Salt

Luke 14:34-35

“salt” occurs 41 times in 35 verses

When we think of salt today, we usually think of it in a bad way.

(Illus.- For example, in recent years, doctors have been telling us that too much salt in diet can cause high blood pressure and contribute to a whole host of other health problems. For this reason, we’ve been told to cut back on our salt intake, if not eliminate it altogether.)

(Illus.- This why government requires manufacturers of processed foods to put labels on the cans or packages telling how much salt or sodium the food contains.)

God says to use it in all of the Levitical offerings.

Leviticus 2:13 And every oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou season with salt; neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meat offering: with all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt.

The Burnt Offering - Leviticus 1

Pictures Christ utter devotion to God which was well pleasing to God (Leviticus 1:9; Matthew 3:17; 26:39; John 4:34; 5:30; 6:38; 8:50; 17:4; 18:11; Philippians 2:8; Hebrews 9:11-14; 10:5-7)

The Meal Offering - Leviticus 2

Typifies Christ in His human perfections tested by suffering. There was fine flour, the oil, baked in the oven, no leaven, and no honey.

The Peace Offering - Leviticus 3

Typifies Christ in His death making peace between God and man (Romans 5:1; Colossians 1:20)

The Sin Offering - Leviticus 4

Typifies Christ as our sin-bearer (Isaiah 53; 2 Corinthians 5:21)

The Trespass Offering -

Leviticus 5

This offering pictures Christ as the provision for individual sins the believer commits after being born again (1 John 1:9)

There is a type of Christ in each animal used in these offerings.

The OX - depicts Christ as the strong servant of God.

The LAMB - depicts Christ surrender to suffer on the cross of Calvary.

The GOAT - depicts Christ taking our place in judgment.

The PIGEON - depicts Christ as Saviour to the poor.

SALT WAS TO BE USED IN ALL OF THESE!

Note the first New Testament occurrence of “salt”

Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

“ye are the salt of the earth” can signify several things:

Salt Penetrates - it even penetrates metal; showing us the power of the Gospel to change lives

Salt Purifies - Sodium chloride is still used in many cleaning agents; likewise the Gospel and the presence of born again people have a cleansing effect on the world

Salt Preserves - It is used to preserve food in the absence of refrigeration. Likewise the Gospel preserves righteousness and truth in an evil world

Salt Perishes - If left piled together it becomes powerless and unlike it originally was. Likewise the Gospel and churches are to be spread across the world and not congregated in one place.

Salt Provokes - When placed on an open wound it irritates and becomes painful. Likewise the Gospel provokes the unsaved and they do not appreciate God’s message or God’s people.

7. Let us take time and learn a few lessons from the salt.

I. The Lesson of Stability.

Colossians 2:6-7

II. The Lesson of Savour.

Galatians 2:20

Not “I” but “Christ” is the SAVOUR God looks for.

Note the definition of Savour

The taste or smell of something

A particular flavor or smell

A distinctive quality

III. The Lesson of Surrender.

Romans 6:16

Note - Once salt it placed on something it yields its flavor to the salt and becomes salty tasting.

(Illus - Me learning to eat green beans the day after Justin was born)

Conclusion:

The Wonder Of Salt[i]

Salt is a wonder. Salt is composed of two poisonous substances. How is it possible that salt, which is necessary to life, is composed of sodium and chlorine, either of which if taken individually, would kill you?

· Are you only part of the salt make up?

· Do you have the outward conformity without the inward change of Christ living in your heart?

· Or, do you have the inward change without the outward conformity to the Lord Jesus Christ?

· Either one is deadly. The first is death in Hell forever to you.

· The second is death in Hell for others.

· Are you only part of the salt make up?

Preached at Victory Baptist Church Sunday July 22, 2008

[i]Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations #14425