Message Notes
Stranger Mission
9/13/2026
Matthew 26:31: “Tonight all of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say, ‘God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’” “But after I have been raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.”
Matthew 28:18-20: “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.”
Matthew 5:13-16: “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”
Jesus is basically saying, “If you're going to follow me, “You're going to live differently.”
You're going to think differently.
You're going to love differently.
You're going to trust differently.
You're going to have courage differently.
You're going to experience peace differently.
And…you are going to live on mission differently.
You have to live on mission if you’re truly serious about following Jesus and living differently because “The Kingdom of God is an upside-down Kingdom.”
Primary functions of salt: Preservation
We are a “No Perfect People Allowed Church!”
You want to be a preservative? We call that having a heart to Reach the ONE here at Crossroads.
Primary functions of salt: Add flavor
Matthew 5:3-10: “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.
God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.”
These were shocking revelations from Jesus! Totally countercultural, this was Jesus explaining this “upside-down vision of the Kingdom of God” and it was jarring and shocking.
“Our role as salt in the world around us is to provoke thirst.”
Matthew 22:17-22: Now tell us what you think about this: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” But Jesus knew their evil motives. “You hypocrites!” he said. “Why are you trying to trap me? Here, show me the coin used for the tax.” When they handed him a Roman coin, he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. “Well, then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” His reply amazed them, and they went away.