WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.640 Do you be seated and open your Bibles if you will to Matthew chapter 5. Matthew chapter 5. 00:00:08.640 --> 00:00:12.800 ! 00:00:12.800 --> 00:00:27.199 Salt tastes, doesn't it? Light is visible. 00:00:29.060 --> 00:00:29.100 ! 00:00:29.100 --> 00:00:35.179 And what Jesus is talking about in the three verses from chapter 13 to 16, four verses, 00:00:36.179 --> 00:00:44.039 Jesus is talking about his disciples and their influence on the world. The way people affect 00:00:44.039 --> 00:00:52.620 the world. What's happened so far, Jesus has spoken in the Beatitudes, he's described his 00:00:52.619 --> 00:01:00.500 people and he's saying what sort of people they are. And he's given them an assurance of the 00:01:00.500 --> 00:01:07.859 blessings that they will receive. And they have. He's described his people, verses 1 to 00:01:07.859 --> 00:01:15.680 12. And then in verses 13 to 16, he indicates how his people will influence the world. And 00:01:15.680 --> 00:01:22.539 he says they are salt and they are light. And so the question is, will the world be under 00:01:22.539 --> 00:01:27.599 the influence? Let's look at the influence of Christians. I want you to notice the surprise. 00:01:27.599 --> 00:01:31.539 surprise. You know it, don't you? If you've been in church any time, you will know this phrase. 00:01:31.619 --> 00:01:39.079 You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world. Do you spot the surprise? What's 00:01:39.079 --> 00:01:50.619 the surprise? You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world. The you there 00:01:50.620 --> 00:02:00.100 is emphatic. It's you especially. And you exclusively. He says to his disciples, his followers, you 00:02:00.100 --> 00:02:08.520 and only you are the salt of the earth. He is saying only his people, only his disciples. 00:02:08.640 --> 00:02:12.640 It's not just the 12 disciples, but that group. There were more than 12 there on that mountain 00:02:12.640 --> 00:02:19.439 side. But it was a relatively obscure group of people who were following him. They were his 00:02:19.439 --> 00:02:26.699 people and he says to them, you are the salt of the earth. And that is surprising and baffling, 00:02:26.819 --> 00:02:32.240 but that is what they are. The salt of the earth and the light of the world. That's who 00:02:32.240 --> 00:02:40.599 Jesus' followers are. How can that be? This group of rather ordinary people, I suppose they 00:02:40.599 --> 00:02:47.079 were, to be called the salt of the earth, an earthly society, and the light of the world. 00:02:47.080 --> 00:02:58.580 That is who they are. Notice he says, he says, verse 13, you are the salt of the earth. Verse 00:02:58.580 --> 00:03:06.840 14, can you spot it? You are the light of the world. Notice he doesn't say you are going 00:03:06.840 --> 00:03:15.900 to become. He doesn't say that's your potential. He says you are. How can I be that? That is 00:03:15.900 --> 00:03:24.759 what you are. If I am, as he describes his disciples in verses 3 to 12, if I am poor in 00:03:24.759 --> 00:03:28.920 spirit and I mourn and I'm meek and I hunger and thirst and I'm merciful and pure in heart 00:03:28.920 --> 00:03:35.900 and I'm a peacemaker. If I add that element of spiritual need and destitution that characterises 00:03:35.900 --> 00:03:43.300 Jesus' people, if I have my father's likeness to some degree in verses 3 to 9, if I'm one 00:03:43.300 --> 00:03:53.540 who's willing and does suffer for Jesus' sake, if I need and I'm very needy, then by what 00:03:53.540 --> 00:04:00.800 I am, I am, we are, not we become. We are the salt of the earth. We are the light of the 00:04:00.800 --> 00:04:07.340 world. Jesus is not speaking of some crack troops of Christians. He's not speaking of 00:04:07.340 --> 00:04:13.140 a Christian elite. Jesus does not have a clique. He's not saying if you go to this conference, 00:04:13.280 --> 00:04:18.480 if you're part of this little group or network or in crowd, he's talking to however you may 00:04:18.480 --> 00:04:24.280 want to put it, if we can say this, he is talking to ordinary Christians. His people. 00:04:24.279 --> 00:04:33.579 Who may be pretty random on a Sunday morning. Who are not an outstanding group of folks. 00:04:33.839 --> 00:04:40.459 They don't make the cover of magazines. They're not superstars, but they are the salt of the 00:04:40.459 --> 00:04:49.019 earth. You are the light of the world. Two Christians walk into a pub. The farmer says to the one 00:04:49.019 --> 00:04:56.560 guy he knows, who is that? His friend says, he's the light of the world. He's the light 00:04:56.560 --> 00:05:04.699 of the world. You are the salt of the earth. When you get up tomorrow morning, you have that 00:05:04.699 --> 00:05:10.519 horrifying moment when you look in the mirror. You say to yourself, I am the light of the world. 00:05:13.120 --> 00:05:17.519 Not only the surprise, but Jesus speaks to us of the danger you face. Look at the last part 00:05:17.519 --> 00:05:24.479 of verse 13. If salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It's no longer 00:05:24.479 --> 00:05:31.240 good for anything. It's no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled 00:05:31.240 --> 00:05:38.719 on people's feet. And Jesus is giving us a warning there, isn't he? There's an implied warning 00:05:38.719 --> 00:05:45.560 about the light too. He says no one lights a light and then puts it under a basket. And they 00:05:45.560 --> 00:05:52.920 don't try to hide it. Look at the danger we're warned about in verse 13. And we say, I don't 00:05:52.920 --> 00:05:57.920 understand that. I don't understand how salt can become tasteless. You know, you buy those 00:05:57.920 --> 00:06:02.360 cylinders of salt from the supermarket. You've had it in your cupboard for about four years 00:06:02.360 --> 00:06:07.519 and you've still not used it up, but it hasn't become tasteless. It's still as good as the 00:06:07.519 --> 00:06:15.500 day you bought it. How can salt become tasteless? Well, the salt that they had in Jesus' time 00:06:15.500 --> 00:06:21.120 was not a salt that you oiled or cleaned or washed in water and you got the salt from it. 00:06:21.779 --> 00:06:28.139 The salt in Jesus' time was gotten from mines. It was salt. It was encrustations that were 00:06:28.139 --> 00:06:34.000 around places like in the Dead Sea. Or sometimes it might come from a lake, a lake via the Syrian 00:06:34.000 --> 00:06:39.660 desert that would dry up in the summertime. And it would leave those encrustations of 00:06:39.660 --> 00:06:45.899 salt there. And they were going to get it. Or it would come from other places. A 19th century 00:06:45.899 --> 00:06:50.819 scholar says that in northern Palestine, in a province of Sidon, there was a fellow, a government 00:06:50.819 --> 00:06:56.720 official who procured salt for the government, the Department of Salt. And he got it from the 00:06:56.720 --> 00:07:02.040 island of Cyprus and they brought it over. He had enough for 20 years' supply. He put it 00:07:02.040 --> 00:07:08.060 in 65 houses that he had built specifically for it and he filled them with salt. And the 00:07:08.060 --> 00:07:13.060 salt was close to the ground and it gathered up moisture or whatever salt is prone to do 00:07:13.060 --> 00:07:21.460 and it ruined it. It made it insipid. The salt became tasteless. And so we're told that literally 00:07:21.460 --> 00:07:27.420 they took the salt and they threw it on the street because it was useless. And so the salt 00:07:27.420 --> 00:07:32.319 that Jesus is talking about, this salt would have a mixture of earth and impurities in 00:07:32.319 --> 00:07:39.100 it. And because of this, it would, in certain circumstances, the salt would become tasteless 00:07:39.100 --> 00:07:46.180 and insipid and become no good. And there was no way that you could make anything good out 00:07:46.180 --> 00:07:53.420 of it. And so you literally had to toss it out into the street. Jesus is saying, if you're 00:07:53.420 --> 00:07:59.240 going to use a modern day of analogy, somebody buys you a two and a half litre bottle of Coke 00:07:59.240 --> 00:08:04.860 like my parents do occasionally when I go home or for the grandchildren. And one of my nephews 00:08:04.860 --> 00:08:12.580 and nephews goes there earlier on in the week and opens the bottle of Coke. And they don't 00:08:12.580 --> 00:08:18.420 tighten the lid up. And so when I arrive later on in the week, my parents say to me, we've 00:08:18.420 --> 00:08:23.840 bought a bottle of Coke. And your nephew Ed had some earlier on in the week. And I go 00:08:23.840 --> 00:08:30.620 to open the bottle, but there's no fizz. There's no fizz. Because the idiot has left, hasn't 00:08:30.620 --> 00:08:36.379 done the bottle up, hasn't done the lid up. And flat Coke is an awful thing. You might think 00:08:36.379 --> 00:08:39.539 fizzy Coke is an awful thing, but flat Coke is a terrible thing. What do you do with flat 00:08:39.539 --> 00:08:49.559 Coke? You pour it down the drain. It's useless. And Jesus is saying with salt, if it loses its 00:08:49.559 --> 00:08:55.199 taste, if it loses its zing, if it loses its bite, if it loses its taste, if it loses that 00:08:55.199 --> 00:09:06.879 distinctive flavour, it's no good. He's saying don't lose your taste. Salt has a distinctive 00:09:06.879 --> 00:09:14.139 flavour. You can tell, can't you, ordinarily, if it's been present. You can tell if your 00:09:14.139 --> 00:09:21.340 boiled egg has had salt in it or it hasn't. Because it leaves a certain bite. There's a 00:09:21.340 --> 00:09:27.139 difference. There's a distinctiveness about salt. It can be detected. And Jesus said, if 00:09:27.139 --> 00:09:36.159 you are the salt of the earth, don't allow earthly society to put its influence on you and make 00:09:36.159 --> 00:09:46.279 you tasteless, make sure the influence goes the other way. You flavour it. Don't let it flavour 00:09:46.279 --> 00:09:53.899 you. And cut the bite and the tang of your character. And as my disciples, salt is different 00:09:53.899 --> 00:10:00.459 and distinct. And Jesus is saying we shouldn't do away with that distinctiveness, that difference, 00:10:00.460 --> 00:10:09.960 because we are his disciples. And so he's saying, don't try to blend in. Don't try to blend into 00:10:09.960 --> 00:10:16.100 the woodwork at the office. So people won't recognise you as a Christian. He's not saying 00:10:16.100 --> 00:10:21.160 to you to be odd. He's not saying you to deliberately go in and be different. He's saying be what you 00:10:21.159 --> 00:10:27.500 are, which is the message of the New Testament. He says, if you blend in, you won't ever be able 00:10:27.500 --> 00:10:34.600 to bite. And if you become bland, you won't be able to carry any flavour. You must remain 00:10:34.600 --> 00:10:42.879 salt. You can't let the impurities of your environment change you and affect you and make you tasteless. 00:10:42.879 --> 00:10:50.720 Same thing Jesus is getting at verse 15. Now the same illustration. People don't light a lamp, a little 00:10:50.720 --> 00:10:57.779 oil lamp and put it under a bowl. No one does that. That's stupid. Why would you do that? Why would you 00:10:57.779 --> 00:11:02.279 light a lamp in a dark house and then put it under a basket? It's daft. 00:11:05.559 --> 00:11:11.779 So my brother got a car once he changed the oil. He drained the old oil out in changing the oil filter. 00:11:11.779 --> 00:11:19.959 And he started putting the new oil in. My father comes out of the house screaming that there's oil 00:11:19.959 --> 00:11:28.139 going all over the drive. And my brother had forgotten to put the oil plug in. Put the oil plug back in. 00:11:29.159 --> 00:11:34.100 Before he filled it up. It was stupid, wasn't it? It was ludicrous. It was daft to put new oil 00:11:34.100 --> 00:11:39.959 into an engine with the oil plug not there. And so it is foolish for Christians. 00:11:41.779 --> 00:11:47.459 To cover the light. Jesus is the light of the world. 00:11:49.679 --> 00:11:53.720 And Jesus has become your light if you are a Christian. And it's foolish for a Christian to 00:11:53.720 --> 00:12:04.319 hide that light. And it's useless for a Christian. They become useless if they want to blend in. 00:12:04.320 --> 00:12:12.500 And if he tries to become bland. And if he doesn't want to stand out for being a Christian. 00:12:12.640 --> 00:12:19.540 If he is ashamed of the Lord Jesus because of his lifestyle. And the conflict and the rubs 00:12:19.540 --> 00:12:25.160 that it might make. In other words, Jesus is saying don't be ashamed of the fact that you're 00:12:25.159 --> 00:12:36.319 different. And don't try to hide it. And don't try to let the world tame you into tastelessness. 00:12:38.839 --> 00:12:41.879 And I know that's a huge challenge, isn't it? It's a huge challenge in school. 00:12:43.620 --> 00:12:48.039 It's a huge challenge in work. It's a huge challenge at play. 00:12:48.039 --> 00:12:51.639 But that is the danger we face. 00:12:54.839 --> 00:12:57.699 Jesus gives us that warning. We have the surprise, the danger. 00:12:57.879 --> 00:13:00.379 And thirdly, Jesus says the impact you make. 00:13:01.459 --> 00:13:02.759 The impact you make. 00:13:04.860 --> 00:13:06.339 Let's just play with the image a little bit. 00:13:06.459 --> 00:13:09.419 I want to think of the salt of the earth and the light of the world in a general way. 00:13:09.779 --> 00:13:10.860 Particularly the aspect of salt. 00:13:10.860 --> 00:13:17.860 As we said, these ought to indicate the influence that Jesus' disciples have. 00:13:20.019 --> 00:13:24.320 When you notice Jesus' statement in verses 13 and 14, there's an implied, isn't there, 00:13:24.680 --> 00:13:28.200 condemnation and criticism of the earth or the world. I've not seen it before. 00:13:29.759 --> 00:13:31.500 He says you are the salt of the earth. 00:13:31.620 --> 00:13:36.139 He's implying that earthly society, the earth needs salt. 00:13:36.139 --> 00:13:40.120 And you are the light of the world. 00:13:40.179 --> 00:13:41.120 What's he saying about the world? 00:13:41.259 --> 00:13:42.960 He's saying that the world needs light. 00:13:44.980 --> 00:13:50.080 In short, when he calls us the salt of the earth, he's speaking and implying about the decay of the world. 00:13:51.759 --> 00:13:56.539 And when he's speaking of the light of the world, he's speaking and implying about the darkness of the world. 00:13:58.100 --> 00:13:59.699 The world needs salt because it's rotten. 00:14:01.279 --> 00:14:03.720 And the world needs light because it's stifling. 00:14:03.720 --> 00:14:07.980 And there's an implied criticism here he makes about the world. 00:14:10.320 --> 00:14:13.360 And I also think it's a really helpful point that there's a limitation here. 00:14:15.440 --> 00:14:17.600 Notice he says you are the salt of the earth. 00:14:19.879 --> 00:14:24.580 Now salt, at least used in some foods, doesn't really heal it. 00:14:25.680 --> 00:14:27.560 It doesn't restore it. 00:14:28.879 --> 00:14:31.160 But it kind of stops the rot. 00:14:31.159 --> 00:14:34.100 It retards the deadness. 00:14:35.579 --> 00:14:36.839 Maybe a preservative. 00:14:38.459 --> 00:14:40.799 But it doesn't exactly prevent it wholly, does it? 00:14:42.219 --> 00:14:43.659 It retards decay. 00:14:44.059 --> 00:14:46.919 Salt can be used to slow down decay. 00:14:50.100 --> 00:14:52.439 I know there are other indications of what the salt may mean. 00:14:52.539 --> 00:14:53.419 We can't bring them all in. 00:14:53.419 --> 00:14:55.240 But one of the functions Jesus is in mind. 00:14:55.319 --> 00:15:00.799 He says if you are the salt of the earth, then you are one who is going to slow down by your life. 00:15:01.919 --> 00:15:04.279 You are going to slow down some of the decay. 00:15:06.159 --> 00:15:09.139 It doesn't mean that you will recreate society. 00:15:11.240 --> 00:15:13.979 It means that you keep it from being so rotten. 00:15:13.980 --> 00:15:18.740 And I think that's really, really important. 00:15:19.759 --> 00:15:25.600 Because there's a lot of talk about the moment in Christian circles, even in Reformed circles, about redeeming the culture. 00:15:25.600 --> 00:15:29.460 And we need to watch that. 00:15:29.519 --> 00:15:31.779 Because I think we claim too much by that. 00:15:34.899 --> 00:15:36.420 For Christians and their influence. 00:15:36.560 --> 00:15:37.820 More than Jesus gives us. 00:15:38.100 --> 00:15:39.460 So I love Tim Keller. 00:15:39.560 --> 00:15:41.159 I love lots of what he writes. 00:15:42.019 --> 00:15:43.519 I think he's a gift from God. 00:15:43.620 --> 00:15:45.960 But I think when he talks about redeeming the city. 00:15:47.580 --> 00:15:50.600 I want to say to him, show me in the Bible where you get that idea. 00:15:52.100 --> 00:15:52.860 Where do you get that? 00:15:52.960 --> 00:15:55.080 How is redemption used ever in that way? 00:15:55.600 --> 00:16:02.100 The Bible never speaks of people bringing in the kingdom. 00:16:02.240 --> 00:16:03.060 That's also that language. 00:16:03.860 --> 00:16:04.519 People are using it. 00:16:04.779 --> 00:16:07.040 We are going to be kingdom bringers in. 00:16:08.639 --> 00:16:10.200 The Bible never speaks of that. 00:16:11.100 --> 00:16:12.720 Don't overplay your influence. 00:16:14.580 --> 00:16:17.279 I don't think it even speaks of people advancing the kingdom. 00:16:19.259 --> 00:16:21.180 Certainly not of building the kingdom. 00:16:22.560 --> 00:16:23.940 That is Jesus' work. 00:16:23.940 --> 00:16:25.660 Jesus builds the kingdom. 00:16:26.100 --> 00:16:27.480 Jesus advances the kingdom. 00:16:27.660 --> 00:16:28.860 Jesus brings in the kingdom. 00:16:30.720 --> 00:16:34.600 And we need to be really careful that we don't take on too much. 00:16:34.600 --> 00:16:39.980 He does say. 00:16:42.519 --> 00:16:45.560 You are not the ones who bring in the kingdom. 00:16:47.340 --> 00:16:48.560 But he does say to you. 00:16:48.639 --> 00:16:50.240 In an evil world you prevent decay. 00:16:51.740 --> 00:16:52.940 It's not so glamorous is it? 00:16:53.860 --> 00:16:56.040 It's not so glamorous as redeeming the culture. 00:16:56.159 --> 00:16:56.879 Or redeeming the city. 00:16:56.940 --> 00:16:57.759 Or bringing in the kingdom. 00:16:58.100 --> 00:16:59.399 You slow down the decay. 00:16:59.399 --> 00:17:04.579 You prevent the rot from stinking too much. 00:17:06.119 --> 00:17:06.940 It's a great strapline. 00:17:08.619 --> 00:17:09.859 You are the salt of the earth. 00:17:09.859 --> 00:17:15.139 The reason why I think that is important. 00:17:15.259 --> 00:17:17.299 Because I think with all these kind of things. 00:17:17.539 --> 00:17:19.339 That there will be a massive kickback. 00:17:19.459 --> 00:17:19.740 Won't there? 00:17:20.679 --> 00:17:22.500 There will be a huge discouragement. 00:17:22.740 --> 00:17:24.459 Of those who are trying to redeem the city. 00:17:24.619 --> 00:17:27.740 Because New York City hasn't been redeemed. 00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:29.539 Neither has London. 00:17:29.539 --> 00:17:34.299 Let me explain to you what I mean. 00:17:35.079 --> 00:17:36.159 In the late 1600s. 00:17:36.220 --> 00:17:37.299 The French Protestants. 00:17:37.639 --> 00:17:38.879 Were referred to as Huguenots. 00:17:40.460 --> 00:17:42.079 There were 400,000 of the Huguenots. 00:17:42.159 --> 00:17:43.180 That were leaving France. 00:17:43.700 --> 00:17:45.659 Because they were under such pressure for their faith. 00:17:46.920 --> 00:17:48.680 That was in addition to the 70,000. 00:17:48.799 --> 00:17:50.500 Who had been slaughtered on St. Bartholomew's Day. 00:17:50.899 --> 00:17:51.879 About 100 years before. 00:17:52.559 --> 00:17:54.639 But then there were 400,000 Huguenots. 00:17:54.639 --> 00:17:56.000 That emigrate from France. 00:17:56.139 --> 00:17:57.399 And one historian said. 00:17:57.400 --> 00:18:00.160 That they took with them part of the soul of France. 00:18:01.580 --> 00:18:03.759 He says that the tragedy of the Huguenots. 00:18:03.880 --> 00:18:05.180 Was the tragedy of France. 00:18:05.320 --> 00:18:05.580 Why? 00:18:06.640 --> 00:18:07.700 Because these people. 00:18:07.840 --> 00:18:08.940 By their moral strength. 00:18:09.080 --> 00:18:09.840 And their character. 00:18:10.040 --> 00:18:10.840 And their expertise. 00:18:11.140 --> 00:18:12.600 And contribution in education. 00:18:13.040 --> 00:18:13.680 And industry. 00:18:13.820 --> 00:18:15.540 Were such an element of salt. 00:18:15.680 --> 00:18:16.620 In French society. 00:18:17.100 --> 00:18:18.000 And then they are gone. 00:18:20.140 --> 00:18:21.940 And France bumps along its way. 00:18:22.400 --> 00:18:23.860 In 100 years to a revolution. 00:18:23.859 --> 00:18:27.019 There is an element. 00:18:27.139 --> 00:18:27.839 This writer was saying. 00:18:27.959 --> 00:18:29.019 That the French Protestants. 00:18:29.079 --> 00:18:29.719 Who had to leave. 00:18:29.819 --> 00:18:31.339 Were salt in that society. 00:18:31.419 --> 00:18:32.079 And now it is gone. 00:18:32.159 --> 00:18:32.299 Is it? 00:18:32.679 --> 00:18:33.479 So I want to say to you. 00:18:33.519 --> 00:18:34.139 Stay in the city. 00:18:34.199 --> 00:18:34.740 Don't move out. 00:18:35.039 --> 00:18:35.779 Stay in Ealing. 00:18:35.979 --> 00:18:37.479 Be salt and light. 00:18:38.779 --> 00:18:40.199 Be here for the long haul. 00:18:40.399 --> 00:18:42.419 Not because you are going to redeem the borough. 00:18:43.899 --> 00:18:45.079 But because you stopped the rot. 00:18:45.799 --> 00:18:46.459 You stopped decay. 00:18:46.519 --> 00:18:47.819 You had great influence on society. 00:18:47.819 --> 00:18:50.200 Think of William Wilberforce. 00:18:50.319 --> 00:18:51.099 In the 19th century. 00:18:52.960 --> 00:18:54.599 He converted as a result of. 00:18:55.319 --> 00:18:56.299 The 18th century revival. 00:18:57.799 --> 00:18:58.480 Along with him. 00:18:58.519 --> 00:19:00.000 Others were so instrumental. 00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:01.899 In stopping the British slave trade. 00:19:03.980 --> 00:19:04.819 Think of another John Howard. 00:19:04.919 --> 00:19:06.099 He was a convert in that revival. 00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:06.939 He brought about. 00:19:06.980 --> 00:19:07.679 Or was instrumental. 00:19:07.819 --> 00:19:09.039 In bringing about prison reforms. 00:19:10.419 --> 00:19:12.000 Because of the deplorable condition. 00:19:12.220 --> 00:19:13.159 Of prisons in that time. 00:19:13.220 --> 00:19:13.779 He was salt. 00:19:13.779 --> 00:19:15.220 He didn't recreate. 00:19:15.500 --> 00:19:16.859 The whole social structure. 00:19:16.859 --> 00:19:17.939 Or anything like that. 00:19:18.139 --> 00:19:19.719 He didn't make evil disappear. 00:19:20.299 --> 00:19:21.819 But the contribution they made. 00:19:21.919 --> 00:19:22.939 Stopped the decay. 00:19:24.599 --> 00:19:26.179 And brought some very needed. 00:19:26.259 --> 00:19:27.119 Righteous influence. 00:19:27.240 --> 00:19:27.899 That was the salt. 00:19:30.039 --> 00:19:31.359 But it doesn't have to be. 00:19:31.479 --> 00:19:32.539 Something prominent in history. 00:19:32.639 --> 00:19:32.919 Does it? 00:19:34.099 --> 00:19:35.159 Or anything like that. 00:19:35.319 --> 00:19:36.099 It is. 00:19:36.579 --> 00:19:38.419 An individual Christian life. 00:19:39.740 --> 00:19:40.740 As he goes along. 00:19:40.819 --> 00:19:41.699 Or she goes along. 00:19:41.699 --> 00:19:42.139 Daily. 00:19:42.619 --> 00:19:43.319 And apparently. 00:19:43.679 --> 00:19:44.240 Obscurely. 00:19:44.419 --> 00:19:45.119 And unnoticed. 00:19:45.579 --> 00:19:46.819 They spend time. 00:19:46.859 --> 00:19:47.639 With some. 00:19:48.719 --> 00:19:49.639 Lonely person. 00:19:50.679 --> 00:19:51.399 It might be. 00:19:52.799 --> 00:19:53.559 Your commitment. 00:19:53.719 --> 00:19:54.519 To give love. 00:19:54.719 --> 00:19:55.339 And discipline. 00:19:56.240 --> 00:19:57.240 To your children. 00:19:58.519 --> 00:19:59.619 To be salt. 00:19:59.719 --> 00:20:00.619 With your family. 00:20:00.799 --> 00:20:01.439 To befriend. 00:20:01.559 --> 00:20:02.579 That person in the office. 00:20:02.639 --> 00:20:03.839 Who is pretty unbearable. 00:20:03.899 --> 00:20:04.939 And nobody else likes. 00:20:06.859 --> 00:20:07.679 It may be. 00:20:07.759 --> 00:20:09.000 That a Christian teenager. 00:20:10.000 --> 00:20:10.399 Refuses. 00:20:10.519 --> 00:20:11.879 To have premarital sex. 00:20:13.699 --> 00:20:14.099 Notice. 00:20:14.099 --> 00:20:14.519 I didn't say. 00:20:14.519 --> 00:20:14.519 00:20:14.519 --> 00:20:15.339 That was unforgivable. 00:20:15.839 --> 00:20:16.439 I didn't say. 00:20:16.439 --> 00:20:16.859 That someone. 00:20:17.039 --> 00:20:17.740 Couldn't be restored. 00:20:17.740 --> 00:20:18.199 To Jesus. 00:20:18.199 --> 00:20:18.980 If that occurred. 00:20:19.459 --> 00:20:20.119 But what if. 00:20:20.159 --> 00:20:20.740 A Christian. 00:20:20.959 --> 00:20:21.439 Refuses. 00:20:21.439 --> 00:20:22.759 To have premarital sex. 00:20:23.959 --> 00:20:24.659 They go. 00:20:24.759 --> 00:20:24.919 About. 00:20:25.039 --> 00:20:25.500 They go. 00:20:25.559 --> 00:20:25.879 Against. 00:20:25.879 --> 00:20:26.539 The flow. 00:20:26.539 --> 00:20:27.099 Of what. 00:20:27.099 --> 00:20:27.719 Our culture. 00:20:27.839 --> 00:20:28.240 Indicates. 00:20:28.240 --> 00:20:29.160 What difference. 00:20:29.220 --> 00:20:29.819 Is that going to make. 00:20:29.940 --> 00:20:30.680 Big deal. 00:20:32.120 --> 00:20:33.620 Is that going to change the world. 00:20:33.799 --> 00:20:34.460 No it won't. 00:20:35.960 --> 00:20:37.160 But it stops the rot. 00:20:37.200 --> 00:20:37.940 At one place. 00:20:39.359 --> 00:20:39.839 And at least. 00:20:39.920 --> 00:20:40.460 With two people. 00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:43.579 You are the salt of the earth. 00:20:47.140 --> 00:20:48.120 And alongside that. 00:20:48.200 --> 00:20:49.140 I think we have to say. 00:20:49.359 --> 00:20:50.700 That if you are the salt of the earth. 00:20:50.819 --> 00:20:52.460 That there is implied here. 00:20:52.559 --> 00:20:53.240 A kind of. 00:20:55.980 --> 00:20:56.380 Stinginess. 00:20:56.380 --> 00:20:59.060 About our Christian witness. 00:21:01.540 --> 00:21:02.220 It could be. 00:21:02.260 --> 00:21:03.020 That one of the implications. 00:21:03.320 --> 00:21:04.080 About Jesus statement. 00:21:04.200 --> 00:21:05.020 Being salt of the earth. 00:21:05.100 --> 00:21:05.800 Is that sometimes. 00:21:05.920 --> 00:21:06.380 In our witness. 00:21:06.380 --> 00:21:07.300 There will be. 00:21:07.500 --> 00:21:08.380 A stinging element. 00:21:08.640 --> 00:21:08.880 To it. 00:21:13.060 --> 00:21:14.100 We are so conditioned. 00:21:14.340 --> 00:21:14.960 In our society. 00:21:15.080 --> 00:21:15.440 Aren't we? 00:21:15.700 --> 00:21:16.100 Aren't we? 00:21:17.300 --> 00:21:18.680 And even in our churches. 00:21:19.720 --> 00:21:20.780 That if we are giving. 00:21:20.880 --> 00:21:21.880 A Christian witness. 00:21:22.120 --> 00:21:23.200 There will always be. 00:21:23.340 --> 00:21:24.380 A non-offensive character. 00:21:26.380 --> 00:21:29.400 A kind of. 00:21:29.760 --> 00:21:30.540 Cardinal sin. 00:21:30.800 --> 00:21:31.460 Of the preacher. 00:21:31.640 --> 00:21:32.680 Is to offend anyone. 00:21:35.680 --> 00:21:36.420 And I don't think. 00:21:36.460 --> 00:21:37.700 We should be deliberately obnoxious. 00:21:38.420 --> 00:21:39.520 Great harm can be done. 00:21:39.640 --> 00:21:39.940 Can't it? 00:21:39.960 --> 00:21:40.740 To Christ's cause. 00:21:41.180 --> 00:21:41.760 Because of that. 00:21:41.800 --> 00:21:42.620 But we need to be careful. 00:21:42.680 --> 00:21:43.840 That we don't take this too far. 00:21:43.839 --> 00:21:43.939 Now. 00:21:47.299 --> 00:21:48.339 When there are situations. 00:21:48.339 --> 00:21:49.139 In your office. 00:21:49.259 --> 00:21:49.579 Where you. 00:21:49.679 --> 00:21:51.039 You need to speak. 00:21:51.159 --> 00:21:51.799 A word. 00:21:53.839 --> 00:21:54.799 Or you need to. 00:21:55.000 --> 00:21:55.959 Bear witness. 00:21:58.519 --> 00:21:59.500 It's not that it's going to. 00:21:59.679 --> 00:22:00.439 Change everything. 00:22:00.539 --> 00:22:01.619 But you know that a word. 00:22:01.740 --> 00:22:02.599 Needs to be spoken. 00:22:04.539 --> 00:22:05.179 What if you're. 00:22:05.299 --> 00:22:05.819 At the office. 00:22:05.939 --> 00:22:07.000 Or you're at the school gate. 00:22:07.099 --> 00:22:08.199 Or you're in the school. 00:22:08.200 --> 00:22:08.360 Or. 00:22:09.480 --> 00:22:09.779 And. 00:22:09.920 --> 00:22:10.840 And you know. 00:22:11.000 --> 00:22:12.019 That you have to speak up. 00:22:15.620 --> 00:22:16.480 You kind of have that. 00:22:16.660 --> 00:22:17.019 Weak. 00:22:17.620 --> 00:22:18.539 Uncomfortable smile. 00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:22.700 But you say. 00:22:22.779 --> 00:22:23.779 I don't want to be judgmental. 00:22:25.059 --> 00:22:26.039 Do you get up in anger. 00:22:26.140 --> 00:22:27.080 And pound your fists. 00:22:27.080 --> 00:22:27.680 On the table. 00:22:27.799 --> 00:22:28.039 And say. 00:22:28.120 --> 00:22:29.380 You may not be like this. 00:22:32.720 --> 00:22:33.039 No. 00:22:33.039 --> 00:22:33.480 Of course not. 00:22:33.480 --> 00:22:36.180 But you can still. 00:22:36.799 --> 00:22:37.640 Make your point. 00:22:37.740 --> 00:22:38.140 Can't you. 00:22:41.519 --> 00:22:42.519 What about if somebody. 00:22:42.700 --> 00:22:43.000 Just. 00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:44.519 Will not. 00:22:44.700 --> 00:22:45.319 Stop taking. 00:22:45.440 --> 00:22:45.900 God's name. 00:22:45.960 --> 00:22:46.319 In vain. 00:22:49.079 --> 00:22:50.099 Do you have to sit there. 00:22:50.140 --> 00:22:50.740 And swallow that. 00:22:50.860 --> 00:22:51.059 Do you. 00:22:53.099 --> 00:22:53.660 Or do you. 00:22:53.779 --> 00:22:54.680 Blast them away. 00:22:55.640 --> 00:22:56.180 Or do you think. 00:22:56.259 --> 00:22:56.720 This is the issue. 00:22:56.779 --> 00:22:57.380 Not to fight on. 00:22:57.380 --> 00:22:58.480 That's what most Christians. 00:22:58.660 --> 00:22:58.980 Think it is. 00:23:02.099 --> 00:23:02.700 I think. 00:23:02.700 --> 00:23:03.360 I think you can. 00:23:03.359 --> 00:23:03.899 Say something. 00:23:04.019 --> 00:23:04.279 Can't you. 00:23:04.339 --> 00:23:04.659 You. 00:23:04.659 --> 00:23:05.319 You can. 00:23:05.539 --> 00:23:06.359 Say gently. 00:23:07.959 --> 00:23:08.299 Do you. 00:23:08.419 --> 00:23:09.059 Do you have to. 00:23:09.179 --> 00:23:09.839 Do you have to. 00:23:10.099 --> 00:23:11.219 Use God's name like that. 00:23:14.059 --> 00:23:15.159 Jesus did not call us. 00:23:15.179 --> 00:23:15.799 To be wimps. 00:23:15.879 --> 00:23:16.099 Did he. 00:23:16.679 --> 00:23:17.579 He really didn't. 00:23:18.719 --> 00:23:19.479 For his sake. 00:23:20.779 --> 00:23:21.319 And some people say. 00:23:21.399 --> 00:23:22.399 Well it's a difference of personality. 00:23:22.500 --> 00:23:23.119 Your personality. 00:23:23.219 --> 00:23:24.039 Might find that easier. 00:23:24.099 --> 00:23:24.719 Than other personalities. 00:23:24.939 --> 00:23:25.279 Like. 00:23:25.740 --> 00:23:26.099 Honestly. 00:23:26.259 --> 00:23:27.199 Find me a personality. 00:23:27.199 --> 00:23:28.059 That finds that easy. 00:23:28.500 --> 00:23:29.439 I'd love to meet them. 00:23:29.440 --> 00:23:33.440 It doesn't mean. 00:23:33.519 --> 00:23:33.980 That that person. 00:23:34.059 --> 00:23:34.580 When you say. 00:23:34.700 --> 00:23:35.740 Do you have to swear like that. 00:23:36.340 --> 00:23:37.680 They're going to drop to their knees. 00:23:37.740 --> 00:23:37.960 And say. 00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:38.680 Well what must I do. 00:23:38.700 --> 00:23:39.259 To be saved. 00:23:39.259 --> 00:23:43.339 But there are some immediate ways out there. 00:23:43.379 --> 00:23:44.480 Where we can be salt. 00:23:46.859 --> 00:23:47.619 And when we do that. 00:23:47.680 --> 00:23:48.559 It will sting. 00:23:51.059 --> 00:23:52.359 And we shouldn't be ashamed of that. 00:23:52.359 --> 00:23:57.299 We need to get away from this idea. 00:23:57.359 --> 00:23:58.279 That if I'm going to be a Christian. 00:23:58.399 --> 00:23:59.519 If I'm going to be a witness. 00:23:59.519 --> 00:24:00.519 For Christ. 00:24:02.159 --> 00:24:03.759 It will always be non-offensive. 00:24:04.699 --> 00:24:06.219 It really won't be. 00:24:08.519 --> 00:24:09.299 Not of your salt. 00:24:09.359 --> 00:24:09.959 And not of your light. 00:24:10.759 --> 00:24:11.099 Fourthly. 00:24:11.119 --> 00:24:12.399 Jesus gives us the task we have. 00:24:13.399 --> 00:24:14.219 In verse 16. 00:24:15.039 --> 00:24:16.059 And he particularly applies it. 00:24:16.139 --> 00:24:17.339 In verses 14 and 15. 00:24:17.339 --> 00:24:18.519 In the task that you have. 00:24:18.719 --> 00:24:20.099 In the same way. 00:24:20.099 --> 00:24:23.279 Let your light shine before others. 00:24:23.379 --> 00:24:24.799 So that they may see your good works. 00:24:24.899 --> 00:24:26.259 And give glory to your father. 00:24:26.339 --> 00:24:27.139 Who is in heaven. 00:24:29.019 --> 00:24:30.599 That is the task that you have. 00:24:30.699 --> 00:24:32.279 Let your light shine. 00:24:36.259 --> 00:24:37.240 That is deliberately. 00:24:37.399 --> 00:24:38.179 You let it shine. 00:24:38.299 --> 00:24:39.539 You don't cover it up. 00:24:41.599 --> 00:24:43.679 And you let it shine publicly before men. 00:24:43.859 --> 00:24:44.599 You let them see it. 00:24:44.639 --> 00:24:45.539 And you don't try to hide it. 00:24:46.379 --> 00:24:47.379 It's also concrete. 00:24:47.519 --> 00:24:48.579 Look at verse 16. 00:24:48.579 --> 00:24:50.259 That they may see your good works. 00:24:53.079 --> 00:24:54.079 And let your light shine. 00:24:54.159 --> 00:24:55.740 What does the light shining consist of? 00:24:55.799 --> 00:24:56.779 It consists of good works. 00:24:57.439 --> 00:24:58.679 Notice he doesn't say. 00:24:58.939 --> 00:25:00.799 Let them feel your warm glow. 00:25:03.399 --> 00:25:05.599 Let them feel your spirituality. 00:25:05.839 --> 00:25:06.480 Whatever that is. 00:25:06.579 --> 00:25:06.839 No. 00:25:07.019 --> 00:25:07.799 It's your good works. 00:25:07.859 --> 00:25:08.759 What are good works? 00:25:09.679 --> 00:25:11.279 It's very very important you define it. 00:25:12.879 --> 00:25:13.819 Well let's ask. 00:25:13.879 --> 00:25:15.000 Mr. Confession of Faith. 00:25:15.579 --> 00:25:16.519 In chapter 16. 00:25:16.519 --> 00:25:20.200 Good works are only such. 00:25:20.379 --> 00:25:21.539 As God has commanded. 00:25:21.779 --> 00:25:22.700 In his holy word. 00:25:24.139 --> 00:25:25.259 Are not such. 00:25:25.359 --> 00:25:27.200 As without the warrant thereof. 00:25:28.019 --> 00:25:29.240 Are devised by men. 00:25:29.299 --> 00:25:30.119 Out of blind zeal. 00:25:30.160 --> 00:25:31.000 Or upon any pretense. 00:25:31.079 --> 00:25:31.700 Of good intention. 00:25:33.700 --> 00:25:34.759 That's really really important. 00:25:34.859 --> 00:25:35.759 Let me try and explain why. 00:25:36.559 --> 00:25:38.579 Good works are only those. 00:25:38.579 --> 00:25:40.199 God has commanded. 00:25:40.199 --> 00:25:41.259 In his holy word. 00:25:43.839 --> 00:25:45.899 Good works are only those. 00:25:46.299 --> 00:25:47.399 God has commanded. 00:25:47.639 --> 00:25:48.720 In his holy word. 00:25:48.839 --> 00:25:49.379 Have you got it? 00:25:51.000 --> 00:25:51.960 Good works. 00:25:52.679 --> 00:25:53.519 Are those. 00:25:54.679 --> 00:25:56.019 Only God has commanded. 00:25:56.179 --> 00:25:57.039 In his holy word. 00:25:59.079 --> 00:25:59.720 That is. 00:25:59.919 --> 00:26:00.599 What are good works? 00:26:00.679 --> 00:26:01.559 Let's define it again. 00:26:01.859 --> 00:26:03.319 What the Bible says are good works. 00:26:03.319 --> 00:26:04.639 Why. 00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:04.960 Why. 00:26:05.059 --> 00:26:05.279 Why. 00:26:05.279 --> 00:26:06.480 Why am I making a big deal of this? 00:26:08.179 --> 00:26:09.899 Everyone knows what good works are. 00:26:10.119 --> 00:26:10.639 But they don't. 00:26:12.740 --> 00:26:14.460 They don't unless you define them. 00:26:15.599 --> 00:26:17.200 You won't know what good works are. 00:26:17.480 --> 00:26:18.599 Otherwise somebody is going to say. 00:26:18.679 --> 00:26:18.939 Well listen. 00:26:19.059 --> 00:26:20.159 I don't eat fish on a Friday. 00:26:21.500 --> 00:26:22.859 And I think that's a good work. 00:26:25.119 --> 00:26:27.179 I don't drink alcohol in January. 00:26:27.619 --> 00:26:29.179 I have a dry January. 00:26:29.619 --> 00:26:30.720 And I think that's a good work. 00:26:30.720 --> 00:26:34.400 I don't shave in. 00:26:35.400 --> 00:26:35.880 Movember. 00:26:37.079 --> 00:26:38.819 Because I think that's a good work. 00:26:40.940 --> 00:26:42.140 So you have to say. 00:26:42.240 --> 00:26:43.480 Let the Bible define. 00:26:44.640 --> 00:26:46.019 What good works are. 00:26:48.299 --> 00:26:49.259 Notice he says. 00:26:49.360 --> 00:26:49.860 Good works. 00:26:49.920 --> 00:26:51.279 He doesn't say great works. 00:26:53.259 --> 00:26:54.380 Being the light of the world. 00:26:54.500 --> 00:26:54.960 Does not mean. 00:26:55.140 --> 00:26:56.180 You need to be outstanding. 00:26:56.299 --> 00:26:57.039 Or do something. 00:26:57.299 --> 00:26:58.799 Run ultra marathons. 00:26:58.799 --> 00:26:59.500 Or go around. 00:26:59.700 --> 00:27:00.380 Tidying up. 00:27:00.380 --> 00:27:01.000 Ealing. 00:27:01.220 --> 00:27:01.980 For a week. 00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:05.660 It doesn't mean. 00:27:05.780 --> 00:27:06.240 That you do things. 00:27:06.340 --> 00:27:07.240 That necessarily. 00:27:07.240 --> 00:27:08.620 Will get publicity. 00:27:12.540 --> 00:27:13.540 They are good works. 00:27:13.600 --> 00:27:14.360 Not great works. 00:27:16.080 --> 00:27:17.240 Let's try and define. 00:27:17.340 --> 00:27:18.200 A little bit more tightly. 00:27:18.400 --> 00:27:19.220 What are the good works. 00:27:19.300 --> 00:27:20.240 Jesus is talking about. 00:27:20.300 --> 00:27:21.160 In the Sermon on the Mount. 00:27:21.160 --> 00:27:22.160 And. 00:27:24.160 --> 00:27:25.580 I think it's really interesting. 00:27:25.580 --> 00:27:26.440 That when you look. 00:27:26.440 --> 00:27:27.420 At the good works. 00:27:27.519 --> 00:27:28.300 That people will see. 00:27:28.400 --> 00:27:29.740 And glorify your father in heaven. 00:27:29.820 --> 00:27:30.340 Because of them. 00:27:30.640 --> 00:27:31.940 The way that the Sermon on the Mount. 00:27:32.080 --> 00:27:32.740 Defines them. 00:27:34.019 --> 00:27:35.420 Because one of the good works. 00:27:35.600 --> 00:27:37.100 Is surely verse 21. 00:27:39.259 --> 00:27:40.700 That your relationships. 00:27:40.700 --> 00:27:41.759 With Christians. 00:27:41.759 --> 00:27:42.700 Are not. 00:27:43.019 --> 00:27:43.400 Full of. 00:27:43.620 --> 00:27:44.060 Anger. 00:27:44.059 --> 00:27:47.259 That is a good work. 00:27:49.259 --> 00:27:51.119 That you do your utmost. 00:27:51.799 --> 00:27:53.879 In verses 27 to 30. 00:27:54.019 --> 00:27:55.039 To keep yourself. 00:27:55.159 --> 00:27:56.039 From illicit. 00:27:56.179 --> 00:27:57.099 Sexual lust. 00:27:57.099 --> 00:28:01.799 In verses 31 to 32. 00:28:02.179 --> 00:28:04.259 You maintain a faithfulness. 00:28:04.359 --> 00:28:06.000 In your marriage relationship. 00:28:07.839 --> 00:28:10.299 And then in verses 33 to 37. 00:28:10.480 --> 00:28:12.119 In the way that you talk. 00:28:12.219 --> 00:28:13.119 It is different. 00:28:14.399 --> 00:28:15.679 And it is candid. 00:28:15.899 --> 00:28:16.919 And it is truthful. 00:28:19.059 --> 00:28:21.159 And you don't retaliate. 00:28:22.740 --> 00:28:24.740 And the way that you treat your enemies. 00:28:24.939 --> 00:28:25.519 Is different. 00:28:25.519 --> 00:28:27.480 You seek to love your enemies. 00:28:27.480 --> 00:28:28.879 As hard as that may be. 00:28:28.980 --> 00:28:31.259 And you give to the needy. 00:28:39.660 --> 00:28:40.799 And there is a bit of a problem. 00:28:40.879 --> 00:28:41.180 Isn't there? 00:28:42.039 --> 00:28:42.519 With that. 00:28:43.539 --> 00:28:45.299 Because it is so disappointing. 00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:47.139 Isn't it? 00:28:49.680 --> 00:28:50.779 So disappointing. 00:28:54.259 --> 00:28:55.220 They are not. 00:28:55.519 --> 00:28:56.759 Great things. 00:28:56.759 --> 00:28:57.139 Are they? 00:28:57.139 --> 00:28:57.720 They are. 00:28:57.720 --> 00:28:57.759 They are. 00:28:58.379 --> 00:28:58.819 Straightforward. 00:28:58.980 --> 00:28:59.779 Christian living. 00:29:00.059 --> 00:29:01.259 That is the good works. 00:29:04.639 --> 00:29:06.220 But they may see your good works. 00:29:06.359 --> 00:29:07.819 And give praise to your father in heaven. 00:29:07.879 --> 00:29:09.200 And that is the purpose for it all. 00:29:10.740 --> 00:29:12.319 They may not have that result. 00:29:13.079 --> 00:29:13.779 Jesus already. 00:29:14.180 --> 00:29:14.539 Said. 00:29:14.599 --> 00:29:14.839 Isn't he? 00:29:14.879 --> 00:29:15.960 In verses 10 to 12. 00:29:16.079 --> 00:29:17.099 They may see your good works. 00:29:17.160 --> 00:29:18.079 And kick you in the teeth. 00:29:19.559 --> 00:29:20.680 But in verse 16. 00:29:20.740 --> 00:29:21.900 He gives the other side of that. 00:29:22.200 --> 00:29:22.639 He says. 00:29:22.640 --> 00:29:24.900 Let your light shine before others. 00:29:24.960 --> 00:29:26.000 So that they may see your good works. 00:29:26.060 --> 00:29:27.900 And give glory to your father who is in heaven. 00:29:28.800 --> 00:29:31.300 And you can get a couple of results from your good works. 00:29:31.380 --> 00:29:32.660 Of living a normal. 00:29:33.060 --> 00:29:33.420 Faithful. 00:29:33.560 --> 00:29:34.320 Christian life. 00:29:34.620 --> 00:29:35.840 That's not remarkable. 00:29:36.180 --> 00:29:37.080 That's ordinary. 00:29:37.620 --> 00:29:38.860 But that is the purpose of all. 00:29:39.560 --> 00:29:41.460 That they may give praise to your father in heaven. 00:29:41.460 --> 00:29:44.940 And you may not let go. 00:29:45.079 --> 00:29:47.539 You may not get a lot of credit or recognition. 00:29:52.740 --> 00:29:53.700 I want to say to you. 00:29:54.059 --> 00:29:56.620 It is really encouraging. 00:29:56.840 --> 00:29:57.840 As I've thought about this week. 00:30:00.360 --> 00:30:01.500 You can keep Lent. 00:30:01.900 --> 00:30:02.579 You don't keep Lent. 00:30:02.700 --> 00:30:03.660 I couldn't care less. 00:30:03.940 --> 00:30:05.059 I'd rather you didn't parade it. 00:30:05.059 --> 00:30:09.519 You can do all sorts of things. 00:30:09.700 --> 00:30:10.599 That religious leaders. 00:30:10.980 --> 00:30:12.039 Will tell you to do. 00:30:13.240 --> 00:30:14.440 But they're not good works. 00:30:14.519 --> 00:30:15.159 Commanded in. 00:30:15.819 --> 00:30:16.220 Scripture. 00:30:19.419 --> 00:30:21.220 I think it's so wonderfully encouraging. 00:30:21.339 --> 00:30:21.559 Isn't it? 00:30:21.619 --> 00:30:22.220 That actually. 00:30:22.339 --> 00:30:23.480 The normal Christian life. 00:30:23.579 --> 00:30:25.319 Of you working hard in the office. 00:30:25.440 --> 00:30:26.319 Of you being truthful. 00:30:26.440 --> 00:30:27.859 Of you being faithful in relationships. 00:30:27.859 --> 00:30:32.059 If God has given you a husband or wife. 00:30:32.299 --> 00:30:33.619 Of being faithful. 00:30:34.000 --> 00:30:36.759 In your sexual relationship with them. 00:30:38.000 --> 00:30:39.379 If you're single. 00:30:39.659 --> 00:30:42.419 Of living out a faithful Christian life. 00:30:43.259 --> 00:30:44.240 In your singleness. 00:30:45.619 --> 00:30:47.939 People will see those good works. 00:30:48.559 --> 00:30:49.139 And some. 00:30:49.399 --> 00:30:50.399 Well maybe angered by it. 00:30:50.439 --> 00:30:52.000 But some will glorify your father in heaven. 00:30:55.359 --> 00:30:56.919 So the great campaigns. 00:30:56.920 --> 00:30:59.120 Of we're going to bring the kingdom in. 00:30:59.480 --> 00:31:01.380 We're going to build God's kingdom. 00:31:01.800 --> 00:31:04.500 We're going to do incredible things for God. 00:31:05.620 --> 00:31:06.840 And Jesus says. 00:31:07.840 --> 00:31:09.100 Be salt and be light. 00:31:09.720 --> 00:31:11.220 You are salt and you are light. 00:31:11.340 --> 00:31:12.960 He talks about normal Christian life. 00:31:17.019 --> 00:31:18.480 It's kind of disappointing though isn't it? 00:31:19.660 --> 00:31:20.500 But if you're light. 00:31:20.580 --> 00:31:21.519 That's always the way light is. 00:31:22.840 --> 00:31:24.039 When you came in this morning. 00:31:24.039 --> 00:31:26.940 You probably didn't look at the lights. 00:31:27.039 --> 00:31:27.259 Did you? 00:31:28.279 --> 00:31:28.639 Did you? 00:31:30.359 --> 00:31:31.500 And meditate on them. 00:31:32.139 --> 00:31:32.480 Did you? 00:31:33.319 --> 00:31:34.019 I bet no one did. 00:31:34.079 --> 00:31:34.659 No one stopped. 00:31:34.720 --> 00:31:34.920 And thought. 00:31:35.000 --> 00:31:36.619 Oh this is a beautifully lit room. 00:31:38.659 --> 00:31:40.000 None of you counted the lights. 00:31:40.599 --> 00:31:40.879 Did you? 00:31:42.519 --> 00:31:43.680 I counted them in the last ten. 00:31:43.740 --> 00:31:44.680 There's thirty I think. 00:31:47.000 --> 00:31:48.200 Let's just pause a moment. 00:31:48.200 --> 00:31:49.340 Why did you do that? 00:31:51.840 --> 00:31:52.860 Why did you not do that? 00:31:54.160 --> 00:31:55.519 Because the purpose of light. 00:31:57.580 --> 00:31:58.360 Light is not. 00:31:58.440 --> 00:32:00.480 The purpose of light is not to draw attention to itself. 00:32:02.200 --> 00:32:03.880 Light helps us see one another. 00:32:04.240 --> 00:32:04.960 Helps us to read. 00:32:07.279 --> 00:32:08.279 Light is not meant. 00:32:08.279 --> 00:32:10.839 For us to look at it. 00:32:11.779 --> 00:32:12.180 Itself. 00:32:12.859 --> 00:32:14.639 It's what it shats light upon that matters. 00:32:15.180 --> 00:32:15.839 And so with us. 00:32:17.039 --> 00:32:18.019 And so our good works. 00:32:18.139 --> 00:32:19.799 Our faithful Christian living. 00:32:20.200 --> 00:32:22.379 Which some of you actually won't be interested in. 00:32:22.480 --> 00:32:24.440 Because you'll think it's just too hard and too hem-drug. 00:32:27.559 --> 00:32:29.339 But it is faithful Christian living. 00:32:29.579 --> 00:32:30.579 That is the light. 00:32:31.119 --> 00:32:32.519 Which points to someone else. 00:32:32.519 --> 00:32:38.240 And any good works that we're doing that Jesus commands. 00:32:40.480 --> 00:32:41.220 Point to God. 00:32:41.299 --> 00:32:43.759 Paul Gibson was the principal of Ridley Hall Theological College. 00:32:43.859 --> 00:32:45.220 When John Stott graduated there. 00:32:46.019 --> 00:32:48.359 When John Stott, the kind of great Anglican preacher. 00:32:48.519 --> 00:32:50.079 He finished his theological education. 00:32:50.519 --> 00:32:52.339 The principal Paul Gibson was retiring. 00:32:53.559 --> 00:32:55.400 And they had a portrait of him. 00:32:55.740 --> 00:32:56.700 Unveiled at that. 00:32:56.819 --> 00:32:57.500 In that ceremony. 00:32:58.960 --> 00:33:00.099 And when Reverend Gibson. 00:33:00.279 --> 00:33:02.119 When he expressed his words of appreciation. 00:33:02.119 --> 00:33:03.000 He said this. 00:33:03.359 --> 00:33:05.739 He said he thought the time would come. 00:33:06.279 --> 00:33:08.039 When people went to Ridley Hall. 00:33:08.219 --> 00:33:09.339 And looked at this portrait. 00:33:09.599 --> 00:33:10.519 And they would say. 00:33:10.819 --> 00:33:12.559 Not who is this man. 00:33:13.359 --> 00:33:15.139 But who painted the portrait. 00:33:17.479 --> 00:33:19.539 And that is where the Christian is. 00:33:20.959 --> 00:33:23.219 They see your good works. 00:33:24.399 --> 00:33:27.019 But they give praise to your father in heaven. 00:33:27.019 --> 00:33:32.139 And there is the answer to the purpose of life. 00:33:34.139 --> 00:33:36.759 The purpose of life is not that I reach fulfillment. 00:33:38.599 --> 00:33:41.079 But that because of me people praise my father in heaven. 00:33:44.180 --> 00:33:45.079 People of God. 00:33:45.220 --> 00:33:45.920 Brothers and sisters. 00:33:46.319 --> 00:33:47.720 You are the salt of the earth. 00:33:47.720 --> 00:33:51.420 You are the light of the world. 00:33:54.259 --> 00:33:56.259 Will the world be under our influence? 00:33:58.180 --> 00:33:58.940 Maybe not. 00:34:00.420 --> 00:34:03.000 But they ought to at least feel our influence. 00:34:04.360 --> 00:34:05.839 And see our influence. 00:34:05.839 --> 00:34:07.259 Let's pray. 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:07.839 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:07.839 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:07.839 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:07.839 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:07.839 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:07.839 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:07.839 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:07.839 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:07.839 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:07.839 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:07.839 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:07.839 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:07.839 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:07.839 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:07.839 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:07.839 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:07.839 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:07.839 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:07.839 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:07.839 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:07.839 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:07.839 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:07.839 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:07.839 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:07.839 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:07.839 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:07.839 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:07.839 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:07.839 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:07.839 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:07.839 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:07.839 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:07.839 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:07.839 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:07.839 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:07.839 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:07.839 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:07.839 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:07.839