Recently I asked our new associate pastor, Paul Tessari, to write an article for the TruthWalk blog. Here's what Paul had to say:
I was recently invited to speak at a Bible study given on the campus of a local public high school. To be honest I was amazed that anyone from a public high school would even want to attend a Bible study. Let’s face it, even when I was in high school (over 20 years ago), there were few who would dare attend such an event, even if you were a Christian.
I admit, I was a bit nervous. After all, just prior to my visit I received a call from the principal emphasizing the separation of church and state. He was both kind and courteous and confessed to me that he too was a Christian. Yet there was a tension there and I knew it.
“What can I share from the Word that might help these youngsters?” I thought. How can I encourage them when they are faced daily with temptation, scorn, and ridicule?
I thought of Matthew 5:13-16,
This text calls us to be an influence for the Lord in whatever circumstances we find ourselves; and this is what I shared with them that day.
We are not to shrink back from the opposition but told to be salt and light.
Salt was an immensely valuable commodity in the ancient world. The Romans considered its importance second only that of the sun. In fact, at times, Roman soldiers were paid their wages in salt. That is where the phrase “worth his weight in salt” comes from. The primary thing the Lord had in mind when speaking of salt in this text was its ability to act as a preservative and to prevent decay. It is our call to stop the spiritual and moral spoilage of our time and to keep ourselves unspotted from the world. This however, is not a call to protest in the conventional sense. It is through our love for Christ that we impact our community and affect the culture we live in. By this we are the salt of the earth.
Yet, we are also described by our Lord as the “light of the world,” The properties of light do many wonderful things. Primarily though, light dispels the darkness and reveals the truth of our surroundings. Without light we cannot see. We are blind. As children of the Light (Eph. 5:8) we reveal the truths of Scripture and we proclaim Christ until He comes. This is our blessed responsibility, no matter what our surrounding. We are His witnesses on earth, His ambassadors. We proclaim the culminating truth of Scripture that Jesus Christ is Lord.
How then did I attempt to encourage these high schoolers? Do not hide your Christianity. Influence the world around you and be dif-ferent than the world. Be yourself! Be a Christian! Let every action point people to Christ. Live what you believe and God will be glorified by it. Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good (Rom. 12:21).
Practically this works itself out in not yielding to the peer pressure of those around you; resisting the appeal to be involved in sex, drugs or any other worldly enticement. Don't be a hypocrite, live what you believe. You may not be able to stop the actions of others but, by your witness, you can reveal them for what they are—darkness. Remember, that God has not left us as orphans but promises to be with us during times of temptation and trial (Matt. 28:20). In these circumstances Scripture tells us to cast all our fears on Him for He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). We need only be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (not ours).
In the same way that one little candle can illuminate the darkness of an entire room so should our witness be for Christ. Ever burning until He comes.
I admit, I was a bit nervous. After all, just prior to my visit I received a call from the principal emphasizing the separation of church and state. He was both kind and courteous and confessed to me that he too was a Christian. Yet there was a tension there and I knew it.
“What can I share from the Word that might help these youngsters?” I thought. How can I encourage them when they are faced daily with temptation, scorn, and ridicule?
I thought of Matthew 5:13-16,
You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become taste-less, how can it be made salty again; It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. You are the light of the World. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden, nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.When I entered the class room I was surprised to see several students and a teacher. “These,” I thought, “are the soldiers of Christ in this school.” They are the “light” amidst the darkness. In a day where high schools hold Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Transgender Appreciation Days (Newton North High, Dec. 17th, 2008)—How are these young warriors to respond? Again, I thought of Matthew 5:13-16.
This text calls us to be an influence for the Lord in whatever circumstances we find ourselves; and this is what I shared with them that day.
We are not to shrink back from the opposition but told to be salt and light.
Salt was an immensely valuable commodity in the ancient world. The Romans considered its importance second only that of the sun. In fact, at times, Roman soldiers were paid their wages in salt. That is where the phrase “worth his weight in salt” comes from. The primary thing the Lord had in mind when speaking of salt in this text was its ability to act as a preservative and to prevent decay. It is our call to stop the spiritual and moral spoilage of our time and to keep ourselves unspotted from the world. This however, is not a call to protest in the conventional sense. It is through our love for Christ that we impact our community and affect the culture we live in. By this we are the salt of the earth.
Yet, we are also described by our Lord as the “light of the world,” The properties of light do many wonderful things. Primarily though, light dispels the darkness and reveals the truth of our surroundings. Without light we cannot see. We are blind. As children of the Light (Eph. 5:8) we reveal the truths of Scripture and we proclaim Christ until He comes. This is our blessed responsibility, no matter what our surrounding. We are His witnesses on earth, His ambassadors. We proclaim the culminating truth of Scripture that Jesus Christ is Lord.
How then did I attempt to encourage these high schoolers? Do not hide your Christianity. Influence the world around you and be dif-ferent than the world. Be yourself! Be a Christian! Let every action point people to Christ. Live what you believe and God will be glorified by it. Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good (Rom. 12:21).
Practically this works itself out in not yielding to the peer pressure of those around you; resisting the appeal to be involved in sex, drugs or any other worldly enticement. Don't be a hypocrite, live what you believe. You may not be able to stop the actions of others but, by your witness, you can reveal them for what they are—darkness. Remember, that God has not left us as orphans but promises to be with us during times of temptation and trial (Matt. 28:20). In these circumstances Scripture tells us to cast all our fears on Him for He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). We need only be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (not ours).
In the same way that one little candle can illuminate the darkness of an entire room so should our witness be for Christ. Ever burning until He comes.