Why Church decline is nothing new (and what is the antidote)

05 February 2023 is the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany and the main Scripture is Matthew 5:13-20 from the New Testament. The words of Jesus about Christians having to be “Salt and Light” – don’t lost your “saltiness” and “don’t hide your light under a bushel” (as my Granny used to say).

See below for the Matthew text, the order of service and the link to the YouTube video of today’s service.

Main Scripture for today

Matthew 5:13-20 (from The Message Translation of the Bible)
Salt and Light
13 “Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.

14-16 “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

Completing God’s Law
17-18 “Don’t suppose for a minute that I have come to demolish the Scriptures—either God’s Law or the Prophets. I’m not here to demolish but to complete. I am going to put it all together, pull it all together in a vast panorama. God’s Law is more real and lasting than the stars in the sky and the ground at your feet. Long after stars burn out and earth wears out, God’s Law will be alive and working.
19-20 “Trivialize even the smallest item in God’s Law and you will only have trivialized yourself. But take it seriously, show the way for others, and you will find honor in the kingdom. Unless you do far better than the Pharisees in the matters of right living, you won’t know the first thing about entering the kingdom.

Order of Service of 05 February 2023

Welcome and Intimations
Call to Worship
Praise: CH4 616 There’s a spirit in the air
Prayers of Adoration and Confession
Children’s Address
Praise: JP 399 It’s an adventure
JP 258 This little light of mine
Readings: Isaiah 58:1-12 and Psalm 112:1-10
Praise: CH4 252 As a fire is meant for burning
Readings: 1 Corinthians 2:1-16 and Matthew 5:13-20
Sermon
Praise: MP 743 Let the flame burn brighter
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession
Praise: MP 269 I do not know what lies ahead
Benediction and Threefold Amen