8: Salt & Light Living (Mt 5:13-20)

Welcome

BRAG ON JESUS! & PRAY

GREET THOSE AROUND YOU (Worship Team to Stage)

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Someone asked the gentleman the secret of their marital bliss.

“Well,” the old man drawled, “the wife and I had this agreement when we first got married. It went like this: When she was bothered about somethin’ she’d just tell me and git it off her chest.

And if I was mad at her about somethin’, I was able to take a long walk. I suppose you could attribute our happy marriage to the fact that I have largely led an outdoor life.”

Some marriages MIGHT NOT being doing as well as you think.

In fact, as our culture is deteriorating, marriages are dissolving, many children are lacking examples, the media is cramming crude messages down our throats, and the divide between the culture’s worldview and the Christian’s worldview is eroding. What are we supposed to do? Some choose to insulate themselves, bury their heads and protect their families, but this is NOT what our King has commanded.

Jesus has called us NOT to stay home and insulate ourselves but to go out and influence our world. So rather than be on the defense, God calls us to invade the culture.

Jesus calls us to SALT & LIGHT Living. The everyday necessities of Salt & light were appreciated by everyone around the Sea of Galilee. Salt & Light INFLUENCES what it comes into contact with, and that’s EXACTLY what Jesus wants His disciples to do.

So, let’s read what Jesus has to say about SALT & LIGHT, and then we will break it down.

READ IT WITH ME.

Matthew 5:13 (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.

Matthew 5:14–15 (NIV)

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.

Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

As is always the case, if we are going to understand what the Scripture means to US, we must first understand what it meant to the original audience. So, let’s dig in.

Matthew 5:13 (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.

In Jesus’ day, SALT was primarily used as a preservative for meat, keeping it from spoiling and rotting. Fishermen around the Sea of Galilee certainly knew that this would keep their catch preserved as well as adding flavor. As such, salt was very valuable. Ever heard the phrase, “He wasn’t worth his SALT?”

Jesus uses this everyday illustration to demonstrate how He expects His followers to be a preserving influence in the middle of a rotting culture.

So what does Jesus mean when He talks about the salt losing its saltiness? First, it is not scientifically possible that salt becomes flavorless.[1] But there was a common problem in the ancient world where salt was either purposely mixed with impure substances OR that those substances were never filtered out.

Salt from the Dead Sea was easily attainable when water evaporated and the salt was left…along with residue from crystals of gypsum [2] - a mineral that looks like and could be mistaken for salt but sure didn’t preserve nor taste like it.

Salt Shaker [Hold a salt shaker while talking about salt] I grew up in Sarasota where the sand of siesta beach is super white. Imagine mixing a half bottle of salt with a half bottle of sand. It might look good, but it won’t taste good. It might LOOK like salt, but it isn’t doing what salt is intended to do - preserve & add flavor to what it touches. Do you see the implication?

In order to PRESERVE the culture we must not become POLLUTED/DILUTED by the culture. We must remain PURE.

If we’re going to make a DIFFERENCE, there’s got to be one…a DIFFERENCE.

So, If our lives are POLLUTED/DILUTED, we will never influence others to walk in PURITY.

BUT…if we’re going to make a difference for people in our culture, we can’t distance ourselves from people in our culture. So many Christians form holy huddles but don’t pursue opportunities to build friendships and share Jesus with others. We can’t influence others from a distance. We must be in proximity to people.

So, while salt influences what it comes into contact with, polluted/diluted salt makes no difference, and is no longer good for anything except for throwing out to be a part of the pavement.

Jesus expects His disciples to know that...

BIG TRUTH: We influence others to HONOR GOD by our Purity, Proximity, [and as we’re going to see in a moment] - Passion.

Next, Jesus uses another everyday illustration to vividly portray the influence His followers should have on others.

Matthew 5:14–16b (NIV)

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,

In the daytime, a town built on a hill would not be hidden as the sun shone on it. At night the multiple oil lamps of homes (Prop: Candle) would cause the surrounding area to glow (much like today, as you are driving from a dark area towards a city). Cities lit up at night could not be hidden. So too, Jesus says…You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.

Many of you might also be aware that Jesus had called HIMSELF “the light of the world” (Jn. 8:12).

You might think of it this way. Jesus is the focus of the New Testament. Everything revolves around HIM.

Jesus is like the sun, powerful, brilliant, & life-giving.

Here in this passage, Jesus says His disciples are the light of the world too -

Just as the moon has no light in and of itself, but simply REFLECTS the light of the sun, in the same way, followers of Jesus are His representatives reflecting His light to the world until the Son rises once again.

Of course, the purpose of a LIGHT is to illuminate the darkness around it.

So Jesus uses a laughable illustration for those who claim to be His disciples, yet who refuse to impact their surrounding culture.

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...

It is unthinkable to light a lamp and then immediately hide it under a bowl. The purpose of a lamp to illuminate everything around it. It defeats the purpose to cover it up.

Disciples of Jesus are expected to be the light of the world - and let that light shine before others - to influence the dark culture that they live in.

Don’t camouflage your commitment to Jesus! Instead, our passion for Jesus should be visible and obvious, not secret and hidden. We should WANT to share that LIGHT with others who live in the dark.

We are to be salt and light to our world meaning...

BIG TRUTH: We influence others to HONOR GOD by our Purity, Proximity, & Passion.

Take one of those characteristics away, and we will have NO WAY to influence others to honor God.

Purity without Proximity = NO INFLUENCE - like having a bunch of Salt but refusing to let others taste it. There must be a DIFFERENCE, but we can’t stay at a DISTANCE.

Proximity without Purity = NO INFLUENCE - You might be best friends with everyone in Madison, but if there’s no difference in your life - no pursuit of purity, you won’t make a difference in others’ lives.

Proximity & Purity without Passion = NO INFLUENCE - Acting like a Christian among non-Christians shows people THAT you’re different, but doesn’t tell them WHY you are different. Be passionate about sharing the light of the world in our dark culture!

And look at the ultimate outcome of us being SALT and LIGHT to our polluted, dark world.

Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Do you see the significance of our influence!?!? Others see your good deeds - your clean language, good attitude, love for others, willingness to speak the truth - an unashamed follower of Jesus who points others to Him!...

…and your good deeds influence them to do WHAT? Glorify your Father in heaven!

BIG TRUTH: We influence others to HONOR GOD by our Purity, Proximity, & Passion.

Can you imagine someone saying that they came to Jesus because of YOUR INFLUENCE; that Jesus used your example to help them see that following Him is worth their lives too!?!

Can you name ONE or A FEW people the Lord has used to be SALT and LIGHT to you?

Who is the LIGHT God has used in your life to point you to the true LIGHT OF THE WORLD?

Who is God using YOU to INFLUENCE for the KING?

Do you HIDE the LIGHT? Or do you SHINE the LIGHT wherever you go? Do your words, actions, & attitudes point to the LIGHT of Jesus…or does it leave people wandering in the dark?

Last week we noted how the people responded at the end of Jesus’ teaching - He was different from the “experts in the law” - different in a good way. (Matt. 7:28-29)

Many of those “experts” came to believe that Jesus was twisting the Scriptures, because He didn’t fit the mold of their traditions.

Many even said that Jesus was breaking God’s laws.

And now Jesus is about to confront that charge with the most powerful response in history.

Imagine someone actually saying these words to Jesus, “You don’t believe the law or the prophets!” Here’s how Jesus responds to that:

Matthew 5:17 (NIV)

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets [Jesus is talking about what is written in the Scriptures]; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

WHAT?!!!? Can you imagine one of US saying that? “I will fulfill what the Scriptures say??!!! I will perfectly LIVE OUT what the Scriptures say???!!!”

Listen to Jesus’ view of the authority of the Scriptures.

Matthew 5:18 (NIV)

For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

Jesus had the highest view of Scripture (Old Testament writings) of anyone I’ve ever known.

The Greek word for smallest letter written by Matthew is the letter i = iota (Gr. yōta)…

as in what I personally think about watching GOLF - “I don’t give one iota.” I doesn’t matter to me…in the smallest/slightest way.

Since Jesus was likely speaking Aramaic/Hebrew, this word would have been the Hebrew yod (Heb. yōd), (looks something like an apostrophe). There are approximately 66,420 yods in the Old Testament.[3] It is the first letter in YaHWeH reading right to left (יהוה).

The least stroke (keraia) of the pen literally means “little horn”, referring to a small mark that helps distinguish one Hebrew letter from another (an extension of a letter).[4]

In other words, what some might think are the most insignificant letters of the Scriptures will not disappear, until everything it says is accomplished.

Hmmm…I wonder WHO could accomplish everything written in the Law perfectly and NEVER break it? (Jesus)

Matthew 5:19 (NIV)

Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Based on the words of Jesus, what do you think He would say to those who imply that God winks at sin? While many in our culture say obeying God’s laws is being legalistic, Jesus thinks obedience is all about trust, and He expects His followers to follow what He says.

Remember what Jesus told His disciples just before He ascended to heaven.

Matthew 28:19–20 (NIV)

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

To be sure, we can’t obey everything He has commanded WITHOUT Him. We need Jesus to walk with us through it.

Thankfully, Jesus doesn’t EXPECT us to do what He doesn’t EMPOWER us to do. And He expects and empowers us to OBEY Him and the Scriptures.

So, What’s YOUR VIEW of the Scriptures?

Are they just words written by fallible humans OR are the Scriptures God’s Words written THROUGH people TO people?

Are the Scriptures just words you can take or leave? OR…are the Scriptures God’s commands to trust and follow?

If children were to watch your life and follow your example, which would YOU be labeled?

LEAST - leading others to disobey God

OR GREAT - showing others how to obey God through your daily actions?

And just to clarify what Jesus thinks of religious leaders and others who attempt to fulfill the law on their own, without God’s grace, Jesus drops this bombshell, and it would have likely caused his audience to gasp.

Matthew 5:20 (NIV)

For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Many might ask, how do you do THAT? How can someone be more righteous than THEM?

Were the Pharisees and teachers of the law the examples of how everyone else should live? Not exactly. They too, had broken God’s laws.

Those who recognize they can’t keep the LAWS of GOD are more likely to seek the GRACE of GOD to receive a righteousness that comes from beyond ourselves. We must turn to the One who IS righteous, the ONE who HAS FULFILLED the Scriptures…enter stage right - Jesus the Messiah.

This is why we run to Jesus. HE is our salvation!

He is the One who makes us right with God. Stop trying to do it on your own! TRUST Jesus, turn from your sin, ASK Him to forgive you and take over.

He is the one who empowers us to do what He expects us to do.

I like how Kent Hughes puts it: “This takes us right back to ground zero of the first Beatitude. ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God’ (5:3). [Hughes comments further] “Blessed are those who are spiritually bankrupt, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” “Blessed are those who realize they cannot make it on their own, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

But…with the help of Jesus, we ARE the SALT of the EARTH, the LIGHT of the WORLD - taking the message of Jesus others.

BIG TRUTH: We influence others to HONOR GOD by our Purity, Proximity, & Passion.

But our purity, proximity, & passion for others comes from the ONE who has lived out the Law, the ONE who can make us righteous by His LIFE, DEATH, & RESURRECTION. This is where our hope is found - in Jesus alone!!!

And now it’s our privilege to go live it out and tell people about the ONE who has made us RIGHT with God - the ONE worthy of our lives.

And if there’s ever been a time we need to SHOW IT & SHARE IT, it’s now!!!!

Ed Stetzer - leader within our denomination - wrote these words about a common quote shared among Christians:

Francis of Assisi is attributed the statement: "Preach the gospel at all times; when necessary, use words.” I’ve seen it on Facebook about a billion times.

I can appreciate living in such a way that our lives point to the person and work of Jesus. However, two basic problems exist: 1) Francis never said it, and 2), the quote is just not biblical.

Saying “preach the gospel; when necessary, use words” is a lot like saying “feed the hungry; when necessary, use food.”

We are to SHOW and SAY how others find the Lord Jesus, and may the Lord’s truth’s and the Lord’s Presence be left in our wake.

Woodrow Wilson Watches DL Moody in a Barber Shop

Woodrow Wilson (who eventually became the 28th President of the U.S.) told the story of being in a barbershop one time.

“I was sitting in a barber chair when I became aware that a powerful personality had entered the room. A man had come quietly in upon the same errand as myself to have his hair cut and sat in the chair next to me.

Every word the man uttered, though it was not in the least didactic [teaching], showed a personal interest in the man who was serving him. And before I got through with what was being done to me I was aware I had attended an evangelistic service, because Mr. D. L. Moody was in that chair.

I purposely lingered in the room after he had left and noted the singular affect that his visit had brought upon the barber shop. They talked in undertones. They did not know his name, but they knew something had elevated their thoughts, and I felt that I left that place as I should have left a place of worship.” [5]

BIG TRUTH: We influence others to HONOR GOD by our Purity, Proximity, & Passion.

PRAY.

We want to help you -

STAFF

DEACONS/WIVES or another brother/sister

COMMUNION at 10:30 - back Fellowship Hall

ALASKA MEAL

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Craig Blomberg, vol. 22, Matthew, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 102.

Donald A. Hagner, Matthew 1–13, vol. 33A, Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 1993), 99.

R. Kent Hughes, The Sermon on the Mount: The Message of the Kingdom, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2001), 94.

John F. MacArthur Jr., Matthew, vol. 1, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1985), 262.

Ibid., 236.

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Take some time to discuss these questions with your family, friends, or group.

What challenged or encouraged you most from today’s teaching? (You might need to look back in your notes to help explain your answer.)

Read Matthew 5:13-16 and explain how, as salt & light, we can be used to impact our culture.

The BIG TRUTH from this passage is: We influence others to HONOR GOD by our Purity, Proximity, & Passion. Why must the follower of Jesus have each of these characteristics in order to impact others? What happens when one of these characteristics is lacking in our lives?

Read Matthew 5:17-19. How significant does Jesus think the Scriptures are? What does Jesus say about those who lead others to discount and dilute the Scriptures versus those who lead others to appreciate and apply the Scriptures?

How did Jesus fulfill the Scriptures and what are some examples of how the Old Covenant was accomplished by Jesus and now gives way to the New Covenant? (You might want to spend some time reading Hebrews 8-9.)

Read Matthew 5:20. How could anyone have a righteousness that surpasses the religious leaders of the day? Read 2 Corinthians 5:14-21. How is it that any of us can be considered righteous? What should those who have been made right with God desire for others?

Share prayer needs and pray for one another.