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Showing posts from November, 2013

Issues Facing Missions Today: 7. Church and Mission in Mt. 5.13-16

Issues Facing Missions Today: 7. Church and Mission in Mt. 5.13-16 Matthew 5:13-16 (NRSV)   3 "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.  14 "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.  15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.  16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Jesus’ first teaching on the Church’s mission in Matthew’s Gospel appears in Mt. 5.13-16.  In these four verses, we learn at least six things about the Church and its mission.  (1) Size does not matter.  (2) Character is critical for mission.  (3) Effectiveness comes because of purity. (4) Mission entails having something significant to offer the world—God’s reign.