Being people of grace in a hostile world
Notes
Transcript
Scene 1:
In October of 2006 an Amish community suffered a horrific loss, a man shot and killed several Amish schoolgirls before he turned the gun on himself.
The killer's actions represent an inner conflict taken to a horrible extreme.
To walk into a schoolhouse and kill innocent children is something, which we cannot comprehend.
But the aspect of these events that is most noteworthy is the response of the victim's families.
Instead of vindictiveness or anger (which, as most of us would agree, would be quite understandable), there was forgiveness:
Visiting the killer's father and extending forgiveness;
Visiting the killer's wife and extending forgiveness;
Attending the killer's funeral and extending forgiveness;
Insisting on setting up an additional memorial fund for the killer's wife and children.
Why in the world would they do that?
Why would people who have lost so much reach out in such a way to those whom society would expect them to hate?
The answer?
One Amish leader explained, "God has offered us forgiveness for our sins in the work of Christ on the cross, but we must accept that gift to enjoy it. Once we've accepted it, then we can share it in small measure with others."
Those families will most certainly grieve, and their decision to forgive will be severely tested as they grapple with the marked absence of loved ones.
They will have to reaffirm that decision every day.
We saw a similar thing in Australia just a few years ago when an out of control vehicle mounted a footpath and killed a number of children.
One couple lost three children that day as well as other relatives.
The mother Leila Abdallah, a Maronite Catholic from western Sydney’s said, “We chose to turn our tragedy into a greater goodness. We chose to carry our cross with dignity. We chose forgiveness and love over hatred…” .
These Christians, considered as an oddity by most of us, are an example to all of us in that they were ready to give an answer for their hope (1 Pet. 3:15). [1]
Jesus has made a difference in their lives, a difference which to be honest, is a real challenge to us all.
Scene 2:
This challenge is clearly illustrated in Jesus’ command in Matthew chapter 5 verses 13 to 16.
Matthew 5:13–16 (NLT)
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. 14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Just as we are the recipients of God’s blessing so to are we to be the bearers of God’s blessing to others.
Having received the light of God’s blessing, eternal life and fellowship with God, we are to give that light to the world.
Scene 3:
Jesus used two common illustrations: salt and light to demonstrate the impact his followers would make on their world.
Salt in those times had two functions.
To add or to bring out the falvour of food.
That is often how we use it today.
But the second and more common use in those times was to prevent decay.
The Gospel evident in our lives should be a preservative of good society.
And we see this don’t we.
Whenever the Gospel message has spread society tends to improve.
Not because the church controls society but because the hearts of individuals are changed and they work for the good of society.
A light is meant to shine and give direction.
The influence of Jesus’ followers is evident, like a city on a hill or a lamp . . . on its stand.
A concealed lamp, placed under a bowl (a clay container for measuring grain) would be useless.
Light-radiating people live so that others see their good deeds and give praise not to them but to their Father in heaven.[3]
Our values are always expressed in our actions.
What is truly important is the way values find expression in our daily lives.
This is what Jesus alludes to in these two brief word pictures.
Those who hold kingdom values will witness to those around them the reality of the kingdom.
“You are the salt of the earth,” Jesus said. “You are the light of world,” Jesus went on.
Lamps are designed to be put on a lamp stand in full view, not to be hidden.
Those who come to know us will gradually realize that we are different because of our relationship with our Father “in heaven” (v. 16).
The kingdom of heaven is to break into our world, today, through you and I.
Scene 4:
But what does that mean for us?
How are we to live our lives so that the kingdom of heaven is seen by our family, our neighbours, and our friends to be breaking into this world right in front of them through us?
The amazing response of the Amish community is a practical example.
Their value is to live out the commands of scripture, literally.
Scripture says they are to forgive, event to the extent of reaching out and showing grace to the family of the man who killed their children.
Scripture says it, so they do it; they live out their values!
The amazing response of the Abdallah family is a practical example.
They understand the burden, the cost of carrying our cross.
Yet in the midst of their pain they point to a better way.
Both salt and light are forces that change an alien environment permanently.
Salt enhances flavour and preserves or slows decay
Light symbolizes purity and divine revelation.
If Christians were only slowing the decay, their mission would seem rather bleak, but they are also to be beacons of light to those who will respond.[5]
The Apostle Paul told us in Philippians 2:12-18
12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. 14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 16 Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. 17 But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. 18 Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.
There are many things we can do to be that light which shines like a city on the hill.
The first and most important step is to pay attention to our inner life.
Our character.
We need to honestly say that we are walking through life in a manner that brings glory to God.
Then we can get involved in practical ministry.
Be that taking up some moral cause and writing to our local members of parliament.
Or getting involved in some social justice issue, or reaching out to the poor and marginalised.
By serving in a ministry of the church to the wider community.
But be careful here, to often Christians have fallen for the trap of the cultural wars.
To often Christians have entered into that combative, winner takes all approach which has so infected our society.
How is it an example of grace to demonise those who hold a differnt view?
How do we be an example of Christ if we villify and attack others no matter how wrong they might be?
There are positive ways to be salt and light so we need to be careful which groups we take counsel from.
Our message needs to be framed in a positive and respectful tone.
Challenging, most certainly.
Spitful and full of judgement, certainly not.
The biggest turn off for the witness of Christ is Christians who don’t act in a Christlike manner.
If we are to have something worth listening to, something that actually makes a positive difference in peoples lives then our approach needs to be positive.
Let’s be known for what we are for, rather than for what we are against.
Let’s be salt and light, but let’s do it in a way that honours Christ, instead of a way that is full of self righteousness and hate.
People are desperate for grace.
So often they don’t know what it looks like, but we can be the grace of God to them.
Like a light shinning out from a city on top of a hill.
But the light that shines brighter than all the others is not the things we do, but how we live.
We are that light when we live our lives with the assurance that no matter what, we can trust in God and be at peace.
Let’s live as a light that shines out drawing people to a relationship with Christ!
[1] Peace maker Ministries E news 24 Oct 2006
[2] Holy Bible : New Living Translation. 1997. Tyndale House: Wheaton, Ill.
[3]Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. 1983-c1985. The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures. Victor Books: Wheaton, IL
[4]Richards, L., & Richards, L. O. 1987. The teacher's commentary. Includes index. Victor Books: Wheaton, Ill.
[5]Thomas Nelson, I. 1997, c1995. Woman's study Bible . Thomas Nelson: Nashville
a Or hold on to
[6]The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 . Zondervan: Grand Rapids