Salt And Light Series

Series: Cliff Hangers - part 2

Introduction to series: last week we started a series out of Matthew from Jesus famous Sermon on the Mount teaching. We will be gleaming spiritual truths from Jesus owns words as He addresses the crowd that is following Him.

We are calling our series “Cliff Hangers”

These teachings will be risky, some would even say dangerous, they would be teachings that would be opposite of what the religious leaders of the day were teaching, they would become points of dissension and points of exhilaration.

What Jesus was about to teach them would put them on the edge of their seats and totally change the way people of this day thought or perceived what the Kingdom of God was. Jesus teaching along with their acceptance by the crowd would change the course of history between God and mankind.

Sermon: Salt licks and Spot lights/Salt and Light

Scripture Texts:

Matthew 5:13-16: 13“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 14“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Illustration:

Reference the how to video: http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-make-a-light-turn-on-with-salt-and-water. Props on stage: Salt block, bag of road salt, table salt, and spot light. On table light bulb connected to socket with loose wires in jar of water and table salt. Pour salt into water light will turn on.

Application: I find it amazing that Jesus first says to those who are part of the Kingdom of God that they are salt – a powerful preserving force in this decaying world. He then tells them that Saltiness is to be expected of every believer – their job is to preserve society and then be a light to all so they can find their way to God.

Salt can be the acronym – S.A.L.T. – Salt and Light Together.

Thesis: Jesus said we are the salt a preservative of this world created by God and we are also His created light which will lead people out of darkness. One works quietly behind the scenes but you can taste and see what it keeps from spoiling, while on the other hand light is very blatant and all will see it. Light is not hidden and behind the scenes but in the fore front of life.

Introduction:

Salt and light are two essential ingredients we need for life - one is a preservative designed by God to keep things from spoiling and the other lights up our days also designed by God and it helps us to see in the darkness of night. Jesus on the mount looks at the crowd and informs them that they are the salt and light of the earth. He points to their earth – their society – their village or city. I am sure the crowd of every day normal people and hurting people thought “Who me?” I am a preserving force in my village? I am a beacon of light for God in my hometown and residence? Jesus lets them know that the people who reside, who align with the beatitudes just spoken about are the preservatives in this world, their silent presence keeps this world from totally rotting and spoiling. He then adds that they also are the ones who can light the way to God in the darkness of evil. They are the ones who can light the way for a lost and dark world. Now interesting salt is not seen but tasted and light is seen vividly – one works quietly and another is very blatant – very obvious.

I. We are to be salt in this society and this world which keeps it from decaying.

a. The benefits of salt from Paul Fritz (Paul Fritz at sermoncentral.com 40 benefits of salt and light):

i. As I pondered over Paul’s list of benefits I picked out 12 benefits of salt to go with my message today. As I read this list of benefits think about the importance of salt in our society and how important salt was back in the days of Jesus when they had no refrigeration.

• Preserves

• Purifies

• Flavors

• Melts Ice

• Works quietly but has power

• Creates Thirst

• Heals

• Inexpensive but valuable

• Necessary for life

• Universally Available

• Works in all temperatures

• Created by God