Understand and live out our calling as Christians to be the 'salt of the earth', to hunger and thirst for righteousness, and to let our lives reflect God's grace and teachings.
Good morning, family. Today we're diving into the heart of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 5:13-22.
Before we delve into the Word, let's consider a profound quote from Karl Barth. He once said, "Grace must find expression in life, otherwise it is not grace." Let that sink in. Our faith isn't just about what we believe, but how we live out that belief in our everyday lives.
Now, let's turn to our Scripture passage:
[Read passage]
Let's open with a prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, as we unpack Your Word today, soften our hearts and sharpen our minds. Help us to understand what it means to be the salt of the earth, to hunger and thirst for righteousness, and to live out these truths in our daily lives. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
In Jesus' time, salt was a highly valued commodity. It was used not only for flavoring and preserving food, but also as a form of currency. So when Jesus tells His followers, "You are the salt of the earth," He is bestowing upon them a great honor and responsibility.
Its ability to bring out the best flavors in food: Similarly, as Christians, we are called to bring out the best in those around us. We are to enhance the lives of others through our words, actions, and attitudes. We are to spread love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control - the fruits of the Spirit - wherever we go. This is a significant part of our calling and mission as followers of Christ.
Its preserving quality: In the days before refrigeration, salt was used to keep meat from spoiling. In the same way, we are called to be preservatives in our world, standing against moral decay and promoting God's standards of righteousness and justice. We are to uphold the truth of God's Word and live it out in our daily lives, even when it's counter-cultural or unpopular.
Its healing property. It was used in ancient times to clean wounds and promote healing. Similarly, we are called to be agents of healing in our broken world. We are to bring the healing power of God's love and grace to those who are hurting, whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually.
If the salt loses its saltiness: Jesus warns it's good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. This is a sobering reminder that we can lose our effectiveness as Christians if we lose our distinctiveness - if we become just like the world around us. We are called to be different, to be set apart, to be holy. We are called to maintain our spiritual fervor and not allow the pressures of the world to dilute our faith.
It’s about influence: As Christians, we are called to influence our world for Christ. We are to be catalysts for positive change, agents of God's love, and ambassadors of His kingdom. This is a high calling, but it's also a great privilege.
Pastor, here would be a good place to share a personal story about how you live out the privilege of being the salt of the earth. What are some tips you can give your congregation so that they can do the same?
The concept of hungering and thirsting for righteousness is a metaphor that Jesus uses to describe the deep longing and desire that should characterize our pursuit of a right relationship with God ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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