A City on a Hill

Transcript:

Hello, this is Pastor Don Willeman of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to The Kingdom Perspective.

The Christian knows that this world will never be perfected until Jesus returns. Nonetheless, we do believe that the church should have a positive and redemptive effect on society in the here-and-now.

But how exactly are we to do this? Well, we do this by being the church—by demonstrating a new society, a new way of living together.

Jesus put it this way,

“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, [Jesus goes on to say] let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16)

Jesus tells us that we are to be a city on a hill—to demonstrate a new social arrangement visible for all to see. Note well, that He does not say we are to be a “chump on a stump”. We are not to be an individual moral prude merely spouting our religious opinions and moral platitudes. Rather, we are to be a city—that is a community. We are to be an alternative society that is redemptive in the midst of an otherwise rancorous culture. We are to be the church.

Thus, the way we live in community as the church is the key element. The most distinctive and attractive thing about us is not merely our individual lives or families, but our corporate life as the church—the family of God. How we treat one another makes us shine like a lighthouse, guiding others to safe harbor.

So, here’s the question: Does your interaction within the church shine like a thing of beauty? Does your attitude toward your fellow believers exude a positivity, fostering greater trust and community?

Something to think about from The Kingdom Perspective.

Matthew 5 (NASB)

13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 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. 16 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.