Matthew 5:13

DAY 29 Salt and Light; Part 1: SALT

Date: 12-8-2024

Sermon on the Mount

Scripture Matthew 5:13-16

Pray

Read scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

(NIV 1984) 13 “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 by men.

14 You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

Q: So, what are your initial thoughts on this verses? What comes to your mind when you hear Jesus say to you that YOU are the Salt of the Earth and you are the Light of the World?

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS

This section of Matthew immediately follows the Beatitudes. 
Why? Do you see any connection?

In the Beatitudes, Jesus set the foundation for what the character of a true believer could and should look like, and what we someday will look like as we grow in Christlikeness. 

In this section, Jesus presents us with two metaphors, NOT of how we should be living in this fallen world, NOT what we should “be” in this lost and fallen world, but, rather, of what we ARE.

The Beatitudes were like the foundation of the building, giving it structure and stability. The Beatitudes are like a skeletal structure that supports the body. And now, in this section”Salt and Light” section, Jesus is adding muscle and ligaments and flesh to the skeleton. 

The Beatitudes were, in  a general sense, a passive description of the Christian’s character. Now the Salt and Light section is adding action and direction and guidance. 

Salt and Light is not only what we already are. It is what we are to DO.

Being Salt and Light is not passive. It us active. It is intentional. It is proactive. 

In our book on pg 61, what does the “Sporting Idea” say? Anyone want to read it?
(Holman Commentary) SUPPORTING IDEA: “The righteousness of Jesus’ followers must impact their world.“

The “righteousness” is the character of the Christian in the Beatitudes. The words “MUST IMPACT” are action words. 
Let’s unpack this supprting idea just a little bit. 

1. First what is the “righteousness of Jesus followers?”
2. We must remember, it is not our righteousness. Being poor in spirit, we have none of our own. It is Jesus’ Righteousness. 

Romans 1:16-17, which is basically a summary statement for the whole book of Romans, says, “(NIV 1984) 16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

We live by God’s righteousness, not our own. A good illustration of this is that Jesus is like the sun, and we are like the moon. He IS the light. Our job is too reflect the light: His light. 

So, going back to our summary statement, “The righteousness of Jesus’ followers must impact their world. The words “impact the world” are very clearly ACTIVE. How do we “impact the world?” By being  “Salt and Light.” We are to impact the world by being an influence, by being influencers. 

Salt and Light are Both influencers; they INFLUENCE THE THINGS AROUND THEM. 
Another way to say this is, and this is a quote from James Montgomery BOICE, in his book, the Sermon on the Mount says,
(Boice Expositional Commentary) “Jesus uses two images to illustrate how his disciples are to function in the world.”

So, today, let’s break down salt a bit. And next week we will talk about light.

Analysis of Salt: What is SALT?

Phillip Keller days in his book “Salt For Society” on pg 96, that, “Salt is a remarkable and unusual combination of two elements, sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl). United as one (NaCl), they firm a formidable compound – one essential to life. 

Q:  Sidebar – something to think about: Who invented and created the elements? Who is giving this Sermon?

Starting on page 61, our book says two things about Salt:

1. First, salt preserves from corruption. (See Ps. 19:7-11, esp. 11a)
2. The second function of salt is to add flavor or interest.

Some facts about salt in biblical times from Keller on back cover of his book…

1. Salt was more valuable than gold as a medium of trade.
2. Necessary for survival in a desert climate
3. Was a food preservative that did the work of
   1. Refrigeration
   2. Canning
   3. Packaging 
   4. Chemical additives
4. Was partaken by two people as a sign, like a handshake, that bound them together in a pact of loyalty and fidelity
5. Was a sweet smelling ingredient used in ancient ritual sacrifices
6. Was a soil sterilizer, used in keeping ancient roads free of grass and weeds

And on pg 89 of the same book Keller says, “But in our Lord’s day, salt was without a doubt,  the most important element in the culture of His contemporaries.”

Regarding salt, James M. BOICE adds a third thing about salt.  In chapter 9 of his book (pg 75), The Sermon on the Mount, he says that salt makes one  thirsty.

Q:  What do you think he means? (Discuss)
How does all this relate to the SUPPORTING IDEA in our book?
What is an example of how a Christian can be salt in the world?

Thoughts on being Salt and Light

What are some examples of characters in the Bible who were Salt and Light?

1. The Good Samatian
2. John the Baptist 
3. The Apostle Paul
4. And, of course, our greatest example if Jesus.

How were these people Salt and Light?

SOMETHING ELSE TO THINK ABOUT

Not only are we to be salt and light to the world around us, but God’s Word is also salt and light to us! 

1. See 2 Tim 3:16-17
2. Ps 119:105
3. Heb 4:12-13

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QUOTES

The New Testament Commentary says: “(New Testament Commentary Series Hendriksen-Kistemaker (12 Vols.)) “Salt is a blessing when it remains truly salt; light, as long as it is really light.” 

Salt is effective only when it is salty, and light when it is lit. (Me)

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RELEVANT VERSES

Salt:

1. See Ps. 19:7-11, esp. 11a
2. Col 4:6 (see Holman Commentary on this verse)

The MAIN POINT(s)

Our mission in this life is to be an influencer for good (i.e., Sharing the Gospel, proclaiming Christ)

1. Be who God created and intended you to be.
   1. Be Salt and Light
   2. Be the Gospel
   3. Be an influencer – with your life and/or your lips – for Christ.
2. Love your enemies. 

OVERVIEW

Context is king! It is no accident that the “salt and light” narrative comes immediately after the persecution of the world toward believers described in Matt. 5:10-12.

Our response to the world is important!

Salt and Light is how we respond to the world around us, including those who persecute us!

APPLICATION

1. Be prepared!
For us to be salt and light we need to prepare – to always be preparing. We need to be in the Word and submitted and committed to Christ and HIS purposes in the world. 

1 Peter 3:15-16 says, (NIV 1984) 15 “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.“

We can make Christ known AND attractive with, not only our lips – by sharing what Christ means to us in our hearts – but also with our lives, our actions, how we choose to live. 

2. Always be patient and kind and gentle and respectful. 
Phil 2:14-15 tells us to… (NIV 1984) 14 “Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe…”

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Next week: 

Salt and Light, Part 2: LIGHT

Matthew 5:14-16