Salt & Light Series

Salt + Light | Matthew 5:13-16

The beatitudes reveal the character of a Christian; salt and light reveal the influence of a Christian.

You are the salt of the earth.

Identity

(1) You are salt (because) you are blessed.

(2) Jesus tells us who we are because of what he has already done. We must ask, who do we see ourselves as?

(3) Because salt was more difficult to come by and often expensive, it had great value. So, when Jesus calls us salt – he is saying YOU HAVE GREAT VALUE!

(4) Losing saltiness: Salt is a chemical compound and does not change easily and is resistant to change however, it can be mixed with impurities making it useless. Christians – when we allow our lives to reflect culture and not Christ; when we live contrary to the way we say we believe – we begin to lose our influence.

(5) When we live out the beatitudes that Jesus described earlier, we have influence

Seasoning

(1) In cooking, salt doesn’t add flavor, it releases flavor by breaking up the cell walls found in vegetables, fruits and meats. This allows us to enjoy the natural flavors already present in the foods we enjoy.

(2) Salt is used as a preservative and made things last longer. Example would be that it kept food lasting longer.

(3) Salt also contained minerals which had health benefits to our bodies. It brought nourishment to us.

Covenant

2 Chronicles 13:5 + Leviticus 2:13 + Numbers 18:19

(1) A covenant is an agreement (often between 2 or more parties).

(2) Salt was also a simple substance that did not change. As it related to covenant, it would “seal” the covenant indicating the agreement would not end.

Our Purpose

(1) We are called, salt of the earth, because we are/have value as sons/daughters of God to release his grace, his truth, his love, his goodness into the world around us. We are called to release the reality of his kingdom into the world.

(2) We are to reveal Jesus to others. To those seeking answers to questions, to those looking for fulfillment (happiness, money, status, job, housing, sex), to those searching for hope, to those searching for meaning!

(3) We are called to steadfast obedience and steadfast integrity and we show that obedience when we live by faith and in our pursuit of unity with other believers, we make an impact for God’s kingdom.

“You are the light of the World.”

(1) The church is God’s plan to continue the work of Christ in this world.

(2) Light was a crucial symbol for the nation of Israel

o Greeks valued knowledge.

o Romans valued glory.

o Americans value freedom.

o Israel valued light (as God is light).

We Are the Church

(1) We are the gospel made visible.

(2) We are God’s plan to reach the world.

(3) We live and shine the light to reveal God to others.

(4) As light, we are living witnesses to show who Jesus is.

(5) We are a catalyst, when others see our lives surrendered to God and they see us living for him/his glory, this inspires them to glorify God. This catalyst can impact those outside the faith and those within the faith (think of when someone’s work inspired you).

(6) Having influence over others reveals our good works – it is also our responsibility to do so!

Joshua 20:1-8

(1) During OT times, Cities of Refuge were constructed specifically for people who committed manslaughter (accident), not intentional/premediated.

(2) “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do…” Jesus put all sin as “unintentional.”

(3) Cities of refuge were places of protection for people. Jesus has become our city of refuge and offers protection for those who will turn to him.

(4) The ones he calls “light of the world” should point to Jesus as a city of refuge; revealing that he offers forgiveness and mercy.

(The Message)

“Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand-shine! By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.”