NIU UBF Ministry Prayer Topics
Luke 6:12
“One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.”
1. Go out among the young people of DeKalb and NIU
2. Raise up Bible teachers in the land…5 total.
3. Revelation and Romans Bible study.
4. Quality daily bread every day.
5. 20 1:1’s and 15 faithful Sunday worship service attendants.
6. Renewed fishing ministry
7. Increase nurse subscriptions to messages to 30 nurses per week.
8. Continue co-working relationships with Triton and DuPage UBF
ministries, DeKalb Christian Church and Feed ‘Em Soup.
9. Develop two NIU Bible schools
10. Create a joyful and hopeful spiritual atmosphere.
11. Nurture a weekly “on campus prayer meeting”
12. Grow in a deeper love and co-working relationships with each other.
13. Build up the High School (FCA) and Middle School Bible clubs.
14. Participate in world mission
15. Keep the Bible House for one more year.
16. Continually pray that the D.E.A.R. area (DeKalb-Elgin-Aurora-
Rockford) regions may be pioneered with 1:1 Bible study and
discipleship ministries.
17. Jesmer children may grow in their personal relationship with Jesus
and be shepherds of God’s flock.
18. Develop our musical talents and offer them up Jesus to be used for his
glory.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Matthew 5:1-16
Salt And Light Of The Earth
Matthew 5:1-16 Shp Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF 1-9-11
Key verse 5:13a, 14a Adapted from Mother Sarah Barry’s message delivered 1-2-11
“You are the salt of the earth…..You are the light of the world.”
We are beginning a new year and a new decade, 2011. In this year we want to grow our relationship with God through deep Bible study and prayer. We want to know Jesus better. We want to have loving relationships that encourage and build others up. We want to participate in what God is doing to make his people a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. We want to be salt and light, in the place that we live, so that God may be glorified. For these things we need Jesus’ help and presence in us. Through a study of this passage may be we learn what true blessedness is and seek it. May we stand as salty servants of God. May we also be small lights in this world, pointing to the Great Light, Jesus Christ. May God bless you.
Part l: The Eight States Of Blessedness (1-12)
Jesus began his ministry in a dark corner of a small country. Matthew quoted Isaiah; “The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” Jesus is the Great Light. He came preaching, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” (Mt 4:16-17) When people heard Jesus preaching, they began to repent. Jesus announced the Kingdom of Heaven and he brought it with him. He healed the sick and cast out demons and brought God’s love and life to the hopeless. People living in the darkness of sin and despair could see the Great Light.
To further spread his light, Jesus raised disciples. Look at verses 1-2. “Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him and he began to teach them.” These first disciples were fishermen and tax collectors and working men. Maybe there were a few students also. There were women, too, who learned from him. He did not teach them techniques of how to preach or how to lead a ministry. He shared with them himself, his own mind and heart. He wanted to change the world through them, one heart at a time. So he went up on a mountainside and his disciples came to him. He taught them the Sermon On The Mount, beginning with the Beatitudes. It is description of Jesus’ own character and his personal life principles.
Jesus himself is salt and light. He wants his disciples to be salt and light in the world. Salt is hidden and works quietly and in unseen ways to give flavor and preserve food. On the contrary…light should be seen by everyone. Light dispenses darkness. Jesus says to us too, “You are the salt of the earth…you are the light of the world.”
Fifty years ago, in Korea, in 1961, when the UBF ministry began, the people, especially young students, were living in darkness. It was the darkness of fatalism and poverty. It was the darkness that seeps into the heart when hope comes out. Koreans had endured 45 years of subjugation under Japan, a devastating internecine war, and the forced division of their country.
The hearts of our UBF founders went out to these young people, but they had no way to help them. Relief goods poured in from America to help those who were hungry and cold and sick. But material things could not heal broken hearts or cure fatalism or bring hope into the darkness. But God gave them his book, the Bible. Many students were drawn to Bible study because they wanted to learn English. But when they studied the Bible, God spoke to their hearts. The people living in the darkness saw a great light. The Creator God sent Immanuel Jesus to be with them. He is the Wonderful Counselor. He gave them the Bible to lead them into truth. When we opened our hearts to God and to his word, he led us out of darkness into his light. During those 50 years they have learned that the Bible is God’s word. It is indeed the lamp for all of our feet and a light for all our paths. These young Koreans went to the end of the earth to be the salt and light of the earth. That was the first 50 years. May God grant UBF his vision for the next 50 years of his work through our ministry at the upcoming missionary conference in Seoul in May.
Let’s continue on now with Jesus’ Sermon. He began to teach them saying, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” What does it mean to be “blessed”. To be “blessed” is more than just being happy, healthy with an abundance of material things. To be blessed means to be touched by God’s love and grace in such a way as to be deeply satisfied. It means to have real peace. The first and last blessing is, “For theirs is the Kingdom of God.” (3,10) This is the best blessing because to have the Kingdom of heaven is to have everything. Now let’s continue…
First, “poor in spirit.” We are “poor in spirit” when we know our helpless state. To be poor in spirit means to know that we are sinners who need God. To be poor in spirit means to have a learning mind because we know we lack knowledge. It means to be thankful, for we have nothing that has not been given to us by God. We are like little children whom Jesus invited to come to him. He said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Mt 19:14) The kingdom of heaven is ours because Jesus gives it to us. (Lk 12:32) Salty Christians are those who are poor in spirit. They know they need the Savior, Jesus, and humbly learn from him.
Second, blessed are those who mourn. Let’s read verse 4. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Jesus mourned. He wept over Jerusalem. (Lk 19:41-44) He wept at the tomb of Lazarus. (Jn 11:25) He weeps because of my sins. (Gen 6:3) But when sinners repent, Jesus is comforted. (Lk 15:3-31) And when I repent, I am comforted by Jesus’ love and forgiveness. Paul says in 2 Cor 7:10, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” Sometimes we grieve because we have lost something- a parent, a spouse, a job, a friend, or because we have failed in something. If we bring our grief to God, and receive his comfort, we can grow in depth of character. If we do not bring this grief to God, we only become bitter and angry. If we do not repent, or, if we hold onto our grief, we become salt that has lost its saltiness. Salty Christians mourn for godly reasons, repenting and searching for a resolution in the Lord. With such people, Jesus is comforted and he will in turn comfort such people.
Third, the meek shall inherit the earth. Look at verse 5. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” A synonym of meek is humble. Meek is not to be weak like a mouse. The Bible says that Moses was very humble, more humble than anyone on the face of the earth. (Num 12:3) When problems arose or his leadership was challenged, he did not fight with people. He prayed and waited on God. Meekness is waiting on God instead of defending ourselves. Isaac (Gen 26) is an example of meekness. He obeyed God and stayed in the land of the Philistines. He kept on giving up his wells and digging up new ones. He accepted God’s word, “Do not be afraid.” He continued living by faith, quietly, and he won the victory. He eventually inherited the land.
Jesus showed his meekness when he was arrested, tried and crucified. He was led like a lamb the slaughter. He promised his disciples, “The meek shall inherit the earth.” (5, Ps 37:11) Victory belongs, not to the abrasive fighter, but to the meek person who waits on God. When we are found in Christ, then we can be meek. Salty Christians have the inner strength to wait in humble patience and trust God.
Fourth, hunger and thirst for righteousness. Look at verse 6; “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Righteousness is a right relationship with God. Paul longed for this. He said, “I want to know Christ.” (Php 3:8-9) To hunger and thirst for righteousness is to long to be cleansed from sin and set free from its power. It is to long to know Jesus. God does not take sin lightly. Jesus was an atoning sacrifice for my sins and yours and for the sins of the world. God made him sin who knew no sin so that we may be the righteousness of God. Jesus is God, but he longed to be with his Father in the heavenly kingdom. When he bore in his body the sins of the world, he felt the pain of his separation from God. He cried out from the cross, “My God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mt 27:46)
To hunger and thirst for righteousness also means to long for a just world, to hate oppression and injustice. Jesus came to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of the truth listens to him. To hunger and thirst for righteousness is to long to know and live by the truth. Mother Barry (The co-founder of our ministry) grew up in the segregated South. When she studied the Bible she realized the injustice of that society. To her, it was very clear that Jesus is our righteousness. When we study the Bible we learn that God created and loves all people. We can stand on the side of truth when Immanuel Jesus dwells with us. Salty Christians are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Their souls will indeed be filled by God.
Fifth, Blessed are the merciful. Let’s read verse 7, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” To show mercy means to forgive. We can forgive because we are forgiven. (Lk 6:27-36) Jesus said, “Be merciful as your Father in heaven is merciful. He sends rain and sunshine on both the just and the unjust.” God, who forgives our sins, is merciful. We are simply forgiven sinners. We can not withhold mercy and forgiveness from others. Jesus forgave and he taught his disciples to forgive. He prayed from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” (Lk 23:34) Jesus’ mercy is like a boundless ocean. His love is higher than the skies and wider than whole world. Our world desperately needs the salt and light of Jesus’ justice and mercy and forgiveness.
Jesus’ actions underscore his teachings. Once some men dragged a woman caught in the act of adultery into the temple courts and asked Jesus to pass judgment on her. Jesus did not condemn her. Rather he forgave her and sent her away with a new life direction, He told her, “Go and leave your life of sin.” (Jn 8:11) Jesus’ mercy is not cheap. He could show mercy because he would take her place on the cross and die for her sins. Jesus is the foundation of mercy. Salty Christians are those who have been forgiven by Jesus and who forgive others, showing mercy.
Sixth, Blessed are the pure in heart. Let’s read verse 8; “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” This Beatitude promises that the pure in heart can see God. What are the things that make the heart impure? Holding onto grudges, entertaining lustful thoughts, holding onto hatred, refusing to face our sins and honestly repent-these things make our hearts impure. Jesus says in Mark 7:20-23, “What comes out of a man is what makes him ‘unclean’. For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from the inside and make a man ‘unclean.’” When we try to make our own hearts pure, we soon find it impossible. How can sinful people be pure in heart? We cannot purify our hearts by self discipline. No matter how hard I try I fail. We can be made pure only by the blood of Jesus. Then we must hide God’s word in our hearts. (Jn 15:3) The Holy Spirit can then come to dwell in hearts that have been purified by the blood of Jesus. Salty Christians are those who have pure hearts made pure by the blood of Jesus.
Seventh, blessed are the peacemakers. Let’s read verse 9. “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God.” Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He came and died and rose so that we might have peace with God. When we have peace with God, we can have peace with one another. Romans 5:1 reads, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” When we are slaves to sin and enemies of God we had no peace. Jesus died to reconcile us to God and to make us instruments of reconciliation-peacemakers. (2 Cor 5:18-19) The gospel is God’s instrument of peace. It is still true! Through the gospel of Jesus you and I can have peace in our hearts. Peace can not be won through war. It can not be made through education. It can come only when Jesus comes into one’s heart. Peaceful hearts, ruled by Jesus, add up to a peaceful world. World peace starts with heart peace, one heart at a time. Peace will come in the Middle East when Muslims and Jews meet at the foot of Jesus’ cross and when Christians stand as salt and light of the world. A salty Christian is one who has found peace with God through the Gospel of Jesus and helps others to have that same peace.
Eighth, blessed are those who are those who are persecuted because of righteousness. Let’s read verse 10. “”Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus was not persecuted for mistakes or foolishness. He was persecuted for righteousness’ sake. He knew no sin, yet he died so that we may be forgiven. He was wounded for our transgressions and pierced for our iniquities. The kingdom is his and because we belong to him, the kingdom is ours too. To have the kingdom of God is to have everything. There are a lot of things in this world that make us anxious. But we do not have to be anxious about the future. Jesus is our shepherd who leads us through the valley of the shadow of death. Where Jesus is…there is the kingdom of heaven. Salty Christians are those who do not become fearful, fatalistic or give up in the face of persecution, but rejoice and follow Jesus, all the more, because they have the kingdom of heaven.
Part ll: Christian Saltiness (13)
Jesus has some very clear words concerning the spiritual condition of Christian living in this world. Look at verse 13. “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt looses 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.” Jesus’ disciples must be salty. Salt preserves and prevents decay. It makes tasteless food tasty. Salty Christians are those who do not compromise with the world or accept its standards. They may be laughed at, and/or persecuted, and ignored, but their influence is felt. Those who loose their saltiness, by compromising with the values and morals of society, are worse than useless. Why? They become a bad influence and confuse others as to what true Christianity actually is.
When Jesus dwells in our hearts we can be the salt of the earth. People changed by Jesus can in turn change the world. William Wilberforce was a member of the British Parliament who became a Christian in the 18th Century. He realized that slavery was wrong. He fought in the halls of government until the slave trade was abolished in England. God used him to make a more just society. Men and women, who for Jesus’ sake, care about the vulnerable people of society, and their influence upon them, and do something about it, are salt.
In every area of society there are Jesus’ people who have the salt of the gospel in their hearts and lives. They have welcomed Jesus into their hearts. There are salty executive assistants and meeting planners, who don’t let the material perks of corporate life capture their hearts, but are able to share the gospel in the nation’s board rooms. There are nursing home workers who realize that they are not just doing a job, but they are making a home and providing friendships to some of the loneliest people in our society. There are doctors and nurses and CNAs and other healthcare professionals, who, instead of focusing on making money, respect life and have compassion for the weak and vulnerable in society. There are teachers who not only find a way to tell the truth about the Creator God, but also show God’s love and compassion to broken and hurting students. There are business people who have Immanuel Jesus dwelling in their hearts and use their influence to advance the Kingdom of God. Therefore they are people of honesty and integrity. There are factory workers, professors, people who clean the streets and pick up their garbage, who all who do their jobs, before God. There are young people who keep their relationships pure. There are students who study for the glory of God. These people are all salt of the earth. What they do may go unnoticed, but God is using them to change the world.
In addition to this, Jesus’ disciples share the word of God with anyone. We can feed the hungry, clothe the naked, invite strangers in, take care of the sick and visit and encourage people in prison. As we are led by the Spirit of Jesus we can see what he wants us to do and ask him for strength to do it – and be salt and light.
Part lll: Light Of The World. (14-16)
Christians are the light of the world. Jesus said so in verse 14a, “You are the light of the world.” 1 John 1:5 reads, “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” God wants his people to shine the light of his truth and love into the world, pointing to the great light, Jesus Christ. Our Puritan forefathers wanted America to be an exemplary Christian nation, like a city on a hill giving God’s light to the whole world. May God fulfill, in this land, the prayer and original purpose of our forefathers.
As we study the Bible and come to Jesus day by day we can be salt and light. We learn that we can be salty Christians in many ways…. salty Christians are those who know they need the Savior, Jesus and learn from him. They mourn for godly reasons, searching for a resolution in the Lord, Jesus. Salty Christians have the inner strength to wait in humble patience and trust God. They are found in Christ, and can be meek like Jesus. Salty Christians are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Their souls will indeed be filled by God. Salty Christians are blessed because they have received Jesus’ mercy and are forgiven. So they can show mercy. Salty Christians are those who have pure hearts made pure by the blood of Jesus. A salty Christian is one who has found peace with God through the Gospel of Jesus and helps others to have that same peace. Salty Christians are those who do not become fearful, fatalistic or give up in the face of persecution, but rejoice and follow Jesus, all the more, because they have the kingdom of heaven. Salty Christians are those who do not compromise with the world or accept its standards. To be put very simply, we can be salt and light when Jesus is in us.
May God help us to let our light shine before me so that people may see our good deeds and give praise and glory to our Father in heaven. May the Father, Son and Holy Spirit come and indwell each of us today so that through 2011 we may be salt and light and God’s people in the world and may we be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.
1. Read verses 1-2. What had been the response of the people to Jesus’ ministry? Why had the crowds come? What did Jesus do when he saw the crowds? To whom does he address his teaching?
2. Read verses 3-10. How many times is “Blessed” repeated in these verses? What does it mean to be blessed? What examples of blessed people in the Bible can you find? (Gen 12:2-3; Nu 6:24-26; Ps 1:1-2)
3. What does it mean to be poor in spirit? (3) What is the blessing given to the poor in spirit? To whom else is this blessing given? (10) In what was does this blessing include all the others?
4. What is the blessing given to those who mourn? (4) In what way can mourning be a blessing? (2Co 7:10) What does it mean to be comforted? What does it mean to be meek? (5) What is the blessing given to the meek? Why?
5. What does it mean to hunger and thirst for righteousness? What blessing is given these? What does it mean to be filled? (6) How does Jesus satisfy this hunger?
6. What does it mean to be merciful? How does this reflect God’s character? What blessing is promised to the merciful? (7) What blessing is promised to the pure in heart? (8) How can one be pure in heart? To what other blessings is this related?
7. What blessing is given to the peacemakers? (9) What does it mean to be a peacemaker? How was Jesus a peacemaker?
8. Read verses 10-12. What should disciples of Jesus expect? What must be our attitude in all circumstances? What is our hope? What examples do we have?
9. Read verses 13-16. How can disciples be salty salt? Why must we be? What is God’s great purpose in sending Jesus and what is Jesus’ purpose in raising disciples? How can we be the light of the world and how can our nation be a city on a hill? What must be our motive in living as Jesus’ disciples according to the eight blessings?
Matthew 5:1-16 Shp Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF 1-9-11
Key verse 5:13a, 14a Adapted from Mother Sarah Barry’s message delivered 1-2-11
“You are the salt of the earth…..You are the light of the world.”
We are beginning a new year and a new decade, 2011. In this year we want to grow our relationship with God through deep Bible study and prayer. We want to know Jesus better. We want to have loving relationships that encourage and build others up. We want to participate in what God is doing to make his people a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. We want to be salt and light, in the place that we live, so that God may be glorified. For these things we need Jesus’ help and presence in us. Through a study of this passage may be we learn what true blessedness is and seek it. May we stand as salty servants of God. May we also be small lights in this world, pointing to the Great Light, Jesus Christ. May God bless you.
Part l: The Eight States Of Blessedness (1-12)
Jesus began his ministry in a dark corner of a small country. Matthew quoted Isaiah; “The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” Jesus is the Great Light. He came preaching, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” (Mt 4:16-17) When people heard Jesus preaching, they began to repent. Jesus announced the Kingdom of Heaven and he brought it with him. He healed the sick and cast out demons and brought God’s love and life to the hopeless. People living in the darkness of sin and despair could see the Great Light.
To further spread his light, Jesus raised disciples. Look at verses 1-2. “Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him and he began to teach them.” These first disciples were fishermen and tax collectors and working men. Maybe there were a few students also. There were women, too, who learned from him. He did not teach them techniques of how to preach or how to lead a ministry. He shared with them himself, his own mind and heart. He wanted to change the world through them, one heart at a time. So he went up on a mountainside and his disciples came to him. He taught them the Sermon On The Mount, beginning with the Beatitudes. It is description of Jesus’ own character and his personal life principles.
Jesus himself is salt and light. He wants his disciples to be salt and light in the world. Salt is hidden and works quietly and in unseen ways to give flavor and preserve food. On the contrary…light should be seen by everyone. Light dispenses darkness. Jesus says to us too, “You are the salt of the earth…you are the light of the world.”
Fifty years ago, in Korea, in 1961, when the UBF ministry began, the people, especially young students, were living in darkness. It was the darkness of fatalism and poverty. It was the darkness that seeps into the heart when hope comes out. Koreans had endured 45 years of subjugation under Japan, a devastating internecine war, and the forced division of their country.
The hearts of our UBF founders went out to these young people, but they had no way to help them. Relief goods poured in from America to help those who were hungry and cold and sick. But material things could not heal broken hearts or cure fatalism or bring hope into the darkness. But God gave them his book, the Bible. Many students were drawn to Bible study because they wanted to learn English. But when they studied the Bible, God spoke to their hearts. The people living in the darkness saw a great light. The Creator God sent Immanuel Jesus to be with them. He is the Wonderful Counselor. He gave them the Bible to lead them into truth. When we opened our hearts to God and to his word, he led us out of darkness into his light. During those 50 years they have learned that the Bible is God’s word. It is indeed the lamp for all of our feet and a light for all our paths. These young Koreans went to the end of the earth to be the salt and light of the earth. That was the first 50 years. May God grant UBF his vision for the next 50 years of his work through our ministry at the upcoming missionary conference in Seoul in May.
Let’s continue on now with Jesus’ Sermon. He began to teach them saying, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” What does it mean to be “blessed”. To be “blessed” is more than just being happy, healthy with an abundance of material things. To be blessed means to be touched by God’s love and grace in such a way as to be deeply satisfied. It means to have real peace. The first and last blessing is, “For theirs is the Kingdom of God.” (3,10) This is the best blessing because to have the Kingdom of heaven is to have everything. Now let’s continue…
First, “poor in spirit.” We are “poor in spirit” when we know our helpless state. To be poor in spirit means to know that we are sinners who need God. To be poor in spirit means to have a learning mind because we know we lack knowledge. It means to be thankful, for we have nothing that has not been given to us by God. We are like little children whom Jesus invited to come to him. He said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Mt 19:14) The kingdom of heaven is ours because Jesus gives it to us. (Lk 12:32) Salty Christians are those who are poor in spirit. They know they need the Savior, Jesus, and humbly learn from him.
Second, blessed are those who mourn. Let’s read verse 4. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Jesus mourned. He wept over Jerusalem. (Lk 19:41-44) He wept at the tomb of Lazarus. (Jn 11:25) He weeps because of my sins. (Gen 6:3) But when sinners repent, Jesus is comforted. (Lk 15:3-31) And when I repent, I am comforted by Jesus’ love and forgiveness. Paul says in 2 Cor 7:10, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” Sometimes we grieve because we have lost something- a parent, a spouse, a job, a friend, or because we have failed in something. If we bring our grief to God, and receive his comfort, we can grow in depth of character. If we do not bring this grief to God, we only become bitter and angry. If we do not repent, or, if we hold onto our grief, we become salt that has lost its saltiness. Salty Christians mourn for godly reasons, repenting and searching for a resolution in the Lord. With such people, Jesus is comforted and he will in turn comfort such people.
Third, the meek shall inherit the earth. Look at verse 5. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” A synonym of meek is humble. Meek is not to be weak like a mouse. The Bible says that Moses was very humble, more humble than anyone on the face of the earth. (Num 12:3) When problems arose or his leadership was challenged, he did not fight with people. He prayed and waited on God. Meekness is waiting on God instead of defending ourselves. Isaac (Gen 26) is an example of meekness. He obeyed God and stayed in the land of the Philistines. He kept on giving up his wells and digging up new ones. He accepted God’s word, “Do not be afraid.” He continued living by faith, quietly, and he won the victory. He eventually inherited the land.
Jesus showed his meekness when he was arrested, tried and crucified. He was led like a lamb the slaughter. He promised his disciples, “The meek shall inherit the earth.” (5, Ps 37:11) Victory belongs, not to the abrasive fighter, but to the meek person who waits on God. When we are found in Christ, then we can be meek. Salty Christians have the inner strength to wait in humble patience and trust God.
Fourth, hunger and thirst for righteousness. Look at verse 6; “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Righteousness is a right relationship with God. Paul longed for this. He said, “I want to know Christ.” (Php 3:8-9) To hunger and thirst for righteousness is to long to be cleansed from sin and set free from its power. It is to long to know Jesus. God does not take sin lightly. Jesus was an atoning sacrifice for my sins and yours and for the sins of the world. God made him sin who knew no sin so that we may be the righteousness of God. Jesus is God, but he longed to be with his Father in the heavenly kingdom. When he bore in his body the sins of the world, he felt the pain of his separation from God. He cried out from the cross, “My God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mt 27:46)
To hunger and thirst for righteousness also means to long for a just world, to hate oppression and injustice. Jesus came to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of the truth listens to him. To hunger and thirst for righteousness is to long to know and live by the truth. Mother Barry (The co-founder of our ministry) grew up in the segregated South. When she studied the Bible she realized the injustice of that society. To her, it was very clear that Jesus is our righteousness. When we study the Bible we learn that God created and loves all people. We can stand on the side of truth when Immanuel Jesus dwells with us. Salty Christians are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Their souls will indeed be filled by God.
Fifth, Blessed are the merciful. Let’s read verse 7, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” To show mercy means to forgive. We can forgive because we are forgiven. (Lk 6:27-36) Jesus said, “Be merciful as your Father in heaven is merciful. He sends rain and sunshine on both the just and the unjust.” God, who forgives our sins, is merciful. We are simply forgiven sinners. We can not withhold mercy and forgiveness from others. Jesus forgave and he taught his disciples to forgive. He prayed from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” (Lk 23:34) Jesus’ mercy is like a boundless ocean. His love is higher than the skies and wider than whole world. Our world desperately needs the salt and light of Jesus’ justice and mercy and forgiveness.
Jesus’ actions underscore his teachings. Once some men dragged a woman caught in the act of adultery into the temple courts and asked Jesus to pass judgment on her. Jesus did not condemn her. Rather he forgave her and sent her away with a new life direction, He told her, “Go and leave your life of sin.” (Jn 8:11) Jesus’ mercy is not cheap. He could show mercy because he would take her place on the cross and die for her sins. Jesus is the foundation of mercy. Salty Christians are those who have been forgiven by Jesus and who forgive others, showing mercy.
Sixth, Blessed are the pure in heart. Let’s read verse 8; “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” This Beatitude promises that the pure in heart can see God. What are the things that make the heart impure? Holding onto grudges, entertaining lustful thoughts, holding onto hatred, refusing to face our sins and honestly repent-these things make our hearts impure. Jesus says in Mark 7:20-23, “What comes out of a man is what makes him ‘unclean’. For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from the inside and make a man ‘unclean.’” When we try to make our own hearts pure, we soon find it impossible. How can sinful people be pure in heart? We cannot purify our hearts by self discipline. No matter how hard I try I fail. We can be made pure only by the blood of Jesus. Then we must hide God’s word in our hearts. (Jn 15:3) The Holy Spirit can then come to dwell in hearts that have been purified by the blood of Jesus. Salty Christians are those who have pure hearts made pure by the blood of Jesus.
Seventh, blessed are the peacemakers. Let’s read verse 9. “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God.” Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He came and died and rose so that we might have peace with God. When we have peace with God, we can have peace with one another. Romans 5:1 reads, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” When we are slaves to sin and enemies of God we had no peace. Jesus died to reconcile us to God and to make us instruments of reconciliation-peacemakers. (2 Cor 5:18-19) The gospel is God’s instrument of peace. It is still true! Through the gospel of Jesus you and I can have peace in our hearts. Peace can not be won through war. It can not be made through education. It can come only when Jesus comes into one’s heart. Peaceful hearts, ruled by Jesus, add up to a peaceful world. World peace starts with heart peace, one heart at a time. Peace will come in the Middle East when Muslims and Jews meet at the foot of Jesus’ cross and when Christians stand as salt and light of the world. A salty Christian is one who has found peace with God through the Gospel of Jesus and helps others to have that same peace.
Eighth, blessed are those who are those who are persecuted because of righteousness. Let’s read verse 10. “”Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus was not persecuted for mistakes or foolishness. He was persecuted for righteousness’ sake. He knew no sin, yet he died so that we may be forgiven. He was wounded for our transgressions and pierced for our iniquities. The kingdom is his and because we belong to him, the kingdom is ours too. To have the kingdom of God is to have everything. There are a lot of things in this world that make us anxious. But we do not have to be anxious about the future. Jesus is our shepherd who leads us through the valley of the shadow of death. Where Jesus is…there is the kingdom of heaven. Salty Christians are those who do not become fearful, fatalistic or give up in the face of persecution, but rejoice and follow Jesus, all the more, because they have the kingdom of heaven.
Part ll: Christian Saltiness (13)
Jesus has some very clear words concerning the spiritual condition of Christian living in this world. Look at verse 13. “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt looses 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.” Jesus’ disciples must be salty. Salt preserves and prevents decay. It makes tasteless food tasty. Salty Christians are those who do not compromise with the world or accept its standards. They may be laughed at, and/or persecuted, and ignored, but their influence is felt. Those who loose their saltiness, by compromising with the values and morals of society, are worse than useless. Why? They become a bad influence and confuse others as to what true Christianity actually is.
When Jesus dwells in our hearts we can be the salt of the earth. People changed by Jesus can in turn change the world. William Wilberforce was a member of the British Parliament who became a Christian in the 18th Century. He realized that slavery was wrong. He fought in the halls of government until the slave trade was abolished in England. God used him to make a more just society. Men and women, who for Jesus’ sake, care about the vulnerable people of society, and their influence upon them, and do something about it, are salt.
In every area of society there are Jesus’ people who have the salt of the gospel in their hearts and lives. They have welcomed Jesus into their hearts. There are salty executive assistants and meeting planners, who don’t let the material perks of corporate life capture their hearts, but are able to share the gospel in the nation’s board rooms. There are nursing home workers who realize that they are not just doing a job, but they are making a home and providing friendships to some of the loneliest people in our society. There are doctors and nurses and CNAs and other healthcare professionals, who, instead of focusing on making money, respect life and have compassion for the weak and vulnerable in society. There are teachers who not only find a way to tell the truth about the Creator God, but also show God’s love and compassion to broken and hurting students. There are business people who have Immanuel Jesus dwelling in their hearts and use their influence to advance the Kingdom of God. Therefore they are people of honesty and integrity. There are factory workers, professors, people who clean the streets and pick up their garbage, who all who do their jobs, before God. There are young people who keep their relationships pure. There are students who study for the glory of God. These people are all salt of the earth. What they do may go unnoticed, but God is using them to change the world.
In addition to this, Jesus’ disciples share the word of God with anyone. We can feed the hungry, clothe the naked, invite strangers in, take care of the sick and visit and encourage people in prison. As we are led by the Spirit of Jesus we can see what he wants us to do and ask him for strength to do it – and be salt and light.
Part lll: Light Of The World. (14-16)
Christians are the light of the world. Jesus said so in verse 14a, “You are the light of the world.” 1 John 1:5 reads, “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” God wants his people to shine the light of his truth and love into the world, pointing to the great light, Jesus Christ. Our Puritan forefathers wanted America to be an exemplary Christian nation, like a city on a hill giving God’s light to the whole world. May God fulfill, in this land, the prayer and original purpose of our forefathers.
As we study the Bible and come to Jesus day by day we can be salt and light. We learn that we can be salty Christians in many ways…. salty Christians are those who know they need the Savior, Jesus and learn from him. They mourn for godly reasons, searching for a resolution in the Lord, Jesus. Salty Christians have the inner strength to wait in humble patience and trust God. They are found in Christ, and can be meek like Jesus. Salty Christians are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Their souls will indeed be filled by God. Salty Christians are blessed because they have received Jesus’ mercy and are forgiven. So they can show mercy. Salty Christians are those who have pure hearts made pure by the blood of Jesus. A salty Christian is one who has found peace with God through the Gospel of Jesus and helps others to have that same peace. Salty Christians are those who do not become fearful, fatalistic or give up in the face of persecution, but rejoice and follow Jesus, all the more, because they have the kingdom of heaven. Salty Christians are those who do not compromise with the world or accept its standards. To be put very simply, we can be salt and light when Jesus is in us.
May God help us to let our light shine before me so that people may see our good deeds and give praise and glory to our Father in heaven. May the Father, Son and Holy Spirit come and indwell each of us today so that through 2011 we may be salt and light and God’s people in the world and may we be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.
1. Read verses 1-2. What had been the response of the people to Jesus’ ministry? Why had the crowds come? What did Jesus do when he saw the crowds? To whom does he address his teaching?
2. Read verses 3-10. How many times is “Blessed” repeated in these verses? What does it mean to be blessed? What examples of blessed people in the Bible can you find? (Gen 12:2-3; Nu 6:24-26; Ps 1:1-2)
3. What does it mean to be poor in spirit? (3) What is the blessing given to the poor in spirit? To whom else is this blessing given? (10) In what was does this blessing include all the others?
4. What is the blessing given to those who mourn? (4) In what way can mourning be a blessing? (2Co 7:10) What does it mean to be comforted? What does it mean to be meek? (5) What is the blessing given to the meek? Why?
5. What does it mean to hunger and thirst for righteousness? What blessing is given these? What does it mean to be filled? (6) How does Jesus satisfy this hunger?
6. What does it mean to be merciful? How does this reflect God’s character? What blessing is promised to the merciful? (7) What blessing is promised to the pure in heart? (8) How can one be pure in heart? To what other blessings is this related?
7. What blessing is given to the peacemakers? (9) What does it mean to be a peacemaker? How was Jesus a peacemaker?
8. Read verses 10-12. What should disciples of Jesus expect? What must be our attitude in all circumstances? What is our hope? What examples do we have?
9. Read verses 13-16. How can disciples be salty salt? Why must we be? What is God’s great purpose in sending Jesus and what is Jesus’ purpose in raising disciples? How can we be the light of the world and how can our nation be a city on a hill? What must be our motive in living as Jesus’ disciples according to the eight blessings?
Friday, January 7, 2011
Go Out Among The People
2 Chronicles 19:4-5 Pastor’s Blog Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF 1-5-11
“Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and turned them back to the LORD, the God of their ancestors. 5 He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah.”
Jehoshaphat made an unholy alliance and was almost killed in battle; when he returned, he was rebuked for making an alliance with those who hate the Lord. The amazing thing is that he accepted the rebuke, and set his heart on seeking the Lord. Practically speaking Jehoshaphat went out into the country side and sought to turn the people back to God. He was a king and yet he went out among the people. He could not do it alone, so he appointed God-fearing men and instructed them to judge between the people with justice and impartiality, with fear of God in their hearts.
Jesus is the best example of going out among his people. Jesus is God almighty. He lives in the kingdom of heaven. But he gave up all the glory of the kingdom of God and became man and dwelt among us. To do so he was born in abject poverty, as a tiny baby in manger. He was born in Roman occupied land, ruled by a tyrant, where Satan was waiting to take his life. It was so difficult, but he came. At the onset of his ministry, Jesus went out among the people. He came to a lonely and selfish tax collector and became his friend and invited him to follow him. He went to a dinner party full of sinners. He went to a wedding. He came to Zacchaeus and became his friend and visited his house. Jesus touched lepers. He purposely walked through Samaria to minister to one Samaritan woman. He hung out with some rough and tough fisherman. He spent time with his disciples every day for 3 ½ years. He preached to thousands and ministered to one. He gave it all up in order save us from our sins and bring us to everlasting life in the kingdom of God. His coming to be among his people is best described in John 1:14. “The word become flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory the glory of the one and only who came from the father full of grace and truth.”
Paul went out among the people. He made tents to support himself. He worked side by side with other tent makers, like Pricilla and Aquila. All the time he was sharing the gospel with them. Much of his ministry was more deliberate. He purposely went into the synagogues and reasoned with the Jews. He went to small house churches and taught the disciples. He set up a Bible school in the Lecture Hall of Tyrannus and taught every day for two years. Paul went out among the people.
There are forces at work that make us alone and isolated. Satan wants us to be isolated from each other, imprisoned in our own personal electronics. We don’t want to be bothered by anyone. Even Christians don’t want to get out among the people. They like to be around their own circle of friends, people whom they like and who are like them. Is this the example that Jesus has shown? He came to dwell among sinners. He gathered around him, sinners. They were not like the holy God, Jesus. Would you do that? Let’s ask ourselves in 2011, “How can I go out and be among the people?” and then God can use you to turn peoples’ hearts back to the Lord.
2 Chronicles 19:4-5 Pastor’s Blog Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF 1-5-11
“Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and turned them back to the LORD, the God of their ancestors. 5 He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah.”
Jehoshaphat made an unholy alliance and was almost killed in battle; when he returned, he was rebuked for making an alliance with those who hate the Lord. The amazing thing is that he accepted the rebuke, and set his heart on seeking the Lord. Practically speaking Jehoshaphat went out into the country side and sought to turn the people back to God. He was a king and yet he went out among the people. He could not do it alone, so he appointed God-fearing men and instructed them to judge between the people with justice and impartiality, with fear of God in their hearts.
Jesus is the best example of going out among his people. Jesus is God almighty. He lives in the kingdom of heaven. But he gave up all the glory of the kingdom of God and became man and dwelt among us. To do so he was born in abject poverty, as a tiny baby in manger. He was born in Roman occupied land, ruled by a tyrant, where Satan was waiting to take his life. It was so difficult, but he came. At the onset of his ministry, Jesus went out among the people. He came to a lonely and selfish tax collector and became his friend and invited him to follow him. He went to a dinner party full of sinners. He went to a wedding. He came to Zacchaeus and became his friend and visited his house. Jesus touched lepers. He purposely walked through Samaria to minister to one Samaritan woman. He hung out with some rough and tough fisherman. He spent time with his disciples every day for 3 ½ years. He preached to thousands and ministered to one. He gave it all up in order save us from our sins and bring us to everlasting life in the kingdom of God. His coming to be among his people is best described in John 1:14. “The word become flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory the glory of the one and only who came from the father full of grace and truth.”
Paul went out among the people. He made tents to support himself. He worked side by side with other tent makers, like Pricilla and Aquila. All the time he was sharing the gospel with them. Much of his ministry was more deliberate. He purposely went into the synagogues and reasoned with the Jews. He went to small house churches and taught the disciples. He set up a Bible school in the Lecture Hall of Tyrannus and taught every day for two years. Paul went out among the people.
There are forces at work that make us alone and isolated. Satan wants us to be isolated from each other, imprisoned in our own personal electronics. We don’t want to be bothered by anyone. Even Christians don’t want to get out among the people. They like to be around their own circle of friends, people whom they like and who are like them. Is this the example that Jesus has shown? He came to dwell among sinners. He gathered around him, sinners. They were not like the holy God, Jesus. Would you do that? Let’s ask ourselves in 2011, “How can I go out and be among the people?” and then God can use you to turn peoples’ hearts back to the Lord.
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