HoHum:
Christianity is one beggar telling another beggar where he found bread- D.T. NILES
WBTU:
3 disciples are important for us to remain faithful disciples of Jesus. These are in Luke 6.
This outlines for us an important night and day in the life and ministry of Jesus.
Jesus spent the night praying to God (Vs. 12)
In the morning, Jesus chose 12 of his disciples to be apostles (Vs. 13-16)
In the afternoon, Jesus healed the sick and preached the Word. (Vs. 17-49)
Notice the order- from solitude to community to ministry. The night is for solitude, the morning is for community, the afternoon is for ministry. Must start with prayer, move into community and then go out to minister in community, at least two by two.
Let me tell a story: Ben and Erin met when they were teenagers. Their friendship quickly became romantic and they had a love like no other. Within a few months Erin was pregnant, and they faced the first of many difficult decisions. The embarrassment of the pregnancy led them to get married secretly, but they had little understanding of how to live together, and they didn’t have a clue about how to love each other. Ben was a boy in a man’s body. He seemed more interested in the latest video game than the responsibilities of a husband and father. He was a latchkey kid who had never been accountable to others. Erin’s parents were divorced. They tried to make up for it by giving her gifts and indulging her every whim. She had been pampered in all the wrong ways and expected this kind of treatment as an expression of love. Ben did not have the desire or the resources to meet these kinds of expectations. Although he mad made efforts to win her affection while they were dating, this changed when they were married. Erin’s disappointment and Ben’s feelings of failure, coupled with their inability to resolve conflict, turned the marriage into a war zone. Erin complained that Ben did not really love her. Ben complained that Erin was too demanding. One evening their conflict spilled out into the stairwell of their apartment complex. Another couple overheard the argument and asked if they could help. As a result of this act of kindness, Erin began to meet with the wife and Ben started a friendship with the husband. They also spent time together as couples. Ben and Erin’s new friends were part of a local church that encouraged welcoming struggling people. Ben and Erin immediately found other couples who would honestly share about their struggles, which were surprisingly similar to their own. As people shared, what caught Ben and Erin’s attention was the honesty that was tied to a strong hope for change. Significant changes began to take place in Ben and Erin as they came to trust in Christ. The benefits of the gospel began to transform their marriage. They still had plenty of difficulty, but they began to deal with it differently. They were also surrounded by Christians who were committed to reach out to them and persevere with them through the messy process of change. What began as a story about Ben and Erin is really a story about an unnamed couple and the community of faith to which they belong. Oh how wonderful it would be if this story was more than just fiction!
What this couple did can be summarized by one word from the Bible: kingdom. The Kingdom of God is not noisy and explosive. However, it is a revolution carried out by humble servants who often go unnoticed. Just consider the king of this kingdom. How did Jesus enter our world? He came as a baby born into poverty amidst an oppressed people. He preached a message of love put on permanent display by his suffering, death, and resurrection. Wherever this King is present, these same things will be present. These were the things that won Ben and Erin’s hearts.
“Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.”” Luke 17:20, 21, NIV.
The Pharisees were looking for an earthly, political kingdom. From what Jesus says here many conclude that the kingdom is invisible and this is true. “The kingdom of God is within you” . However, there is another aspect to the kingdom. The Holman Christian Standard Version says here, “the kingdom of God is among you”, NASB “the kingdom of God is in your midst.”
In other words, the kingdom of God has an invisible state but also a visible state. Jesus is telling the Pharisees that the kingdom can be seen. What are these things that can be seen? Jesus’ presence in our lives expresses itself in observable changes in individuals and their relationships. This leaves a trail of humility, compassion, sacrifice, joy and patience.
What does this have to do with Ben and Erin’s story, or our relationships? Everything! If we are experiencing humility, forgiveness, patience, we are experiencing the world of the King as he builds his kingdom. Our relationships are the place where the kingdom has come, and they are intended to attract others to the king. Whenever we speak of change in our lives and relationships, we are not drawing attention to us, but to Jesus, our King. As the couple and community reached out to Ben and Erin understood, the kingdom of God is not just private but also public (tangible). People who come into our midst will see the work of the kingdom but they won’t necessarily see the King. It is our responsibility and privilege to point them to Him.
The Bible talks about the kingdom of God in many ways, but Jesus uses two metaphors to talk specifically about its visible nature: 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 by men. “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 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. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16, NIV.
Thesis: Let’s talk about being salt and light
For instances:
Salt: Moving Out (Matthew 5:13)
The image of salt challenges alienation because salt is only effective when it is used to stop decay. To stop decay salt has to come out of the saltshaker and be used. To help flavor food salt has to come out of the saltshaker and be put on food. What does this mean? We are most true to our identity and calling when we live in the midst of broken people. The call of the kingdom is a call into the world, never away from it. “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.” John 17:15, NIV. We are to be in the world but not of it. “We need to be against bad things in our culture.” True, but this does not mean we alienate ourselves from the culture. Salt becomes worthless over time when it is not used.
Salt also becomes worthless when it ceases to be salt! This highlights the importance of our character. We are called to be people of great character so that, when we encounter the world, our character influences those around us. These qualities are not just about courage and conviction, but humility and compassion as well. If we are truly salt, God intends us to apply that salt to relationships where it is most needed.
If there a struggling family in your neighborhood? Is there a single parent at your child’s school? Is there someone at church who is lonely and discouraged? Is there a teenager who needs to see how a family functions? Are there friendships you can pursue through your children’s extracurricular activities? What ministries in the community need help? Has God put an elderly person in you life who needs companionship? Where are the poor in our community? How can we be used to help them?
Light: Welcoming In (Matthew 5:14-16)
If being salt involves stepping out into the world, being light involves welcoming people in so that they can see that the kingdom has come. We welcome people in so that they can see how the kingdom affects our relationships. Our relationships are meant to be beacons in a dark world. “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”” John 13:35, NIV. We are called to make these things known in tangible ways so that others will see.
“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life...” Philippians 2:14-16, NIV.
Does your child have a friend who may benefit from time in your home? Is there a coworker you can invite for dinner and a movie with your church friends? Do you know an elderly person who would enjoy the love of a family during the holidays? Is there someone who is burdened or in crisis and in need of a retreat? Is there another family who would enjoy time with your family? Do you know a younger couple who could be mentored by an older couple? After we have formed these connections, we need to invite them to church. "Eighty-two percent of the unchurched are at least somewhat likely to attend church if invited." –Dr. Thom Rainer
So what?
The story of Ben and Erin is actually about the unnamed couple and their church. For all the weaknesses and failures this unnamed couple experienced, they got something right. They knew that the good things God had done for them were not meant to be kept for themselves; they were instruments God wanted to use.
Because of Jesus Christ in our lives, we experience joy in our relationships with other Christians. We notice what happens because of this joy from the early church: “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts (glad here means wild and exuberant joy), praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people (could be said “and all the people liked them). And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:46, 47, NIV.
Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders;make the most of every opportunity-Colossians 4:5
