Embracing Our Call as Salt and Light
Summary
### Summary
Welcome, everyone! Today, we delve into the essence of being "Salt and Light" in the world, a calling that Jesus has given to each of us. We begin by reflecting on Luke 19, where Jesus' mission to seek and save the lost is highlighted. This mission is also our mission as a church. We aim to create a space where people, regardless of their past or current state, can experience hope, salvation, and restoration without fear of judgment. Jesus' act of redemption on the cross is a testament to the fact that no one is unworthy of salvation.
We celebrate the joy of salvation, recalling the numerous baptisms we've had, including the memorable New Year's Eve baptism in our horse trough. This act of baptism symbolizes the sharing of faith and the acceptance of Jesus' redemption. We are called to be salt and light, to add flavor and brightness to the world around us. This message is not just for you; it’s something I had to internalize first. The Beatitudes series profoundly impacted me, bringing me to a realization of who we are supposed to be according to Jesus' qualities.
Being salt means enhancing the world with our presence, making it better and more flavorful. Being light means bringing God's light into the dark corners of the world. We must live in a way that reflects Jesus so that when people see us, they see Him. This involves being kind, generous, and embodying the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
We must recognize the moments God gives us to share our faith. These divine encounters are opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Whether it's a conversation in a restaurant or a chance meeting, we should be ready to share our faith with gentleness and respect. Our manner of living should be positive, not negative, reflecting the love and peace of Christ.
Sharing our faith is crucial because it is our calling. We are here to be salt and light, to bring out the God-flavors and God-colors in the world. People need the Lord, and they can't get to heaven without Jesus. We must remember that heaven and hell are real places, and people's lives are in the balance. Our lives should be so attractive that those who know us but don't know God will want to know Him because of us.
We must find common ground with everyone, just as Paul did in Athens. He didn't condemn the idol worshipers but found a way to introduce them to the unknown God they were already seeking. Patience and love are key in these interactions. We may not see immediate results, but seeds are planted, and God brings the increase.
Finally, we must remember that we were once lost too. Someone shared their faith with us, and now it's our turn to do the same. Whether it's through a conversation, a kind act, or simply living out the fruits of the Spirit, we can make a difference. Let's pray for the anointing of salt and light upon our lives and our church, so we can make things better and brighter in Jesus' name.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Call to Be Salt and Light: We are called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. This means enhancing the world with our presence and bringing God's light into dark places. Our lives should reflect Jesus so that when people see us, they see Him. This involves embodying the fruits of the Spirit and living in a way that attracts others to God. [42:27]
2. Recognizing Divine Moments: God creates moments for us to share our faith. These divine encounters are opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Whether it's a conversation in a restaurant or a chance meeting, we should be ready to share our faith with gentleness and respect. Recognizing these moments requires us to be tuned into God's leading. [01:07:47]
3. Living Positively: Our manner of living should be positive, not negative. We are called to be different from the world, reflecting the love and peace of Christ. This means avoiding negative comments and instead bringing positivity and encouragement to others. Our attitude and actions can make a significant impact on those around us. [01:11:44]
4. Finding Common Ground: Like Paul in Athens, we should find common ground with everyone we meet. This involves listening more than proclaiming and understanding others' perspectives. By finding common ground, we can introduce people to God in a way that resonates with them. Patience and love are key in these interactions. [01:18:40]
5. Sharing Our Faith: We share our faith because it is our calling, and people need the Lord. Heaven and hell are real, and people's lives are in the balance. Our lives should be so attractive that those who know us but don't know God will want to know Him because of us. We must remember that we were once lost too, and someone shared their faith with us. Now it's our turn to do the same. [01:26:42]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[36:57] - Opening Prayer
[40:30] - Introduction and Memorial Day Tribute
[41:53] - The Call to Be Salt and Light
[42:27] - Understanding Our Mission
[43:48] - Redemption and No Judgment
[44:38] - Celebrating Salvation and Baptism
[45:55] - Importance of Sharing Faith
[47:07] - Our Calling in Life
[48:16] - Light in the Darkness
[48:59] - Going Public with Our Faith
[50:31] - People Need the Lord
[51:45] - The Reality of Heaven and Hell
[53:00] - People Want the Lord
[54:42] - The Abundant Life in Christ
[55:40] - Personal Testimony
[57:16] - The Role of Patience and Love
[59:28] - The Impact of Our Lives
[01:03:14] - Living with Joy and Positivity
[01:05:05] - Making Our Lives Attractive
[01:06:08] - Being Ambassadors for Christ
[01:07:47] - Recognizing Divine Moments
[01:09:04] - God-Created Encounters
[01:10:14] - Refocusing on Our Manner
[01:11:44] - Positive Living
[01:14:32] - Sharing the Good News
[01:15:19] - Finding Common Ground
[01:18:40] - Paul's Approach in Athens
[01:20:59] - The Role of Patience
[01:22:49] - Divine Encounters and Testimonies
[01:24:49] - The Power of Prayer and Patience
[01:26:42] - Relaying the Message of Hope
[01:27:47] - The Joy of Sharing Faith
[01:29:11] - Living as Salt and Light
[01:30:33] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
[01:33:01] - Prayer of Salvation
[01:35:09] - Final Blessing and Farewell
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 19:10 - "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."
2. Matthew 5:13-16 - "You are the salt of the earth... You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden."
3. Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus mean when He calls us to be the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world" in Matthew 5:13-16?
2. According to Luke 19:10, what was Jesus' mission, and how does it relate to our mission as believers?
3. How does Galatians 5:22-23 describe the characteristics that should be evident in our lives as followers of Christ?
4. In the sermon, what were some examples given of recognizing divine moments to share our faith? ([01:07:47])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How can being "salt" enhance the world around us, and what practical ways can we bring "light" into dark places? ([42:27])
2. Why is it important to recognize and act on divine moments that God gives us to share our faith? ([01:07:47])
3. How does living out the fruits of the Spirit make our lives attractive to those who do not know God? ([01:05:05])
4. What does it mean to find common ground with others, and how did Paul exemplify this in Athens? ([01:18:40])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you had the opportunity to be "salt and light." How did you respond, and what could you do differently next time to better reflect Jesus? ([42:27])
2. Think of a time when you recognized a divine moment to share your faith. How did you handle it, and what did you learn from that experience? ([01:07:47])
3. Identify one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit that you struggle with. What specific action can you take this week to cultivate that fruit in your interactions with others? ([01:05:05])
4. How can you find common ground with someone in your life who has different beliefs or values? What steps can you take to build a relationship with them? ([01:18:40])
5. Consider your manner of living. Are there areas where you tend to be negative or judgmental? How can you shift your attitude to be more positive and encouraging? ([01:11:44])
6. Reflect on the importance of sharing your faith. Who in your life needs to hear about Jesus, and what is one practical step you can take to share your faith with them this week? ([01:26:42])
7. How can you make your life so attractive that those who know you but don't know God will want to know Him because of you? What changes might you need to make in your daily life to achieve this? ([01:06:08])
Devotional
Day 1: Enhancing the World with Our Presence
We are called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. This means enhancing the world with our presence and bringing God's light into dark places. Our lives should reflect Jesus so that when people see us, they see Him. This involves embodying the fruits of the Spirit and living in a way that attracts others to God. [42:27]
Matthew 5:13-16 (ESV): "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: Think of one way you can bring light into a dark situation in your community this week. How can you practically embody the fruits of the Spirit in this context?
Day 2: Recognizing Divine Moments
God creates moments for us to share our faith. These divine encounters are opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Whether it's a conversation in a restaurant or a chance meeting, we should be ready to share our faith with gentleness and respect. Recognizing these moments requires us to be tuned into God's leading. [01:07:47]
Colossians 4:5-6 (ESV): "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent encounter where you felt prompted to share your faith but hesitated. What held you back, and how can you prepare yourself to respond differently next time?
Day 3: Living Positively
Our manner of living should be positive, not negative. We are called to be different from the world, reflecting the love and peace of Christ. This means avoiding negative comments and instead bringing positivity and encouragement to others. Our attitude and actions can make a significant impact on those around us. [01:11:44]
Philippians 2:14-15 (ESV): "Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world."
Reflection: Identify one area in your life where negativity tends to creep in. How can you intentionally replace negative thoughts or words with positive, Christ-like encouragement?
Day 4: Finding Common Ground
Like Paul in Athens, we should find common ground with everyone we meet. This involves listening more than proclaiming and understanding others' perspectives. By finding common ground, we can introduce people to God in a way that resonates with them. Patience and love are key in these interactions. [01:18:40]
1 Corinthians 9:22-23 (ESV): "To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who has different beliefs or values than you. How can you find common ground with them to build a bridge for meaningful conversations about faith?
Day 5: Sharing Our Faith
We share our faith because it is our calling, and people need the Lord. Heaven and hell are real, and people's lives are in the balance. Our lives should be so attractive that those who know us but don't know God will want to know Him because of us. We must remember that we were once lost too, and someone shared their faith with us. Now it's our turn to do the same. [01:26:42]
2 Timothy 4:2 (ESV): "Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching."
Reflection: Reflect on your personal testimony. How can you share your story of faith with someone this week in a way that is natural and inviting?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We need to realize our manner makes a difference. It really does. If anyone of the 88% meets a Christian who really has the joy, the peace, the love, the attitude, the self-control, the fruits of the Spirit, 88% of those people, they're going to say, those people will do what? They will find Jesus. And this makes me think, well, it must be pretty important to say, God, help me with my manners. Help me. I need some help in my manners. Amen?" [01:11:44]
2. "I don't know about you, but I'm really tired of the negativeness, the divisiveness that's going on in our world. I really am. I don't do social media. Somebody else does it. Because I just don't do it. But every now and then, I will open up Facebook, and I will look at comments. Or a post. And I see that the majority of the comments that I see on a post is negative. Well, you did that wrong. Negative, negative, negative, negative, negative, negative. Yuck. I don't like that. But can I say this? Christians are called to be different than that." [01:13:13]
3. "I want my life to be so attractive to the people that I know or who know me and far from God will find God because they know me. Let me say that again. I want my life to be so attractive that people who know me but don't know God or far from God will want to know God because they know me. Amen? And all of us need to know this is God's plan for our life." [01:06:08]
4. "I truly believe that people without God are miserable. I know I was. Amen? I had a conversation with a gentleman that said that he was an atheist. So, some might say that he wasn't on a spiritual journey. Oh, yes, he was. Big time. Because every, or even people who say they don't believe in God, can't do anything about the fact that they have a piece of God in them. Amen? I mean, they are made in the image and likeness of God. And so they can't do anything about that. It's a fact." [53:00]
### Quotes for Members
1. "We are to embrace the fact that we are supposed to allow God to do a deeper work on the inside of us so that our lives are more attractive to other people, especially those who are far from God. The Bible has a lot to say about the fruit of the Spirit. The message Bible says it this way in Galatians 5: it says but what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives much the same way the fruit appears in an orchard." [01:03:14]
2. "We must find common ground with everyone, just as Paul did in Athens. He didn't condemn the idol worshipers but found a way to introduce them to the unknown God they were already seeking. Patience and love are key in these interactions. We may not see immediate results, but seeds are planted, and God brings the increase." [01:18:40]
3. "Recognize the moments that God gives me. God is always creating moments. You ever meet God? You ever meet somebody and say, man, this is a divine encounter. God's always creating moments. Psalm says the steps of a good man are what? Ordered by the Lord. Amen? Like the restaurant that you're going to go to this afternoon, if you do that. Okay? If you will allow God to do this, he will create an intersection. He will create an encounter with somebody in the restaurant. Or wherever." [01:07:47]
4. "We are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. This means enhancing the world with our presence and bringing God's light into dark places. Our lives should reflect Jesus so that when people see us, they see Him. This involves embodying the fruits of the Spirit and living in a way that attracts others to God." [42:27]
5. "We must remember that we were once lost too. Someone shared their faith with us, and now it's our turn to do the same. Whether it's through a conversation, a kind act, or simply living out the fruits of the Spirit, we can make a difference. Let's pray for the anointing of salt and light upon our lives and our church, so we can make things better and brighter in Jesus' name." [01:26:42]
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