Seasoning and Shining for the King (Matthew 5:13-16)

Christianity is not a spectator sport. From the start, we’re called to make an impact. Specifically, Jesus gives us two pictures (salt and light), two warnings, and one goal. Last week, we saw Jesus’ vision for a new kingdom community in his famous Beatitudes poem. And this Sunday, we’ll see that we’re called to bring the blessing of Christ to the world around us.

Blessings of the Kingdom (Matthew 5:1-12)

Has God blessed you? Do you have some savings in the bank, educational opportunities, a loving family? Is this what it means to be blessed? This week, we arrive at perhaps the greatest sermon ever preached, the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus introduces his sermon with a poem about the blessing of God, though it is perhaps not quite what we would expect when we think of being “blessed.” Jesus shows us here where God’s blessing is found: in his kingdom.