The Responsibility of Christianity
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The Responsibility of Christianity
The Responsibility of Christianity
“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.
Matthew
Introduction: Growing up I watched a show called Sesame street. There was one song that was sang in order to help us distinguish between unlike objects, shapes or letters.
“One of these things is not like the others,
One of these things just doesn't belong,
Can you tell which thing is not like the others
By the time I finish my song?”
You remember that? This passage is a call for every believer to be different from the world. Christ does not want us to fit into the world, His desire is that we live with distinction from the world.
begins with things Christians can expect as a result of their living in Christ. We know the first 12 verses are generally known as the Beatitudes. Verses 13-16 begins what could be deemed as what God expects from the believer in way of responsibility.
Transition:
DT: Live with distinction from the world
Aim: We will distinguish ourselves from the the world by glorifying God with good works.
Transition: The first responsibility we take note of is this:
Retain Your Value {Be Salty} (vs. 13)
Retain Your Value {Be Salty} (vs. 13)
Jesus teaches His disciples to value their call by living as an example that the world can follow.
Jesus metaphorically calls them salt. His intention is to get them to understand the responsibility of living with great distinction from the world.
Explain: Salt
Explain: Salt
Salt was valued
Used to season food
Used as a preservative
Jesus is clearly making the point that the Christian has a certain responsibility to had value wherever the Christian goes.
When the Christian fails to bring value to their call and to preserve the faith so that the world is influenced then that Christian has fail
Illustration: At a meeting some young people were discussing this text, “You are the salt of the earth.” One suggestion after another was made as to the meaning of “salt” in this verse.
At a meeting some young people were discussing the text, “Ye are the salt of the earth.” One suggestion after another was made as to the meaning of “salt” in this verse.
“Salt imparts a desirable flavor,” said one.
“Salt preserves from decay,” another suggested.
Then a Chinese Christian girl spoke out of an experience none of the others had. “Salt creates thirst,” she said, and there was a sudden hush in the room. Everyone was thinking: Have I ever made anyone thirsty for the Lord Jesus Christ?
Paul Lee Tan, Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc., 1996), 735–736.
Application: Do you live in distinction to the rest of the world?Do you season others? Do you create thirst? Be a salty Christian.
Salty Christians, are different from the world. The salty Christian adds value. They don’t tear things down.
Salty Christians don’t speak evil. They don’t speak negatively of people and things. They add flavor to the lives of other people.
Salty Christians don’t complain, compare and compete. Salty Christians Encourage others. They encourage others to know Christ, to live for Christ and to be
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Colossians 4
Illuminate Christ {Get Lit}(vs. 14)
Illuminate Christ {Get Lit}(vs. 14)
Do good works to bring God glory
Application: Does God get glory from all that you do? Do you live for you or do you live for God?