The Sermon on the Mount #3
Series: Upside Down Kingdom
Date: 16th January 2022
00:00:00 --> 00:00:04 It's not clear who invented the first microscope,
00:00:04 --> 00:00:09 but around 1600, the Dutch spectacle maker Zacharias Janssen
00:00:09 --> 00:00:13 is credited with making one of the earliest compound microscopes,
00:00:14 --> 00:00:15 ones that used two lenses.
00:00:16 --> 00:00:20 The development of the microscope opened a whole new world of discovery,
00:00:21 --> 00:00:24 allowing scientists to make new insights into the body, disease,
00:00:24 --> 00:00:27 and to see the intricacies of creation.
00:00:28 --> 00:00:30 One such discovery, laminin.
00:00:31 --> 00:00:35 Fun fact, laminin protein is the cell adhesive molecule
00:00:35 --> 00:00:37 that holds our cells together.
00:00:38 --> 00:00:41 Under a microscope, we see it is shaped like a cross.
00:00:42 --> 00:00:45 Last week, we stood and declared what it is we believe,
00:00:45 --> 00:00:48 based on Colossians 1 and verse 17.
00:00:48 --> 00:00:53 Jesus is before all things, and in him all things are held together.
00:00:53 --> 00:00:58 It's crazy how scientific discovery has allowed us to see God's blueprint
00:00:58 --> 00:01:00 for holding the body together.
00:01:01 --> 00:01:01 Laminin.
00:01:02 --> 00:01:03 It's shaped like a cross.
00:01:04 --> 00:01:06 And as we know, the cross connects us to God
00:01:06 --> 00:01:09 and holds us together as one body in Christ.
00:01:10 --> 00:01:11 Is that a coincidence?
00:01:13 --> 00:01:15 Well, back to why I mentioned a microscope.
00:01:15 --> 00:01:19 As Christians, we are under ever-growing scrutiny.
00:01:20 --> 00:01:23 People are vigilantly pulling out the microscope
00:01:23 --> 00:01:27 and interrogating Christians under a magnifying glass,
00:01:28 --> 00:01:29 trying to catch us out.
00:01:29 --> 00:01:34 People want to see our lives matching our faith and belief in Jesus.
00:01:35 --> 00:01:37 And fair enough, really.
00:01:38 --> 00:01:41 As soon as we slip up, people are ready to pounce.
00:01:42 --> 00:01:43 I heard a Christian say this.
00:01:44 --> 00:01:45 I saw a Christian do that.
00:01:45 --> 00:01:46 You wouldn't believe it.
00:01:47 --> 00:01:49 Of course we will fail.
00:01:50 --> 00:01:52 Our human nature is sinful.
00:01:52 --> 00:01:55 It makes me feel better when Christians fail.
00:01:57 --> 00:01:58 I think possibly...
00:01:59 --> 00:02:01 It doesn't make me feel better, sorry,
00:02:01 --> 00:02:04 but it makes other people who aren't Christians feel better.
00:02:05 --> 00:02:08 And I think possibly so they can justify their own disbelief
00:02:08 --> 00:02:10 or their own sinfulness
00:02:10 --> 00:02:13 or maybe feel self-righteous about their own behaviour.
00:02:14 --> 00:02:15 But we are different.
00:02:16 --> 00:02:18 We have a clear understanding and conviction
00:02:18 --> 00:02:20 of the total depravity of our hearts.
00:02:20 --> 00:02:24 We are drawn to God's irresistible grace
00:02:24 --> 00:02:26 and unconditional love,
00:02:27 --> 00:02:29 knowing that if we humble ourselves,
00:02:29 --> 00:02:31 we are forgiven through Jesus.
00:02:32 --> 00:02:34 Christianity isn't a club for good people.
00:02:35 --> 00:02:37 It's a hospital for broken sinners
00:02:37 --> 00:02:41 who need a life overhaul, healing transformation.
00:02:42 --> 00:02:45 How is Jesus impacting our lives?
00:02:45 --> 00:02:49 This new year, we've been looking at Jesus' upside-down kingdom
00:02:49 --> 00:02:50 revealed in the Sermon on the Mount.
00:02:51 --> 00:02:52 The last two weeks,
00:02:53 --> 00:02:55 the Beatitudes, blessings,
00:02:56 --> 00:02:57 or congratulations
00:02:57 --> 00:03:00 go to those who have the complete attitude of Jesus.
00:03:01 --> 00:03:03 We can't have one or a couple
00:03:03 --> 00:03:05 who have the whole attitude of Jesus.
00:03:06 --> 00:03:07 There's no escaping it.
00:03:07 --> 00:03:09 We are under the microscope.
00:03:10 --> 00:03:12 We need our lives
00:03:12 --> 00:03:15 and our love for Jesus
00:03:15 --> 00:03:17 to shine
00:03:17 --> 00:03:20 and we need them to match our calling.
00:03:20 --> 00:03:22 Today, we're considering Jesus' call
00:03:22 --> 00:03:24 to be salt and light in the world.
00:03:25 --> 00:03:27 Before I unpack this,
00:03:27 --> 00:03:28 remember,
00:03:28 --> 00:03:29 when Jesus spoke,
00:03:29 --> 00:03:30 there were no verses.
00:03:31 --> 00:03:33 It's one giant speech.
00:03:33 --> 00:03:35 We can dissect it into fragments,
00:03:35 --> 00:03:37 but we still need to see the big picture.
00:03:38 --> 00:03:41 So while we may focus on a handful of verses,
00:03:41 --> 00:03:43 we need to see what's going on around these
00:03:43 --> 00:03:45 to build context and meaning.
00:03:46 --> 00:03:49 In Matthew 5, verses 13 to 16,
00:03:50 --> 00:03:51 Jesus calls us to be different.
00:03:52 --> 00:03:54 You are the salt of the earth,
00:03:54 --> 00:03:56 but if the salt loses its saltiness,
00:03:56 --> 00:03:58 how can it be made salty again?
00:03:58 --> 00:04:00 It is no longer good for anything
00:04:00 --> 00:04:02 except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
00:04:03 --> 00:04:04 You are the light of the world.
00:04:05 --> 00:04:06 A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
00:04:07 --> 00:04:08 Neither do people light a lamp
00:04:08 --> 00:04:09 and put it under a bowl.
00:04:10 --> 00:04:12 Instead, they put it on its stand
00:04:12 --> 00:04:14 and it gives light to everyone in the house.
00:04:15 --> 00:04:16 In the same way,
00:04:16 --> 00:04:18 let your light shine before all people
00:04:18 --> 00:04:20 that they may see your good deeds
00:04:20 --> 00:04:22 and praise your Father in heaven.
00:04:23 --> 00:04:26 Jesus uses the metaphor of salt and light
00:04:26 --> 00:04:28 to describe how we should live in this world.
00:04:28 --> 00:04:31 This follows directly after Jesus
00:04:31 --> 00:04:33 has rattled off the Beatitudes.
00:04:34 --> 00:04:35 In other words,
00:04:35 --> 00:04:38 if we live with the beautiful attitudes of Jesus,
00:04:38 --> 00:04:40 we will be salt and light in the world.
00:04:41 --> 00:04:43 And after the salt and light metaphor,
00:04:44 --> 00:04:46 Jesus continues taking the Ten Commandments
00:04:46 --> 00:04:47 to the next level
00:04:47 --> 00:04:50 and concludes actually with a phrase
00:04:50 --> 00:04:51 in verse 48 of chapter 5,
00:04:52 --> 00:04:55 be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.
00:04:55 --> 00:04:59 Jesus is presenting to those
00:04:59 --> 00:05:01 who are willing to participate in his kingdom
00:05:01 --> 00:05:03 a very difficult task,
00:05:04 --> 00:05:07 a standard in the way we relate to one another,
00:05:08 --> 00:05:09 and it's not being a good person,
00:05:10 --> 00:05:11 it's perfection.
00:05:11 --> 00:05:15 So before we panic,
00:05:16 --> 00:05:17 remember the Christian message
00:05:17 --> 00:05:19 is not about work salvation,
00:05:20 --> 00:05:21 about doing things to be saved.
00:05:22 --> 00:05:24 The good news is stop trying
00:05:24 --> 00:05:25 and start trusting.
00:05:27 --> 00:05:28 Jesus did what we can't do.
00:05:29 --> 00:05:32 He alone meets God's impossible standards.
00:05:33 --> 00:05:35 Jesus who did not come to abolish the law,
00:05:36 --> 00:05:37 but to fulfil it.
00:05:37 --> 00:05:41 Then, once we're right with God,
00:05:42 --> 00:05:44 we're then to be salt and light in the world,
00:05:44 --> 00:05:46 with Jesus as our foundation.
00:05:47 --> 00:05:49 Motivated by love for Jesus
00:05:49 --> 00:05:50 and love for others,
00:05:51 --> 00:05:52 what follows is good works.
00:05:53 --> 00:05:54 And Jesus later goes on to say,
00:05:55 --> 00:05:57 this is the fruit of what you believe.
00:05:59 --> 00:06:01 So the significance of salt and light,
00:06:01 --> 00:06:02 the imagery,
00:06:02 --> 00:06:03 let's draw that out
00:06:03 --> 00:06:04 and let's start with salt.
00:06:05 --> 00:06:06 Salt is essential.
00:06:07 --> 00:06:09 Our bodies require salt
00:06:09 --> 00:06:10 as an element in our diet.
00:06:12 --> 00:06:13 Salt was a vital necessity
00:06:13 --> 00:06:15 for everyday life.
00:06:15 --> 00:06:16 Taken in this way,
00:06:17 --> 00:06:18 Jesus indicates his followers
00:06:18 --> 00:06:20 are vitally important
00:06:20 --> 00:06:21 to the welfare of this world
00:06:21 --> 00:06:23 with their daily presence
00:06:23 --> 00:06:25 and their message.
00:06:26 --> 00:06:27 Salt preserves.
00:06:28 --> 00:06:30 Before people had fridges and freezers,
00:06:31 --> 00:06:32 food was salted to preserve it.
00:06:33 --> 00:06:35 The salt stopped decay.
00:06:35 --> 00:06:37 Jesus wants his followers
00:06:37 --> 00:06:38 to work to preserve
00:06:38 --> 00:06:40 all that is good in our world.
00:06:40 --> 00:06:42 As the world turns even more rotten,
00:06:43 --> 00:06:45 Christians are to have the effect
00:06:45 --> 00:06:47 of delaying moral and spiritual decay.
00:06:49 --> 00:06:50 Salt is valuable.
00:06:51 --> 00:06:52 It was extremely expensive
00:06:52 --> 00:06:54 and labour-intensive
00:06:54 --> 00:06:56 to harvest the mass quantities of salt
00:06:56 --> 00:06:58 necessary for food preservation
00:06:58 --> 00:06:59 and seasoning.
00:07:00 --> 00:07:02 Salt was used as currency
00:07:02 --> 00:07:03 in Jesus' day
00:07:03 --> 00:07:04 and for centuries.
00:07:06 --> 00:07:08 What value can we place on our soul?
00:07:09 --> 00:07:10 Jesus alone
00:07:10 --> 00:07:13 has the words of eternal life.
00:07:14 --> 00:07:15 Salt has value.
00:07:16 --> 00:07:17 Salt is pure.
00:07:18 --> 00:07:19 Many people in ancient times
00:07:19 --> 00:07:20 thought salt was pure
00:07:20 --> 00:07:21 just because of its colour.
00:07:22 --> 00:07:22 It's pure white.
00:07:22 --> 00:07:26 Jesus wants his followers
00:07:26 --> 00:07:27 to have hearts that are pure.
00:07:28 --> 00:07:29 There's high standards
00:07:29 --> 00:07:30 in our thoughts,
00:07:30 --> 00:07:31 our speech,
00:07:31 --> 00:07:32 and our actions.
00:07:34 --> 00:07:35 Salt is seasoning.
00:07:36 --> 00:07:38 Salt enhances the flavour of food.
00:07:39 --> 00:07:41 It makes it taste more interesting.
00:07:41 --> 00:07:43 Try eating chips without salt
00:07:43 --> 00:07:45 to get it.
00:07:46 --> 00:07:48 Knowing Jesus gives life.
00:07:48 --> 00:07:49 It's life to the full
00:07:49 --> 00:07:51 and makes it meaningful.
00:07:52 --> 00:07:53 Jesus wants his followers
00:07:53 --> 00:07:55 to make life more pleasant
00:07:55 --> 00:07:56 for others.
00:07:57 --> 00:07:58 Salt protects.
00:07:59 --> 00:08:00 Salt scattered on roads
00:08:00 --> 00:08:01 melts ice
00:08:01 --> 00:08:03 and makes conditions safe.
00:08:04 --> 00:08:05 In biblical times,
00:08:05 --> 00:08:07 salt was even put on manure heaps
00:08:07 --> 00:08:08 to stop the spread of germs.
00:08:09 --> 00:08:10 Jesus wants his followers
00:08:10 --> 00:08:12 to spread the good news about him
00:08:12 --> 00:08:13 to everyone they meet
00:08:13 --> 00:08:15 and so offer the protection
00:08:15 --> 00:08:17 of God's love to everyone.
00:08:18 --> 00:08:19 Salt was actually used
00:08:19 --> 00:08:20 in small quantities
00:08:20 --> 00:08:21 as a fertiliser
00:08:21 --> 00:08:23 when applied to certain types of soil.
00:08:24 --> 00:08:25 Jesus' disciples
00:08:25 --> 00:08:26 will enhance
00:08:26 --> 00:08:28 the growth of God's work
00:08:28 --> 00:08:29 in this world.
00:08:31 --> 00:08:32 Jesus likens his followers
00:08:32 --> 00:08:33 to salt.
00:08:33 --> 00:08:34 Essential,
00:08:35 --> 00:08:35 valuable,
00:08:36 --> 00:08:36 pure,
00:08:37 --> 00:08:37 preserving,
00:08:38 --> 00:08:39 seasoning,
00:08:39 --> 00:08:40 pleasant,
00:08:41 --> 00:08:41 protecting,
00:08:42 --> 00:08:43 bringing growth.
00:08:45 --> 00:08:46 If our lives
00:08:46 --> 00:08:47 are like salt,
00:08:47 --> 00:08:48 Christians cannot help
00:08:48 --> 00:08:49 but be an influence
00:08:49 --> 00:08:50 for good in society
00:08:50 --> 00:08:52 and history shows this.
00:08:53 --> 00:08:53 Hospitals,
00:08:54 --> 00:08:55 schools,
00:08:55 --> 00:08:56 aged care facilities,
00:08:57 --> 00:08:58 care of the homeless,
00:08:59 --> 00:08:59 orphanages,
00:09:00 --> 00:09:01 abolition of slavery,
00:09:02 --> 00:09:04 worldwide literacy programs.
00:09:04 --> 00:09:05 Christians have been
00:09:05 --> 00:09:06 at the forefront
00:09:06 --> 00:09:07 of these initiatives.
00:09:07 --> 00:09:10 The second metaphor
00:09:10 --> 00:09:11 Jesus uses
00:09:11 --> 00:09:11 to describe
00:09:11 --> 00:09:13 the Christian witness
00:09:13 --> 00:09:13 in the world
00:09:13 --> 00:09:14 is that of light.
00:09:16 --> 00:09:16 Have you ever been
00:09:16 --> 00:09:17 in a place
00:09:17 --> 00:09:19 that is so dark
00:09:19 --> 00:09:20 you actually can't even
00:09:20 --> 00:09:20 see your hand
00:09:20 --> 00:09:21 in front of your face?
00:09:22 --> 00:09:23 When I was in year nine
00:09:23 --> 00:09:24 we were taken
00:09:24 --> 00:09:25 to Currie Currie
00:09:25 --> 00:09:26 on a geography excursion
00:09:26 --> 00:09:27 and I was one of a handful
00:09:27 --> 00:09:28 picked to go down
00:09:28 --> 00:09:29 a mine.
00:09:29 --> 00:09:30 We were in a few
00:09:30 --> 00:09:31 kilometres underground
00:09:31 --> 00:09:32 and we had the
00:09:32 --> 00:09:33 safety helmets
00:09:33 --> 00:09:34 with the torches on top.
00:09:34 --> 00:09:36 At one point
00:09:36 --> 00:09:36 they asked us all
00:09:36 --> 00:09:38 to switch the torches off
00:09:38 --> 00:09:39 and it was eerie.
00:09:40 --> 00:09:40 I'd never been
00:09:40 --> 00:09:42 in something so pitch black.
00:09:42 --> 00:09:43 We left them off
00:09:43 --> 00:09:44 for a while
00:09:44 --> 00:09:45 even as our eyes adjusted
00:09:45 --> 00:09:46 we couldn't see anything
00:09:46 --> 00:09:47 and then further down
00:09:47 --> 00:09:49 in the mine shaft
00:09:49 --> 00:09:51 some other miners
00:09:51 --> 00:09:51 were coming
00:09:51 --> 00:09:53 and just a glimpse
00:09:53 --> 00:09:54 of their light
00:09:54 --> 00:09:55 before it actually
00:09:55 --> 00:09:56 the full blown light
00:09:56 --> 00:09:56 appeared
00:09:56 --> 00:09:58 was enough to start
00:09:58 --> 00:09:59 to illuminate
00:09:59 --> 00:09:59 the darkness.
00:10:01 --> 00:10:02 If we're to be
00:10:02 --> 00:10:03 light in the world
00:10:03 --> 00:10:04 the implication
00:10:04 --> 00:10:06 is that the world
00:10:06 --> 00:10:07 is actually shrouded
00:10:07 --> 00:10:07 in darkness
00:10:07 --> 00:10:09 thick darkness
00:10:09 --> 00:10:11 blind to Jesus' identity.
00:10:12 --> 00:10:13 We are witnesses
00:10:13 --> 00:10:14 for Jesus
00:10:14 --> 00:10:15 we need to shine
00:10:15 --> 00:10:16 God's light
00:10:16 --> 00:10:17 so that those
00:10:17 --> 00:10:18 stumbling through life
00:10:18 --> 00:10:20 in spiritual darkness
00:10:20 --> 00:10:21 can come into
00:10:21 --> 00:10:22 the safety of the light.
00:10:23 --> 00:10:24 Jesus talks about
00:10:24 --> 00:10:25 two sources of light here
00:10:25 --> 00:10:26 the light from
00:10:26 --> 00:10:27 the city on a hill
00:10:27 --> 00:10:28 and the light
00:10:28 --> 00:10:29 from a lamp.
00:10:30 --> 00:10:31 You are
00:10:31 --> 00:10:32 the light of the world
00:10:32 --> 00:10:34 a city on a hill
00:10:34 --> 00:10:35 cannot be hidden
00:10:35 --> 00:10:37 neither do people
00:10:37 --> 00:10:38 light a lamp
00:10:38 --> 00:10:39 and put it under a bowl
00:10:39 --> 00:10:40 instead they put it
00:10:40 --> 00:10:41 on its stand
00:10:41 --> 00:10:43 and it gives light
00:10:43 --> 00:10:43 to everyone
00:10:43 --> 00:10:44 in the house.
00:10:46 --> 00:10:47 We should be able
00:10:47 --> 00:10:48 to picture these images
00:10:48 --> 00:10:49 if you've done
00:10:49 --> 00:10:51 some long driving
00:10:51 --> 00:10:52 stints out in the country
00:10:52 --> 00:10:54 it can be really dark
00:10:54 --> 00:10:55 but before you get
00:10:55 --> 00:10:56 to the next town
00:10:56 --> 00:10:57 you see it coming
00:10:57 --> 00:10:58 from a distance
00:10:58 --> 00:10:59 because of the glow
00:10:59 --> 00:11:00 reflecting onto the sky.
00:11:00 --> 00:11:03 In ancient times
00:11:03 --> 00:11:04 darkness and light
00:11:04 --> 00:11:05 would have been absolutes
00:11:05 --> 00:11:06 there was no electricity
00:11:06 --> 00:11:08 but you could still
00:11:08 --> 00:11:09 make out the glow
00:11:09 --> 00:11:10 of a city
00:11:10 --> 00:11:10 when navigating
00:11:10 --> 00:11:11 the deserts.
00:11:13 --> 00:11:14 Imagining a world
00:11:14 --> 00:11:15 without light
00:11:15 --> 00:11:16 we can understand
00:11:16 --> 00:11:17 how darkness
00:11:17 --> 00:11:18 can be a terror
00:11:18 --> 00:11:19 and a symbol of evil.
00:11:20 --> 00:11:21 Imagine walking
00:11:21 --> 00:11:22 through a park at night
00:11:22 --> 00:11:23 and I've actually done this
00:11:23 --> 00:11:24 I've actually put the keys
00:11:24 --> 00:11:25 between my fingers
00:11:25 --> 00:11:26 feeling worried
00:11:26 --> 00:11:27 for myself.
00:11:27 --> 00:11:29 The same goes
00:11:29 --> 00:11:30 for hiding a lamp
00:11:30 --> 00:11:31 under a bush.
00:11:31 --> 00:11:33 By modern standards
00:11:33 --> 00:11:34 a lamp doesn't cast
00:11:34 --> 00:11:35 a great amount of light
00:11:35 --> 00:11:37 but if the alternative
00:11:37 --> 00:11:38 is pitch darkness
00:11:38 --> 00:11:39 to distinguish
00:11:39 --> 00:11:40 or cut off the light
00:11:40 --> 00:11:41 it seems ludicrous.
00:11:42 --> 00:11:43 Darkness
00:11:43 --> 00:11:44 things can be hidden
00:11:44 --> 00:11:45 but in the light
00:11:45 --> 00:11:46 things are revealed.
00:11:47 --> 00:11:47 A light
00:11:47 --> 00:11:48 is a guide.
00:11:49 --> 00:11:50 Like in the tunnel
00:11:50 --> 00:11:51 of the coal mine
00:11:51 --> 00:11:52 we needed light.
00:11:53 --> 00:11:54 Lights are used
00:11:54 --> 00:11:54 to guide people
00:11:54 --> 00:11:55 and indicate
00:11:55 --> 00:11:57 the safest direction.
00:11:58 --> 00:11:59 Jesus wants
00:11:59 --> 00:11:59 his followers
00:11:59 --> 00:12:00 to act as guides.
00:12:01 --> 00:12:01 He wants them
00:12:01 --> 00:12:02 to point others
00:12:02 --> 00:12:03 to Jesus
00:12:03 --> 00:12:03 the way
00:12:03 --> 00:12:04 the truth
00:12:04 --> 00:12:05 and the life
00:12:05 --> 00:12:06 and show others
00:12:06 --> 00:12:07 the best way
00:12:07 --> 00:12:07 to live.
00:12:09 --> 00:12:09 A light
00:12:09 --> 00:12:10 is a warning.
00:12:11 --> 00:12:11 Many lights
00:12:11 --> 00:12:12 act as warnings.
00:12:13 --> 00:12:13 Flashing lights
00:12:13 --> 00:12:14 on ambulances
00:12:14 --> 00:12:15 fire engines
00:12:15 --> 00:12:16 the police
00:12:16 --> 00:12:17 lighthouses.
00:12:18 --> 00:12:18 Christians
00:12:18 --> 00:12:19 need to warn
00:12:19 --> 00:12:21 the world
00:12:21 --> 00:12:22 the judgement
00:12:22 --> 00:12:22 is coming
00:12:22 --> 00:12:24 and without Jesus
00:12:24 --> 00:12:25 there is no
00:12:25 --> 00:12:26 prospect
00:12:26 --> 00:12:27 of eternal life.
00:12:29 --> 00:12:31 Light is effective
00:12:31 --> 00:12:32 illuminating darkness.
00:12:33 --> 00:12:34 Without light
00:12:34 --> 00:12:35 there are many things
00:12:35 --> 00:12:35 that we would not
00:12:35 --> 00:12:36 be able to do.
00:12:37 --> 00:12:38 Drive at night
00:12:38 --> 00:12:38 read in bed
00:12:38 --> 00:12:40 and there's all kinds
00:12:40 --> 00:12:40 of accidents
00:12:40 --> 00:12:41 and mischief
00:12:41 --> 00:12:43 that take place
00:12:43 --> 00:12:44 under the cloak
00:12:44 --> 00:12:44 of darkness.
00:12:46 --> 00:12:46 Crimes tend
00:12:46 --> 00:12:47 to happen
00:12:47 --> 00:12:48 at night.
00:12:49 --> 00:12:50 Light increases
00:12:50 --> 00:12:51 our enjoyment
00:12:51 --> 00:12:51 of life
00:12:51 --> 00:12:53 but more importantly
00:12:53 --> 00:12:54 it chases away
00:12:54 --> 00:12:55 the darkness.
00:12:56 --> 00:12:57 Without Jesus
00:12:57 --> 00:12:58 the light
00:12:58 --> 00:12:58 of the world
00:12:58 --> 00:13:00 we shipwreck
00:13:00 --> 00:13:00 our lives.
00:13:02 --> 00:13:02 Jesus wants
00:13:02 --> 00:13:03 his followers
00:13:03 --> 00:13:03 to chase away
00:13:03 --> 00:13:04 sin and darkness
00:13:04 --> 00:13:05 in their own lives
00:13:05 --> 00:13:06 and around them.
00:13:08 --> 00:13:08 Light
00:13:08 --> 00:13:09 is essential.
00:13:10 --> 00:13:10 Plants
00:13:10 --> 00:13:11 need light
00:13:11 --> 00:13:12 in order to grow.
00:13:13 --> 00:13:13 People also
00:13:13 --> 00:13:14 need sunlight
00:13:14 --> 00:13:15 for health
00:13:15 --> 00:13:16 and strength.
00:13:16 --> 00:13:16 We need a good
00:13:16 --> 00:13:18 dose of vitamin D.
00:13:20 --> 00:13:20 They also need
00:13:20 --> 00:13:20 to know
00:13:20 --> 00:13:21 the light
00:13:21 --> 00:13:22 of Christ
00:13:22 --> 00:13:22 in order
00:13:22 --> 00:13:23 to live life
00:13:23 --> 00:13:23 to the full.
00:13:25 --> 00:13:25 Jesus wants
00:13:25 --> 00:13:26 his followers
00:13:26 --> 00:13:26 to shed
00:13:26 --> 00:13:27 the light
00:13:27 --> 00:13:27 of God's love
00:13:27 --> 00:13:28 into the lives
00:13:28 --> 00:13:28 of those
00:13:28 --> 00:13:29 they meet.
00:13:30 --> 00:13:31 A light
00:13:31 --> 00:13:31 should not
00:13:31 --> 00:13:32 be hidden.
00:13:33 --> 00:13:33 A light
00:13:33 --> 00:13:34 that is hidden
00:13:34 --> 00:13:35 is of no help
00:13:35 --> 00:13:36 at all.
00:13:37 --> 00:13:38 Imagine what
00:13:38 --> 00:13:38 would happen
00:13:38 --> 00:13:38 if a set
00:13:38 --> 00:13:39 of traffic lights
00:13:39 --> 00:13:39 were under
00:13:39 --> 00:13:40 a blanket
00:13:40 --> 00:13:41 or a lighthouse
00:13:41 --> 00:13:42 on the clifftops
00:13:42 --> 00:13:44 was extinguished.
00:13:45 --> 00:13:46 Lights
00:13:46 --> 00:13:46 are meant
00:13:46 --> 00:13:46 to be shown
00:13:46 --> 00:13:47 to good advantage.
00:13:47 --> 00:13:50 There is no place
00:13:50 --> 00:13:51 for a quiet
00:13:51 --> 00:13:52 shy
00:13:52 --> 00:13:52 hidden
00:13:52 --> 00:13:54 personal faith.
00:13:55 --> 00:13:56 Jesus wants
00:13:56 --> 00:13:56 us to be open
00:13:56 --> 00:13:57 about the fact
00:13:57 --> 00:13:57 that we follow
00:13:57 --> 00:13:58 him
00:13:58 --> 00:13:59 otherwise
00:13:59 --> 00:14:00 we are of no
00:14:00 --> 00:14:00 use to others.
00:14:02 --> 00:14:02 Be salt
00:14:02 --> 00:14:03 and let your
00:14:03 --> 00:14:04 light shine.
00:14:06 --> 00:14:06 Jesus then
00:14:06 --> 00:14:07 takes it to the
00:14:07 --> 00:14:07 next level
00:14:07 --> 00:14:09 and we glimpse
00:14:09 --> 00:14:10 how upside down
00:14:10 --> 00:14:10 God's kingdom
00:14:10 --> 00:14:11 really is
00:14:11 --> 00:14:12 while further
00:14:12 --> 00:14:13 drawing out
00:14:13 --> 00:14:14 the implications
00:14:14 --> 00:14:14 of what salt
00:14:14 --> 00:14:15 and light
00:14:15 --> 00:14:16 really look like.
00:14:16 --> 00:14:17 Referring to
00:14:17 --> 00:14:18 the Mosaic
00:14:18 --> 00:14:18 law
00:14:18 --> 00:14:19 Jesus says
00:14:19 --> 00:14:20 you've heard
00:14:20 --> 00:14:21 it said
00:14:21 --> 00:14:21 long ago
00:14:21 --> 00:14:22 do you remember
00:14:22 --> 00:14:22 this?
00:14:22 --> 00:14:23 You've heard
00:14:23 --> 00:14:23 it said
00:14:23 --> 00:14:24 long ago
00:14:24 --> 00:14:24 and then he
00:14:24 --> 00:14:25 lists off
00:14:25 --> 00:14:25 a handful
00:14:25 --> 00:14:26 of commandments
00:14:26 --> 00:14:27 do not
00:14:27 --> 00:14:28 murder
00:14:28 --> 00:14:29 most people
00:14:29 --> 00:14:30 can say
00:14:30 --> 00:14:30 great
00:14:30 --> 00:14:32 that's not
00:14:32 --> 00:14:32 me
00:14:32 --> 00:14:33 I haven't
00:14:33 --> 00:14:33 murdered
00:14:33 --> 00:14:34 Jesus
00:14:34 --> 00:14:35 then declares
00:14:35 --> 00:14:36 that anyone
00:14:36 --> 00:14:37 who harbours
00:14:37 --> 00:14:38 anger in their
00:14:38 --> 00:14:38 heart
00:14:38 --> 00:14:39 or even
00:14:39 --> 00:14:39 calls someone
00:14:39 --> 00:14:40 a fool
00:14:40 --> 00:14:41 receives the
00:14:41 --> 00:14:42 same judgment
00:14:42 --> 00:14:43 as a murderer
00:14:43 --> 00:14:45 okay that's
00:14:45 --> 00:14:46 pretty much
00:14:46 --> 00:14:46 everyone
00:14:46 --> 00:14:48 and it does
00:14:48 --> 00:14:48 seem a bit
00:14:48 --> 00:14:49 extreme
00:14:49 --> 00:14:51 do not
00:14:51 --> 00:14:52 commit adultery
00:14:52 --> 00:14:52 you've heard
00:14:52 --> 00:14:53 it once said
00:14:53 --> 00:14:53 do not
00:14:53 --> 00:14:54 commit adultery
00:14:54 --> 00:14:54 everyone goes
00:14:54 --> 00:14:55 yeah we've
00:14:55 --> 00:14:55 heard that
00:14:55 --> 00:14:58 well we may
00:14:58 --> 00:14:58 be hearing
00:14:58 --> 00:14:59 more of this
00:14:59 --> 00:15:00 in society
00:15:00 --> 00:15:00 it is still
00:15:00 --> 00:15:01 frowned upon
00:15:01 --> 00:15:02 by most people
00:15:02 --> 00:15:03 no matter what
00:15:03 --> 00:15:03 their belief
00:15:03 --> 00:15:04 system
00:15:04 --> 00:15:06 and so
00:15:06 --> 00:15:07 you hear this
00:15:07 --> 00:15:08 and if you've
00:15:08 --> 00:15:09 never done this
00:15:09 --> 00:15:10 you go
00:15:10 --> 00:15:11 well good
00:15:11 --> 00:15:12 I'm a good
00:15:12 --> 00:15:12 person
00:15:12 --> 00:15:13 tick
00:15:13 --> 00:15:14 I haven't
00:15:14 --> 00:15:14 done that
00:15:14 --> 00:15:16 but Jesus
00:15:16 --> 00:15:16 then goes
00:15:16 --> 00:15:17 to the next
00:15:17 --> 00:15:17 level
00:15:17 --> 00:15:18 he says
00:15:18 --> 00:15:19 if you've
00:15:19 --> 00:15:19 looked at
00:15:19 --> 00:15:19 someone
00:15:19 --> 00:15:20 lustfully
00:15:20 --> 00:15:21 you've
00:15:21 --> 00:15:22 committed
00:15:22 --> 00:15:22 adultery
00:15:22 --> 00:15:22 in your
00:15:22 --> 00:15:23 heart
00:15:23 --> 00:15:24 now that
00:15:24 --> 00:15:25 seems pretty
00:15:25 --> 00:15:26 extreme
00:15:26 --> 00:15:28 and I'm
00:15:28 --> 00:15:28 pretty sure
00:15:28 --> 00:15:28 that covers
00:15:28 --> 00:15:29 most everyone
00:15:29 --> 00:15:30 so they're
00:15:30 --> 00:15:31 starting to
00:15:31 --> 00:15:31 think well
00:15:31 --> 00:15:32 murder
00:15:32 --> 00:15:33 anger
00:15:33 --> 00:15:34 adultery
00:15:34 --> 00:15:35 lust
00:15:35 --> 00:15:35 oh hang
00:15:35 --> 00:15:36 on Jesus
00:15:36 --> 00:15:36 this is
00:15:36 --> 00:15:37 an impossible
00:15:37 --> 00:15:38 standard
00:15:38 --> 00:15:39 let's go
00:15:39 --> 00:15:40 up a level
00:15:40 --> 00:15:41 love your
00:15:41 --> 00:15:41 enemies
00:15:41 --> 00:15:43 say what
00:15:43 --> 00:15:43 Jesus
00:15:43 --> 00:15:44 now you've
00:15:44 --> 00:15:44 gone too
00:15:44 --> 00:15:45 far
00:15:45 --> 00:15:46 Israel
00:15:46 --> 00:15:46 was under
00:15:46 --> 00:15:47 Roman
00:15:47 --> 00:15:47 occupation
00:15:47 --> 00:15:48 this was
00:15:48 --> 00:15:49 God's
00:15:49 --> 00:15:49 promised
00:15:49 --> 00:15:49 land
00:15:49 --> 00:15:50 and you
00:15:50 --> 00:15:51 want us
00:15:51 --> 00:15:51 to go
00:15:51 --> 00:15:51 to extra
00:15:51 --> 00:15:52 mile
00:15:52 --> 00:15:52 you want
00:15:52 --> 00:15:53 us to
00:15:53 --> 00:15:53 turn the
00:15:53 --> 00:15:53 other
00:15:53 --> 00:15:54 cheek
00:15:54 --> 00:15:55 you want
00:15:55 --> 00:15:55 them to
00:15:55 --> 00:15:56 us to
00:15:56 --> 00:15:56 give our
00:15:56 --> 00:15:57 tunic
00:15:57 --> 00:16:00 you want
00:16:00 --> 00:16:00 us to
00:16:00 --> 00:16:00 lend
00:16:00 --> 00:16:01 willingly
00:16:01 --> 00:16:01 this is
00:16:01 --> 00:16:02 outrageous
00:16:02 --> 00:16:02 Jesus
00:16:02 --> 00:16:04 and when
00:16:04 --> 00:16:04 you give
00:16:04 --> 00:16:05 to the
00:16:05 --> 00:16:05 needy
00:16:05 --> 00:16:05 he goes
00:16:05 --> 00:16:06 on
00:16:06 --> 00:16:07 don't
00:16:07 --> 00:16:07 make a
00:16:07 --> 00:16:07 show of
00:16:07 --> 00:16:07 it
00:16:07 --> 00:16:08 do it
00:16:08 --> 00:16:09 humbly
00:16:09 --> 00:16:10 in secret
00:16:10 --> 00:16:11 no giant
00:16:11 --> 00:16:12 checks
00:16:12 --> 00:16:13 and big
00:16:13 --> 00:16:14 TV coverage
00:16:14 --> 00:16:16 do it
00:16:16 --> 00:16:16 in humility
00:16:16 --> 00:16:17 and don't
00:16:17 --> 00:16:17 boast
00:16:17 --> 00:16:20 you need
00:16:20 --> 00:16:20 to forgive
00:16:20 --> 00:16:21 as your
00:16:21 --> 00:16:21 heavenly father
00:16:21 --> 00:16:22 has forgiven
00:16:22 --> 00:16:22 you
00:16:22 --> 00:16:23 that's
00:16:23 --> 00:16:24 unmerited
00:16:24 --> 00:16:25 it's
00:16:25 --> 00:16:25 unconditional
00:16:25 --> 00:16:26 loving
00:16:26 --> 00:16:26 others
00:16:26 --> 00:16:28 but hang
00:16:28 --> 00:16:28 on
00:16:28 --> 00:16:29 God
00:16:29 --> 00:16:29 please
00:16:29 --> 00:16:30 there's
00:16:30 --> 00:16:30 some
00:16:30 --> 00:16:30 people
00:16:30 --> 00:16:30 that have
00:16:30 --> 00:16:31 just
00:16:31 --> 00:16:32 rubbed me
00:16:32 --> 00:16:32 up the
00:16:32 --> 00:16:32 wrong
00:16:32 --> 00:16:32 way
00:16:32 --> 00:16:33 they've
00:16:33 --> 00:16:33 just
00:16:33 --> 00:16:34 pushed
00:16:34 --> 00:16:35 it too
00:16:35 --> 00:16:35 far
00:16:35 --> 00:16:35 they're
00:16:35 --> 00:16:35 just
00:16:35 --> 00:16:36 too
00:16:36 --> 00:16:36 hard
00:16:36 --> 00:16:36 to
00:16:36 --> 00:16:36 forgive
00:16:36 --> 00:16:39 don't
00:16:39 --> 00:16:39 worry
00:16:39 --> 00:16:41 as
00:16:41 --> 00:16:41 God
00:16:41 --> 00:16:42 looks
00:16:42 --> 00:16:42 after
00:16:42 --> 00:16:42 the
00:16:42 --> 00:16:42 birds
00:16:42 --> 00:16:42 in the
00:16:42 --> 00:16:43 air
00:16:43 --> 00:16:43 and the
00:16:43 --> 00:16:43 flowers
00:16:43 --> 00:16:43 in the
00:16:43 --> 00:16:44 field
00:16:44 --> 00:16:45 how much
00:16:45 --> 00:16:45 more
00:16:45 --> 00:16:45 will he
00:16:45 --> 00:16:45 look
00:16:45 --> 00:16:45 after
00:16:45 --> 00:16:46 us
00:16:46 --> 00:16:47 so
00:16:47 --> 00:16:47 don't
00:16:47 --> 00:16:48 worry
00:16:48 --> 00:16:50 but hang
00:16:50 --> 00:16:50 on
00:16:50 --> 00:16:50 Jesus
00:16:50 --> 00:16:50 I've
00:16:50 --> 00:16:51 just
00:16:51 --> 00:16:51 lost
00:16:51 --> 00:16:51 my
00:16:51 --> 00:16:52 job
00:16:52 --> 00:16:52 and
00:16:52 --> 00:16:52 we've
00:16:52 --> 00:16:52 got
00:16:52 --> 00:16:53 this
00:16:53 --> 00:16:53 huge
00:16:53 --> 00:16:53 mortgage
00:16:53 --> 00:16:54 how are
00:16:54 --> 00:16:54 we're
00:16:54 --> 00:16:54 going to
00:16:54 --> 00:16:54 pay
00:16:54 --> 00:16:54 that
00:16:54 --> 00:16:55 off
00:16:55 --> 00:16:57 don't
00:16:57 --> 00:16:58 judge
00:16:58 --> 00:16:58 others
00:16:58 --> 00:16:59 in the
00:16:59 --> 00:17:00 same
00:17:00 --> 00:17:00 way
00:17:00 --> 00:17:01 you
00:17:01 --> 00:17:01 judge
00:17:01 --> 00:17:01 you
00:17:01 --> 00:17:02 will
00:17:02 --> 00:17:02 be
00:17:02 --> 00:17:02 judged
00:17:02 --> 00:17:04 we're
00:17:04 --> 00:17:05 in such
00:17:05 --> 00:17:05 a
00:17:05 --> 00:17:06 judgy
00:17:06 --> 00:17:06 age
00:17:06 --> 00:17:06 at the
00:17:06 --> 00:17:06 moment
00:17:06 --> 00:17:07 people
00:17:07 --> 00:17:08 just
00:17:08 --> 00:17:08 desperate
00:17:08 --> 00:17:09 to get
00:17:09 --> 00:17:09 likes
00:17:09 --> 00:17:09 on
00:17:09 --> 00:17:10 insta
00:17:10 --> 00:17:11 the
00:17:11 --> 00:17:11 big
00:17:11 --> 00:17:12 pile
00:17:12 --> 00:17:12 on
00:17:12 --> 00:17:12 that
00:17:12 --> 00:17:12 takes
00:17:12 --> 00:17:13 place
00:17:13 --> 00:17:13 when
00:17:13 --> 00:17:13 people
00:17:13 --> 00:17:13 are
00:17:13 --> 00:17:14 cancelled
00:17:14 --> 00:17:15 that's
00:17:15 --> 00:17:15 a
00:17:15 --> 00:17:15 judgment
00:17:15 --> 00:17:16 and
00:17:16 --> 00:17:16 people
00:17:16 --> 00:17:16 are
00:17:16 --> 00:17:17 ruthless
00:17:17 --> 00:17:19 Jesus
00:17:19 --> 00:17:19 standard
00:17:19 --> 00:17:20 is the
00:17:20 --> 00:17:20 next
00:17:20 --> 00:17:20 level
00:17:20 --> 00:17:21 if
00:17:21 --> 00:17:22 we're
00:17:22 --> 00:17:22 going
00:17:22 --> 00:17:22 to be
00:17:22 --> 00:17:22 genuine
00:17:22 --> 00:17:23 followers
00:17:23 --> 00:17:23 of
00:17:23 --> 00:17:23 Jesus
00:17:23 --> 00:17:23 we
00:17:23 --> 00:17:24 need
00:17:24 --> 00:17:24 changing
00:17:24 --> 00:17:25 Jesus
00:17:25 --> 00:17:26 presents
00:17:26 --> 00:17:26 us
00:17:26 --> 00:17:26 presents
00:17:26 --> 00:17:27 us
00:17:27 --> 00:17:27 with a
00:17:27 --> 00:17:27 very
00:17:27 --> 00:17:28 difficult
00:17:28 --> 00:17:28 task
00:17:28 --> 00:17:29 a
00:17:29 --> 00:17:29 standard
00:17:29 --> 00:17:30 in the
00:17:30 --> 00:17:30 way
00:17:30 --> 00:17:30 we
00:17:30 --> 00:17:30 relate
00:17:30 --> 00:17:30 to
00:17:30 --> 00:17:30 one
00:17:30 --> 00:17:31 another
00:17:31 --> 00:17:31 and that
00:17:31 --> 00:17:32 standard
00:17:32 --> 00:17:32 is
00:17:32 --> 00:17:34 100%
00:17:34 --> 00:17:35 reliant
00:17:35 --> 00:17:35 on
00:17:35 --> 00:17:35 God
00:17:35 --> 00:17:36 caring
00:17:36 --> 00:17:36 for
00:17:36 --> 00:17:37 the
00:17:37 --> 00:17:37 poor
00:17:37 --> 00:17:37 and
00:17:37 --> 00:17:37 needy
00:17:37 --> 00:17:38 being
00:17:38 --> 00:17:39 humble
00:17:39 --> 00:17:39 pure
00:17:39 --> 00:17:40 in
00:17:40 --> 00:17:40 heart
00:17:40 --> 00:17:41 meek
00:17:41 --> 00:17:42 peace
00:17:42 --> 00:17:42 loving
00:17:42 --> 00:17:43 persecuted
00:17:43 --> 00:17:43 for
00:17:43 --> 00:17:44 righteousness
00:17:44 --> 00:17:45 loving
00:17:45 --> 00:17:46 enemies
00:17:46 --> 00:17:47 forgiving
00:17:47 --> 00:17:48 not
00:17:48 --> 00:17:49 worrying
00:17:49 --> 00:17:50 not
00:17:50 --> 00:17:50 judging
00:17:50 --> 00:17:51 not
00:17:51 --> 00:17:51 boasting
00:17:51 --> 00:17:52 about
00:17:52 --> 00:17:52 giving
00:17:52 --> 00:17:54 basically
00:17:54 --> 00:17:55 being
00:17:55 --> 00:17:56 salt
00:17:56 --> 00:17:57 and the
00:17:57 --> 00:17:57 light of
00:17:57 --> 00:17:57 Jesus
00:17:57 --> 00:17:58 in the
00:17:58 --> 00:17:58 world
00:17:58 --> 00:18:00 when
00:18:00 --> 00:18:00 the
00:18:00 --> 00:18:00 light of
00:18:00 --> 00:18:01 light of
00:18:01 --> 00:18:02 Jesus
00:18:02 --> 00:18:02 and his
00:18:02 --> 00:18:02 love
00:18:02 --> 00:18:03 shines
00:18:03 --> 00:18:03 through
00:18:03 --> 00:18:04 Christian
00:18:04 --> 00:18:04 deeds
00:18:04 --> 00:18:05 they do
00:18:05 --> 00:18:06 expose
00:18:06 --> 00:18:06 darkness
00:18:06 --> 00:18:07 for what
00:18:07 --> 00:18:07 it is
00:18:07 --> 00:18:08 evil
00:18:08 --> 00:18:09 and
00:18:09 --> 00:18:10 estranged
00:18:10 --> 00:18:10 from
00:18:10 --> 00:18:11 God
00:18:11 --> 00:18:13 here's
00:18:13 --> 00:18:13 another
00:18:13 --> 00:18:13 reason
00:18:13 --> 00:18:14 Christians
00:18:14 --> 00:18:14 experience
00:18:14 --> 00:18:15 persecution
00:18:15 --> 00:18:16 just as
00:18:16 --> 00:18:16 we
00:18:16 --> 00:18:17 cringe
00:18:17 --> 00:18:17 or cover
00:18:17 --> 00:18:17 our
00:18:17 --> 00:18:18 eyes
00:18:18 --> 00:18:18 when a
00:18:18 --> 00:18:18 bright
00:18:18 --> 00:18:19 light
00:18:19 --> 00:18:19 hits
00:18:19 --> 00:18:19 us
00:18:19 --> 00:18:19 in the
00:18:19 --> 00:18:20 eyes
00:18:20 --> 00:18:21 and
00:18:21 --> 00:18:21 just
00:18:21 --> 00:18:21 think
00:18:21 --> 00:18:21 of
00:18:21 --> 00:18:22 driving
00:18:22 --> 00:18:22 at
00:18:22 --> 00:18:22 night
00:18:22 --> 00:18:22 and
00:18:22 --> 00:18:22 someone's
00:18:22 --> 00:18:23 high
00:18:23 --> 00:18:23 beam
00:18:23 --> 00:18:24 when
00:18:24 --> 00:18:24 we
00:18:24 --> 00:18:24 are
00:18:24 --> 00:18:25 salt
00:18:25 --> 00:18:25 and
00:18:25 --> 00:18:25 light
00:18:25 --> 00:18:26 in
00:18:26 --> 00:18:26 the
00:18:26 --> 00:18:26 world
00:18:26 --> 00:18:27 it
00:18:27 --> 00:18:27 can
00:18:27 --> 00:18:27 draw
00:18:27 --> 00:18:28 attention
00:18:28 --> 00:18:28 to
00:18:28 --> 00:18:28 sinful
00:18:28 --> 00:18:29 behaviour
00:18:29 --> 00:18:31 biblical
00:18:31 --> 00:18:31 Christianity
00:18:31 --> 00:18:32 doesn't
00:18:32 --> 00:18:33 win a
00:18:33 --> 00:18:33 popularity
00:18:33 --> 00:18:34 contest
00:18:34 --> 00:18:35 I
00:18:35 --> 00:18:35 could
00:18:35 --> 00:18:35 think
00:18:35 --> 00:18:36 of
00:18:36 --> 00:18:36 times
00:18:36 --> 00:18:36 when
00:18:36 --> 00:18:36 I've
00:18:36 --> 00:18:36 been
00:18:36 --> 00:18:36 at
00:18:36 --> 00:18:37 parties
00:18:37 --> 00:18:37 and
00:18:37 --> 00:18:37 I've
00:18:37 --> 00:18:37 been
00:18:37 --> 00:18:38 talking
00:18:38 --> 00:18:38 with
00:18:38 --> 00:18:38 someone
00:18:38 --> 00:18:39 and
00:18:39 --> 00:18:39 eventually
00:18:39 --> 00:18:40 they say
00:18:40 --> 00:18:41 oh so what do you do for a living
00:18:41 --> 00:18:42 I say I'm a minister
00:18:42 --> 00:18:45 and they go oh what political party are you with
00:18:45 --> 00:18:48 and then when I say I'm a Christian
00:18:48 --> 00:18:50 there's this awkward pause
00:18:50 --> 00:18:53 sometimes a bit of an uncomfortable silence
00:18:53 --> 00:18:54 some discomfort
00:18:54 --> 00:18:57 and then it's almost like you can see in their mind
00:18:57 --> 00:18:58 they're going through
00:18:58 --> 00:19:00 what have I just said
00:19:00 --> 00:19:01 oh I've just been swearing
00:19:01 --> 00:19:02 or blaspheming
00:19:02 --> 00:19:04 and a lot of people start to apologise
00:19:04 --> 00:19:04 for me
00:19:04 --> 00:19:05 to me
00:19:05 --> 00:19:05 and
00:19:05 --> 00:19:07 some even sort of politely go
00:19:07 --> 00:19:07 oh
00:19:07 --> 00:19:08 the others
00:19:08 --> 00:19:10 just got to go and make this
00:19:10 --> 00:19:11 yeah they excuse themselves
00:19:11 --> 00:19:13 Jesus
00:19:13 --> 00:19:15 and by association
00:19:15 --> 00:19:16 Christianity
00:19:16 --> 00:19:19 spotlight things
00:19:19 --> 00:19:21 and actually this is Jesus' verdict
00:19:21 --> 00:19:24 light has come into the world
00:19:24 --> 00:19:26 but people love darkness instead of light
00:19:26 --> 00:19:28 because their deeds are evil
00:19:28 --> 00:19:31 everyone who does evil hates the light
00:19:31 --> 00:19:32 and will not come into the light
00:19:32 --> 00:19:34 for fear that their deeds will be exposed
00:19:34 --> 00:19:38 whoever lives by the truth comes into the light
00:19:38 --> 00:19:40 so that it may be seen plainly
00:19:40 --> 00:19:42 that what they have done
00:19:42 --> 00:19:43 has been done through God
00:19:43 --> 00:19:47 Jesus warns
00:19:47 --> 00:19:49 the world
00:19:49 --> 00:19:52 does not like the light
00:19:52 --> 00:19:54 it likes the darkness
00:19:54 --> 00:19:56 but don't sell out
00:19:56 --> 00:19:58 don't lose your saltiness
00:19:58 --> 00:20:00 and don't hide your light
00:20:00 --> 00:20:03 can salt lose its saltiness?
00:20:04 --> 00:20:06 well because salt by its very nature
00:20:06 --> 00:20:08 cannot be anything other than salt
00:20:08 --> 00:20:10 it cannot lose its property of salt
00:20:10 --> 00:20:13 but it can be sufficiently ruined
00:20:13 --> 00:20:14 rendering it useless
00:20:14 --> 00:20:17 for example if you mix it with sand
00:20:17 --> 00:20:19 you won't discern the salt
00:20:19 --> 00:20:21 and so it loses its saltiness
00:20:21 --> 00:20:23 likewise
00:20:23 --> 00:20:25 when Christians conform
00:20:25 --> 00:20:26 to the immoral
00:20:26 --> 00:20:27 materialistic patterns
00:20:27 --> 00:20:28 of this world
00:20:28 --> 00:20:30 our witness can be rendered ineffective
00:20:30 --> 00:20:32 we can lose our saltiness
00:20:32 --> 00:20:35 the purpose of salt
00:20:35 --> 00:20:36 is to fight
00:20:36 --> 00:20:38 deterioration
00:20:38 --> 00:20:40 the worse the world becomes
00:20:40 --> 00:20:41 the more corrupt
00:20:41 --> 00:20:42 the more it stands
00:20:42 --> 00:20:44 in need of Jesus' followers
00:20:44 --> 00:20:46 when we fail
00:20:46 --> 00:20:49 and it happens to all of us
00:20:49 --> 00:20:51 remember there is grace
00:20:51 --> 00:20:53 we all need God's grace
00:20:53 --> 00:20:56 the Sermon on the Mount
00:20:56 --> 00:20:57 is challenging
00:20:57 --> 00:20:59 it's an impossible standard
00:20:59 --> 00:21:01 that's why we desperately
00:21:01 --> 00:21:02 need Jesus
00:21:02 --> 00:21:03 we all sin
00:21:03 --> 00:21:05 Christians sin
00:21:05 --> 00:21:06 ministers sin
00:21:06 --> 00:21:08 I know colleagues
00:21:08 --> 00:21:09 who are now no longer
00:21:09 --> 00:21:10 in public ministry
00:21:10 --> 00:21:11 due to their sin
00:21:11 --> 00:21:13 Romans 7 reminds us
00:21:13 --> 00:21:14 we don't always do
00:21:14 --> 00:21:15 the good we want to do
00:21:15 --> 00:21:18 so until the new creation
00:21:18 --> 00:21:19 we battle
00:21:19 --> 00:21:21 but in the strength
00:21:21 --> 00:21:22 of the Holy Spirit
00:21:22 --> 00:21:23 and by God's grace
00:21:23 --> 00:21:25 we can be conquerors
00:21:25 --> 00:21:28 don't lose your saltiness
00:21:28 --> 00:21:30 don't hide your light
00:21:30 --> 00:21:33 the answer to living in this world
00:21:33 --> 00:21:35 is not imitation
00:21:35 --> 00:21:38 be like everybody else
00:21:38 --> 00:21:39 fit in
00:21:39 --> 00:21:40 do what everyone else is doing
00:21:40 --> 00:21:42 that's not the answer
00:21:42 --> 00:21:44 and the answer is not isolation
00:21:44 --> 00:21:46 don't be like anybody
00:21:46 --> 00:21:47 don't have any association
00:21:47 --> 00:21:48 with the world
00:21:48 --> 00:21:49 in fact remove yourself
00:21:49 --> 00:21:50 become a recluse
00:21:50 --> 00:21:52 and maybe live in the hills
00:21:52 --> 00:21:53 the answer is not
00:21:53 --> 00:21:54 imitation
00:21:54 --> 00:21:55 the answer is not
00:21:55 --> 00:21:56 isolation
00:21:56 --> 00:21:57 the answer is
00:21:57 --> 00:21:58 insulation
00:21:58 --> 00:22:00 and D.L. Moody
00:22:00 --> 00:22:01 expresses it this way
00:22:01 --> 00:22:03 Christians should live
00:22:03 --> 00:22:04 in the world
00:22:04 --> 00:22:05 but not be filled
00:22:05 --> 00:22:06 with it
00:22:06 --> 00:22:08 a ship in the water
00:22:08 --> 00:22:11 insulated from its surrounds
00:22:11 --> 00:22:14 like a ship
00:22:14 --> 00:22:15 lives in the water
00:22:15 --> 00:22:18 insulated from its surrounds
00:22:18 --> 00:22:19 but if water gets into the ship
00:22:19 --> 00:22:20 she goes to the bottom
00:22:20 --> 00:22:23 so Christians may live in the world
00:22:23 --> 00:22:25 but if the world gets into them
00:22:25 --> 00:22:27 they sink
00:22:27 --> 00:22:30 Jesus concludes
00:22:30 --> 00:22:32 in the same way
00:22:32 --> 00:22:33 let your light shine before others
00:22:33 --> 00:22:36 so that they may see your good works
00:22:36 --> 00:22:38 and give glory to your Father
00:22:38 --> 00:22:39 who is in heaven
00:22:39 --> 00:22:42 believe it or not
00:22:42 --> 00:22:43 the composer
00:22:43 --> 00:22:45 Johann Sebastian Bach
00:22:45 --> 00:22:46 was obscure
00:22:46 --> 00:22:47 for a century
00:22:47 --> 00:22:48 after his death
00:22:48 --> 00:22:50 until he was rediscovered
00:22:50 --> 00:22:51 by Felix Mendelssohn
00:22:51 --> 00:22:53 as a result
00:22:53 --> 00:22:55 many of his compositions
00:22:55 --> 00:22:55 were lost
00:22:55 --> 00:22:57 no one knows how many
00:22:57 --> 00:22:59 but of those
00:22:59 --> 00:23:00 that do survive
00:23:00 --> 00:23:02 on each manuscript
00:23:02 --> 00:23:04 the interesting insertion
00:23:04 --> 00:23:06 in Bach's own hand
00:23:06 --> 00:23:06 of the letters
00:23:06 --> 00:23:08 J.J.
00:23:08 --> 00:23:09 at the beginning of each
00:23:09 --> 00:23:11 and S.D.G.
00:23:11 --> 00:23:12 at the end
00:23:12 --> 00:23:14 they are abbreviations
00:23:14 --> 00:23:15 for the Latin
00:23:15 --> 00:23:17 Jesu
00:23:17 --> 00:23:18 Juva
00:23:18 --> 00:23:20 Jesus
00:23:20 --> 00:23:21 help me
00:23:21 --> 00:23:23 and
00:23:23 --> 00:23:24 Soli
00:23:24 --> 00:23:25 Deo
00:23:25 --> 00:23:26 Gloria
00:23:26 --> 00:23:27 glory
00:23:27 --> 00:23:28 to God
00:23:28 --> 00:23:28 alone
00:23:28 --> 00:23:31 Bach recognised
00:23:31 --> 00:23:31 that his ability
00:23:31 --> 00:23:32 to compose
00:23:32 --> 00:23:33 was not natural
00:23:33 --> 00:23:34 or normal
00:23:34 --> 00:23:36 and was in fact
00:23:36 --> 00:23:37 a gift from God
00:23:37 --> 00:23:39 as a result
00:23:39 --> 00:23:40 his desire
00:23:40 --> 00:23:41 was not to make
00:23:41 --> 00:23:42 a name for himself
00:23:42 --> 00:23:43 but rather use
00:23:43 --> 00:23:44 his gifts
00:23:44 --> 00:23:45 to honour God
00:23:45 --> 00:23:46 and give God
00:23:46 --> 00:23:47 the glory
00:23:47 --> 00:23:49 there needs to be
00:23:49 --> 00:23:50 something different
00:23:50 --> 00:23:50 about us
00:23:50 --> 00:23:52 we are under the
00:23:52 --> 00:23:52 microscope
00:23:52 --> 00:23:54 we need to be
00:23:54 --> 00:23:54 like Jesus
00:23:54 --> 00:23:56 Jesus wants us
00:23:56 --> 00:23:57 to be open
00:23:57 --> 00:23:57 about the fact
00:23:57 --> 00:23:58 that we follow him
00:23:58 --> 00:23:59 otherwise
00:23:59 --> 00:24:00 we are of no use
00:24:00 --> 00:24:00 to him
00:24:00 --> 00:24:01 at all
00:24:01 --> 00:24:04 not only no use
00:24:04 --> 00:24:04 to him
00:24:04 --> 00:24:05 but no use
00:24:05 --> 00:24:05 to others
00:24:05 --> 00:24:07 we need to be
00:24:07 --> 00:24:08 salt and light
00:24:08 --> 00:24:08 in the world
00:24:08 --> 00:24:09 as followers
00:24:09 --> 00:24:10 of Jesus
00:24:10 --> 00:24:11 he wants us
00:24:11 --> 00:24:12 to have an effect
00:24:12 --> 00:24:13 on those
00:24:13 --> 00:24:13 around us
00:24:13 --> 00:24:14 like salt
00:24:14 --> 00:24:15 and light
00:24:15 --> 00:24:15 does
00:24:15 --> 00:24:16 on everything
00:24:16 --> 00:24:17 they come
00:24:17 --> 00:24:17 in contact
00:24:17 --> 00:24:17 with
00:24:17 --> 00:24:19 we are to
00:24:19 --> 00:24:19 have one
00:24:19 --> 00:24:20 motive
00:24:20 --> 00:24:21 like Bach
00:24:21 --> 00:24:22 Soli
00:24:22 --> 00:24:23 Deo
00:24:23 --> 00:24:24 Gloria
00:24:24 --> 00:24:25 glory
00:24:25 --> 00:24:25 to God
00:24:25 --> 00:24:26 alone
00:24:26 --> 00:24:28 in Jesus
00:24:28 --> 00:24:29 upside down
00:24:29 --> 00:24:29 kingdom
00:24:29 --> 00:24:31 being salt
00:24:31 --> 00:24:31 and light
00:24:31 --> 00:24:32 will point
00:24:32 --> 00:24:33 others to
00:24:33 --> 00:24:33 Jesus
00:24:33 --> 00:24:34 and our
00:24:34 --> 00:24:35 motivation
00:24:35 --> 00:24:36 is clear
00:24:36 --> 00:24:38 let your
00:24:38 --> 00:24:38 light shine
00:24:38 --> 00:24:39 before others
00:24:39 --> 00:24:40 so that they
00:24:40 --> 00:24:41 may see
00:24:41 --> 00:24:41 your good
00:24:41 --> 00:24:41 works
00:24:41 --> 00:24:42 and give
00:24:42 --> 00:24:43 glory to
00:24:43 --> 00:24:44 your father
00:24:44 --> 00:24:44 who is in
00:24:44 --> 00:24:45 heaven
00:24:45 --> 00:24:46 let's pray
00:24:46 --> 00:24:49 heavenly
00:24:49 --> 00:24:49 father
00:24:49 --> 00:24:51 we thank
00:24:51 --> 00:24:51 you for
00:24:51 --> 00:24:52 Jesus
00:24:52 --> 00:24:52 witness
00:24:52 --> 00:24:53 and example
00:24:53 --> 00:24:55 how he's
00:24:55 --> 00:24:55 shown us
00:24:55 --> 00:24:55 how to
00:24:55 --> 00:24:55 live
00:24:55 --> 00:24:56 and to
00:24:56 --> 00:24:56 love
00:24:56 --> 00:24:57 help us
00:24:57 --> 00:24:58 to follow
00:24:58 --> 00:24:58 in his
00:24:58 --> 00:24:59 steps
00:24:59 --> 00:24:59 to be
00:24:59 --> 00:25:00 salt
00:25:00 --> 00:25:00 and light
00:25:00 --> 00:25:01 in this
00:25:01 --> 00:25:01 world
00:25:01 --> 00:25:02 for your
00:25:02 --> 00:25:03 glory
00:25:03 --> 00:25:03 and your
00:25:03 --> 00:25:04 glory
00:25:04 --> 00:25:04 alone
00:25:04 --> 00:25:05 in Jesus
00:25:05 --> 00:25:06 name we
00:25:06 --> 00:25:06 pray
00:25:06 --> 00:25:07 amen