THIS IS TABLE ROCK FELLOWSHIP – PASTOR RYAN LADEN
| You may not know this but today is the international day of celebration known around the world as Amy Laden’s birthday. Happy 29th birthday (again)! Audience In our continuing study of the Sermon on the Mount we have come to a teaching from Jesus Christ that needs to be properly understood before it can be applied to our lives. This message from Jesus was not given to the wider world, to the unbeliever, or to those seeking moral standards by which to build a “good” life. Instead, these teachings were given to those described in the passage below: “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”Matthew 5:14-16 NIV-11 Identity Before Jesus Christ gives his people any sort of moral principles, guidelines, or rules for godly living, he first affirms their true identity. Those that call Jesus Christ their Savior and Lord are included in this gift of true identity. Jesus speaks to us as the salt of the earth and the light of the world. We bear these incredible identities because this is who Jesus Christ made us to be when he purchased our eternal natures, souls, and selves with the gift of his own body and blood on the cross. Missionaries As salt and light, we see that our identity gives us our purpose, our mission. · We are people who represent our Lord to a dying and dark world.· We are a part of his preserving, enlivening, and illuminating mission.· We are a people called into his mission.· We are missionaries to those that the Lord has placed into our lives.· We represent the love and grace of Christ to those who do not yet know him and who have not yet embraced his gifts of forgiveness and mercy. Receive As salt and light, as missionaries called by Christ, we receive the teaching and truth of the following word from the Lord: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”Matthew 5:38-48 NIV-11 Read and Reread As you face the day ahead, read this truth from the perspective of one who is sure of their true nature and identity. You are salt of the earth and God’s gift of light to a darkened world. You are a missionary of the Risen Savior. · As you face the challenges and trials of the day, seek to keep these truths before you.· Turn to them again and again as you embrace your calling as a missionary for Christ. In Christ,Ryan Laden |
OUR MISSION AS A CHURCH
“TO ENCOURAGE AND EQUIP EACH OTHER IN LOVE TO KNOW JESUS AND MAKE HIM KNOWN”
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