The Christian Presence in the World

The following notes were taken from a sermon by Rev. Glenn Huebel of Messiah Lutheran Church in Keller, TX. The sermon was based on the Gospel for the day: Matthew 5:13 - 20.

We are in the world, not of the world. Some separate themselves out. Some are eager to be in the world but become like those of the world. However, Jesus describes Christians as those who are distinct and visible to the world. It's contradictory to God's purpose for Christians to be like those of the world. He has breathed His light into us through Christ so that we shine His light into the world.

We are Christ's bride and we are not embarrassed to say He is our Lord even when we may be ridiculed because of His name. Many have suffered persecutions for their faithfulness to the Lord. They are faithful loving witnesses to Christ... we see and /or hear of them and they serve as good examples for us.

We are not entrusted with the Gospel to keep it as our own private domain. It is designed to be shared and it is given to us to be shared with everyone... to the hurting, to sinners from all walks of life, to those in high places and to those in lowly places, and to those close to you, near to you, as well as those far from you and/or in distant lands. The Gospel is to be shared with all so that all might be saved.

Many have retreated into monasteries or choose to live their lives separate from the world around them. Even some of us, yes, us... could be living like this. But this is not God's intent for our lives. By our example, the world sees Christ and that is God's intent - not to isolate ourselves. And it is not to become like the world either as in the salt that has lost its saltiness.

If we are going to remain relevant, we must not give in to the thoughts and pressures of society which says it's OK to have sex before marriage and that it's OK for those of the same sex to be in relationship with each other. It's not OK to be friends with permissiveness. Jesus says those who do not confront the Church with the Truth have no place in the Kingdom of God just as salt that loses its saltiness is of no value.

We often say we desire to depart and be with Christ but it is more necessary for us to remain as the Apostle Paul declares. We are to remain in the world as a light for those who do not yet know Christ as it says in verse 16 of today's Gospel: "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Love your enemy and all those who persecute you. This is when the world will see God's grace at work in our lives - they will see the difference... even in our secular vocations. Peter and Paul both say we are a royal priesthood. We are to declare His praises. We must be careful that we don't become so much like the world that people can't see the Light of Christ in us.

The Lord says in verse 19, "Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teachers others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven." Jesus fulfilled the moral law for us - Moses believed God and it was credited to Him as righteousness. So it is with us.

The Pharisees had the moral law but they did not believe in the promise... the promise of the Savior.

We don't bring the Light of Christ into the world by moralism.

We bless the world through the power of the Gospel and through lives that bask in God's love and forgiveness... lives that know He is the foundation for our very being. That is what draws people to the Light of Christ. And we say, "To God Be The Glory!" Amen.