Pulpit Message Introduction for Nov. 18

Pulpit Message Introduction
We are “the salt of the earth” (vs. 13). In days before refrigerators were invented, salts was used to keep meat from going bad. Christians are called to keep society from decay. More positively, we are called to be “the light of the world” (vs. 14) and to light up the darkness around us. Jesus, of course, is our model. He described himself as “the light of the world” (John 8:12) and here tells His disciples that they are “the light of the world.” Jesus was the most influential person who has ever lived. The historian K. S. LaTourette wrote, “Measured by His effect on history, Jesus’ life is the most influential life ever lived on this planet.”
In order to have an influence on society it is vital, first of all, for Christians not to withdraw from the world into a Christian sub-culture but to get involved in our society. God sent Jesus to get involved in society. He could have remained aloof and safe in heaven, but He chose to get His hands dirty and become immersed in our world. Being “the salt of the earth” (vs. 13), we should not conserve ourselves inside the four walls of our church. Since we are called to be “the light of the world” (vs. 14), we must not put the light in a valley where it cannot be seen, but on a hill (vs. 14). We do not put lamps under bowls but on stands, so that they can give light to the whole house (vs. 15).
So, Jesus says, we must be out there in society letting our lights shine before others so that they may see our good deeds and give praise to God (vs. 16).
講壇信息介紹：我們是世上的鹽（13節）。在雪櫃還未發明之前，人們是用鹽來防止肉類食物腐爛的。同理基督徒是被呼召做社會的防腐劑。積極方面來說我們是世界的光（14節）並且要光照周圍的黑暗。主耶穌祂是我們的榜樣。祂說我是世界的光（約翰8章12節）這裏經文祂告訴門徒他們是世上的光。主耶穌是世界上最有影響力的一個人。歷史學家K. S. LaTourette也承認人類歷史中能夠影響世界最深的，除了耶穌之外再沒有別人了。基督徒要對世界有影響力，首先必須不能回避世界或離群獨處。他們必須參與社會。神差耶穌來世是要祂溶入社會。主耶穌本可以留在天堂不吃人間煙火的。但祂選擇了參與世情。作為世上的鹽（13節）我們不應該躲在教會的裏面。（14節）我們的光不是在谷底而是在山上的。我們點燈不是放在斗底下而是放在登臺上的。好叫能夠照亮一家的人。所以耶穌說我們一定要把光照在人前，叫人看見我們的好行為，便將榮耀歸給我們在天上的父（16節）。