04/14/10 “Who Is Jesus? And Why It Matters” Part 2
Who was Jesus and why does it matter? – His Messages PT. 2
“Value and Vision“ (Salt and Light)
4 14 10 HT PM
Philippians 2:1-5 NKJV
Philippians 2:1 NKJV
Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,
Philippians 2:2
fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Philippians 2:3
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Philippians 2:4
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Philippians 2:5
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
This passage opens up with instructions about congregational conduct (vs1-4). Then first 5 shifts to the idea of permitting Christ to be the template for your life. This passage provides an instruction to our life to lived out as exampled by Christ.
Last week we discovered that Christ and His messages were counter cultural – again we define culture as the tide of sin and selfishness not daily function. Truth is Jesus was extremely functional in His life and ministry. At a time when only the chosen could read the Law, He talked in pararbles to make it simple and plain. He literally met people where they were at and brought them to where they needed to be. Religion will always clarify the gap between where you are and where you should be – relationship will always close the group and walk you along the path.
Tonight’s review of the beatitudes from last week –
1. B1: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (5:3).
2. B2: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (5:4).
3. B3: “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth” (5:5).
4. B4: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for
The first four beatitudes show that God’s approval is found when we are humbled by God and respond appropriately to Him.
Matthew 22:37 MSG
Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’
Matthew 22:38
This is the most important, the first on any list.
Matthew 22:39
But there is a second to set alongside it: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself
New for us tonight – the Second four of the beatitudes which specifically address our human personal interactions, there is an eternal reward for our present interactions. God is watching our responses to others!
5. B5: Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy” (5:7).
Mercy is the willingness to not impose a penalty or a loss that is fully deserved. Do you have any enemies? Is there someone in your life who drives you crazy? Grant them mercy. Are you able to bless your enemies?
You won’t be merciful to others unless in the core of your being you appreciate the mercy that God has shown you.
Lamentations 3:22 NKJV
Through the Lord’S mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
Lamentations 3:23
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
Question; do you dispense mercy at the same rate you need it?
Matthew 6:9 LB
“Pray along these lines: ‘Our Father in heaven, we honor your holy name.
Matthew 6:10
We ask that your kingdom will come now. May your will be done here on earth, just as it is in heaven.
Matthew 6:11
Give us our food again today, as usual,
Matthew 6:12
and forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us.
Matthew 6:13
Don’t bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the Evil One. ◙ Amen.’
The parable of the merciless servant!
Matthew 18: 23-35 MSG “The kingdom of God is like a king who decided to square accounts with his servants.24 As he got under way, one servant was brought before him who had run up a debt of a hundred thousand dollars.25 He couldn’t pay up, so the king ordered the man, along with his wife, children, and goods, to be auctioned off at the slave market.26 “The poor wretch threw himself at the king’s feet and begged, ‘Give me a chance and I’ll pay it all back.’27 Touched by his plea, the king let him off, erasing the debt.28 “The servant was no sooner out of the room when he came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him ten dollars. He seized him by the throat and demanded, ‘Pay up. Now!’29 “The poor wretch threw himself down and begged, ‘Give me a chance and I’ll pay it all back.’30 But he wouldn’t do it. He had him arrested and put in jail until the debt was paid.31 When the other servants saw this going on, they were outraged and brought a detailed report to the king.32 “The king summoned the man and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave your entire debt when you begged me for mercy.33 Shouldn’t you be compelled to be merciful to your fellow servant who asked for mercy?’34 The king was furious and put the screws to the man until he paid back his entire debt.
35 And that’s exactly what my Father in heaven is going to do to each one of you who doesn’t forgive unconditionally anyone who asks for mercy.”
6. B6: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (5:8)
Jesus’ words are very significant. He refers to the “pure in heart.” In the Scriptures, the heart describes the inner person—who a man or woman really is. This is where purity begins. Jesus took the Pharisees to task on many points all of which centered on the inconsistency between the external and internal parts of their lives. The outside parts of their lives were exceptionally clean, but on the inside their hearts were unclean. They wanted the world to see their clean hands while trying to hide their unclean hearts. It’s easier to avoid unclean hands (murder, stealing, and gluttony) than an unclean heart (envy, pride, bitterness).
Psalm 139:23 NKJV
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
Psalm 139:24
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.
7. B7: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (5:9).
Jesus blesses “peacemakers,” not peace–keepers. This means we are not appeasers of men. We do not seek peace at any price, but we seek to pursue the path of peace
Romans 12:18 NKJV
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
Romans 12:19
Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” ◙ says the Lord.
Romans 12:20
Therefore
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” ◙
Romans 12:21
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
8. B8: “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (5:10).
You will have moments in life where you feel present pain in exchange for future glory.
2 Corinthians 4:17 NKJV
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
2 Corinthians 4:18
while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Who was Jesus? Jesus was counter culture
Why it matters? We should be too
Matthew 5:13-16 MSG 13 “Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.14 “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill.15 If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. 16 Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
Salt and Light – or I call it Value and Vision ☺
Salt was an item of high value at that time – it was a desired commodity – even at times used to pay someone – all of us have heard the phrase “ worth his or her salt”.
Notice the Salt and Light come on the heels of the beatitudes – salt improves flavor and function. With this in mind, are the beatitudes the salt you are to posses and pass out?
Matthew 5:13 LB
“You are the world’s seasoning, to make it tolerable. If you lose your flavor, what will happen to the world? And you yourselves will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.
Every person dispenses something, we are to season the earth and improve it! The idea of salt is very universal in its application and function. We as beleivers should literally realize that we are to leave improvement, value, and increase.
You might say there is not connection between being a believer in Christ and my earthly function. Ok, look at the next line!
Matthew 5:14 LB
You are the world’s light—a city on a hill, glowing in the night for all to see.
Matthew 5:15-16
- Don’t hide your light! Let it shine for all; let your good deeds glow for all to see, so that they will praise your heavenly Father.
Matthew 5:16 NKJV
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Our present life is reflective of Jehovah God and His work in us that draws people to give glory to God.