This coming Tuesday, we'll have July 4th. We'll celebrate Independence Day. And July 4th marks the day of our separation from England, as well as the birth of our nation. The flag that's behind me here is a symbol of freedom. And freedom is a strong word. It's a driving concept. It's a powerful word. Men, women have fought battles. to secure it. Men and women continue to fight battles to protect it. And you and I, in today's world, sadly there's a generation that doesn't fully understand what freedom means. They have a different idea that our founding fathers had on that day. Many in our society are clueless. They're clueless to what freedom is. They think that freedom is we get to do what we want when we want it. That's not freedom. That's anarchy. That's lawlessness. No one gets to do whatever they want, whenever they want it. That's a joke. Freedom is not that. And that's what's not what was in the minds of our founding fathers. Here's the catch. On the screen there, our tragedy today is that our enjoyment of freedom has resulted in even greater slavery. We have mistaken freedom for lawlessness. In the name of freedom, our nation has declared independence not only from England, but from God. And you see it. You see it. It doesn't take a... Listen, I'm not that smart. I am not the brightest bulb in the tree here. But it doesn't take anyone too much longer to figure out that this nation founded on the Judeo-Christian principles is far from where she was in 1776. It doesn't take a rocket scientist. It doesn't take a political theorist. You know, it just takes a politician to sell you that lie. that we're good and we're about as godly as ever. The reality is, how are you and I supposed to react to this? To what we see around us or what you see in the news? How we are to react? I mean, we can take the easy route. You know what's the easy route? You blame the next generation. See, young people, I tell you. Until you figure out that you're the young people that the older ones are blaming. Right? But you can blame the next generation. You can blame political parties, left and right. I mean, both parties are ridiculous nowadays. You can blame social media, you can blame whoever you like, or you and I can behave like children of God. We can live like the people of God and that God calls us to live. Listen, it's a lot easier to curse the darkness than to be the light. If you find yourself that, that's all you do in this world is just curse the darkness through your social media posts, through interactions. All you're doing is just cursing darkness. Where is that call to be the light, to be the difference? In fact, this is exactly what Christ calls us to do. So we take a break from our series on the fruit of the Spirit and we're going to go today to Matthew chapter 5, just as a reminder. Again, a reminder as we look at Tuesday and we look at Independence Day, Matthew chapter 5, 13 through 16. Matthew chapter 5, 13 through 16. I'm going to read it, you're going to follow along. Matthew chapter 5, 13 through 16. You are the salt of the earth. But if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden, nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Stop there. function, how should you and I function in this world? What are we called to be? Well, you have it there in those verses. And what do they have in common? It says, you are the salt of the earth, you are the light of the world. You may have heard me say this before, so you may answer this right. What do these two metaphors, what do they have in common? Yeah, influence, influence. Everybody here wants to be an influencer, right? We got a generation of young kids, I want to be a YouTube influencer. Well, listen, as a child of God, why don't you be an influencer? You influence. Salt influences, light influences. The lack of either makes a difference. And you and I tend to forget that. You and I are called to be influences in this world for God and for good. We're not to be reflecting the ways of the world. Listen, Read a book a few weeks back now with a couple of guys in the church and I'm still processing much of what I read. It's still, but one thing I did take away. It was the line of neutrality is a myth. Jesus is Lord, right? So if you think that the United States of America, the secularism is neutral, you better wake up, child of God. There's an agenda that goes against God, against Christ, and against His purposes. You know that. You see it in education, you see it in the arts, you see it in the movies, you see it on social media. Neutrality is a myth that we just want to remain neutral. Nobody remains neutral. You shouldn't, child of God. You got kids here. You know what? Alberta, you should be busy indoctrinating your son with the Bible. In fact, your call as parents is to teach them how to behave and what to believe. That's not my job. That's definitely not the state's job. But yeah, we succumb to that. And every parent here is called, and grandparents, is called to teach your child what to believe and how to behave. Don't leave that to the state. They can reinforce some things. Here at our church, we want to come alongside you, parents, and help you disciple your child. as you help them know what to believe and how to behave. We, the church, exist to help you. We don't want to replace you. And if we don't want to replace you, why would we replace you with the state? Neutrality is a myth. This is nonsense. As Votie Bauckham would say, if you send them to Caesar for education, don't freak out when they come back looking like Romans. We're going to be counter-cultural each and every time. And this is a reminder, there is a plan to destroy family. You know why? Because behind it all is a devil that hates God, hates His people and hates His agenda. Why do you think the sexual revolution is ultimately rebellion against God ordained roles and God ordained relationships? If the Bible says, you know, a husband and a wife, then that's it. The only way you can have a husband, if you're a wife. The only way you can have a wife, if you're a husband. Now, you and I can succumb to the spirit of the age, but scripturally, a husband and a wife are that which the Bible calls. So again, neutrality. You and I must decide if we're going to be all in or not. influence. You and I are not to reflect the world. We're in it, but not of it. And this reminds us, again, this reminds us that there's more at stake than just our freedom. There's more at stake than just our comfort. The next generations... I don't recognize the United States of America that I was raised in. I travel back I'm a crisp 56-year-old, all right? I traveled back 50 years when I was in grade school. I don't remember the America that I grew up on, the America that Publix was closed on Sunday and the blue laws and all that stuff, all right? As you and I have moved further and further into the secularization of our nation, that's just reflecting the spirit of the age. So what do you do? You remain steadfast in who you are. And the people of God, you and I are the conscience of this society. Do you understand that? That once they shut us down, they have shut down the conscience, the built-in mechanism by the Lord Himself to take His bride and put her in this place and for her to represent her husband, Jesus Christ. Once they shut us down, who else is going to make the rumble? Who else is going to represent God? Who else is going to represent holiness? Who else is going to say, no, thus saith the Lord? No one else but the child of God. Now, as we look at Matthew 5, 13 through 16, let's get some observations. Number one is the context. Matthew 5-7 contains what is well known as the Sermon on the Mount or the Sermon on the Mountain. The theme of this great sermon is the, it's almost the manifesto. kingdom manifesto, especially the opening verses. It's the character and the practice of kingdom citizens. The first 12 verses, you know it. If you've been around church any time long, for a long time, you've heard of the Beatitudes, Matthew 5, 1 through 12, and that describes the heart and the character of the kingdom citizen. 13 through 16, in my opinion, describe the influence of that kingdom citizen. So there's a context to when he's saying. There's also the common metaphors. When Jesus spoke, what you and I take for granted, nobody's worried about light nowadays. In fact, it all fails. I got me a little light on my phone and I can just, whoop, it turns on every so often when I fumble in my pocket. We take life for granted. Salt, what's the big deal of salt? I have salt this and salt that. Well, when he says it, there are some common metaphors that they understood. Ancient societies understood the value of salt. In fact, where do we get that? In fact, it's from this value to salt is where we get our phrase, hey, this person is worth their salt. In the ancient world, the Roman soldiers would accept payment in salt, because they understood how valuable that was. You and I, we take it for granted, we just say, whatever. Light, same thing. In that culture, there was no electricity, there were no flashlights. The sun set, darkness prevailed. our identity. I want you to notice that Jesus doesn't say that we are like salt, or that even we will be light. He says you are. This is what you're called to be. The day the rescue of God comes upon your life, the day you are converted, the day you're saved, whatever phrase you want to use, the day that salvation enters your life is the day that you are salt and light. You don't get to be it, you are it. It's the same moment you're called to be. You are the light of the world. You are salt of the earth. It's not you will be or you can be. No, it's what you are. And the word you there is emphatic and it's in the plural, by the way. And it means you, my followers, and no other are salt and light. If you hear this morning, you don't know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, that this doesn't apply to you. You cannot be salt, you cannot be light. Because it's innate, it's part of who you are in Christ. Only in Christ are you and I salt and light. Oh, you can be a great activist, you can be a great reformer, but really you're not going to be salt and light. You can't be, because it's on the basis of relationship that you are salt and light. So identity, and then you hear, you have there two roles. Two roles. You can either be salty and bright, but if you're not careful, you'll be unsalty and no good. See, the reality is, it's absurd to think that salt is not salt. I mean, listen, salt is salt. It's absurd to say that salt is not salty. It's absurd to take the only means of light and cover it. In the same way, Jesus seems to tell us that a believer that chooses to disengage, chooses to go against identity, chooses to go against who they are called to be, is actually just useless. And you and I are too busy, most of the time, trying to win the favor of the world. It's not that you have to be a jerk, alright? I'm not telling you to be a jerk. But you don't have to cater to everything that the world sends your way, so you reflect all their attitudes toward this or that. You need to be known for something. You need to represent the church of Jesus Christ in the United States of America. Sadly, it's very shallow. And sadly, for too many years now, it's become very hollow. We can't handle persecution. That's why God has us here, I think. I wonder why didn't my family emigrate to the Philippines? Why didn't they emigrate to the Middle East? I don't know. God's providence has me here. But what I do know, there's people over there that make me look like a chump. Because I'm busy about this, I'm busy about that, I'm busy on the outside and looking here and discomfort. And if it's a nice day, I choose anything other than to meet with God's people. And if it's a nice day, I can be easily distracted because I'm not dependent. I'm busy building my own kingdom. I'm busy, busy building me. Instead of busy being in service to the King who rescued me. And in community with those fellow that have been rescued. We got it upside down and this reminds us, you'll be on the screen, these verses remind kingdom citizens that we have two roles, one negative and the other positive. If salt exercises the negative function of delaying decay and warns disciples of the danger of compromising conformity, then light speaks positively of illuminating a sin darkened world. These are the two roles. It's influence. You are influencing one way or the other. We've said this time and time again, the best advertisement for Christianity in your neighborhood is you. The Bible that they read is not the Gospel of Matthew, Mark, Luke or John, but they read you, child, not me. In every moment and during every circumstance, the reading, they want to know. Not only is it right, but is it good? I mean, if you're telling me that this salt is good and this light is the best, how is it translating in your life? How do I see it? What are the works? What are the evidences of that? So let's take a look at it for a few minutes. Okay, number one, the salt of the earth. Two metaphors. First one, salt of the earth. That's a hidden influence. That's a hidden one. You know when there's too much, right? But when there's not enough, boy, do you miss it too. It's a hidden influence. 13. You are the salt of the earth. But if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. Salt. Again, if you've been in churches any time, for any amount of time, you've heard about, you're the salt of the earth, you're the light of the world. And what happens is when you're not acting according to your identity, when you're not behaving the way who you are, when you're called to be salt and light, you lose that saltiness. The word that's translated there loses its saltiness. It's more also that it becomes foolish. The child of God that chooses not to engage with who he is in the culture that's around him or her is just acting foolishly. Because there's pressures for you to conform and you need to go against those pressures. And that's why God says, you're salt and you're light. Technically speaking, you know, salt is salty. I mean, sodium chloride is sodium chloride. If you don't have the Na and the NaCl, you just have got some chloride. Sodium chloride is salt, table salt is table salt. And if it loses saltiness, what good is it for then? It doesn't make sense. During the time of Jesus, the salt was derived from marshes and lagoons, from the Dead Sea. And because of that, they could be of inferior value. And they would rot, something that's foreign to us. I mean, salt rotting? But it would rather get thrown out. See, that's what happens to you and me. We take our eyes off of Jesus Christ and we try to live under our own power and we get contaminated by this world. This world wants you and me to reflect its values. And unless you keep your eyes on the Lord, each and every day, intentionality, intention, Okay? You're going to get to a point where it might be a thing that you're not really making a difference. And it says that, what is it good for? To be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. It has nothing to do with losing our salvation. It means that there's a time or there's a sense that you and I want to have peace with the world. So we achieve this peace by being mediocre, by not being you know, confrontational, by surrendering some of our convictions and beliefs, because we want to be relevant. The problem happens is that when you do that, it gets to a point where you're a worthless agent of change. And the person or the system that you so much want to grab their attention, that same system spits you out. That's what He's saying, don't sacrifice who you are for the sake of those who are not. Because when you lose the ability to influence because of compromise, they're going to get rid of you anyway. They're going to get rid of you anyways. So how do we do this? How can I be salty? What's the importance? Let me give you some thoughts. Number one, salt gives taste. You know, if I just had a salt and I went like this, tastes a little different. Tastes kind of salty. But in a world that lacks the taste of God in it, you and I are called to be that influence. Your relationships that you're a part of, that the only way they're going to know the beauty of Christ and the standard of the Lord as seen in His Word is through you. You have been placed where you work, in your jobs, in your places of employment, in your communities. Because you are what that community needs. And unless you give that taste to that spiritually bland world, they're not going to know. How can we kingdom citizens expect those outside the kingdom to behave with kingdom values? We shouldn't. I've said it before. If I'm standing and someone blind walks by me and steps on my feet, I can't blame the blind guy. He didn't know any better. I'm not going to blame a blind guy for stepping on my feet. Now, someone who's willfully going like this and goes, Yeah, now we got a problem. Because now it's willful. But do you understand, child of God, that the world that you and I are living in, some days and some times and some seasons of life, you're walking and they're looking for your feet to stamp on it. It's willful. But you and I are called to resist. And you and I are called to say, OK, even as you try to do this, I'm going to represent Christ to you. Salt is a preservative. There are two substances mentioned in the Bible that are very small, yet very influential. We got one, salt. Do you understand the other one? What's the other one? I can't hear you. I'm old. I suffer from that OLD disease. I'm sorry? Mustard seed, yeah, yeah, but another substance, another one. You got salt and you have yeast, okay? You have yeast. They're all, it's a hidden influence, okay? They picture opposite forces in the world. Yeast is that mold, believe it or not, that represents evil. Salt is a preservative that holds back decay. And here when it says, you are the salt, you are that preservative, you're the one that doesn't necessarily make it good, you're just keeping it from decaying. Again, you and I are the conscience of the world. We're the ones who ring the bell. Something is wrong. God is being dishonored. This is not how it should be. God has put us into a rotting and dead world in order to preserve it, to have influence, to represent Christ. A pastor by the name of Ray Pritchard puts it this way, it'll be on the screen. We who follow Jesus Christ are to be a moral disinfectant, stopping the spread of evil. We are to be the conscience of the community, speaking out for what is true and right, and that's why it's not popular. When you and I take a stand on the sanctity of humanity, on the sanctity of human life, the sanctity of marriage, it's going to cost, because we're going against the grain. You have now denominations that are sanctioning the sexual revolution. They're ordaining people to the ministry that shouldn't be. Openly hostile to the Word of God. Openly hostile to the teaching of Scriptures. And you and I need to represent and stay the course. Salt creates thirst. We've all heard the phrase, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't... Yeah, you know what's the trick, right? You feed him a salt pill. Go ahead and feed that salt pill to that horse. You'll see how quickly that horse drinks water. You and I have that salt pill. You and I should be living in such a way that people will go, there's something different here. And then, under the ministry of the Spirit of God, then conviction can come into their lives. But you and I need to be different. You're that salt. You and I, our lives, our marriages, our parenting, our handling of finances, our division of time, what we value in this world, what we value in the world to come, all that sends a picture. and says that you and I are not living just for the here and now, we're living for eternity. And that sends a message that creates a thirst. How can you be? How can this happen? How can you go through this tragedy? How can you not do this? Because you're creating the thirst. Colossians chapter 4, let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Here's the catch. Salt has to touch an object to make a difference. You and I are too busy keeping our Christianity in a cupboard. Too busy keeping it in a little place put aside. And on Sunday mornings, we bring it out. And when it's convenient, we may put it out. But Monday through Friday at our workplace, no, no, no, no, no. That's too controversial. No. No, you and I, we need to impact. Some of us choose to just live in this Christian subculture where everything about us is Christian, from our music to our hairdresser. And this is telling you, listen, if you're going to make a difference, you better start rubbing shoulders with those who do not look like you, do not think like you. Salt makes a difference when it touches, when it comes into contact. Child of God, don't freak out. You're surrounded by the enemy, but don't be afraid of the enemy. Engage with the enemy. You're on the winning side. You're on the winning side. Oh, South Florida. Everybody wants to move out of South Florida. Go ahead. Good luck. I guess there are less sinners in Central Florida. Or there are less sinful in South Carolina. Or North Carolina. There are less sinful in Washington State. Go for it. Live the dream. Don't blame God then when sinfulness rears its ugly head wherever you choose to live. I know where I live. This is the city of Corinth at best in the Bible. Okay? We're a mess down here. But if all the light leaves this, what's left? Darkness. So one of the questions I ask myself, and boy, let me tell you, I do ask myself, why do I want to stay? Because God has me here with a purpose, at least for now. And I can't just get another job. It's not that easy for me. Right? I just can't contact HR and HQ and go, hey, you got something up in Tucson for me? I need to get over there to somewhere in Iowa. No, it's a little different for me. But listen, child of God, God has you here for a purpose. And at the very least, you're called to be here on this day in this South Florida, in this God-forsaken place. You're called to be salt and light. So be it. Stop living in what will be. Start living in what is. Engage. Engage. You have to. You have to engage. If there's parts of your life where you're not engaging with your community, you're not engaging in this level or that level, if everything about you, okay, is just not, there's nothing of unbelievers and nothing that would cause a rub, listen, get in the rub. Get in there. You're a hidden influence. You can be a blessing to others. Your life can be a blessing. So you are the salt of the earth. The next one, he says, you're the light of the world. So you go from a hidden influence to a visible one. to a visible one. And light is something that we all know. I mean, from the very beginning, light is associated with God's work and God's activity. Let there be light, Genesis 1, 3 and 4. And there was light, and God saw that the light was good. In John 8, Christ is the personification of light. I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me doesn't walk, will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. Ephesians 5, 8, the child of God. We were once darkness, but now you're light in the Lord. Live as children of light. And He gives us two examples on how to do that. The first one is He compares us to a city on a hill. You know what's a city on a hill? Something you don't miss. You don't miss a city on a hill. I mean, I've traveled and a little bit of travel. And when there's something on a hill, I forgot where we were. I was driving somewhere and there was this big... Who was I? Don't get old. I'm telling you, don't get old. We're driving somewhere and there's a big Masonic lodge on top of a hill. I couldn't miss it. Child of God, you shouldn't be missed. Here's the catch. If Pines Baptist Church, the children of God that comprise Pines Baptist Church, disappeared from Pembroke Pines, would it make a difference? That's the question you and I should be asking. If our church stopped existing tomorrow, Would Pines even realize it? A city on a hill, you don't miss. And in those days, what that meant was a city on top of a mountain or a mountaintop, and because of the limestone which was built in, or built with, when the sun hit it, it would shine. You couldn't miss it. You can't miss a child of God. That's how engaged you and I should be intentional with our Christianity. We're called to be salt, we're called to be light. We're a city on a hill. The second example is there, you see it in the verse, it says, Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. See, those folks there in that first century, they knew about the importance of a single source of light in the center of a room. Again, undeniable. Undeniable. Again, you and I, we can go wherever. In those days, you didn't get the light and just cover it, so you can see Netflix a little better. No, you needed light, it was essential. And you put it in the center of the house and it influenced everything around it. It impacted the darkness. Child of God, you and I should be living in such a way and should be known for such things that we impact. We're making an impact. People may not like it, it may not even go well for us. But that doesn't diminish the call of God upon your life and mine. And as you and I are geared now, and let me tell you, I'm geared for Independence Day. We're going to have something here, you'll hear about it later on. I'm geared for that, I'm geared for right after that. Maybe hit the pool, hit somebody, hit myself. I don't know what I'm going to do, okay? But as I'm gearing for Independence Day, am I busy telling others that even on Independence Day, I'm dependent on God? That's the message that my life should be sending to others. And even in the midst of celebrating freedom, I am a slave to Christ. That's what we're after. And that's what it's after here. A city near a hill, you can't miss it. Undeniable. A light, a single source of light in the middle of a room, you can't miss it. Undeniable. Child of God, you and I are called to be undeniable in our society, in our communities. in our relationships. How can I be that? Let me just remind you a few things. Number one, light dispels darkness. Light dispels darkness. John 1, 4 and 5, and him was life, Jesus. And that life was the light of man. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. Light dispels darkness. Your life, my life. Again, people will go out of their way to try to put, to cover it, to not enjoy it, to not like the fact that darkness is being exposed. But that doesn't take away the fact that you and I are called to do that. Light gives guidance. Neutrality is a myth. Either you're living for Christ or you're not. It's like either being pregnant or not. You can't be maybe. There's no maybe in pregnancies. I mean, there might be a time where you think you were. I understand all that. Don't mess with me that way now, all right? But you're either, or you're not. That's the catch. It gives guidance. So you and I, see, we take Psalm 119, 130, the unfolding of your words. We live our lives by the book. The unfolding of your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple. People are wondering, what's God's position on this or that? Does God have a word on this? He has a lot of word. In fact, He's gone out of His way to let you know who He is, how He behaves, and what He represents. He may not tell you what channel to watch on the TV, but He does tell you how to behave in a sin-filled world. You don't have to be busy about knowing Him. It gives guidance. Not only that, but it reveals reality. reveals reality. That's why it ends with, in the same way, let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. It gives a reality. You and I being called to be light and being called to be the salt of the earth, that gives reality. We belong to our Heavenly Father. Why? Because we bear His resemblance. My kids, they're different. But pretty much, they look like me. Pretty much. Sometimes they don't want to look like me. But they are. And I see kids here. You may be a mix of this or that, especially, you know. But you know what? Somewhere down the line, they look. I'm looking at Milena and Nathanie right here. Yeah, buddy. Undeniable. Undeniable. In your smiles. Undeniable. And I can look at different moms and dads here and I go, yeah, you belong. You belong. Child of God. When you are the salt of the earth, when I am the salt of the earth, when you're the light of the world, when I am the light, okay, we're bearing the resemblance to our Heavenly Father. So get to it. Get to it. Influence. Use it. Leverage your relationship with the Lord to impact others, starting in your very own home and working your way out. What can we take with us? Well, let me just remind you of a story. I've said it before, but it just reminds you that people are watching. The story's about this little kid. His neighbor was a pastor. I know a guy. And the pastor was working outside, and he's laying down a deck. And he's going at it, and he's hammering, and the little fella just cuts out and just starts looking. Doesn't say a thing. He's not fidgety. He's just... And the pastor stops, and he looks. and he's still hammering away and cutting and hammering away and cutting and drilling and cutting. The little kid's there and all of a sudden the pastor says, like, wow, I'm influencing. I'm reaching out to this kid. And he stops and goes, hey, you getting some pointers for later in life? He goes, no, I just want to see what the preacher says when he bangs a hammer on his thumb. People are watching. See, it's nice and it's beautiful when all is well. But when you get that diagnosis, when you go to that doctor, and when they tell you this about your kid, that's when the rubber hits the road. That's when you just banged your thumb. People know it. People know it. saying, how can we increase our impact? What do we need to be about so we can be saltier and brighter? Let me just give you some concluding thoughts. Number one, pursue holiness. In a day and age when you and I as Christians are so wanting to be loved by the world, go anti- and counter-cultural. Pursue holiness, that which is what the Lord wants, that which is what the Lord requires, which is what the Lord empowers you to do. Pursue it. Do not reflect so easily the values of this world. Pursue holiness. We need to be, you know, we need to be different from the object we want to influence. We need to be. Number two, live in close proximity. Again, part of the reason I live at Southbridge, some townhomes on the other side. I can literally walk here, but who wants to do that in South Florida, right? So I drive. Part of the reason back in the day when it was this church. So I wanted to live in a neighborhood where my kids would go to your schools and go to your... and I shop where you shop and we're in this together because I want to be able to talk to the community. I want to be able to engage in the community. Child of God, you need to live in close proximity. You need to invite people into your lives that don't think like you, that need Jesus Christ. So be intentional about it. And if they don't come more than one time, that's fine. Okay, then move on to the next. But pray, pray that God will grant you wisdom and opportunity to engage, to engage in that relationship that may lead so you meet needs, so God can open the door so you can share Christ. Live in close proximity. Don't isolate that if it's not this and if it's not that. Listen, you want to ride for your life? Find someone who's unlike you. If you're hardcore red, find a deep blue. You know what I'm talking about. If you lean all this way, find somebody who leans all this way, and good luck. And see if the gospel can bridge that. You know how I know that the gospel can? Because in Jesus' group, there was a hardliner this way, and there was a hardliner this way. The hardliner this way was Matthew. who sold out his own people and gave his life to the Romans, and he was the one, the tax collector. So you paid the piper. The piper was one of your own. And he made money off of you. You had Matthew. And then you had Simon the Zealot on this side. And he was so anti-Roman that he cut your throat in a heartbeat. And both of them were able, with their political views, were able to coexist as disciples of Jesus. Now, did some of these things change? Did these prejudices change? I'm sure they did. But please, please, let's stop making excuses. Let's start making some adjustments. And practice density. We're in this together. We really are. The you in these verses, remember, it's plural. You're not meant to engage by yourself. You're meant to engage as part of a whole. That's why being here, we're gathered today. We're gathered. We're making a circle. But sooner or later, we've got to say break. We've got to turn our backs and face outward and engage. So soon we'll be done gathering, being gathered, and then we will be scattered for the remainder of this week. And as we scatter, we bring the hope of the gospel to those around us. My friend, if you're here this morning and you haven't trusted in Christ, you need to remember that you're going to miss the mark. You're going to miss the mark of God calling you. You're going to miss the mark that God has for you and you'll fall short and you will face damnation. Let me just remind you of how important it is to hit the right target. You may have heard of this, Matt Emmons. Matt Emmons, 2004, Olympic 50-meter three-position rifle event. That's him there. He has it in the bag. Didn't even need a bullseye to win. His final shot just needed to hit to be on target. Normally, the shot he makes, it's about a score of 8.1, more than enough for the gold medal. But what was described as what in the world happened, Emmons fired at the wrong target. Standing in lane two, he fired at the target in lane three. His score for a good target, a good shot at the wrong target? See, it's not enough. It's not enough just to say, but I'm a good person. You're aiming at the wrong target. You score zero. You score zero. Instead of a medal, Evans ended up in eighth place. It doesn't matter how accurate you are if you're aiming at the wrong target. My friend, religions in this world can be down to two. One is man-centered. Every ism, every religion that says do, do, do, do. But true religion from above is Christianity, where God says, Christ, and He looks at you and says, it's done. So you can be busy about trying to make it to heaven, or you can surrender to the Lord for what He has accomplished through His death and resurrection. The choice is yours. Let's close our eyes and bow our heads for just a moment because what America needs is her churches to be what God designed her to be. And as you and I are salt and light, we take that gospel message. Close your eyes and just for a moment, just a minute or so, we'll sing the song, Behold Our God. And what America's church needs is a fresh reminder of the God she serves. So, child of God, would you ask the Lord to remind you? My friend, if you're here this morning, You need to turn to Christ. Today is the day of salvation. Don't leave it for tomorrow. You need to behold God in all his majesty and holiness and know that you have failed. You have fallen short. And if you go before him without Jesus Christ, what you face is an eternity in a conscious place of horror. Turn to the Lord today, my brother and sister in the Lord. God didn't rescue you at the expense of his son so you can sit on sidelines and feel comfortable about your Christianity. Because neutrality is a myth, would you commit to the Lord today to be salt, to be light, in a way that those that would know you and see your good works would glorify your Father in heaven. So Lord God, help us now as we sing that we will be reminded of the God who we serve, the God who rescued us, and the God who expects us to represent Him well. We love you, we trust you, we need you. In Jesus' name, and God's people said.