Introduction

Good morning, church family! Today, we're going to dive into a portion of Jesus' famous Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew 5. In these verses, Jesus calls his followers to be both "the salt of the earth" and "the light of the world." He's challenging us to live out our faith in such a way that we make a real difference in the world around us.

As Dwight L. Moody once wrote, "We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won't need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don't fire cannons to call attention to their shining- they just shine."

Let's read the passage together:

"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 underfoot.

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither 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. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:13-16)

As we explore what it means to be salt and light in our world today, let's begin with a word of prayer.

Heavenly Father, thank you for this opportunity to gather together as your people. We ask that your Holy Spirit would be present with us, opening our hearts and minds to your Word. Help us to understand what it means to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. And may our lives reflect your love, grace, and truth to those around us. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

The Salt of the Earth

In the ancient world, salt was a valuable commodity. It was used for various purposes, including preserving food, enhancing flavor, and even as a form of currency. In fact, the word "salary" comes from the Latin word "salarium," which was a payment made to Roman soldiers in salt. So, when Jesus calls his followers the salt of the earth, he is emphasizing their value and importance in the world.

One of the primary functions of salt, as mentioned, is to preserve food. In a time before refrigeration, salt was used to keep meat from spoiling and to maintain its freshness. In the same way, as Christians, we are called to be a preserving influence in the world. We are to stand against the moral decay and corruption that threaten to spoil society. By living out our faith and upholding God's standards of righteousness, we can help to maintain the moral fabric of our communities and our world.

Another aspect of salt is its ability to enhance flavor. Have you ever eaten a meal that was bland and tasteless, only to have it transformed by the simple addition of salt? In the same way, as followers of Jesus, we are called to bring flavor and richness to the lives of those around us. We do this by demonstrating the love, joy, peace, and hope that come from a relationship with Christ. As we live out our faith in our daily lives, we can bring a sense of purpose and meaning to those who are searching for something more in life.

Salt also has a purifying effect. In ancient times, salt was used to cleanse wounds and prevent infection. Similarly, as Christians, we are called to be agents of healing and restoration in our broken world. Through acts of compassion, mercy, and justice, we can help to bring healing to the wounds of our society and to the hearts of those who are hurting.

However, Jesus also gives a warning in this passage. He says that if salt loses its saltiness, it is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. This is a sobering reminder that our influence in the world is contingent upon our faithfulness to Christ and our commitment to living out his teachings. If we lose our distinctiveness as followers of Jesus, we risk becoming irrelevant and ineffective in our mission to be salt and light in the world.

It's important to note that Jesus does not say that we should become the salt of the earth, but rather that we are the salt of the earth. This means that our identity as salt is not something we have to strive for or earn, but rather it is a reality that flows from our relationship with Christ. As we grow in our faith and deepen our connection with Jesus, we will naturally become more effective in our role as the salt of the earth.

So, how do we ensure that we maintain our saltiness and fulfill our calling as the salt of the earth? First, we must stay connected to Jesus, the source of our saltiness. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit unless it remains connected to the vine, we cannot be effective in our mission as salt and light unless we remain connected to Jesus through prayer, worship, and the study of his Word.

Second, we must be intentional about living out our faith in the world. This means not only avoiding the moral decay and corruption that threaten to spoil society, but also actively working to bring flavor, richness, and healing to the lives of those around us. This might involve serving our neighbors in practical ways, advocating for justice and mercy in our communities, or sharing the hope of the gospel with those who are searching for meaning and purpose in life.

And third, we must be willing to embrace our distinctiveness as followers of Jesus. In a world that often values conformity and compromise, it can be tempting to downplay our faith or to blend in with the culture around us. However, Jesus calls us to be a distinctive presence in the world, standing out as a beacon of hope, love, and truth in the midst of darkness and despair.

The Light of the World

In the second part of this passage, Jesus refers to his followers as "the light of the world ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO