As we continue in the Epiphany season, contemplating the God revealed by Jesus Christ, we should take time to consider our response to that revelation. We should seek to humbly and diligently follow his word.
The theme for this week is authentically worshipping God.
- In the call to worship Psalm (Psalm 112:1-2,3-9), we read about the generational blessings awaiting those who wholeheartedly worship the Lord.
- In Isaiah 58:1-5,6-9a, the prophet condemns empty religion and echoes God’s call for justice, liberation, and care for those most in need.
- In the Corinthian passage (1 Corinthians 2:1-1-5,6-12), Paul spoke about the Christian’s reliance on the Holy Spirit to reveal the gospel and God’s plan for salvation in Christ.
- Finally, the passage in Matthew 5:13-16,17-20 reminds us that Christ-followers are called to bear witness to Christ in word and in action. However, to do so, we have to follow the commands of God and resist inauthentic, empty religion.
SERMON REVERB
Questionable Living
Matthew 5:13-20
Christian comedian Michael, Jr. has a recurring routine that describes who he calls the “oversaved.” One of his jokes goes something like this:
- Michael, Jr.: “Excuse me, friend. I think I lost my keys. Can you help me find them?”
- Oversaved Friend: “What you need is the keys to the kingdom!”
- Michael, Jr.: “Um … I didn’t drive a Kingdom. I drove a Toyota.”
Michael, Jr. delivers the joke far better than it can be delivered here. However, I think you can understand the important point he disguises behind a funny story. In the joke, Michael, Jr. needed some practical help and asked his friend. His oversaved friend stated something that was true but entirely unhelpful and irrelevant.
In an effort to separate themselves from things that are distractions, temptations, and triggers, Christians can sometimes seek to surround themselves with things that are overtly Christian. This is understandable, and often comes from one’s passion and love for God. However, if we are not careful, we can put ourselves into a Christian bubble. Those who live in a Christian bubble have almost all their interactions with other Christians. If they listen to music, it is Christian music. If they watch a TV show or movie, it is Christian. They have Christian radio or sermons playing in their car. Again, there is nothing inherently wrong with enjoying Christian things, and it is understandable why a believer would, at times, want to withdraw from the world. However, living in a Christian bubble can limit our ability to participate in one of the core purposes of the church: bearing witness, through word and actions, to the good news about Jesus Christ and the kingdom he has established. It also prevents us from being spiritually formed by and participating in the work God is doing all around us, even among not-yet-believers.
Jesus teaches us that his followers should not only strive to interact with those around them but seek to be a blessing. Here is what Jesus teaches us in the book of Matthew:
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.
You are the light of the world. A town built 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 others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore, anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:13-20 NIV)
In speaking about how believers should interact with the world, Jesus used two symbols packed with spiritual significance: salt and light.
- Salt was used in several ways: as a way bring out the flavor in food, as a meat preserver, as an essential nutrient for humans, and as a fertilizer for certain types of soils.
- Light was used as a disinfectant, to remove darkness, and to make navigating at night safe.
One could create metaphors for a Christian’s spiritual life with all these uses. Myriad messages have been preached about what it means for believers to be salt and light, and rightfully so. However, I would like us to pay close attention to those to whom we are called to be salt and light. Does that group include only Christians? In verse 14, Jesus refers to believers as “a town built on a hill,” and in verse 16, he says, “let your light shine before others.” The context implies that those outside of the Christian community are included among the ones who can witness the “light” of believers.
Most Christ-followers would agree with this reasoning. Jesus’ Great Commission, found in Matthew 28:19-20, established that Christians are a sent people commanded by Jesus to share the good news about Christ with the world. Where there may be disagreement among believers is the extent to which Christians should engage with the world. In other words, how far should believers go in being salt and light?
By paying attention to how Jesus talks about salt and light, we may get some insight. In the passage, the symbols Jesus used suggest that his disciples should both integrate and demonstrate.
When used properly, salt fully integrates or blends into food. Used properly, it is indistinguishable from the rest of the food it touches, bringing out the flavors that are already there. The only time we taste salt in our food is when too much has been added (i.e., oversaved or Christian bubble). Thinking along those lines, Christians should be fully integrated with our neighbors. We should be a part of the life of our community, and our social circles should include both believers and non-believers. Barring things that interrupt or harm our relationship with God and others, we should follow the life rhythms of those in the community in which God has placed us.
At the same time, we are called to be demonstrators. In the light metaphor, light is separate from darkness. It is distinct and distinguishable. In the same way, believers are called to live in a way that allows others to see that the kingdom of God has come near to them. Our lives should point to the reality of God, letting not-yet-believers know that they too are included in the love of the Father, Son, and Spirit. To do that, Christians must be, in some way, distinct from not-yet-believers. Our lives should reflect the priorities of our King, which are often at odds with the priorities of our society, and the contrast should be noticeable.
So, how can Christians both integrate and demonstrate? How can we both blend in and stand out?
In the book Surprise the World, Michael Frost says that Christ-followers should live questionable lives. In other words, we should integrate into the life rhythms of our community, forming authentic relationships with our neighbors. Our neighbors should be close enough to us so that they can see our good works and question us about why we use our vacation time to serve the poor, or why we open our home to refugees, or why we fast during Easter Preparation (Lent), or why we stop to talk with people who ask us for money, or how we can still find joy in the midst of tragedy. The way we humbly and genuinely live out our faith in Jesus will spark curiosity in our neighbors, opening the door for us to share the good news about Christ with them when they ask their questions. Therefore, the way in which Christians can be both salt and light — the way we can both integrate and demonstrate — is to live questionable lives.
Living in a Christian bubble makes questionable living almost impossible.
First, it significantly reduces our exposure to not-yet-believers. Yes, it is good to be a blessing to the fellowship of believers. However, we should not only do good to the fellowship of believers. We need to regularly build relationships with not-yet-believers to avoid over-salting the meal.
Second, living in a Christian bubble can make us out of touch and awkward in conversations. If we are disconnected from our neighbors, over time, we will develop our own life rhythms and ways of being. In essence, we will form our own Christian subculture with its own language. Unless we develop the ability to code switch (fluidly switching from one way of speaking to another) we will communicate in ways our neighbors cannot understand. Like Michael, Jr.’s joke, the oversaved friend was completely out of touch.
As Christ followers, we want to learn to balance being in the world but not of the world. We do not want to conform to the ways of the world, but we should be able to talk naturally with our neighbors about things that are important to them. We want to avoid forcing them to always talk about the Christianity that is important to us. Since our faith in Christ causes us to be oriented on God and the “other,” Christians should be the easiest people with whom to have a conversation. Since Jesus is our hope, and our joy is readily accessible, and we will smile easily.
As we participate in the redemptive work of Christ, love will compel us to ask questions and take an interest in the people around us. Our desire to place-share, like Christ place-shared with us, should fill us with empathy. The wisdom the Holy Spirit provides should equip us to talk about world events, even politicized ones, in ways that bring unity and not division. Since the Spirit lives in us, we need not fear being “tainted” by the world. Rather, we should follow Christ’s example and boldly live questionably, believing that the world will catch our health.
Several among us have been doing many of these things organically. However, for some of us, what I am describing pushes us a bit out of our comfort zone. Jesus understands that discomfort.
The passage we are discussing is part of the “Sermon on the Mount,” where Jesus lays out a radical way of living. He outlines what some call the “Upside Down Kingdom” because his values are so different from the norm. In Christ’s “Upside Down Kingdom,” the poor are blessed, mourners are comforted, and the meek inherit the earth. Living as salt and light was also part of this radical new way of life Jesus described.
It was difficult for many of his disciples to understand, let alone follow what Jesus taught. I submit this is why Jesus affirmed that his teaching was not in opposition to the law. While it may have seemed radical, the “Upside Down Kingdom” was in alignment with all the previously given commands of God. Jesus understands it often seems uncomfortable living a questionable life. He knows it might feel different from the Christianity you have known up until this point. However, living as salt and light — living a questionable life — is part of how we follow Christ. He will be with you and empower you to live as he lived.
We are the church – the body – of Jesus Christ. He lives in us and empowers the church (and each of us individually) to participate in his work to redeem and reconcile all things. Since Jesus is worthy of all praise and glory, let us represent him as the church. He would be the best neighbor on our block. He would open his home to those in need of a place to stay. He is a prolific giver. He is a good listener. He is the ally to the poor and marginalized.
Let’s join Jesus in being habitual feasters, continually eating meals with friends and acquaintances. Let us join him and mourn with those who mourn and rejoice with those who rejoice. Let us join him and be makers of beautiful things. Let us join him and stand up for the humanity of the dehumanized. Let us be big belly-laughers and outrageous storytellers. We are salt and light!
IRRELIGIOUS HARDTALK
The Key to Christian Living
Last Tuesday, our Bible study was about Christian living. In a sense, the sermon we just looked, is also about Christian living. Being salt and light in communities is all about Christian living.
SPS … To look at one of the keys (if not the most important key) to Christian Living — FAITH.
Why look at faith? For one, we were justified by faith … but, secondly, we, as the just, must live by faith. Notice the following passages …
- Romans 1:16-17
- Galatians 3:11
- Hebrews 10:38
That said, the question becomes … “How can we have that faith?” or “Where does that faith come from?” Is it a faith we generate? Or is it a gift? And whose faith is it?
The apostle Paul gives us a clue as to the answer …
Galatians 2:20
Click on the link above to see what the NIV says.
Click on the link below to see what other versions say:
If you compare all the versions we just looked at, you should notice something VERY interesting — i.e. they don’t all agree on the faith Paul was referring to. Let’s look, again, at what each says about the faith.
New International Version
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
English Standard Version
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Berean Standard Bible
I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
New American Standard Bible
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
NASB 1995
“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
NASB 1977
“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me.
Legacy Standard Bible
I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. And the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
Amplified Bible
I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
Christian Standard Bible
I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Holman Christian Standard Bible
and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
American Standard Version
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.
Contemporary English Version
I have died, but Christ lives in me. And I now live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me.
English Revised Version
I have been crucified with Christ; yet I live; and yet no longer I, but Christ liveth in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.
Good News Translation
so that it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. This life that I live now, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me.
Majority Standard Bible
I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
New American Bible
yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me.
New Revised Standard Version
and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
New Heart English Bible
I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.
Weymouth New Testament
I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I that live, but Christ that lives in me; and the life which I now live in the body I live through faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself up to death on my behalf.
World English Bible
I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me.
New King James Version
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Those versions all speak about “faith in the Son of God.” Notice, however, what the other versions that we looked at said …
Young’s Literal Translation
with Christ I have been crucified, and live no more do I, and Christ doth live in me; and that which I now live in the flesh — in the faith I live of the Son of God, who did love me and did give himself for me;
Berean Literal Bible
I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. And that which I now live in the flesh, I live through faith from the Son of God, the One having loved me and having given up Himself for me.
King James Bible
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
New King James Version
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And I have been crucified with The Messiah, and from then on I myself have not been living, but The Messiah is living in me, and this that I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of The Son of God, he who has loved us and has given himself for us.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And I live, now not I; but Christ liveth in me. And that I live now in the flesh: I live in the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered himself for me.
International Standard Version
I no longer live, but the Messiah lives in me, and the life that I am now living in this body I live by the faithfulness of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Literal Standard Version
I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me; and that which I now live in the flesh—I live in the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me;
NET Bible
I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So the life I now live in the body, I live because of the faithfulness of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Webster’s Bible Translation
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
The versions in this latter group (with the exception of the Berean Literal Bible) all speak to the “faith of the Son of God.”
That is interesting because whereas one groups speaks of faith IN the Son of God, the other speaks of the faith OF the Son of God. That is a discrepancy that is NOT just interesting, BUT epic!! Epic because there is a massive difference between faith IN someone and faith of someone.
So … why the discrepancy? Personally, I attribute it to what I call “translator’s bias”.
More important, however, is which is correct? Is it “faith IN the Son of God” or should it be “faith OF the Son of God”? To find out, let’s look at what biblehub.com tells us about the Greek word that is translated as “in” in some versions and “of” in others.
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Based on what I’m seeing in biblehub.com’s page, the better, more faithful rendering of the Greek word is “from” (which is how the Berean Literal Bible puts it).
20 and de I egō no longer ouketi live zaō, but de Christ Christos lives zaō in en me egō. And de the hos life I now nyn live zaō in en the flesh sarx, I live zaō by en faith pistis in ho the ho Son hyios of ho God theos, who ho loved agapaō me egō and kai gave paradidōmi himself heautou for hyper me egō.
NOTE: There are 3 instances of the Greek word “ho” … with 3 different different translations into English. I am interested in two: the one after “pistis” and the one after “hyios”. And my question is why translate the phrase as “Son of” and not “Son in” … and why use “faith in” and not “faith of”??
In the final analysis, it seems that “faith of the Son of God” is a better translation than “faith in the Son of God”.
Philippians 2:12-16 (NKJV)
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
14 Do all things without [a]complaining and disputing,[b] 15 that you may become blameless and [c]harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
Philippians 2:12-16
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
What Kind of God? (Part 1)
I chose that song because of one line in its chorus, which has these words …
- Jesus … we lift You on our praises
- So every eye can see Your face
- Your power and grace
- Behold You as You really are
- Brighter than … all the stars of heaven
- Our worship is for You alone
- We build You this throne of praise
The line that caught my eye was line 4: “Behold You as You really are”
I think it caught my eye because one of the messages that I’ve been getting from our home office is … we need to see (and help other to see) GOD as He really is.
I think Christendom (religious Christianity) has sold us a bill of goods that have caused us to not see God as He really is. For example, the doctrine of Hell, which causes people to think of God more as a God of wrath, that as a God of love.
So, the purpose of this section of the study is to look at some Bible passages which I hope will help us to see God a little more like He really is.
BUT, first, before you say “here we go again” I want to remind you of something Thomas Paine said …
Even better, I want to remind you of what we read in Psalm 115 …
1 Not to us, Lord, not to us
but to your name be the glory,
because of your love and faithfulness.
2 Why do the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
3 Our God is in heaven;
he does whatever pleases him.
4 But their idols are silver and gold,
made by human hands.
5 They have mouths, but cannot speak,
eyes, but cannot see.
6 They have ears, but cannot hear,
noses, but cannot smell.
7 They have hands, but cannot feel,
feet, but cannot walk,
nor can they utter a sound with their throats.
8 Those who make them will be like them,
and so will all who trust in them.
9 All you Israelites, trust in the Lord—
he is their help and shield.
10 House of Aaron, trust in the Lord—
he is their help and shield.
11 You who fear him, trust in the Lord—
he is their help and shield.
12 The Lord remembers us and will bless us:
He will bless his people Israel,
he will bless the house of Aaron,
13 he will bless those who fear the Lord—
small and great alike.
14 May the Lord cause you to flourish,
both you and your children.
15 May you be blessed by the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
16 The highest heavens belong to the Lord,
but the earth he has given to mankind.
17 It is not the dead who praise the Lord,
those who go down to the place of silence;
18 it is we who extol the Lord,
both now and forevermore.
Praise the Lord.
Psalm 115 – a wonderful psalm that speaks to the love of God … but did you notice v.8 (Psalm 115:8)?
The psalmist is saying much the same thing that Thomas Paine said …
This is important because IF your view of God is skewed, THEN you could end up becoming like someone God didn’t intend for you to become.
So … that said … let’s begin our look at the God of the Bible.
1 Corinthians 13
Question: Why begin with 1 Corinthians 13?
Answer: Because of 1 John 4:8 and 1 John 4:16.
If what John tells us about God is true … then we should be able to substitute the word “God” for the word “love” in each verse of 1 Corinthians 13 where the word “love” appears.
So let’s do that … and see what it tells us about God.
God is patient … God is kind … etc.
Are those statements true? Is God patient? Is God kind? Is God ….?
Let’s see what the Bible tells us.