Looking out in prayer and ministry
The Call to be Salt and Light
Pastor Tom
January 4, 2009
Matthew 5:13–16
You thought you were just going to hear a good speaker. You settle in for some good teaching about life in general. But then He turns and looks directly at you. Suddenly you are no longer a spectator but a participant as He makes some very direct statements about your identity. In fact He redefines your life purpose. You’re not only a businessman, student, nurse, farmer, soldier, parent, office worker or skilled tradesperson. You have a new identity that He commands you to embrace. Instead of a comfortable time listening to a stimulating speaker, you’re life direction has changed.
That’s what happened to a group of Jesus’ disciples 2000 years ago. Surrounded by large crowds, they settled in for some good teaching by their Master as He sat on a mountainside. But instead of addressing the whole crowd, He turns to them. He proclaims two characteristics that would identify and authenticate His true disciples.
If you claim to be a Christian today, you are one of Jesus’ disciples. The same message He delivered to His disciples then applies to us. Jesus comes today looking for 2 pieces of ID from His true followers. He asks for 2 pieces of ID to verify His disciple’s identify. But He doesn’t want our passport or driver’s license. He wants the same 2 pieces He gave to His disciples of 2000 years ago. Today, we’re going to find out what they are and what it means to embrace them.
