making a difference

matthew 5:13-16, 43-48
making a difference
by uncle kim lark

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names that were changed
1. abram (exalted father) -> abramham (father of all nations)
2. jacob (deceiver) -> israel (overcomer)
3. simon (disciple) -> peter (the rock)

so why the name changes?
signify a new life, a new start, a new beginning, a new relationship

matthew 5:13-16
the time when jesus gave his first sermon. and had a relationship with his first few disciples.

why the reference to..

..salt?
salt gives flavor. add a something to people's lives; to help.
salt means to preserve in those days with no fridges. this world, full of corruption in the values, the words and people. can you preserve?
salt is a measure of values. wages were paid in salt. meaning you are something special, and not worthless.

the quality of salt is saltiness. so how is it possible to lose our saltiness if we're salt?
by drowning self in world pursuit. (external factor such as water that dilute the saltiness till its all got)
therefore, be careful.
but how?
during cg discussion, to carry on meeting up with one another, encouraging one another. read your bible and pray everyday as reminders to your life.

..city on the hill
jerusalem
meaning 1. you wouldnt be missed. people would see you. as a believer, you stand out of the crowd. 2. is meant to be noticed. God is putting you up there.

..light
meant to point the way to show you the direction which you want to go.
in the dark, when you see a spot of light, you would naturally look toward it.. and go there..

so what common thing do the three have?
-impacting others. must be with relations to people.
you must be with the people. (making a difference with people)

*so how do we become salt (verse 16)
-good deeds
verse 1-12: have to live a blessed life; blessed are the poor, for they are rich in spirit, blessed are the...
verse 43-48: loving your enemies
good deeds is to love people who hate you.

be different.
let God do the conversion. but we must be the examples. people will see something in our lives and know it is God doing all these.
God wants you to be proud cause he is proud of you. dont feel you'll never be qualified. God thinks you are.

"my strength is made perfect in your weaknesses"

all about him, not about us.

grace..

samquek