Salt and Light (2)

It’s Time to Come Home

When I began pastoring the church, I was given a ledger to track the membership of the church. I imagine some churches still use it and I bet there are some churches that have a library that goes back hundreds of years – churches in Europe, maybe thousands of years.

Our membership is now computerized in a software program which offers several membership types – members, regular attenders, guests, and unassigned (businesses or ministries for example). We, like probably every other church, have more people in the guest category than any of the other categories. In fact, our members and regular attenders combined (86) is still a smaller number than people who have been guests or could not be reasonably considered regular attenders.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if they came home in 2025? We started 2025 with the challenge, “Everyone Reach One” and a message I titled “Scratch It” because there is a need for the Gospel. Today’s message is about being Salt and Light in our communities – we will get to that in a moment.

I’m excited to tell you about what we are doing during the weeks leading up to Easter Sunday. We will be praying for the lost, praying for those who are not in church, believing that they will receive the Good News of the Gospel and Come Home to God and the church.

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Come Home starts April 20th. If you have someone you want us to pray for, add their name to the list at findmyhome.church/prayer .

As people return to church, we want to welcome and honor them with love and wisdom. So, here are three things not to say to people coming home:

· Wow – look who decided to show up!

· I haven’t seen you in forever – except on social media

· Where have you been?

· I hope you’re back for good this time.

What to Say:

· I’m happy to see you.

· Seeing you makes me smile

· I love you

· Welcome home.

I’m looking forward to seeing what God will do this year. I believe that if we begin to pray, those chairs stacked in the back will need to be put out. Prayer is certainly important, but it is just one tool for us to be Salt and Light in our families, communities, and workplaces.

Jesus Sees US as Salt and Light for Others

For us to reach others, we have to become Salt and Light. 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. Jesus says it ought to be who we ARE:

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 – our clothing style, the vehicle we drive, the way we speak…but more importantly, the way we live. 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…but, unfortunately, when we look at the behaviors of Christians and non-believers side by side, we are often left wondering. This led Rev. John Stott to make this statement:

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?”

The Nature of Salt and Light

Jesus spoke on the side of a mountain overlooking the Sea of Galilee. His listeners would have been able to look off in the distance and see the city of Magdala. Magdala was the lakeside center for the salting and preservation of fish.[1]Like the salt utilized at Magdala, Jesus’ listeners both add flavor to and preserve the created order.[2]

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]

Also in the background, the audience can see a city called Hippos. Hippos was a Roman occupied city in the time of Jesus. It likely contained temples, bathhouses, an athletic facility, and shrines. It would have been lit up like the Las Vegas of it’s day. Jesus makes the comparison between his followers and Hippos: just as Hippos is high, prominent, visible, and proclaiming Pax Romana to all, Jesus’ disciples are to be high, prominent, and visible, proclaiming Pax Christus to the world.[4]

1. Light attracts.

2. Light repels darkness.

3. Light brings joy.

4. Light purifies.

As Christians we ought to be noticeable – obvious. Just like salt and light, there are numerous ways that we should be noticeable.

Deploying Yourself as Salt and Light for Christ

There’s an old saying, “All it takes for evil to prevail is for a few good men to do nothing.” In other words, a majority isn’t required to bring God’s will into a situation; all He needs is for someone to be willing to put their life on the line, to radically obey Him in key moments of decision. Faith, in itself, isn’t enough. To be “salt” (to preserve against corruption) and “light” (to bring God’s truth into darkness) requires courage. So, God wants to strategically place you in situations where He can use you to bring His will to pass.

Earlier this week I learned about a situation that my brother-in-law, a Houston fire fighter experienced. I asked him to tell us about it.

[Mark’s video… (4:20)]

Mark talked about moral and ethical duties. Jesus calls us out…YOU are the salt…. You are the light.

Practical Ways to Be Salt and Light

1. Pray for revival.

2. Be conscious of living prophetically as an example (serve more than scold).

3. Allow God to promote you into positions where you can influence decisions.

4. Transform every environment where you have influence: your business, your team, your class, etc.

5. Learn to pray with authority.

6. Recognize worship as a warfare which drives back the darkness.

The atmosphere of a community can change without people even knowing why.[5]

Practical Realities of Being Salt and Light

The truth is this creates some very practical realities. For that to happen you must be:

1. Willing to exchange the world’s wisdom for God’s.

2. Willing to stand alone, apart from the group.

o The way the world thinks, and God thinks is radically different.

o I need regular contact with the Word to renew my thinking and refresh my faith.

3. Willing to be placed in a difficult situation.

o Jesus sends out His disciples

Mark 6:6–13 NIV

He was amazed at their lack of faith. Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits. These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

o I have a part to play, but it is God who will bring His will to pass.

4. Willing to pay the emotional price afterward.

o Even when God is victorious, playing this role can be costly leaving us feeling tired, alone, unwanted and somewhat resentful that I was left to take the “hit” while others who shared my concerns lacked the courage to say anything.

o There’s a danger of becoming self-righteous and bitter.

Go With God

Every believer has the God-given responsibility to share the gospel with others. We may not all be evangelists, missionaries, or pastors, but Christ has given us a story to tell. Rusty Stevens, a director for the Navigators, shares his story.

As I feverishly pushed the lawn mower around our yard, I wondered if I’d finish before dinner. Mikey, our 6-year-old, walked up and, without even asking, stepped in front of me and placed his hands on the mower handle. Knowing that he wanted to help me, I quit pushing.

The mower quickly slowed to a stop. Chuckling inwardly at his struggles, I resisted the urge to say, “Get out of here, kid. You’re in my way.” and said instead, “Here, Son. I’ll help you.” As I resumed pushing, I bowed my head back and leaned forward, and walked spread-legged to avoid colliding with Mikey. The grass cutting continued, but more slowly, and less efficiently than before, because Mikey was “helping” me.

Suddenly, tears came to my eyes as it hit me: “This is the way my heavenly Father allows me to helphim build his kingdom!” I pictured my heavenly Father at work seeking, saving, and transforming the lost, and there I was, with my weak hands “helping.” My Father could do the work by himself, but he doesn’t. He chooses to stoop gracefully to allow me to co-labor with him. Why? For my sake, because he wants me to have the privilege of ministering with him.

The opportunity is there. God is there waiting to help you. What are you waiting for?[6]

We have the opportunity to Reach Out…Be salt and light…Do something... Be Salty!

[1]Vernon H. Alexander, “The Words and Teachings of Jesus in the Context of Galilee,” in Lexham Geographic Commentary on the Gospels, ed. Barry J. Beitzel and Kristopher A. Lyle, Lexham Geographic Commentary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016), 139.

[2]Ibid, 140.

[3]Croft M. Pentz, Sermon Outlines for Christians, Dollar Sermon Library Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1975), 31.

[4]Ibid, 140.

[5]C. Stevens Schell, Preaching through the Book of Romans (Federal Way, WA: Northwest Church, 2016), 165–166.

[6]Leadership Ministries Worldwide, Practical Illustrations: 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude(Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 2003), 85.