Being Representatives of Jesus

Good evening, it's great to be here tonight and to open up this passage.

This is a great passage, I've really enjoyed looking at it over the last wee while.

So, as said, this is a Sermon on the Mount.

We've heard over the last two Sunday evenings that this sermon is Jesus, the radical king,

proclaiming his radical kingdom.

In case anyone hasn't been here, in the preceding chapters to the Sermon on the Mount,

Jesus has been baptised by John, he's been tempted in the wilderness by the devil

and has called his first few disciples to follow him.

It is at this point that we find Jesus teaching the disciples how they are to follow him.

This announcement of God's kingdom is to transform the hearts of his disciples

so that they can love God and their neighbour, including and especially their enemy.

If we are a follower of Christ here tonight,

if we have accepted Jesus as Lord of our lives and as Saviour through the work of the cross,

then this message tonight is for us.

If Christ is our King, then we are his subjects in his upside-down kingdom

where all are invited and no members are privileged over any other.

We are to live out the teachings of the Sermon

in loving response to the work of the Lord Jesus on the cross,

which has put us in the privileged position of being Christ's disciples.

Sponsorship. Sponsorship is big money.

In 2017-18, Federer, I've got a photo of him up here,

he was ranked seventh in Forbes list of the world's highest paid athletes.

He earned $77.2 million in earnings,

and that included $65 million in sponsorship.

He is sponsored by Uniqlo.

That's the clothing brand that he wears, a Chinese brand.

Mercedes-Benz, Lint, Rolex, Credit Suisse, and that's just naming a few.

All of these top brands, they pay massive amounts of money

for top sports people to represent them.

They choose based on who the person is,

how they come across to people,

and whether they'll represent their brand well.

What Federer does, whether it's on the tennis court

or in his personal life,

affects what people think of Uniqlo.

Federer is their representative.

He's got to wear their gear,

he's got to talk about them,

attend their events,

and represent the values of the brand.

Being a Christian means to be Christ-like.

We represent Christ here on earth.

What we say and do affects what people think of us,

which in turn affects what people think about Jesus.

The two go together.

This means that our values have to align with God's values.

Our attitudes are to be aligned with God's attitudes,

and our actions are to be what God would want us to do.

The passage we'll look at is all about being radically different

in the world that we live in,

in order to point people to God.

We are to be God's representatives.

The question to start off with is,

are you representing God in the way that he would want you to?

Last week, Alistair spoke to us about blueprint for the Christian life,

the Beatitudes,

the characteristics of the Christian.

Tonight, we're going to look at salt and light,

and how we are to be God's representatives on earth.

Great.

So, Jesus says in verse 13,

if you want to keep it in front of you, that would be great.

Jesus says that you are the salt of the earth,

in verse 13.

In order to try and understand this phrase,

we need to put ourselves in the mind of those listening at the time.

In Old Testament times,

under the law,

sacrifices were to be salted.

You can find that in Leviticus 2.13 later on,

if you want to look that up.

Now, Paul says in Romans 12,

that Christians are to offer themselves

as living sacrifices to God.

This means that we are to offer our lives

conformed to his ways,

and to live them out in the way that he teaches.

We are to allow God to mold us,

and use us however he chooses,

and for his glory.

Salt was also used as a sign of a covenant,

or an agreement.

Jesus established the new covenant

by offering himself on the cross for our sins.

Jesus dealt with our sins once and for all,

by being the perfect sacrifice.

Hebrews describes Jesus as the guarantor

of this better covenant.

We are the beneficiaries of this new covenant

as redeemed people who have been made right

before our holy and righteous God.

If you are here tonight,

and you are not right with God,

if you have not accepted Jesus as Savior,

then you need to seriously consider these things.

Why not speak to myself or someone else tonight about it?

And as Christians,

we are to lovingly and willingly serve Jesus

as those who have,

undeservedly,

been forgiven by grace.

Ephesians 5 verse 1 to 2 says,

Ephesians 5:1–2

Follow God's example therefore,

as dearly loved children,

and walk in the way of love,

just as Christ loved us,

and gave himself up for us,

as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Are you living your life

as a living sacrifice?

to God?

As well as the thoughts

that this image of salt would have

about sacrifices

and about covenants,

those listening would also think

about their everyday life

and what they used salt for.

Now in Bible times,

salt was the only way

that they could preserve anything.

In the modern world,

refrigeration and freezing,

we've lost this a little bit,

but salt's still used in brining processes

for meat and for fish,

and it stops it going off,

as well as being added into lots of different foods

to increase the shelf life.

So we can still relate to this image.

Now we are to be preservers

of the gospel message in the world.

We are to prevent the corruption

of Jesus' message

and of Christian values.

In an increasingly liberal

and secular society,

Christian values are under threat

from popular opinion

as well as the laws of the land.

We are called to defend our faith,

standing up for what we believe in

and our freedom to share

the good news of Jesus Christ.

Are you standing up

for what you believe in?

Now salt

also causes us to thirst.

So that's good timing.

We've all been there.

You're driving home

after the evening service,

you stop off

at the local Chinese takeaway

for a honey-shredded chili chicken,

and then you wake up

on a Monday morning

and you feel like you've slept

in the desert.

Yeah?

Maybe just us.

Anyway,

we've all had the salty meal

in the past,

and for a while afterwards

we find ourselves

needing to drink a lot.

Now we are called

to make others thirsty

for righteousness.

By our conduct

in our day-to-day lives,

others are to see

that we have something different

and that we are to make them

thirsty for that.

As Christians,

we are to point others

to Christ

and the righteousness

which comes

through our saving faith

in him.

We do so by

studying his word

so that we can learn

and live out his teachings.

We can't live out

his teachings

unless we study

and submit to them.

This is the importance

of regular Bible reading

and attendance at meetings

such as this one

where the Bible

is taught or discussed.

We need to learn

Jesus' teachings

to be conformed

to them

so that we can

carry them out

in our daily lives.

Are you causing others

to thirst for righteousness?

Salt also gives flavor.

I once turned to Corey

and said,

I don't really get

the whole salt thing.

I hardly use it.

To which I got the reply,

well, I put it in your food

every day.

You know,

salt brings out

the flavoring

of the ingredients

in order to make

the whole meal better.

I've been known

to bake from time to time

and almost every recipe

has a bit of salt in it.

And this might seem strange

in a sweet dish,

but it's an integral part

of the process

to bring out

the other flavors,

whether it's vanilla

or chocolate,

whatever it may be.

Now, we are to season

conversations

and situations

with wisdom

from God.

We are to bring out

God's love

and mercy

from the dealings

we have with people

in our day-to-day lives.

Our deeds

and words

are to point people

to the goodness

of God,

not of ourselves.

My sister,

and you can't tell her this,

but she once mixed up

the salt

and the sugar quantities

in a cookie recipe.

So we had one teaspoon

of sugar

and multiple tablespoons

of salt.

And as you can imagine,

as soon as we took a bite,

we just spat it back out again.

Now, we aren't to draw

praise and attention

to ourselves.

You don't put salt

in to taste it.

But we are to be

constantly pointing people

to God.

We are to be

representatives

of the one who saves

and who is truly good.

Are you pointing people

to God

by your words

and your deeds?

It is at this point

that we have a serious

warning about the lives

that we live.

The rest of verse 13 says,

But if the salt loses its flavor,

how shall it be seasoned?

It is then good for nothing

but to be thrown out

and trampled underfoot

by men.

Nowadays,

we eat a refined salt,

which is pure.

But in biblical times,

salt was impure

and it had little vegetable

and earthy parts

mixed in.

And if the salty bits

or the saltiness

had been lost,

then they would use this

for roads and paths,

a kind of equivalent

of gravel.

This helps us to understand

this image slightly better

of salt that has lost

its flavor.

Now we are to take this

as a serious warning.

We are called,

as Jesus' followers,

to be salt,

representing the new covenant,

preserving,

causing thirst

and flavoring.

If we are not doing so,

then we are not being subject

to our king

and following his teachings.

If we are not true

to our calling,

then we are good

for nothing

but to be thrown out

and trampled

underfoot by men.

If we are not true

to our calling,

then we will be trampled

in the world

as hypocritical,

self-righteous people

who do not practice

what we preach.

This is a serious warning

and it should motivate us

to radical change

in our lives.

Jesus also says

in verse 14

that you are the light

of the world.

Light in the Bible,

it's often associated

with goodness,

righteousness

and life.

Whereas darkness

in the Bible

is often associated

with evil,

sin and death.

We are to shine

for Jesus

in the world.

In John 8 verse 12

John 8:12

we read,

I am the light

of the world.

Whoever follows me

will never walk

in darkness

but will have

the light

of life.

Jesus is the source

of the light.

We are the reflection

of that light.

Have you ever thought

about the moon?

Following the moon

theme of the week

and of the day

and of the walls.

You know,

the moon is just

a grey lump of rock

rotating around the earth.

There is nothing

of itself

that is beautiful

or gives any joy.

However,

when the sun shines on it,

it glows brightly

and beautifully

and it gives light

to the earth

during the night.

We are like the moon.

We have nothing bright

or attractive

about us on our own

but with Jesus

we have his light

to share

and to illuminate

the darkness.

First of all,

we need to realise

that the world

is a dark place.

Darkness

is the absence

of light.

As we look out

into the world

we can see

that the world

is a place

without God.

The world

is a sinful place

with many living

without God

and the peace

that comes

through our saving

faith in him.

The darkness

is great.

However,

the smallest light

can dispel

the greatest

of darkness.

I always remember

as a child

we would get

power cuts

during the night.

The street lights

would be out,

the hall light

would be off

and the house

would be pitch black.

I would be blindly

trying to find

the door out of my room

when my parents

would come in

holding a small torch

or a candle

and the whole room

would light up

with a warm glow.

This is how we are

to be in the world.

We are to go

through life

dispelling darkness

and shedding light

in the darkest

of places.

We are not strong

in ourselves

but by relying

on Christ.

We can approach

any situation

with confidence

and assurance.

We do not just

have a small light

to shine though.

We have the light

shining through us

of the very one

who is light.

This truth

should compel us

to go out

into the world

as shining

representatives

of Christ.

This is not saying

that we are to be

of the world

joining in sinful

activities

and going along

with the crowd.

We are to conform

to Jesus' ways

not to the ways

of the world.

But on the other

end of the scale

we are not to

shut ourselves off

from the world

and live in a

Christian bubble.

We are to live

in the world

but be so different

in the way

that we live

that people

can't help

but notice.

Are you a shining

representative

of Christ?

We are also

drawn to think

of light

in natural terms

as well.

You know light

allows us

to see the way.

As city dwellers

most of us

there is very

little darkness

even in the depths

of night.

But if you take

a trip out

to the countryside

you can appreciate

real darkness.

If you're on a walk

on a cloudy night

you wouldn't be able

to see a thing

and you'd be

stumbling and tripping

on your root.

You know we are

to shine for Jesus

in our daily lives

showing others

the path

and illuminating

the way.

We are to show

people who are

still in darkness

those who are

not yet Christians

the way that is

good and true

and leads to

eternal life.

We are to share

the good news

of Jesus

with everyone

we meet

be it close

friends,

family or those

who we are

just passing by.

God gives us

opportunities to do

so.

We need to be

brave enough

to take them.

A challenge

might be to go

away and pray

for opportunities

to show others

who you encounter

in your daily

lives

the way.

Furthermore

we can help

other Christians

through our

words and deeds.

We can be

shining examples

of how to live

in a world

that is

increasingly

difficult to

navigate and

full of bumps

in the road.

Are you praying

for and taking

opportunities to

share the good

news of Jesus

with others?

The rest of

verse 14 and

15 if you want

to look back

is a warning

not to hide

our light.

It says

a city that is

set on a hill

cannot be hidden

nor do they

light a lamp

and put it

under a basket

but on a

lamp stand

and it gives

light to all

who are in

the house.

With this

image I always

think of

Edinburgh Castle.

I cycle to

work near the

bypass on the

south side of

the city

and at one

point I can

look left

back across

the city

and I can

see cranes

I can see

tops of

buildings

you can see

Arthur's seat

but the one

thing that

always sticks

out is the

castle built

on the

crags above

the city.

You know

Edinburgh Castle

cannot be hidden

it is there

for all to

see.

This is our

responsibility

as guardians

of the

light.

We are to

shine forth

into the

world as

witnesses of

the one

who is

light.

As with

the salt

though this

is not

about us.

Verse 16

says let

your light

so shine

before men

that they

may see

your good

works and

glorify your

father in

heaven.

This is not

saying that we

are to be

boastful and

showy

in what

we do.

We are to

be

representatives

of God

not advertisers

of ourselves.

Further on

in the

sermon and

I won't

encroach on

what someone

will speak

on in a

few weeks

but there's

a warning

not to do

things so

that others

will see

and give

us praise.

We should

remember this

as we seek

to serve

God in

what we

do.

Jesus he

was the

ultimate

example of

humility

and meekness

and it

is his

example that

we should

follow.

Now you've

probably heard

many a story

about a

celebrity who's

had their

reputation

tarnished.

One of the

ones that

came to my

mind was

Lance Armstrong

the infamous

cyclist who

was central

of the

biggest doping

scandal in

cycling history.

One day he

was the most

successful cyclist

in the world.

He was loved

for his success

but also his

charitable work

but the next

day he was

labelled a

fraud and a

liar who

cheated his

way to the

top.

Suddenly all

the top

brands they

were all

running away

from him.

They didn't

want anything

to do with

him.

And this

isn't unique.

Tiger Woods,

Maria Sharapova,

Mike Tyson all

suffered the

same fate.

These people

were giving

the brand a

bad name by

what they had

done and how

they had

acted.

They as

representatives of

the brand

had tarnished

it in an

instant all

the good

work that

had built

up over

many years.

We are

representatives

of Jesus

reflecting his

light into

the world

in word

and deed.

As we've

heard over

the last

two weeks

being a

Christian is

something that

we behave as

well as we

believe.

Being a

Christian is

about our

attitudes and

our actions.

There are

many well-known

figures who are

Christians and

use their

position to

defend the

Christian faith.

I recently

heard Jeremy

Balfour,

MSP for

Lothian,

speak about

living as a

Christian in

the political

world.

He has a

history of

making challenges

in Parliament

to motions and

rulings which go

against his

faith.

He's a great

example of

someone who

is doing what

he can in the

position that he

has, albeit to

the potential

detriment of his

career.

Now there are

many other

examples that will

come to your

mind of

Christians who

are doing

likewise.

Some of you

might know that

I'm part of

the Edinburgh

Street Pastors.

In case people

don't know what

that is, every

Friday night of

the month and

two Saturdays of

the month, people

from churches all

over Edinburgh

go out into the

streets between

the hours of

11pm and

4am.

The tagline is

listen, care and

help, as that is

what we are there

to do.

We go around

seeing if anyone

is in a difficult

or a vulnerable

situation.

We're there for

people who maybe

just need someone

to listen to them

or people who

need practical

help.

It might be

finding lost

friends, getting

home safely or

getting a warm

drink for the

cold night.

As we meet

people living on

the streets or

spilling out from

pubs and clubs,

the most common

questions are who

are you and why

on earth are you

here at this time

of the night?

Once we explain

who we are and

why we do it,

people are often

amazed that it's

a volunteer service

and that we don't

get anything out

of it.

We do it because

as we go around

Edinburgh we are

shining the light

of Jesus into the

darkest of places

and proclaiming

that his kingdom

come.

This is an example

of being radically

different in the

world we live in.

It's counter-cultural

in today's society

to give up your

time and your

resources in such

a way to serve

others.

But street pastors

is just one example

and I would also

just add that good

deeds are not just

limited to Christians.

Drew a few weeks

ago he talked

about how Basics

Bank which is run

by the church is

such a great way

to care for people

holistically,

physically and

spiritually.

People here also

volunteer with the

Bethany Care van

feeding the homeless

or those who are

struggling.

CAP, Christians

Against Poverty,

also does great work

across the country

and many people

come to faith

through their work.

Practically speaking

it can be great

to be part of groups

who carry out

such activities

in a regular

and organised fashion.

However,

we can be radically

different and reflect

the light of Christ

in our daily lives

whether that's at home,

at work,

or on the sports field.

We are to be

salt and light

representatives

of Jesus

through his power

and for the glory

of our Father

in heaven.

There are many ways

we can serve God

and use our gifts

and skills

to witness for Jesus.

This is our call.

Will we take it up?

It's too easy

and I stress

that I'm challenging

myself here

to sit and nod along

when we hear

from God's word

and then not to put

it into action.

But we need to act.

We're God's representatives

and we need to act

accordingly.

In the morning series

recently we've been

going through the Psalms

and it's been great

to hear how

different hymns

and choruses

have really brought

to light the passages

that we've been studying.

And you know

as I was thinking

about this

if you're going home

and you're humming a tune

I would like it to be this one

and we all

probably all sang it

as we were a kid.

It was

This little light of mine

I'm going to let it shine.

This little light of mine

I'm going to let it shine.

This little light of mine

I'm going to let it shine.

Let it shine.

Let it shine.

Let it shine.

And then the second verse

Jesus is the light

I'm going to let him shine.

And it finishes

let him shine.

Let him shine.

Let him shine.

I'm just going to pray to close

and then we'll

we'll have some questions

for us to discuss.

God and Father

we thank you for your word.

We thank you for the teachings

of the Lord Jesus

and how

even though they were so

many years ago

they are so relevant

to today's world

and to us

as we sit here tonight.

We pray that we will

really take these things on board

that we will think about

this passage

that we have looked at tonight

and that as we go home

we will put these things

into action

and that we will act

and that we will

live radical lives

and really make a difference

in the world that we live in.

That people will see

that we are different

and want to know

why that is

and that we will be

representatives of Jesus

no matter what we are doing

or where we find ourselves.

We pray that as we

open up for a discussion

that we will have

good discussions

and that

you'll bless the rest

of this evening.

We pray this

in Jesus name.

Amen.

We've got a couple

of questions up there

but if you just want

to get a tea or a coffee

if you want one first

bring them back

to your table

and then in a few minutes

if your table

is back together again

you can just discuss

the questions.

So we've got

how does the picture

of the church

as Jesus presents it here

challenge us

considering how we are

often portrayed

and the second one

is what are some

of the opportunities

you have

to be salt and light

representatives of Jesus

in your daily life.

and that

I know

you

I know

it

I know

I know