 But I think there's a lot of richness to it. 00:07:31.339 --> 00:07:35.359 So we're going to try to tease out some of the implications and meanings of it this morning. 00:07:35.519 --> 00:07:38.239 We're going to ask three questions of the text. 00:07:38.619 --> 00:07:41.899 The first is, what does it mean that we are the salt of the earth? 00:07:42.379 --> 00:07:48.000 The second one is, why does Jesus warn us about losing our distinctive saltiness? 00:07:48.899 --> 00:07:50.299 And the third question is, 00:07:50.639 --> 00:07:55.319 how does the gospel shape and fuel that distinctive saltiness? 00:07:55.319 --> 00:07:57.579 So, what does it mean? 00:07:57.899 --> 00:07:58.980 Why does He warn us? 00:07:59.099 --> 00:08:04.319 And how does the gospel interact with this idea of distinctive saltiness? 00:08:04.719 --> 00:08:07.339 So, that's our question. 00:08:08.819 --> 00:08:09.920 The first one then, 00:08:10.259 --> 00:08:13.240 what does it mean that we are the salt of the earth? 00:08:14.300 --> 00:08:16.740 Jesus, in this context, has gathered His disciples, 00:08:16.899 --> 00:08:18.240 and His crowd is listening, 00:08:18.339 --> 00:08:19.459 and He looks at them and He says, 00:08:20.019 --> 00:08:21.899 you are the salt of the earth. 00:08:21.959 --> 00:08:23.560 Now, this is a metaphor, right? 00:08:23.560 --> 00:08:25.079 But what does it point to? 00:08:25.620 --> 00:08:29.920 Now, biblically, if we teased out salt in the way it's used in other places, 00:08:30.319 --> 00:08:35.759 it's used sometimes for, as an image of destruction or judgment. 00:08:36.179 --> 00:08:39.639 Sometimes it's used, particularly in the Old Testament temple, 00:08:39.820 --> 00:08:41.259 as purification, 00:08:42.000 --> 00:08:45.100 as it was a part of offering in the temple. 00:08:45.759 --> 00:08:49.980 Certainly, preservation is one of the ways that we see it used as well. 00:08:49.980 --> 00:08:56.139 But the fourth one is the one that I actually think is most in view in this passage today, 00:08:56.259 --> 00:08:58.039 and that is flavor. 00:09:00.340 --> 00:09:01.700 Now, flavor feels kind of weak, 00:09:02.139 --> 00:09:04.740 but I think it's actually the idea, 00:09:05.039 --> 00:09:09.539 and one of the reasons I think that is because of the second half of the verse, right? 00:09:09.539 --> 00:09:11.299 You are the salt of the earth, 00:09:11.439 --> 00:09:15.839 but if the salt has lost its taste, 00:09:16.500 --> 00:09:20.179 its other versions, 00:09:20.559 --> 00:09:22.779 loses its saltiness, 00:09:23.279 --> 00:09:26.779 lost its flavor in the New King James, 00:09:26.860 --> 00:09:29.459 has become tasteless in the New American Standard. 00:09:29.939 --> 00:09:32.179 So, this idea is pretty, 00:09:32.579 --> 00:09:34.319 and it's a really interesting word. 00:09:34.500 --> 00:09:36.419 Sorry, word nerdery for a little bit. 00:09:36.419 --> 00:09:38.360 When you look at this in its original, 00:09:38.539 --> 00:09:40.179 what it actually says is, 00:09:40.519 --> 00:09:41.839 it has become foolish. 00:09:43.279 --> 00:09:45.039 If your salt has become foolish, 00:09:45.399 --> 00:09:47.919 which clearly was an idiom in the day, 00:09:48.899 --> 00:09:51.360 but I think the idea is, 00:09:51.819 --> 00:09:57.240 and one of the ideas is that rabbis often used salt as an image for wisdom, 00:09:57.659 --> 00:10:00.639 and so Jesus is making a really cool play on words here. 00:10:00.639 --> 00:10:06.460 But what he's saying is that if we lose our essential nature, 00:10:06.659 --> 00:10:09.939 becoming foolish is somehow being separate from who we were, 00:10:10.279 --> 00:10:13.720 who we are meant to be biblically, right? 00:10:13.899 --> 00:10:16.100 So, this idea of flavor, 00:10:16.259 --> 00:10:21.699 we are meant to have the flavor of God and His kingdom in our lives. 00:10:21.799 --> 00:10:26.200 This is what it means that we are meant to be the salt of the earth, 00:10:26.200 --> 00:10:30.000 that you and I bring as followers of Jesus, 00:10:30.140 --> 00:10:35.560 a distinctive taste of God's kingdom to the world that we live in. 00:10:36.140 --> 00:10:38.240 And it's a flavor, it's an aroma, 00:10:38.440 --> 00:10:40.660 it's a taste of something better, 00:10:40.940 --> 00:10:43.480 of a kingdom that, as C.S. Lewis says, 00:10:43.700 --> 00:10:45.280 a kingdom we've never been to, 00:10:45.460 --> 00:10:47.980 a music that we've never quite heard, 00:10:47.980 --> 00:10:54.220 a story that we're meant to bring this flavor to the world 00:10:54.220 --> 00:10:57.980 that is enticing, that is inviting, 00:10:58.639 --> 00:11:01.920 that at times may be challenging or confronting to the world, 00:11:02.220 --> 00:11:05.440 but we're meant to bring the flavor of the kingdom of God. 00:11:07.420 --> 00:11:08.680 But you may ask, 00:11:09.000 --> 00:11:10.879 okay, that sounds nice. 00:11:11.100 --> 00:11:12.539 Well, what does that mean? 00:11:12.539 --> 00:11:15.799 Well, starting with, 00:11:16.279 --> 00:11:19.139 it means we live out the Beatitudes. 00:11:19.559 --> 00:11:23.079 In the context, this comes right after Jesus has just said, 00:11:23.480 --> 00:11:26.819 this is what it looks like to live in the kingdom of God, right? 00:11:28.019 --> 00:11:29.399 Poor in spirit, 00:11:30.139 --> 00:11:30.480 mourning, 00:11:31.339 --> 00:11:31.740 meek, 00:11:32.539 --> 00:11:34.279 hungering and thirsting for righteousness, 00:11:35.339 --> 00:11:35.860 merciful, 00:11:36.459 --> 00:11:37.339 pure in heart, 00:11:37.819 --> 00:11:38.559 peacemaking, 00:11:39.360 --> 00:11:41.539 persecuted for righteousness' sake. 00:11:42.539 --> 00:11:45.079 If we want to think through, 00:11:45.219 --> 00:11:46.759 what does it mean to be the salt of the earth? 00:11:46.860 --> 00:11:47.899 Let's start here. 00:11:48.740 --> 00:11:50.339 We look at this and we think, 00:11:50.839 --> 00:11:53.319 when we live in the kingdom of God, 00:11:53.379 --> 00:11:55.379 when God rules and reigns in our hearts, 00:11:55.779 --> 00:11:57.759 these things are characteristic, 00:11:58.079 --> 00:11:59.419 or should be characteristic, 00:12:00.059 --> 00:12:01.039 of us. 00:12:03.639 --> 00:12:05.219 When we live this way, 00:12:06.000 --> 00:12:09.759 it allows us to be the salt we are meant to be. 00:12:09.759 --> 00:12:13.799 And we'll see that this doesn't just look backwards in the Sermon on the Mount 00:12:13.799 --> 00:12:15.480 to say saltiness looks like this. 00:12:15.819 --> 00:12:18.080 Looking ahead to the rest of the Sermon on the Mount, 00:12:18.159 --> 00:12:19.620 I'm not going to preach the whole thing today, 00:12:19.919 --> 00:12:20.840 but what is it? 00:12:20.919 --> 00:12:23.840 It means that we have a morality that is heart-centered 00:12:23.840 --> 00:12:25.480 and not merely skin deep. 00:12:25.759 --> 00:12:28.319 It means we have a heart of costly service 00:12:28.319 --> 00:12:30.379 and humility before others. 00:12:30.740 --> 00:12:32.980 It means we have a single-minded devotion 00:12:32.980 --> 00:12:35.920 to God who is the King of our kingdom. 00:12:36.700 --> 00:12:39.480 And it means we have a radical devotion to Jesus 00:12:39.480 --> 00:12:40.840 and following Him 00:12:40.840 --> 00:12:44.539 in sacrificial love for those around us. 00:12:45.080 --> 00:12:47.120 We'll see all of those themes played out 00:12:47.120 --> 00:12:48.800 in the rest of the Sermon on the Mount. 00:12:50.379 --> 00:12:54.980 So Jesus gives us these character qualities. 00:12:54.980 --> 00:12:58.560 And listen, if you're not sure what that looked like, 00:12:59.620 --> 00:13:02.019 put Trinity on your podcast list 00:13:02.019 --> 00:13:04.960 and listen to the sermons from earlier this summer. 00:13:05.159 --> 00:13:06.420 And then keep coming back. 00:13:06.920 --> 00:13:08.879 And throughout the rest of the fall, 00:13:09.080 --> 00:13:11.159 we'll get a picture fuller and fuller 00:13:11.159 --> 00:13:14.000 of what it means to have this salt. 00:13:15.120 --> 00:13:17.139 I do want to make sure I say this too. 00:13:17.279 --> 00:13:20.100 Like when we talk about having a flavor or aroma, 00:13:20.220 --> 00:13:22.639 we always think of this as a positive thing typically. 00:13:22.639 --> 00:13:26.939 Oh, I love the taste of fresh-cooked bread 00:13:26.939 --> 00:13:28.500 when we make bread at home. 00:13:28.679 --> 00:13:30.220 You know, I love that aroma. 00:13:30.559 --> 00:13:32.659 But we need to recognize that the aroma 00:13:32.659 --> 00:13:35.679 isn't always pleasant to everyone, right? 00:13:36.120 --> 00:13:38.340 Verses 10 through 12, right before this, 00:13:38.379 --> 00:13:40.840 have told us that when we pursue righteousness, 00:13:41.080 --> 00:13:43.419 that is right living in the kingdom of God, 00:13:44.039 --> 00:13:49.360 at times we will get persecution and rejection for it. 00:13:49.360 --> 00:13:53.019 It will provoke reviling and hatred 00:13:53.019 --> 00:13:58.159 from those who hate God and who despise His kingdom. 00:14:00.240 --> 00:14:02.820 All right, so that's still conceptual. 00:14:03.259 --> 00:14:06.480 You're still saying, okay, Matt, what does this look like? 00:14:07.440 --> 00:14:09.899 I could, we could be here all day 00:14:09.899 --> 00:14:11.940 with me trying to paint a portrait. 00:14:12.080 --> 00:14:13.759 But let me give you a few ideas. 00:14:13.759 --> 00:14:17.779 When I was in high school, before I was a Christian, 00:14:18.159 --> 00:14:21.700 there were a couple of my friends in high school 00:14:21.700 --> 00:14:22.600 who were Christians. 00:14:24.500 --> 00:14:27.460 And I knew that they went to some meeting somewhere 00:14:27.460 --> 00:14:29.840 on Wednesday nights and it was exciting 00:14:29.840 --> 00:14:31.059 and I didn't want to go. 00:14:32.100 --> 00:14:33.139 But they went. 00:14:33.819 --> 00:14:35.620 But what I saw in my relationships 00:14:35.620 --> 00:14:36.939 is that they were faithful 00:14:36.940 --> 00:14:38.820 and they were trustworthy 00:14:38.820 --> 00:14:40.660 and they were humble 00:14:40.660 --> 00:14:42.380 and they were joyful 00:14:42.380 --> 00:14:46.220 and they were grounded in a way that I wasn't. 00:14:47.420 --> 00:14:48.940 And they talked about Jesus 00:14:48.940 --> 00:14:51.500 being the source of all their lives. 00:14:52.980 --> 00:14:54.080 And they weren't perfect 00:14:54.080 --> 00:14:55.160 and they made mistakes 00:14:55.160 --> 00:14:56.280 and all sorts of things. 00:14:56.440 --> 00:14:58.940 But there was a picture there. 00:14:59.320 --> 00:15:02.360 I experienced in my interactions with them 00:15:02.360 --> 00:15:02.960 something. 00:15:02.960 --> 00:15:05.300 And I thought, whatever it is, 00:15:05.420 --> 00:15:08.060 I can taste something that I want more of. 00:15:08.420 --> 00:15:10.480 It was part of how God brought me to Christ. 00:15:11.700 --> 00:15:13.519 And I think they were living out the verse 00:15:13.519 --> 00:15:17.080 that we looked at earlier in Colossians 00:15:17.080 --> 00:15:21.200 where they were ready to pray for an open door 00:15:21.200 --> 00:15:22.639 to share about their faith 00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:24.740 and then that they were going to live their lives 00:15:24.740 --> 00:15:27.000 with their speech seasoned with salt 00:15:27.000 --> 00:15:29.800 that is seasoned with the flavor of the gospel. 00:15:29.799 --> 00:15:33.899 Even if it's not the whole gospel told all at once, 00:15:34.099 --> 00:15:35.939 they could plant seeds 00:15:35.939 --> 00:15:38.620 and give invitations for people to talk more 00:15:38.620 --> 00:15:39.819 about what's most meaningful 00:15:39.819 --> 00:15:42.500 and what do we do when we fail 00:15:42.500 --> 00:15:44.179 and where is there forgiveness 00:15:44.179 --> 00:15:45.839 and what does it mean to love 00:15:45.839 --> 00:15:48.099 and all these things lead us to the gospel. 00:15:49.240 --> 00:15:50.479 And that's what happened to me. 00:15:51.339 --> 00:15:54.319 So that's one kind of saltiness 00:15:54.319 --> 00:15:56.339 that I've experienced in the world. 00:15:56.799 --> 00:15:57.799 There are also people 00:15:57.799 --> 00:16:01.039 who are doing salty things in their workplace. 00:16:01.559 --> 00:16:03.479 Some of you remember Lydia Dugdale 00:16:03.479 --> 00:16:05.179 who was a member here for a while 00:16:05.179 --> 00:16:08.299 who's now a professor down at Columbia. 00:16:08.839 --> 00:16:10.000 She's written a book called 00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:11.579 The Lost Art of Dying. 00:16:12.139 --> 00:16:14.299 And it's a beautiful book 00:16:14.299 --> 00:16:17.319 that's engaging with the question 00:16:17.319 --> 00:16:18.979 of how do we as a culture 00:16:18.979 --> 00:16:20.819 think about dying 00:16:20.819 --> 00:16:23.159 from a Christian perspective. 00:16:23.159 --> 00:16:27.419 And some of you are academics in here. 00:16:27.539 --> 00:16:29.019 Some of you are scholars. 00:16:29.259 --> 00:16:30.519 Some of you are going to go on 00:16:30.519 --> 00:16:33.659 and have opportunities to write books 00:16:33.659 --> 00:16:35.219 and to teach others. 00:16:36.179 --> 00:16:40.879 How can you bring your Christian worldview 00:16:40.879 --> 00:16:44.959 and integrate it into your subjects 00:16:44.959 --> 00:16:47.379 so that you can bring a saltiness 00:16:47.379 --> 00:16:50.960 to your job 00:16:50.960 --> 00:16:53.000 and to your thinking 00:16:53.000 --> 00:16:54.899 and to your worldview? 00:16:57.840 --> 00:16:59.139 Sometimes saltiness 00:16:59.139 --> 00:17:01.220 simply means faithfulness 00:17:01.220 --> 00:17:02.340 to obey God 00:17:02.340 --> 00:17:04.480 in unusual, 00:17:04.759 --> 00:17:05.619 in circumstances 00:17:05.619 --> 00:17:06.799 where everyone else 00:17:06.799 --> 00:17:08.000 is doing something different. 00:17:08.500 --> 00:17:10.539 I remember working in campus ministry 00:17:10.539 --> 00:17:12.480 and I discipled a guy 00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:13.940 who was on the lacrosse team. 00:17:13.940 --> 00:17:15.539 And if you don't know anything 00:17:15.539 --> 00:17:16.559 about lacrosse teams, 00:17:16.860 --> 00:17:17.860 they're not always 00:17:17.860 --> 00:17:19.880 the most savory guys on campus. 00:17:20.100 --> 00:17:21.740 Or maybe they're super savory 00:17:21.740 --> 00:17:22.460 in all the ways 00:17:22.460 --> 00:17:23.500 you don't want them to be. 00:17:23.860 --> 00:17:25.559 They can be a bit rough and tumble 00:17:25.559 --> 00:17:26.900 and a bit of the party crowd. 00:17:28.019 --> 00:17:30.400 And he had a girlfriend 00:17:30.400 --> 00:17:33.080 who really wanted to sleep with him. 00:17:34.220 --> 00:17:35.120 And he kept saying, 00:17:35.440 --> 00:17:38.299 no, I don't feel like that's right. 00:17:38.400 --> 00:17:39.980 That's not what God wants me to do. 00:17:40.700 --> 00:17:41.860 And he kept saying no. 00:17:41.859 --> 00:17:43.519 And the grief that he got 00:17:43.519 --> 00:17:45.039 from his teammates on this, 00:17:45.399 --> 00:17:46.779 like they would make bets every week, 00:17:46.859 --> 00:17:47.979 like maybe this is the weekend, 00:17:48.059 --> 00:17:49.039 he's going to not do it. 00:17:51.319 --> 00:17:52.459 And he didn't do it 00:17:52.459 --> 00:17:53.559 by condemning them 00:17:53.559 --> 00:17:54.179 or telling them 00:17:54.179 --> 00:17:55.479 they're all terrible people. 00:17:55.619 --> 00:17:56.399 He didn't do it 00:17:56.399 --> 00:17:59.500 by separating himself out 00:17:59.500 --> 00:17:59.859 and saying, 00:17:59.959 --> 00:18:00.779 if you're going to be like that, 00:18:00.819 --> 00:18:02.159 I'm not going to be part of this team. 00:18:02.659 --> 00:18:04.019 But he just humbly, 00:18:04.240 --> 00:18:07.000 steadfastly lived out a calling 00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:09.680 to follow Jesus 00:18:09.680 --> 00:18:11.920 in that particular way. 00:18:16.119 --> 00:18:17.579 There are lots of other ways 00:18:17.579 --> 00:18:18.420 this might look. 00:18:19.299 --> 00:18:21.000 Think about the value of hospitality. 00:18:21.420 --> 00:18:22.000 We're actually going to do 00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:22.759 a Sunday school on it 00:18:22.759 --> 00:18:24.000 later this fall. 00:18:25.579 --> 00:18:27.099 Hospitality is a lost art 00:18:27.099 --> 00:18:28.019 in our culture today. 00:18:28.160 --> 00:18:29.240 People are moving fast 00:18:29.240 --> 00:18:30.519 and they think of their home 00:18:30.519 --> 00:18:31.460 as a private space 00:18:31.460 --> 00:18:32.920 and you don't invite people in 00:18:32.920 --> 00:18:33.559 and it's weird 00:18:33.559 --> 00:18:34.779 to go to each other's houses. 00:18:34.779 --> 00:18:36.559 But Christian hospitality 00:18:36.559 --> 00:18:39.099 is such a beautiful way 00:18:39.099 --> 00:18:39.759 of connecting 00:18:39.759 --> 00:18:40.839 and loving people. 00:18:42.879 --> 00:18:44.539 How do we be salty 00:18:44.539 --> 00:18:46.720 by inviting our neighbors, 00:18:47.099 --> 00:18:47.619 our friends, 00:18:47.700 --> 00:18:48.420 our co-workers, 00:18:48.740 --> 00:18:50.160 our classmates 00:18:50.160 --> 00:18:51.599 into our homes, 00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:52.779 into our worlds? 00:18:55.519 --> 00:18:57.019 William Wilberforce 00:18:57.019 --> 00:18:58.160 is another example 00:18:58.160 --> 00:19:01.460 who spent his whole lifetime 00:19:01.460 --> 00:19:02.519 in politics. 00:19:04.779 --> 00:19:06.740 53 years in total. 00:19:07.039 --> 00:19:07.779 No, actually, 00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:09.480 45 years in politics. 00:19:10.420 --> 00:19:11.740 27 of them 00:19:11.740 --> 00:19:12.720 to get to the point 00:19:12.720 --> 00:19:14.119 where his bill 00:19:14.119 --> 00:19:15.980 to abolish slavery 00:19:15.980 --> 00:19:17.619 actually passed. 00:19:18.940 --> 00:19:20.279 Let me rephrase that. 00:19:20.519 --> 00:19:22.339 To abolish the slave trade 00:19:22.339 --> 00:19:23.779 in England passed. 00:19:23.960 --> 00:19:24.920 And then another 00:19:24.920 --> 00:19:27.019 26 years, 00:19:27.119 --> 00:19:28.139 if my math is right, 00:19:28.619 --> 00:19:30.559 before Britain 00:19:30.559 --> 00:19:32.319 actually outlawed slavery 00:19:32.319 --> 00:19:33.299 in the country. 00:19:33.299 --> 00:19:35.419 he spent his whole life 00:19:35.419 --> 00:19:38.359 being salt 00:19:38.359 --> 00:19:39.899 in trying to change 00:19:39.899 --> 00:19:41.659 the societal values 00:19:41.659 --> 00:19:43.099 through the laws 00:19:43.099 --> 00:19:43.839 of the land, 00:19:44.399 --> 00:19:47.079 bringing the hope 00:19:47.079 --> 00:19:47.599 and the light 00:19:47.599 --> 00:19:48.240 of the kingdom 00:19:48.240 --> 00:19:50.740 to the British Empire. 00:19:52.079 --> 00:19:52.960 And again, 00:19:53.339 --> 00:19:54.279 many of us live 00:19:54.279 --> 00:19:55.279 mundane lives 00:19:55.279 --> 00:19:56.039 and we may not 00:19:56.039 --> 00:19:56.759 change the world. 00:19:57.119 --> 00:19:58.019 Some of you might. 00:19:58.480 --> 00:20:00.119 Some of you might go on 00:20:00.119 --> 00:20:01.460 to have those opportunities. 00:20:01.460 --> 00:20:03.559 Will you maintain 00:20:03.559 --> 00:20:04.420 your saltiness? 00:20:08.720 --> 00:20:09.500 So I hope 00:20:09.500 --> 00:20:11.059 that's a little bit 00:20:11.059 --> 00:20:11.539 of a picture. 00:20:11.759 --> 00:20:12.920 And our saltiness 00:20:12.920 --> 00:20:13.860 can be in all sorts 00:20:13.860 --> 00:20:14.160 of things. 00:20:14.259 --> 00:20:15.019 How we parent 00:20:15.019 --> 00:20:15.740 and how we care 00:20:15.740 --> 00:20:16.900 for our aging parents. 00:20:17.140 --> 00:20:18.019 How we engage 00:20:18.019 --> 00:20:19.220 in political discourse 00:20:19.220 --> 00:20:20.000 with one another. 00:20:21.100 --> 00:20:22.299 How we engage 00:20:22.299 --> 00:20:23.120 with the PTA 00:20:23.120 --> 00:20:24.259 in our school district. 00:20:24.920 --> 00:20:25.740 How we deal 00:20:25.740 --> 00:20:26.539 with gossip 00:20:26.539 --> 00:20:28.859 in our workplace. 00:20:30.920 --> 00:20:31.940 How we love 00:20:31.940 --> 00:20:33.000 our elderly neighbors 00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:34.079 and single parents 00:20:34.079 --> 00:20:34.740 among us. 00:20:35.420 --> 00:20:36.579 And so on and so on. 00:20:36.620 --> 00:20:37.819 I could continue 00:20:37.819 --> 00:20:38.500 to lay out 00:20:38.500 --> 00:20:39.680 different contexts 00:20:39.680 --> 00:20:40.440 and different ways 00:20:40.440 --> 00:20:41.559 in which we need 00:20:41.559 --> 00:20:42.160 to think about 00:20:42.160 --> 00:20:43.279 how are we being 00:20:43.279 --> 00:20:45.220 distinctively Christian, 00:20:45.819 --> 00:20:46.680 which means we need 00:20:46.680 --> 00:20:47.700 to study God's Word, 00:20:47.920 --> 00:20:49.259 think about how it applies 00:20:49.259 --> 00:20:50.460 to all of these contexts, 00:20:50.700 --> 00:20:51.720 and then living 00:20:51.720 --> 00:20:53.379 faithfully in that. 00:20:55.359 --> 00:20:56.779 Being a foretaste 00:20:56.779 --> 00:20:58.879 of the kingdom of God. 00:20:59.920 --> 00:21:01.400 And people will see it 00:21:01.400 --> 00:21:02.279 and they'll know it. 00:21:03.200 --> 00:21:04.180 John has a great 00:21:04.180 --> 00:21:06.460 bunch of friends 00:21:06.460 --> 00:21:07.119 that he knows 00:21:07.119 --> 00:21:07.680 at the gym. 00:21:08.119 --> 00:21:08.640 And they have 00:21:08.640 --> 00:21:09.559 great conversations 00:21:09.559 --> 00:21:10.240 with him 00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:12.500 because they taste 00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:13.420 the kingdom of God 00:21:13.420 --> 00:21:13.900 in him, 00:21:13.940 --> 00:21:14.640 I believe. 00:21:15.079 --> 00:21:16.240 And they see something 00:21:16.240 --> 00:21:16.940 in the way 00:21:16.940 --> 00:21:17.779 that he loves them 00:21:17.779 --> 00:21:18.680 and listens to them 00:21:18.680 --> 00:21:19.200 and engages 00:21:19.200 --> 00:21:20.059 with their questions 00:21:20.059 --> 00:21:21.759 that they're hungry for 00:21:21.759 --> 00:21:23.259 and they want more. 00:21:24.359 --> 00:21:25.299 And they don't even 00:21:25.299 --> 00:21:26.359 necessarily know 00:21:26.359 --> 00:21:27.399 they want God. 00:21:28.220 --> 00:21:29.019 They might, 00:21:29.899 --> 00:21:31.460 but they're there. 00:21:34.660 --> 00:21:35.740 Jesus says, 00:21:36.819 --> 00:21:37.460 you are the salt 00:21:37.460 --> 00:21:38.079 of the earth. 00:21:38.720 --> 00:21:40.079 This is definitional. 00:21:40.579 --> 00:21:41.839 If you are in God's kingdom, 00:21:41.960 --> 00:21:43.200 you are the salt 00:21:43.200 --> 00:21:43.619 of the earth. 00:21:43.700 --> 00:21:44.899 It is also an invitation 00:21:44.899 --> 00:21:46.180 and a calling. 00:21:46.180 --> 00:21:47.519 Be the salt 00:21:47.519 --> 00:21:48.120 of the earth 00:21:48.120 --> 00:21:48.920 in the world. 00:21:52.279 --> 00:21:54.180 Jesus then goes on 00:21:54.180 --> 00:21:55.820 and he warns us. 00:21:55.940 --> 00:21:56.700 He warns us 00:21:56.700 --> 00:21:58.000 about losing this. 00:21:58.720 --> 00:21:58.920 Right? 00:21:59.460 --> 00:22:00.299 And we've talked 00:22:00.299 --> 00:22:01.660 about this idea 00:22:01.660 --> 00:22:03.779 that you are 00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:04.500 the salt of the earth, 00:22:04.600 --> 00:22:05.519 but if the salt 00:22:05.519 --> 00:22:06.019 become, 00:22:06.279 --> 00:22:07.120 this might be 00:22:07.120 --> 00:22:08.440 a more literal translation, 00:22:08.600 --> 00:22:09.279 but if the salt 00:22:09.279 --> 00:22:10.480 might become foolish, 00:22:10.759 --> 00:22:11.539 in what way 00:22:11.539 --> 00:22:12.400 can it be salty? 00:22:12.400 --> 00:22:13.680 That is, 00:22:13.740 --> 00:22:14.400 if it loses 00:22:14.400 --> 00:22:16.900 its fundamental essence, 00:22:17.300 --> 00:22:20.280 then it's no longer salt 00:22:20.280 --> 00:22:21.259 and it can't do 00:22:21.259 --> 00:22:22.160 what salt does. 00:22:22.560 --> 00:22:22.840 Now, 00:22:22.960 --> 00:22:23.720 some of you 00:22:23.720 --> 00:22:25.519 are chemistry majors here 00:22:25.519 --> 00:22:26.259 and you're thinking, 00:22:26.460 --> 00:22:26.680 okay, 00:22:27.480 --> 00:22:28.900 so NACL 00:22:28.900 --> 00:22:31.300 is a stable compound 00:22:31.300 --> 00:22:32.740 and it doesn't degrade. 00:22:33.460 --> 00:22:34.680 Salt doesn't actually 00:22:34.680 --> 00:22:35.840 become unsalty. 00:22:35.960 --> 00:22:37.300 It can't happen. 00:22:38.220 --> 00:22:38.579 So, 00:22:39.579 --> 00:22:40.480 first of all, 00:22:40.859 --> 00:22:41.839 in the first century, 00:22:41.980 --> 00:22:42.680 a lot of salt 00:22:42.680 --> 00:22:43.740 that was used 00:22:43.740 --> 00:22:45.119 wasn't actually 00:22:45.119 --> 00:22:46.299 mined salt 00:22:46.299 --> 00:22:47.599 that was that stable, 00:22:47.700 --> 00:22:48.240 but it was often 00:22:48.240 --> 00:22:49.460 evaporated salt, 00:22:49.839 --> 00:22:50.019 say, 00:22:50.099 --> 00:22:51.259 from the reeds 00:22:51.259 --> 00:22:51.819 on the sides 00:22:51.819 --> 00:22:52.539 of the Dead Sea 00:22:52.539 --> 00:22:54.139 and the evaporated salt 00:22:54.139 --> 00:22:54.859 would be mixed 00:22:54.859 --> 00:22:55.919 with other minerals 00:22:55.919 --> 00:22:56.440 and things 00:22:56.440 --> 00:22:57.460 and so it could 00:22:57.460 --> 00:22:58.859 degrade over time. 00:22:59.440 --> 00:22:59.619 So, 00:22:59.779 --> 00:23:01.000 this is one thought 00:23:01.000 --> 00:23:02.240 that some people have, 00:23:02.659 --> 00:23:03.700 but others just have, 00:23:05.019 --> 00:23:05.960 it might just be 00:23:05.960 --> 00:23:06.639 worth saying, 00:23:06.640 --> 00:23:07.759 don't push the imagery 00:23:07.759 --> 00:23:08.340 too far. 00:23:08.700 --> 00:23:09.460 Jesus isn't talking 00:23:09.460 --> 00:23:10.080 about chemistry. 00:23:10.520 --> 00:23:11.820 He's using an idiom 00:23:11.820 --> 00:23:13.140 of a particular substance 00:23:13.140 --> 00:23:14.420 that everybody knows, 00:23:14.700 --> 00:23:15.360 but he says, 00:23:15.640 --> 00:23:17.440 if salt is no longer salty, 00:23:17.860 --> 00:23:18.880 then what good is it? 00:23:20.620 --> 00:23:21.200 It's not good. 00:23:21.240 --> 00:23:22.140 It's not worth anything. 00:23:22.280 --> 00:23:23.880 If you put non-salty salt 00:23:23.880 --> 00:23:24.600 on your food, 00:23:24.940 --> 00:23:25.980 your food still tastes 00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:26.880 like whatever it did 00:23:26.880 --> 00:23:28.220 before you put the salt on. 00:23:28.560 --> 00:23:29.860 If you try to use it 00:23:29.860 --> 00:23:30.800 to preserve your food, 00:23:30.840 --> 00:23:31.960 it's not going to work. 00:23:34.220 --> 00:23:35.480 When salt loses 00:23:35.480 --> 00:23:36.839 its distinctive character, 00:23:37.620 --> 00:23:38.680 it becomes useless. 00:23:39.299 --> 00:23:39.720 And he says, 00:23:39.779 --> 00:23:40.400 all you can do 00:23:40.400 --> 00:23:41.400 is throw it on the path 00:23:41.400 --> 00:23:41.940 and trample it 00:23:41.940 --> 00:23:42.460 under your feet 00:23:42.460 --> 00:23:43.599 because that's really, 00:23:43.819 --> 00:23:45.000 that's all it could do. 00:23:45.339 --> 00:23:46.120 Maybe try to keep 00:23:46.120 --> 00:23:47.180 the dust down a little bit, 00:23:47.319 --> 00:23:48.059 like gravel. 00:23:48.920 --> 00:23:51.720 But it's not worth anything. 00:23:54.860 --> 00:23:55.759 Jesus says, 00:23:56.160 --> 00:23:57.120 in reality, 00:23:57.339 --> 00:23:58.180 this is a danger. 00:23:59.180 --> 00:24:00.960 You might lose this. 00:24:00.960 --> 00:24:02.620 You could lose this. 00:24:02.619 --> 00:24:06.500 How might that happen? 00:24:07.419 --> 00:24:08.139 Well, I want to point out 00:24:08.139 --> 00:24:09.279 two ways in which I think 00:24:09.279 --> 00:24:10.719 we lose our saltiness, 00:24:10.959 --> 00:24:12.199 our distinctiveness 00:24:12.199 --> 00:24:13.159 in the world. 00:24:13.719 --> 00:24:15.019 The first one is 00:24:15.019 --> 00:24:15.799 by becoming 00:24:15.799 --> 00:24:17.059 just like the world. 00:24:17.319 --> 00:24:18.539 This is a proverbial 00:24:18.539 --> 00:24:19.739 frog in the kettle, right? 00:24:19.779 --> 00:24:20.439 You put a frog 00:24:20.439 --> 00:24:21.259 in a cold kettle 00:24:21.259 --> 00:24:22.239 and you turn up the heat 00:24:22.239 --> 00:24:23.299 and the frog 00:24:23.299 --> 00:24:24.759 will stay in the kettle happily 00:24:24.759 --> 00:24:27.099 and it will boil to death, 00:24:27.179 --> 00:24:27.459 right? 00:24:27.519 --> 00:24:29.159 Because it doesn't know 00:24:29.159 --> 00:24:31.239 that it's becoming affected 00:24:31.240 --> 00:24:32.500 by the environment around it. 00:24:32.599 --> 00:24:34.480 So, we live in the world 00:24:34.480 --> 00:24:35.740 and we often become 00:24:35.740 --> 00:24:37.099 just like it. 00:24:39.599 --> 00:24:41.859 There are some terrible examples 00:24:41.859 --> 00:24:43.579 of this from the past. 00:24:44.880 --> 00:24:46.180 The church at times 00:24:46.180 --> 00:24:49.079 has supported slavery 00:24:49.079 --> 00:24:50.000 and using, 00:24:51.000 --> 00:24:51.720 owning people. 00:24:52.539 --> 00:24:54.200 The church has at times 00:24:54.200 --> 00:24:55.160 done things like 00:24:55.160 --> 00:24:56.880 ban interracial marriage. 00:24:56.880 --> 00:25:00.700 These were morals of the day, 00:25:01.580 --> 00:25:02.720 commonly assumed 00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:03.720 among the culture 00:25:03.720 --> 00:25:04.840 and the church 00:25:04.840 --> 00:25:06.500 swallowed it wholesale, 00:25:07.460 --> 00:25:09.880 much to our shame. 00:25:12.180 --> 00:25:13.440 There are other ways 00:25:13.440 --> 00:25:14.840 in which we can 00:25:14.840 --> 00:25:16.080 lose our saltiness. 00:25:17.080 --> 00:25:17.640 Theologically, 00:25:17.900 --> 00:25:19.180 we lose our saltiness. 00:25:19.820 --> 00:25:21.000 If you read the history 00:25:21.000 --> 00:25:24.120 of the 1800s 00:25:24.120 --> 00:25:25.100 and 19th century, 00:25:25.220 --> 00:25:26.240 you look at theology, 00:25:26.240 --> 00:25:27.819 the importing of 00:25:27.819 --> 00:25:29.599 enlightenment principles 00:25:29.599 --> 00:25:31.019 into the work 00:25:31.019 --> 00:25:31.859 of theology 00:25:31.859 --> 00:25:33.579 led some 00:25:33.579 --> 00:25:34.440 or many 00:25:34.440 --> 00:25:35.759 to believe 00:25:35.759 --> 00:25:37.400 that a scientific process 00:25:37.400 --> 00:25:39.620 and a scientific worldview 00:25:39.620 --> 00:25:41.000 and even a naturalistic 00:25:41.000 --> 00:25:42.160 scientific worldview 00:25:42.160 --> 00:25:43.900 was the right 00:25:43.900 --> 00:25:44.680 and proper 00:25:44.680 --> 00:25:45.880 and dominant way 00:25:45.880 --> 00:25:47.079 to think about things. 00:25:47.539 --> 00:25:47.759 And so, 00:25:47.819 --> 00:25:48.279 they went back 00:25:48.279 --> 00:25:48.799 to the Bible 00:25:48.799 --> 00:25:49.279 and they said, 00:25:49.380 --> 00:25:49.480 well, 00:25:49.579 --> 00:25:50.740 God can't do miracles 00:25:50.740 --> 00:25:51.720 because that's not 00:25:51.720 --> 00:25:52.940 the way the world works. 00:25:52.940 --> 00:25:56.820 that's a very broad brush. 00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:58.000 John could give you 00:25:58.000 --> 00:25:58.920 all the details. 00:25:59.900 --> 00:26:02.279 But it was one of the 00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:04.100 outworkings was 00:26:04.100 --> 00:26:07.180 that this naturalistic worldview 00:26:07.180 --> 00:26:10.000 then grew to such a point 00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:11.480 where churches were just saying, 00:26:11.600 --> 00:26:11.660 well, 00:26:11.700 --> 00:26:12.759 God can't do miracles 00:26:12.759 --> 00:26:14.039 because that's not the way 00:26:14.039 --> 00:26:15.240 the world works. 00:26:16.779 --> 00:26:18.180 Much to our shame 00:26:18.180 --> 00:26:20.019 and to our laws. 00:26:22.400 --> 00:26:23.539 Here's the third example. 00:26:24.039 --> 00:26:25.120 Enculturation and missions. 00:26:26.060 --> 00:26:26.259 Right? 00:26:26.460 --> 00:26:27.779 God has called us 00:26:27.779 --> 00:26:28.860 to take the good news 00:26:28.860 --> 00:26:29.440 of the gospel 00:26:29.440 --> 00:26:30.920 to the ends of the earth 00:26:30.920 --> 00:26:31.920 and to all peoples 00:26:31.920 --> 00:26:32.480 everywhere. 00:26:33.140 --> 00:26:34.660 But He didn't call us 00:26:34.660 --> 00:26:36.140 to take coats and ties 00:26:36.140 --> 00:26:37.960 or organs. 00:26:39.320 --> 00:26:41.240 Those are cultural expressions 00:26:41.240 --> 00:26:42.220 of Christianity. 00:26:42.220 --> 00:26:43.880 But you go to 00:26:43.880 --> 00:26:45.900 equatorial countries 00:26:45.900 --> 00:26:47.200 around the world 00:26:47.200 --> 00:26:48.700 and the Western church 00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:49.799 has exported 00:26:49.799 --> 00:26:52.220 certain things 00:26:52.220 --> 00:26:54.180 that have nothing 00:26:54.180 --> 00:26:55.240 to do with the gospel. 00:26:55.880 --> 00:26:57.660 They've exported culture 00:26:57.660 --> 00:26:58.220 instead. 00:26:59.900 --> 00:27:01.220 And in doing so, 00:27:03.220 --> 00:27:04.740 they've become, 00:27:05.120 --> 00:27:05.779 they've embraced 00:27:05.779 --> 00:27:06.779 the world around them 00:27:06.779 --> 00:27:07.140 that said, 00:27:07.319 --> 00:27:07.940 we need to, 00:27:08.700 --> 00:27:10.680 in the 19th century 00:27:10.680 --> 00:27:11.380 missional view, 00:27:11.380 --> 00:27:12.960 we need to civilize 00:27:12.960 --> 00:27:14.140 people who haven't, 00:27:14.140 --> 00:27:16.080 haven't yet embraced 00:27:16.080 --> 00:27:18.240 Western European culture. 00:27:19.780 --> 00:27:21.380 Much to our shame. 00:27:23.380 --> 00:27:25.020 So we need to recognize 00:27:25.020 --> 00:27:26.940 the danger is real. 00:27:28.460 --> 00:27:30.020 Where are the pressure points 00:27:30.020 --> 00:27:31.140 we feel today? 00:27:31.740 --> 00:27:32.560 What are the ways 00:27:32.560 --> 00:27:34.280 in which we might become 00:27:34.280 --> 00:27:36.260 like the world 00:27:36.260 --> 00:27:37.740 and not even be aware of it? 00:27:39.300 --> 00:27:40.840 Well, here's an idea. 00:27:40.839 --> 00:27:42.779 How about radical individualism? 00:27:43.519 --> 00:27:44.220 Let me ask you 00:27:44.220 --> 00:27:45.459 some diagnostic questions. 00:27:45.599 --> 00:27:46.599 Do you plan your schedule 00:27:46.599 --> 00:27:47.759 around your community 00:27:47.759 --> 00:27:49.779 or around your own 00:27:49.779 --> 00:27:50.759 life goals? 00:27:51.720 --> 00:27:52.639 Do you value 00:27:52.639 --> 00:27:53.839 group success 00:27:53.839 --> 00:27:55.639 over individual achievements? 00:27:57.639 --> 00:27:59.079 Do you value 00:27:59.079 --> 00:28:00.939 gathering as God's people 00:28:00.939 --> 00:28:02.740 more than your own 00:28:02.740 --> 00:28:04.199 personal plans 00:28:04.199 --> 00:28:05.539 for spiritual growth? 00:28:05.539 --> 00:28:10.379 I think radical individualism 00:28:10.379 --> 00:28:11.539 has the danger 00:28:11.539 --> 00:28:13.519 of undermining 00:28:13.519 --> 00:28:14.279 and destroying 00:28:14.279 --> 00:28:15.019 the church 00:28:15.019 --> 00:28:15.559 that God 00:28:15.559 --> 00:28:17.659 and we often 00:28:17.659 --> 00:28:18.680 just absorb it 00:28:18.680 --> 00:28:19.259 and just think 00:28:19.259 --> 00:28:20.119 this is normal 00:28:20.119 --> 00:28:21.240 when it's not. 00:28:23.740 --> 00:28:24.859 I promise you 00:28:24.859 --> 00:28:25.799 we won't talk about 00:28:25.799 --> 00:28:26.720 this every week 00:28:26.720 --> 00:28:28.420 but good heavens 00:28:28.420 --> 00:28:30.240 the church's engagement 00:28:30.240 --> 00:28:31.519 with politics 00:28:31.519 --> 00:28:32.200 right now 00:28:32.200 --> 00:28:33.620 is a mess 00:28:33.620 --> 00:28:38.360 and we have become 00:28:38.360 --> 00:28:39.519 like the world 00:28:39.519 --> 00:28:40.319 in anger 00:28:40.319 --> 00:28:41.180 and attacking 00:28:41.180 --> 00:28:43.380 lacking humility 00:28:43.380 --> 00:28:44.940 in the way 00:28:44.940 --> 00:28:45.819 that Christians 00:28:45.819 --> 00:28:46.779 have engaged 00:28:46.779 --> 00:28:48.000 in political discourse 00:28:48.000 --> 00:28:49.100 and listen 00:28:49.100 --> 00:28:49.740 I'm not saying 00:28:49.740 --> 00:28:50.500 that there's something 00:28:50.500 --> 00:28:51.799 there is good 00:28:51.799 --> 00:28:52.740 we'll talk about that 00:28:52.740 --> 00:28:53.340 there's good 00:28:53.340 --> 00:28:54.059 in engaging 00:28:54.059 --> 00:28:55.160 in political discourse 00:28:55.160 --> 00:28:58.600 but we must do it 00:28:58.600 --> 00:28:59.620 distinctively 00:28:59.620 --> 00:29:00.420 as Christians 00:29:00.420 --> 00:29:02.580 and here's my guess 00:29:02.580 --> 00:29:03.180 there are probably 00:29:03.180 --> 00:29:03.740 some people 00:29:03.740 --> 00:29:04.460 who are doing it 00:29:04.460 --> 00:29:05.259 but they never 00:29:05.259 --> 00:29:06.060 make the headlines 00:29:06.060 --> 00:29:07.259 because it's not 00:29:07.259 --> 00:29:07.920 splashy 00:29:07.920 --> 00:29:08.620 and it's not 00:29:08.620 --> 00:29:09.900 it's not controversial 00:29:09.900 --> 00:29:11.400 because they're working 00:29:11.400 --> 00:29:12.019 humbly 00:29:12.019 --> 00:29:13.100 and carefully 00:29:13.100 --> 00:29:14.440 and lovingly 00:29:14.440 --> 00:29:15.680 and persistently 00:29:15.680 --> 00:29:16.860 and faithfully 00:29:16.860 --> 00:29:19.800 but friends 00:29:19.800 --> 00:29:21.000 we need to consider 00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:22.180 how on a 00:29:22.180 --> 00:29:23.120 large scale 00:29:23.120 --> 00:29:24.019 organizationally 00:29:24.019 --> 00:29:25.240 and on a small scale 00:29:25.240 --> 00:29:25.900 individually 00:29:25.900 --> 00:29:27.839 can we engage 00:29:27.839 --> 00:29:29.079 with others 00:29:29.079 --> 00:29:30.379 about politics 00:29:30.379 --> 00:29:31.359 in a way 00:29:31.359 --> 00:29:32.379 that's going to have 00:29:32.379 --> 00:29:33.779 the aroma of Christ 00:29:33.779 --> 00:29:37.460 can we 00:29:37.460 --> 00:29:38.879 can we feel 00:29:38.879 --> 00:29:39.579 like Jesus 00:29:39.579 --> 00:29:41.339 to others 00:29:41.339 --> 00:29:43.019 when we're talking 00:29:43.019 --> 00:29:43.480 about 00:29:43.480 --> 00:29:44.879 elections 00:29:44.879 --> 00:29:46.220 policies 00:29:46.220 --> 00:29:48.019 principles 00:29:48.019 --> 00:29:48.619 principles 00:29:48.619 --> 00:29:53.500 I think 00:29:53.500 --> 00:29:54.099 there's also 00:29:54.099 --> 00:29:54.639 a danger 00:29:54.639 --> 00:29:55.199 today 00:29:55.199 --> 00:29:56.479 of us 00:29:56.479 --> 00:29:57.479 losing 00:29:57.479 --> 00:29:59.079 a distinctly 00:29:59.079 --> 00:29:59.659 Christian 00:29:59.659 --> 00:30:00.759 sexual ethic 00:30:00.759 --> 00:30:03.379 again 00:30:03.379 --> 00:30:04.699 I don't want 00:30:04.699 --> 00:30:05.539 to beat 00:30:05.539 --> 00:30:06.159 this horse 00:30:06.159 --> 00:30:06.559 over 00:30:06.559 --> 00:30:07.199 but we need 00:30:07.199 --> 00:30:08.019 to recognize 00:30:08.019 --> 00:30:09.459 how much 00:30:09.459 --> 00:30:10.539 assumptions 00:30:10.539 --> 00:30:11.319 about 00:30:11.319 --> 00:30:12.959 sexuality 00:30:12.959 --> 00:30:14.639 how we work 00:30:14.639 --> 00:30:16.000 why we work 00:30:16.000 --> 00:30:17.799 it is seen 00:30:17.799 --> 00:30:19.259 as the right 00:30:19.259 --> 00:30:20.259 and good 00:30:20.259 --> 00:30:21.539 human flourishing 00:30:21.539 --> 00:30:22.059 for people 00:30:22.059 --> 00:30:22.880 to be sexually 00:30:22.880 --> 00:30:23.960 active 00:30:23.960 --> 00:30:25.339 in whatever way 00:30:25.339 --> 00:30:26.000 they want to 00:30:26.000 --> 00:30:26.920 that is what 00:30:26.920 --> 00:30:27.420 our culture 00:30:27.420 --> 00:30:27.900 says 00:30:27.900 --> 00:30:30.059 and the Bible 00:30:30.059 --> 00:30:30.759 says something 00:30:30.759 --> 00:30:31.579 very different 00:30:31.579 --> 00:30:32.579 the Bible 00:30:32.579 --> 00:30:33.000 says 00:30:33.000 --> 00:30:33.859 that 00:30:33.859 --> 00:30:34.880 sexuality 00:30:34.880 --> 00:30:35.740 was given 00:30:35.740 --> 00:30:36.400 as a gift 00:30:36.400 --> 00:30:36.960 with a very 00:30:36.960 --> 00:30:38.000 particular purpose 00:30:38.000 --> 00:30:38.599 in a very 00:30:38.599 --> 00:30:39.799 particular context 00:30:39.799 --> 00:30:42.200 and yet 00:30:42.200 --> 00:30:43.039 the church 00:30:43.039 --> 00:30:44.960 in a 00:30:44.960 --> 00:30:45.859 misguided 00:30:45.859 --> 00:30:46.299 attempt 00:30:46.299 --> 00:30:46.980 to love 00:30:46.980 --> 00:30:47.639 everybody 00:30:47.639 --> 00:30:48.119 without 00:30:48.119 --> 00:30:49.079 regard 00:30:49.079 --> 00:30:50.639 is starting 00:30:50.639 --> 00:30:51.139 to say 00:30:51.139 --> 00:30:51.819 well maybe 00:30:51.819 --> 00:30:52.220 we don't 00:30:52.220 --> 00:30:52.799 actually have 00:30:52.799 --> 00:30:53.259 to hold 00:30:53.259 --> 00:30:53.799 to those 00:30:53.799 --> 00:30:54.299 things 00:30:54.299 --> 00:30:55.980 some of you 00:30:55.980 --> 00:30:56.519 are college 00:30:56.519 --> 00:30:57.079 students 00:30:57.079 --> 00:30:58.700 you know 00:30:58.700 --> 00:30:59.440 what your 00:30:59.440 --> 00:31:00.200 friends think 00:31:00.200 --> 00:31:02.099 you know 00:31:02.099 --> 00:31:03.839 and it's 00:31:03.839 --> 00:31:04.440 very tempting 00:31:04.440 --> 00:31:05.019 to say 00:31:05.019 --> 00:31:06.059 well maybe 00:31:06.059 --> 00:31:06.440 it's not 00:31:06.440 --> 00:31:06.940 such a big 00:31:06.940 --> 00:31:07.240 deal 00:31:07.240 --> 00:31:11.259 but do you 00:31:11.259 --> 00:31:11.980 see in doing 00:31:11.980 --> 00:31:12.400 that we 00:31:12.400 --> 00:31:13.160 lose the 00:31:13.160 --> 00:31:14.059 distinctiveness 00:31:14.059 --> 00:31:17.539 we lose 00:31:17.539 --> 00:31:19.059 our ability 00:31:19.059 --> 00:31:20.500 to be salty 00:31:20.500 --> 00:31:21.700 when we do 00:31:21.700 --> 00:31:22.420 these things 00:31:22.420 --> 00:31:25.220 those are a 00:31:25.220 --> 00:31:25.599 couple of 00:31:25.599 --> 00:31:26.319 examples of 00:31:26.319 --> 00:31:26.779 where we 00:31:26.779 --> 00:31:27.299 might lose 00:31:27.299 --> 00:31:27.480 it 00:31:27.480 --> 00:31:28.099 we could 00:31:28.099 --> 00:31:28.339 probably 00:31:28.339 --> 00:31:28.799 think of 00:31:28.799 --> 00:31:29.279 a bunch 00:31:29.279 --> 00:31:29.839 of others 00:31:29.839 --> 00:31:30.779 how we 00:31:30.779 --> 00:31:31.180 view 00:31:31.180 --> 00:31:32.380 marriage 00:31:32.380 --> 00:31:32.960 parenting 00:31:32.960 --> 00:31:33.680 family 00:31:33.680 --> 00:31:34.799 how we 00:31:34.799 --> 00:31:35.140 deal with 00:31:35.140 --> 00:31:35.539 money 00:31:35.539 --> 00:31:37.399 there are 00:31:37.399 --> 00:31:38.399 so many 00:31:38.399 --> 00:31:38.879 ways 00:31:38.879 --> 00:31:39.519 so many 00:31:39.519 --> 00:31:40.299 areas 00:31:40.299 --> 00:31:40.779 of our 00:31:40.779 --> 00:31:41.099 lives 00:31:41.099 --> 00:31:41.480 where we 00:31:41.480 --> 00:31:42.099 can lose 00:31:42.099 --> 00:31:42.359 our 00:31:42.359 --> 00:31:42.680 Christian 00:31:42.680 --> 00:31:43.420 distinctiveness 00:31:43.420 --> 00:31:45.240 by becoming 00:31:45.240 --> 00:31:45.759 like the 00:31:45.759 --> 00:31:46.079 world 00:31:46.079 --> 00:31:47.099 I think 00:31:47.099 --> 00:31:47.480 there's a 00:31:47.480 --> 00:31:48.059 second way 00:31:48.059 --> 00:31:48.680 and I need 00:31:48.680 --> 00:31:49.200 to be careful 00:31:49.200 --> 00:31:49.740 in how I 00:31:49.740 --> 00:31:50.139 say this 00:31:50.139 --> 00:31:51.259 but I'm 00:31:51.259 --> 00:31:51.599 going to go 00:31:51.599 --> 00:31:51.879 here 00:31:51.879 --> 00:31:52.240 because I 00:31:52.240 --> 00:31:52.519 think it's 00:31:52.519 --> 00:31:52.960 worth saying 00:31:52.960 --> 00:31:53.559 the other 00:31:53.559 --> 00:31:53.859 way we 00:31:53.859 --> 00:31:54.460 lose our 00:31:54.460 --> 00:31:54.839 Christian 00:31:54.839 --> 00:31:55.500 distinctiveness 00:31:55.500 --> 00:31:56.440 is by 00:31:56.440 --> 00:31:57.259 being distinct 00:31:57.259 --> 00:31:58.079 but not 00:31:58.079 --> 00:31:58.519 Christian 00:31:58.519 --> 00:31:59.339 in what 00:31:59.339 --> 00:31:59.799 we are 00:31:59.799 --> 00:32:01.159 and by 00:32:01.159 --> 00:32:01.579 that I 00:32:01.579 --> 00:32:02.079 mean we 00:32:02.079 --> 00:32:02.440 become 00:32:02.440 --> 00:32:03.019 distinctive 00:32:03.019 --> 00:32:03.759 for the 00:32:03.759 --> 00:32:04.259 wrong 00:32:04.259 --> 00:32:05.039 things 00:32:05.039 --> 00:32:06.720 when people 00:32:06.720 --> 00:32:07.240 look at us 00:32:07.240 --> 00:32:07.480 and what 00:32:07.480 --> 00:32:07.879 they think 00:32:07.879 --> 00:32:08.339 about us 00:32:08.339 --> 00:32:08.579 and what 00:32:08.579 --> 00:32:09.059 they see 00:32:09.059 --> 00:32:09.420 in us 00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:10.220 is not 00:32:10.220 --> 00:32:11.220 the kingdom 00:32:11.220 --> 00:32:11.639 and the 00:32:11.639 --> 00:32:12.039 gospel 00:32:12.039 --> 00:32:13.759 but something 00:32:13.759 --> 00:32:14.259 else 00:32:14.259 --> 00:32:16.740 there are 00:32:16.740 --> 00:32:16.960 some 00:32:16.960 --> 00:32:17.539 historical 00:32:17.539 --> 00:32:18.099 examples 00:32:18.099 --> 00:32:18.980 monasticism 00:32:18.980 --> 00:32:19.259 is an 00:32:19.259 --> 00:32:19.579 interesting 00:32:19.579 --> 00:32:19.940 way of 00:32:19.940 --> 00:32:20.099 saying 00:32:20.099 --> 00:32:20.700 hey we're 00:32:20.700 --> 00:32:20.859 going to 00:32:20.859 --> 00:32:21.399 be distinct 00:32:21.399 --> 00:32:21.740 from the 00:32:21.740 --> 00:32:22.059 world 00:32:22.059 --> 00:32:22.720 we're going 00:32:22.720 --> 00:32:23.139 to withdraw 00:32:23.139 --> 00:32:23.659 and live 00:32:23.659 --> 00:32:24.099 within our 00:32:24.099 --> 00:32:24.480 own 00:32:24.480 --> 00:32:24.980 insular 00:32:24.980 --> 00:32:25.519 community 00:32:25.519 --> 00:32:26.599 and interact 00:32:26.599 --> 00:32:27.519 only 00:32:27.519 --> 00:32:28.839 tangentially 00:32:28.839 --> 00:32:29.779 with the 00:32:29.779 --> 00:32:30.619 outside world 00:32:30.619 --> 00:32:31.639 right 00:32:31.639 --> 00:32:33.500 and what 00:32:33.500 --> 00:32:33.720 did they 00:32:33.720 --> 00:32:34.299 become known 00:32:34.299 --> 00:32:34.659 for 00:32:34.660 --> 00:32:35.580 celibacy 00:32:35.580 --> 00:32:36.580 tonsures 00:32:36.580 --> 00:32:37.420 burlap 00:32:37.420 --> 00:32:37.720 sacks 00:32:37.720 --> 00:32:38.380 it seems 00:32:38.380 --> 00:32:39.080 you know 00:32:39.080 --> 00:32:39.800 it's 00:32:39.800 --> 00:32:42.840 so that's 00:32:42.840 --> 00:32:43.420 one historical 00:32:43.420 --> 00:32:44.300 another historical 00:32:44.300 --> 00:32:44.779 example 00:32:44.779 --> 00:32:45.240 and again 00:32:45.240 --> 00:32:45.720 I want to be 00:32:45.720 --> 00:32:46.420 careful here 00:32:46.420 --> 00:32:47.580 because you 00:32:47.580 --> 00:32:48.060 can be a 00:32:48.060 --> 00:32:48.600 real follower 00:32:48.600 --> 00:32:49.140 of Jesus 00:32:49.140 --> 00:32:50.120 but maybe 00:32:50.120 --> 00:32:50.759 lose your 00:32:50.759 --> 00:32:51.220 saltiness 00:32:51.220 --> 00:32:51.920 by becoming 00:32:51.920 --> 00:32:52.340 a monk 00:32:52.340 --> 00:32:53.640 the other 00:32:53.640 --> 00:32:54.140 example I'm 00:32:54.140 --> 00:32:54.320 going to 00:32:54.320 --> 00:32:54.720 use is 00:32:54.720 --> 00:32:55.400 the Amish 00:32:55.400 --> 00:32:57.440 and because 00:32:57.440 --> 00:32:57.980 the Amish 00:32:57.980 --> 00:32:58.380 I think 00:32:58.380 --> 00:32:59.019 there can be 00:32:59.019 --> 00:32:59.740 true believers 00:32:59.740 --> 00:33:00.300 within the 00:33:00.300 --> 00:33:00.900 Amish community 00:33:00.900 --> 00:33:01.519 I'm not 00:33:01.519 --> 00:33:02.240 judging their 00:33:02.240 --> 00:33:02.660 spiritual 00:33:02.660 --> 00:33:04.380 but what 00:33:04.380 --> 00:33:04.620 are they 00:33:04.620 --> 00:33:05.220 known for 00:33:05.220 --> 00:33:05.920 the way 00:33:05.920 --> 00:33:06.480 they dress 00:33:06.480 --> 00:33:07.059 they don't 00:33:07.059 --> 00:33:07.660 drive cars 00:33:07.660 --> 00:33:08.380 they don't 00:33:08.380 --> 00:33:09.039 use electricity 00:33:09.039 --> 00:33:10.579 they want 00:33:10.579 --> 00:33:11.120 to separate 00:33:11.120 --> 00:33:11.539 themselves 00:33:11.539 --> 00:33:12.019 from the 00:33:12.019 --> 00:33:12.339 world 00:33:12.339 --> 00:33:13.519 in a 00:33:13.519 --> 00:33:13.859 particular 00:33:13.859 --> 00:33:14.579 way that 00:33:14.579 --> 00:33:15.220 seems very 00:33:15.220 --> 00:33:15.900 culture bound 00:33:15.900 --> 00:33:17.880 and that's 00:33:17.880 --> 00:33:18.160 what they're 00:33:18.160 --> 00:33:18.799 known for 00:33:18.799 --> 00:33:21.559 and again 00:33:21.559 --> 00:33:22.900 we want 00:33:22.900 --> 00:33:23.220 to say 00:33:23.220 --> 00:33:23.880 what are 00:33:23.880 --> 00:33:24.339 what are 00:33:24.339 --> 00:33:24.500 we 00:33:24.500 --> 00:33:25.099 if we're 00:33:25.099 --> 00:33:25.779 distinctive 00:33:25.779 --> 00:33:26.460 for things 00:33:26.460 --> 00:33:27.120 that aren't 00:33:27.120 --> 00:33:27.620 about the 00:33:27.620 --> 00:33:27.880 kingdom 00:33:27.880 --> 00:33:28.400 and about 00:33:28.400 --> 00:33:28.840 Jesus 00:33:28.840 --> 00:33:30.740 don't we 00:33:30.740 --> 00:33:31.440 also lose 00:33:31.440 --> 00:33:31.620 our 00:33:31.620 --> 00:33:32.420 distinctiveness 00:33:32.420 --> 00:33:33.300 then we 00:33:33.300 --> 00:33:33.660 just 00:33:33.660 --> 00:33:35.040 to be blunt 00:33:35.040 --> 00:33:35.360 we just 00:33:35.360 --> 00:33:36.160 become weird 00:33:36.160 --> 00:33:37.420 we just 00:33:37.420 --> 00:33:38.380 become odd 00:33:38.380 --> 00:33:39.740 maybe we 00:33:39.740 --> 00:33:40.120 like 00:33:40.120 --> 00:33:41.680 revel in 00:33:41.680 --> 00:33:42.020 our 00:33:42.020 --> 00:33:42.820 distinctive 00:33:42.820 --> 00:33:43.580 otherness 00:33:43.580 --> 00:33:44.480 because we 00:33:44.480 --> 00:33:45.160 see the 00:33:45.160 --> 00:33:45.700 evils in 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:46.220 the society 00:33:46.220 --> 00:33:46.620 we have 00:33:46.620 --> 00:33:47.240 but if 00:33:47.240 --> 00:33:47.760 we're not 00:33:47.760 --> 00:33:48.260 distinctive 00:33:48.260 --> 00:33:49.060 about the 00:33:49.060 --> 00:33:49.400 kingdom 00:33:49.400 --> 00:33:50.460 the things 00:33:50.460 --> 00:33:50.760 of the 00:33:50.760 --> 00:33:51.080 kingdom 00:33:51.080 --> 00:33:52.240 then we 00:33:52.240 --> 00:33:52.960 also lose 00:33:52.960 --> 00:33:53.160 our 00:33:53.160 --> 00:33:53.840 saltiness 00:33:53.840 --> 00:33:56.780 Christians 00:33:56.780 --> 00:33:57.740 can become 00:33:57.740 --> 00:33:58.819 distinctive 00:33:58.819 --> 00:34:00.299 about 00:34:00.299 --> 00:34:01.740 diet plans 00:34:01.740 --> 00:34:02.740 and money 00:34:02.740 --> 00:34:03.299 management 00:34:03.299 --> 00:34:04.799 and 00:34:04.799 --> 00:34:08.860 what movies 00:34:08.860 --> 00:34:09.460 we watch 00:34:09.460 --> 00:34:09.880 and don't 00:34:09.880 --> 00:34:10.320 watch 00:34:10.320 --> 00:34:11.719 we can be 00:34:11.719 --> 00:34:12.179 distinctive 00:34:12.179 --> 00:34:12.800 about all 00:34:12.800 --> 00:34:13.119 sorts of 00:34:13.119 --> 00:34:13.800 and listen 00:34:13.800 --> 00:34:14.960 there are 00:34:14.960 --> 00:34:15.420 great 00:34:15.420 --> 00:34:16.039 opportunities 00:34:16.039 --> 00:34:16.480 for us 00:34:16.480 --> 00:34:17.119 to think 00:34:17.119 --> 00:34:17.840 Christianly 00:34:17.840 --> 00:34:18.400 about all 00:34:18.400 --> 00:34:18.860 of those 00:34:18.860 --> 00:34:19.280 things 00:34:19.280 --> 00:34:20.000 right 00:34:20.000 --> 00:34:20.820 none of 00:34:20.820 --> 00:34:21.320 those things 00:34:21.320 --> 00:34:22.059 are bad 00:34:22.059 --> 00:34:22.780 topics 00:34:22.780 --> 00:34:23.219 for us 00:34:23.219 --> 00:34:23.699 to think 00:34:23.699 --> 00:34:24.300 Christianly 00:34:24.300 --> 00:34:24.639 about 00:34:24.639 --> 00:34:25.519 but we 00:34:25.519 --> 00:34:25.820 want to 00:34:25.820 --> 00:34:26.400 make sure 00:34:26.400 --> 00:34:27.000 that when 00:34:27.000 --> 00:34:28.519 people 00:34:28.519 --> 00:34:28.960 meet us 00:34:28.960 --> 00:34:29.159 our 00:34:29.159 --> 00:34:30.119 distinctiveness 00:34:30.119 --> 00:34:31.519 is 00:34:31.519 --> 00:34:32.219 characterized 00:34:32.219 --> 00:34:32.960 by 00:34:32.960 --> 00:34:34.000 and points 00:34:34.000 --> 00:34:34.559 to 00:34:34.559 --> 00:34:36.219 the thing 00:34:36.219 --> 00:34:36.500 that we're 00:34:36.500 --> 00:34:37.079 meant to be 00:34:37.079 --> 00:34:37.619 most 00:34:37.619 --> 00:34:38.260 distinctive 00:34:38.260 --> 00:34:38.760 about 00:34:38.760 --> 00:34:40.260 and that 00:34:40.260 --> 00:34:40.579 is the 00:34:40.579 --> 00:34:41.000 gospel 00:34:41.000 --> 00:34:42.460 for 00:34:42.460 --> 00:34:43.079 ultimately 00:34:43.079 --> 00:34:43.519 our 00:34:43.519 --> 00:34:44.639 distinctiveness 00:34:44.639 --> 00:34:45.699 is that 00:34:45.699 --> 00:34:45.980 we are 00:34:45.980 --> 00:34:46.760 no longer 00:34:46.760 --> 00:34:47.260 ours 00:34:47.260 --> 00:34:47.639 but we 00:34:47.639 --> 00:34:47.920 have been 00:34:47.920 --> 00:34:48.239 bought 00:34:48.239 --> 00:34:48.619 by a 00:34:48.619 --> 00:34:49.039 price 00:34:49.039 --> 00:34:50.039 that we 00:34:50.039 --> 00:34:50.619 were dead 00:34:50.619 --> 00:34:50.960 in our 00:34:50.960 --> 00:34:51.199 sins 00:34:51.199 --> 00:34:51.980 and trespasses 00:34:51.980 --> 00:34:52.619 and God 00:34:52.619 --> 00:34:53.059 has made 00:34:53.059 --> 00:34:53.880 us alive 00:34:53.880 --> 00:34:54.860 with him 00:34:54.860 --> 00:34:55.780 in Christ 00:34:55.780 --> 00:34:57.660 the 00:34:57.660 --> 00:34:58.460 distinctiveness 00:34:58.460 --> 00:34:59.340 is that 00:34:59.340 --> 00:35:00.460 we 00:35:00.460 --> 00:35:01.140 now 00:35:01.140 --> 00:35:01.880 live 00:35:01.880 --> 00:35:02.500 and engage 00:35:02.500 --> 00:35:02.860 in the 00:35:02.860 --> 00:35:03.320 world 00:35:03.320 --> 00:35:04.460 because of 00:35:04.460 --> 00:35:04.880 the message 00:35:04.880 --> 00:35:05.240 of the 00:35:05.240 --> 00:35:05.640 gospel 00:35:05.640 --> 00:35:06.640 that God 00:35:06.640 --> 00:35:07.079 has come 00:35:07.079 --> 00:35:07.720 to us 00:35:07.720 --> 00:35:08.619 to rescue 00:35:08.619 --> 00:35:09.059 us 00:35:09.059 --> 00:35:09.780 from sin 00:35:09.780 --> 00:35:10.079 and the 00:35:10.079 --> 00:35:10.700 condemnation 00:35:10.700 --> 00:35:11.400 we deserve 00:35:11.400 --> 00:35:12.380 that by 00:35:12.380 --> 00:35:13.099 his life 00:35:13.099 --> 00:35:13.420 death 00:35:13.420 --> 00:35:14.119 and resurrection 00:35:14.119 --> 00:35:14.579 Jesus 00:35:14.579 --> 00:35:15.300 has freed 00:35:15.300 --> 00:35:15.680 us 00:35:15.680 --> 00:35:16.539 from 00:35:16.539 --> 00:35:17.079 sin 00:35:17.079 --> 00:35:17.460 so that 00:35:17.460 --> 00:35:17.800 we can 00:35:17.800 --> 00:35:18.180 know 00:35:18.180 --> 00:35:18.700 God 00:35:18.700 --> 00:35:20.220 unlike 00:35:20.220 --> 00:35:20.660 other 00:35:20.660 --> 00:35:21.260 religions 00:35:21.260 --> 00:35:22.320 it is 00:35:22.320 --> 00:35:22.520 that 00:35:22.520 --> 00:35:23.280 not 00:35:23.280 --> 00:35:23.540 our 00:35:23.540 --> 00:35:23.980 works 00:35:23.980 --> 00:35:24.260 that 00:35:24.260 --> 00:35:24.680 save 00:35:24.680 --> 00:35:25.080 us 00:35:25.080 --> 00:35:25.880 but 00:35:25.880 --> 00:35:26.180 it is 00:35:26.180 --> 00:35:26.540 his 00:35:26.540 --> 00:35:27.180 freely 00:35:27.180 --> 00:35:27.600 given 00:35:27.600 --> 00:35:28.160 grace 00:35:28.160 --> 00:35:28.500 that we 00:35:28.500 --> 00:35:29.160 receive 00:35:29.160 --> 00:35:29.440 by 00:35:29.440 --> 00:35:30.020 faith 00:35:30.020 --> 00:35:31.880 this 00:35:31.880 --> 00:35:32.860 is the 00:35:32.860 --> 00:35:33.320 good news 00:35:33.320 --> 00:35:33.640 of the 00:35:33.640 --> 00:35:34.080 gospel 00:35:34.080 --> 00:35:36.100 and God 00:35:36.100 --> 00:35:36.820 calls us 00:35:36.820 --> 00:35:37.560 to repent 00:35:37.560 --> 00:35:38.000 of our 00:35:38.000 --> 00:35:38.340 life 00:35:38.340 --> 00:35:38.600 in the 00:35:38.600 --> 00:35:38.980 world 00:35:38.980 --> 00:35:40.180 and to 00:35:40.180 --> 00:35:40.640 come 00:35:40.640 --> 00:35:41.060 into 00:35:41.060 --> 00:35:41.380 his 00:35:41.380 --> 00:35:41.820 kingdom 00:35:41.820 --> 00:35:42.780 and be 00:35:42.780 --> 00:35:43.400 a citizen 00:35:43.400 --> 00:35:44.400 of his 00:35:44.400 --> 00:35:44.760 kingdom 00:35:44.760 --> 00:35:45.520 and a 00:35:45.520 --> 00:35:46.060 child 00:35:46.060 --> 00:35:46.820 of the 00:35:46.820 --> 00:35:47.060 one 00:35:47.060 --> 00:35:47.320 true 00:35:47.320 --> 00:35:47.840 God 00:35:47.840 --> 00:35:50.760 having 00:35:50.760 --> 00:35:51.540 together 00:35:51.540 --> 00:35:52.680 Christ 00:35:52.680 --> 00:35:53.260 as the 00:35:53.260 --> 00:35:53.680 head 00:35:53.680 --> 00:35:54.660 of us 00:35:54.660 --> 00:35:54.900 our 00:35:54.900 --> 00:35:55.560 community 00:35:55.560 --> 00:35:58.080 to 00:35:58.080 --> 00:35:58.440 follow 00:35:58.440 --> 00:35:58.920 him 00:35:58.920 --> 00:35:59.320 living 00:35:59.320 --> 00:35:59.540 as 00:35:59.540 --> 00:35:59.820 members 00:35:59.820 --> 00:36:00.120 of the 00:36:00.120 --> 00:36:00.280 kingdom 00:36:00.280 --> 00:36:01.080 and this 00:36:01.080 --> 00:36:01.380 is the 00:36:01.380 --> 00:36:01.580 thing 00:36:01.580 --> 00:36:01.900 that should 00:36:01.900 --> 00:36:02.440 be most 00:36:02.440 --> 00:36:02.920 distinct 00:36:02.920 --> 00:36:03.620 about us 00:36:03.620 --> 00:36:05.060 and this 00:36:05.060 --> 00:36:05.620 distinctness 00:36:05.620 --> 00:36:06.420 shows itself 00:36:06.420 --> 00:36:06.840 in different 00:36:06.840 --> 00:36:07.140 ways 00:36:07.140 --> 00:36:07.680 it's 00:36:07.680 --> 00:36:08.240 distinct 00:36:08.240 --> 00:36:08.660 because 00:36:08.660 --> 00:36:09.300 we know 00:36:09.300 --> 00:36:09.520 we're 00:36:09.520 --> 00:36:09.900 sinners 00:36:09.900 --> 00:36:11.300 so 00:36:11.300 --> 00:36:12.300 we can 00:36:12.300 --> 00:36:13.900 say 00:36:13.900 --> 00:36:14.060 I'm 00:36:14.060 --> 00:36:14.400 sorry 00:36:14.400 --> 00:36:16.500 and ask 00:36:16.500 --> 00:36:16.640 for 00:36:16.640 --> 00:36:17.060 forgiveness 00:36:17.060 --> 00:36:19.040 we know 00:36:19.040 --> 00:36:19.220 we're 00:36:19.220 --> 00:36:19.700 saved by 00:36:19.700 --> 00:36:20.200 grace 00:36:20.199 --> 00:36:21.299 so 00:36:21.299 --> 00:36:21.939 we don't 00:36:21.939 --> 00:36:22.259 have to 00:36:22.259 --> 00:36:22.439 be 00:36:22.439 --> 00:36:22.679 self 00:36:22.679 --> 00:36:22.980 righteous 00:36:22.980 --> 00:36:23.339 about 00:36:23.339 --> 00:36:23.559 what 00:36:23.559 --> 00:36:24.000 we do 00:36:24.000 --> 00:36:25.919 we're 00:36:25.919 --> 00:36:26.339 distinct 00:36:26.339 --> 00:36:26.679 because 00:36:26.679 --> 00:36:27.079 we know 00:36:27.079 --> 00:36:27.799 we deserve 00:36:27.799 --> 00:36:28.859 judgment 00:36:28.859 --> 00:36:29.679 so we 00:36:29.679 --> 00:36:29.859 don't 00:36:29.859 --> 00:36:30.139 look at 00:36:30.139 --> 00:36:30.419 ourselves 00:36:30.419 --> 00:36:31.000 as better 00:36:31.000 --> 00:36:31.639 than others 00:36:31.639 --> 00:36:32.519 around us 00:36:32.519 --> 00:36:34.119 but instead 00:36:34.119 --> 00:36:34.399 we are 00:36:34.399 --> 00:36:34.859 people who 00:36:34.859 --> 00:36:35.099 know 00:36:35.099 --> 00:36:35.399 we've 00:36:35.399 --> 00:36:35.719 received 00:36:35.719 --> 00:36:36.179 mercy 00:36:36.179 --> 00:36:36.879 and that 00:36:36.879 --> 00:36:37.219 gives us 00:36:37.219 --> 00:36:37.980 great joy 00:36:37.980 --> 00:36:38.539 and mercy 00:36:38.539 --> 00:36:38.939 for the 00:36:38.939 --> 00:36:39.299 people 00:36:39.299 --> 00:36:40.839 around us 00:36:40.839 --> 00:36:42.419 we're 00:36:42.419 --> 00:36:42.759 distinct 00:36:42.759 --> 00:36:43.179 because 00:36:43.179 --> 00:36:43.759 we know 00:36:43.759 --> 00:36:44.819 a savior 00:36:44.819 --> 00:36:45.779 who did 00:36:45.779 --> 00:36:46.579 not count 00:36:46.579 --> 00:36:47.639 his glory 00:36:47.639 --> 00:36:48.359 with God 00:36:48.360 --> 00:36:49.220 something to 00:36:49.220 --> 00:36:49.500 be 00:36:49.500 --> 00:36:50.500 held 00:36:50.500 --> 00:36:50.920 on to 00:36:50.920 --> 00:36:51.160 but 00:36:51.160 --> 00:36:51.380 who 00:36:51.380 --> 00:36:51.900 humbled 00:36:51.900 --> 00:36:52.539 himself 00:36:52.539 --> 00:36:54.340 and 00:36:54.340 --> 00:36:54.680 showed 00:36:54.680 --> 00:36:55.380 his glory 00:36:55.380 --> 00:36:55.640 through 00:36:55.640 --> 00:36:55.840 his 00:36:55.840 --> 00:36:56.500 humility 00:36:56.500 --> 00:36:57.280 and his 00:36:57.280 --> 00:36:57.900 sacrifice 00:36:57.900 --> 00:36:58.559 and his 00:36:58.559 --> 00:36:59.079 death 00:36:59.079 --> 00:37:00.460 and so 00:37:00.460 --> 00:37:01.360 we follow 00:37:01.360 --> 00:37:02.220 him 00:37:02.220 --> 00:37:02.720 in the way 00:37:02.720 --> 00:37:03.140 that we 00:37:03.140 --> 00:37:03.500 love 00:37:03.500 --> 00:37:04.180 others 00:37:04.180 --> 00:37:05.400 in that 00:37:05.400 --> 00:37:05.820 way 00:37:05.820 --> 00:37:07.900 one of 00:37:07.900 --> 00:37:08.220 the most 00:37:08.220 --> 00:37:08.640 fundamental 00:37:08.640 --> 00:37:09.200 things 00:37:09.200 --> 00:37:09.559 that I 00:37:09.559 --> 00:37:09.800 think 00:37:09.800 --> 00:37:09.980 is 00:37:09.980 --> 00:37:11.780 we 00:37:11.780 --> 00:37:12.400 in his 00:37:12.400 --> 00:37:12.700 kingdom 00:37:12.700 --> 00:37:13.360 know 00:37:13.360 --> 00:37:14.140 that the 00:37:14.140 --> 00:37:14.400 world 00:37:14.400 --> 00:37:14.820 is not 00:37:14.820 --> 00:37:15.360 about us 00:37:15.360 --> 00:37:15.780 anymore 00:37:15.780 --> 00:37:16.400 it's 00:37:16.400 --> 00:37:16.640 about 00:37:16.640 --> 00:37:16.980 him 00:37:16.980 --> 00:37:19.040 and so 00:37:19.040 --> 00:37:19.940 everything 00:37:19.940 --> 00:37:20.800 is changed 00:37:20.800 --> 00:37:21.320 everything 00:37:21.320 --> 00:37:22.140 is reoriented 00:37:22.140 --> 00:37:23.940 about 00:37:23.940 --> 00:37:24.800 knowing 00:37:24.800 --> 00:37:25.660 and loving 00:37:25.660 --> 00:37:26.840 and following 00:37:26.840 --> 00:37:27.400 Jesus 00:37:27.400 --> 00:37:30.920 this is 00:37:30.920 --> 00:37:31.600 the distinct 00:37:31.600 --> 00:37:32.000 thing 00:37:32.000 --> 00:37:33.360 and when 00:37:33.360 --> 00:37:34.100 we love 00:37:34.100 --> 00:37:35.260 and trust 00:37:35.260 --> 00:37:35.640 in 00:37:35.640 --> 00:37:36.360 and obey 00:37:36.360 --> 00:37:37.019 and delight 00:37:37.019 --> 00:37:37.720 in Jesus 00:37:37.720 --> 00:37:38.840 this 00:37:38.840 --> 00:37:39.640 distinctiveness 00:37:39.640 --> 00:37:40.060 will be 00:37:40.060 --> 00:37:40.680 seen 00:37:40.680 --> 00:37:41.380 and we 00:37:41.380 --> 00:37:42.180 will be 00:37:42.180 --> 00:37:43.220 the salt 00:37:43.220 --> 00:37:44.060 of the 00:37:44.060 --> 00:37:44.440 earth 00:37:44.440 --> 00:37:46.260 let's 00:37:46.260 --> 00:37:46.539 pray 00:37:46.539 --> 00:37:47.119 together 00:37:47.119 --> 00:37:52.099 oh 00:37:52.099 --> 00:37:52.320 Lord 00:37:52.320 --> 00:37:52.920 we pray 00:37:52.920 --> 00:37:55.119 as we 00:37:55.119 --> 00:37:55.300 have 00:37:55.300 --> 00:37:55.780 reflected 00:37:55.780 --> 00:37:56.380 on this 00:37:56.380 --> 00:37:57.380 simple 00:37:57.380 --> 00:37:58.200 passage 00:37:58.200 --> 00:37:59.300 and on 00:37:59.300 --> 00:37:59.639 its 00:37:59.639 --> 00:38:00.720 challenging 00:38:00.720 --> 00:38:02.900 content 00:38:02.900 --> 00:38:05.039 Lord 00:38:05.039 --> 00:38:05.519 search our 00:38:05.519 --> 00:38:05.820 hearts 00:38:05.820 --> 00:38:06.340 we pray 00:38:06.340 --> 00:38:08.500 show us 00:38:08.500 --> 00:38:08.800 if there 00:38:08.800 --> 00:38:09.200 are ways 00:38:09.200 --> 00:38:09.539 in which 00:38:09.539 --> 00:38:10.139 we have 00:38:10.139 --> 00:38:11.679 become 00:38:11.679 --> 00:38:12.179 too much 00:38:12.179 --> 00:38:12.619 like the 00:38:12.619 --> 00:38:13.000 world 00:38:13.000 --> 00:38:14.280 or become 00:38:14.280 --> 00:38:14.920 distinctive 00:38:14.920 --> 00:38:15.760 in ways 00:38:15.760 --> 00:38:16.059 that we 00:38:16.059 --> 00:38:16.760 ought not 00:38:16.760 --> 00:38:18.820 and Lord 00:38:18.820 --> 00:38:19.280 help us 00:38:19.280 --> 00:38:19.960 to become 00:38:19.960 --> 00:38:20.579 distinctive 00:38:20.579 --> 00:38:22.219 in increasing 00:38:22.219 --> 00:38:22.739 measure 00:38:22.739 --> 00:38:25.079 by returning 00:38:25.079 --> 00:38:25.579 to 00:38:25.579 --> 00:38:27.099 the core 00:38:27.099 --> 00:38:27.440 of our 00:38:27.440 --> 00:38:27.820 faith 00:38:27.820 --> 00:38:29.320 the person 00:38:29.320 --> 00:38:30.119 of Jesus 00:38:30.119 --> 00:38:31.539 and his 00:38:31.539 --> 00:38:31.940 work of 00:38:31.940 --> 00:38:32.380 salvation 00:38:32.380 --> 00:38:33.099 for us 00:38:33.099 --> 00:38:35.820 Lord I 00:38:35.820 --> 00:38:36.260 pray this 00:38:36.260 --> 00:38:36.539 would be 00:38:36.539 --> 00:38:37.059 true for 00:38:37.059 --> 00:38:37.360 me 00:38:37.360 --> 00:38:38.059 I pray 00:38:38.059 --> 00:38:38.300 it would 00:38:38.300 --> 00:38:38.639 be true 00:38:38.639 --> 00:38:39.260 for us 00:38:39.260 --> 00:38:41.520 as a 00:38:41.520 --> 00:38:42.000 community 00:38:42.000 --> 00:38:42.260 at 00:38:42.260 --> 00:38:42.600 Trinity 00:38:42.600 --> 00:38:43.220 I pray 00:38:43.220 --> 00:38:43.460 it would 00:38:43.460 --> 00:38:43.840 be true 00:38:43.840 --> 00:38:44.280 for your 00:38:44.280 --> 00:38:44.660 church 00:38:44.660 --> 00:38:45.020 throughout 00:38:45.020 --> 00:38:45.660 the world 00:38:45.660 --> 00:38:49.000 pray this 00:38:49.000 --> 00:38:49.400 in Jesus 00:38:49.400 --> 00:38:49.820 name 00:38:49.820 --> 00:38:51.020 amen 00:38:51.340 --> 00:38:56.599 to 00:38:57.099 --> 00:39:02.699 you 00:39:02.699 --> 00:39:11.880 you 00:39:11.880 --> 00:39:14.199 you 00:39:18.199 --> 00:39:18.639 you