The Influence Of One
Have you ever wondered how much influence one person can have? A guard standing on a city wall can sound an alarm and wake a whole city to respond to what otherwise would be certain destruction. One good man may be the means of safety for thousands. A little influence can have a great impact. The influence of one can be enormous.
Christians are called to be “the salt of the earth”. I for one know that by salting my food – putting just a little salt on my food – that I can change the flavor of it drastically. Is it any wonder that Jesus said that we were to be the “salt of the earth”? I cannot imagine what the world would be like without a Christian influence in it.
The book of James touches on the amount of influence one person can have when it says:
“Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.” James 5:17-18 (NKJV)
The prophet Elijah was a servant of God. Holiness was his character – but that was uncommon in his day. Ahab – the king – was a sinner of the blackest dye. His iniquity was glaring and infamous. Ahab made unto himself false gods. The people of Samaria were fallen like their monarch – Ahab’s influence was felt throughout the land. The country had walked away from God. They had forsaken the God of Israel. They had forgotten that the scripture said, “The Lord thy God is one God” and they bowed in wicked idolatry before the idols of the heathens. In the time of Ahab – the scripture of Deuteronomy was coming true:
"If you do not carefully observe all the words of this law that are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and awesome name, THE LORD YOUR GOD, then the Lord will bring upon you and your descendants extraordinary plagues--great and prolonged plagues--and serious and prolonged sicknesses.” Deuteronomy 28:58-59 (NKJV)
Darkness and sickness was covering the land. Moral decay – insensitivity to God and His standards – corrupt political power – open perversion and disobedience – had become the norm.
But God did not forget His people. He sent one grain of salt – one ray of light – one warrior of God – one prophet – one watchman who stood in the watchtower to shout a warning – to save the people from utter destruction. Elijah had a divine influence upon history. The people knew him to be the prophet of the Lord. He had divine credentials. All of his prophecies had been fulfilled. They knew that he was a man sent from God and brought God’s message to the people. Yet the scripture tells us: “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours.”
How much influence can one person have?
Another example of one man who stood in the watchtower – or in this case he was a voice calling in the wilderness - was John the Baptist. A man sent from God to proclaim the coming of God. He was clothed in camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist – surviving on a diet of locusts and wild honey. He shouted for all to hear: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" Matthew 3:2 (NKJV)
He was one grain of salt. He was one shard of light. He was sent to have an influence upon this world. Again I ask: “How much influence can one man have?” The Bible tells us:
“Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.” Matthew 3:5-6 (NKJV)
It is obvious that he had an influence – an impact – on the people he came in contact with.
“A Peanuts cartoon, showed Peppermint Patty talking to Charlie Brown. Peppermint Patty said to Charlie Brown, "Guess what, Chuck. Today was the first day of school, and I got sent to the principal’s office. It was your fault, Chuck." Charlie Brown responded, "My fault? How could it be my fault? Why do you say everything is my fault?" Peppermint Patty answered, "You’re my friend, aren’t you Chuck? Friends have an influence on one another. You should have been a better influence on me."
While Peppermint Patty was seeking to pass the buck – she was right in a very real sense. We should be a good influence on our family and friends. We should be a good influence with those on our jobs. We should be a good influence on those we come in contact with. Jesus said it this way:
"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.” Matthew 5:13 (NKJV)
Jesus does not give us an explicit explanation of the illustration of salt – but it is clear that when He talked about salt – it was used as a description of His followers. Perhaps salt is such a common element that He expected His listeners to understand the usefulness and importance of salt. It was so common – perhaps He did not feel that it needed any explanation. We all have salt sitting on our tables at home. We see salt at cafes and restaurants that we visit. We buy salt to put on the ice on our sidewalks and driveways. Salt is very common. But allow me this morning to talk about the importance of salt.
1. Salt is essential for LIFE
You cannot survive without salt.
Sodium – one of the key elements in salt is what the body requires in order to perform a variety of essential functions. Salt helps maintain the fluid in our blood cells and is used to transmit information in our nerves and muscles. It is also used in the uptake of certain nutrients from our small intestines. The body cannot make salt and so we are reliant on food to ensure that we get the required intake. Without salt our bodies would not function properly.
Because salt is a necessity of life – in ancient times – great value was attached to it. Salt was so important that it was sometimes used in place of money. The Roman soldiers of Jesus’ day were at times paid with it. In fact, our word “salary” comes from the Latin word “salarium” which referred to the payments to the soldiers with salt.
We still use the phrase, “worth their salt” when we refer to the value of one’s productivity. Today we don’t think much about salt because it is so common that all we have to do is run to the store and pick some up. It is pure. It is clean. It is white. We can get as much of it as our money can buy. But it only takes a small amount to keep our bodies functioning properly.
Let me give a word of caution here – don’t go out and load your food down with salt – and say: “Well my pastor told me salt is good me – therefore I need more of it.” That is not what I am saying. I am saying that salt is essential for life – and a small amount of it has a great impact on how your body functions. Don’t ignore the importance of salt in your diet – a small amount does have a great impact. A small amount of salt is essential for life.
That brings me to the second point:
2. Salt has MEDICINAL properties
How many of you have been told by your doctor to gargle with salt water when you have had a sore throat. I know that I have. I have also been told by a doctor to limit my salt intake because of the effects that it can have on my body. Not enough salt can cause physical problems – but so can too much salt. You see – salt can have an influence on your body chemistry – for better or for worse.
I don’t think that there is anyone here who does not realize that there is spiritual sickness in our world. All one has to do is read a newspaper or watch the news to see the effects that sin has had on our world, our nation and our neighborhoods. We as Christians are called to be a moral antiseptic for a sin sick world. Perhaps when Jesus called His followers “salt of the earth” – He knew His disciples would have a great influence on the spiritual sickness of the world. Jesus said,
“Healthy people don’t need a doctor; those who are sick do.” Matthew 9:12 (GW)
You are the salt of the earth – you can help a sin sick world become healthy - you can have an impact for good in your world by being an influence for God. You are the "salt of the earth" to those people you come in contact with.
Point three:
3. Salt is a PRESERVATIVE
Salt for years has been used to preserve meat. In a culture that does not have refrigeration – salt is important in its ability to preserve food. Salt was rubbed into the meat before it was stored. Salt helped at hindering the process of decay. Since the fall of man – spiritual decay has been present in our world. Christians we have been called to have an influence against the forces of spiritual decay in this world. We are the salt of the earth. There should be no doubt that Christianity has had an impact on the world. James Kennedy writes:
“The most dramatic impact of Christianity on the world is that it has attached new value to human life. Prior to Christianity infanticide, and abandonment of children was a common practice. Hospitals as we now know them began through influence of Christianity. The Red Cross was started by an evangelical Christian. Almost every one of the first 123 colleges and universities in the United States has Christian origins, founded by Christians for Christian purposes. The same could be said of orphanages, adoption agencies, humane treatment of the insane, the list goes on and on of dramatic impact of Christianity in our world.” [D. James Kennedy. “What If Jesus Had Never Been Born?” (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Pub., 1994) pp. 3- 4]
Many of us may not start a school or work in a hospital – but we should be an influence in our world by living as Christ would live. Our behavior should reflect the fact that God has made a change in our lives. You don’t have to live like everyone else to have an influence on others. As Christians we need to stand out from the crowd. Dare to be different. Dare to live up to Christ’s standards of living. The Bible says:
“He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." 1 Peter 1:15-16 (NKJV)
Have a holy influence on the world around you. Preserve holiness. Preserve godliness. Preserve purity – by living in such a way that you are pleasing your Father in heaven.
If we as Christians lose the qualities of Christ-likeness that make us distinct and become like the society around us, we no longer have a positive impact. We become part of the problem instead of a preservative. You have been called to be, “the salt of the earth.”
Point four - in the Old Testament:
4. Salt was used to promote the HEALTH of a child
There is an interesting passage of scripture found in the book of Ezekiel. It reads:
“As for your nativity, on the day you were born your navel cord was not cut, nor were you washed in water to cleanse you; you were not rubbed with salt nor wrapped in swaddling cloths.” Ezekiel 16:4 (NKJV)
In Old Testament times when a child born - it was prepared for living in this world by cutting of the umbilical cord – washing in water – and rubbed with salt. Wesley has said, “Salt was used to purge, dry, and strengthen the new - born child.”
One commentary says:
“After the washing, the body was rubbed with salt, according to a custom very widely spread in ancient times, and still met with here and there in the East; and that not merely for the purpose of making the skin drier and firmer, or of cleansing it more thoroughly, but probably from a regard to the virtue of salt as a protection from putrefaction, “to express in a symbolical manner a hope and desire for the vigorous health of the child” (Hitzig and Hävernick)
Folks we have a responsibility to new-born babes in Christ. We have been placed here to care for them and to assist them in living healthy Christian lives. The church is family – and a family cares for its babies. What kind of family would leave its new-born out in the cold and not care for it? We are to help them – cut off the ties of living in sin. We are to help them – get cleaned up. We are to help them – stay away from the infections of a spiritually polluted world. Let your salt rub off on them – be an influence for godliness and holiness.
5. Salt can kill WEEDS
At my home I have planted four rows of asparagus. Every year since I planted the rows - I have been fighting with weeds in the asparagus bed. I have pulled weeds and pulled weeds trying to keep the asparagus bed clear of unwanted plants. This year I am trying a different method of weed control. I found this formula in an old Organic Gardening magazine. I have put rock salt on my asparagus rows. Plants that don’t like salt – or have shallow roots will die – because of the salt. As you know – asparagus roots are deep and those roots will not be affected - plants with shallow roots will be affected. I want to get rid of the weeds.
I don’t know about you – but there are spiritual weeds that I want to get rid of also - things in my life that need “rooted out” – some things that keep coming back like unwanted weeds. The Bible says:
“Make sure no one gets left out of God’s generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time.” Hebrews 12:15 (MSG)
I am hoping that the salt that I have placed in my asparagus bed will rid the plot of unwanted weeds. But in my life I need to place - the grace of God – His mercy – His love - in the hope that these will "root out" the weeds of bitterness – anger - low self esteem – that grow in my life. I need to pray, "Cleanse me O Lord of those unwanted weeds that affect my life - and replace them with fruit bearing plants for your kingdom."
Point six:
6. Salt has the power to MELT ICE
If you have ever lived in an area of the country where you get snow and ice – you are aware of the power of salt on ice. If you have a sheet of ice on your sidewalk or driveway – place some common table salt or some rock salt on it and see what happens.
Folks I believe as Christians we are to have that kind of influence on a cold – hard – ice covered world. I know for one that God’s grace – love and mercy has the power to change people. It can take a heart of stone and turn it into a heart of flesh. Look at what Ezekiel says:
“I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.” Ezekiel 36:26 (NLT)
God has the ability to change lives. He has the ability to turn things upside down. He can take things that are broken and fix them. He can take a heart of stone and turn it into a heart of flesh. He can take that which is cold and make it warm and He has called us – allowed us – to be involved in the life change business. You can have an influence on the people around you – just like salt has an influence on ice. Show people love – just like God showed it to you. Show people mercy – just like God showed it to you. Show people forgiveness – just like God showed it to you and see what happens. You may live in a cold world – but get active – touch the world and see what happens.
"You are the salt of the earth.” Matthew 5:13 (NKJV)
Let me give you one more point about salt.
7. Salt promotes THIRST
When I eat salty foods I find that I drink more water – don’t you? Pretzels, pop corn, potato chips – all have an effect on me. They make me want to drink more. They promote thirst.
Christian – do you promote thirst in a dry and arid land? Do you promote a desire by your lifestyle that others say, “I don’t know what they got – but whatever it is – I need some of that.” Christians – we are to make Christ attractive and desirable. He is “The Lily of the Valley”, He is “The Bright and Morning Star”, He is “The King of Glory”, He is “The Alpha and the Omega”, He is “The Beginning and the End” and He needs to be proclaimed and promoted throughout the ages. Christian – do you lift Him up? Do you proclaim His name? Do you tell thirsty people where they can get a drink of cold water? Do you tell them where the fountain of life is? Jesus said,
"I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” John 6:35 (NKJV)
But here is the warning:
Salt Can Lose Its USEFULNESS
Remember what Jesus said,
"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.” Matthew 5:13 (NKJV)
Harsh words – a harsh reality.
Someone has said,
“Whenever the church becomes a salt warehouse rather than a distribution center it has lost its effectiveness.”
At the point where we stop being salty – we have lost our influence. Jesus said,
"You are the salt of the earth.” Matthew 5:13 (NKJV)
But there is a horrifying new trend today. George Barna – the church statistician, says that research shows that, “… the average Christian in the average church is almost indistinguishable from the rest of society.”
Christian – where is your salty-ness? Where is your godly influence?
To be salt – you do not need to be spectacular
To be salt – you do not need to be sensational
To be salt – all you need to be is salty
(A sermon by C.H. Spurgeon inspired this sermon.)
