WE ARE CALLED TO BE SALT AND LIGHT

MATHEW 5:13-16

INTRODUCTION

The overall theme of the sermon on the mountain was how people of the kingdom of      Heaven are to live. Jesus was saying “ those who are my disciples should affect the world in a positive way by the way in which they live.

Let us learn.

FIRST, WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE SALT OF THE EARTH ? (Matt. 5:13)

1. The Meaning.

• “ You all of you are the salt of the earth”
• Salt was a necessity of life in ancient times, a lot of value was attached to salt.
• Salt was used for money, Roman soldiers were actually paid with salt.!
• The word “Salary” is a Latin word “Salarium” or salt money.
• When we say “worth their salt” it means your value is not worth the pay (salt).

2. The Application.

• According to the salt institute, there are over 14,000 uses of salt.
• The two primary uses of salt are seasoning and preservation.
• Salt was essential for survival in the days prior to refrigeration especially in preserving meat.
• Salt was to arrest or at least hinder the process of decay.
• Christians are given the task of arresting the decay of our world.
• Christianity has had a profound positive effect on the world.
• Christianity has attached New value to human life. Prior to Christianity infanticide and abandonment of child of God was common practice.
• Hospitals were began through the influence of Christianity.
• Schools and general education come through Christianity.
• The Red Cross was started by an evangelical Christian. The first 123 colleges and universities in the USA and 120 in Europe were began by the church.
• Orphanages, adoption centers, treatment centers for the insane, Agriculture etc.
• Slavery and slave trade was ended by Christians.
• Christians keep the corruption of society at bay by opposing moral decay by their lives and their words.
• Today there is a horrifying new trend, it is difficult to distinguish the Christians from the rest of the society.
• Divorce, teenage pregnancy, cheating in business, stealing and sexual immorality is as high for Christians as for non-Christians
• The salt has lost its saltiness, it is being thrown and trodden under foot !

SECOND, WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. (MATT 5:14-16)

• Jesus was telling His disciples “ You and you alone are the light of the world”
• The problem is that we have come to believe that our Christianity testimony is “Personal “ private.
• Christ says “Let your light so shine “ – It is a command.

1. The Meaning.

• We are called to receive the light (John 3:19-20).
• Once we receive the light, we must walk in the light. (Eph. 5:8)
• We are called to reflect the light (John.9:5, Phil.2:14-15)

2. The Application

• “Let your light shine before men”. Shine before people.
• Darkness distorts reality, but light reveals things as they really are. But people love darkness (John.3:19-20)
• Jesus said,. “If we shine” two things will happen.
• Men will see your good deeds.
• They will give glory to your Father in heaven.

CONCLUSION.

• Do people see your good deeds ?
• Do people give glory to God because of your life ?
• We are salt and light in the world and society.