“SALT AND LIGHT” MARCH 13, 2011

MATTHEW 5:13-16
MARCH 13, 2011


A Sunday School teacher had been teaching her class about Jesus and all of his wonderful qualities when he lived here on earth. She asked, “Where does Jesus live now?” She was expecting to hear one of the children say, “in heaven”. She was surprised to hear a little girl respond, “He lives down our street!” She asked more questions until she understood that someone who lived in her neighborhood was living like Jesus. Can people see Jesus in us: in how we treat others, in what we do and say? Can a child see the love of Jesus in us? If not, then Houston, we have a problem?
Jesus in his sermon on the mount has been teaching how the lives of his followers will be changed. In fact, he emphasizes how even our attitudes will change. Jesus was not a salesman, but one who spoke the truth, delivering the story straight from God. He says follow me and you will be persecuted! Being a Christian means being changed to the extent that the life of a believer will be noticed as being different than those who surround them. Jesus then gives a pronouncement! Matthew 5:13 (NIV)“¹³ "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. Salt was indispensable in the ancient world. There was no refrigeration and so salt was primarily used as a preservative so that meats would not spoil as easily and be kept for longer periods. Salt is also necessary for people to have balanced diets. In our society one of our problems is that there is too much salt in our diet. Salt was also used in small quantities as fertilizer for certain types of soil. Jesus most likely had in mind all of these use’s. Christians, who live their faith- there can be no other kind, will be an influence wherever they live. We preserve what is good, we bring balance to a world that tends to be greatly skewed toward what is bad and evil, and we enrich our communities. A supposed Christian whose life has not changed; is not a Christian. (If you disagree, prove me wrong from scripture!)
This scripture does raise the question how can salt lose its saltiness? Salt is a stable compound. Jesus may have been referring to how the Jews gathered and used salt, as there were no businesses to process and package the salt. [1] Salt could be found in Palestine in rock formations that contained deposits of sodium chloride (salt). People would use these rock formations to hold their meat and fish, like storage shelves. Over a period of time the salt would be leached out of the rocks, and the rocks would then be worthless and would be thrown out.
[2] Salt was also gathered from deposits at the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea deposits contain many minerals. Salt and gypsum are often found together and both being of the same color and texture were often confused. This impure mixture of salt and gypsum was worthless and could not be used as a preservative or as a seasoning. [3] Arab bakers used salt blocks to line the floors of their ovens. The intense heat would eventually cause the salt blocks to crystallize and become unusable and would then be thrown out. [4] There was a widespread rhetorical quote of Rabbi Joshua ben Haninia that he used in replying to an argument. “Can salt lose its favor?” “Does a mule bear young?” (mules are sterile and cannot produce offspring) A modern proverb equivalent, which might help you to understand how the phrase was used; “Is the pope Catholic?”
A true disciple cannot lose what makes them a disciple, because they have been inwardly changed. However, impostors show only outward changes as they are never really a disciple in the first place. An impostor is no different than the world around them, because they were never a true follower of Jesus Christ. (much of this material came from the NIV Application Commentary) People are very adept at spotting hypocrites; at identifying those whose words and actions never match.
Jesus is emphatic in his statement, being crystal clear. ¹⁴ "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. As disciples of Jesus we are not only salt but we are light. Darkness and light are often contrasted in scripture. In Proverbs 4:18-19 (NIV), “¹⁸ The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. ¹⁹ But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.” Remember the prophecy that Jesus fulfilled from Isaiah and is mentioned in Matthew 4:16 (NIV) “¹⁶ the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." Jesus is the Light and as his followers we too are light. A city on a hill is visible to everyone. There were no Klingons, from Star Trek, cloaking their cities. A city on the top of a mountain can not be hidden. One can see Denver, CO from a long distance away while driving on the plains. In the same way a Christian can be identified by their attitude and in how they live. One can never truly hide what they are most passionate about.
Most houses in Palestine were one room dwellings. The lamp that was most commonly used was a small container of olive oil with two openings. One was for the adding of the olive oil and a much smaller opening that held a wick of flax or cotton. This lamp produced only modest light and would most often be placed in the center of the room on a stand so that it would provide the greatest illumination possible. It was common practice to extinguish the light by placing the mixing bowl over the lamp which cut off the oxygen and the light would then go out. A light by its very nature shines out in the darkness. Light captures the attention of all who notice the light. “¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” This ability to shine in the darkness and to be salt does not originate from within us naturally. If the light was ours we would then have something to brag about. However, the light is a reflection of Jesus Christ. We are either shining or we are dark – there is no in between.
In the book World Horizons, Cole D. Robinson relates the following incident in the life of Benjamin Franklin. While living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Mr. Franklin hung a lantern on the end of a large bracket attached to the front of his home. He kept the glass brightly polished, and carefully lit the wick each evening at dusk. Anyone walking on the dark street could see this light from a long way off and came under its warm glow. It seemed to say to everyone, “Come along, my friend! Here is a safe place to walk. See that cobblestone sticking up? Don’t stumble over it. And remember, I’ll be here each night if you should come this way.” It wasn’t long before Franklin’s neighbors began placing lamps outside their homes. Soon the entire city realized the value of street lights and followed his example.
As individuals and as a church we are called to reflect the light of Christ so that all may see and be drawn to our Heavenly Father. Peter, John and Paul each referred to believers as bearing the light of Christ. 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV) “⁹ But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 John 2:9-10 (NIV) “⁹ Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. ¹⁰ Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble.” Ephesians 5:8 (NIV) “⁸ For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” Being a light bearer is not an option. Is Jesus shining through us? Is Jesus shining through you? If the answer is no, then why not?
Let us pray.

“SALT AND LIGHT”

“THE ABILITY TO SEE GOD!” MARCH 6, 2011

MATTHEW 5:7-12
MARCH 6, 2011


I read a story about a man who gave his wife a list of duties and responsibilities that she was to fulfill. As you can imagine the list became a source of great irritation. In the course of time the man died and the widow later remarried. The new husband loved his wife and did not make any demands of his bride. One day the woman was cleaning out a box of old items and came across the list of duties and responsibilities which her first husband had insisted she fulfill. She was greatly surprised to discover that she was doing every item on the list for her new husband, who loved her as she was. The greatest motivator and incentive of change is being loved and giving love.
Down through the ages, the church has often lifted up the beatitudes as a list of duties and responsibilities that every believer was expected to fulfill. We still have many people who think that being a Christian simply means doing more good than bad. The focus is exclusively on what a person does, on what can be seen. In so doing the church has fallen into the same trap for which the Pharisees and Sadducees were condemned by Jesus. The goal of the Pharisees and Sadducees was a commendable goal. They sought to honor and please God by being obedient to every law given by God. Yet Jesus condemned them, why? They focused exclusively on the external demands of the law and overlooked the inner call to love God. Matthew 23:27-28 (NIV) ²⁷ "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. ²⁸ In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.”The beatitudes serve as a description of what a Christian is to become by the grace of God. The beatitudes reflect a change of our attitudes as we are transformed by the love of God. Romans 12:1-2 (NIV) “¹ Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. ² Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.” In Christ our motivation changes from a sense of duty to responding in love. We seek to do what is right because we desire to show God how much we love Him and that we are seeking to honor and please Him.
“⁷ Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” I heard a North Carolina Superior Court judge explain that often when victims ask him for justice, at times they really want revenge. And when a defendant asks for fairness, they really want mercy. Each of us is a sinner saved by God’s grace and mercy. All of us are guilty. For those of us who have accepted God’s mercy, we are called to extend that same mercy and grace to others. The religious leaders in the first century in Israel had no sympathy for anyone who failed to live by the expectations of the law. These religious leaders thought they were so good because of what they did, that they had no need for mercy. In John 8, you might recall they were ready to stone a woman for committing adultery, yet Jesus called on all those who were without sin to cast the first stone. The Pharisees and Sadducees had forgotten the meaning of Micah 6:8 (NIV) “⁸ He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” We are blessed as we extend mercy and grace to all those we meet.

“⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” What does it mean to be pure? What does it mean to be impure? Most answers reflect a view that being pure is something that we do or we don’t do. The focus is shifted away from who we are in Christ, to a lifestyle that is dependent on human effort. I had a member of the community tell me last week that if I went into a restaurant that served alcohol that I would be promoting sin. Psalm 51:10 (NIV) “¹⁰ Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) “²³ Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” What Jesus understood and taught was that purity is one who has undivided loyalty to God. We are blessed as we continue to put Jesus first in our lives.

In Exodus 33:18-20 (NIV) “¹⁸ Then Moses said, "Now show me your glory." ¹⁹ And the LORD said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence… ²⁰ But," he said, "you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live." I would have liked to have been with Moses when he saw the glory of God. Yet in this life we can not see the face of God. Yet for those of us who remain loyal to God, we will one day see the face of God without fear. In Revelation 22:4 (NIV) “⁴ They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.” Blessed are those who have received mercy and then continue to extend mercy for they will see God.
^{“9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”
“10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” If the beatitudes were a list of requirements meant to be fulfilled, then this would seem to be a call to become a martyr. Yet Christ does not call us to become suicide bombers as a way to gain entrance into the kingdom of heaven. Instead Jesus comforts those who suffer under persecution. Jesus was persecuted by religious leaders who supposedly were promoting living for God. Jesus comforts those who are physically or verbally abused because of living for him. John 15:20-21 (NIV) “20 Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.” This blessing is in the present tense. When we are being persecuted for believing and living for Jesus, may we be comforted with the knowledge that we belong to the King of Kings and we are a part of his kingdom. We belong to the kingdom right now.}Jesus now shifts to addressing the disciples directly by using the word “you”. ¹¹ "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. We should not be surprised when our living for Christ provokes a hostile reaction. We stand for the truth that is found only in knowing Jesus Christ. Jesus said in John 15:22-23 (NIV) “²² If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin. ²³ He who hates me hates my Father as well.”
A Christian magazine carried the story of a Christian fisherman who heard a loud splash one night as he lay in his boat. He knew the man in the yacht nearby had been drinking heavily. Without hesitation, the fisherman jumped overboard into the cold water and with great effort pulled the half-drowned man back on board. He gave him artificial respiration, and then put him in his own berth. Having done everything to make him comfortable, he swam back to his own boat. The next morning he returned to the yacht to see how he was doing. “It’s none of your business”, the man said defensively. The fisherman reminded him that he had risked his own life to save him. But instead of gratitude, the man cursed him. As the Christian rowed away, tears filled his eyes. Looking up to heaven, he prayed, “When I think of how men have treated you, dear Lord, I’m filled with sorrow. Now I can begin to understand just a little how you must feel.”
Being rejected and ridiculed is not fun. Yet we are called to rejoice for we will receive our reward in heaven. From the Message, “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. This persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom. Not only that – count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens- give a cheer, even! – for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.” Allow Jesus to change your heart and your mind, then our actions will then be changed as well. In living for Christ, we are truly blessed!
Let us pray. Shalom is the Jewish word for peace. Shalom means being complete and whole in every way. Jesus came to make us complete and whole in every way. The best way to promote peace is to introduce people to Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. We are blessed when we direct people to the Prince of Peace, our brother. Our culture, with Satan’s help, has warped the definition of a peacemaker from what Jesus meant. Jesus was more concerned with helping people make peace with God. We will have lasting peace only when every knee has bowed, and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. Blessed are those who share the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Then you are a true peacemaker.

“THE ABILITY TO SEE GOD!”

“A SPIRITUAL CHECKUP!” FEBRUARY 27, 2011

MATTHEW 5:1-6
 FEBRUARY 27, 2011

“A SPIRITUAL CHECKUP!”

Most people are aware that it is advisable for each person to get an annual physical checkup by a physician. Yet many individuals procrastinate as it can be a hassle to even get an appointment. This reluctance is aided by the ever increasing scrutiny of insurance companies seeking to deny coverage. On top of these reasons one can add a lack of enthusiasm because we would rather not be forced to make any changes to our lifestyle which might include diet and exercise, or quitting one of our cherished habits. Is it any wonder that the health of the average American is declining? The Sermon on the Mount can be seen as a spiritual checkup. Do not be surprised when the words of Jesus make us squirm, challenging us to mend our ways.

The Sermon on the Mount provides a manual for the life of a follower of Jesus Christ. The Beatitudes are some of the most well known scriptures. Today we will look at the first four. It is helpful to understand to whom Jesus is addressing. “¹ Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, ² and he began to teach them.” It is interesting that in seeing the crowds Jesus went up the side of a mountain. How many of you want to go climb up the side of a mountain? Jesus went up the mountainside with a definite purpose in mind. He went up and sat down indicating that he was going to start teaching his disciples. The crowds were given a choice: if you want to follow Jesus then climb up and listen, if you want something else from him, you will have to wait. The term disciples included not only the Twelve (later to be known as apostles) but all those who believed in Him and desired to learn from him. So Jesus is teaching “kingdom class 101”.
The beatitudes though being well known are often misunderstood. The term “blessed” is sometimes translated as “happy”. Happiness is an emotion. We know that we will not always be happy. The word Jesus used has a deeper meaning. To be blessed is a state of “being”, of being in a relationship with God. Because of our relationship with God we are always blessed. We continue to be blessed even when we experience negative feelings, an absence of feelings, or simply being in a lousy situation. Despite our circumstances we have joy because of our relationship with Jesus Christ, and with the Father. Our salvation rests in Jesus Christ and for that alone we are blessed.
The Beatitudes begin and end with the present benefit of what we have right now. ³ "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” The last blessing in verse ten ends with the same phrase, “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” The present tense is used in verses three and ten. The future tense is used in the other six verses. Being in relationship with God involves both the present and the future. We have blessings from God right now and we will have even more blessings in the future.
^{3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” “4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”}
“⁵ Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”

⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. When we are parched with thirst, and our stomachs are growling with hunger; our only concern is in meeting that need. It is good to feel good about ourselves. Yet is better to know when we have done what is right in the sight of God. The Pharisees were experts in obeying the external requirements of the Law. Yet they failed to see that obedience must come not by our own efforts, but from the love of God that will first be found in our own heart.
The key to understanding and living by the truths found in the beatitudes can be uncovered in the words of Jesus in John 15:5-11 (NIV) “⁵ "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ⁷ If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. ⁸ This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. ⁹ "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. ¹⁰ If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. ¹¹ I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” Being a disciple of Jesus Christ means being a follower of Jesus by accepting his love and forgiveness. It is being in Christ, being filled by his love, so that our lives will overflow with love. We are truly blessed in Christ, as we yield to the Master. We have his kingdom blessings right now and in the life to come. Find joy by following the Master, and we will truly be blessed.
Let us pray. This beatitude is most likely the most misunderstood and often ignored as being a blessing. Children are often dismayed when confronted with the harsh reality of those who push to get their own way. The world is full of people who seek to dominate others and establish their own kingdom. Psalm 37:7-11 (NIV) “⁷ Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. ⁸ Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret--it leads only to evil. ⁹ For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. ¹⁰ A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. ¹¹ But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.” Being meek is being humble and submitting to God. Being meek is being gentle and allowing God to work in each and every situation. God is our defender; we are not to force others to do our will. It is a hard fact of life that we can not force anyone to do something they do not want to do. Only God can change the human heart. Jesus is our example. It takes great strength, given only by the Holy Spirit, to wait on God to bring about change. Meekness is having strength and trust in God. I grew up in a time when crying by a man or boy was a sign of weakness. I remember vividly seeing my father cry for the first time in my life when his older brother died of a sudden heart attack. I used to have a hard time showing emotion. However, the death of our youngest child broke me. Yet in that loss I learned that nothing in this life is certain, except the love of God. When we lose those things that we highly value, we begin to learn that the attitude that “nothing can touch me” can creep into the human psyche and sometimes manifest itself in pride. Jesus came to save his people from their sins and that only in him do we find comfort. And the promise of the future in Revelation 7:17 (NIV) “17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." It is a hard fact of life that we come into this world with nothing (no possessions) and that we will leave this life with nothing (no possessions). We, as believers are to build up treasures in heaven. In this life we will mourn over many things: oppression, injustice, persecution, as well as loss. Yet we also know that these evils will not last, for we know the end of the story. In our society we often measure success by looking at the bottom line of bank accounts and by the number of toys and possessions. Jesus turned everything upside down by proclaiming the exact opposite. The phrase “poor in spirit” includes being financially poor, as well as being spiritually and emotionally impoverished. It is only when we realize that nothing that we can produce will ultimately provide what we really need. The psalmist cries out in Psalm 40:17 (NIV) “17 Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay.” It is humbling to admit that we are powerless and incapable of providing what we truly need in life. Yet we are truly blessed when we learn to fully depend on God, and not on our own feeble efforts.