Salty Saints

Mark 9:38–41 NIV

“Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us. Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.

Mark 9:49–50 NIV

Everyone will be salted with fire. “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”

Salty Saints

INTRODUCTION

GOOD MORNING, BELOVED CHURCH FAMILY. IT'S A JOY TO GATHER TOGETHER IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD, UNITED BY OUR SHARED FAITH AND LOVE FOR OUR SAVIOR. TODAY, WE FIND OURSELVES STANDING AT THE BEGINNING OF A NEW DAY, A NEW WEEK, AND A NEW OPPORTUNITY TO GROW IN OUR UNDERSTANDING OF GOD'S WORD.

WHEN WE HEAR THE PHRASE…..”THEY ARE BEING SALTY…..OR THEY WERE SALTY” IT’S A COMMONLY USED SLANG TO DESCRIBE SOMEONE WHO IS BEHAVING OR EXPRESSING THEMSELVES IN A RESENTFUL, BITTER, OR IRRITATED MANNER. IT’S OFTEN USED TO DESCRIBE SOMEONE WHO IS BEING OVERLY SENSITIVE, DEFENSIVE, OR ANGRY, PARTICULARLY IN RESPONSE TO CRITICISM.

WHEN SOMEONE IS DESCRIBED AS "SALTY," IT TYPICALLY IMPLIES THAT THEY ARE REACTING WITH A NEGATIVE OR HOSTILE ATTITUDE.

THE TERM CAN BE USED TO REFER TO A PERSON WHO IS BEING SARCASTIC, BITTER…..OR FRUSTRATED

BUT THIS IS NOT THE KIND OF SALTY THAT WE SHOULD BE……. JESUS SAID THAT WE

WE ARE CALLED TO BE THE SALT OF THE WORLD, TO SEASON AND PRESERVE IT WITH THE LOVE OF CHRIST.

TO BE SALT IS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, TO BRING ABOUT CHANGE, AND TO HAVE AN ENDURING IMPACT.

THIS PASSAGE ALSO ENCOURAGES US TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH GRACE AND PEACE.

WE ARE CALLED TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS AS OURSELVES, TO EXTEND GRACE AS WE HAVE RECEIVED GRACE, AND TO BE PEACEMAKERS IN A WORLD OFTEN FILLED WITH DISCORD AND STRIFE.

WE ARE REMINDED OF THE IMPORTANCE OF ALIGNING OUR WORDS WITH OUR ACTIONS.

OUR CHRISTIAN WALK IS NOT JUST ABOUT WHAT WE SAY, BUT WHAT WE DO.

IT'S ABOUT LIVING OUT OUR FAITH IN WAYS THAT REFLECT THE LOVE, GRACE, AND TRUTH OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

BECOMING THE SALT OF THE WORLD

IN THE ANCIENT WORLD, SALT WAS A HIGHLY VALUED COMMODITY.

IT WAS USED NOT ONLY FOR FLAVORING AND PRESERVING FOOD, BUT ALSO AS A FORM OF CURRENCY.

IN THE SAME WAY, WE AS CHRISTIANS ARE CALLED TO BE OF GREAT VALUE TO THE WORLD AROUND US.

WE ARE TO BRING FLAVOR TO LIFE, PRESERVING THE GOOD AND STANDING AGAINST THE DECAY OF MORAL AND SPIRITUAL CORRUPTION.

JUST AS SALT MUST COME INTO CONTACT WITH FOOD TO HAVE AN EFFECT, WE MUST ENGAGE WITH THE WORLD AROUND US.

WE CANNOT HIDE OUR FAITH OR KEEP IT TO OURSELVES.

WE MUST BE ACTIVE IN OUR COMMUNITIES, OUR WORKPLACES, OUR SCHOOLS, AND WHEREVER ELSE WE FIND OURSELVES.

WE MUST BE WILLING TO SHARE THE LOVE OF CHRIST WITH OTHERS, NOT JUST IN WORDS, BUT IN ACTIONS.

BEING THE SALT OF THE WORLD ALSO MEANS BEING DIFFERENT.

SALT STANDS OUT.

IT'S DISTINCT.

IT CHANGES THE FLAVOR OF WHATEVER IT TOUCHES.

AS FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST, WE ARE NOT CALLED TO BLEND IN WITH THE WORLD, BUT TO STAND OUT.

WE ARE TO BE DIFFERENT, NOT FOR THE SAKE OF BEING DIFFERENT, BUT BECAUSE WE ARE CALLED TO LIVE ACCORDING TO A HIGHER STANDARD - THE STANDARD SET BY CHRIST HIMSELF.

THIS DOESN'T MEAN WE ARE TO BE ODD OR STRANGE IN A WAY THAT PUSHES PEOPLE AWAY.

RATHER, OUR LIVES SHOULD BE SO FILLED WITH THE LOVE, JOY, AND PEACE OF CHRIST THAT OTHERS ARE DRAWN TO US. THEY SHOULD SEE SOMETHING IN US - SOMETHING GOOD, SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL, SOMETHING TRUE - THAT THEY WANT FOR THEMSELVES.

AND WHEN THEY ASK US ABOUT IT, WE SHOULD BE READY TO TELL THEM ABOUT THE HOPE THAT WE HAVE IN CHRIST.

BEING THE SALT OF THE WORLD ALSO MEANS BEING A PRESERVATIVE.

IN THE DAYS BEFORE REFRIGERATION, SALT WAS USED TO KEEP FOOD FROM SPOILING.

IT HELPED TO PRESERVE FOOD SO THAT IT COULD BE STORED AND USED OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.

AS CHRISTIANS, WE ARE CALLED TO BE A PRESERVING INFLUENCE IN THE WORLD. WE ARE TO STAND AGAINST THE MORAL AND SPIRITUAL DECAY THAT IS SO PREVALENT IN OUR SOCIETY.

THIS IS NOT AN EASY TASK.

IT REQUIRES COURAGE AND CONVICTION.

IT REQUIRES US TO SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE, EVEN WHEN THE TRUTH IS NOT POPULAR OR POLITICALLY CORRECT.

IT REQUIRES US TO LIVE ACCORDING TO GOD'S STANDARDS, EVEN WHEN THOSE STANDARDS ARE NOT SHARED BY THE CULTURE AROUND US.

BUT THIS IS WHAT WE ARE CALLED TO DO. AND WHEN WE DO IT, WE CAN HAVE A POWERFUL IMPACT ON THE WORLD.

FINALLY, BEING THE SALT OF THE WORLD MEANS BEING A CATALYST FOR CHANGE.

SALT DOESN'T JUST PRESERVE; IT ALSO ENHANCES.

IT BRINGS OUT THE BEST FLAVORS IN FOOD.

MAC AND CHEESE

IN THE SAME WAY, WE AS CHRISTIANS ARE CALLED TO BRING OUT THE BEST IN THE WORLD AROUND US.

WE ARE TO BE AGENTS OF POSITIVE CHANGE, WORKING TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE.

THIS MEANS WORKING FOR JUSTICE, FOR PEACE, FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE VULNERABLE.

IT MEANS CARING FOR THE POOR, THE ORPHAN, THE WIDOW.

IT MEANS STANDING UP FOR THE RIGHTS OF THE OPPRESSED AND THE MARGINALIZED.

IT MEANS DOING ALL THAT WE CAN TO BRING ABOUT THE KINGDOM OF GOD ON EARTH.

IN ALL OF THESE WAYS, WE ARE CALLED TO BE THE SALT OF THE WORLD.

IT'S A HIGH CALLING, BUT IT'S ONE THAT WE CAN FULFILL WITH THE HELP OF GOD.

BY HIS GRACE, WE CAN BE THE SALT OF THE WORLD, BRINGING FLAVOR, PRESERVING THE GOOD, STANDING OUT, AND BEING A CATALYST FOR CHANGE.

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH GRACE AND PEACE

AS WE CONTINUE TO REFLECT ON THE WORDS OF JESUS IN THIS PASSAGE, WE ARE DRAWN TO THE THEME OF BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH GRACE AND PEACE.

THIS IS A CALL TO ACTION FOR EVERY BELIEVER, A MANDATE THAT SHAPES HOW WE INTERACT WITH OTHERS.

Mark 9:38–40 NIV

“Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us.

IN THE CONTEXT OF THIS PASSAGE, WE SEE THAT JESUS IS TEACHING HIS DISCIPLES ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF UNITY AND ACCEPTANCE.

WHEN JOHN REPORTS TO JESUS ABOUT A MAN CASTING OUT DEMONS IN HIS NAME, JESUS' RESPONSE IS SURPRISING.

HE DOESN'T CONDEMN THE MAN, BUT RATHER, HE ENCOURAGES HIS DISCIPLES TO EMBRACE HIM AS AN ALLY.

THIS IS A POWERFUL ILLUSTRATION OF GRACE IN ACTION.

GRACE IS UNMERITED FAVOR, A GIFT THAT WE RECEIVE WITHOUT EARNING IT.

IT'S THE LOVE AND MERCY THAT GOD EXTENDS TO US, EVEN WHEN WE DON'T DESERVE IT.

IN OUR RELATIONSHIPS, WE ARE CALLED TO EXTEND THIS SAME GRACE TO OTHERS.

THIS MEANS ACCEPTING PEOPLE AS THEY ARE, NOT AS WE WISH THEM TO BE.

IT MEANS FORGIVING OTHERS, EVEN WHEN THEY DON'T ASK FOR IT.

IT MEANS LOVING UNCONDITIONALLY, JUST AS GOD LOVES US.

THIS IS NOT AN EASY TASK. IT REQUIRES HUMILITY, PATIENCE, AND A HEART THAT IS WILLING TO FORGIVE.

IT REQUIRES US TO LET GO OF OUR PREJUDICES, OUR JUDGMENTS, AND OUR EXPECTATIONS.

BUT WHEN WE EXTEND GRACE TO OTHERS, WE ARE REFLECTING THE HEART OF GOD.

WE ARE SHOWING THE WORLD WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST.

PEACE, ON THE OTHER HAND, IS A STATE OF TRANQUILITY OR QUIET.

IT'S A STATE OF HARMONY CHARACTERIZED BY THE ABSENCE OF CONFLICT.

IN THE CONTEXT OF RELATIONSHIPS, PEACE IS ABOUT MAINTAINING HARMONY AND UNITY.

IT'S ABOUT RESOLVING CONFLICTS IN A WAY THAT PROMOTES UNDERSTANDING AND RESPECT.

JESUS CALLS US TO BE PEACEMAKERS.

HE CALLS US TO PROMOTE PEACE IN OUR RELATIONSHIPS, IN OUR COMMUNITIES, AND IN OUR WORLD.

THIS MEANS STANDING UP FOR JUSTICE, SPEAKING OUT AGAINST INJUSTICE, AND WORKING TOWARDS RECONCILIATION.

IT MEANS CHOOSING OUR WORDS CAREFULLY, LISTENING MORE THAN WE SPEAK, AND SEEKING TO UNDERSTAND BEFORE SEEKING TO BE UNDERSTOOD.

AGAIN, THIS IS NOT AN EASY TASK. IT REQUIRES WISDOM, COURAGE, AND A HEART THAT IS COMMITTED TO JUSTICE.

IT REQUIRES US TO PUT ASIDE OUR OWN DESIRES, OUR OWN NEEDS, AND OUR OWN AGENDAS. BUT WHEN WE PROMOTE PEACE, WE ARE REFLECTING THE HEART OF GOD.

WE ARE SHOWING THE WORLD WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST.

IN THE ORIGINAL GREEK, THE WORD FOR PEACE IS "EIRENE."

THIS WORD IS USED NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, AND IT CARRIES A RICH AND PROFOUND MEANING.

IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT THE ABSENCE OF CONFLICT, BUT IT'S ABOUT A STATE OF WHOLENESS AND COMPLETENESS.

IT'S ABOUT A STATE OF WELL-BEING THAT COMES FROM BEING IN RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND WITH OTHERS.

IN ROMANS 12:18, PAUL USES THE SAME WORD WHEN HE SAYS, "IF IT IS POSSIBLE, AS FAR AS IT DEPENDS ON YOU, LIVE AT PEACE WITH EVERYONE."

HERE, PAUL IS CALLING BELIEVERS TO ACTIVELY PURSUE PEACE IN THEIR RELATIONSHIPS.

IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT AVOIDING CONFLICT, BUT IT'S ABOUT ACTIVELY WORKING TOWARDS RECONCILIATION AND UNITY.

IN EPHESIANS 2:14, PAUL USES THE WORD "EIRENE" AGAIN WHEN HE SAYS, "FOR HE HIMSELF IS OUR PEACE, WHO HAS MADE THE TWO GROUPS ONE AND HAS DESTROYED THE BARRIER, THE DIVIDING WALL OF HOSTILITY."

HERE, PAUL IS SPEAKING ABOUT THE PEACE THAT JESUS BRINGS THROUGH HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION.

THIS PEACE IS NOT JUST ABOUT INDIVIDUAL RELATIONSHIPS, BUT IT'S ABOUT THE RECONCILIATION OF ALL PEOPLE TO GOD AND TO EACH OTHER.

AS WE CONTINUE TO REFLECT ON THIS PASSAGE, WE ARE REMINDED OF THE IMPORTANCE OF EXTENDING GRACE TO OTHERS.

THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT BEING NICE OR POLITE.

IT'S ABOUT SHOWING THE LOVE OF CHRIST.

IT'S ABOUT FORGIVING AS WE HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN, LOVING AS WE HAVE BEEN LOVED, AND EXTENDING MERCY AS WE HAVE RECEIVED MERCY.

WE ARE ALSO REMINDED OF THE IMPORTANCE OF PROMOTING PEACE.

THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT AVOIDING CONFLICT OR KEEPING THE PEACE. IT'S ABOUT ACTIVELY WORKING TOWARDS RECONCILIATION AND UNITY.

IT'S ABOUT STANDING UP FOR JUSTICE, SPEAKING OUT AGAINST INJUSTICE, AND WORKING TOWARDS A WORLD THAT REFLECTS THE HEART OF GOD.

AS FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST, WE ARE CALLED TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH GRACE AND PEACE.

THIS IS NOT AN OPTIONAL PART OF OUR CHRISTIAN WALK, BUT IT'S A CENTRAL PART OF OUR CALLING.

IT'S A REFLECTION OF WHO WE ARE IN CHRIST, AND IT'S A TESTAMENT TO THE TRANSFORMING POWER OF HIS LOVE.

BALANCING WORDS WITH ACTIONS

AS WE CONTINUE TO UNPACK THE RICHNESS OF MARK 9:38-50, WE FIND OURSELVES STANDING AT THE THRESHOLD OF A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF OUR FAITH.

WE ARE CALLED TO BE THE SALT OF THE WORLD, A CALL TO ACTION THAT DEMANDS A BALANCE BETWEEN OUR WORDS AND OUR ACTIONS.

IN THE REALM OF THE CHRISTIAN WALK, THIS BALANCE IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE.

IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO MERELY PROFESS OUR FAITH; WE MUST ALSO LIVE IT OUT.

OUR WORDS AND ACTIONS MUST BE IN HARMONY, EACH REFLECTING THE OTHER. THIS IS THE ESSENCE OF BEING THE SALT OF THE WORLD.

THE FIRST ASPECT OF THIS BALANCE LIES IN THE UNDERSTANDING THAT OUR WORDS HAVE POWER.

THEY CAN BUILD UP OR TEAR DOWN, HEAL OR WOUND, INSPIRE OR DISCOURAGE.

AS FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST, WE ARE CALLED TO USE OUR WORDS WISELY, TO SPEAK TRUTH IN LOVE, AND TO ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER.

OUR WORDS SHOULD BE A REFLECTION OF THE LOVE AND GRACE WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM CHRIST.

HOWEVER, WORDS ALONE ARE NOT ENOUGH.

THEY MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY ACTIONS THAT DEMONSTRATE OUR FAITH.

JAMES 2:17 REMINDS US THAT FAITH BY ITSELF, IF IT IS NOT ACCOMPANIED BY ACTION, IS DEAD. OUR ACTIONS GIVE LIFE TO OUR WORDS AND AUTHENTICATE OUR FAITH.

THEY ARE THE TANGIBLE EVIDENCE OF THE TRANSFORMATION THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE IN OUR HEARTS.

A CHRISTIAN WRITER ONCE SAID, "WHAT YOU DO SPEAKS SO LOUDLY THAT I CANNOT HEAR WHAT YOU SAY."

THIS QUOTE SHOWS US THE IMPORTANCE OF ALIGNING OUR ACTIONS WITH OUR WORDS.

IF WE PROFESS TO BE FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST, OUR ACTIONS MUST REFLECT HIS TEACHINGS.

WE MUST LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS, CARE FOR THE NEEDY, STAND UP FOR THE OPPRESSED, AND STRIVE TO LIVE A LIFE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.

THE SECOND ASPECT OF BALANCING WORDS WITH ACTIONS IN OUR CHRISTIAN WALK IS THE UNDERSTANDING THAT OUR ACTIONS ARE A REFLECTION OF OUR FAITH.

OUR ACTIONS ARE THE EVIDENCE OF THE TRANSFORMATION THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE IN OUR HEARTS.

THEY ARE THE MANIFESTATION OF THE LOVE AND GRACE WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM CHRIST.

OUR ACTIONS SHOULD NOT BE MOTIVATED BY A DESIRE FOR RECOGNITION OR PRAISE, BUT BY A GENUINE LOVE FOR GOD AND FOR OTHERS.

THEY SHOULD BE AN OUTPOURING OF OUR FAITH, A NATURAL RESPONSE TO THE LOVE AND GRACE WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM CHRIST.

BALANCING WORDS WITH ACTIONS IN OUR CHRISTIAN WALK IS NOT AN EASY TASK.

IT REQUIRES A CONSTANT EXAMINATION OF OUR HEARTS AND A WILLINGNESS TO MAKE NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS.

IT REQUIRES HUMILITY, PATIENCE, AND PERSEVERANCE.

BUT IT IS A TASK THAT WE MUST UNDERTAKE IF WE ARE TO BE THE SALT OF THE WORLD.

TO LIVE OUT OUR FAITH IN WAYS, AND TO BE THE SALT OF THE WORLD.

TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, TO BRING ABOUT CHANGE, AND TO HAVE AN ENDURING IMPACT. LET US STRIVE TO BE THE SALT OF THE WORLD.

CONCLUSION

AS WE CLOSE TODAY, LET'S REMEMBER THE CALL TO BE THE SALT OF THE EARTH. WE'RE NOT JUST HERE TO BLEND IN WITH THE CROWD, WE'RE HERE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, TO BRING FLAVOR AND PRESERVATION TO A WORLD IN NEED. LET'S STRIVE TO BE PEACEMAKERS, TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS AS OURSELVES, AND TO EXTEND GRACE AS WE HAVE RECEIVED GRACE.

AND LET'S REMEMBER, OUR WALK WITH CHRIST ISN'T JUST ABOUT WHAT WE SAY, IT'S ABOUT WHAT WE DO. IT'S ABOUT LIVING OUT OUR FAITH IN TANGIBLE WAYS THAT REFLECT THE LOVE, GRACE, AND TRUTH OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. IT'S ABOUT BEING HIS HANDS AND FEET IN A WORLD THAT SO DESPERATELY NEEDS HIM.

GOD'S LOVE FOR US IS VAST AND UNCHANGING. HE IS OUR ROCK AND OUR REFUGE, OUR STRENGTH AND OUR SHIELD. HE IS WITH US IN EVERY SEASON, THROUGH EVERY TRIAL, AND IN EVERY VICTORY. HIS GOODNESS AND LOVE FOLLOW US ALL THE DAYS OF OUR LIVES. SO LET'S GO OUT THIS WEEK WITH HEARTS FULL OF GRATITUDE, WITH MINDS SET ON THINGS ABOVE, AND WITH A SPIRIT OF BOLDNESS TO LIVE OUT OUR FAITH IN A WAY THAT BRINGS GLORY TO OUR HEAVENLY FATHER.

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LET'S PRAY TOGETHER:

DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER, AS WE CLOSE OUR TIME TOGETHER, WE ARE REMINDED OF YOUR GOODNESS AND LOVE. WE THANK YOU FOR THE CALL TO BE THE SALT OF THE EARTH, TO BRING FLAVOR AND PRESERVATION TO A WORLD IN NEED. HELP US TO LIVE OUT OUR FAITH IN TANGIBLE WAYS THAT REFLECT YOUR LOVE, GRACE, AND TRUTH. GIVE US THE COURAGE TO BE YOUR HANDS AND FEET, TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS AS OURSELVES, AND TO EXTEND GRACE AS WE HAVE RECEIVED GRACE. WE ASK FOR YOUR GUIDANCE AND PROTECTION AS WE GO OUT INTO THE WORLD THIS WEEK. IN JESUS' NAME, AMEN.

NOW, RECEIVE THIS BENEDICTION:

MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU; MAY THE LORD MAKE HIS FACE SHINE UPON YOU AND BE GRACIOUS TO YOU; MAY THE LORD TURN HIS FACE TOWARD YOU AND GIVE YOU PEACE. GO IN THE PEACE AND LOVE OF CHRIST. AMEN.