This week's church service was at Pioneer Hall in honor of Pioneer Days, so I wasn't able to take any notes, but you can still watch a great sermon (and hear us sing a couple of songs).
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Salt and Light “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:13-16 Salt is vital -- it has been used for food preservation, flavoring; body needs salt; salt was used in temple for sacrifices; People would make a promissory contract by sharing salt together in some countries; it was used as payment for jobs/for work; the Roman soldiers were paid in salt. This is where the phrase "You aren't worth your salt" came from. The city of Venice was built on salt. Christians have been salt throughout the centuries. Because of Christianity the world has: * hospitals (if you built a church you must also build a hospital) *Adoptions and orphanages *Sexual morality and sanctity of marriage. *Women's rights *Education *Art, Science, Music. *United States: individual freedoms and responsibilities. Jesus chose to appear first to women when he rose from the dead. Jesus recognized the value of women and children. Prior to him, children and women were seen as property to do with what the men wanted to do with them. The first organized school was Sunday School. The children would be taught to read the Bible. These are examples of being salt in this world. Don't be afraid to be salt. Call things what they are. If salt is corrupted/mixed with dirt or anything it is worthless. Can't be used for flavoring or preservation; and has no value. "But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot." Matthew 5:13b Are you bringing light into the world? 12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 Promise #1 You are not alone! 5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all." 1 John 1:5 Promise #2 The light won't be overcome or overpowered by darkness. 5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[a] sin." 1 John 1:5-7 Promises #3 and #4 There is no darkness in God; and We have forgiveness of our sins. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16 We are meant to reflect Jesus like the moon reflects the sun. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." Psalm 119:105 If we aren't following Jesus, we are lost and wandering. We are called to be and bring light to our worlds. Even (and especially) when it is uncomfortable. Shine light in the darkness. Not everyone in darkness wants to be in that darkness. Shine the light so they can come out of that darkness. 35 Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going." John 12:35 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”[a] made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ." 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 Application: Be salt -- be an influencer in the world you live in. Be light -- shine the light of Christ so that others may see and seek the light of Jesus. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:3-12 Remember, the beattitudes were being taught to the disciples. Lots of people were listening, but Jesus's focus was his disciples. These 9 beattitudes should be present in each disciple's life. They are current status, not conditional or in the future. "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." Matthew 5:7 What is mercy? A compassionate response to human need; forgiveness of offenses toward us. Here is Jesus showing mercy: "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." Matthew 9:36 "When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick." Matthew 14:14 "39 Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40 Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. 42 Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” Luke 18:39-42 When and why do we forgive others? * Do we forgive others as God forgives us? *Do we forgive others so that God will forgive us? * Does God forgive us first and then we are able to forgive? All 3! "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." Matthew 6:12 "We love because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." Single-minded, not double-minded. God first -- always first. Focused on God. Top priority -- way beyond any other priorities. "The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." 1 Timothy 1:5 "Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." James 4:8 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a]" Matthew 22:37 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." Matthew 5:9 What are peacemakers? They aren't merely peaceful. They aren't pacifist. They take action. Not avoidance, but seeking to help with conflict. First to forgive, first to repent; intentionally standing between two opposing parties. Seeks the conflict. "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7 Seeks peace for others; seeks and speaks truth. Call out what is wrong. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Romans 12:18 "5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.” 7 Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?” 8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed." Matthew 8:5-8 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:10 Persecuted for God's righteousness, for your relationship with Christ (not self-righteousness). 18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first." John 15:18 Darkness and Light. The world is in darkness. Christ is the light. The world hates the light of Christ. 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted," 2 Timothy 3:12 Matthew 5:11-12 should be formated like this: 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." 1st Line negative line negative line JESUS Positive line Positive line Last line. This was a form of poetry the people would have been familiar with. Yet, people don't want to hear what God has to say if they are living in the world living a worldly life. What's true? The Bible. The ugly stuff (the 2 negative lines above) are beautiful to God. "Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them. The BeatitudesHe said: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:1-12 What does "Blessed" mean? Eulogeo (Greek) = Beraka (Hebrew) means two things: to ask for blessing; as in "bless these people who are suffering: a prayer request. This is not what Jesus means here. It means it is recognizing an existing state. Not conditional. You are...He is describing what a good disciple is like in the beattitudes. What does "Poor in spirit" mean? Jesus is not talking about finances. It means someone who is humble because they seek God. He could have been referring to Isaiah 66:2: "Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the Lord. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word." Isaiah 66:2 They understand who God is and who they are. What is the kingdom of God? History and desire. The Jews want to go back to the time of King David. But Jesus isn't referring to this. The King of God is both present and future (Lord's prayer) "But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you." Luke 11:20 The Kingdom of God began on earth when Jesus came to earth and will end when He returns -- the culmination of the Kingdom of God. We are living in the interim, the Kingdom is now. "Blessed are the humble who understand God is King. We are in the Kingdom now." "Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted." What is Jesus talking about? it is a state of being -- this mourning. They are mourning the evil of the world and the evil in themselves. It implies we can't fix what is wrong, but know that God can. Thihs is not the end. Real comfort knowing that God is the only answer. "Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth." "Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. 9 For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. 10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. 11 But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity".Psalm 37:8-11 The meek have ability to be angry and violent but choose not to be. They have self-control in relation to other people. Meek doesn't mean weak. Meekness is self-control, not weakness. A sign of maturity. The Land -- promised land. The Jews would be thinking of the Exodus. But this isn't what Jesus was referring to. He was referring to the world. "It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith." Romans 4:13 "We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time." Romans 8:22 You are blessed right now because you know what is coming. The meek will inherit the world. State of current existence. These are characteristics of a good disciple. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst" Jesus is talking about someone who is desperate for God. Those who are desperate for God will be filled -- a feast. Righteousness-- is relational. God's righteousness = justice = salvation. "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly[a] with your God." Micah 6:8 This is how we should live our lives as Jesus's disciples: -- in humbleness -- mourning evil but knowing God will make it all right in the end -- Self-controlled -- Be hungry for God! When we live like this we are already blessed! May God bless and keep you |
Shannon HinrichsDupree Baptist Church Pastor If you would like to donate to this ministry, send your donation via check or money order to Dupree Baptist Church PO Box 372 Faith, SD 57626 Thank you!! All donations are tax deductible.
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