1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:07,000 to open to Matthew chapter 5. 2 00:00:14,720 --> 00:00:18,000 We've been in Matthew for several months now. 3 00:00:18,000 --> 00:00:23,000 We finished the Beatitudes last week. We see Matthew presenting Christ 4 00:00:23,000 --> 00:00:28,740 as the true Messiah, calling out his people, beginning with the disciples, and 5 00:00:28,740 --> 00:00:34,080 then what are the characteristics of those who live in the kingdom of God. 6 00:00:34,080 --> 00:00:40,080 And today we're going to move on from their character to the behavior. 7 00:00:40,080 --> 00:00:43,600 In verse 13, Jesus speaking, and he's speaking to a group of people that 8 00:00:43,600 --> 00:00:45,840 gathered primarily to his disciples, 9 00:00:45,840 --> 00:00:49,640 then by extension to those who are around listening to him. 10 00:00:49,640 --> 00:00:54,160 He says, you are the salt of the earth, but if the salt loses its flavor, how 11 00:00:54,160 --> 00:00:56,160 shall it be seasoned? 12 00:00:56,160 --> 00:01:00,960 It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. 13 00:01:00,960 --> 00:01:03,440 You are the light of the world. 14 00:01:03,440 --> 00:01:06,280 A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden, 15 00:01:06,280 --> 00:01:09,640 nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives 16 00:01:09,640 --> 00:01:12,160 light to all who are in the house. 17 00:01:12,160 --> 00:01:13,760 And here's the command, 18 00:01:13,760 --> 00:01:16,960 let your light so shine before men 19 00:01:16,960 --> 00:01:19,400 that they may see your good works 20 00:01:19,400 --> 00:01:25,880 and then glorify your Father in heaven. 21 00:01:25,880 --> 00:01:29,080 Father, would you help us this morning, Lord? 22 00:01:29,080 --> 00:01:32,280 Would we pray for, Lord, your presence? 23 00:01:32,280 --> 00:01:35,960 Or would we pray for your spirit, Lord, God, your spirit to help, 24 00:01:35,960 --> 00:01:37,160 to anoint, 25 00:01:37,160 --> 00:01:39,400 for unction, Lord? 26 00:01:39,400 --> 00:01:43,280 God, we pray, Lord, that you would give us listening ears and receptive hearts to the 27 00:01:43,280 --> 00:01:45,480 truth of your word. 28 00:01:45,480 --> 00:01:49,820 Cut open blinded eyes and remove, Lord, the deafness from ears, and Lord, let them 29 00:01:49,820 --> 00:01:52,280 hear and let them see. 30 00:01:52,280 --> 00:01:57,440 Father, this is what your church is to be, to be salt and light in the culture. 31 00:01:57,440 --> 00:01:59,760 God, help us this morning, we pray. 32 00:01:59,760 --> 00:02:01,720 May we hear from heaven 33 00:02:01,720 --> 00:02:05,360 and when we bow before you now and we thank you, Lord, that you will speak to us and you 34 00:02:05,360 --> 00:02:06,880 will meet with us, 35 00:02:06,880 --> 00:02:10,040 for this is the promise given to us in the sacred scriptures. 36 00:02:10,040 --> 00:02:14,840 And we pray this through Jesus in his name, amen. 37 00:02:14,840 --> 00:02:19,120 Charles Spurgeon is that great British theologian. He said, the sermons most needed 38 00:02:19,120 --> 00:02:23,520 today are actually the sermons in shoes. 39 00:02:23,520 --> 00:02:26,960 So what did he mean by that? Sermon in shoes. 40 00:02:26,960 --> 00:02:29,120 He meant that we need to go from 41 00:02:29,120 --> 00:02:32,320 abstract theological principles 42 00:02:32,320 --> 00:02:36,640 to understanding the practical outworking of theology in our lives. 43 00:02:36,640 --> 00:02:39,800 It's not just enough to have a head full of knowledge, but how does that knowledge 44 00:02:39,800 --> 00:02:41,880 impact our lives? 45 00:02:41,880 --> 00:02:45,800 Or in other words, we need to put into practice what we've been taught. 46 00:02:45,800 --> 00:02:48,240 And that's what we're seeking to do today. 47 00:02:48,240 --> 00:02:51,400 Now for a few months now, we have been studying in the Sermon on the Mountain. 48 00:02:51,400 --> 00:02:56,120 For a few months actually, we're in just the first ten verses with the Beatitudes. 49 00:02:56,120 --> 00:03:00,360 And we said those Beatitudes are actually character qualities 50 00:03:00,360 --> 00:03:04,720 that describe those who are citizens of the kingdom of heaven. 51 00:03:04,720 --> 00:03:08,840 These are the qualities of someone who lives in the kingdom of God. 52 00:03:08,840 --> 00:03:10,840 Now the danger would be to say those 53 00:03:10,840 --> 00:03:14,760 qualities get you into the kingdom. 54 00:03:14,760 --> 00:03:18,280 That it is by having those qualities that you earn a place in God's kingdom. 55 00:03:18,280 --> 00:03:20,280 That's not at all what he's saying. 56 00:03:20,280 --> 00:03:25,600 They are characteristic of those who are now in the kingdom. 57 00:03:25,600 --> 00:03:29,160 Now this morning, we're going to seek to move from the character 58 00:03:29,160 --> 00:03:32,720 of those living in the kingdom to their behavior. 59 00:03:32,720 --> 00:03:34,840 So we have a passage before us, 60 00:03:34,840 --> 00:03:37,600 and this passage speaks of influence. 61 00:03:37,600 --> 00:03:40,600 And he's writing primarily to, he's speaking primarily to the church, 62 00:03:40,600 --> 00:03:42,520 to the disciples. 63 00:03:42,520 --> 00:03:45,880 So the church, or Christians collectively, 64 00:03:45,880 --> 00:03:51,720 are called to be men and women for influence for righteousness. 65 00:03:51,720 --> 00:03:57,760 Or in other words, the church is called to be both salt and light in our culture. 66 00:03:57,760 --> 00:03:59,960 Now we'll say this at the very beginning. 67 00:03:59,960 --> 00:04:03,480 As salt, the church fights corruption. 68 00:04:03,480 --> 00:04:05,960 We hold back decay. 69 00:04:05,960 --> 00:04:09,840 But as light, the church reveals truth. 70 00:04:09,840 --> 00:04:12,160 We are to promote righteousness. 71 00:04:12,160 --> 00:04:14,440 We are to preach the gospel. 72 00:04:14,440 --> 00:04:15,560 So we could say it this way. 73 00:04:15,560 --> 00:04:20,200 Negatively, the church seeks to stop the spread of sin. 74 00:04:20,200 --> 00:04:22,520 We want to be a preserving force. 75 00:04:22,520 --> 00:04:28,360 Positively, the church is seeking to spread righteousness. 76 00:04:28,360 --> 00:04:32,880 So needless to say, all this means the church and the Christians are to be an 77 00:04:32,880 --> 00:04:36,720 influential force in this world. 78 00:04:36,720 --> 00:04:43,320 She has influenced the culture rather than the culture influencing her. 79 00:04:43,320 --> 00:04:48,840 So what I would say is the presence of God's people should, ought to make 80 00:04:48,840 --> 00:04:56,240 society more just, more righteous, and I would go so far as to say even more stable. 81 00:04:56,240 --> 00:05:00,840 When you have Christians or believers living as citizens of heaven in this 82 00:05:00,840 --> 00:05:05,280 fallen world, we will have an influence on other people. 83 00:05:05,280 --> 00:05:07,920 Some of the influence will be good and some will be bad. 84 00:05:07,920 --> 00:05:09,920 You and I aren't sufficient for these things. 85 00:05:09,920 --> 00:05:15,680 In 2 Corinthians 2, Paul said this, for we are to God the fragrance of Christ 86 00:05:15,680 --> 00:05:19,040 among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 87 00:05:19,040 --> 00:05:23,080 Meaning Christians have a scent, if you will, is the analogy. 88 00:05:23,080 --> 00:05:25,320 And this scent follows us everywhere. 89 00:05:25,320 --> 00:05:29,360 To the one, those who are being saved, it is the Roma, no, excuse me, 90 00:05:29,360 --> 00:05:33,560 to those who are perishing, it is the Roma of death leading to death. 91 00:05:33,560 --> 00:05:37,640 But to the ones who are being saved, it is the Roma of life leading to life. 92 00:05:37,640 --> 00:05:42,040 And who is sufficient for these things? 93 00:05:42,040 --> 00:05:43,160 What is Paul saying? 94 00:05:43,160 --> 00:05:47,480 To some, he's saying by your presence in their lives, you're going to have an 95 00:05:47,480 --> 00:05:51,960 attractive and alluring scent, metaphorically. 96 00:05:51,960 --> 00:05:56,840 And yet to others, that very same scent will smell like a rotting corpse. 97 00:05:56,840 --> 00:05:58,160 It'll be all pudding. 98 00:05:58,160 --> 00:05:59,520 They'll want nothing to do with it. 99 00:05:59,520 --> 00:06:03,320 Some will accept this message that we bring and some are going to actually 100 00:06:03,320 --> 00:06:04,520 reject it. 101 00:06:04,520 --> 00:06:09,320 Some are going to embrace it and others are going to seek to persecute us for 102 00:06:09,320 --> 00:06:10,080 even delivering it. 103 00:06:11,440 --> 00:06:15,040 So if we're called to be an influential force as the church, 104 00:06:15,040 --> 00:06:17,200 how do we influence culture? 105 00:06:18,720 --> 00:06:21,720 Well, very first thing that goes without saying, if you and 106 00:06:21,720 --> 00:06:24,920 I are going to have an influence on anyone, we need to be around them. 107 00:06:24,920 --> 00:06:26,920 We need to be present with them. 108 00:06:26,920 --> 00:06:30,400 We should not seek to isolate ourselves from this lost world. 109 00:06:30,400 --> 00:06:35,160 And yet at the very same time, church, we must never live like the lost world. 110 00:06:35,160 --> 00:06:39,040 And I think one real problem, and this is a great problem, 111 00:06:40,160 --> 00:06:44,720 is that the world has a greater influence on the church 112 00:06:45,680 --> 00:06:47,760 than the church is having on the world. 113 00:06:49,120 --> 00:06:51,680 And so we need to understand, this is a very serious thing. 114 00:06:52,920 --> 00:06:57,520 I mean, why does this world, why do they even need us to be salt and light? 115 00:06:57,520 --> 00:07:01,720 Well, the world needs salt because it is rancid, it's corrupt. 116 00:07:01,720 --> 00:07:05,480 The Bible says the world lies in wickedness. 117 00:07:05,480 --> 00:07:09,240 Now they don't know they lie in wickedness, they don't see that they lie 118 00:07:09,240 --> 00:07:11,560 in wickedness, but this is what the world says. 119 00:07:11,560 --> 00:07:15,720 And they need us to be light because the world lies in spiritual darkness. 120 00:07:15,720 --> 00:07:18,920 They don't know the truth, and listen, 121 00:07:18,920 --> 00:07:22,040 they are incapable of understanding the truth. 122 00:07:22,040 --> 00:07:24,720 Now we could look around and this would go on forever. 123 00:07:24,720 --> 00:07:29,480 There are numerous examples of our culture's darkness. 124 00:07:30,680 --> 00:07:32,520 I mean, there are so many warning signs that you and 125 00:07:32,520 --> 00:07:36,160 I are living in a culture that is in terrible crisis. 126 00:07:36,160 --> 00:07:38,240 And I would say the number one sign, and 127 00:07:38,240 --> 00:07:44,360 that's the one evil that all these flow from, is an expressive individualism. 128 00:07:45,440 --> 00:07:47,920 Everyone does what is right in their own eyes. 129 00:07:49,000 --> 00:07:54,440 We hear this today, you do you, and I will do me. 130 00:07:54,440 --> 00:07:57,760 So here's what we say, and there's so many, and I didn't want to cherry pick, but 131 00:07:57,760 --> 00:08:01,760 you and I live in a time that says, if you feel like you were born in the wrong body, 132 00:08:01,760 --> 00:08:04,840 then surgically mutilate and change your body so 133 00:08:04,840 --> 00:08:07,840 you can have the body that fits you, the one that you want. 134 00:08:09,720 --> 00:08:13,760 They see gender as fluid, not as fixed by God. 135 00:08:13,760 --> 00:08:17,840 Right now in the United States of America, we live in a culture that has legalized and 136 00:08:17,840 --> 00:08:24,720 said it is good, it is righteous if two men or two women want to unite in marriage. 137 00:08:24,720 --> 00:08:30,480 We live in a culture that absolutely thinks that marriage is outdated. 138 00:08:30,480 --> 00:08:33,320 They believe it is wise, it is good for 139 00:08:33,320 --> 00:08:36,160 a couple to live together outside the bonds of marriage. 140 00:08:37,360 --> 00:08:41,360 Our culture will celebrate that, because they do not believe that marriage was 141 00:08:41,360 --> 00:08:45,120 instituted by God and that he is the one who alone determines its use. 142 00:08:45,120 --> 00:08:48,800 We live in our culture that says if you are a lady and 143 00:08:48,800 --> 00:08:53,840 you find yourself with an unwanted pregnancy, it's admirable and 144 00:08:53,840 --> 00:09:00,040 even courageous for you to end the life of the child in your womb. 145 00:09:00,040 --> 00:09:02,520 Because abortion is just a reproductive right. 146 00:09:04,280 --> 00:09:11,000 They don't believe in the sanctity of life, all human life, from womb to tomb. 147 00:09:11,000 --> 00:09:13,880 They don't believe that humans uniquely bear the imago dei, 148 00:09:13,880 --> 00:09:17,440 that the image of God is stamped upon each individual and 149 00:09:17,440 --> 00:09:19,880 therefore they have inherent worth. 150 00:09:19,880 --> 00:09:24,560 So all we can do, and again, we don't want to just simply point out what is dark. 151 00:09:24,560 --> 00:09:28,760 But we can see that in virtually every facet of society, whether that being 152 00:09:28,760 --> 00:09:33,520 government, in education, in the arts, in literature, in entertainment, 153 00:09:33,520 --> 00:09:36,840 you see corruption, all of it is corrupt. 154 00:09:36,840 --> 00:09:39,560 And right now our society, the one that you and 155 00:09:39,560 --> 00:09:42,520 I live here in the United States of America, the western world, 156 00:09:42,520 --> 00:09:46,560 we're in a moral free fall and we're spiraling downward at breakneck speed. 157 00:09:47,720 --> 00:09:51,000 But not enough people are raising their voices to cry against it. 158 00:09:52,360 --> 00:09:56,720 Says for all these reasons and a host more that the world desperately needs 159 00:09:56,720 --> 00:09:59,760 the light of the church to guide them into truth. 160 00:10:00,920 --> 00:10:01,440 Why? 161 00:10:01,440 --> 00:10:05,400 Because Christians rightly can see the decay in the world. 162 00:10:07,680 --> 00:10:09,560 But have we ever thought that we might be part of the problem? 163 00:10:09,560 --> 00:10:17,440 In 2023, a Gallup poll was taken and 68% of Americans called themselves Christians. 164 00:10:17,440 --> 00:10:18,920 That was a year ago. 165 00:10:18,920 --> 00:10:22,320 By the way, in 1990, it was 85%. 166 00:10:22,320 --> 00:10:24,440 So 68%, we're losing ground. 167 00:10:24,440 --> 00:10:27,160 But so that's nearly one third of Americans say no, but 168 00:10:27,160 --> 00:10:29,160 two thirds of Americans say they are. 169 00:10:29,160 --> 00:10:32,280 So there are 330 million people in the USA. 170 00:10:32,280 --> 00:10:36,600 68% will be about 224 million of the 330 171 00:10:36,600 --> 00:10:39,840 million claim to be Christians who are united to Christ in faith. 172 00:10:41,160 --> 00:10:43,960 Christianity has always been the majority religion in this country. 173 00:10:45,000 --> 00:10:46,720 But here's what I would say to you. 174 00:10:46,720 --> 00:10:51,040 If there are even close to 224 million Christians in this country, 175 00:10:51,040 --> 00:10:53,720 how in the world did we ever get ourselves into the mess we're in today? 176 00:10:56,520 --> 00:11:00,200 Could it be that the church has been more influenced by the world than 177 00:11:00,200 --> 00:11:01,680 the world has influenced the church? 178 00:11:03,400 --> 00:11:06,400 Far too many professing Christians have their values fixed, but 179 00:11:06,400 --> 00:11:09,840 they haven't fixed by society rather than by the scriptures. 180 00:11:11,160 --> 00:11:15,880 There are many who profess faith in Christ, many, 224 million Americans. 181 00:11:17,120 --> 00:11:22,520 And yet so many have their lives indistinguishable from their unsaved pagan 182 00:11:22,520 --> 00:11:22,960 neighbors. 183 00:11:24,600 --> 00:11:28,720 I believe there are many tears, many false professors in the church of 184 00:11:28,720 --> 00:11:30,160 the word Jesus Christ today. 185 00:11:31,560 --> 00:11:35,600 And so I also think there's far too many Christians who have failed to live as salt 186 00:11:35,600 --> 00:11:37,480 and light in this dark world. 187 00:11:37,480 --> 00:11:39,280 So that's the problem. 188 00:11:39,280 --> 00:11:40,600 And it's easy to see the problem. 189 00:11:40,600 --> 00:11:41,720 But what is the solution? 190 00:11:42,720 --> 00:11:44,760 Well, the word Jesus said, first of all, it's salt. 191 00:11:44,760 --> 00:11:45,880 Look at the verses again. 192 00:11:45,880 --> 00:11:47,880 You are the salt of the earth. 193 00:11:47,880 --> 00:11:51,040 And that pronoun, you, it is an emphatic pronoun. 194 00:11:51,040 --> 00:11:52,720 It's a plural pronoun. 195 00:11:52,720 --> 00:11:54,680 So the Lord is speaking to his disciples, and 196 00:11:54,680 --> 00:11:57,720 he's speaking by extension to all who are there on that day listening to him and 197 00:11:57,720 --> 00:11:58,960 following him. 198 00:11:58,960 --> 00:12:04,000 So this pronoun that is emphatic means that you, the church collectively, and 199 00:12:04,000 --> 00:12:06,120 only the church is the salt of the earth. 200 00:12:07,160 --> 00:12:09,600 There is no other salt apart from the people of God. 201 00:12:10,640 --> 00:12:13,480 The body of Christ is the salt of the earth. 202 00:12:14,800 --> 00:12:16,400 Now think about the metaphor the Lord is using. 203 00:12:17,480 --> 00:12:20,200 How much taste does one grain of salt add to a meal? 204 00:12:21,440 --> 00:12:22,960 Not much. 205 00:12:22,960 --> 00:12:27,080 But when you combine it with other salt, it adds a lot of taste. 206 00:12:27,080 --> 00:12:28,840 And that's what the Lord is saying here. 207 00:12:28,840 --> 00:12:31,920 One Christian living in the world, yes, it helps. 208 00:12:31,920 --> 00:12:36,640 But the influence is going to be minimal compared to the influence of all 209 00:12:36,640 --> 00:12:39,400 God's church in holding back corruption. 210 00:12:40,680 --> 00:12:44,160 One small ray of light, not that powerful. 211 00:12:44,160 --> 00:12:46,880 But many rays of light coming together can affect a great change. 212 00:12:48,560 --> 00:12:51,200 Now it's interesting that the Lord Jesus said that the church is the salt of 213 00:12:51,200 --> 00:12:51,720 the earth. 214 00:12:52,840 --> 00:12:56,000 Christians do not make themselves salt. 215 00:12:56,000 --> 00:12:58,200 Christians do not make themselves light. 216 00:12:58,200 --> 00:13:01,080 The Lord simply said they are salt and light. 217 00:13:01,080 --> 00:13:03,960 But they are salt and light only because and 218 00:13:03,960 --> 00:13:06,520 if they have been born again by the Spirit of God. 219 00:13:07,840 --> 00:13:12,280 If you know Christ and you belong to him, that means the Spirit of God has taken up 220 00:13:12,280 --> 00:13:17,080 residence within you and by virtue of this new birth, this radical change, 221 00:13:17,080 --> 00:13:20,200 you and I are now salt and light in the Lord. 222 00:13:21,360 --> 00:13:23,200 As salt, you were to hold back decay. 223 00:13:23,200 --> 00:13:26,800 That means your life ought to be a righteous testimony to the precepts of God. 224 00:13:26,800 --> 00:13:31,240 Think back in Genesis chapter 18 when God was talking to Abraham and 225 00:13:31,240 --> 00:13:33,320 he was going to destroy Sodom. 226 00:13:33,320 --> 00:13:36,960 And God said he would spare Sodom if he could find just a few righteous people in 227 00:13:36,960 --> 00:13:37,480 the city. 228 00:13:39,120 --> 00:13:42,400 And then the same way, right now the presence of the followers of the Lord 229 00:13:42,400 --> 00:13:45,560 Jesus within this world preserves it from destruction. 230 00:13:47,400 --> 00:13:51,520 I personally believe that one of the reasons that our nation has not faced 231 00:13:51,520 --> 00:13:57,560 harsher judgment is because of the presence of God's people in this country. 232 00:13:57,560 --> 00:13:59,000 Now we are under judgment. 233 00:13:59,000 --> 00:14:02,240 I believe God's lifting his hands and I think there's many evidences of that. 234 00:14:02,240 --> 00:14:04,560 But I think one of the reasons we've not seen sharper and 235 00:14:04,560 --> 00:14:08,440 harsher judgment is because of God's people. 236 00:14:08,440 --> 00:14:12,200 And yet God's people are the ones that are looked at as the pariah of society. 237 00:14:13,240 --> 00:14:16,160 They look at and they think you're the problem, we're the problem. 238 00:14:16,160 --> 00:14:21,600 Outdated, harsh, bigoted, homophobic, misogynistic. 239 00:14:21,600 --> 00:14:24,680 And yet Jesus said no, you're the salt of the earth. 240 00:14:24,680 --> 00:14:27,720 Not only salt of the earth, you are the salt for the earth. 241 00:14:27,720 --> 00:14:29,400 Now why is he using that metaphor? 242 00:14:29,400 --> 00:14:31,240 Because if you think back to the time when Jesus lived, 243 00:14:31,240 --> 00:14:34,080 the ancient world, they had no source of refrigeration. 244 00:14:34,080 --> 00:14:36,840 So if they were going to preserve meat, which was very expensive, 245 00:14:36,840 --> 00:14:38,320 they wanted to keep it from spoiling so 246 00:14:38,320 --> 00:14:41,880 they would cover it really, really abundantly in salt. 247 00:14:41,880 --> 00:14:44,240 And salt was such an important part. 248 00:14:44,240 --> 00:14:49,560 John MacArthur said this, salt has always been valuable in human society, 249 00:14:49,560 --> 00:14:51,760 often much more than it is today. 250 00:14:51,760 --> 00:14:56,160 The Romans held that except for the sun, nothing was more valuable than salt. 251 00:14:56,160 --> 00:14:58,320 Often Roman soldiers were paid in salt and 252 00:14:58,320 --> 00:15:02,760 it was from that practice that the expression not worth his salt originated. 253 00:15:02,760 --> 00:15:06,160 Salt was frequently used in the ancient near east to bind a covenant, 254 00:15:06,160 --> 00:15:10,000 somewhat in the way an agreement or a contract is notarized in our day. 255 00:15:10,000 --> 00:15:12,720 When the parties took covenant eight salt together before witnesses, 256 00:15:12,720 --> 00:15:14,760 the covenant was given special authentication. 257 00:15:16,040 --> 00:15:18,920 Salt has always stood for that which is of high value and importance. 258 00:15:19,960 --> 00:15:23,560 Now that's the background Jesus said his church, his followers are the salt. 259 00:15:24,760 --> 00:15:25,280 Why? 260 00:15:25,280 --> 00:15:28,200 Just as that salt preserved that meat from decay, so 261 00:15:28,200 --> 00:15:31,360 also we are preserving influence in a decaying culture. 262 00:15:32,640 --> 00:15:34,560 This is what we're called to be. 263 00:15:34,560 --> 00:15:35,520 Well, how do we do that? 264 00:15:35,520 --> 00:15:37,160 Well, first of all, the church has two jobs. 265 00:15:37,160 --> 00:15:39,720 We preach the gospel and we rightly administer the sacraments. 266 00:15:39,720 --> 00:15:42,000 But if you would look around, the church has done, 267 00:15:42,000 --> 00:15:44,920 historically has done a pretty good job. 268 00:15:44,920 --> 00:15:47,080 Who was it that was responsible primarily for 269 00:15:47,080 --> 00:15:48,640 the higher education in the western world? 270 00:15:49,680 --> 00:15:51,680 The church of the Lord Jesus Christ. 271 00:15:51,680 --> 00:15:56,320 It was the church who started hospitals in the western world. 272 00:15:56,320 --> 00:15:59,440 It was the Christian church who sought to take care of orphans and 273 00:15:59,440 --> 00:16:02,120 thus began the orphanage movement in the western world. 274 00:16:02,120 --> 00:16:08,880 The church has always stood for and promoted truth and beauty and righteousness. 275 00:16:08,880 --> 00:16:12,120 And that's what we're to do today. 276 00:16:12,120 --> 00:16:15,800 We are to take a stand and stand for those things that promote human flourishing. 277 00:16:17,160 --> 00:16:19,040 And yet we're not doing this. 278 00:16:19,040 --> 00:16:23,440 So not only are we to advance righteousness, that's light, but 279 00:16:23,440 --> 00:16:26,680 there's a corrupting influence of the world and we're gonna hold that back. 280 00:16:26,680 --> 00:16:32,800 Your presence, your voice, your light, ought to be preserving influence. 281 00:16:32,800 --> 00:16:35,160 But what if we lost it? 282 00:16:35,160 --> 00:16:37,000 What if the church fails in her job? 283 00:16:37,000 --> 00:16:38,440 Look at verse 13, the latter part. 284 00:16:39,480 --> 00:16:43,440 If the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? 285 00:16:43,440 --> 00:16:46,640 It is in good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 286 00:16:47,760 --> 00:16:50,320 Salt that can't season is useless. 287 00:16:50,320 --> 00:16:53,920 And salt that has lost its flavor cannot be re-seasoned. 288 00:16:53,920 --> 00:16:57,440 I know that technically NACL salt can never lose its flavor, but 289 00:16:57,440 --> 00:16:59,120 this salt had other properties. 290 00:16:59,120 --> 00:17:00,600 It wasn't pure salt like we think of. 291 00:17:00,600 --> 00:17:03,240 So I know some of you scientists are like, technically I get it. 292 00:17:03,240 --> 00:17:05,440 So let me just stop there and we're going on, okay? 293 00:17:05,440 --> 00:17:09,920 So what is the benefit of salt if it no longer enhances flavor, the word said? 294 00:17:11,080 --> 00:17:13,600 Well clearly he's not talking about salt, he's talking about his people. 295 00:17:14,760 --> 00:17:15,720 And this is the truth. 296 00:17:15,720 --> 00:17:18,640 The church can only influence the world, get this, 297 00:17:18,640 --> 00:17:21,240 if you and I are distinct from them. 298 00:17:21,240 --> 00:17:25,120 We will never influence the world by becoming like the world. 299 00:17:26,720 --> 00:17:29,360 If we're not distinct from them, then our message is obscured. 300 00:17:30,520 --> 00:17:31,840 The mission is compromised. 301 00:17:31,840 --> 00:17:32,400 I love what G. 302 00:17:32,400 --> 00:17:33,360 Campbell Morgan said. 303 00:17:34,360 --> 00:17:35,800 He said, the church did most for 304 00:17:35,800 --> 00:17:39,920 the world when the church was least like the world, amen. 305 00:17:39,920 --> 00:17:42,720 Today, many churches have the idea that they must imitate the world, 306 00:17:42,720 --> 00:17:43,600 nor did it reach the world. 307 00:17:44,800 --> 00:17:47,960 A nation will not decay and collapse because of the people who peddle 308 00:17:47,960 --> 00:17:49,440 pornography or illicit drugs. 309 00:17:49,440 --> 00:17:52,000 We would all yet will. 310 00:17:52,000 --> 00:17:54,920 No, why will a nation collapse? 311 00:17:54,920 --> 00:17:57,480 Because of Christians who are no longer salt and light. 312 00:17:58,560 --> 00:18:02,000 There's no longer any truth and there's no longer any preserving influence. 313 00:18:02,000 --> 00:18:03,640 Sinners will act like sinners. 314 00:18:03,640 --> 00:18:06,480 Yes, don't be surprised if your unsaved neighbor acts unsaved. 315 00:18:07,640 --> 00:18:11,640 But when saints begin to act like sinners, their compromise hurts not only 316 00:18:11,640 --> 00:18:14,880 themselves, their families and churches, but 317 00:18:14,880 --> 00:18:16,800 also contributes to the decay of the entire nation. 318 00:18:16,800 --> 00:18:21,240 I believe that's what we're seeing today, lived out in our very country. 319 00:18:21,240 --> 00:18:24,120 Our world is in decay. 320 00:18:24,120 --> 00:18:28,440 But the other problem with not just our society, but 321 00:18:28,440 --> 00:18:31,880 all societies in general, is that they lie in darkness. 322 00:18:31,880 --> 00:18:34,960 So if darkness is a problem, what's the answer? 323 00:18:34,960 --> 00:18:35,520 Light. 324 00:18:35,520 --> 00:18:38,600 Light is a universal religious symbol. 325 00:18:38,600 --> 00:18:39,960 It's not unique to Christianity. 326 00:18:39,960 --> 00:18:41,880 Every major world religion uses it. 327 00:18:41,880 --> 00:18:45,920 In the sacred scriptures, we have light referring to purity, holiness, 328 00:18:45,920 --> 00:18:51,120 the truth of God, knowledge, divine revelation. 329 00:18:52,200 --> 00:18:54,800 And once again, here our Lord is looking to his followers and 330 00:18:54,800 --> 00:18:58,080 saying, you are the light of the world. 331 00:18:58,080 --> 00:19:00,120 Once more, you is an emphatic pronoun. 332 00:19:00,120 --> 00:19:02,680 Emphatic means only the church is the light of the world and 333 00:19:02,680 --> 00:19:04,400 it's the church collectively. 334 00:19:04,400 --> 00:19:06,040 It's plural here. 335 00:19:06,040 --> 00:19:07,560 Look at verse 14. 336 00:19:07,560 --> 00:19:11,200 You are the light of the world, a city that sat on a hill cannot be hid. 337 00:19:12,800 --> 00:19:15,760 Now when we say that the world lies in darkness, again, it's obvious we're 338 00:19:15,760 --> 00:19:19,040 speaking metaphorically, this is a spiritual darkness. 339 00:19:19,040 --> 00:19:23,920 But the problem is that those who live in darkness cannot perceive truth. 340 00:19:23,920 --> 00:19:24,600 They don't get it. 341 00:19:25,680 --> 00:19:29,320 Why, their understanding, Ephesians 2 says their understanding is darkened. 342 00:19:30,360 --> 00:19:31,760 So they do have knowledge, but 343 00:19:31,760 --> 00:19:34,520 whatever knowledge they have doesn't lead them toward truth, 344 00:19:34,520 --> 00:19:36,560 it leads them away from truth. 345 00:19:36,560 --> 00:19:38,440 It doesn't lead them to the one true God, 346 00:19:38,440 --> 00:19:41,160 it'll lead them to fabricate idols in their hearts. 347 00:19:42,480 --> 00:19:44,840 They're unaware of their own depravity. 348 00:19:44,840 --> 00:19:47,280 They're unaware of the wickedness of their own heart. 349 00:19:48,560 --> 00:19:55,520 And so their entire lives has been warped by this inability to see the light of God. 350 00:19:55,520 --> 00:19:57,800 They're estranged from God, they're cut off from God. 351 00:19:57,800 --> 00:19:59,200 That's what happened in Genesis 3. 352 00:20:00,400 --> 00:20:04,320 So now there's no light in their life from God, there's no divine revelation, so 353 00:20:04,320 --> 00:20:05,800 they are impaired morally. 354 00:20:07,320 --> 00:20:13,160 Which is why the church of the Lord Jesus Christ must take the light to dark places. 355 00:20:13,160 --> 00:20:16,600 Salt preserves, but what does light do? 356 00:20:16,600 --> 00:20:18,480 It reveals. 357 00:20:18,480 --> 00:20:24,120 And the church has a prophetic role in the culture to witness to the truth of God. 358 00:20:25,800 --> 00:20:29,560 We must, and it may be unpopular, it may not be fun, 359 00:20:29,560 --> 00:20:31,680 but we must publicly herald the truth. 360 00:20:33,000 --> 00:20:36,520 And it's not just pastors who are called to do this, all of God's people. 361 00:20:36,520 --> 00:20:41,120 Salt, be salt, hold back corruption, but be light and penetrate the darkness. 362 00:20:41,120 --> 00:20:44,280 Well, what is the source of the church's light? 363 00:20:45,480 --> 00:20:47,480 Well, obviously the Lord Jesus Christ. 364 00:20:47,480 --> 00:20:49,160 He's the true light of the world. 365 00:20:49,160 --> 00:20:51,160 In John 8-12, he said, I'm the light of the world. 366 00:20:51,160 --> 00:20:55,720 He who follows me will not walk in darkness but have the light of life. 367 00:20:55,720 --> 00:21:00,080 John 9-5, as long as I'm in the world, I'm the light of the world. 368 00:21:00,080 --> 00:21:06,080 But now our Lord is no longer physically in this world, and he says his people, 369 00:21:06,080 --> 00:21:08,280 his church is the light of the world. 370 00:21:08,280 --> 00:21:14,120 Ephesians 5-8, for you, now listen, this is all of us, for you were once darkness. 371 00:21:15,160 --> 00:21:21,240 But now you are light in the Lord, and since you are, walk as children of light. 372 00:21:21,240 --> 00:21:22,880 But I want you to notice something. 373 00:21:22,880 --> 00:21:25,360 Notice what he didn't say in Ephesians 5-8. 374 00:21:25,360 --> 00:21:28,200 He didn't say that you were once in the darkness. 375 00:21:29,760 --> 00:21:32,320 He said you were once darkness. 376 00:21:32,320 --> 00:21:33,880 That's who you were. 377 00:21:33,880 --> 00:21:35,040 But now you are light. 378 00:21:35,040 --> 00:21:38,280 If we could use this analogy, it's like Christ is the sun, and 379 00:21:38,280 --> 00:21:40,760 you and I are like the moon reflecting his light. 380 00:21:40,760 --> 00:21:44,840 The light doesn't originate within us, the light is reflected through us. 381 00:21:44,840 --> 00:21:47,680 That's why we need salt and light. 382 00:21:47,680 --> 00:21:51,280 Salt works secretly, but light works openly. 383 00:21:51,280 --> 00:21:54,720 Salt's gonna work from within, light will work from without. 384 00:21:54,720 --> 00:21:56,640 And that's what the church is to be. 385 00:21:56,640 --> 00:21:59,680 Salt is really the way in which we live our lives, but 386 00:21:59,680 --> 00:22:01,760 light is communicating the gospel. 387 00:22:01,760 --> 00:22:08,840 It's not enough just to keep back decay, we've gotta spread truth. 388 00:22:08,840 --> 00:22:13,640 So we need to proclaim the gospel, and we need lives that back up the claim of 389 00:22:13,640 --> 00:22:14,160 the gospel. 390 00:22:15,360 --> 00:22:20,000 Spurgeon said, I would not give much for your religion unless it can be seen. 391 00:22:21,120 --> 00:22:23,640 Lamps do not talk, but they do shine. 392 00:22:24,920 --> 00:22:25,800 This is James 2. 393 00:22:26,920 --> 00:22:29,280 He says, what good does it say, my friend, if you have faith and 394 00:22:29,280 --> 00:22:32,320 your faith does nothing in your life? 395 00:22:32,320 --> 00:22:35,000 It doesn't do, it's a dead faith. 396 00:22:35,000 --> 00:22:39,000 If your faith is not moving you and causing you to shine as a light and 397 00:22:39,000 --> 00:22:41,920 to be salt in a preserving force, it may be a dead faith. 398 00:22:43,680 --> 00:22:45,880 He said, a city that is set on a hill can't be hid. 399 00:22:47,560 --> 00:22:51,520 It's impossible, a city that's set up there, I love what Lawrence Farley said. 400 00:22:51,520 --> 00:22:55,640 He said, Jesus compares the disciples to a city atop a mountain. 401 00:22:55,640 --> 00:23:00,440 Such a city is not able to be hidden, but light from within shines in the night, 402 00:23:00,440 --> 00:23:03,320 guiding all the weary travelers to safety within its walls. 403 00:23:04,400 --> 00:23:08,320 The church, the city of God is the same, and 404 00:23:08,320 --> 00:23:12,120 its function is to illumine the world. 405 00:23:13,360 --> 00:23:15,000 In the ancient Near East, in the Holy Land, 406 00:23:15,000 --> 00:23:17,160 many villages were actually built on top of hills. 407 00:23:18,320 --> 00:23:20,400 There was no electricity, there was no lamp posts, 408 00:23:20,400 --> 00:23:23,600 there was no freeways with lights on them to illuminate a path. 409 00:23:23,600 --> 00:23:27,680 So there are people who traveled at night, but they would be dependent upon those 410 00:23:27,680 --> 00:23:31,840 lamps in the windows of the houses on top of that hill in the next village to guide them. 411 00:23:33,120 --> 00:23:37,880 At night, those lamps in the windows would shine, and 412 00:23:37,880 --> 00:23:42,400 travelers could then know the way to the location of the next village, 413 00:23:42,400 --> 00:23:45,680 because they simply followed the light that was on top of the hill. 414 00:23:45,680 --> 00:23:46,560 That's what was going on here. 415 00:23:47,760 --> 00:23:52,600 So the light stands out in darkness, and the point that Jesus is making is that 416 00:23:52,600 --> 00:23:56,280 you're alive in my life ought to stand out in the darkness as well. 417 00:23:57,440 --> 00:23:58,840 We're to be conspicuous. 418 00:24:00,360 --> 00:24:02,800 Now the problem again, and all this is balanced, 419 00:24:02,800 --> 00:24:06,280 some have tried to make the Christian's distinction merely external. 420 00:24:07,800 --> 00:24:11,800 Well, just as how you wear your hair, the way you dress, or the music you listen to. 421 00:24:11,800 --> 00:24:13,320 No, that's not what he's talking about here. 422 00:24:14,520 --> 00:24:16,160 What is so distinct about the Christian? 423 00:24:16,160 --> 00:24:18,800 His character. 424 00:24:18,800 --> 00:24:20,760 That's the context. 425 00:24:20,760 --> 00:24:22,880 The Christian is poor in spirit. 426 00:24:22,880 --> 00:24:24,800 He knows he has no righteousness. 427 00:24:24,800 --> 00:24:26,800 He is mourned over his sin. 428 00:24:26,800 --> 00:24:28,840 He is meek before God. 429 00:24:28,840 --> 00:24:32,040 He hungers and thirsts for righteousness. 430 00:24:32,040 --> 00:24:35,120 Because he's received mercy from God, he gives mercy to others. 431 00:24:36,560 --> 00:24:41,200 God has made him pure in heart, and he desires to be an ambassador for peace. 432 00:24:41,200 --> 00:24:42,040 He makes peace. 433 00:24:43,360 --> 00:24:47,120 And as we looked at last week, he's even willing to suffer for his Lord, if need be. 434 00:24:47,120 --> 00:24:52,080 Our lives are a witness to having been called out of darkness and 435 00:24:52,080 --> 00:24:56,160 into God's marvelous light. 436 00:24:56,160 --> 00:25:00,680 Peter, the apostle said this, you church are a chosen generation. 437 00:25:00,680 --> 00:25:05,440 You are a royal priesthood, a holy nation, his own special people. 438 00:25:05,440 --> 00:25:05,940 Why? 439 00:25:07,360 --> 00:25:11,080 So that you can proclaim the praises of him who called you out of darkness and 440 00:25:11,080 --> 00:25:12,680 into his marvelous light. 441 00:25:14,200 --> 00:25:16,200 Friends, God has left you here as salt and light. 442 00:25:16,200 --> 00:25:18,200 One of the functions is to expel the darkness. 443 00:25:19,440 --> 00:25:22,240 Verse 15, they don't light a lamp and then put it under a basket? 444 00:25:23,400 --> 00:25:24,520 I mean, that would be absurd, wouldn't it? 445 00:25:24,520 --> 00:25:29,280 For those person living in that village at night on top of that hill to trim the wicks, 446 00:25:29,280 --> 00:25:33,000 to light the lamp, and as soon as they did, put a big covering over it. 447 00:25:33,000 --> 00:25:35,040 Put a big basket over it to hide the light. 448 00:25:36,520 --> 00:25:39,720 That's defeating the purpose of even lighting the candle in the first place. 449 00:25:41,120 --> 00:25:43,760 No, he said, you're gonna put a candle on the lamp stand, and 450 00:25:43,760 --> 00:25:47,920 you're gonna lift it to a high place that give as much light in the house as possible. 451 00:25:49,440 --> 00:25:52,400 What's true physically is true spiritually here. 452 00:25:52,400 --> 00:25:55,840 A secret Christian is just as absurd as a hidden light. 453 00:25:58,040 --> 00:25:59,480 If you know Christ and you love him, 454 00:25:59,480 --> 00:26:02,880 you desire to bear witness for the one who died and rose again for you. 455 00:26:04,840 --> 00:26:05,480 So what do we do? 456 00:26:05,480 --> 00:26:10,560 We need to illumine the world, guide others home to salvation in Christ. 457 00:26:10,560 --> 00:26:14,720 Now you preach the gospel and your life backs up the gospel. 458 00:26:16,280 --> 00:26:18,800 Before coming to Christ, you were darkness, we just saw that. 459 00:26:18,800 --> 00:26:20,360 But now you are light. 460 00:26:20,360 --> 00:26:23,240 And since you're light, you are to walk as children of the light. 461 00:26:23,240 --> 00:26:24,880 What does that even mean? 462 00:26:24,880 --> 00:26:26,320 What's walking as children of light? 463 00:26:28,440 --> 00:26:31,680 Goodness, truth, and beauty. 464 00:26:31,680 --> 00:26:35,360 Ephesians 5, 9 says, the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and 465 00:26:35,360 --> 00:26:36,880 true. 466 00:26:36,880 --> 00:26:41,760 If it's good, it's right, it's true, it's light, it's of God. 467 00:26:41,760 --> 00:26:42,760 But what you're doing, friends, 468 00:26:42,760 --> 00:26:45,680 you're bearing witness to this claims of Christ and his saving mission. 469 00:26:45,680 --> 00:26:47,000 That's what you're called to do. 470 00:26:47,000 --> 00:26:50,920 So we have to lift up our voice whether we want to or not, we preach Christ, and 471 00:26:50,920 --> 00:26:54,880 at the same time, we're also promoting what is good and right and true. 472 00:26:56,320 --> 00:26:59,720 Now one of the criticisms that is often heard right now in our culture is that 473 00:26:59,720 --> 00:27:01,480 the church should say out of politics. 474 00:27:01,480 --> 00:27:03,920 And by the way, I don't care for politics. 475 00:27:03,920 --> 00:27:05,800 The church has little to say about politics. 476 00:27:05,800 --> 00:27:06,600 And what do I mean by that? 477 00:27:06,600 --> 00:27:09,120 Now listen carefully before some of you start to throw stones. 478 00:27:10,320 --> 00:27:14,840 What I mean is that I'm not interested as a church to talk about the tax code or 479 00:27:14,840 --> 00:27:18,560 what highways ought to be built or what the speed limit on a freeway ought to be. 480 00:27:18,560 --> 00:27:19,720 Church has nothing to say there. 481 00:27:20,800 --> 00:27:23,240 But we have a whole lot to say on moral issues. 482 00:27:23,240 --> 00:27:26,080 We have a whole lot to say on ethical issues. 483 00:27:26,080 --> 00:27:30,240 The church is the only body qualified to speak on marriage, 484 00:27:30,240 --> 00:27:34,160 to speak on human sexuality, to speak on sanctity of life issues. 485 00:27:34,160 --> 00:27:35,560 They're gonna get it wrong, why? 486 00:27:35,560 --> 00:27:37,440 They live in darkness. 487 00:27:37,440 --> 00:27:39,200 They're unable to proclaim what is good. 488 00:27:39,200 --> 00:27:41,000 They're gonna call good evil and evil good. 489 00:27:41,000 --> 00:27:44,320 So the church, as a prophetic witness, we lift up our voice and 490 00:27:44,320 --> 00:27:46,080 we say no, that is wrong. 491 00:27:47,360 --> 00:27:50,960 Unbelievers will never promote truth and righteousness, 492 00:27:50,960 --> 00:27:56,480 which is why the world needs a church to shine her light brightly as possible. 493 00:27:56,480 --> 00:27:57,200 We must do it. 494 00:27:58,520 --> 00:28:01,720 And by the way, don't dampen our light, because if our gospel's hid, 495 00:28:01,720 --> 00:28:03,640 who is it hid to? 496 00:28:03,640 --> 00:28:06,160 Those who are lost, it's hid to the perishing people. 497 00:28:07,640 --> 00:28:10,320 So there's two problems, there's corruption and darkness. 498 00:28:10,320 --> 00:28:12,440 There's two answers, salt and light. 499 00:28:12,440 --> 00:28:14,480 And lastly, what's the ultimate purpose of all this? 500 00:28:14,480 --> 00:28:17,200 Look at verse 16. 501 00:28:17,200 --> 00:28:19,520 Everything in life is for the glory of God. 502 00:28:19,520 --> 00:28:24,440 Verse 16, let your light so shine before men in such a way that they may see your 503 00:28:24,440 --> 00:28:26,640 good works and glorify your Father who's in heaven. 504 00:28:28,200 --> 00:28:29,680 How do Christians shine the light? 505 00:28:29,680 --> 00:28:31,800 Through your good works. 506 00:28:31,800 --> 00:28:35,080 The Puritan Thomas Brooks wrote this, he said, 507 00:28:35,080 --> 00:28:39,200 a Christian's life should be nothing but a visible representation of Christ. 508 00:28:41,000 --> 00:28:45,440 One author said, the good word without the good walk is of no avail. 509 00:28:45,440 --> 00:28:46,040 It's useless. 510 00:28:47,400 --> 00:28:49,920 Let me just say this, we're not the Pharisees. 511 00:28:49,920 --> 00:28:53,560 We don't do works in order to be seen by men and receive the praise of others. 512 00:28:54,880 --> 00:28:57,480 But we do wanna draw attention to how good our Lord is and 513 00:28:57,480 --> 00:28:59,960 the one who's doing the good work in and through us. 514 00:28:59,960 --> 00:29:03,640 Through our lives, we showcase God's saving work. 515 00:29:03,640 --> 00:29:08,800 So our lives have to reflect two things, the mind of God and the will of God. 516 00:29:08,800 --> 00:29:13,520 And you're saying, but if I do that, this is a very dark world. 517 00:29:13,520 --> 00:29:18,240 When we shine our light like that, that may invite ridicule and even persecution. 518 00:29:18,240 --> 00:29:19,520 Yes, it will. Look back at verse 10. 519 00:29:21,040 --> 00:29:23,400 But others are gonna come and they're gonna see that light and 520 00:29:23,400 --> 00:29:24,880 they're gonna give glory to God. 521 00:29:24,880 --> 00:29:28,880 As I said at the beginning, we are not responsible for how people respond. 522 00:29:28,880 --> 00:29:29,960 We're not. 523 00:29:29,960 --> 00:29:33,880 But you and I are responsible for shining the light as brightly as possible. 524 00:29:33,880 --> 00:29:36,960 We are shining, we are responsible for preaching the message. 525 00:29:36,960 --> 00:29:42,200 D.A. Carson says, the kingdom norms, those are the Beatitudes, first 10 verses, 526 00:29:42,200 --> 00:29:46,080 work out in the lives of the kingdom mayors, that's the followers of Christ, 527 00:29:46,080 --> 00:29:49,000 as to produce the kingdom's witness, that's salt and light. 528 00:29:49,000 --> 00:29:52,760 Most of us are familiar with the way previews work in movies, 529 00:29:52,760 --> 00:29:56,920 and you see a clip or whatever and it'll be the funniest clip or the cutest or 530 00:29:56,920 --> 00:30:00,640 the most action packed scene of the film that's soon to be released. 531 00:30:00,640 --> 00:30:03,080 What's the purpose of those trailers or clips? 532 00:30:03,080 --> 00:30:05,440 Well, they're to get you to whet your appetite so 533 00:30:05,440 --> 00:30:07,480 you wanna see the entire movie when it comes out. 534 00:30:07,480 --> 00:30:11,680 Well, one pastor said this, he said, there's a big show coming to town. 535 00:30:11,680 --> 00:30:16,080 God is the producer, the Holy Spirit's the director, Jesus Christ is the star, 536 00:30:16,080 --> 00:30:20,200 and in the meantime, God has left you and me to be the preview to this blockbuster 537 00:30:20,200 --> 00:30:20,720 event. 538 00:30:20,720 --> 00:30:24,720 You and I are to be the previews of the coming attraction so 539 00:30:24,720 --> 00:30:27,480 that when people see us or get to know us, 540 00:30:27,480 --> 00:30:31,920 they want to make sure they get to see the entire movie. 541 00:30:31,920 --> 00:30:35,200 Their appetite is whetted, if you will. 542 00:30:35,200 --> 00:30:37,760 So now what? 543 00:30:37,760 --> 00:30:40,600 It's time to examine ourselves. 544 00:30:40,600 --> 00:30:45,120 We have to look at the truth and if our culture is growing darker and 545 00:30:45,120 --> 00:30:50,920 darker, could it be that believers are failing to live their lives of salt and 546 00:30:50,920 --> 00:30:53,720 light as God has called us to? 547 00:30:53,720 --> 00:30:55,600 I mean, are we cowards? 548 00:30:55,600 --> 00:30:58,720 Are we afraid to invite the scorn of others? 549 00:30:58,720 --> 00:30:59,680 Or are we worldly? 550 00:30:59,680 --> 00:31:05,000 We've adopted their values and worldliness kills your Christian witness. 551 00:31:05,000 --> 00:31:07,560 So again, the church corporately best do the work of the church. 552 00:31:07,560 --> 00:31:12,200 We preach the gospel, we also pray, and we rightly admit our sacraments. 553 00:31:12,200 --> 00:31:14,280 That's what we're doing today. 554 00:31:14,280 --> 00:31:18,440 But listen, individuals, you will leave this assembly. 555 00:31:18,440 --> 00:31:21,600 Tomorrow you will reenter the work world. 556 00:31:21,600 --> 00:31:25,000 And Jesus Christ, your King, has called you to be salt and 557 00:31:25,000 --> 00:31:27,920 light bearing fruit to him by your good works. 558 00:31:29,160 --> 00:31:31,720 That's being a good employee, that's being truthful, that's being honest, 559 00:31:31,720 --> 00:31:33,240 that's putting good to his work. 560 00:31:33,240 --> 00:31:34,240 It's not gossiping. 561 00:31:35,480 --> 00:31:37,880 All these things bear truth to Christ. 562 00:31:37,880 --> 00:31:44,720 But the lost, there is no hope for them apart from the Lord Jesus Christ. 563 00:31:44,720 --> 00:31:48,440 He's the true light and you and I are bearing witness to his light. 564 00:31:50,000 --> 00:31:51,560 I close with this quote by Keith Matheson. 565 00:31:53,480 --> 00:31:57,960 He said, as long as so much popular Christian thinking behavior is shaped by 566 00:31:57,960 --> 00:32:01,360 the world rather than by scripture, nothing we do or 567 00:32:01,360 --> 00:32:03,480 say is going to stop the spread of decay and darkness. 568 00:32:04,920 --> 00:32:06,360 It will not matter who we elect. 569 00:32:06,360 --> 00:32:10,360 It will not matter what causes or movements we support or oppose. 570 00:32:10,360 --> 00:32:13,880 It will not matter how much and how angrily we tweet. 571 00:32:13,880 --> 00:32:20,120 If the church ceases to be salt and light, everything we do is building, 572 00:32:20,120 --> 00:32:24,920 everything else we do is building sand castles as a wave approaches. 573 00:32:24,920 --> 00:32:27,680 Each of us needs to examine his own heart. 574 00:32:27,680 --> 00:32:29,200 This is the church. 575 00:32:29,200 --> 00:32:33,520 Each of us who claims to be a follower of Christ needs to ask himself 576 00:32:33,520 --> 00:32:36,600 whether he understands what that truly entails. 577 00:32:36,600 --> 00:32:42,320 If we are not by God's grace seeking individual and 578 00:32:42,320 --> 00:32:50,880 corporate holiness as God commands, we will not be salt and light. 579 00:32:50,880 --> 00:32:52,520 It's an impossibility. 580 00:32:52,520 --> 00:32:59,400 The author of Hebrews says pursue holiness without which no man will see the Lord. 581 00:32:59,400 --> 00:33:03,360 Church, it's time for judgment to begin here. 582 00:33:03,360 --> 00:33:08,320 And if it begins here, what is the end of those who do not obey the gospel? 583 00:33:08,320 --> 00:33:08,920 Let's pray. 584 00:33:08,920 --> 00:33:12,280 Let's take a moment to examine our hearts, to bow before the Lord and 585 00:33:12,280 --> 00:33:17,800 confess our sin, and to pray for those who need to see Jesus and 586 00:33:17,800 --> 00:33:21,400 hear of him and what he has done for sinners like them. 587 00:33:21,400 --> 00:33:21,920 Let's pray. 588 00:33:21,920 --> 00:33:30,880 Father, this morning we take just a moment to humble ourselves, Lord. 589 00:33:33,040 --> 00:33:36,640 God, we pray for the precious Holy Spirit to illumine our own hearts, Lord. 590 00:33:36,640 --> 00:33:40,320 We can't discern our own motives, our own hearts, our own thoughts, 591 00:33:40,320 --> 00:33:41,680 they get so jumbled up. 592 00:33:41,680 --> 00:33:44,880 Lord, we need the gift of the Holy Spirit to open us, Lord. 593 00:33:44,880 --> 00:33:49,760 Show us, Lord, where we have allowed worldliness, idolatry. 594 00:33:49,760 --> 00:33:52,800 Lord, where we have failed you in this, Lord. 595 00:33:52,800 --> 00:33:57,800 God, show us, Lord, how we have failed, Lord God, as your people, 596 00:33:57,800 --> 00:34:02,280 to be the preserving influence and the light revealers in this culture. 597 00:34:02,280 --> 00:34:05,680 Forgive us or truly forgive us. 598 00:34:05,680 --> 00:34:07,280 Have mercy upon us. 599 00:34:07,280 --> 00:34:11,640 Lord, some are, Lord, they're bored with Christianity, 600 00:34:11,640 --> 00:34:15,880 they're bored with the church, worship means nothing. 601 00:34:15,880 --> 00:34:17,680 Lord God, forgive us, Lord. 602 00:34:17,680 --> 00:34:19,960 Forgive us, Lord. 603 00:34:19,960 --> 00:34:22,160 Forgive us for anemic, weak worship. 604 00:34:23,760 --> 00:34:27,240 God, turn our eyes toward heaven, let us see the glory of God in Christ. 605 00:34:28,680 --> 00:34:31,880 Lord, let us fall on our faces before you confessing our sin and 606 00:34:31,880 --> 00:34:34,440 begging for a work of your spirit in us, Lord. 607 00:34:34,440 --> 00:34:35,800 Lord, let it begin here. 608 00:34:35,800 --> 00:34:39,800 Lord, forgive us, Lord, for the way that we have failed in this mission. 609 00:34:39,800 --> 00:34:41,280 Forgive us for our loose living. 610 00:34:41,280 --> 00:34:44,640 Forgive us, Lord, that our lives are virtually indistinguishable from 611 00:34:44,640 --> 00:34:46,520 the world around us. 612 00:34:46,520 --> 00:34:49,440 Lord, help us to preach the robust gospel. 613 00:34:49,440 --> 00:34:51,160 Christ is king and he is Lord. 614 00:34:52,200 --> 00:34:54,200 And would we bow before him. 615 00:34:54,200 --> 00:34:56,760 Jesus is the only way of salvation, it's what he has done. 616 00:34:57,800 --> 00:34:59,080 But God, we come to you today. 617 00:35:00,200 --> 00:35:02,880 And we're so very thankful that the throne of judgment is now the throne of 618 00:35:02,880 --> 00:35:03,920 mercy for your people. 619 00:35:05,120 --> 00:35:09,400 Let us receive grace and mercy to help us in this time of need. 620 00:35:09,400 --> 00:35:11,560 Strengthen us, Father, and one of the ways you do so, Lord, 621 00:35:11,560 --> 00:35:14,040 is through the sacraments, through the table of the Lord. 622 00:35:14,040 --> 00:35:17,360 Strengthen our weak faith, nourish us, Lord. 623 00:35:17,360 --> 00:35:20,480 Lord, let us commune with Christ as we feast upon him, Lord. 624 00:35:21,880 --> 00:35:26,960 And God, we're reminded of the covenant promises that all those in Christ 625 00:35:26,960 --> 00:35:31,800 have received remission of sins through his shed blood. 626 00:35:31,800 --> 00:35:33,600 What a great God you are. 627 00:35:33,600 --> 00:35:36,520 What a kind and merciful savior you are. 628 00:35:36,520 --> 00:35:37,440 Would you meet with us now? 629 00:35:37,440 --> 00:35:40,360 We pray this in Jesus' name, amen. 630 00:35:40,360 --> 00:35:47,360 Amen.