Peter continued out series on the Kingdom of God, looking Matthew 5:13-14 where Jesus called us to be Salt and Light.
To see Peter's slides (in PDF format), click here.
To download these notes (in PDF format), click here.
Normally look at this as a call to holiness. This passage on first reading could be quite condemning.
What if I'm not salty enough?
Can I lose my salvation?
Salt isn't all the other flavours, but it helps bring them out. So it is with the Kingdom of God.
Preserves
So what does it mean to be salty?
Col 4:6
You cannot take the salt out - gravy….
Wilberforce
Luke 14:34 As useless as poo!
"If we are asleep, when we should be face to face with God, then we will not be good for anything." Terry Virgo
daily reading
Our saltiness and the brilliance of Christ in our lives is a direct outgrowth of who is at the center of our hearts and our affections. Is there anyone more wonderful, loving, caring, or powerful, than our Lord Jesus Christ? How much do you enjoy being in His presence?
The only way we can let the light shine before men is if we have been basking in the light. When you spend time sitting at His feet the joy of being in His presence will be a natural result. You will exude joy! You will exude Christ! You will be the salt of the earth. You will be the light of the world! You will be a city on a hill.
Col 3:3-17
The greatest threat to the church of Jesus Christ Is not homosexuality, pornography, abortion, satanism, the government shutting us down or persecution. The greatest threat, I believe, is if we get caught up in a form of godliness and no longer listen to the voice of God..... The religious spirit seeks to replace our passion for Jesus with passion for religious activity and to take the place of the holy spirit in our experience of God. Julian Adams.
Anyone who responds to God with a lack of faith will be affected by the leaven of the Pharisees, which eventually affects everything and taints it with unbelief and sin. Your life simply becomes one of works and striving in order to obey religious laws rather than obey one of faith which responds to grace filled revelation. Faith sets as it's target the unseen realities of the kingdom. It is the evidence of that which is unseen. As we respond to truth and revelation, they will unlock ever increasing faith. Julian Adams
So is this corporate or individual? Both
A city is more than one person
Jesus is talking to those in the kingdom.
Even the finest sword plunged into salt water will eventually rust. Sun Tzu
Wives win over your non believer husband with your character.
Light
Acts13:47
Eph5:8-14
John3:19-21
2Cor:4.6
Buddha - Doubt everything. Find your own light.
John 8:12 Not in our own power.
Put light under a bowl, as it will go out.
"All the darkness in the world cannot put out a single candle." Alan Thorensen
"It is better to light one small candle than to curse the darkness." Confusious
"Blessed are the cracked, for they shall let in the light." Groucho Marx
2Cor3:17- 4:6
"Kingdom of God. the rule of Jesus over every arena of life in every nation." Dave Devenish
This is a call to holiness, yes, but more than that to be there.
Kingdom demonstrated to change the flavour of all the dough.
You can't see the salt once added, and you can't get it out again.
Andrew Wilson little yeast hidden gets through all the dough.
Terry. Jonah. Don't lose your saltiness.
Lilys exhortation for us not to nothing with the things God challenged us about at catalyst.
So What?
Challenge to holiness
But oh so much more
As we live differently we will see society change
We will be a beacon to live differently
Have you lost your tang?
Not only in the words you say,
not only in the deeds confessed,
but in the most unconscious way,
is Christ expressed.
Is it a beatific smile?
A holy light upon your brow?
Oh No! I felt his presence,
when you laughed just now.
To me twas not the truth you taught,
to you so clear, to me so dim,
but when you
