This week Bro. Leo continues us on a study of how Christians should be acting in the midst of all the chaos that is ramping up in our culture. In the past few weeks we have learned that the “salt” represents our Christian character and the absolute truth’s of the Bible, we are preserving the culture from the Judgement of God.  And that the “light” represents our voice/actions. The word “candle” in Matt.5:15 is translated from the Greek word “luchnos” which means a portable lamp or lantern that was filled with oil. It has to be lit and filled with oil. Christians are a vessel filled with the Holy Spirit and if we remain silent we are of no good to our culture. This is how the American Church is operating for the most part and why our culture is acting the way it is currently.

Today we learn what the Bible tells us will happen if we truly are the “salt and light”.

Jesus tells us in Matt.10:32 that He will confess us to God if we confess Him to our culture. In vs.16-18 Jesus warns us that we will be questioned and rebutted by our culture for our testimony,  in vs.22 we will be hated by our culture.  And in vs.19 He tells us that His Holy Spirit will give us the words we need to speak when that happens.  In vs.29-30 He tells us God cares for us and will take care of us.

In Matt.28:18-20 Jesus gives us what is known as “The Great Commission”.  Notice two points in the commission, Jesus is defining the “salt” and “light”, 1) confessing commitment to God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit,  2) promoting and lifting up the teachings of Jesus and the doctrines of the Bible.  Vs.18 gives us the confidence to be the “salt and light”.

Joshua is a Biblical example of being the “salt and light” in the culture in Josh.24:14-15.

Jesus tells us in Rev.3:8 that God has many blessings for those who do not deny Him.

Scriptures used in today’s study:

Mat 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

Mat 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Mat 10:17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
Mat 10:18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
Mat 10:19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
Mat 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Mat 10:26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
Mat 10:27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
Mat 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Mat 10:29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
Mat 10:30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Mat 10:31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Joh 7:7 The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.

Jos 24:14 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.
Jos 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Rev 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.