of the "SERMON ON THE MOUNT"!
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying...
MATTHEW 5:13-16
- MATTHEW 5:13
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Salt is valuable to give flavor and to preserve from corruption. Hence, the believer and the church are to be godly examples in the world and to resist moral decay and corruption evident in our society. (1) Churches that become lukewarm quench the power of the Holy Spirit, and cease to resist the prevailing spirit in the world, will be "cast out" by God, (REVELATION 12:15-16).
They consequently will be "trodden under foot of men" (REVELATION 12:13), i.e., those who are lukewarm, together with their families, will be destroyed by the ways and values of an ungodly society. - MATTHEW 5:14-16
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on on candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
In this world there is great darkness of crime, terror, disease and fear, among the darkness is the state-of-the-art entertainment, present-day politics and contemporary social media. Jesus calls those who follow Him to not only to be a light; He calls us to be a BRIGHT, SHINING LIGHT that stands tall so that all who see us know we belong
to the genuine and perfect light... JESUS CHRIST!!
Jesus is the genuine and perfect light (JOHN 1:9); as such, He removes darkness and deception by illuminating the right way to God and to Salvation. All those who follow Jesus are delivered from the darkness of sin, this world, and Satan.
Those who still walk in darkness do not follow Jesus. To "walk in darkness:" means to live in sin and immoral pleasure. Such people do not "have fellowship with Jesus," they are not born of God (1 JOHN 1:6-7).
Those who do have fellowship with God experience God's grace and live a life of holiness in the presence of God.
"He that followeth me" (JOHN 1:12) is a present participle and has the idea of a continuous following. Jesus recognized only "persevering discipleship" will make us
true shining lights that glorify God!
HOW BRIGHT IS YOUR LIGHT SHINING??
"FROM THE "SERMON ON THE MOUNT"
Below: This Little Light of Mine
By: The Listener Kids
(Bring Your Kids In and Teach Them to...
"Let Their Light SHINE!)