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Series: Living as Citizens of the Kingdom of God “Salt and Light”

“You are the salt of the earth…You are the ”

INTRODUCTION

This lesson is about one of your most valuable and important possessions. It is something everyone has. I have it, and so do you. Everyone, regardless of what else he may or may not have, has it. Even if you sell it, you still have it. After you die, it lives on. I am speaking of your influence. Many passages speak of the need for positive influence, the importance of being a good example (see 1 Peter 2:21; John 13:5; Philippians 3:17; 1 Timothy 4:12; Titus 2:7; 1 Peter 3:1, 2). No other passage, however, speaks so vividly of both the power and purpose of influence as does the text for this lesson.

TURNING THE CORNER

Following the eight short in which described the character of a true disciple. Jesus moved on to describe the responsibility of a true disciple to his world.

THE SALT OF THE EARTH (V. 13)

Jesus began by saying, “You are the salt of the earth” (v. 13a). In verses 13 through 16, He used two elements common in both the ancient and modern worlds: salt and light. These two elements are necessary for life. The Roman senator Pliny (A.D. 62–c. 115) wrote, “Nothing is more useful than salt and sunshine.” In the days of Jesus, salt had many uses. It was used as payment for services. It was an element in some medicines and was used to thaw ice. It was included with Levitical sacrifices (Leviticus 2:13). Encyclopedias say that salt has some 14,000 functions. Many writers believe, however, that Jesus had in mind two basic functions of salt: as a seasoning and as a preservative.

When Christ said that His disciples are the salt of the earth, He was saying something complimentary about His followers and something derogatory about the earth.

• Disciples Influence – (Genesis 18:32; 2 Peter 3:10) • World’s Corruption – (Romans 1:18-32; 2 Timothy 3:1-5)

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Returning to our text, we read, “But if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again?”(:13b).

The Greek word Jesus uses for “tasteless” is MORAINO. It is a curious word meaning “foolish, to play the fool, insipid, dull, flat or deficient.” D. A. Carson noted, “It is hard not to conclude

SERMON ON THE MOUNT “THE ROCK” Mt. Pisgah LESSON 10 2 | Page that disciples who lose their savor are in fact making fools of themselves.” How sad! But it gets worse, because Jesus says of this “tasteless” salt “It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men” (Matthew 5:13c).

Reflect on the power of Jesus statement. When some things lose their primary purpose, they still are good for something.

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Jesus said of salt that has lost its taste, is good for nothing! People just throw it away.” Where did they throw it? On the paths that crisscrossed the country. There it would do no harm, and there it was “trampled under foot by men” (see Luke 14:35).

THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD (VV. 14–16)

The analogy of salt mainly focuses on the negative side of Christian influence. In verse 14 Christ turned to the positive and says “You are the light of the world” (v. 14a; see also 1 John 1:5; John 8:12a; see 9:5; 12:35, 46; Matthew 4:16; Philippians 2:15; KJV).

• Our Source of Our Light (Ephesians 5:8; John 8:12) • Our Purpose for Shining o Dispel Darkness (Ephesians 5:13; John 3:19-20) o Illuminate (“A City” and “A Lamp”)

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Following the illustrations Jesus was ready to emphasize the need for us to let our light shine. He said, “Let your light shine before men . . . that they may see your good works” (v. 16). There is nothing wrong with allowing others to know what we do for the Lord—as long as we do not do it so people will glorify and praise us (:1). It is not the purpose of light to call attention to itself, but to call attention to that which it illuminates.

What we do as Christians should never be for self-promotion, but rather to glorify our heavenly Father (See 1 Corinthians 10:31; 1 Peter 4:11).

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CONCLUSION

You and I will never receive a greater compliment or a greater challenge than we find in Jesus’ words: “You are the salt of the earth; . . . You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:13, 14a). Can you imagine the impact on the world if all who claim to follow Jesus fulfilled these functions? An ancient saying claimed, “If the church truly lived up to her calling for one entire day, the world would be converted by nightfall.” May God help us all to be “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world”!

SERMON ON THE MOUNT “THE ROCK” Mt. Pisgah LESSON 10