Salt and Light

He says that others seemed to be driven crazy by the idea that there was at least one person who could smile and say no to booze and still have a good time.

In a world where some think there are no values worth upholding, anyone who believes something is perceived as a threat that must be squashed.

I didn't say that being a person of salt and light was easy, just that it is simply what and who we are called to be by Jesus.

People of the world don't realize just how superficial they are until they come face-to-face with someone who isn't!

I'm thinking of the person who said to me one day “Pastor, help me to learn how to pray better for others. I want to do more.” That is salt and light.

I'm thinking of another person with a list of problems that would curl one's hair who said to me “Yes, I've been remembering another of our members in pain by name each night in my prayers.” That is salt and light.

I'm thinking of another member who spent a recent evening helping a couple in a difficult situation with bedtime chores. That is salt and light.

I'm thinking of the person who said to me, “I don't care what my co-workers say. I know that thus and so is not right, and I'm not going to be a part of it.”

That is salt and light.

I'm thinking of the person who told me that there was a someone at work who just seemed to be at loose ends, without direction.

I'm going to invite that person to come with me next Sunday, so that together we can discover that there is a point to life. That is salt and light.

I'm thinking of a person who responded to a verbal attack from a customer with

“So why is it exactly that you are so angry with God?” The person was so startled that a completely different relationship was initiated with that question.

That is salty salt and light!

Our committees and structures in the congregation need an attitude adjustment these days.

The church is not to be a comfortable club where we hide away for awhile, sipping cocktails as we lounge in old leather chairs.

A much more accurate image would be that of a boot camp, where we lay aside the world's expectations and in place of that, the church is become the place where we learn and practice and implement the expectations of the chief commander, our Lord Jesus.

It takes thought, and deliberate action, planning, trial-and-error, and practice.

In a boot camp, there is much to learn, every action is related to the stated objectives, and it is hard work.

Welcome to Camp Salty! This is where we are.

The objectives in such a camp are different from that which some would expect.

The world says that the one with the most money wins;

Jesus says that that from those who have received much, much is expected. [Luke 12:48]

The world says to look out for #1, oneself;

Jesus says that whatever you do to the least of his brothers and sisters, you are doing it to him. [Mt. 25:40]

The world says that worship is a useless waste of time;

Jesus says, Away with you Satan, for it is written, Worship the Lord your God and serve only him. [Mt 4:10]

It is not a useless time but rather the time that shapes and directs how we use all of the rest of our time.

When we go outside and see the imposing buildings under construction and the traffic rushing past, we need not be intimidated.

Our call is to be salt and light in this community.

We practice with one another,

and then off we go to those outside,

to be salt and light that is busy doing its thing in life

and not salt hidden away on a shelf, or light hidden under a basket!

Rise..., shine..., celebrate..., hurl songs and prayers..., and tell the story. [LBW 393] Amen

Please note: The preceding sermon is provided as a resource for the thought, prayer, and meditation of the members and friends of St. Mark's. It is the residue of a verbal event, and thus it does not have academic footnotes and other details that would be expected in a written document. The writer gladly acknowledges the prior thought and work of many Christians before him.