We had a wonderful time of worship before hearing the sermon from our Pastoral Candidate. The sermon titled Agents of Change expanded on Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:13-16.
Jesus was speaking to the disciples when told them to be salt and light in a dark world.
Pastor noted that our society sometimes focuses on the behaviors of people instead of becoming what Jesus will make us. Jesus us wants to save us and make us clean then make us fishers of men. When we accept Christ, we are made righteous. But there is a further “making” process as we become more like Him.
When we surrender to Christ, the Spirit comes to dwell in us and make us what He wants from the inside out. Just as a potter has a hand to put pressure (worldly stress) on the outer surface of the clay, the potter (Spirit) has a hand on the inside to press back and form us into a vessel that can be used.
Do we embrace the Spirit’s forming/making us? There is a constant renewing of our mind. We don't have to ask Him to do it, He has already said He will.
Salt preserves and seasons. Some people say that mankind are basically good. But God’s word tells us that man is inherently evil. The nature of man is sin.
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9.
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23.
Humanity has a sin problem. We all need a savior. What would the world be like without Christians? We are preserving humankind by holding off evil.
We have to have an impact on others or we have lost our saltiness. Each Christian needs to b salt and light where we are in our private and work lives. We should be making life better around us.
Always be ready to give an answer for your hope. We can't just do church, we need to be the church.
At all times, but especially in a society in division, we need to be a change agent, not relying on voting to change the world but relying on changing hearts for God.
We need to carry out the mission: making disciples, baptizing in the name of God, Son and Spirit, and teaching others to follow God’s commands. Matthew 28:19-20.
We need to focus on saving lost souls. Focus on what matters.
How do we be sure not to lose our saltiness?
1 Stay in the word of God.
2 Stay in His presence. Let His light shine through us.
3 Get out of the shaker and be the salt in the world around you. Engage the culture.
We need to love the lost even as Christ does: love them even if they don't love Jesus or give their lives to Jesus.
We need to get out of our comfortable pews. Fishers go where the fish are to fish. God tells us to go out and compel people to come in. Luke 14:23.
It isn't all about me or you. God blessed us to give resources for the Kingdom.
This is a song we sang this morning. So powerful – I Speak Jesus:
Matthew 5:13-16 NIV
Salt and Light
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
