S1: Today on Bold steps, Mark Jobe shows us how to
S1: be a light to the world.
S2: One light can be hidden. Two lights. Maybe it's hard
S2: to ignore. Thousands of lights put together. And when we
S2: start living for Jesus Christ and influencing our society, and
S2: when we come together as a community of faith, the
S2: light of Jesus Christ will attract other people in this place.
S1: Welcome to Bold Steps with Mark Jobe. Mark is president
S1: of Moody Bible Institute and senior pastor of New Life
S1: Community Church in Chicago. I'm Wayne Shephard. Yesterday, Mark pointed
S1: out how we are to be salt to the world
S1: around us. And today, as we conclude this series titled
S1: Step Up Living Higher, he'll be turning to the Book
S1: of Matthew chapter five to show us how we can
S1: be a light to the world. If you missed the
S1: first message, catch up online. Visit our program archive when
S1: you visit. Bold steps org. Right now let's join Mark
S1: as he explains how you can step up to a
S1: new you this year.
S2: How many of you remember when you first came to
S2: Christ and God had done something in your life, and
S2: you look around and you think, the whole world needs
S2: to be saved? How can they be so dark? And
S2: everybody needs to know, everybody needs to hear this. So
S2: you go to the birthday party, your family's birthday party,
S2: and you wear a t shirt that says, turn or burn,
S2: and you have a big cross with you and a
S2: big King James Bible, and people go to talk to you.
S2: You're slapping beers out of people's hand and saying, telling
S2: them what they need to do. And you have them
S2: cornered like this and they're looking, how do I escape?
S2: And you wonder why people scatter while you're after them,
S2: and they stop inviting you to things all over? Why
S2: you say, well, because they just are hard hearted and
S2: don't accept the gospel. No, no, no, you're putting too
S2: much salt on it. You see if you're if you're
S2: salting something, well, you know, you get you get a
S2: little salt and it's a little salt like that. But
S2: if next time you go to salt your corn and
S2: you go like this. You just you just spoil the corn.
S2: You just messed it up. It's not that people don't
S2: want the salt. It's just you poured out too much
S2: at the same time. I know you're wondering now, what's
S2: he going to do with that salt? I'm not going
S2: to eat it. No, no, I'm not going to eat it.
S2: I'm just going to put it here on the side.
S2: I hope our cleaning people. Sorry. Cleaning people. I didn't
S2: mean to do that. So this is what. This is
S2: what Jesus says. But if the salt loses its saltiness,
S2: imagine salt that doesn't taste salty anymore. You would just
S2: be pouring like it would be like sand. It's granular,
S2: but it's not salty. If the salt loses its saltiness,
S2: how can it be made salty again? That's the question.
S2: How can it be made salty again? It is no
S2: longer good for anything except to be thrown out and
S2: trampled by men. What Jesus is saying listen to me. Well,
S2: because these are pretty tough words. What Jesus is saying
S2: is that a Christian that that's lost their saltiness, a
S2: Christian that doesn't make people hungry for God, a Christian
S2: that doesn't have an effect on society around them, a
S2: Christian that has no influence. That's not letting the influence
S2: of Jesus come out of them. A Christian that's not
S2: operating that way is a person that's lost their purpose.
S2: They've lost the main reason why God engineered them and
S2: put them on earth. They've absolutely lost their purpose. And
S2: you say, no, oh no, no, pastor, I haven't lost
S2: my purpose. I'm climbing the corporate ladder and I'm going
S2: to give to charity. Listen, you can climb the corporate
S2: ladder and absolutely miss your purpose in life because your
S2: life is bigger than that. There's something more eternal than that.
S2: There's something more compelling than that. It's not about success
S2: as the world counts. Success. If you are a follower
S2: of Jesus Christ, you have a calling upon your life,
S2: and your calling involves influence. And if you've lost your influence,
S2: you have lost your purpose. Yeah, and it's time to
S2: regain it. I was thinking about this a minute. I
S2: was thinking, well, how do we lose our saltiness? I
S2: thought that there's three ways that Christians that I know
S2: that lose their saltiness. Three types of Christians that don't
S2: make people thirsty. Number one is what I would call
S2: cosmetic Christians. Cosmetic Christian is someone that's a nominal Christian.
S2: When you're filling out your Facebook status, you have to
S2: put something. So you put Christian. You were raised Christian,
S2: or you go to church. If you got to do
S2: something on Easter and Christmas, you go, so you're a
S2: nominal Christian, but in reality it's just more of a
S2: cultural thing than it is a real thing. You don't
S2: have a vibrant, dynamic relationship with God. You have a
S2: cultural heritage that you embrace. And so, yeah, well, my aunt,
S2: my uncle, my cousins, you know, they were all confirmed
S2: and baptized and go to such and such parish. And
S2: so I guess I'm one of those two. But but
S2: it doesn't really mean much to your life if you
S2: don't embrace it. It doesn't change you. It doesn't do
S2: anything to your life. It's like it's three generations removed
S2: from you. Or you could be a judgmental Christian. A
S2: judgmental Christian is a person that isn't. They haven't. They've
S2: embraced the religion, but not the relationship. And so, um,
S2: they when they look at the world, they don't see
S2: people that need the grace and the love of God.
S2: They see people that need to be condemned and judged.
S2: And oftentimes we see their pictures on the news. They're
S2: the people with the angry billboards and red faces and
S2: spit streaming out of their mouth and angry verbiage coming
S2: out of them because they they're like the Pharisees. They
S2: are judging and condemning the world, but not offering the
S2: world good news at all. And so nominal Christians or
S2: judgmental Christians, or they've lost their saltiness. They don't make
S2: people thirsty for God. You know how many people I've
S2: run in that don't run into that, don't want to
S2: have anything to do with God because they've run into
S2: judgmental Christians and they lump everybody together. They think we're
S2: all that. And I want to say, I'm so not
S2: in their camp. Well, I believe we need to seek
S2: speak for righteousness. And I believe that we need to
S2: call out sin. But I love the way that Jesus
S2: did it. Jesus was full of mercy and compassion. A
S2: lot of love when he called people out. Thirdly, is
S2: lukewarm Christians. You lost your fire. There's very little difference
S2: between you and the people out there, except for the
S2: fact that you go to church and maybe you say
S2: less swear words, but pretty much you and everybody else
S2: is living the same. There's no longer a fire in
S2: your soul, no longer an energy in your life. Because
S2: you've allowed the fire to die down. You've allowed your
S2: spiritual energy to wane. You've You allowed that fresh excitement
S2: for God to dissipate from your soul. You become lukewarm,
S2: and so you act and look like society around you.
S2: So when people are around you, they don't really know
S2: you're a Christian. They it doesn't make them want to
S2: be a Christian. It doesn't create a thirst for God
S2: in your life. Why? Because you're lukewarm. Those are people
S2: that have lost their saltiness. And Jesus says, have you
S2: lost it? Listen, you need to regain it. Or or
S2: you've lost your purpose and you're wasting the entirety of
S2: your life. Then he goes on and he talks to them.
S2: He uses another imagery which is very similar, but has
S2: a bit of a different focus to it. He says
S2: you need to be salt because salt causes people to
S2: thirst for the goodness of God. We need to be light.
S2: When we're light, others will see the goodness of God.
S2: Notice what he says in verse 14. You are the
S2: light of the world. Not you need to be the
S2: light of the world. You are light already. Some people
S2: think I need to be more light. No, no, no.
S2: You are light. You already have the light of God
S2: inside of you. You're already light, but you need to
S2: let your light shine. Many of us are light, but
S2: we hide our light. We cover our light. Our light doesn't.
S2: It's not as bright as it needs to be. Because
S2: somehow our light isn't shining. We are the light, but
S2: it doesn't always shine. Jesus spoke to his disciples in
S2: John chapter eight, verse 12 and he says, Then Jesus
S2: spoke to them again, saying, I am the light of
S2: the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness,
S2: but shall have the light of life. When Jesus was
S2: in the world, he said, I am the light of
S2: the world. When Jesus left the world, he said, you
S2: are the light. So what Jesus was. Now we are.
S2: Those are big shoes to follow, aren't they? We are
S2: the Jesus to this world. We are now the light
S2: of the the world. You say, pastor, I don't want
S2: that pressure because I got a lot of issues, a
S2: lot of faults. And listen, Jesus knew when he selected
S2: broken vessels like us that we were full of issues.
S2: Yet the beautiful thing about the gospel is he chose
S2: us in all our messes. There's not a person here
S2: that doesn't have issues. There's not a person here that
S2: doesn't have messes. There's not a person here that doesn't
S2: have history that they're ashamed of. All of us do. Not.
S2: Every history is the same. Not every story is the same.
S2: Not every issue is the same. And it's not about issues,
S2: but it is about being honest with our issues, confronting
S2: those issues, and being willing to bring those issues to
S2: the light. Jesus said, you are the light of the world.
S2: He's very clear that he's calling them to be light.
S2: You are the light of the world. And then he
S2: says a city on a hill cannot be hidden. Don't
S2: miss that dimension because he's not calling you simply to
S2: be a light. He's calling you to be a light
S2: that is connected to community. Because when a lot of
S2: dots together join, they create a bright focus. Some of
S2: you are light, but for some reason or another, you've
S2: stopped letting that light shine. I'm compelled by this imagery
S2: that he's giving us of a city on a hill
S2: that cannot be hidden. One of the things that aggravates
S2: me about the church is that often church. Oftentimes the
S2: church seems invisible. People don't even know the church is around.
S2: They don't know what the church is doing, oftentimes, because
S2: the light of the church has been contained in the
S2: four walls of a worship service. What I love about
S2: this building that we're in right now is that it
S2: was a factory. Some of you really didn't like it
S2: when you walked in. You're like, wow. Seriously a factory?
S2: I'm not going to go to that poor church. They
S2: don't even have money to build statues, man. They they need, like,
S2: up their offerings. I don't want people to know that
S2: this is a church because there's a steeple on it
S2: or a cross on it. I want people to know
S2: that this is a family full of faith, a community place,
S2: because they've been touched by people in this place. I
S2: want them to know. I want them to know because
S2: their cousin, who was suicidal, had people reach out to them,
S2: and now they're having hope and getting on target. I
S2: want them to know, because a couple on the verge
S2: of divorce came here and they had fusion Ministry reach
S2: out to them and help them out and get them
S2: on track. And now they're walking. Well, I want them
S2: to know, because there was a 16 year old nephew
S2: that came and he was a he was involved in gangs,
S2: and he realized, there's a way out of this, and
S2: you don't have to live in violence, but God has
S2: a purpose and a destiny. And they got out of there.
S2: I want them to know because someone was addicted to
S2: drugs and they came to celebrate recovery. Support recovery. And
S2: they broke their addiction and got out. I want them
S2: to know this place, because there was a man who
S2: had no idea what it was to be a father,
S2: and was taught by men in the church to step
S2: up to the plate of responsibility, to love his wife, to,
S2: to to guide his children, to take care of his family.
S2: I want people to know because they see the good
S2: deeds and they say that is a church because people
S2: of God are full of God.
S1: That's Mark Jobe and a lesson titled Stepping Up to
S1: a New You here on Bold Steps. We'll get to
S1: the final half in just a moment, but let me
S1: remind you that all of these daily messages are available
S1: for listening any time over on our main website at bird-stamps.org.
S1: And if you'd enjoy hearing these Bible lessons on the move,
S1: whether you're out traveling or exercising, then you'll love our podcast.
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S1: Now back to today's lesson. Here again is Mark Jobe
S1: with more bold steps.
S2: I believe that. So to wrap things up, let me
S2: just close with this. I believe that there's two types
S2: of light managers. And Jesus says neither do people light
S2: a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they
S2: put it on a stand and it gives light to everyone.
S2: I believe there's undercover Christians. That means they have a light,
S2: but they keep it undercover for whatever reason. Sometimes you
S2: know that we live in a world that's hostile towards Christians.
S2: A lot of people have stereotypes, and so you keep
S2: it undercover. You're the kind of person that goes to work,
S2: and you kind of feel like you should pray before
S2: your meal, but you don't want people to see you
S2: praying so you get a headache. Or you drop your napkin. Lord,
S2: I pray for this one for you, Jesus. Thank you Jesus,
S2: but you don't want people to know about it. You
S2: don't want people to know because you think people are
S2: going to think you're weird, wacko, fanatic, you know, holy roller,
S2: right wing extremists, whatever it is. Abortion clinic bomber. And
S2: so you say, well, I'm not going to I'm not
S2: going to let people know what I am. And so you,
S2: you just kind of keep it under cover, but or
S2: you're just awkward about your faith. And I want you
S2: to know that you let your light shine naturally. I've
S2: been married to my wife, Dee, for 26 years. You
S2: know I love her. She's a part of my life.
S2: If you know me for some time, I'll talk about her. Why?
S2: Because she's part of who I am. If you've known
S2: me for three years, it would be really weird if
S2: you knew me for three years and talked with me,
S2: worked with me somehow. And then my wife comes in
S2: and you say, wow, you're married. I think my wife
S2: would be like, yeah, no, I'm married. If you know
S2: me because she's a part of my life, I'll talk
S2: to you about. I'll talk to you about my kids.
S2: I'll talk to you about my wife. Why? It's natural.
S2: It's normal. Part of you knowing who I am. And
S2: she's such an important part of who I am. I'm
S2: going to talk about her and it's going to come out.
S2: That's the way it is with Jesus. Now, when I
S2: meet people, I don't say, hi, I'm Mark and by
S2: the way, I'm married. And here's a picture of my wife.
S2: And we've been married for 25 years. You'd say, well,
S2: that's a strange and weird. I don't do that. I
S2: just comes out naturally. But sometimes we talk about Jesus
S2: that way. We feel compelled and we meet someone. And
S2: by the way, I'm a Christian. You need to get saved, too. And. No, no, no,
S2: just hey, just chill out a little bit. Take a
S2: deep breath. Let Jesus shine. You don't have to be
S2: a preacher. You don't have to put on a King
S2: James voice when you talk to people about Jesus. Your
S2: first conversation. You don't have to give people a CD
S2: of pastor Mark. You don't have to do that. Love
S2: Jesus and let your love for Jesus come out naturally
S2: and talk about life and people. But but don't don't
S2: carve Jesus out of your conversation either. Let people know
S2: he's important and and people that are interested will ask,
S2: and so what is that Jesus stuff you're talking about?
S2: And then it allows you to be natural about your witness.
S2: And so some people are undercover. Some people are lampstand Christians.
S2: That means that you don't cover you live it out
S2: among people and you influence many people. And and I'll
S2: close with this. Listen, there's three things I want you
S2: to do to be a lamp stand. Lamp stand, Christian.
S2: And if you feel like you're light and salt hasn't
S2: been out as much as it should, I want to
S2: challenge you in three ways. Number one. Number one, tell
S2: your Jesus story. Everybody has a Jesus story. If you
S2: know Jesus, you have a story. It doesn't have to
S2: be dramatic. It doesn't have to be a like a
S2: television series drama. It's your story, but it's your story.
S2: And here's the thing about your story. No one can
S2: argue with your story because it's yours. People debate theology
S2: and people argue religion, but they can't debate your story.
S2: When you tell your story, someone says, I don't think
S2: it happened that way. No, hey, this is my story.
S2: Not your story. You can't tell me my story is
S2: not my story. Don't try to be a theologian. Just
S2: tell your story. Tell your Jesus story and tell it often. Secondly,
S2: live the Jesus life. See if you're telling your story,
S2: but you're not living the Jesus life well, people are
S2: going to see the dissonance between your life and what
S2: you say. It doesn't mean you're perfect, but it means
S2: that you, when you fail, you admit it. It means
S2: that you're living with integrity. You're trying to live the
S2: Jesus lifestyle. You're you're trying to walk with integrity. You're
S2: trying to allow how you live and how you work
S2: and what you say and how you talk. Reflect that
S2: you are a follower of Jesus. And number three, join
S2: the Jesus community. You see, a city on a hill
S2: cannot be hidden. One light can be hidden. Two lights maybe,
S2: but three, four, five, six, seven, ten, 20, 30, 40, 50, 100, 200, 300, 405, six, seven,
S2: a thousand. It's hard to ignore. Thousands of lights put together.
S2: It just can't be ignored. And when we start living
S2: for Jesus Christ and influencing our society, and when we
S2: come together as a community of faith, the light of
S2: Jesus Christ will attract other people in this place. I
S2: don't want to be a cloistered, closed, four walls type
S2: of place. I want to be a place that every Sunday,
S2: every activity that we do. People are being drawn in
S2: that have no religious background or very religious or haven't visited. Listen,
S2: if you're here and you haven't been to church in
S2: ten years, I'm really glad you're here. And I hope
S2: we didn't scare you off. Seriously, I'm really glad you're here.
S2: And I hope that it was the life of someone.
S2: Or the testimony of the words, or the love or
S2: the grace or the invitation of someone that compelled you
S2: to come to a place like this. And I have
S2: to say, I'm absolutely biased. 100% biased. If you come,
S2: I want to see you follow Jesus. I do. I
S2: have an agenda. I'll be up front. My agenda is
S2: I want you to know the God that I know
S2: and experience. His love and his compassion and his forgiveness
S2: and his power and the fullness of the joy that
S2: I've experienced through His Son, Jesus Christ. And I'm upfront
S2: about that agenda. I'm biased towards Jesus, and I want
S2: you to know him because I believe it's the best
S2: decision you ever make in your entire life. I really do.
S2: I believe it. Yes, I am biased about Jesus and
S2: this program. We want people. Wherever you're at, listening in
S2: whatever state you're at to be drawn to Jesus, and
S2: we are unabashedly calling you. If you're not a follower
S2: of Jesus, to make a decision to follow Jesus and
S2: make no apology about that.
S1: You're right up front with us on radio, just as
S1: you were when you preached this message in church.
S2: Mark, you know, this past Sunday, I preached and a
S2: couple came forward who had been invited by someone and
S2: they told me they're not church goers. They were living together,
S2: have two kids. The one guy was all, you know,
S2: tatted up. I could tell he came from a rough background.
S2: And so I said, can I pray with you? And
S2: they looked at each other and said, yes. And so
S2: I just prayed over them a short prayer. But when
S2: I opened up my eyes, they were both crying. Two
S2: people that admittedly, we don't go to church, we don't
S2: have a church background. And I just I know that
S2: they sense the love of God. And there's something powerful
S2: about the love of God that draws us to himself,
S2: even if you don't fully understand what it is. And
S2: so if you're listening today and you are feeling that tug,
S2: I want to encourage you to go to Bold Steps Radio.
S2: There's a little video that I have trying to briefly
S2: explain what it means to be a follower of Jesus,
S2: and I would encourage you to go there.
S1: Yeah, just go to Bold Steps. Org and click the
S1: connect tab and look for the drop down. My next
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