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, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father Who is in heaven.
We looked last week at the two functions of salt. Jesus says that as Christians we are the flavor and preservative in this world. Our lives should enhance the lives around us, and our influence is keeping this world from utter moral decay. It’s sad that moral decay has occurred, due in no small part to the weak influence of the Church. It should bother us – Christians often don’t add savour to lives around them, they’re known mostly for what they’re against.
The Beatitudes are the remedy for this. The Christian who is poor in spirit and unashamed to mourn it, who is meek – having completely surrendered “self” and hungers and thirsts only for the glory of God, becomes a merciful, pure, peacemaker. The opening beatitudes teach us what we are, and it is only then that we start to get at what we do.
You cannot walk up to home plate and take a swing for the Yankees until you are first on the roster. You have to be a New York Yankee before you can take the field for them. Martin Lloyd Jones says: “If our lips speak more than our lives, it will avail little.” He’s right.
This does not mean we do not use our lips, simply what we say must be consistent with how we live.
St. Francis said very famously, “preach the gospel, if necessary, use words.” That’s almost absurd. At least, the way we’ve interpreted Francis’ words in the contemporary church – preach the gospel through your life: attend church, do good deeds, and you don’t shove your message on people verbally. Maybe what St. Francis really meant was: Preach the gospel, when necessary, (as it inevitably will be), use words.
What we say must be consistent with who we are, and God says that part of who we are is people with something to say!
If you are authentically living the Christian life, your witness will be powerful in your sphere of influence.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
Ye are the Salt
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.
Salt Preserves. Lloyd Jones says this verse, “implies rottenness in the earth; it implies a tendency to pollution and to becoming foul and offensive.” Isn’t that true! The same thing happens to a chunk of meat without preservative. My brother has done years of research with this. It will become more and more putrid, more and more disgusting.
Salt Flavors. As Christians, your life and my life should make a difference in the world. We are “the fragrance of the knowledge of Him,” and “the aroma of Christ to God.” My life should enhance the life of my neighbor. His life should be better, because he knows me.
The following story was in Macarthur's excellent commentary on Matthew...
Woodrow Wilson told the story of being in a barbershop one time. “I was sitting in a barber chair when I became aware that a powerful personality had entered the room. A man had come quietly in upon the same errand as myself to have his hair cut and sat in the chair next to me. Every word the man uttered, though it was not in the least didactic, showed a personal interest in the man who was serving him. And before I got through with what was being done to me I was aware I had attended an evangelistic service, because Mr. D. L. Moody was in that chair. I purposely lingered in the room after he had left and noted the singular affect that his visit had brought upon the barber shop. They talked in undertones. They did not know his name, but they knew something had elevated their thoughts, and I felt that I left that place as I should have left a place of worship.”
Father, whether I visit a barbershop, an auto shop, or any place, only that I would be salt.
Salt Preserves. Lloyd Jones says this verse, “implies rottenness in the earth; it implies a tendency to pollution and to becoming foul and offensive.” Isn’t that true! The same thing happens to a chunk of meat without preservative. My brother has done years of research with this. It will become more and more putrid, more and more disgusting.
Salt Flavors. As Christians, your life and my life should make a difference in the world. We are “the fragrance of the knowledge of Him,” and “the aroma of Christ to God.” My life should enhance the life of my neighbor. His life should be better, because he knows me.
The following story was in Macarthur's excellent commentary on Matthew...
Woodrow Wilson told the story of being in a barbershop one time. “I was sitting in a barber chair when I became aware that a powerful personality had entered the room. A man had come quietly in upon the same errand as myself to have his hair cut and sat in the chair next to me. Every word the man uttered, though it was not in the least didactic, showed a personal interest in the man who was serving him. And before I got through with what was being done to me I was aware I had attended an evangelistic service, because Mr. D. L. Moody was in that chair. I purposely lingered in the room after he had left and noted the singular affect that his visit had brought upon the barber shop. They talked in undertones. They did not know his name, but they knew something had elevated their thoughts, and I felt that I left that place as I should have left a place of worship.”
Father, whether I visit a barbershop, an auto shop, or any place, only that I would be salt.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Pentecost
As I was wrapping up my reading in 1 Corinthians 16 this morning, I came across something I had somehow missed before. Paul is basically giving his ministry calendar for the next several seasons, something he would today simply post to his website - apostlepaul.com, or a more clever url perhaps. Anyway, in looking over his "upcoming events" page, he mentions that he will "stay in Ephesus until after Pentecost." It seems this is a scriptural indication that the early Church celebrated Pentecost.
I'll admit that to celebrate Pentecost is not explicity prescribed in this text. He refers to it more as a reference point for his calendaring. At the same time, the fact that this holiday is mentioned in the New Testament makes it unique from Christmas, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, and pretty much every other holiday we observe to some degree in most Evangelical Churches. I'm not arguing against the Celebration of these days. I'm simply suggesting that we begin to add Pentecost to the calendar.
Francis Chan wrote a book recently called Forgotten God: Reversing our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit. In it he writes, "From my perspective, the Holy Spirit is tragically neglected and for all practical purposes, forgotten. While no evangelical would deny His existence, I'm willing to bet there are millions of churchgoers across America who cannot confidently say they have experienced His presence or action in their lives over the past year. And many of them do not believe they can."
I think he's right, at least in his assertion that churchgoers can't point to His presence or action in their lives. While celebrating Pentecost in the context of corporate worship alone won't reverse this problem, it certainly could be the catalyst to change it. I pray that it will!
I'll admit that to celebrate Pentecost is not explicity prescribed in this text. He refers to it more as a reference point for his calendaring. At the same time, the fact that this holiday is mentioned in the New Testament makes it unique from Christmas, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, and pretty much every other holiday we observe to some degree in most Evangelical Churches. I'm not arguing against the Celebration of these days. I'm simply suggesting that we begin to add Pentecost to the calendar.
Francis Chan wrote a book recently called Forgotten God: Reversing our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit. In it he writes, "From my perspective, the Holy Spirit is tragically neglected and for all practical purposes, forgotten. While no evangelical would deny His existence, I'm willing to bet there are millions of churchgoers across America who cannot confidently say they have experienced His presence or action in their lives over the past year. And many of them do not believe they can."
I think he's right, at least in his assertion that churchgoers can't point to His presence or action in their lives. While celebrating Pentecost in the context of corporate worship alone won't reverse this problem, it certainly could be the catalyst to change it. I pray that it will!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Family Devotions
Last night, I passed out a guide for eight days of family devotions which go over the 8 beatitudes. I mentioned last night that these would work best when your children or grandchildren are 8 years old or so. If you are a parent like me, with toddlers, you might go through these together with your spouse. Find someone. Study these Beatitudes. Memorize them, if not verbatim, at least know them. They are essential. They are the first words, in the first sermon, from the most important Preacher who ever lived. They matter. Teach the epic words of Christ to your children.
I'll post the 8 devotions below, in case you missed them, but here is how you do it. First, the verse is provided here in the ESV. You're welcome to use your own Bible/translation and just open to Matthew 5. After that, there is a very brief word study provided of the key greek word. For instance, in the first study, you'll see a back ground for the word ptōchos. Jesus is talking about extreme poverty, not just a person living paycheck to paycheck with no bank account. So you share that. Then, there is "in other words" which basically restates the verse in common language with some amplification. Finally, "words of wisdom" is there, which takes a verse from Psalms or Proverbs. You can look this up together, read it, and then close in prayer.
The whole routine could take 4 minutes. Here's the devotions:
Day 1: Happy are the BROKE Matthew 5:3 – Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Greek for “poor” – ptōchos – extreme and shameful poverty, as a beggar hiding his face.
In other words: Happy are those who “own” the fact that spiritually, they are broke – bankrupt! ; for God will give them what they absolutely cannot earn or merit on their own.
Words of Wisdom – Proverbs 29:23
Day 2: Happy are the Criers - Matthew 5:4 – Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Greek for “mourn” – pentheō – mourning, wailing as over someone’s death.
In other words: Happy are those who cry about their sin, only they can receive God’s comfort.
Words of Wisdom – Psalm 34:18
Day 3: Happy are the Selfless - Matthew 5:5 – Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Greek for “meek” – praÿs – unselfoccupied, trusting God
In other words: Happy are those who love Jesus more than themselves, and trust Him with their reputation, vindication, and all provision. Though powerful, they don’t use their power for themselves, but to serve God.
Words of Wisdom: Psalm 37:11, Proverbs 25:27
Day 4: Happy are the Hungry - Matthew 5:6 – Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Greek for “hungry” – peinaō – craving ardently
In other words: Happy are those who don’t hunger for possessions or fame, but they are hungry for God - if you go to Him on empty, He’ll fill you up.
Words of Wisdom: Psalm 63:1, 5
Day 5: Happy are the Compassionate - Matthew 5:7 – Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Greek for “merciful” – eleēmōn – Helping the afflicted.
In other words: Happy are those who see and respond to people like Jesus does, for He is to us our faithful and merciful High Priest. (Heb. 2:17)
Words of Wisdom – Psalm 41:1
Day 6: Happy are the Holy - Matthew 5:8 – Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Greek for “pure” – katharos – free from corrupt desire; purified.
In other words: Happy are the ones who live holy lives, the more the sin gets out, the more they can really see God.
Words of Wisdom: Psalm 18:26
Day 7: Happy are the Ambassadors of Peace - Matthew 5:9 – Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Greek for “peacemaker” – eirēnopoios – founders and promoters of peace.
In other words: Happy are those who make God’s peace – God’s way. Not through compromise and tolerance, but through truth and righteousness. They are the royal sons and daughters of God.
Words of Wisdom: Psalm 85:10
Day 8: Happy are the Attacked - Matthew 5:10 – Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Greek for “persecuted” – diōkō - to be mistreated, suffer persecution on account of something.
In other words: Happy are those Ambassadors of Peace, who get attacked in response to their message of peace. Their reward is in heaven.
Words of Wisdom: Psalm 120:7
I'll post the 8 devotions below, in case you missed them, but here is how you do it. First, the verse is provided here in the ESV. You're welcome to use your own Bible/translation and just open to Matthew 5. After that, there is a very brief word study provided of the key greek word. For instance, in the first study, you'll see a back ground for the word ptōchos. Jesus is talking about extreme poverty, not just a person living paycheck to paycheck with no bank account. So you share that. Then, there is "in other words" which basically restates the verse in common language with some amplification. Finally, "words of wisdom" is there, which takes a verse from Psalms or Proverbs. You can look this up together, read it, and then close in prayer.
The whole routine could take 4 minutes. Here's the devotions:
Day 1: Happy are the BROKE Matthew 5:3 – Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Greek for “poor” – ptōchos – extreme and shameful poverty, as a beggar hiding his face.
In other words: Happy are those who “own” the fact that spiritually, they are broke – bankrupt! ; for God will give them what they absolutely cannot earn or merit on their own.
Words of Wisdom – Proverbs 29:23
Day 2: Happy are the Criers - Matthew 5:4 – Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Greek for “mourn” – pentheō – mourning, wailing as over someone’s death.
In other words: Happy are those who cry about their sin, only they can receive God’s comfort.
Words of Wisdom – Psalm 34:18
Day 3: Happy are the Selfless - Matthew 5:5 – Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Greek for “meek” – praÿs – unselfoccupied, trusting God
In other words: Happy are those who love Jesus more than themselves, and trust Him with their reputation, vindication, and all provision. Though powerful, they don’t use their power for themselves, but to serve God.
Words of Wisdom: Psalm 37:11, Proverbs 25:27
Day 4: Happy are the Hungry - Matthew 5:6 – Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Greek for “hungry” – peinaō – craving ardently
In other words: Happy are those who don’t hunger for possessions or fame, but they are hungry for God - if you go to Him on empty, He’ll fill you up.
Words of Wisdom: Psalm 63:1, 5
Day 5: Happy are the Compassionate - Matthew 5:7 – Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Greek for “merciful” – eleēmōn – Helping the afflicted.
In other words: Happy are those who see and respond to people like Jesus does, for He is to us our faithful and merciful High Priest. (Heb. 2:17)
Words of Wisdom – Psalm 41:1
Day 6: Happy are the Holy - Matthew 5:8 – Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Greek for “pure” – katharos – free from corrupt desire; purified.
In other words: Happy are the ones who live holy lives, the more the sin gets out, the more they can really see God.
Words of Wisdom: Psalm 18:26
Day 7: Happy are the Ambassadors of Peace - Matthew 5:9 – Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Greek for “peacemaker” – eirēnopoios – founders and promoters of peace.
In other words: Happy are those who make God’s peace – God’s way. Not through compromise and tolerance, but through truth and righteousness. They are the royal sons and daughters of God.
Words of Wisdom: Psalm 85:10
Day 8: Happy are the Attacked - Matthew 5:10 – Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Greek for “persecuted” – diōkō - to be mistreated, suffer persecution on account of something.
In other words: Happy are those Ambassadors of Peace, who get attacked in response to their message of peace. Their reward is in heaven.
Words of Wisdom: Psalm 120:7
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