WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.020 Gracious Father, we want to thank you for your word. 00:00:03.660 --> 00:00:07.060 We want to thank you for what it reveals about you and your purposes, 00:00:07.740 --> 00:00:11.040 the view that you have of this world and your intention for it. 00:00:11.580 --> 00:00:14.419 I pray that as we've been learning through this series, 00:00:14.419 --> 00:00:18.100 that you might shape us, continue to shape us, 00:00:18.280 --> 00:00:20.400 in order that we might shape your world. 00:00:20.519 --> 00:00:22.820 And particularly tonight, as we think about the cultures, 00:00:22.920 --> 00:00:24.120 the place that you put us in, 00:00:24.660 --> 00:00:28.440 how we might work for your purposes in that place 00:00:28.440 --> 00:00:30.260 so that people might flourish. 00:00:30.720 --> 00:00:32.679 And we ask it for your glory. Amen. 00:00:33.880 --> 00:00:37.859 I've been a regular patient of a local physiotherapist 00:00:37.859 --> 00:00:39.240 over the past couple of years. 00:00:40.480 --> 00:00:43.100 Feet problems, shoulder problems, all sorts of stuff like that. 00:00:43.100 --> 00:00:46.659 And I discovered late last year that he was, in fact, a Christian. 00:00:47.700 --> 00:00:51.799 He was telling me very recently 00:00:51.799 --> 00:00:59.099 that he'd hit a bit of a crossroad in his life 00:00:59.099 --> 00:01:00.859 and particularly in his vocation, 00:01:00.979 --> 00:01:05.140 wondering if he was doing what God intended for him to do, 00:01:05.200 --> 00:01:07.079 what God wanted him to do with his life. 00:01:07.659 --> 00:01:11.259 He knew of plenty of Christian physiotherapists 00:01:11.259 --> 00:01:13.479 who were working in third world countries, 00:01:14.060 --> 00:01:16.819 working amongst great need in those places. 00:01:16.819 --> 00:01:20.179 And here he was, a physio in Chatswood. 00:01:21.339 --> 00:01:24.699 And, you know, should he be a missionary physio? 00:01:24.859 --> 00:01:27.139 That was kind of his question with his life. 00:01:27.239 --> 00:01:30.939 Does that, you know, be more purposeful for God? 00:01:31.059 --> 00:01:32.919 Is that really what God wants to do for his life? 00:01:33.219 --> 00:01:35.099 And so for him, it was a question of purpose. 00:01:35.579 --> 00:01:37.319 What does God intend for him? 00:01:37.719 --> 00:01:40.000 Was he pursuing God's purpose in his life 00:01:40.000 --> 00:01:41.979 where he was in Chatswood as a physio? 00:01:41.980 --> 00:01:45.640 He felt that his job had less purpose 00:01:45.640 --> 00:01:48.219 than those in third world countries. 00:01:48.320 --> 00:01:49.880 And what compounded it for him 00:01:49.880 --> 00:01:53.359 was that he hadn't had much, if any, 00:01:53.680 --> 00:01:57.140 opportunity to speak about Jesus in his workplace. 00:01:57.640 --> 00:01:59.939 There was no workplace Bible study group. 00:02:00.060 --> 00:02:01.680 There was no workplace prayer group. 00:02:02.560 --> 00:02:06.100 And what's more, when he'd been working on people, 00:02:06.240 --> 00:02:08.439 broken people, he hadn't shared about Jesus, 00:02:08.560 --> 00:02:09.759 the great healer of all people. 00:02:09.759 --> 00:02:14.780 And that is, he didn't see 00:02:14.780 --> 00:02:18.399 that he had any opportunity to shine for Jesus 00:02:18.399 --> 00:02:20.319 where he was in that place. 00:02:20.819 --> 00:02:22.899 Or that he was working out God's purposes 00:02:22.899 --> 00:02:25.919 at all in God's world in that place. 00:02:26.419 --> 00:02:27.699 And so it was a great opportunity for me 00:02:27.699 --> 00:02:28.979 just to very briefly, 00:02:29.560 --> 00:02:32.019 having my mind in the Frontline series, 00:02:32.539 --> 00:02:33.979 just to connect with him 00:02:33.979 --> 00:02:35.840 and encourage him about his Frontline. 00:02:36.120 --> 00:02:37.199 I said to him a number of things. 00:02:37.199 --> 00:02:40.359 Number one, I said to him that he worked 00:02:40.359 --> 00:02:45.060 as the only Christian in an organization of 60 people. 00:02:46.560 --> 00:02:48.839 Don't tell me that God hasn't placed you there 00:02:48.839 --> 00:02:50.599 for some good purpose, 00:02:51.099 --> 00:02:52.739 even if you can't see it at the moment. 00:02:53.479 --> 00:02:54.259 That's the first thing. 00:02:54.919 --> 00:02:57.979 Secondly, that I thought he did his work really well. 00:02:58.399 --> 00:03:00.299 He'd fixed my plantar fasciitis. 00:03:00.439 --> 00:03:01.859 He fixed one frozen shoulder 00:03:01.859 --> 00:03:03.579 and he's working on another frozen shoulder. 00:03:03.580 --> 00:03:05.500 And I'm kind of hoping it's going to end there 00:03:05.500 --> 00:03:09.400 because it is sort of expensive after a bit of time. 00:03:09.700 --> 00:03:11.580 But he did his work well. 00:03:11.900 --> 00:03:14.240 And in fact, so well that I'd recommended 00:03:14.240 --> 00:03:15.860 at least four other people 00:03:15.860 --> 00:03:18.140 specifically to go and see him 00:03:18.140 --> 00:03:20.900 to help them in their particular issues as well. 00:03:23.020 --> 00:03:24.660 Thirdly, one of those people 00:03:24.660 --> 00:03:27.660 who had actually went and saw him 00:03:27.660 --> 00:03:29.180 came back to me and said 00:03:29.180 --> 00:03:32.420 how much they thought this guy's character stood out. 00:03:32.419 --> 00:03:34.399 There was something different about him. 00:03:34.459 --> 00:03:35.699 And they asked me, do you think he's Christian? 00:03:35.780 --> 00:03:36.519 I said, I don't know. 00:03:37.299 --> 00:03:39.439 But there was something about him that stood out. 00:03:40.019 --> 00:03:41.839 And I said, I think fourthly, 00:03:42.679 --> 00:03:45.579 the work that he was doing all day 00:03:45.579 --> 00:03:46.939 to fix broken bodies, 00:03:47.479 --> 00:03:49.879 I think that somehow connects with God's purposes 00:03:49.879 --> 00:03:52.159 to redeem and to restore his world. 00:03:53.179 --> 00:03:54.879 Just as a rough guess. 00:03:55.539 --> 00:03:57.659 Towards the end of that chat, 00:03:58.099 --> 00:03:59.739 very quickly, just a few minutes, 00:03:59.740 --> 00:04:03.120 tears started to well up in his eyes 00:04:03.120 --> 00:04:08.840 because of the sense of purpose that he had 00:04:08.840 --> 00:04:11.080 in that moment, just very quickly, 00:04:11.700 --> 00:04:14.460 that what he was doing actually mattered to God. 00:04:15.540 --> 00:04:16.960 He was deeply thankful. 00:04:17.819 --> 00:04:18.920 I didn't get a discount, 00:04:19.280 --> 00:04:20.720 but he was deeply thankful. 00:04:22.100 --> 00:04:24.819 My hope is that as we've been going through this series, 00:04:24.819 --> 00:04:27.560 that likewise, it's an encouragement for you 00:04:27.560 --> 00:04:29.920 into where the place that God has put you. 00:04:30.659 --> 00:04:32.920 Encouragement to see how God might be using you 00:04:32.920 --> 00:04:34.240 to work, to redeem, 00:04:34.800 --> 00:04:36.500 and restore his world 00:04:36.500 --> 00:04:38.300 through what might be, 00:04:38.540 --> 00:04:40.480 quite simply, your ordinary life. 00:04:41.300 --> 00:04:43.319 The ordinary things that you do in life. 00:04:43.939 --> 00:04:45.539 And so far in this series, 00:04:45.600 --> 00:04:46.899 we've looked at the Christian worldview 00:04:46.899 --> 00:04:49.480 of both the dignity and the difficulty of work. 00:04:49.480 --> 00:04:52.540 We looked at how we might impact God's world 00:04:52.540 --> 00:04:54.819 and pursue his purposes 00:04:54.819 --> 00:04:56.600 through modelling godly character, 00:04:56.819 --> 00:04:59.240 through working well, 00:04:59.360 --> 00:05:00.259 working with all our might, 00:05:00.300 --> 00:05:01.280 as if working for the Lord 00:05:01.280 --> 00:05:02.360 and not for other people, 00:05:02.900 --> 00:05:04.660 and ministering grace and love. 00:05:04.860 --> 00:05:06.460 And today we're looking at the issue 00:05:06.460 --> 00:05:09.200 of how we might mould culture 00:05:09.200 --> 00:05:11.160 on our front lines. 00:05:11.680 --> 00:05:13.340 How we might mould culture. 00:05:13.860 --> 00:05:16.960 Now, culture is one of those big words 00:05:16.959 --> 00:05:18.979 that rolls off our tongues, 00:05:19.120 --> 00:05:21.359 but very rarely do we know what it actually means. 00:05:21.500 --> 00:05:22.519 What does culture mean? 00:05:23.180 --> 00:05:24.579 Culture exists everywhere. 00:05:24.819 --> 00:05:27.719 Most of the time, culture is hidden. 00:05:28.120 --> 00:05:29.319 It's an assumed thing 00:05:29.319 --> 00:05:30.859 rather than a stated thing. 00:05:31.159 --> 00:05:31.699 So if you said, 00:05:31.779 --> 00:05:32.959 what's the culture of your workplace? 00:05:33.699 --> 00:05:34.620 Don't we got one, 00:05:34.659 --> 00:05:37.459 but I'm not exactly sure necessarily what it is. 00:05:38.240 --> 00:05:38.759 Culture, 00:05:39.240 --> 00:05:41.279 and this is a very simplistic view 00:05:41.279 --> 00:05:42.219 of understanding culture, 00:05:42.219 --> 00:05:44.179 culture is quite simply 00:05:44.180 --> 00:05:47.100 how we do things around here. 00:05:48.019 --> 00:05:50.900 So every family unit has a culture. 00:05:51.720 --> 00:05:54.100 Every gathering of people has a culture. 00:05:54.199 --> 00:05:55.100 Every church has a culture. 00:05:55.220 --> 00:05:56.360 Every workplace has a culture. 00:05:56.460 --> 00:05:58.620 Every school and university has a culture. 00:05:59.139 --> 00:06:01.519 And you can be right next door to one another 00:06:01.519 --> 00:06:03.500 but have very different cultures. 00:06:04.019 --> 00:06:05.740 Every team has a culture. 00:06:06.379 --> 00:06:08.300 Culture is the way that people interact. 00:06:08.759 --> 00:06:10.079 It's the food that they eat, 00:06:10.079 --> 00:06:11.720 the way that they speak to one another, 00:06:11.720 --> 00:06:14.140 the way that in a church they would pray, 00:06:14.620 --> 00:06:16.860 the clothes that you would wear, 00:06:17.260 --> 00:06:19.080 the way that you would handle conflict, 00:06:19.260 --> 00:06:20.280 the way you spend money, 00:06:20.460 --> 00:06:21.960 the way the decisions are made, 00:06:22.280 --> 00:06:24.140 the way that leadership is respected 00:06:24.140 --> 00:06:25.160 or disrespected 00:06:25.160 --> 00:06:26.240 or the group is led, 00:06:26.520 --> 00:06:29.700 and a multitude of other things 00:06:29.700 --> 00:06:32.820 form a culture within a group. 00:06:33.380 --> 00:06:34.440 Or to put it another way, 00:06:34.500 --> 00:06:36.260 this might be another way to think about it, 00:06:36.259 --> 00:06:41.019 what would an outsider need to know 00:06:41.019 --> 00:06:43.000 to learn to understand 00:06:43.000 --> 00:06:46.139 about this particular group 00:06:46.139 --> 00:06:47.240 and how it functions 00:06:47.240 --> 00:06:50.199 in order for them to fit within the group 00:06:50.199 --> 00:06:52.699 and to work within the group? 00:06:53.279 --> 00:06:54.259 What would they need to know? 00:06:56.039 --> 00:06:56.860 That's culture. 00:06:58.560 --> 00:06:59.779 And culture is everywhere. 00:07:00.379 --> 00:07:01.860 As I said, in every organization. 00:07:01.860 --> 00:07:04.099 There was an article in the Sydney Morning Herald 00:07:04.100 --> 00:07:06.020 yesterday about Thermomix. 00:07:06.860 --> 00:07:09.439 And if you don't know what a Thermomix is, 00:07:09.560 --> 00:07:11.600 then you are out of touch 00:07:11.600 --> 00:07:13.460 with the culture of North Shore of Sydney 00:07:13.460 --> 00:07:15.320 and particularly the housewife culture 00:07:15.320 --> 00:07:16.960 of North Shore in Sydney. 00:07:17.520 --> 00:07:19.060 Secondly, to answer the question, 00:07:19.160 --> 00:07:19.879 what is a Thermomix? 00:07:19.939 --> 00:07:21.500 A Thermomix is a kitchen appliance 00:07:21.500 --> 00:07:22.600 that does everything. 00:07:23.640 --> 00:07:27.080 It not only dices, ways, mixes and cooks, 00:07:27.520 --> 00:07:28.920 it orders the ingredients, 00:07:29.600 --> 00:07:31.320 it will get them delivered to your home, 00:07:31.320 --> 00:07:33.040 and it will stack them into your pantry. 00:07:33.040 --> 00:07:35.680 It will run your bath and give you a massage. 00:07:36.460 --> 00:07:39.640 And apparently, it also gives you second degree burns 00:07:39.640 --> 00:07:40.860 if you're not careful, 00:07:41.020 --> 00:07:42.939 which was the issue in the article 00:07:42.939 --> 00:07:44.260 of the Sydney Morning Herald. 00:07:45.020 --> 00:07:47.680 Danica Jones complained online 00:07:47.680 --> 00:07:51.080 that she had a faulty Thermomix 00:07:51.080 --> 00:07:54.140 that went crazy, did whatever it did 00:07:54.140 --> 00:07:56.320 and caused her second... 00:07:56.320 --> 00:07:57.939 I don't think it has a mind of its own. 00:07:58.120 --> 00:07:59.439 Something went faulty with it 00:07:59.439 --> 00:08:00.680 and it just went nuts 00:08:00.680 --> 00:08:02.500 and burnt her with second degree burns. 00:08:02.579 --> 00:08:03.959 So she complained online 00:08:03.959 --> 00:08:05.360 and what she got, 00:08:05.519 --> 00:08:08.420 she received from Thermomix owners 00:08:08.420 --> 00:08:10.620 was incessant bullying 00:08:10.620 --> 00:08:13.620 about Thermomix being the greatest thing 00:08:13.620 --> 00:08:14.540 since sliced bread. 00:08:16.780 --> 00:08:19.540 And she got bullying on social media 00:08:19.540 --> 00:08:21.780 and she got intimidation 00:08:21.780 --> 00:08:24.340 from Thermomix staff. 00:08:24.339 --> 00:08:27.399 And so the lawyer defending the woman 00:08:27.399 --> 00:08:30.139 said that the culture of the company 00:08:30.139 --> 00:08:31.839 was horrific. 00:08:32.600 --> 00:08:33.039 There we go. 00:08:33.120 --> 00:08:33.639 That's a... 00:08:33.639 --> 00:08:34.279 In other words, 00:08:34.379 --> 00:08:35.879 what the lawyer is saying there is 00:08:35.879 --> 00:08:37.720 that within that organisation, 00:08:37.939 --> 00:08:40.379 the way you handle complaints or criticism 00:08:40.379 --> 00:08:42.220 is to go on the attack. 00:08:43.179 --> 00:08:44.339 That's a cultural thing. 00:08:44.340 --> 00:08:47.660 That is, 00:08:47.780 --> 00:08:49.620 culture is the way we do things around here. 00:08:49.820 --> 00:08:51.340 And some of us experience in workplace, 00:08:51.639 --> 00:08:52.320 in social clubs, 00:08:52.440 --> 00:08:53.540 in retail outlets, 00:08:53.720 --> 00:08:54.200 families, 00:08:54.560 --> 00:08:55.480 family cultures 00:08:55.480 --> 00:08:56.639 where manipulation 00:08:56.639 --> 00:08:58.940 is the way you get people to do things. 00:08:59.160 --> 00:09:00.259 That's all culture. 00:09:00.259 --> 00:09:01.780 And often we are, 00:09:02.120 --> 00:09:05.980 many of us confront unhealthy cultural groups, 00:09:06.300 --> 00:09:07.580 whatever we're part of. 00:09:07.580 --> 00:09:12.320 So how might we, 00:09:12.759 --> 00:09:13.840 as Christian people, 00:09:14.020 --> 00:09:16.220 contribute to cultural change 00:09:16.220 --> 00:09:18.300 on our front lines 00:09:18.300 --> 00:09:20.320 so that they become places 00:09:20.320 --> 00:09:22.980 where people flourish, 00:09:24.520 --> 00:09:25.740 pursuing God's purposes 00:09:25.740 --> 00:09:28.100 for the good order of society? 00:09:29.139 --> 00:09:31.400 That's what Jesus calls his disciples to 00:09:31.400 --> 00:09:33.280 in Matthew chapters 5 to 7. 00:09:33.400 --> 00:09:35.580 It's the famous Sermon on the Mount. 00:09:35.740 --> 00:09:37.400 And Jesus calls his disciples 00:09:37.399 --> 00:09:39.299 first of all to himself 00:09:39.299 --> 00:09:41.819 and then he shares with them 00:09:41.819 --> 00:09:43.439 what the characteristics are 00:09:43.439 --> 00:09:45.959 of those who live according to the kingdom. 00:09:46.159 --> 00:09:47.559 So get your Bibles 00:09:47.559 --> 00:09:49.340 and turn to Matthew chapter 5. 00:09:50.399 --> 00:09:53.500 I'm going to focus primarily on 11 to 16. 00:09:56.299 --> 00:09:57.679 The Beatitudes 00:09:57.679 --> 00:10:04.379 describe the sensual character of Christians. 00:10:04.699 --> 00:10:05.379 Blessed is he, 00:10:05.439 --> 00:10:06.059 his poor and spirit. 00:10:06.179 --> 00:10:06.779 Blessed is he, 00:10:06.779 --> 00:10:07.860 seek after, 00:10:08.100 --> 00:10:08.299 you know, 00:10:08.379 --> 00:10:08.699 blah, blah, blah, 00:10:08.720 --> 00:10:09.319 that sort of stuff. 00:10:09.339 --> 00:10:10.079 All the way down there 00:10:10.079 --> 00:10:12.600 in the early bits of Matthew chapter 5. 00:10:13.439 --> 00:10:14.919 And what it's saying there is 00:10:14.919 --> 00:10:16.419 that Christians are people 00:10:16.419 --> 00:10:18.620 who've got a radically new relationship 00:10:18.620 --> 00:10:19.439 with God 00:10:19.439 --> 00:10:21.699 through trust in the work, 00:10:22.159 --> 00:10:23.000 the finished work 00:10:23.000 --> 00:10:24.279 of the Lord Jesus Christ 00:10:24.279 --> 00:10:25.059 on the cross 00:10:25.059 --> 00:10:26.339 to deal with our sin, 00:10:26.659 --> 00:10:27.740 to deal with death 00:10:27.740 --> 00:10:29.600 and give us eternal life. 00:10:31.279 --> 00:10:32.879 That's what the Beatitudes about. 00:10:32.879 --> 00:10:35.120 This radical new relationship with God. 00:10:35.120 --> 00:10:36.460 And then, 00:10:37.060 --> 00:10:39.759 in verses 13 to 16, 00:10:39.759 --> 00:10:41.259 the focus shifts 00:10:41.259 --> 00:10:44.919 from the Christian's relationship with God 00:10:44.919 --> 00:10:47.639 to the Christian's relationship with the world. 00:10:47.639 --> 00:10:49.480 And so, 00:10:49.620 --> 00:10:51.840 if we have the relationship with God 00:10:51.840 --> 00:10:54.179 that the first section speaks about, 00:10:55.220 --> 00:10:58.779 then you will have the relationship with the world 00:10:58.779 --> 00:11:02.000 that the second bit speaks about. 00:11:02.939 --> 00:11:04.899 What Jesus is saying here is that 00:11:04.899 --> 00:11:09.879 if you are at all living a consistent Christian life, 00:11:09.879 --> 00:11:12.340 then in this world, 00:11:12.639 --> 00:11:14.620 you will be salt 00:11:14.620 --> 00:11:17.360 and you will be light. 00:11:18.620 --> 00:11:20.179 Verse 13 and 14, 00:11:20.500 --> 00:11:23.620 both start emphatically with you. 00:11:24.700 --> 00:11:25.939 It is like Jesus saying, 00:11:26.379 --> 00:11:26.700 you, 00:11:26.879 --> 00:11:28.399 that is speaking to his disciples, 00:11:28.659 --> 00:11:30.320 you and only you 00:11:30.320 --> 00:11:31.840 are the salt of the earth 00:11:31.840 --> 00:11:32.960 and the light of the world. 00:11:32.960 --> 00:11:33.639 And therefore, 00:11:33.840 --> 00:11:35.899 you simply must not fail 00:11:35.899 --> 00:11:38.559 what you have been called to do. 00:11:38.559 --> 00:11:41.500 and who you've been called to serve. 00:11:43.639 --> 00:11:45.919 You must be who you are. 00:11:46.839 --> 00:11:49.439 You must not lose your saltiness. 00:11:49.619 --> 00:11:53.239 You must not be contaminated or compromised. 00:11:53.959 --> 00:11:54.739 You are light. 00:11:54.879 --> 00:11:55.139 And so, 00:11:55.259 --> 00:11:56.759 you must let your light shine. 00:11:57.159 --> 00:11:59.559 And it must not be concealed by sin 00:11:59.559 --> 00:12:00.599 or compromise 00:12:00.599 --> 00:12:01.739 or laziness 00:12:01.739 --> 00:12:02.539 or fear. 00:12:02.539 --> 00:12:05.759 In other words, 00:12:06.240 --> 00:12:10.179 this is your Christian vocation. 00:12:10.879 --> 00:12:12.319 This is your calling 00:12:12.319 --> 00:12:13.759 in the world. 00:12:16.120 --> 00:12:17.539 So let's start with salt. 00:12:17.679 --> 00:12:18.279 Verse 13, 00:12:18.360 --> 00:12:19.539 you are the salt of the earth. 00:12:20.659 --> 00:12:22.259 But if the salt loses its saltiness, 00:12:22.759 --> 00:12:24.939 how can it be made salty again? 00:12:25.039 --> 00:12:26.679 It is no longer good for anything 00:12:26.679 --> 00:12:27.719 except to be thrown out 00:12:27.719 --> 00:12:28.719 and trampled by men. 00:12:28.720 --> 00:12:31.100 In ancient times, 00:12:31.240 --> 00:12:34.040 salt was used as a preservative 00:12:34.040 --> 00:12:35.540 to stop food from rotting. 00:12:36.040 --> 00:12:37.500 It was used as a seasoning 00:12:37.500 --> 00:12:38.639 to enhance its flavor 00:12:38.639 --> 00:12:41.340 and it was also used as a fertilizer 00:12:41.340 --> 00:12:43.580 to enable fruitfulness. 00:12:44.779 --> 00:12:45.620 It was, however, 00:12:45.759 --> 00:12:48.700 most valuable as a preservative. 00:12:48.860 --> 00:12:51.840 This is before refrigerators were made. 00:12:51.840 --> 00:12:57.200 And you would rub in salt 00:12:57.200 --> 00:12:59.920 into whatever would normally decay. 00:13:01.460 --> 00:13:03.660 And that salt rubbed into it, 00:13:03.860 --> 00:13:04.759 penetrating it, 00:13:05.080 --> 00:13:06.820 would stem the decay 00:13:06.820 --> 00:13:08.639 and stem its breakdown. 00:13:10.580 --> 00:13:12.700 The function of salt here 00:13:12.700 --> 00:13:14.160 is largely negative. 00:13:14.519 --> 00:13:16.460 It prevents decay. 00:13:17.879 --> 00:13:20.560 It's about stopping the spread of evil. 00:13:21.840 --> 00:13:23.300 It's an intriguing image 00:13:23.300 --> 00:13:24.800 that Jesus uses, I think. 00:13:26.160 --> 00:13:27.280 For most of us, 00:13:27.399 --> 00:13:29.720 if you see someone's life falling apart, 00:13:30.660 --> 00:13:33.440 we tend to move away from it. 00:13:34.160 --> 00:13:35.879 When you see brokenness, 00:13:36.019 --> 00:13:37.680 we tend to move away. 00:13:37.899 --> 00:13:38.879 We're always cautious 00:13:38.879 --> 00:13:40.139 about being sucked in 00:13:40.139 --> 00:13:42.580 and being connected too deep 00:13:42.580 --> 00:13:44.399 and having too much expected of us. 00:13:44.899 --> 00:13:45.680 And Jesus says, 00:13:45.759 --> 00:13:46.620 if you're a Christian, 00:13:47.580 --> 00:13:48.680 you go in. 00:13:48.679 --> 00:13:52.199 You penetrate is what you do. 00:13:52.299 --> 00:13:54.419 You go in rather than pull away. 00:13:54.839 --> 00:13:57.120 You go in to stem the decay 00:13:57.120 --> 00:13:59.299 because you're salt. 00:14:01.879 --> 00:14:03.739 And this is also true 00:14:03.739 --> 00:14:05.139 if you see a society 00:14:05.139 --> 00:14:06.139 or a city 00:14:06.139 --> 00:14:07.319 or a neighborhood 00:14:07.319 --> 00:14:08.519 or a workplace 00:14:08.519 --> 00:14:09.759 or a family 00:14:09.759 --> 00:14:12.339 falling apart with social problems. 00:14:12.779 --> 00:14:14.000 Christians don't run away. 00:14:14.000 --> 00:14:16.419 They find ways of being there 00:14:16.419 --> 00:14:18.220 to help and to shape for good. 00:14:20.659 --> 00:14:22.320 Because Christians have experienced 00:14:22.320 --> 00:14:23.360 in their own lives, 00:14:23.500 --> 00:14:24.940 Colossians 1.17, 00:14:26.220 --> 00:14:27.179 in Christ, 00:14:27.840 --> 00:14:29.940 all things hold together. 00:14:29.940 --> 00:14:33.140 We know what it is 00:14:33.140 --> 00:14:34.800 to have life falling apart 00:14:34.800 --> 00:14:36.080 and Jesus to come in 00:14:36.080 --> 00:14:38.020 and to bring it together. 00:14:38.420 --> 00:14:39.380 The Christian goes in 00:14:39.380 --> 00:14:41.600 because they want to be of help, 00:14:42.000 --> 00:14:43.180 simply responding 00:14:43.180 --> 00:14:44.500 and being for other people 00:14:44.500 --> 00:14:46.420 what Christ has been for them. 00:14:47.540 --> 00:14:50.700 It's a wonderfully rich metaphor. 00:14:51.980 --> 00:14:53.020 To be salt 00:14:53.020 --> 00:14:55.140 is to be involved. 00:14:56.400 --> 00:14:57.520 Salt penetrates. 00:14:57.519 --> 00:15:01.579 Salt stops decay 00:15:01.579 --> 00:15:05.960 unless it loses its saltiness. 00:15:07.879 --> 00:15:08.059 Now, 00:15:09.000 --> 00:15:10.139 sodium chloride 00:15:10.139 --> 00:15:11.519 is a very, 00:15:11.740 --> 00:15:12.919 very 00:15:12.919 --> 00:15:17.079 strong compound 00:15:17.079 --> 00:15:20.120 that doesn't often break down. 00:15:20.779 --> 00:15:21.100 That is, 00:15:21.139 --> 00:15:22.559 you can't normally blow apart 00:15:22.559 --> 00:15:23.259 sodium chloride. 00:15:23.639 --> 00:15:25.579 Salt doesn't lose its saltiness 00:15:25.579 --> 00:15:26.500 as such. 00:15:26.500 --> 00:15:28.720 But it will lose its purity. 00:15:30.879 --> 00:15:32.659 It will lose its purity. 00:15:33.039 --> 00:15:34.559 Salt can be contaminated 00:15:34.559 --> 00:15:36.259 and once it's contaminated, 00:15:36.840 --> 00:15:39.620 you cannot purify it. 00:15:41.500 --> 00:15:43.460 And the contamination here 00:15:43.460 --> 00:15:45.679 that Jesus has in mind 00:15:45.679 --> 00:15:47.240 is the idea 00:15:47.240 --> 00:15:49.120 where we are not distinct 00:15:49.120 --> 00:15:50.259 from the world. 00:15:50.259 --> 00:15:50.319 salt. 00:15:52.799 --> 00:15:53.799 And so, 00:15:54.600 --> 00:15:55.600 that's the connection 00:15:55.600 --> 00:15:56.700 with the second part 00:15:56.700 --> 00:15:59.179 in us being light. 00:15:59.259 --> 00:15:59.399 Now, 00:15:59.439 --> 00:15:59.939 traditionally, 00:16:01.120 --> 00:16:02.740 Christians are more known 00:16:02.740 --> 00:16:03.679 for being salt 00:16:03.679 --> 00:16:04.819 than being light. 00:16:05.379 --> 00:16:06.019 That is, 00:16:06.220 --> 00:16:06.779 we 00:16:06.779 --> 00:16:08.319 are seen 00:16:08.319 --> 00:16:08.860 by 00:16:08.860 --> 00:16:10.600 our wider society 00:16:10.600 --> 00:16:12.039 as being fundamentally 00:16:12.039 --> 00:16:12.720 negative 00:16:12.720 --> 00:16:13.679 rather than positive. 00:16:13.679 --> 00:16:13.879 negative. 00:16:14.419 --> 00:16:14.879 That is, 00:16:14.939 --> 00:16:15.679 we are more known 00:16:15.679 --> 00:16:16.799 for what we're against 00:16:16.799 --> 00:16:18.259 than what we are for. 00:16:19.259 --> 00:16:19.879 That is, 00:16:19.939 --> 00:16:20.639 that's why I say 00:16:20.639 --> 00:16:21.620 we are more known 00:16:21.620 --> 00:16:22.439 for being negative, 00:16:22.759 --> 00:16:23.859 more known for being salt. 00:16:24.219 --> 00:16:25.000 We are more known 00:16:25.000 --> 00:16:26.699 for being against things 00:16:26.699 --> 00:16:27.719 than for things. 00:16:28.099 --> 00:16:28.359 And so, 00:16:28.439 --> 00:16:29.319 this is really important 00:16:29.319 --> 00:16:29.779 for us 00:16:29.779 --> 00:16:30.399 because Jesus' 00:16:30.639 --> 00:16:31.159 disciples 00:16:31.159 --> 00:16:33.799 exert a double influence 00:16:33.799 --> 00:16:35.359 on the secular world. 00:16:35.779 --> 00:16:37.159 A negative influence 00:16:37.159 --> 00:16:38.299 of arresting decay 00:16:38.299 --> 00:16:40.579 and a positive influence 00:16:40.579 --> 00:16:41.979 of bringing light 00:16:41.979 --> 00:16:42.879 into darkness. 00:16:43.319 --> 00:16:43.620 You see, 00:16:43.699 --> 00:16:44.319 it's one thing 00:16:44.319 --> 00:16:45.179 to stop the spread 00:16:45.179 --> 00:16:45.939 of evil. 00:16:46.240 --> 00:16:46.939 It's another 00:16:46.939 --> 00:16:47.639 to promote 00:16:47.639 --> 00:16:49.039 the spread of truth 00:16:49.039 --> 00:16:49.899 and hope 00:16:49.899 --> 00:16:50.779 and goodness. 00:16:51.359 --> 00:16:52.019 Verse 14, 00:16:52.120 --> 00:16:52.620 you are the light 00:16:52.620 --> 00:16:53.120 of the world. 00:16:53.500 --> 00:16:54.539 A city on a hill 00:16:54.539 --> 00:16:55.319 cannot be hidden. 00:16:55.479 --> 00:16:56.339 Neither do people 00:16:56.339 --> 00:16:57.559 light a lamp 00:16:57.559 --> 00:16:58.639 and put it under a bowl. 00:16:58.759 --> 00:16:59.039 Instead, 00:16:59.159 --> 00:17:00.559 they put it on its stand 00:17:00.559 --> 00:17:01.779 and it gives light 00:17:01.779 --> 00:17:02.959 to everyone in the house. 00:17:02.960 --> 00:17:04.380 In the same way, 00:17:04.460 --> 00:17:05.240 let your light shine 00:17:05.240 --> 00:17:05.819 before men 00:17:05.819 --> 00:17:06.799 so that they may see 00:17:06.799 --> 00:17:07.579 your good deeds 00:17:07.579 --> 00:17:08.740 and praise your Father 00:17:08.740 --> 00:17:09.200 in heaven. 00:17:10.220 --> 00:17:10.579 So, 00:17:10.740 --> 00:17:12.160 the light metaphor here 00:17:12.160 --> 00:17:13.140 is a bit different. 00:17:13.180 --> 00:17:13.840 As I said, 00:17:14.180 --> 00:17:14.920 it's positive 00:17:14.920 --> 00:17:16.100 as opposed to negative. 00:17:16.460 --> 00:17:17.400 When Jesus talks 00:17:17.400 --> 00:17:18.059 about salt, 00:17:18.160 --> 00:17:19.120 he's saying something 00:17:19.120 --> 00:17:20.079 significant 00:17:20.079 --> 00:17:21.700 about human society 00:17:21.700 --> 00:17:22.519 that is 00:17:22.519 --> 00:17:24.120 that human society 00:17:24.120 --> 00:17:25.460 left by itself 00:17:25.460 --> 00:17:26.360 will decay. 00:17:27.539 --> 00:17:28.900 It will go rotten. 00:17:31.759 --> 00:17:32.840 And when he says 00:17:32.839 --> 00:17:33.439 something about 00:17:33.439 --> 00:17:34.519 Christians of light, 00:17:34.759 --> 00:17:35.579 he's saying 00:17:35.579 --> 00:17:36.799 something significant 00:17:36.799 --> 00:17:38.519 also about 00:17:38.519 --> 00:17:39.639 human society. 00:17:42.119 --> 00:17:43.299 It's dark. 00:17:48.919 --> 00:17:50.119 In the Bible, 00:17:50.119 --> 00:17:51.519 light symbolizes 00:17:51.519 --> 00:17:52.259 truth 00:17:52.259 --> 00:17:53.679 because light 00:17:53.679 --> 00:17:56.959 exposes falsehood. 00:17:57.459 --> 00:17:58.199 But it also 00:17:58.199 --> 00:17:59.500 symbolizes hope 00:17:59.500 --> 00:18:00.000 hope 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:01.259 and even joy 00:18:01.259 --> 00:18:01.940 because light 00:18:01.940 --> 00:18:02.539 is brilliant 00:18:02.539 --> 00:18:03.259 and beautiful. 00:18:03.700 --> 00:18:03.839 And so, 00:18:03.920 --> 00:18:04.480 when this passage 00:18:04.480 --> 00:18:05.140 says that Christians 00:18:05.140 --> 00:18:05.619 are the light 00:18:05.619 --> 00:18:06.279 of the world, 00:18:06.640 --> 00:18:07.619 what it means 00:18:07.619 --> 00:18:09.079 is that we bring 00:18:09.079 --> 00:18:10.759 hope and joy 00:18:10.759 --> 00:18:12.839 through truth 00:18:12.839 --> 00:18:14.500 into darkness. 00:18:14.500 --> 00:18:17.059 as the positive 00:18:17.059 --> 00:18:17.559 influence 00:18:17.559 --> 00:18:18.200 that we have 00:18:18.200 --> 00:18:19.539 on society. 00:18:20.099 --> 00:18:21.220 How and how much 00:18:21.220 --> 00:18:22.400 our society needs it. 00:18:22.420 --> 00:18:23.759 A society that we exist 00:18:23.759 --> 00:18:24.839 that is 00:18:24.839 --> 00:18:26.359 a society that says 00:18:26.359 --> 00:18:27.740 that we don't need God, 00:18:27.839 --> 00:18:28.940 that he has no place 00:18:28.940 --> 00:18:30.599 amongst us at all. 00:18:30.960 --> 00:18:31.799 We are secular. 00:18:32.259 --> 00:18:33.339 We are godless. 00:18:34.059 --> 00:18:34.819 For example, 00:18:35.819 --> 00:18:36.839 Somerset Morham 00:18:36.839 --> 00:18:38.279 was a British playwright 00:18:38.279 --> 00:18:39.180 and a novelist 00:18:39.180 --> 00:18:40.759 and a short story writer. 00:18:40.759 --> 00:18:41.720 He was among 00:18:41.720 --> 00:18:42.579 the most popular 00:18:42.579 --> 00:18:43.839 writers of his era 00:18:43.839 --> 00:18:44.740 and, 00:18:45.180 --> 00:18:45.779 reputedly, 00:18:45.839 --> 00:18:46.779 the highest paid 00:18:46.779 --> 00:18:48.519 author in the 1930s. 00:18:48.539 --> 00:18:49.559 That's a long time ago. 00:18:50.279 --> 00:18:51.759 And like many people, 00:18:51.980 --> 00:18:52.660 he thought 00:18:52.660 --> 00:18:54.400 that the existence 00:18:54.400 --> 00:18:55.180 of God 00:18:55.180 --> 00:18:56.119 and survival 00:18:56.119 --> 00:18:57.720 beyond death 00:18:57.720 --> 00:18:58.759 of any sort 00:18:58.759 --> 00:18:59.180 at all 00:18:59.180 --> 00:19:00.140 was doubtful. 00:19:00.220 --> 00:19:01.319 He wasn't an atheist. 00:19:02.640 --> 00:19:04.160 But he thought 00:19:04.160 --> 00:19:05.700 about the consequences 00:19:05.700 --> 00:19:07.680 of his belief system 00:19:07.680 --> 00:19:10.019 more than most atheists. 00:19:10.759 --> 00:19:12.019 He understood 00:19:12.019 --> 00:19:13.319 the consequences of it. 00:19:13.519 --> 00:19:14.579 And he wrote this 00:19:14.579 --> 00:19:15.819 in his autobiography. 00:19:16.359 --> 00:19:16.700 He said, 00:19:16.940 --> 00:19:18.680 If death ends all 00:19:18.680 --> 00:19:20.740 and I neither have 00:19:20.740 --> 00:19:22.079 to hope for God 00:19:22.079 --> 00:19:23.099 after death 00:19:23.099 --> 00:19:25.599 nor to fear evil 00:19:25.599 --> 00:19:26.640 after death, 00:19:27.759 --> 00:19:29.220 then I must 00:19:29.220 --> 00:19:30.599 ask myself, 00:19:30.859 --> 00:19:32.700 what am I here for? 00:19:34.140 --> 00:19:36.660 And how in these circumstances 00:19:36.660 --> 00:19:38.079 I must conduct myself? 00:19:38.079 --> 00:19:40.899 And the answer 00:19:40.899 --> 00:19:41.799 is plain 00:19:41.799 --> 00:19:43.960 but so unpalatable 00:19:43.960 --> 00:19:45.319 that most 00:19:45.319 --> 00:19:46.359 will not face it. 00:19:47.960 --> 00:19:49.279 And here's his answer. 00:19:50.339 --> 00:19:51.199 There is 00:19:51.199 --> 00:19:52.079 no meaning 00:19:52.079 --> 00:19:53.019 for life 00:19:53.019 --> 00:19:54.379 and therefore 00:19:54.379 --> 00:19:55.599 life has 00:19:55.599 --> 00:19:56.439 no meaning. 00:19:57.720 --> 00:19:59.339 That's his conclusion 00:19:59.339 --> 00:20:00.519 to his belief system. 00:20:00.519 --> 00:20:05.279 And what he's saying 00:20:05.279 --> 00:20:05.700 is 00:20:05.700 --> 00:20:07.960 not that he would 00:20:07.960 --> 00:20:09.019 put it in these words 00:20:09.019 --> 00:20:11.299 is that society today 00:20:11.299 --> 00:20:12.279 will tell you 00:20:12.279 --> 00:20:13.240 that there is 00:20:13.240 --> 00:20:14.359 probably no God 00:20:14.359 --> 00:20:15.779 that there's no reason 00:20:15.779 --> 00:20:16.500 really 00:20:16.500 --> 00:20:17.700 for why you're here 00:20:17.700 --> 00:20:19.480 that there is 00:20:19.480 --> 00:20:20.779 no right or wrong 00:20:20.779 --> 00:20:22.359 and that after you die 00:20:22.359 --> 00:20:23.539 there is nothingness. 00:20:23.619 --> 00:20:23.940 That is 00:20:23.940 --> 00:20:24.960 after you die 00:20:24.960 --> 00:20:26.519 there is darkness. 00:20:27.400 --> 00:20:27.680 And so 00:20:27.680 --> 00:20:28.359 if Somerset 00:20:28.359 --> 00:20:29.440 was here right now 00:20:29.440 --> 00:20:29.980 he would say 00:20:29.980 --> 00:20:30.720 if darkness 00:20:30.720 --> 00:20:32.000 is beyond death 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:33.559 if that's all 00:20:33.559 --> 00:20:34.360 that exists then 00:20:34.360 --> 00:20:35.000 then that means 00:20:35.000 --> 00:20:35.539 that darkness 00:20:35.539 --> 00:20:36.380 is now. 00:20:37.880 --> 00:20:38.960 That's society. 00:20:39.299 --> 00:20:40.380 It's dark. 00:20:40.920 --> 00:20:41.200 And so 00:20:41.200 --> 00:20:42.019 what's the answer 00:20:42.019 --> 00:20:42.820 of our society 00:20:42.820 --> 00:20:44.059 to that philosophical 00:20:44.059 --> 00:20:44.600 position? 00:20:45.880 --> 00:20:47.700 Go and enjoy life. 00:20:52.080 --> 00:20:52.640 Really? 00:20:55.440 --> 00:20:56.700 Have a good time? 00:20:56.880 --> 00:20:57.200 Really? 00:20:57.200 --> 00:20:57.380 Really? 00:20:59.440 --> 00:21:01.900 See what he was saying 00:21:01.900 --> 00:21:02.620 without realizing 00:21:02.620 --> 00:21:03.180 is that 00:21:03.180 --> 00:21:04.400 without the light 00:21:04.400 --> 00:21:05.240 of salvation 00:21:05.240 --> 00:21:06.120 this world 00:21:06.120 --> 00:21:07.140 is dark 00:21:07.140 --> 00:21:08.559 and we don't want 00:21:08.559 --> 00:21:09.039 to admit 00:21:09.039 --> 00:21:10.120 the world is dark 00:21:10.120 --> 00:21:11.500 but he was right. 00:21:12.080 --> 00:21:12.640 Christians 00:21:12.640 --> 00:21:13.660 are light 00:21:13.660 --> 00:21:15.120 because of the good news 00:21:15.120 --> 00:21:16.259 of the Lord Jesus 00:21:16.259 --> 00:21:18.940 gives us light. 00:21:19.980 --> 00:21:21.960 A light that we do not have. 00:21:23.059 --> 00:21:23.980 The good news 00:21:23.980 --> 00:21:24.820 of the Christian faith 00:21:24.820 --> 00:21:25.420 tells us 00:21:25.420 --> 00:21:27.160 that every single 00:21:27.160 --> 00:21:29.200 one of our deepest 00:21:29.200 --> 00:21:30.900 desires in our hearts 00:21:30.900 --> 00:21:32.100 will be met by Jesus 00:21:32.100 --> 00:21:32.820 in the end. 00:21:33.400 --> 00:21:34.320 It tells us 00:21:34.320 --> 00:21:35.320 the good news 00:21:35.320 --> 00:21:35.900 tells us 00:21:35.900 --> 00:21:36.800 that because we are 00:21:36.800 --> 00:21:37.980 saved by his grace 00:21:37.980 --> 00:21:38.840 and his mercy 00:21:38.840 --> 00:21:41.240 we are always his. 00:21:41.900 --> 00:21:42.720 It tells us 00:21:42.720 --> 00:21:43.519 that there is no 00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:44.320 condemnation 00:21:44.320 --> 00:21:45.759 for those who trust Jesus. 00:21:46.039 --> 00:21:46.779 It tells us 00:21:46.779 --> 00:21:47.539 that we might have 00:21:47.539 --> 00:21:48.420 good days 00:21:48.420 --> 00:21:49.180 and bad days 00:21:49.180 --> 00:21:49.860 and good years 00:21:49.860 --> 00:21:50.920 and bad years 00:21:50.920 --> 00:21:52.740 but you are guaranteed 00:21:52.740 --> 00:21:54.200 to be part 00:21:54.200 --> 00:21:55.880 of his glorious 00:21:55.880 --> 00:21:58.100 bright future. 00:22:00.580 --> 00:22:01.740 And Christians 00:22:01.740 --> 00:22:03.300 because of that 00:22:03.300 --> 00:22:05.019 live in the light 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:06.660 of that future now. 00:22:11.500 --> 00:22:12.660 And friends 00:22:12.660 --> 00:22:15.039 when you look out there 00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:16.620 and you see this metaphor 00:22:16.620 --> 00:22:18.100 that we are the light 00:22:18.100 --> 00:22:18.779 of the world 00:22:18.779 --> 00:22:20.119 and you see 00:22:20.119 --> 00:22:21.059 the darkness 00:22:21.059 --> 00:22:22.500 of our secular society 00:22:22.500 --> 00:22:22.940 and wonder 00:22:22.940 --> 00:22:23.759 and Christians 00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:24.619 are being pushed back 00:22:24.619 --> 00:22:25.139 pushed back 00:22:25.139 --> 00:22:25.660 pushed back 00:22:25.660 --> 00:22:26.240 pushed back 00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:27.200 and you wonder 00:22:27.200 --> 00:22:28.519 what on earth 00:22:28.519 --> 00:22:29.980 can we possibly do? 00:22:30.879 --> 00:22:31.500 Let me give you 00:22:31.500 --> 00:22:32.339 one encouragement. 00:22:33.039 --> 00:22:34.519 It does not take 00:22:34.519 --> 00:22:35.460 much light 00:22:35.460 --> 00:22:36.420 to push back 00:22:36.420 --> 00:22:36.980 darkness. 00:22:39.619 --> 00:22:40.319 This 00:22:40.319 --> 00:22:42.099 half a watt 00:22:42.099 --> 00:22:42.779 bulb 00:22:42.779 --> 00:22:44.279 in the darkness 00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:45.700 of my daughter's room 00:22:45.700 --> 00:22:47.119 is enough 00:22:47.119 --> 00:22:47.819 to give me 00:22:47.819 --> 00:22:48.439 perspective 00:22:48.439 --> 00:22:49.399 in her room 00:22:49.399 --> 00:22:50.599 it's enough 00:22:50.599 --> 00:22:50.979 for me 00:22:50.979 --> 00:22:51.359 to be able 00:22:51.359 --> 00:22:51.759 to walk 00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:52.679 around in her room 00:22:52.679 --> 00:22:53.239 and not tread 00:22:53.239 --> 00:22:53.759 on the cat 00:22:53.759 --> 00:22:54.399 or toys 00:22:54.399 --> 00:22:55.199 or whatever it is 00:22:55.199 --> 00:22:56.239 and it's enough 00:22:56.239 --> 00:22:56.919 to push back 00:22:56.919 --> 00:22:57.779 fear for her. 00:23:00.779 --> 00:23:01.779 Half a watt 00:23:01.779 --> 00:23:03.319 because 00:23:03.319 --> 00:23:04.779 darkness 00:23:04.779 --> 00:23:05.579 cannot 00:23:05.579 --> 00:23:06.919 resist light. 00:23:09.179 --> 00:23:09.699 Darkness 00:23:09.699 --> 00:23:10.539 cannot push 00:23:10.539 --> 00:23:11.399 light back. 00:23:12.599 --> 00:23:13.359 That's the job 00:23:13.359 --> 00:23:13.859 of light 00:23:13.859 --> 00:23:14.299 pushes 00:23:14.299 --> 00:23:15.479 darkness back 00:23:15.480 --> 00:23:16.440 and it does 00:23:16.440 --> 00:23:17.299 not take 00:23:17.299 --> 00:23:17.860 much 00:23:17.860 --> 00:23:18.960 to push 00:23:18.960 --> 00:23:19.360 back. 00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:19.980 And so 00:23:19.980 --> 00:23:20.500 friends 00:23:20.500 --> 00:23:21.839 even if we 00:23:21.839 --> 00:23:22.640 are a minority 00:23:22.640 --> 00:23:23.700 even if we 00:23:23.700 --> 00:23:24.539 do not have 00:23:24.539 --> 00:23:25.140 a voice 00:23:25.140 --> 00:23:26.140 light 00:23:26.140 --> 00:23:27.039 pushes 00:23:27.039 --> 00:23:27.740 back 00:23:27.740 --> 00:23:28.640 darkness. 00:23:31.559 --> 00:23:32.380 But that's 00:23:32.380 --> 00:23:32.680 not all 00:23:32.680 --> 00:23:33.420 Jesus is saying 00:23:33.420 --> 00:23:33.759 here. 00:23:35.460 --> 00:23:36.240 He isn't 00:23:36.240 --> 00:23:36.680 just saying 00:23:36.680 --> 00:23:37.019 that you 00:23:37.019 --> 00:23:37.400 have 00:23:37.400 --> 00:23:38.660 the truth 00:23:38.660 --> 00:23:39.519 and so 00:23:39.519 --> 00:23:40.019 therefore 00:23:40.019 --> 00:23:40.700 your job 00:23:40.700 --> 00:23:41.220 in society 00:23:41.220 --> 00:23:41.599 is to 00:23:41.599 --> 00:23:42.019 preach 00:23:42.019 --> 00:23:42.720 the truth 00:23:42.720 --> 00:23:43.460 and give 00:23:43.460 --> 00:23:44.000 people this 00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:44.360 hope. 00:23:44.359 --> 00:23:46.379 because 00:23:46.379 --> 00:23:46.959 he's saying 00:23:46.959 --> 00:23:47.299 something a 00:23:47.299 --> 00:23:47.500 little bit 00:23:47.500 --> 00:23:47.799 different. 00:23:48.219 --> 00:23:48.519 It looks 00:23:48.519 --> 00:23:49.119 like Jesus 00:23:49.119 --> 00:23:50.259 is actually 00:23:50.259 --> 00:23:51.619 mixing his 00:23:51.619 --> 00:23:52.459 metaphors 00:23:52.459 --> 00:23:53.059 in these 00:23:53.059 --> 00:23:53.439 verses. 00:23:54.359 --> 00:23:54.639 He talks 00:23:54.639 --> 00:23:55.379 about light 00:23:55.379 --> 00:23:56.659 and then he 00:23:56.659 --> 00:23:57.079 talks about 00:23:57.079 --> 00:23:57.639 light at the 00:23:57.639 --> 00:23:58.179 end and then 00:23:58.179 --> 00:23:58.679 he talks about 00:23:58.679 --> 00:23:59.319 a city in 00:23:59.319 --> 00:23:59.699 the middle 00:23:59.699 --> 00:24:00.639 and so it 00:24:00.639 --> 00:24:01.139 looks like 00:24:01.139 --> 00:24:01.619 he's mixing 00:24:01.619 --> 00:24:02.399 his metaphors 00:24:02.399 --> 00:24:03.339 and if you 00:24:03.339 --> 00:24:03.959 know anything 00:24:03.959 --> 00:24:04.559 about English 00:24:04.559 --> 00:24:05.199 or you probably 00:24:05.199 --> 00:24:05.579 heard your 00:24:05.579 --> 00:24:06.099 English teacher 00:24:06.099 --> 00:24:06.539 tell you at 00:24:06.539 --> 00:24:06.959 some point 00:24:06.959 --> 00:24:07.240 that you 00:24:07.240 --> 00:24:07.659 should not 00:24:07.659 --> 00:24:08.019 mix your 00:24:08.019 --> 00:24:08.559 metaphors 00:24:08.559 --> 00:24:09.579 but the 00:24:09.579 --> 00:24:09.899 good thing 00:24:09.899 --> 00:24:10.319 is Jesus 00:24:10.319 --> 00:24:10.979 didn't speak 00:24:10.979 --> 00:24:11.439 English and 00:24:11.439 --> 00:24:11.919 so this is 00:24:11.919 --> 00:24:12.339 okay. 00:24:12.339 --> 00:24:14.779 Right in 00:24:14.779 --> 00:24:15.139 the middle 00:24:15.139 --> 00:24:15.779 it says 00:24:15.779 --> 00:24:16.519 here a 00:24:16.519 --> 00:24:17.199 city on 00:24:17.199 --> 00:24:17.559 a hill 00:24:17.559 --> 00:24:18.199 cannot be 00:24:18.199 --> 00:24:18.399 hidden. 00:24:18.539 --> 00:24:18.879 I think 00:24:18.879 --> 00:24:19.419 it's exactly 00:24:19.419 --> 00:24:19.899 the same 00:24:19.899 --> 00:24:20.339 idea. 00:24:20.759 --> 00:24:21.079 Light, 00:24:21.259 --> 00:24:21.519 light, 00:24:21.679 --> 00:24:22.359 light all 00:24:22.359 --> 00:24:22.679 the way 00:24:22.679 --> 00:24:23.039 through. 00:24:23.459 --> 00:24:24.099 Most cities 00:24:24.099 --> 00:24:24.539 were not 00:24:24.539 --> 00:24:24.939 built on 00:24:24.939 --> 00:24:25.279 hills. 00:24:25.699 --> 00:24:26.220 Most cities 00:24:26.220 --> 00:24:26.919 were put in 00:24:26.919 --> 00:24:27.379 the bases 00:24:27.379 --> 00:24:27.899 of the hills 00:24:27.899 --> 00:24:28.299 or in the 00:24:28.299 --> 00:24:28.579 bottom of 00:24:28.579 --> 00:24:28.939 the valleys 00:24:28.939 --> 00:24:29.579 where there 00:24:29.579 --> 00:24:29.839 was a 00:24:29.839 --> 00:24:30.379 water source 00:24:30.379 --> 00:24:30.659 and where 00:24:30.659 --> 00:24:31.099 the trade 00:24:31.099 --> 00:24:31.480 routes and 00:24:31.480 --> 00:24:31.879 the roads 00:24:31.879 --> 00:24:32.240 were. 00:24:33.039 --> 00:24:33.359 But if 00:24:33.359 --> 00:24:33.779 you put a 00:24:33.779 --> 00:24:34.119 city on 00:24:34.119 --> 00:24:34.559 a hill 00:24:34.559 --> 00:24:35.819 just with 00:24:35.819 --> 00:24:36.559 candles and 00:24:36.559 --> 00:24:37.379 lamps it 00:24:37.379 --> 00:24:37.779 would be 00:24:37.779 --> 00:24:38.500 enough 00:24:38.500 --> 00:24:39.799 from the 00:24:39.799 --> 00:24:40.199 light from 00:24:40.199 --> 00:24:40.639 that city 00:24:40.640 --> 00:24:41.820 would illuminate 00:24:41.820 --> 00:24:42.600 a great 00:24:42.600 --> 00:24:43.140 distance. 00:24:43.560 --> 00:24:43.880 You could 00:24:43.880 --> 00:24:44.600 see the 00:24:44.600 --> 00:24:45.100 city from 00:24:45.100 --> 00:24:45.620 a great 00:24:45.620 --> 00:24:46.120 distance. 00:24:46.480 --> 00:24:46.860 And he's 00:24:46.860 --> 00:24:47.220 saying that 00:24:47.220 --> 00:24:47.980 Christians and 00:24:47.980 --> 00:24:48.700 the church 00:24:48.700 --> 00:24:49.840 he's saying 00:24:49.840 --> 00:24:50.640 here you 00:24:50.640 --> 00:24:51.680 need to be 00:24:51.680 --> 00:24:52.280 a counter 00:24:52.280 --> 00:24:52.840 culture. 00:24:53.400 --> 00:24:53.800 You need 00:24:53.800 --> 00:24:54.400 to be a 00:24:54.400 --> 00:24:56.080 light in 00:24:56.080 --> 00:24:57.000 the darkness. 00:24:58.860 --> 00:24:59.740 You need 00:24:59.740 --> 00:25:00.520 to be visible. 00:25:01.320 --> 00:25:01.680 People need 00:25:01.680 --> 00:25:02.620 to see that 00:25:02.620 --> 00:25:02.900 you are 00:25:02.900 --> 00:25:03.500 different. 00:25:03.500 --> 00:25:10.000 see Christians 00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:10.359 are to be 00:25:10.359 --> 00:25:10.700 light of 00:25:10.700 --> 00:25:11.079 the world 00:25:11.079 --> 00:25:11.460 not just 00:25:11.460 --> 00:25:11.839 by what 00:25:11.839 --> 00:25:12.700 they say 00:25:12.700 --> 00:25:13.460 but how 00:25:13.460 --> 00:25:13.859 they live 00:25:13.859 --> 00:25:14.500 their lives. 00:25:14.599 --> 00:25:15.019 The words 00:25:15.019 --> 00:25:15.900 good deeds 00:25:15.900 --> 00:25:16.460 is right in 00:25:16.460 --> 00:25:16.599 there. 00:25:16.660 --> 00:25:16.960 People might 00:25:16.960 --> 00:25:17.740 see your 00:25:17.740 --> 00:25:19.000 good deeds. 00:25:20.119 --> 00:25:20.359 And so 00:25:20.359 --> 00:25:21.140 being light 00:25:21.140 --> 00:25:21.440 in the 00:25:21.440 --> 00:25:21.960 world 00:25:21.960 --> 00:25:23.200 I think 00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:24.019 what this 00:25:24.019 --> 00:25:24.900 picture is 00:25:24.900 --> 00:25:26.019 we are 00:25:26.019 --> 00:25:26.900 an alternative 00:25:26.900 --> 00:25:27.599 Chatswood 00:25:27.599 --> 00:25:28.440 in Chatswood. 00:25:31.039 --> 00:25:31.900 We are a 00:25:31.900 --> 00:25:32.519 city within a 00:25:32.519 --> 00:25:32.779 city. 00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:34.700 And how 00:25:34.700 --> 00:25:35.900 this city 00:25:35.900 --> 00:25:36.400 within a 00:25:36.400 --> 00:25:37.339 city lives 00:25:37.339 --> 00:25:38.819 and how 00:25:38.819 --> 00:25:39.359 it works 00:25:39.359 --> 00:25:40.079 out its 00:25:40.079 --> 00:25:41.740 life is 00:25:41.740 --> 00:25:42.099 what the 00:25:42.099 --> 00:25:42.539 rest of 00:25:42.539 --> 00:25:43.000 the Sermon 00:25:43.000 --> 00:25:43.259 on the 00:25:43.259 --> 00:25:43.680 Mount is 00:25:43.680 --> 00:25:44.059 about. 00:25:45.259 --> 00:25:45.779 The 00:25:45.779 --> 00:25:46.240 teaching of 00:25:46.240 --> 00:25:46.539 the Sermon 00:25:46.539 --> 00:25:46.720 on the 00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:47.160 Mount is 00:25:47.160 --> 00:25:47.759 radically 00:25:47.759 --> 00:25:48.400 different than 00:25:48.400 --> 00:25:48.980 the views 00:25:48.980 --> 00:25:49.519 of the 00:25:49.519 --> 00:25:49.960 rest of 00:25:49.960 --> 00:25:50.700 the Chatswood 00:25:50.700 --> 00:25:51.559 when it 00:25:51.559 --> 00:25:51.960 comes to 00:25:51.960 --> 00:25:52.400 things like 00:25:52.400 --> 00:25:52.940 money and 00:25:52.940 --> 00:25:53.519 sex and 00:25:53.519 --> 00:25:54.680 relationships and 00:25:54.680 --> 00:25:55.240 power and a 00:25:55.240 --> 00:25:55.539 bunch of 00:25:55.539 --> 00:25:56.220 other things. 00:25:56.519 --> 00:25:57.400 The views, 00:25:57.720 --> 00:25:58.420 the culture 00:25:58.420 --> 00:25:59.779 is different. 00:26:02.500 --> 00:26:03.099 You see, 00:26:03.099 --> 00:26:03.519 it's not 00:26:03.519 --> 00:26:03.959 just good 00:26:03.959 --> 00:26:04.259 enough, 00:26:04.319 --> 00:26:04.639 I don't 00:26:04.639 --> 00:26:04.859 think, 00:26:04.919 --> 00:26:05.199 just to 00:26:05.199 --> 00:26:05.559 hold up 00:26:05.559 --> 00:26:06.139 the truth, 00:26:06.639 --> 00:26:07.579 to preach 00:26:07.579 --> 00:26:07.879 it, 00:26:08.219 --> 00:26:08.779 or to go 00:26:08.779 --> 00:26:09.500 onto Facebook 00:26:09.500 --> 00:26:10.099 and just 00:26:10.099 --> 00:26:10.799 have fights 00:26:10.799 --> 00:26:11.740 with atheists. 00:26:15.259 --> 00:26:15.740 If 00:26:15.740 --> 00:26:16.539 Christians are 00:26:16.539 --> 00:26:17.339 not seen 00:26:17.339 --> 00:26:18.019 to be living 00:26:18.019 --> 00:26:19.039 differently than 00:26:19.039 --> 00:26:19.699 the rest of 00:26:19.699 --> 00:26:20.339 Chatswood, 00:26:21.259 --> 00:26:21.919 we have no 00:26:21.919 --> 00:26:23.119 impact. 00:26:23.119 --> 00:26:23.359 impact. 00:26:24.559 --> 00:26:25.179 If they 00:26:25.179 --> 00:26:25.599 don't see 00:26:25.599 --> 00:26:26.519 the difference, 00:26:28.019 --> 00:26:28.599 then we 00:26:28.599 --> 00:26:28.979 are not 00:26:28.979 --> 00:26:29.519 light. 00:26:30.719 --> 00:26:31.179 Then we 00:26:31.179 --> 00:26:31.939 are not a 00:26:31.939 --> 00:26:32.459 city on a 00:26:32.459 --> 00:26:32.719 hill. 00:26:33.819 --> 00:26:34.139 God 00:26:34.139 --> 00:26:34.899 intends for 00:26:34.899 --> 00:26:35.699 his people 00:26:35.699 --> 00:26:37.019 to be 00:26:37.019 --> 00:26:38.259 rubbed into 00:26:38.259 --> 00:26:39.159 society, to 00:26:39.159 --> 00:26:40.259 penetrate for 00:26:40.259 --> 00:26:41.099 good in this 00:26:41.099 --> 00:26:41.500 world. 00:26:41.959 --> 00:26:42.979 Christian salt 00:26:42.979 --> 00:26:43.599 and light 00:26:43.599 --> 00:26:45.239 has therefore 00:26:45.239 --> 00:26:46.519 no business 00:26:46.519 --> 00:26:47.879 remaining 00:26:47.879 --> 00:26:49.899 snugly in a 00:26:49.899 --> 00:26:50.559 elegant, 00:26:51.179 --> 00:26:51.779 newly 00:26:51.779 --> 00:26:52.599 renovated, 00:26:53.200 --> 00:26:54.420 ecclesiastical 00:26:54.420 --> 00:26:55.119 salt and 00:26:55.119 --> 00:26:55.859 light cellar. 00:26:58.379 --> 00:26:59.139 I'll say it 00:26:59.139 --> 00:26:59.559 again, it's not 00:26:59.559 --> 00:27:00.099 my main point, 00:27:00.180 --> 00:27:00.599 but I'll say it 00:27:00.599 --> 00:27:01.099 again in case 00:27:01.099 --> 00:27:01.740 you wonder what 00:27:01.740 --> 00:27:02.279 I'm talking 00:27:02.279 --> 00:27:02.700 about there. 00:27:03.180 --> 00:27:03.960 Christian salt 00:27:03.960 --> 00:27:04.519 and light has 00:27:04.519 --> 00:27:05.259 no business 00:27:05.259 --> 00:27:05.779 remaining 00:27:05.779 --> 00:27:07.240 snugly in an 00:27:07.240 --> 00:27:08.359 elegant, newly 00:27:08.359 --> 00:27:09.039 renovated, 00:27:09.279 --> 00:27:10.420 ecclesiastical 00:27:10.420 --> 00:27:11.220 salt and light 00:27:11.220 --> 00:27:11.660 cellar. 00:27:11.899 --> 00:27:12.940 That is, our 00:27:12.940 --> 00:27:13.759 job is to be 00:27:13.759 --> 00:27:14.259 rubbed into 00:27:14.259 --> 00:27:15.180 secular society, 00:27:15.319 --> 00:27:15.779 into a secular 00:27:15.779 --> 00:27:16.319 community. 00:27:16.879 --> 00:27:17.539 Our business 00:27:17.539 --> 00:27:18.000 is to shine 00:27:18.000 --> 00:27:18.720 light and bring 00:27:18.720 --> 00:27:19.680 hope and joy 00:27:19.680 --> 00:27:20.420 and truth to 00:27:20.420 --> 00:27:21.599 this world, to 00:27:21.599 --> 00:27:22.859 shape for good 00:27:22.859 --> 00:27:24.039 the cultures 00:27:24.039 --> 00:27:25.699 of families 00:27:25.699 --> 00:27:26.740 and organisations 00:27:26.740 --> 00:27:28.240 and whatever 00:27:28.240 --> 00:27:29.159 it is, people 00:27:29.159 --> 00:27:29.799 groups that have 00:27:29.799 --> 00:27:30.619 a tendency to 00:27:30.619 --> 00:27:32.459 use people and 00:27:32.459 --> 00:27:33.459 manipulate people 00:27:33.459 --> 00:27:34.480 where there might 00:27:34.480 --> 00:27:35.079 be a tendency 00:27:35.079 --> 00:27:36.279 to waste resources 00:27:36.279 --> 00:27:37.139 or a tendency 00:27:37.139 --> 00:27:38.259 where there's 00:27:38.259 --> 00:27:39.339 fearful for change 00:27:39.339 --> 00:27:40.059 or a tendency 00:27:40.059 --> 00:27:41.119 to have ruthlessness 00:27:41.119 --> 00:27:41.939 in leadership 00:27:41.939 --> 00:27:43.099 and to treat people. 00:27:43.319 --> 00:27:44.359 We want to have 00:27:44.359 --> 00:27:45.839 an influence for 00:27:45.839 --> 00:27:46.519 good in there, 00:27:46.839 --> 00:27:47.759 to shape the 00:27:47.759 --> 00:27:48.599 culture of those 00:27:48.599 --> 00:27:49.139 places, 00:27:49.140 --> 00:27:51.140 to speak up 00:27:51.140 --> 00:27:53.920 and to 00:27:53.920 --> 00:27:54.320 demonstrate 00:27:54.320 --> 00:27:54.860 good. 00:27:56.320 --> 00:27:56.740 And so if 00:27:56.740 --> 00:27:57.080 you're a 00:27:57.080 --> 00:27:57.440 Christian, 00:27:58.540 --> 00:27:59.460 if you are at 00:27:59.460 --> 00:28:00.700 all living out 00:28:00.700 --> 00:28:01.320 the Christian 00:28:01.320 --> 00:28:02.140 life, a 00:28:02.140 --> 00:28:02.920 consistent Christian 00:28:02.920 --> 00:28:04.700 life, you are 00:28:04.700 --> 00:28:06.560 salt and you 00:28:06.560 --> 00:28:07.400 are light. 00:28:07.400 --> 00:28:08.440 You may feel like 00:28:08.440 --> 00:28:09.100 a half a watt 00:28:09.100 --> 00:28:10.020 bowl, but you 00:28:10.020 --> 00:28:11.000 are light. 00:28:11.000 --> 00:28:14.420 And because you 00:28:14.420 --> 00:28:15.579 are salt and 00:28:15.579 --> 00:28:16.599 because you are 00:28:16.599 --> 00:28:17.880 light and you 00:28:17.880 --> 00:28:18.720 are working to 00:28:18.720 --> 00:28:19.900 shape the way 00:28:19.900 --> 00:28:20.579 things should be 00:28:20.579 --> 00:28:21.319 done for the 00:28:21.319 --> 00:28:22.000 good of others 00:28:22.000 --> 00:28:22.759 and for the 00:28:22.759 --> 00:28:23.740 glory of God, 00:28:23.940 --> 00:28:24.839 you are not 00:28:24.839 --> 00:28:25.640 just salt and 00:28:25.640 --> 00:28:26.759 light, but you 00:28:26.759 --> 00:28:27.500 are also going to 00:28:27.500 --> 00:28:27.920 be hurt. 00:28:30.400 --> 00:28:30.980 You're going to 00:28:30.980 --> 00:28:31.319 be hurt. 00:28:34.380 --> 00:28:35.359 This life that 00:28:35.359 --> 00:28:36.119 we've received in 00:28:36.119 --> 00:28:36.900 Jesus is lived 00:28:36.900 --> 00:28:38.140 out in the 00:28:38.140 --> 00:28:38.720 midst of a 00:28:38.720 --> 00:28:39.460 culture that has 00:28:39.460 --> 00:28:40.279 decided it wants 00:28:40.279 --> 00:28:40.880 to live, 00:28:41.000 --> 00:28:41.839 in a different 00:28:41.839 --> 00:28:42.900 way, largely 00:28:42.900 --> 00:28:43.660 without reference 00:28:43.660 --> 00:28:44.240 to God. 00:28:44.579 --> 00:28:45.039 We live in a 00:28:45.039 --> 00:28:45.599 post-Christian 00:28:45.599 --> 00:28:46.799 secular society 00:28:46.799 --> 00:28:48.180 where Christianity 00:28:48.180 --> 00:28:49.640 has got no 00:28:49.640 --> 00:28:50.640 social credibility. 00:28:53.359 --> 00:28:54.079 Christianity has 00:28:54.079 --> 00:28:54.720 got no social 00:28:54.720 --> 00:28:55.200 credibility. 00:28:57.259 --> 00:28:57.779 And so the 00:28:57.779 --> 00:28:58.599 verses right 00:28:58.599 --> 00:28:59.819 before, verses 00:28:59.819 --> 00:29:01.160 13 and 16, 00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:03.440 are very 00:29:03.440 --> 00:29:04.339 important for us 00:29:04.339 --> 00:29:04.940 to grapple with 00:29:04.940 --> 00:29:05.640 in terms of what 00:29:05.640 --> 00:29:06.480 our expectations 00:29:06.480 --> 00:29:07.819 might be as 00:29:07.819 --> 00:29:08.619 salt and light. 00:29:09.700 --> 00:29:10.099 And I think 00:29:10.099 --> 00:29:10.779 this is particularly 00:29:10.779 --> 00:29:11.480 pertinent for us 00:29:11.480 --> 00:29:11.980 right now. 00:29:12.059 --> 00:29:12.759 Matthew 5, 00:29:12.819 --> 00:29:13.519 verses 11 to 00:29:13.519 --> 00:29:13.819 12, 00:29:13.920 --> 00:29:14.619 blessed are you 00:29:14.619 --> 00:29:15.359 when people 00:29:15.359 --> 00:29:15.920 insult you, 00:29:16.039 --> 00:29:16.579 persecute you, 00:29:16.619 --> 00:29:17.160 and falsely say 00:29:17.160 --> 00:29:17.839 all kinds of 00:29:17.839 --> 00:29:18.519 evil against you 00:29:18.519 --> 00:29:19.240 because of me. 00:29:19.819 --> 00:29:20.799 Rejoice and be 00:29:20.799 --> 00:29:22.259 glad because great 00:29:22.259 --> 00:29:23.139 is your reward in 00:29:23.139 --> 00:29:24.099 heaven for in the 00:29:24.099 --> 00:29:24.799 same way they 00:29:24.799 --> 00:29:25.639 persecuted the 00:29:25.639 --> 00:29:26.779 prophets who were 00:29:26.779 --> 00:29:27.359 before you. 00:29:27.440 --> 00:29:28.200 So there are five 00:29:28.200 --> 00:29:28.399 things. 00:29:28.480 --> 00:29:28.980 This is a pretty 00:29:28.980 --> 00:29:29.779 sobering passage. 00:29:30.480 --> 00:29:30.879 If you're going to 00:29:30.879 --> 00:29:31.599 be salt and light, 00:29:31.680 --> 00:29:32.180 you're going to be 00:29:32.180 --> 00:29:32.519 hurt. 00:29:32.680 --> 00:29:33.500 And there are five 00:29:33.500 --> 00:29:34.440 things that I want 00:29:34.440 --> 00:29:35.240 to just say very 00:29:35.240 --> 00:29:36.200 quickly about those 00:29:36.200 --> 00:29:37.940 two verses that 00:29:37.940 --> 00:29:39.220 will help us with 00:29:39.220 --> 00:29:40.200 our expectations 00:29:40.200 --> 00:29:40.839 of what things 00:29:40.839 --> 00:29:41.460 might be like 00:29:41.460 --> 00:29:42.100 from Monday to 00:29:42.100 --> 00:29:42.420 Saturday. 00:29:44.420 --> 00:29:44.960 Firstly, 00:29:45.460 --> 00:29:46.720 this is a 00:29:46.720 --> 00:29:47.460 beatitude. 00:29:49.420 --> 00:29:50.660 Blessed are you 00:29:50.660 --> 00:29:51.880 when people 00:29:51.880 --> 00:29:52.740 insult you. 00:29:52.920 --> 00:29:54.120 Not if people 00:29:54.120 --> 00:29:54.860 insult you, 00:29:54.940 --> 00:29:55.900 but when people 00:29:55.900 --> 00:29:56.799 insult you. 00:29:57.600 --> 00:29:58.680 Every beatitude 00:29:58.680 --> 00:29:59.900 is a characteristic 00:29:59.900 --> 00:30:01.360 of the Christian. 00:30:02.600 --> 00:30:03.019 So help 00:30:03.019 --> 00:30:04.240 understand this. 00:30:04.779 --> 00:30:05.620 Every Christian 00:30:05.619 --> 00:30:07.739 must be poor 00:30:07.739 --> 00:30:08.399 in spirit. 00:30:08.599 --> 00:30:09.059 That's one of the 00:30:09.059 --> 00:30:09.579 beatitudes. 00:30:10.079 --> 00:30:10.939 Every Christian 00:30:10.939 --> 00:30:12.759 must hunger and 00:30:12.759 --> 00:30:13.439 thirst after 00:30:13.439 --> 00:30:14.059 righteousness. 00:30:14.659 --> 00:30:15.479 Or you're not a 00:30:15.479 --> 00:30:15.839 Christian. 00:30:20.039 --> 00:30:21.759 Verse 11 is the 00:30:21.759 --> 00:30:22.779 last of the 00:30:22.779 --> 00:30:23.459 beatitudes. 00:30:24.859 --> 00:30:25.599 Jesus is 00:30:25.599 --> 00:30:27.039 assuming that if 00:30:27.039 --> 00:30:27.759 you are a 00:30:27.759 --> 00:30:28.819 Christian, you 00:30:28.819 --> 00:30:29.979 will be 00:30:29.979 --> 00:30:30.899 persecuted. 00:30:32.259 --> 00:30:33.339 Or, put it 00:30:33.339 --> 00:30:34.239 more strongly, a 00:30:34.240 --> 00:30:36.120 Christian must be 00:30:36.120 --> 00:30:36.720 persecuted. 00:30:38.220 --> 00:30:39.059 If you are 00:30:39.059 --> 00:30:40.299 living in any 00:30:40.299 --> 00:30:41.380 way consistent 00:30:41.380 --> 00:30:42.079 with Christianity, 00:30:42.400 --> 00:30:42.920 you will be 00:30:42.920 --> 00:30:43.339 persecuted. 00:30:43.440 --> 00:30:43.859 That's the first 00:30:43.859 --> 00:30:43.960 thing. 00:30:44.039 --> 00:30:45.120 Secondly, let me 00:30:45.120 --> 00:30:46.299 just nuance that 00:30:46.299 --> 00:30:47.220 just a little bit. 00:30:47.700 --> 00:30:49.000 Just a little bit. 00:30:49.380 --> 00:30:50.299 Notice it says, 00:30:50.480 --> 00:30:51.279 blessed are you 00:30:51.279 --> 00:30:51.680 when people 00:30:51.680 --> 00:30:52.220 insult you, 00:30:52.359 --> 00:30:52.779 persecute you, 00:30:52.819 --> 00:30:53.359 and falsely say 00:30:53.359 --> 00:30:53.960 all kinds of evil 00:30:53.960 --> 00:30:55.220 against you because 00:30:55.220 --> 00:30:56.099 of me. 00:30:57.980 --> 00:30:58.980 It's not 00:30:58.980 --> 00:31:00.680 because of 00:31:00.680 --> 00:31:01.480 you. 00:31:02.839 --> 00:31:03.259 That's the 00:31:03.259 --> 00:31:03.879 nuance in the 00:31:03.879 --> 00:31:04.400 persecution. 00:31:05.160 --> 00:31:06.039 In other words, 00:31:06.259 --> 00:31:07.079 if you're talking 00:31:07.079 --> 00:31:07.440 about the 00:31:07.440 --> 00:31:08.599 Christian faith in 00:31:08.599 --> 00:31:09.599 a tackless way, 00:31:09.779 --> 00:31:11.039 an abrasive way, 00:31:11.339 --> 00:31:12.140 an insensitive 00:31:12.140 --> 00:31:13.000 way, a 00:31:13.000 --> 00:31:14.180 loveless way, a 00:31:14.180 --> 00:31:14.519 culturally 00:31:14.519 --> 00:31:15.519 inappropriate way, 00:31:15.680 --> 00:31:16.519 and people are 00:31:16.519 --> 00:31:16.980 giving you 00:31:16.980 --> 00:31:17.960 flack because of 00:31:17.960 --> 00:31:19.960 that, then you 00:31:19.960 --> 00:31:20.400 are being 00:31:20.400 --> 00:31:21.599 persecuted for 00:31:21.599 --> 00:31:23.460 your sake, not 00:31:23.460 --> 00:31:24.819 for Christ's 00:31:24.819 --> 00:31:25.099 sake. 00:31:26.539 --> 00:31:27.599 It doesn't 00:31:27.599 --> 00:31:28.400 say, blessed 00:31:28.400 --> 00:31:29.619 are you when 00:31:29.619 --> 00:31:30.740 people persecute 00:31:30.740 --> 00:31:31.440 you for being 00:31:31.440 --> 00:31:32.299 obnoxious. 00:31:32.299 --> 00:31:34.720 if you're 00:31:34.720 --> 00:31:36.019 being obnoxious, 00:31:36.299 --> 00:31:36.680 then the 00:31:36.680 --> 00:31:37.319 blessedness 00:31:37.319 --> 00:31:38.680 promise doesn't 00:31:38.680 --> 00:31:39.859 hold, doesn't 00:31:39.859 --> 00:31:40.599 carry here. 00:31:43.700 --> 00:31:44.799 And so what you 00:31:44.799 --> 00:31:45.619 need to understand 00:31:45.619 --> 00:31:46.119 and think about 00:31:46.119 --> 00:31:46.799 that in this 00:31:46.799 --> 00:31:48.039 nuance is you 00:31:48.039 --> 00:31:48.639 need to put the 00:31:48.639 --> 00:31:49.399 beginning of the 00:31:49.399 --> 00:31:51.159 passage with the 00:31:51.159 --> 00:31:51.720 end of the 00:31:51.720 --> 00:31:52.519 passage together. 00:31:52.980 --> 00:31:53.799 The beginning 00:31:53.799 --> 00:31:55.259 says that you 00:31:55.259 --> 00:31:55.779 will be 00:31:55.779 --> 00:31:56.440 persecuted. 00:31:56.619 --> 00:31:57.159 The end 00:31:57.159 --> 00:31:58.579 says that some 00:31:58.579 --> 00:31:59.559 people will look 00:31:59.559 --> 00:32:01.059 at your life and 00:32:01.059 --> 00:32:01.960 praise your 00:32:01.960 --> 00:32:02.539 father in 00:32:02.539 --> 00:32:02.859 heaven. 00:32:03.919 --> 00:32:04.679 Two different 00:32:04.679 --> 00:32:05.319 responses. 00:32:07.319 --> 00:32:08.159 Some will 00:32:08.159 --> 00:32:09.099 hate your guts 00:32:09.099 --> 00:32:09.779 because of 00:32:09.779 --> 00:32:10.819 Jesus and 00:32:10.819 --> 00:32:11.480 some will be 00:32:11.480 --> 00:32:12.279 attracted to 00:32:12.279 --> 00:32:12.960 you because of 00:32:12.960 --> 00:32:13.579 your life and 00:32:13.579 --> 00:32:14.200 your testimony 00:32:14.200 --> 00:32:14.980 about Jesus. 00:32:16.659 --> 00:32:18.539 If both of 00:32:18.539 --> 00:32:19.879 those things are 00:32:19.879 --> 00:32:20.700 happening for 00:32:20.700 --> 00:32:22.779 you, then you 00:32:22.779 --> 00:32:24.240 are in the 00:32:24.240 --> 00:32:24.679 zone. 00:32:24.680 --> 00:32:26.880 you're in the 00:32:26.880 --> 00:32:27.700 sweet spot. 00:32:31.039 --> 00:32:32.060 If you 00:32:32.060 --> 00:32:33.820 speak the 00:32:33.820 --> 00:32:35.299 truth in an 00:32:35.299 --> 00:32:36.460 unloving way, 00:32:37.019 --> 00:32:37.799 there will be 00:32:37.799 --> 00:32:38.920 persecution for 00:32:38.920 --> 00:32:40.180 sure, but there 00:32:40.180 --> 00:32:40.900 will not be 00:32:40.900 --> 00:32:41.500 attraction. 00:32:42.700 --> 00:32:43.680 If you 00:32:43.680 --> 00:32:45.100 love people, 00:32:45.360 --> 00:32:46.360 you will be 00:32:46.360 --> 00:32:47.019 attractive, 00:32:48.019 --> 00:32:49.360 but there will 00:32:49.360 --> 00:32:50.299 be no persecution 00:32:50.299 --> 00:32:52.460 for truth and 00:32:52.460 --> 00:32:53.220 no one might 00:32:53.220 --> 00:32:54.059 ever come 00:32:54.059 --> 00:32:55.740 to faith, 00:32:55.900 --> 00:32:56.680 to Jesus 00:32:56.680 --> 00:32:57.200 because of 00:32:57.200 --> 00:32:57.340 you. 00:32:59.620 --> 00:33:00.420 If you're 00:33:00.420 --> 00:33:01.360 always being 00:33:01.360 --> 00:33:02.240 persecuted, but 00:33:02.240 --> 00:33:02.900 no one comes 00:33:02.900 --> 00:33:03.680 to faith, you're 00:33:03.680 --> 00:33:04.240 probably being 00:33:04.240 --> 00:33:05.559 persecuted because 00:33:05.559 --> 00:33:06.400 of character 00:33:06.400 --> 00:33:07.100 flaws. 00:33:08.900 --> 00:33:09.680 If you are 00:33:09.680 --> 00:33:10.360 never being 00:33:10.360 --> 00:33:11.720 persecuted, if 00:33:11.720 --> 00:33:12.480 you never get 00:33:12.480 --> 00:33:13.779 any pushback, if 00:33:13.779 --> 00:33:14.799 no one is ever 00:33:14.799 --> 00:33:15.960 hostile towards 00:33:15.960 --> 00:33:17.579 you for being a 00:33:17.579 --> 00:33:19.640 Christian, then 00:33:19.640 --> 00:33:20.539 you're probably 00:33:20.539 --> 00:33:21.920 being a coward 00:33:21.920 --> 00:33:23.200 with the 00:33:23.200 --> 00:33:23.700 truth. 00:33:23.899 --> 00:33:24.399 You're probably 00:33:24.399 --> 00:33:25.039 not speaking 00:33:25.039 --> 00:33:25.339 up. 00:33:27.659 --> 00:33:28.000 So the 00:33:28.000 --> 00:33:28.539 question is, 00:33:28.700 --> 00:33:29.039 point number 00:33:29.039 --> 00:33:29.539 two, are 00:33:29.539 --> 00:33:29.960 you living in 00:33:29.960 --> 00:33:30.420 the zone? 00:33:31.720 --> 00:33:33.000 Point number 00:33:33.000 --> 00:33:34.119 three, as a 00:33:34.119 --> 00:33:35.200 Christian, and 00:33:35.200 --> 00:33:35.839 I don't think we 00:33:35.839 --> 00:33:36.899 can ever escape 00:33:36.899 --> 00:33:38.960 this, that is, 00:33:39.019 --> 00:33:39.440 we can never 00:33:39.440 --> 00:33:40.000 escape the 00:33:40.000 --> 00:33:40.579 persecution. 00:33:40.879 --> 00:33:42.059 It's not unique 00:33:42.059 --> 00:33:42.680 to a secular 00:33:42.680 --> 00:33:43.180 age. 00:33:43.559 --> 00:33:44.099 Christians are 00:33:44.099 --> 00:33:44.799 persecuted because, 00:33:44.920 --> 00:33:45.619 as Jesus says in 00:33:45.619 --> 00:33:46.180 verse 11, 00:33:46.519 --> 00:33:47.359 because of me. 00:33:47.940 --> 00:33:49.159 Jesus has been 00:33:49.160 --> 00:33:50.560 uniquely hated 00:33:50.560 --> 00:33:51.700 in history. 00:33:53.279 --> 00:33:54.120 There are 00:33:54.120 --> 00:33:55.640 secular scholars 00:33:55.640 --> 00:33:56.380 who acknowledge 00:33:56.380 --> 00:33:56.759 that. 00:33:57.519 --> 00:33:58.279 There are secular 00:33:58.279 --> 00:33:59.360 scholars who 00:33:59.360 --> 00:34:00.180 acknowledge that 00:34:00.180 --> 00:34:00.759 there are New 00:34:00.759 --> 00:34:01.759 Testament scholars 00:34:01.759 --> 00:34:03.440 whose main goal 00:34:03.440 --> 00:34:04.340 in being a New 00:34:04.340 --> 00:34:05.180 Testament scholar 00:34:05.180 --> 00:34:06.759 is to 00:34:06.759 --> 00:34:08.159 discredit Jesus. 00:34:10.240 --> 00:34:11.099 He has been 00:34:11.099 --> 00:34:12.320 uniquely hated. 00:34:12.800 --> 00:34:13.139 Why? 00:34:13.619 --> 00:34:14.380 Because if 00:34:14.380 --> 00:34:15.500 Jesus is 00:34:15.500 --> 00:34:16.880 right, then 00:34:16.880 --> 00:34:17.420 he is the 00:34:17.420 --> 00:34:18.159 Son of God, 00:34:18.159 --> 00:34:19.039 he is the 00:34:19.039 --> 00:34:19.559 Lord of the 00:34:19.559 --> 00:34:20.259 universe, he 00:34:20.259 --> 00:34:20.899 is the judge 00:34:20.899 --> 00:34:21.579 and saver of 00:34:21.579 --> 00:34:22.399 all humanity, 00:34:22.399 --> 00:34:23.159 and if he's 00:34:23.159 --> 00:34:24.039 correct on those 00:34:24.039 --> 00:34:25.019 things, then 00:34:25.019 --> 00:34:25.559 you lose 00:34:25.559 --> 00:34:26.119 control of 00:34:26.119 --> 00:34:26.659 your life. 00:34:27.920 --> 00:34:28.379 He is 00:34:28.379 --> 00:34:28.659 king. 00:34:29.579 --> 00:34:30.000 You lose 00:34:30.000 --> 00:34:30.559 control of 00:34:30.559 --> 00:34:31.079 your life. 00:34:31.480 --> 00:34:32.279 We have no 00:34:32.279 --> 00:34:33.899 alternative but 00:34:33.899 --> 00:34:35.159 to surrender and 00:34:35.159 --> 00:34:35.920 give ourselves 00:34:35.920 --> 00:34:37.579 over to him, if 00:34:37.579 --> 00:34:38.159 he's correct. 00:34:39.039 --> 00:34:39.879 Jesus says in 00:34:39.879 --> 00:34:42.139 John 15, if the 00:34:42.139 --> 00:34:43.039 world hates him, 00:34:43.299 --> 00:34:43.759 it will hate 00:34:43.759 --> 00:34:44.480 those who follow 00:34:44.480 --> 00:34:45.500 him, because a 00:34:45.500 --> 00:34:46.219 servant is not 00:34:46.219 --> 00:34:46.940 greater than his 00:34:46.940 --> 00:34:47.359 master. 00:34:47.360 --> 00:34:48.460 And so if 00:34:48.460 --> 00:34:48.920 you're a 00:34:48.920 --> 00:34:49.980 Christian, that 00:34:49.980 --> 00:34:50.980 lot will fall 00:34:50.980 --> 00:34:51.420 on you. 00:34:52.160 --> 00:34:53.099 Fourthly, if 00:34:53.099 --> 00:34:53.519 you find 00:34:53.519 --> 00:34:54.620 yourself insulted 00:34:54.620 --> 00:34:55.620 and persecuted 00:34:55.620 --> 00:34:56.840 and people saying 00:34:56.840 --> 00:34:57.700 all kinds of 00:34:57.700 --> 00:34:58.680 false things about 00:34:58.680 --> 00:35:01.200 you, don't 00:35:01.200 --> 00:35:02.200 whinge about 00:35:02.200 --> 00:35:02.420 it. 00:35:04.019 --> 00:35:04.760 I don't think 00:35:04.760 --> 00:35:05.099 there's any 00:35:05.099 --> 00:35:06.380 room for self-pity 00:35:06.380 --> 00:35:06.740 here. 00:35:07.700 --> 00:35:09.039 It comes with 00:35:09.039 --> 00:35:09.960 the territory 00:35:09.960 --> 00:35:11.300 of being his 00:35:11.300 --> 00:35:11.900 representatives. 00:35:12.099 --> 00:35:12.780 He says here, 00:35:12.920 --> 00:35:13.539 in the same 00:35:13.539 --> 00:35:14.400 way, they 00:35:14.400 --> 00:35:15.340 persecuted the 00:35:15.340 --> 00:35:16.039 prophets before 00:35:16.039 --> 00:35:16.239 you. 00:35:16.300 --> 00:35:16.699 It's nothing 00:35:16.699 --> 00:35:17.179 new. 00:35:17.920 --> 00:35:18.300 It ought 00:35:18.300 --> 00:35:18.519 to be 00:35:18.519 --> 00:35:19.019 expected. 00:35:20.639 --> 00:35:23.079 Fifthly, how 00:35:23.079 --> 00:35:24.039 do we handle 00:35:24.039 --> 00:35:25.320 the inevitable 00:35:25.320 --> 00:35:26.960 difficulty of 00:35:26.960 --> 00:35:28.219 moulding culture 00:35:28.219 --> 00:35:29.480 in a secular 00:35:29.480 --> 00:35:30.719 post-Christian 00:35:30.719 --> 00:35:31.340 culture? 00:35:32.420 --> 00:35:33.039 How do we 00:35:33.039 --> 00:35:33.820 cope with that 00:35:33.820 --> 00:35:34.380 flack? 00:35:34.719 --> 00:35:35.159 How do we 00:35:35.159 --> 00:35:35.840 cope with, 00:35:36.199 --> 00:35:36.579 because it 00:35:36.579 --> 00:35:37.400 will cost you, 00:35:37.779 --> 00:35:38.759 it will cost you 00:35:38.759 --> 00:35:39.559 your reputation, 00:35:39.739 --> 00:35:40.259 it will cost you 00:35:40.259 --> 00:35:40.779 a bunch of 00:35:40.779 --> 00:35:41.279 things. 00:35:41.880 --> 00:35:42.500 How do we 00:35:42.500 --> 00:35:43.079 handle that? 00:35:43.079 --> 00:35:44.659 You handle it 00:35:44.659 --> 00:35:45.299 by looking to 00:35:45.299 --> 00:35:47.279 Jesus and 00:35:47.279 --> 00:35:47.759 what he has 00:35:47.759 --> 00:35:48.099 promised. 00:35:48.340 --> 00:35:49.219 In Philippians 00:35:49.219 --> 00:35:49.900 2, we are 00:35:49.900 --> 00:35:50.319 told that 00:35:50.319 --> 00:35:51.480 Jesus made 00:35:51.480 --> 00:35:52.360 himself as 00:35:52.360 --> 00:35:53.699 someone with 00:35:53.699 --> 00:35:55.420 no reputation. 00:35:55.960 --> 00:35:56.279 He had 00:35:56.279 --> 00:35:57.519 glory, he 00:35:57.519 --> 00:35:58.259 had honour, 00:35:58.900 --> 00:35:59.840 and he became 00:35:59.840 --> 00:36:00.639 rejected. 00:36:01.059 --> 00:36:01.639 He was 00:36:01.639 --> 00:36:02.639 shamed, he 00:36:02.639 --> 00:36:03.920 was humiliated. 00:36:04.259 --> 00:36:05.500 The cross was 00:36:05.500 --> 00:36:06.259 the way that 00:36:06.259 --> 00:36:06.799 you killed 00:36:06.799 --> 00:36:07.460 someone who 00:36:07.460 --> 00:36:08.079 you truly 00:36:08.079 --> 00:36:09.000 despised. 00:36:09.420 --> 00:36:10.639 It was a 00:36:10.639 --> 00:36:11.699 dishonourable 00:36:11.699 --> 00:36:12.739 death, and 00:36:12.739 --> 00:36:13.339 he lost 00:36:13.339 --> 00:36:14.319 his reputation, 00:36:14.839 --> 00:36:15.699 and we 00:36:15.699 --> 00:36:16.899 are saved 00:36:16.899 --> 00:36:18.039 through his 00:36:18.039 --> 00:36:19.039 persecution, 00:36:19.460 --> 00:36:20.179 and his 00:36:20.179 --> 00:36:21.159 loss of 00:36:21.159 --> 00:36:21.859 reputation. 00:36:23.719 --> 00:36:24.599 We are 00:36:24.599 --> 00:36:25.379 saved through 00:36:25.379 --> 00:36:25.859 Jesus' 00:36:26.159 --> 00:36:27.419 shame, so 00:36:27.419 --> 00:36:27.779 that we 00:36:27.779 --> 00:36:28.239 will not 00:36:28.239 --> 00:36:29.159 die in 00:36:29.159 --> 00:36:29.539 shame. 00:36:29.839 --> 00:36:30.399 Our names 00:36:30.399 --> 00:36:30.819 are written 00:36:30.819 --> 00:36:31.319 in heaven, 00:36:31.539 --> 00:36:32.000 we will 00:36:32.000 --> 00:36:32.679 live with 00:36:32.679 --> 00:36:33.319 honour and 00:36:33.319 --> 00:36:34.159 glory forever, 00:36:34.539 --> 00:36:36.480 because Jesus 00:36:36.480 --> 00:36:37.460 chose to 00:36:37.460 --> 00:36:38.239 reject those 00:36:38.239 --> 00:36:38.659 things. 00:36:41.699 --> 00:36:43.039 I think 00:36:43.039 --> 00:36:43.960 it means, 00:36:44.439 --> 00:36:45.579 frankly, that 00:36:45.579 --> 00:36:46.579 we can take 00:36:46.579 --> 00:36:47.419 the shame 00:36:47.419 --> 00:36:48.279 of persecution, 00:36:48.779 --> 00:36:49.579 we can take 00:36:49.579 --> 00:36:50.299 people thinking 00:36:50.299 --> 00:36:50.839 that we're a 00:36:50.839 --> 00:36:51.239 bunch of 00:36:51.239 --> 00:36:51.839 losers and 00:36:51.839 --> 00:36:52.679 idiots, we 00:36:52.679 --> 00:36:53.239 can take it 00:36:53.239 --> 00:36:53.500 when you 00:36:53.500 --> 00:36:53.859 stick your 00:36:53.859 --> 00:36:54.299 head up too 00:36:54.299 --> 00:36:54.859 high, someone's 00:36:54.859 --> 00:36:55.039 going to 00:36:55.039 --> 00:36:55.279 want to 00:36:55.279 --> 00:36:55.759 punch it, 00:36:56.839 --> 00:36:57.879 we can 00:36:57.879 --> 00:36:58.500 take it 00:36:58.500 --> 00:37:00.439 so that we 00:37:00.439 --> 00:37:00.839 might have 00:37:00.839 --> 00:37:01.419 the ultimate 00:37:01.419 --> 00:37:01.819 honour. 00:37:04.519 --> 00:37:05.219 He took 00:37:05.219 --> 00:37:05.739 the ultimate 00:37:05.739 --> 00:37:07.179 shame so 00:37:07.179 --> 00:37:07.519 that we 00:37:07.519 --> 00:37:07.919 might have 00:37:07.919 --> 00:37:08.500 the ultimate 00:37:08.500 --> 00:37:08.859 honour. 00:37:08.860 --> 00:37:12.400 societies 00:37:12.400 --> 00:37:12.980 come and 00:37:12.980 --> 00:37:14.940 go, and 00:37:14.940 --> 00:37:15.620 some are 00:37:15.620 --> 00:37:16.160 very hostile 00:37:16.160 --> 00:37:16.800 to Christianity, 00:37:16.920 --> 00:37:17.420 but Christians 00:37:17.420 --> 00:37:17.820 are not 00:37:17.820 --> 00:37:18.460 powerless, I 00:37:18.460 --> 00:37:18.880 think that's 00:37:18.880 --> 00:37:19.800 the point 00:37:19.800 --> 00:37:20.220 here, it's 00:37:20.220 --> 00:37:20.780 a sobering 00:37:20.780 --> 00:37:21.360 message, it's 00:37:21.360 --> 00:37:21.760 a difficult 00:37:21.760 --> 00:37:22.720 message, but 00:37:22.720 --> 00:37:23.480 we are not 00:37:23.480 --> 00:37:25.480 powerless, even 00:37:25.480 --> 00:37:26.960 when we don't 00:37:26.960 --> 00:37:27.599 appear to have 00:37:27.599 --> 00:37:28.200 a voice. 00:37:29.519 --> 00:37:30.019 We have 00:37:30.019 --> 00:37:30.960 Jesus Christ, 00:37:31.220 --> 00:37:31.820 we have 00:37:31.820 --> 00:37:32.480 his gospel, 00:37:33.160 --> 00:37:34.260 his ideals 00:37:34.260 --> 00:37:34.780 and his 00:37:34.780 --> 00:37:36.039 power, and 00:37:36.039 --> 00:37:37.240 Jesus is all 00:37:37.240 --> 00:37:37.860 the salt, 00:37:37.860 --> 00:37:38.960 all the 00:37:38.960 --> 00:37:39.380 light that 00:37:39.380 --> 00:37:40.039 this decaying 00:37:40.039 --> 00:37:40.420 and dark 00:37:40.420 --> 00:37:41.180 world needs. 00:37:41.800 --> 00:37:42.079 And so 00:37:42.079 --> 00:37:43.000 friends, take 00:37:43.000 --> 00:37:44.840 courage, you 00:37:44.840 --> 00:37:46.620 are the 00:37:46.620 --> 00:37:47.519 salt of 00:37:47.519 --> 00:37:48.380 the earth 00:37:48.380 --> 00:37:49.019 if you are 00:37:49.019 --> 00:37:49.460 living a 00:37:49.460 --> 00:37:50.120 consistent 00:37:50.120 --> 00:37:50.559 Christian 00:37:50.559 --> 00:37:51.039 life. 00:37:51.900 --> 00:37:52.579 Take 00:37:52.579 --> 00:37:54.059 courage, you 00:37:54.059 --> 00:37:54.980 are the 00:37:54.980 --> 00:37:55.579 light of 00:37:55.579 --> 00:37:56.140 the world 00:37:56.140 --> 00:37:56.780 if you are 00:37:56.780 --> 00:37:57.160 living a 00:37:57.160 --> 00:37:57.539 consistent 00:37:57.539 --> 00:37:57.980 Christian 00:37:57.980 --> 00:37:58.440 life. 00:38:00.120 --> 00:38:01.640 It is, I 00:38:01.640 --> 00:38:02.620 believe, a 00:38:02.620 --> 00:38:03.320 hopeful 00:38:03.320 --> 00:38:05.700 message, but 00:38:05.700 --> 00:38:06.440 a sobering 00:38:06.440 --> 00:38:07.840 message, but 00:38:07.840 --> 00:38:08.440 it ends 00:38:08.440 --> 00:38:09.240 with great 00:38:09.240 --> 00:38:09.820 joy. 00:38:10.680 --> 00:38:11.360 Rejoice 00:38:11.360 --> 00:38:11.860 and be 00:38:11.860 --> 00:38:13.079 glad, because 00:38:13.079 --> 00:38:14.340 great is your 00:38:14.340 --> 00:38:15.400 reward in 00:38:15.400 --> 00:38:15.680 heaven. 00:38:15.680 --> 00:38:15.780 Amen. 00:38:15.780 --> 00:38:16.180 Amen. 00:38:16.180 --> 00:38:16.780 Amen. 00:38:16.780 --> 00:38:16.820 Amen. 00:38:16.820 --> 00:38:16.880 Amen. 00:38:16.880 --> 00:38:16.940 Amen. 00:38:16.940 --> 00:38:16.980 Amen. 00:38:16.980 --> 00:38:17.039 Amen. 00:38:17.039 --> 00:38:17.140 Amen. 00:38:17.140 --> 00:38:17.160 Amen. 00:38:17.160 --> 00:38:17.220 Amen. 00:38:17.220 --> 00:38:17.240 Amen. 00:38:17.240 --> 00:38:17.340 Amen. 00:38:17.340 --> 00:38:17.380 Amen. 00:38:17.380 --> 00:38:17.460 Amen. 00:38:17.460 --> 00:38:17.480 Amen.