Contagious Christianity
Rick White
Matthew 5:13-16
07/08-09/95
Matt.5:13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty {again} ? It is good for nothing anymore, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. 14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 "Nor do {men} light a lamp, and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Message Truth: The beatitudes describe the essential character of the disciples of Jesus while the salt and light metaphors indicate their influence for good in the world. Jesus commanded us to be salt and light in our world because lost people matter to God.
Introduction: In his book Christian Counter-Culture, John R.W. Stott has this to say: "If the beatitudes describe the essential character of the disciples of Jesus, the salt and light metaphors indicate their influence for good in the world.
Yet the very notion that Christians can exert a healthy influence in the world should bring us up with a start. What possible influence could the people described in the beatitudes exert in this hard, tough world? What lasting good can the poor and the meek do, the mourners and the merciful, and those who try to make peace not war? Would they not simply be overwhelmed by the floodtide of evil? What can they accomplish whose only passion is an appetite for righteousness, and whose only weapon is purity of heart? Are not such people too feeble to achieve anything, especially if they are a small minority in the world?
It is evident that Jesus did not share this skepticism. Rather the reverse. The world will undoubtedly persecute the church, yet it is the church's calling to serve this persecuting world. This must be your only retaliation, 'Rudolf Stier expressed ...
Rick White
Matthew 5:13-16
07/08-09/95
Matt.5:13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty {again} ? It is good for nothing anymore, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. 14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 "Nor do {men} light a lamp, and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Message Truth: The beatitudes describe the essential character of the disciples of Jesus while the salt and light metaphors indicate their influence for good in the world. Jesus commanded us to be salt and light in our world because lost people matter to God.
Introduction: In his book Christian Counter-Culture, John R.W. Stott has this to say: "If the beatitudes describe the essential character of the disciples of Jesus, the salt and light metaphors indicate their influence for good in the world.
Yet the very notion that Christians can exert a healthy influence in the world should bring us up with a start. What possible influence could the people described in the beatitudes exert in this hard, tough world? What lasting good can the poor and the meek do, the mourners and the merciful, and those who try to make peace not war? Would they not simply be overwhelmed by the floodtide of evil? What can they accomplish whose only passion is an appetite for righteousness, and whose only weapon is purity of heart? Are not such people too feeble to achieve anything, especially if they are a small minority in the world?
It is evident that Jesus did not share this skepticism. Rather the reverse. The world will undoubtedly persecute the church, yet it is the church's calling to serve this persecuting world. This must be your only retaliation, 'Rudolf Stier expressed ...
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