How would you consider a life well-lived? Read Matt 5:13-16.
The Christian faith is not simply a collection of doctrines and beliefs, although these are important.
• At its root, Christianity is a life experience: a life-changing, personal experience of the risen Jesus Christ.
• This encounter with Christ changes the way we are and the way we live.
Everything in the NT – the writings of each of these authors - flow from that personal encounter with Jesus Christ.
• If you have met Christ today, nothing about our lives can be the same.
That was the testimony of our late founding pastor Rev Lau. Her life was changed when the Lord healed her from tuberculosis and saved her.
• Her encounter with Christ not only changed her but those whom she met and ministered to.
• She dedicated her life to God and through her, God touched many, many more lives. This is what happens if you let the light of Christ shines.
Sadly many today are living the half-hidden Christian life, in the light of what Jesus said – salt that has lost its saltiness, light that was hidden in a bowl.
• They are one person when they are in church or at prayer meeting, and someone different when they are with friends or at work.
• They are living this “double life” - a Christian only at certain times, only at convenient times.
• At other times, they blend in. They do not want to stand out. They do not want to be seen different, so they keep their faith in Jesus a private affair.
The Lord says, we are the light of the WORLD and salt of the EARTH (Matt 5:13-16), not even within the confines of our comfort zones.
• That’s who we are, if you know Christ today.
It is not, “You can be…” or “You can become…” or “It’s good to be…”
• Jesus puts it plainly, “You are…” We have the potential in Christ to be a great blessing, if you care to believe Jesus.
• But if you keep it private, Jesus says, “If the salt loses its saltiness, it is no longer good for anything.” If you light a lamp and put it under a bowl, no one benefits.
The goal seems to be about BENEFITS… not to ourselves but for others!
Believe this, if Christ dwell in us, He will show. The reason why He is not seen is because we have been hiding Him.
• For various reasons, like fear, disobedience, self-centredness, shame, bitterness or sin. We have decided to cover the light with a bowl.
Over the past week, I was reminded of what it really means to “let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
• We had 3 nights of memorial services for our late Pastor Lau. Over 200 came each night. They are people who have crossed path with her in some ways.
• Each night, at the end of the each service, people filed in line to pay their last respect.
• It was the longest ‘paying of last respect’ in all the funeral services I’ve conducted. Over 200 people each night and it took more than 20min for it to last.
• On the last night as I stand at the pulpit looking down at all the people walking up, one by one, now for the third night, I had this overwhelming sense of awe and sweetness in my heart, at seeing the number of lives that have been touched, in one way or another, big or small, directly or indirectly, by the life of just one lady. That feeling was extraordinary.
And we know deep down in our heart, it wasn’t HER per se.
• It was the Christ that dwells in her, the One who healed her, saved her and called her into the ministry.
• It was the Christ in her that brought about this phenomenon. Oh, the light that shines!
• This building we are now in, that houses 3 churches now, is a living testimony of the great work of God through one obedient child of His.
• It reminded me of what D. L. Moody’s friend Henry Varley said to him: “The world has yet to see what God can do with and for and through and in a man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him."
The Lord says we have the potential to make a difference in someone’s life, because He now dwells in our heart and life.
• We ARE the salt of the earth. We ARE the LIGHT of the world. This is the NEW LIFE that we have in Christ.
• The new life we have is not about being wealthy on earth (because our Father is rich). It’s not about being healthy on earth (because our Father is a healer). It’s is not about being successful on earth (because our Father will bless our ways). Although all these can be true.
Our greatest calling is to “let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
• They will praise the Father because they have seen the light in us.
This NEW LIFE will shine and must shine, because Christ is in it.
• We tend to compartmentalise life - this is religious, that is secular. This part is the spiritual, and that is worldly. This is church life, and that is secular life.
• Our faith and our life are one. Our talk and our walk are one. We and Christ are one. When people sees us, they can see Christ.
• Being a follower of Jesus Christ is NOT just one among the many different aspects of your life. Being a Christian is who you are. Period.
• It means striving every day to be a better follower, to become more like Jesus in your thoughts and actions.
Bro Xue Ji’s Testimony:
Last Sunday, moments after Pastor Lau’s demise. I was at her apartment and was taken aback by Bro Xue Ji’s outpouring of grief. The moment he stepped into the living room, even before he reached the bedroom where she laid, he was sobbing. He cried and wailed in her room. I did not see this coming and had never seen him this way, in my 13 years of knowing him.
On the 3rd night of the memorial service, he shared. He was touched by Rev Lau’s love and kindness towards him. She is no respecter of persons. Her love and concern for him overwhelmed him. He said he saw the love of Christ in her. And announced, to the shock of all of us who have known him and had been sharing Christ to him all these years that he believes in Jesus! It was a pleasant surprise, announced before 200 people, at Rev Lau’s passing. What a fitting end to her life!
That’s the life we are to lead, Jesus says. One that benefits others.
• Stay salty, He says, so that you can be “good for something” and not “no longer good for anything” (5:13)
• Put the lamp on its stand and gives light to everyone in the house (5:15), so that all benefits from it.
We can because Christ dwells in our heart. Stay close to Jesus. Stay faithful to Jesus. Shines for Him.
God expects big things from each of us. That’s why He made us.
• So ask yourselves these questions: What does God want you to be doing? How does he want you to follow Christ?
How do you go about finding the answers to these questions? By talking to God, humbly and honestly, in prayer.
• It’s not about you choosing what you want to do with your life.
• It’s about discovering how God wants to use your life to accomplish His will.
Jesus wants us to grow where we’re planted. Bless someone where you are with His love.
• Remember, people are more important than things. Love them into the Kingdom of God. Love them with the love that you’ve received from Jesus.
• No matter where you are or whatever you find yourself doing — going to school, working, raising children, making a home – let the Lord shines.
