SFJ Bible Reading Plan

Going Deeper

Salt and Light (3-21-15)

Grab your Bible and let’s go deeper into Matthew 5

Matthew 5:13-16  “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.  14 “ You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 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.

When you look today’s passage, You might say, Jesus doesn’t talk about himself here.  But he does.  He says that you and I are like a lamp that is to shine our light unto the world. Realize that A lamp can only hold light. Jesus Christ himself is the light of the world and you only shine light when you are lit by him!  Jesus says in John 8:12, I am the light of the world… In this he is saying, I am true hope and direction. In a dark room, The chair cannot show you the light but the light can show you the chair.

First and foremost we need to see Jesus in the passage!  

The light is the ultimate reality. Jesus is the only one making all things new by changing the way we see everything.

Jesus also said in John 14:6,  I AM THE WAY THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE.  When you and I were dead in utter darkness because of our sin.  LIGHT became LIFE to us!  Jesus is LIFE.  He is the life everyone is desperate for.

The good news is this….  Colossians 1:13-14 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us (or transferred us) into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Praise God that Jesus took on our deepest darkness and forgave us all our sins.  Only Jesus Christ can turn the light on in your heart.  Only Jesus can transform you from your rotten decay in sin and make you new.

I was talking with a friend recently who was really feeling the utter despair of stumbling around in the darkness and the best counsel I could tell him was:  “STOP TRYING TO NAVIGATE THE DARKNESS by your own power.. Run to him who is the LIGHT.  Let him illuminate you by his mighty power.”

For those who are saved by Jesus, we are possessors of the light.   The question often asked is why doesn’t God just remove us from the darkness all together?

The answer is:   God has called us to be the lamp stand for the Light of Christ so that those his still intends to save will be brought in.  He has called us to be a city on a hill, to shine the light of Christ bright into the darkness because we have family who God is still preparing to enter his gates.

We must embrace the privilege it is to be called and empowered to shine bright.. to cast preserving Salt on this decaying society for God’s glory and others eternal good.

As Jesus gave his speech on the mount that day he is talking about what life in the Kingdom looks like.  In this passage Jesus is showing us what happens when you and I testify of Christ to those in our path. When we live out our call to be SALT AND LIGHT.

Three Realities that should play out.…

1. Salt and light expose decay and darkness.

There is a reason why those who are not believers in Christ often pull away in our presence.  Because we are so very different then they are.  In Christ, You are full of LIGHT.  Which is the very opposite of darkness. This is not because you are better then them.  It is because Jesus has taken a hold of your life.

NOW, the problem is in a world where our sin causes us to want to be accepted by everyone.. we can value man’s acceptance more than our responsibility to let Christ shine through us which will mean we are different.

Understand:  You can’t be bright in your testimony for Christ and at the same time blend into people’s lives who live in the darkness.  The Reality is: You can love them and be around them but you should stand out like a sore thumb.

Understand this is not a bad thing.  This is God’s design. This is how he brings hope.  Brings life!

What we have to realize is,  we don’t act or talk or live differently because we are better then them.

That is Religion.  That is Self Righteousness and by it no one is saved.

We act and live differently by the Grace of God which is Christ in and through us.

We are only who we are because of Jesus.   Our testimony is to make much of Jesus!

You have to constantly remind yourself of this.. when interacting with non-believers who live in darkness. You have to constantly say.. On my own, I am no different.  I am only different because of Christ.   It is His light that shines in and through me.   It is Jesus that these people need to see to have life.

2. If you are salt and light you bring JOY to people.

Salt is not just a Preservative.. it is a Seasoning.  It is a flavor enhancer.  I love Salt.  My wife says I love it too much.  But the truth is Salt makes most food more enjoyable.  There is a dual effect when Christians live evangelistic lives.

The first is the beauty that you show through your good deeds.. The light you shine into dark places can and does cause push back.. Which often equals very real persecution.  Making it hard and uncomfortable for those in the world to be around you.

BUT, there also is a Joy that Comes from a child of God.  A light Bearer!  This often means you are the one that makes that circle better.    You are the Joy of a particular group.  You are the stability of the neighborhood.   You are the glue in your family.  You are the go to person for help in your workplace. You are the one other club members want to lean on when in need.

A true Child of God who is salty is always looking to help improve the situation you find yourself in. To make it taste better.  To allow others to see and taste and experience the JOY of Christ who is at work in and through you.

Matthew 5:14 …A city on a hill cannot be hidden

Rural communities like the one Jesus speaks about here know how blinding darkness can be. Yet the glow of a city in the distance can give those living in the pitch black of night a sense of direction and bearing.   Two years ago, I took my new Road Glide to Kenny’s shop in Vegas.  On my ride home I was going through Mojave Desert at 11:00pm.  I did not realize how secluded I felt until all of the sudden I came over a ridge and saw something that gave me a sudden feeling of longing.    The Lights of civilization.  Before me was miles of red blinking lights.   I was overwhelmed with a joy and an anticipation.  This is the same feeling God gives to those that he is giving new birth in Christ.  All of the sudden they see through the darkness and the light of the city on a hill comes into view.

One of the ways, people notice the light we hold is by seeing our good deeds!  “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds” Matt 5:16

The word “good” here is Kalos which means, Beautiful.  The question is:  When people see your deeds do they see the beauty of Christ, Do they say: “Amazing”?

Brothers:  There is a feast we have come to know in life with God.  A satisfaction in HIM.

A JOY that compares to nothing else.    If his selfless love is at work in us.. we will not HORD this feast for ourselves but will LONG to share it.  To Expose others to it.

Jesus is pleading with us in this passage.  Do not put your light under a basket.. but let it shine before MEN       <>Let your light shine before men=  we have to get out there!

Finally, Jesus says,

let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. – Matthew 5:16

God’s Glory…  Worship of God… is the ultimate reason why we are called to be Salt and LIGHT.

Is there a higher call we can be given?  May those we come into contact with one day worship our Father in heaven.

Missions exist because Worship doesn’t.

So we must go into all the earth and shine bright the light of Jesus.

By His grace and for His glory,

-Shepherd

Soldiers for Jesus MC

National Chaplain

Matthew 6

Giving to the Needy

6:1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

The Lord’s Prayer

5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this:

  “Our Father in heaven,
  hallowed be your name.¹
10   Your kingdom come,
  your will be done,²
    on earth as it is in heaven.
11   Give us this day our daily bread,³
12   and forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13   And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from evil.⁴

14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Fasting

16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Lay Up Treasures in Heaven

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust⁵ destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, 23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.⁶

Do Not Be Anxious

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?⁷ 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Footnotes

[1] 6:9 Or Let your name be kept holy, or Let your name be treated with reverence

[2] 6:10 Or Let your kingdom come, let your will be done

[3] 6:11 Or our bread for tomorrow

[4] 6:13 Or the evil one; some manuscripts add For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen

[5] 6:19 Or worm; also verse 20

[6] 6:24 Greek mammon, a Semitic word for money or possessions

[7] 6:27 Or a single cubit to his stature; a cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters

(ESV)

Matthew 5

The Sermon on the Mount

5:1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.

The Beatitudes

2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons¹ of God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Salt and Light

13 “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.

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that² they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Christ Came to Fulfill the Law

17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Anger

21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother³ will be liable to judgment; whoever insults⁴ his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell⁵ of fire. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.⁶

Lust

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

Divorce

31 “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Oaths

33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ 34 But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.⁷

Retaliation

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic,⁸ let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

Love Your Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers,⁹ what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Footnotes

[1] 5:9 Greek huioi; see Preface

[2] 5:16 Or house. 16Let your light so shine before others that

[3] 5:22 Some manuscripts insert without cause

[4] 5:22 Greek says Raca to (a term of abuse)

[5] 5:22 Greek Gehenna; also verses 29, 30

[6] 5:26 Greek kodrantes, Roman copper coin (Latin quadrans) worth about 1/64 of a denarius (which was a day’s wage for a laborer)

[7] 5:37 Or the evil one

[8] 5:40 Greek chiton, a long garment worn under the cloak next to the skin

[9] 5:47 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters

(ESV)

Matthew 4

The Temptation of Jesus

4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written,

  “‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
    but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,

  “‘He will command his angels concerning you,’

and

  “‘On their hands they will bear you up,
    lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”

7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,

  “‘You shall worship the Lord your God
    and him only shall you serve.’”

11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.

Jesus Begins His Ministry

12 Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

15   “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
    the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
16   the people dwelling in darkness
    have seen a great light,
  and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death,
    on them a light has dawned.”

17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”¹

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”² 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Jesus Ministers to Great Crowds

23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them. 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.

Footnotes

[1] 4:17 Or the kingdom of heaven has come near

[2] 4:19 The Greek word anthropoi refers here to both men and women

(ESV)

Matthew 3

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

3:1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”¹ 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said,

  “The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
  ‘Prepare² the way of the Lord;
    make his paths straight.’”

4 Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

The Baptism of Jesus

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him,³ and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son,⁴ with whom I am well pleased.”

Footnotes

[1] 3:2 Or the kingdom of heaven has come near

[2] 3:3 Or crying: Prepare in the wilderness

[3] 3:16 Some manuscripts omit to him

[4] 3:17 Or my Son, my (or the) Beloved

(ESV)