Be Salty (2)

Sermon on the Mount  •  Sermon  •  Submitted
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Salt and light represent what every Christian should be—a penetrating and illuminating influence, something both to be seen and felt, a power to attract and transform

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What Difference Can I Make?

Earlier this week in our community group meeting, we were talking about the fact that God is in control. In our discussion we began to discuss ways that the Church has benefitted society when we follow the teachings of Christ. After our discussion I found some 12 key areas in which our faith has had tremendous influence on our society today.[1]
Human Rights
Women’s Rights
The Rights of Children
The End of Slavery and Legalized Discrimination
Education
Health Care
Marriage and Family
Government
Science
Free Enterprise
The Arts
Foreign Relations
1. Human Rights.
People are created in the image of God and are equal in His sight, which is something affirmed in our nation’s Constitution.
2. Women’s Rights.
Still today, it is illegal for women to drive in Saudi Arabia. Why is this? It is simply because the nation does not have a Christian worldview regarding women’s rights. Instead, America offers equality for women, and, though far from perfect, it far exceeds the rights of women in non-Christian societies.
3. The Rights of Children.
Christianity has caused many to join the pro-life movement to save the lives of the preborn. Historically, Christian convictions have also been behind the creation of child labor laws, Christian schools, increased emphasis on education, and social services to help children in need, whether due to abuse, special needs, disability, or any other need.
4. The End of Slavery and Legalized Discrimination.
On the negative side, it is true some have used the Bible to justify slavery and racism. However, it is also true that it has been Christians who have led the way to end slavery and legalized discrimination. For example, Martin Luther King Jr. was known as a Baptist minister long before he was known as a civil rights activist.
5. Education.
America’s earliest schools were held in churches. In fact, Christians started the first colleges in America, including Harvard, to further higher education and to train ministers.
6. Health Care.
Still today, some of the most notable hospitals in our nation include the names Baptist, Methodist, or Presbyterian at the end, acknowledging the fact that they were started by churches and Christian organizations.
7. Marriage and Family.
Christian convictions regarding marriage focused on heterosexual monogamous love and the rearing of children within a marriage relationship.
8. Government.
Fifty of the fifty-five signers of the US Constitution were Christians. The concept of checks and balances and many other aspects of our founders’ beliefs were based on biblical concepts. Still today, the Liberty Bell reminds us of the Bible’s influence through its inscription of Leviticus 25: 10, which reads in our modern translation: “Proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.”
9. Science.
The scientific revolution that has so influenced our nation’s economic and educational advancements developed prior to Darwinian theory, building its basis upon a God who created all things— even rational truth and scientific laws.
10. Free Enterprise.
Where Christianity exists as the predominant religion, free enterprise is generally the result. The Protestant work ethic that was popularized by John Calvin during the Reformation became the basis for America’s system of work and employment.
11. The Arts.
Many of America’s greatest artists, musicians, and literary geniuses have been people of the Christian faith. Even much of America’s early architecture was inspired by Christian religious themes.
12. Foreign Relations.
America has long served as a leader among the world’s nations. This is greatly influenced by the Christian beliefs of loving one’s neighbor as oneself as well as belief in the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations. Furthermore, American Christianity, despite its flaws, has led the modern missionary revolution. In addition, Christians working in foreign relations in American government have had great influence to often improve the lives of those in other nations, encouraging democracy and peace, and offering humanitarian aid to those in need.
I believe it is important for us to understand that God’s plan for mankind is a wholesome and good plan for mankind. It is when we acknowledge His Word and willing obey Him that we are physically, emotionally, and spiritually well.

Representing For Christ

According to the urban dictionary (because I want to make sure I’m relevant), the term ‘representing’ means that you are doing something to acknowledge your background, home, social group, or original place of residence. I suppose, when I wear a Buffalo Bills shirt, I’m representing, to some extent, the area where I grew up.
Jesus wants each of us to represent for Him as well. We’ve started walking through the Sermon on the Mount and studied the Beatitudes last week. The next thoughts bring us into a discussion about salt and light.
Matthew 5:13–16 NIV
“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 underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 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. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
We all “represent” in one way or another. It might be the t-shirt that you wear, the Seahawks decal on the back window, the state parks stickers, the decision to or not to wear western boots, or the brand of coffee we drink. Watch any of us long enough and you’ll figure it out. What Jesus is saying here is that Christians ought to be representing for the Kingdom of God.

Jesus Expects Us to Be Seen and Felt

Just as the idea of unsalty salt or of unseen light is absurd, so also it is a contradiction in terms that a disciple should not live out his or her calling to have a transforming influence on the world.[2] I believe that we miss the point if we spend too much time talking about the characteristics of the salt and the light. The point is simply that Jesus expects us to be seen and to be felt by the world around us.

“It is what it is”

This is probably one of the most annoying statements. Sorry to those who use it. We don’t describe the color blue as blue. But we usually use something else that is similar in a way to describe what isn’t understood. We may say the sky is blue. However, there are times when we have nothing more to say about a matter – “it is what it is”, que sera sera, that’s life, or whatever will be will be.
Salt and light are like that. Salt is obvious. Light is obvious. Both are extremely noticeable. And, as Christians we ought to be noticeable – obvious. Just like salt and light, there are numerous ways that we should be noticeable:
1.) Salt heals. Christians should heal the broken-hearted people.
2.) Salt purifies. Christians should purify the sinful world.
3.) Salt melts. Christians should melt the cold hearts of sinners.
4.) Salt creates thirst. Christians should make sinners thirsty for the Lord.[3]
5.) Light repels darkness.
A few years ago I preached on this passage and took time to pull out the qualities of salt. What I want to highlight this morning is the fact that both salt and light are vitally important and extremely noticeable. Be salty! Be light!

Be Salty!

Jesse and Jessica now know that anything that happens can and may be used in a sermon illustration (ha ha). So, just the other day Jessica was telling Cindy and me that she had been to the store and purchased some clothing. Once they were pulling away, she realized that the cashier had not charged her for the jeans, so they turned back to the store. When she explained the reason, she had returned the employee could not believe that she had returned. That doesn’t speak very highly of our society, but do you see how Jessica was salt and light that day? What a powerful message!
I like the story that came from a men’s Bible study:
The pages of history show that many Christian wives lead their husbands to the Lord. In each and every case, the key is a woman who is willing to livewhat she believes.
On one occasion, a small group of men were concluding their weekly Bible study. At the time, they were sharing their thoughts about all the different translations.
The first man said, “I’ll stick with the good old King James Version. It has always been my favorite.” The next man said, “I can’t understand that old English. The New American Standard is my choice for translation.”
The third man was a recent believer. “My favorite translation is my wife. Her life translated the gospel into a language I could understand.”
What a great testimony! Living out the Word in a way that bears the fruit of salvation![4]
“Why would anyone try to hide a light?” Jesus asked. Unfortunately, many Christians do just that. We hide our light by:
• being quiet when we should speak
• going along with the crowd
• denying the truth
• letting sin dim our witness for Christ
• not explaining the truth to others
• ignoring the needs of others
Be a beacon of truth—don’t shut off your light from the rest of the world.[5]

The Message of Christ to Us – Make a Difference

We were watching a group of boys play soccer yesterday. There was one little boy that wasn’t really there. I mean, he was there, but he didn’t run but a couple of steps. He didn’t chase the ball. He didn’t engage the other boys to try to take the ball away. He was there, but there wasn’t any substance to him. Jesus warned against becoming salt that had lost it’s saltiness or a light under a bushel. The weird thing is - pure salt can’t lose it’s saltiness and light can’t not be light. But if salt is mixed with impurities it might as well be spread out on the roof. If a flame is covered by a basket, what’s the point?
We should not ask, “What is wrong with the world?” for that diagnosis has already been given. Rather, we should ask, “What has happened to the salt and light?” – John Stott
How many people does it take to change the world? Erica Chenoweth is a political scientist at Harvard University. Her research suggests that if a movement gets 3.5% of the populations support, they can have significant societal change.[6] Modern movements are using her studies to change societies around the world. This is why small groups of like-minded people are trying to influence culture through Hollywood and advertising. It is also why Christians need to be involved – be salt and light.
Do something.
Be something.
Know something.
Be Salty!
[1]Jimenez, Jason. Standstrongamerica.org. Accessed Oct 4, 2022. [2]David Abernathy, An Exegetical Summary of Matthew 1–16, Exegetical Summaries (Dallas, TX: SIL International, 2013), 117. [3]Croft M. Pentz, Sermon Outlines for Christians, Dollar Sermon Library Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1975), 31. [4]Leadership Ministries Worldwide, Practical Illustrations: 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude(Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 2003), 87–88. [5]Bruce B. Barton, Matthew, Life Application Bible Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1996), 85. [6] Robson, David. “The ‘3.5% rule’: How a Small minority can change the world”. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190513-it-only-takes-35-of-people-to-change-the-world
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