A New Beginning
Greg Laurie
Some things seem impossible. But with God, nothing is. Even our nation, which seems so filled with darkness, can change with the Lord. Yes, there is hope for America. And it starts with Christians. Christians are salt and light. Salt preserves. Salt stimulates thirst. Light exposes darkness and shows the way out. And as salt and light, Christians must infiltrate culture, not isolate. Christians are not called to evade, but invade. And who knows? You may be the only representative of Jesus some people will ever see! They may never read the Bible, but they’ll read your life. Notes: Some things just seem impossible. But with God, nothing is impossible. Our country is in a state of moral and spiritual crisis. We have two options before us as a nation: judgment or revival. Read Matthew 5:13–16 (NKJV) The world needs salt because it is corrupt and light because it is dark. This world will get worse before it gets better.2 Timothy 3:13 Sometimes Christians try to isolate. Jesus has not called us to isolate, but to infiltrate. Not to evade but to invade. Jesus is sending us into the world. Before the American Revolution, there was spiritual revelation. The American Revolution worked because it was rooted in spiritual and biblical principles. “To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest gloryto add the more distinguished character of Christian”. —George Washington “The Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other.” —John Adams We must stand for truth, whether it is popular or not. To reach our culture, we must use a language people understand. 1 Corinthians 9:22–23 We need to bring them the message of the gospel. 2 Corinthians 2:14–15 But before we can effectively tell them, we must first live it. Salt PreservesThe main function of salt in Jesus’ day was preservation. Christians, like salt, are also here to preserve. Salt Stimulates ThirstAs we live godly lives, we make other people thirsty for God. We cannot stimulate spiritual thirst in others if we have lost our own. We cannot be used by God to stop the corruption of sin in others if sin has corrupted us.Matthew 5:13 Jesus first says we are to be salt, then He says we are to be light. Salt is hidden, whereas light is obvious.Salt works secretly while light works openly.Salt works from within, but light works from without. Salt works primarily through our living, while light works through what we say to others. Light exposes the darkness. You are the only representative of Jesus Christ that many nonbelievers will ever see. We need to infiltrate, not isolate, being both salt and light. We need to pray.2 Chronicles 7:14 We need to preach the gospel message. There is hope for America, and there is hope for you. Hebrews 4:7(b)If you can hear His voice, harden not your heart. Experience the Harvest Crusade on July 11 when you watch online! — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
