Salt and Light

Matthew 5:13-16

The New King James Version Chapter 5

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Pray

You are the Salt of the Earth…But are you?

You Are: Jesus is speaking to His disciples...then and now

Salt of the Earth: Speaks of inward character that influences a decaying world

Salt:

Preserving Influence: against decay

We are called to preserve this decaying and rotten world by pointing people to the truth of His word

Medicinal Influence: Provides Healing

“Put Salt on the wound”

It Hurts but it healts

Hurts as it attacks the infecfion

Yet brings healing as it dehydrates the bacteria thus killing it, bringing the wound back to a more healthy condition.

1 Peter 2:2

“2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,”

Early on after babies are born, the milk that they drink have high amounts of nutrients that help fight against and kill infection

Timothy- Jaundice- Because he wasn’t getting the needed nutrients.

Let the Word of God and His Spirit make healthy and whole the parts that are infected by the way of the world.

As you spend tonight and the next couple days here away with the Lord,

Ask Him what are those areas in your life that need to have salt poured on them

Its going to be hard and and might hurt to lay it down but you will find true healing in Him.

Satisfying Influence: It leaves you desiring more

Job 6:6

“6 Can flavorless food be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?”

“Betcha can’t eat just one” -Lays Potato Chips

They are covered in just the right amount of salt that it keeps you coming back

“Just One More”

Picanha- Steak and Rock salt…No better combo

The steak keeps coming out and each time you say “This is the last piece” ….but just keep eating it

Salt so perfectly seasons it that keeps you desiring more….

Leviticus 2:13 With all your offerings you shall offer salt.”

The Word reminds us how the Lord is to satisfy us…

Psalm 34:8

“8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;

John 4:14- Jesus speaking to the Woman at the Well who all her life had felt infulfilled, empty, always desire more and desireing something else to give her meaning…

“14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.””

As we taste and see that HE is good, we will find that He Alone, fulfills us and satisfies us.

John 6:35

“35 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.”

As His disciples…we are called to be salt

John 13:35

“35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.””

Being Salt- Speaks of inward character that influences a decaying world

Does the World see the satisfying, fulfilling, peace and love of Jesus in your life?

Romans 15:13

Now many the God of all Joy and Hope give you peace as you trust in him

Philippians 4:6–7

“6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

In the Midst of the madness and darkness and decay in this world, is the world around you influenced by His character in your life?

V:13- But if the Salt Loses it’s flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

Salt- That is you the Disciple of Jesus

Are you fulfilling your God Given purpose to:

Be a preserving influence

By living out faithfully the Truth of God’s word in your life

Be a Medicinal Influence

Living in Hope and Healing that influences the decaying world

Be a Satisfying Influence

That lives in light of the Love of God that Is lavished on you

Or Are you failing to faithfully fulfil your purpose as Salt?

Instead of having a preserving influence on the world around you are you being conformed to the world around you?

Romans 12:2

“2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

This means taking time daily to be in His presence and in His word to stay salty!

Instead of having a Medicinal influence that brings healing, do your words do more hurting

Proverbs 12:18 (NLT)- Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.

Are your words like jabs

Colossians 4:6

“6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”

Instead of being an example of God’s Satisfying Love do you look for satisfaction and fulfillment in the things of the world?

Ephesians 5:1–7

“1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. 3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks

Imitate Christ not the World

The Believer should be set apart from the World

The way of the world will leave you empty and devoid of purpose.

Just as we see In V:13-

“It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men”

V:14- You are the Light of the World

You are

The phrase again is used to ensure that we the disciples know it is us he is referring to.

Light of the World: Speaks of the outward Testimony of good works that point to the Lord.

In Order to be a Light, you can’t be living in Darkness

Ephesians 5:8–11

“8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.”

V:8- For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.

Sons of the Lights, Reflect Their father!

We should look like him!

Example: Being told Timothy/Samuel look like me!

They reflect and resemble who I am …

V:11- And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.”

As sons and daughters of the Light we don’t live in darkness, but expose it for what it is…

2 Corinthians 6:12–18

12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. 13 Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open. 14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.” 17 Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” 18 “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.””

V:12- You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections.

Your relationship with the Lord does not restrict you but frees you

It is Your Sin that binds you and keeps you stuck in a pattern not fulfilling your God Given purpose

V:14 Fellowship: Partnership; To have something in common

What do you as a Christ follower have in common with the World?

What partnership do you have?

You shouldn’t have anything in common

Your life should be different

V:16- How can idols exist in the temple of God?…You are the temple

They cant Co-exist

They Have no place

Matt 6:24- Man can’t serve two masters…

Your Heart and life can’t be The Light and live in darkness

V:17- Come out from among them and Separate yourselves…

What do you need to separate yourself from…to rightly reflect the light of Jesus?

Is there a relationship tht you know the Lord is asking you to lay down and separate from?

Is there an addiction or habbit that has a hold on your lifge that is keeping from living set apart for the Lord?

Is there a fear or anxiety that grips your heart and keeps you from fully trusting God?

Tonight my prayer for you is that you choose Remove and Separate yourself…

Philippians 2:15 “15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,”

V:15 - 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.

We Live in a dark world….

Don’t hide your light

But be useful for your intended purpose

As you leave here tonight and go back to your cabins…you aren’t going to turn a flashlight on but put it in your backpack

You will use it for its intended purpose…

How is the Lord asking you to bolding Shine for Him?

Has the Lord put classmates or neighbors in your life that are living in darkness that is leading to a destructive life?

Proverbs 14:12 “12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.”

The Lord has put you there to lead them to the Truth…not their truth

Do you have friends that are living in sadness or hopelessness that only Jesus give give hope to?

Romans 15:13 “13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Do you have a family member that is aimlessly living without direction

Proverbs 3:5-6- He wants to direct their path

V:16- Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works (God Works) and glorify your Father in heaven

People are to evidently and obviously see Jesus in you that they unmistakenly know that is God that is doing a work in you and through you

Do you shine and share brightly for Him

Do people see the bright light of Jesus in your life

Or do you blend in to your surroundings and cicurmstances

V:16- That they may see

The world is watching…

What do they see?

1 Peter 2:12- Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world

Let the testimony of your life cause them to acknowledge that God is at work in you

matthew 14:22-31-

Walking on the water…

It led them to worship

God got the Glory

“They Marveled” at what -He had done…

Tonight every one of us is in one of these three categories:

Walking in Light

Hiding your light

Dont know the light

John 8:10–12- Adulterous woman

He doesnt accuse or condemn

butt invites you to walk in light not darkness

Tonight walk in forgiveness not fear

Love not condemnation

Invite 2 and 3 to come up and pray over. …

Pray

Keep walking; keep shining and sharing

Pray for boldness, pray for repentance to lay down idols

Pray to know the light