The conclusion of the Beatitudes Sermon Series, has to do with the verses right after the Beatitudes. Sermon from March 9th 2020
(Greeting)
(Explanation of livestream)
We’ll be starting a new Sermon Series on the Sunday after Easter titled: “What is God like”
It will be a series about the character and nature of God
The attributes about Himself, that HE has revealed to us in Scripture.
That will be starting the Sunday AFTER Easter.
If you guys are wondering if we’ll be having our regular Church service Easter morning, then check here on our Facebook where we will post all of our announcements and updates about everything.
You can also check our Facebook every Tuesday a “Bible Study worksheet” that explores the themes and ideas of the upcoming Sunday morning Sermon-----
And every thursday we post a “digital devotion”
So, with that being said:
Today is the final Sunday of our Sermon series on the Beatitudes.
We started off by defining that “Being Blessed” means that God is working in your heart and in your mind to bring you into right standing with Him.
Then we went on to look at being “poor in spirit” means to have a correct understanding of ourselves, when compared to the perfection of Christ.
Then it was “Blessed are those who mourn”----over the sin in the world, and over the sin in their own heart.
Next was “blessed are the meek” ---- because we are called to be humble and kind, just like Jesus was.
“Blessed are those who hunger for righteousness” ----- and that when we tell God how hungry we are for Him, He will fill us with His righteousness, which leads to the next Beatitude-----
“Blessed are the Merciful” - If we remember that God showed us mercy, it will lead to us showing mercy to others.
All of these, lead to the next one - “Blessed are the pure in heart” - if we have repented of our sins and believed in the gospel of Jesus Christ, then He gives us a pure heart.
Which causes us to be peacemakers - between other people, but He wants us to be peacemakers by telling other people about Him.
Then last week we talked about one of the ramifications of living like Jesus----when we said “Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness sake”
So that was all of the Beatitudes-----and now today we are going to wrap them all up, were going to summarize all of them, or show an end result of them being the adjectives that describe a follower of Jesus Christ-----by looking at what Jesus said next in Matthew chapter 5.
So turn with me today to:
Matthew 5:13-16 - “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 underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built 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. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
( → Open with prayer ← )
So… Salt & Light
As weve been talking about for the past 2 months, these Beatitudes are not a type of behavior that can earn us Salvation.
God doesnt look down from heaven, see us being merciful and meek, and think to Himself : “oh ok---NOW I can save them, now that theyre been meek to others.”
That’s not it at all. When God saves us, its not based on how good or bad we are. Its based on Him alone.
Knowing that, can help us understand, that the Beatitudes are a description of what someone looks like-------after they’ve been saved.
When someone has turned away from their sin, this is what they will look like.
When someone has God living within their heart, this is a list of what their life will look like, in action.
The Beatitudes are a description of a Christian.
Jesus is giving us this description of what His followers looks like, because of what He said in our verses this morning.
We, as followers of Christ-----
Those of us who have turned from our sin and believed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ---- Those of us within whom the Holy Spirit dwells----
Are the “salt” and the “light” of this world.
But what does that mean?
How can we take this analogy and apply to our lives.
To help us understand this, Id like to share with you all a quick memory of my baking class when I was in Culinary School.
Each of us had to follow a recipe and create this cake. It wasn’t anything complicated, just a straightforward cake.
We all got our equipment, our tools, our ingredients, and started off. At the end of the assignment, we all presented our cakes to the teacher and she tasted each one.
One person’s stuck out more than anyone else. Not becaue of how it looked, but because of how it tasted.
You see, my friend didnt pay attention when he was measuring how much sugar he needed, and he ended up putting salt into his cake batter instead of sugar, and baked away.
And that salt got everywhere. It permeated every square inch of that cake, from top to bottom and side to side. Every single bite of that cake was salty.
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Because thats what salt does.
When its added to something, it spreads out and changes the flavor of the entire dish.
It doesnt just change a specific area
It spreads out, it flows through every ingredient, and touches every area.
Every bite of that dish is changed because of the salt thats been added to it.
I learned a few other things about Salt too.
Salt enhances the flavor of whatever food its added to.
It enhances sweetness, and decreases bitterness
It stimulates the taste buds on your tongue, allowing you to better taste the flavors that are already there too
You see, when Jesus called His followers “Salt” these are some of the things He was referring too.
When some repents of their sin and is made new-----it effects every aspect of who they are. It doesnt just change their soul to a place of right standing before God…….
Their attitude
Their behavior
Their language
Their relationships
The movies they watch or dont watch
The music they listen to or dont listen to
The clothes they wear, the friends they keep, their jobs, their hobbies, their leisure time, everything.
When God makes us new----it is total and complete. Affecting every area of who we are as a person.
There’s not only this, personal, internal aspect of being salt---but the outward and external aspect as well.
You see, when God made you new, He didnt want you to just sit there and do nothing with your life, or to keep on doing the exact same pattern and routine as before you were saved.
He wants you to go out:
To interact
To fellowship
To be around other people from every different path of lie that intersects with yours.
He doesnt want Christians to sit in their little christian cliques only interacting with other Christians talking about Christianity, and how Christians can be more christian.
He wants us to be intimately involved in every aspect of society
Every workforce
Every sphere of influence
From CEOs to Janitors
From billionaire entrepreneurs to volunteers in soup kitchens
Doctors, teachers, soldiers, chefs, secretaries, Youtube content streamers, inventors, factory workers, roofers, plumbers, veterinarians, actors, garbage men, firemen, barbers, construction workers, artists, bankers, farmers, pilots, lawyers, accountants, advertisers, musicians,
Every job, every political party, every business, every school, everywhere.
God wants us to be the salt in this world that spreads into every square inch of society.
From top to bottom, side to side, front to back.
There should be no square inch of society that is absent from a follower of Christ.
When God saves us, yes its because He loves us and wants to be with us, but its also because He has plan for how we are going to live that new life out.
He isnt surprised by our jobs or our friends
He didnt save us and then get thrown off guard when He saw the sphere of society that we have built our life into
He wants us to go into those areas of our life, speak to those people, and tell them of His love.
He knew who we would come into contact with on a daily basis
Our friends and coworkers
And each and every single one of you who are hearing my words this morning, if you are a Christian, then you might be the only glimpse of what God is like, in the lives of the people you interact with.
You might be it.
He wants us to be salt to them, to highlight the goodness of God.
To enhance the love, and kindness
To live our life in such a way that when other people see us, they see the righteousness of God
When the flavor of our society is one filled with putrid mold, infused with rotten ethics, rotten morals, rotten sexuality--------God sprinkles us like salt into every aspect of society, and our life enhances the purity of what He says is right.
When the world around us gives into anxiety and fear, God adds US to the mix, and we point people to Him.
When others are controlled by fear and worry, we point them to Him
When others are crippled by their past and cant seem to move forward, we point them to Him
When the world around us gives into rotten ethics, God adds us to the mix, and we point others to Him
When they say that evil things are good, we live our life as an example of what God says is right and true.
Our humility will confound their arrogance
Our meekness will confound their stubbornness
We are the salt, infused through every area of society, that enhances the flavor of the character and nature of God.
We fulfill:
Philippians 2:13-16 - “13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. 14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.”
We are called to shine amongst the people of this world, and continually point them to Him.
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Apart from those things that salt does, apart form how it spreads and enhances the flavor----salt does something else.
In fact, when Jesus said these words, the main thing that salt was used for, was as a preservative.
Pieces of meat were rolled in salt, covered in it on every side. It was rubbed into the meat, pressed into the flesh, and totally encompassed the piece of meat.
As a result of this, the meat was able to last for weeks or months and sometimes years at a time.
The salt kept the meat edible.
It helped maintain the vitamins and nutrients of the food, while preventing it from going bad, preventing mold. Preventing rot.
As a preserving agent, salt kept in the good, and kept out the bad.
When God saves us, and spread us through every aspect and corner of society, we are the salt that preserves the good, and keeps out the bad.
When rotten relationships threaten our loved ones, we teach and display the love of God.
When friends and family are threatened by decay and rot, we teach and display the love and humility of Jesus Christ.
When the world around us lifts up evil and declares it good, we teach and display the truth of God, in the spheres of life that we live in….. and prevent the mold and putrid spoil of evil from exerting its influence into the world.
Because that is our job.
Yes we admit that someone is their own person and they themselves are responsible for their own choices, but that doesnt negate the fact that we are called to be the salt in their life.
In fact, theres a common phrase that highlights this----
“Salt in the wound”
If anyone has ever had salt get into an open wound, you know how much it burns and stings. -it hurts.
But that salt will prevent infection.
That open wound is safer now that there is salt added to it.
So when we as Children of God, go out into the world as the salt that He says we are, there will be times when God moves through us and causes others to feel that burn in the open wound of their sin
Not that we force God down their throats-----
We acknowledge that they are their own person and are responsible for their own choices,
But that we humble and meekly never back down from what Scripture teaches, and the salt of God will flow through us and cause the open wounds of their sin, to sting in pain.
We do that by following through on the adjectives that Jesus used to describe us.
Be poor in spirit to confound the narcissist
Mourn over your sin to confound those who rejoice in theirs
Be meek to confound the arrogant
Hunger and thirst for righteousness and amaze those who delight in evil
Be merciful and watch the cruel be confused
Be pure in heart and those with impure hearts will be dumbfounded
Be a peacemaker, and those who love conflict will be held off
And allow the persecution that comes from all of those, to be the spark that lights the lamp of your soul----causing you to shine the light of Jesus into the darkness of this world.
We are the salt, that spreads through every area of society---
We are the salt, that enhances the goodness and love of God----
We are the salt, that preserves the good and burns and stings against the bad----
When rot and decay threaten our world, threaten our family, threaten our school, workplace, town, nation or planet----we are the salt that preserves.
We as Christians are the preservative that prevents moral decay and corruption
We are the preservative that prevents society form devolving into chaos and fear
When anxiety and fear threaten to churn the stomachs of society------we are the curing agent that makes life palatable
We are the salt of the Earth.
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But thats not all our verses say this morning, right?
It says that we are the light of this world, a town on a hill that cannot be hidden.
When Jesus saved you, He lit a lamp within your soul, and set you in such a place that the people in your life will be able to see Him through you.
The friends you interact with // The family you live with and spend time with
The strangers at the grocery store // your coworkers // the people in your sphere of influence
-should be able to see the light of God flowing through your words and behavior.
Because thats what light does.
It illuminates things that would otherwise not be seen
It brings things to our attention that we would otherwise pass by
It draws us closer
And it gives a sense of peace and safety
John 8:12 says: “12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
This is the light that is living within us. It is the Spirit of God, intertwined with our soul.
Affecting every area of our life
Our jobs
Our language
Our behavior
Our actions and inactions
Our clothing, friends, hobbies, and everything else I listed off earlier.
Because thats what light does.
When you're in a dark room, and you tun on the light, it spreads everywhere.
It doesnt come to certain line and just stop, it continues based on the nature of the light.
A match will only spread its light so far
A candle a little further
A flashlight further still
A lamp even more
But when it is the light of the sun, even planets can’t prevent it from spreading and reflecting.
And the presence of God, living within our hearts, is a light that cannot be stopped.
It spreads into all areas of our life
It shines a light onto everything in our heart, on the things we dont want to acknowledge exist, but He says we need to leave them behind.
And it shines a light onto everything in the lives of the people in our life.
That doesnt mean we go out of our way to point at and highlight people’s sin.
The focus of our lives should never be wha’ts wrong with this world, what’s wrong with our lives, or what’s wrong with other peoples lives.
The focus of our life should ALWAYS be what is right about Jesus Christ.
The focus of our lives should always be Jesus Christ (second time)
(Repeat all that)
But the light of the world, living in our hearts, means that when we interact with this world, the light is going to shine through us-----and do what light does.
It is going to highlight the difference between right and wrong
It it going to point out what is true and honest, and what is not
It is going to spread through all areas of our sphere of influence
Now that doesnt mean we ignore sin.
That doesnt mean we are to remain quiet when we see injustice, evil, or immorality. --- it doesnt mean that at all.
When we see injustice, when we see sin controlling someones life, when we see evil exerting its slimy influence in the lives of someone else, we are called to stand against it…….
But we arent to go out of our way.
When the evil of this world comes to us-------which it always will------
That is when we stand up for what is right
That is when we call things for what they are
That is when the light that lives within us will focus to the point of burning
And God will make those opportunities happen.
He will open doors for you-------
He will move through your heart to speak to someone-------
He will move through someone else's heart to come speak to you------
He sends some people to foreign countries to shine His light------
And He sends some people a block away to stand in front of an abortion clinic---
Let God be the one who directs and shines the light that lives within you.
But how do we do that?
We are to let the light of God shine through our life, in the same way that we are to be the salt of the earth.
By listening to what Jesus says about His followers in the Beatitudes
By being poor in spirit instead of boastful
By mourning over sin instead of celebrating it
By practicing meekness and humility
By being hungry for righteousness and letting that hunger direct us
By showing mercy to those who need it
By acting out of a pure heart
By making peace at times when others crave conflict
And by accepting the inevitable persecution that comes from it all.
When we are the salt and the light----moving through this world with God in our heart--
There is no evil that can stand against us
There is no levle of pain, hurt, worry or anxiety that can control us
There is no darkness that every rip us from His hands
There is no rotten spoiled evil that can ever overpower the Holy SPirit who lives within us.
Now that doesnt mean we wont face trials
That doesnt mean that pain and hurt wont come
The christian experiences the effects of evil and anxiety just like everyone else.
In fact, that is what Jesus was talking about when He mentioned salt losing its “saltiness” or “lighting a lamp and putting it under a basket”
We will face trails that threaten to dim our light
We will face pain and heartache that lessen our saltiness
Christians can, will, and have, experienced levels of hurt, trauma, and loss that would rip our hearts from our chest and leave them a pile of bloody ashes.
Thank God our light is lit by Him
Thank God our saltiness comes from Him
No matter what hurt youve gone through, Jesus Christ is there, stoking the coals of the fire that evil tried to extinguish…..
No matter how bad the trauma youve experienced has been, Jesus Christ is there, preserving your salvation……
No matter what the enemy throws at you, no matter how dark or evil it may be-----it is nothing compared to the neon luminescence of our God
Jesus Christ is King, and if you have repented and turned away from your sins, and believed in Him to save you, then your light will never be extinguished.
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So whats all this for?
Weve talked about the “how”
Living out the Beatitudes in all areas of our life
Towards all the people in our life…...
But-------why does any of this matter?
Why does us being salt and light, towards the people in our life…..matter?
What difference does it make?
What does it accomplish?
What is the end result of us as the people of God being “salt” & “light”?
Take a look at our verses for this morning again.
Matthew 5:13-16 - “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 underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built 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. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
It matters, because when others see us living out the Beatitudes in our day to day life, towards everyone in our life, regardless of if they are christains or not-----will result in them glorifying God.
1st Peter 3:15 - “15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,”
Are those of you who believe in Jesus Christ, living your life in such a way, that people see the light of God shining through you?
Are you poor in spirit, or boastful?
Are you meek, or arrogant?
Do you mourn over your sin, or hold it close to you?
Do you hunger for righteousness, or ignore the hunger pains?
Do you have evidence in your life, in your words and your behaviors, that other people could use to make the claim that you are a follower of Jesus Christ?
Because that is our goal. That is our job.
That is why we are here.
Why we exist.
That is the meaning of our life on earth.
To show other people the salvation that comes from repentance of their sins and believe in Jesus Christ.
We must let the salt and light of God flow through our lives in such a way, that:
People will see us, saved sinners, and wonder where our joy comes from
People will see us being persecuted, and wonder how we can remain faithful
People will see us hurt, and wonder how we can still be happy
People will see a world spiraling into fear and chaos, and wonder how we can have hope and peace
The light and the salt that flows through our veins will cause other people to look at God.
So when we lose our saltiness------
When the light in our heart gets hidden under a basket-----
When the evils of this world blow with hurricane winds against the flickering matchstick in our heart------
When we can barely make it through another day, let alone live in such a way that the God of the universe can be seen through our behavior------
When that is the case, and IF you want it to change------then cry out to Him for help.
Literally fall to your literal knees and ask God for help
Open a Bible
Read it.
Daily.
Focus on the words of God, written on the pages that have traveled through time and hear His voice.
Read His words and your life will change
Read His words and the flickering candle in your heart will be doused with gasoline
The fire in your heart will explode with brightness and your life will be different
Read
Your
Bible
Every
Single
Day
Repent of your sins and believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and your life will have meaning that transcends the worry and hurt of this world.
Your life will have purpose beyond being nice to people, paying your bills, and dying.
Believe in Jesus Christ, and you will be the preserving agent of change in a world that needs hope.
You will be a light to all who see you, leading them to the God of peace and love
Jesus Christ died the death that we deserve, and through the shedding of His blood, we can find peace amongst the storms of this life.
In Closing
Message us if you need help. Spiritual or physical.
Message us with prayer requests
Message us if your interested in anything I had to say
If you are unhappy with the way your life exists, and you want change, then repent of your sins and believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and if youve done that, and the Holy Spirit lives within you, but you feel as if youve lost your “saltiness” or that your light has been placed under a basket-------read your Bible, every single day.
Because that is where God speaks to us.
( → → Closing prayer ← ← )