Light and Salt

Tittle: Light and Salt

Text: Matthew 5:13–16

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

Objective: This morning we are exploring the importance of our effectiveness as an individual, a congregation, and the church.

Introduction: When salt becomes diluted with other substances it is no longer useful as the salt is contaminated. When we dilute God’s Word to change or form it around our personal ideas or beliefs instead of God's, our message is incomplete and is no longer effective.

Transitional Sentence: While looking at our passage today we see a mandate as well as a warning for the individual, the congregation, and the church.

The individual christian has a mandated & a warning.

The individual Christian is called to be the salt of the earth. As salt of the earth we have the purpose and obligation to make a positive contribution for the Kingdom of God. As God has adopted us as His children we have a responsibility / task / obligation that He has given to us.

Two individuals who could have changed the trajectory of the Second World War. The fist was during the First World War. A disputed story is told concerning a British soldier by the name of Lance Corporal Henry Tandy who had the opportunity to shoot Adolf Hitler. The account says that the corporal observed a wounded soldier walking across the field at the closing of a battle and made the choice not to shoot him. This was a common practice for the decorated Corporal however in this case it is believed by some the German soldier that was spared was Adolf Hitler. What a difference one bullet could have made.

What if we did not have to grieve over a shot that was not made?  What if a light was shown into the darkness of Adolf Hitler?  What if good salt was placed at the right time to make a difference?  What if an opportunity for a light to be shown was not missed?

The second story that has been told could have made the difference in the Second World War is told of Dr. Martin Neimoller (nee-moh-lur) who was a German pastor during the time of Adolf Hitler's reign. Neimoller is known for this quote: "First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out – because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out – because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out – because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me – and there was no one left to speak for me."

Ray Ellis' tells of meeting Neimoller had with Hitler after he was convicted and sentenced to prison for preaching the Gospel. Before being sent to prison, Neimoller had a 30-minute visit with Adolf Hitler. Hitler tried to persuade Neimoller to join his forces. For thirty minutes they discussed philosophy and the ideology of Nietzism. Neimoller would not give up his convictions, so Hitler sent him to prison.

Years later Neimoller was released from prison. He testified he had visions that haunted him. He dreamed that he saw Hitler standing before the judgment seat of God, and Neimoller was standing off to the side watching the event. In his vision he saw Christ turn to Hitler and say, "What is your excuse for all your crimes." In reply Hitler says: "No one told me the Gospel."

Neimoller said he wasted 30 minutes arguing philosophy with Hitler. He never told him about the love of Jesus Christ.

If this story is true what a difference that could have taken place if Hitler would have submitted to the God in that moment. Was this an opportunity missed? This we do not know. What we do know is that we must stay on task to share the Gospel. Have you ever watch dogs competing in an obstetrical course? The dogs are absolutely focused on the task listening and watching the trainer. We should be focused on the task Jesus has called us to do. We should have eyes on Him as we run the race focused on the Author and perfecter of our faith. When we look at events such as Phillip and the Ethiopian eunuch in Act 8. Because he listened to the prompting of the Holy Spirit the Gospel found its way into Africa. Because Peter listened to God in Acts 10 the gospel came to the house of Cornelius and gentiles received the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The impact each one of us can make we will never know this side of Heaven. What we do is worthwhile and does make a difference. We just need to hear and act on the commission Jesus has given us.

The warning:

Vs 13; But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.

As followers of Jesus if we fail to fulfill the commission we have been given, we turn away from God, diluting the values and priorities of the Kingdom we become useless agents of renewal and redemption.  When our message is no longer Christ focused the message we have is useless.

Dr. James Dobson, founder and President of Focus on the Family, has a hobby of collecting messages on signs. One time on the radio he shared one of his favorites. "No trespassing. Violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law." At the bottom of the sign was, "Sisters of Mercy".

Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.  And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful. {Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), Col 3:12–15.}

In 1 Peter 2:9 we learn that we are “a chosen nation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”  As such our behavior should reflect our God and King.  We need to avoid conduct that is unbecoming, unsuitable or inappropriate. This would include any conduct which adversely affects the members of the church and the light we shine in our communities.  

Conclusion: “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

The importance of our effectiveness as an individual, a congregation, and the church should not be understated. We each are responsible to be a light on the hill.  We are called to be good salt with the true gospel message.  As a congregation we need to do the same as we stand united as brethren building strong Christ focused families and communities.  We should remember we are part of the bigger picture as members of the Church: As it says in Ephesians 4:4-6 “There is one body (body is the Church) and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope, at your calling—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. “ {Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), Eph 4:4–6.}

 We are the body, the church is the light in the world and we need to let that light shine! We need to stop giving a confusing and false message.  We need to be a lighthouse showing the dangerous waters and the way to safety.  We must be messengers of hope and love pointing to our Redeemer and friend. 

A priest and a rabbi from local parishes were standing by the side of the road holding up signs. The rabbi’s read, "The End is Near!" The priest, on the other side of the road, held up a sign which read, "Turn before it’s too late!" They planned to hold up their signs to each passing car. "Get a job." The first driver yelled. The second, immediately behind the first, yelled, "Leave us alone you religious freaks"! Shortly, from around the curve, they heard screeching tires and a splash followed by more screeching tires and another splash. The rabbi looked over at his companion and said, "Do you think we should try a different sign"? The other man responded, "Perhaps, ’Bridge Out’ might be better"?

The message we share in speech and in deed sends a resounding message to a world in need of the Savior.  What kind of message are we sending?  Is it one that is clear and bright or is it a message that we cover up and hide? We are called to be the salt of the earth, the light of the world.  Let's not just talk about it, let us get to work!