Salt — esp. in the ancient world — was viewed as that which gave purifying, seasoning, and preserving qualities and was a symbol of endurance and value.

Scripture is full of describing the people of God as being salted, having salt lives. The salt of course in this case is symbolic for something else. By the Word of Christ and the Holy Spirit, God’s people salt the world, preserve the Word and therefore God’s presence in the world, they “season” the world with the love of God and the proclamation of the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. And the Christians themselves are salted so that they may endure…through all trial and tribulation. And they have value, the value of those who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.

We will expound on the salt theme as it relates to our Gospel this Sunday in Mark 9. It is the salt of discipleship and will address:

1. The radical words of Jesus to cut off the hand, cut off the foot, and tear out the eye.

2. Further teach on hell…something the world tries desperately to ignore or “water down”…if you get my meaning.

3. The biblical teaching of TWO fires, there is a bad kind and a good kind.

4. How salt relates to the Word and the Word to salt in the life of the Christian.

You will grow in your knowledge of the Word and beyond that, you will receive the Spirit’s working through the Word to bless you and strengthen your faith…you will be salted.

We will as always receive the pure Gospel through the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

This has been a week of the reminders of issues that Christians are concerned about — like defending life at all stages — but without the life of Jesus all of our social efforts for good will be for naught. We need Jesus Himself. This is why we come to Divine Service: to get Jesus and the life that flows from Him.

Also this Sunday:

1. A special blessing and Godspeed to Robby Flores who is off to Oxford for a semester.

2. Children’s Message in the service.

3. Adult Bible Study and Children’s Sunday School.

We rejoice in God’s gifts to us!

Also, please pray for a wedding service being conducted on Saturday, September 26th. Our ministry (I’m conducting on our behalf) is facilitating the holy matrimony of Juan Valles and Sierra Alexis Mays (daughter of members of Saint Paul’s, Jeff & Vicki Mays). Keep Juan and Sierra in your prayers. I am so very proud of their testimony of Jesus in their lives. The two will become one and we rejoice with Jeff & Vicki!

Also, please pray: Ruby Cavanaugh, mother to our brother in Christ, Doug Cavanaugh has entered into hospice care. The family has welcomed our ministry to Ruby during this sacred season in her life. Please keep Ruby, Doug, and the entire Cavanaugh family in your prayers.

The Lord bless you this weekend. Live for Jesus…He lived, and died, and lives for you!

In Jesus’ Love,

Pastor Espinosa