We finished the beatitudes which were descriptions of Jesus’
people. Who are they and what the people of God look like. Now Jesus gives us
one last description of His people. Jesus says His people are salt and light.
What is Jesus saying about His People?
Jesus is saying that His People are people that make a difference,
they influence the world around them. Salt that flavors and effects the world
around it. Light that removes the darkness around it. People who are more about
blessing others than being blessed themselves.
God has always had this in mind for His People. Genesis
12:1-3 “Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and
your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a
great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will
be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I
will curse, and in you all the families
of the earth shall be blessed.”
God’s intention was to bless all nations through Israel. God’s
intention was to reach all the nations through His chosen people.
This is still the desire of God.
Acts 1:6-8 So when they had come together, they asked him,
“Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them,
“It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his
own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon
you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria,
and to the end of the earth.”
Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus came and said to them, “All authority
in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of
all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Two attitudes in the church, I come to get vs I come to
give.
A.
I come to get
a.
Forgiveness and grace
b.
Blessings
c.
Healing
d.
Answered prayers
e.
Importance and recognition
f.
entertainment
g.
The consumer church.
B.
I come to give
a.
Forgiveness and grace
b.
Blessing
c.
Healing
d.
Answer prayers
C.
Some people
a.
Rolle
b.
Peggy
c.
Sharon
d.
Linda
e.
17 people who came
Kirk Cousins. a groundbreaking, fully guaranteed,
three-year, $84 million deal as the new quarterback of the Vikings. The Vikings
are giving Him 1.75 million dollars per game even if he never plays. They
expect this man to make a difference.
Jesus took the beating that belonged to you, humiliated and herded
through the streets to the cross where He suffered and died in your place. He
has given you forgiveness, adopted you as His child, made a place for you in
heaven. Jesus did this because He loves you but also, He did this because He
expects you to be salt and light. He expects you to make a life and death difference.
There is no debate or question that Jesus’ people will be
people that make a difference. The debate and question is, if we will be those
people. Will we make a difference? Will we choose to be Jesus People?
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