Matthew 5b
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Please turn to Matthew 5. During the past week I’ve thought a lot about the word moron. I grew up with Bugs Bunny and he would often say, “What a moroon!” My mother-in-law would sometimes call us mōrons in a lighthearted way. Why have I been thinking about this word? Glad you asked and rest assured, I will tell you - later.
Last week, Matt introduced us to the Sermon on the Mount, chapters 5–7. We call it the Sermon on the Mount because, starting in v1,
Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
Whether or not Jesus gave this entire sermon in one setting or if it’s a collection, we don’t know. But the overarching purpose of the Sermon on the Mount is to “flip the script” so to speak, regarding human character.
Matthew 5-7 is how we ought to live, not merely by doing, but by being.
The Sermon on the Mount reveals God’s character and thus should become our character – who we as disciples of Jesus should be. I wrote the word character ….
Character has a lot to do with how we interact with one another. So, Jesus is
The Sermon on the Mount teaches us how to navigate relationships in the best way possible that makes visible God’s Character.
“Discipleship requires putting off [our] sinful patterns … and relearning how to do life God’s way in God’s family” ~ Peter Scazzero.
– which is the intent of this Sermon – learning a new way to do relationships – and learning to reorient our entire lives around our relationship with Jesus. Again, this is all about character, and so we need to look at our character through the lens of Matthew 5-7 – and make adjustments – not just individually, but as a community of disciples.
With all that in mind, let’s move onto v13 which is about salt and light. Many of you have probably heard a hundred sermons on this passage, but don’t tune out. Let’s work through this because there is always something new to learn – especially the word moron.
Jesus said,
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
Now, salt does many things which are included in the handout. Salt preserves, heals, flavors, softens (water softeners use salt to remove hard minerals), soothes sore muscles, counteracts bitterness (e.g. dark chocolate w/ sea salt, coffee), melts ice, and kills slugs. However, too much salt can corrode metal, cause high blood pressure, make you sick, or even kill.
So you see, salt has many purposes and effects, we’ll explore those in a moment, but what’s this about salt losing its saltiness? Everyone knows that salt does not literally lose its flavor (saltiness), so there must be a different meaning somewhere. So what might it be? I wonder if moron has a connection.
The word moron has become an offensive word and rightfully so when it’s used inappropriately or in a derogatory manner. However, when moron is used correctly it can be an enjoyable word that adequately describes certain members of the human species. The word moron simply refers to a foolish or stupid person. Of course, a foolish or stupid person is one who knowingly chooses to do something foolish or stupid. For instance, starting a fire on a coffee table in a mobile home built in the 1960s – a mobile home with paneled walls and thick yellow shag carpet – and tossing kernels of popcorn into the fire – and pouring Pepsi on the thick yellow shag carpet that somehow caught on fire because the popcorn popped. That boy at that particular moment did something really foolish and by definition, was a moron. Mom, if you’re listening, now you know what happened to your thick yellow shag carpet.
Why are we talking about morons?
Lost (Grk verb mōrainō) - to make foolish.
Mōrainō comes from the root word, mōros, which is where we get our English word – moron. So what was Jesus saying? “Don’t be a moron?” I think so.
How do I get that? To ensure we’re on the same page, our word dismissive is key.
Dismissive (adj.) - having or showing a disdainful attitude toward someone or something regarded as unworthy of serious attention (M-W).
When the people who carry the name of Jesus dismissively (e.g. they know it’s wrong / sin - especially if ignoring the Spirit’s conviction) live in a way that is clearly contrary to Godly character as revealed in Scripture they live as fools (morons), not only in the sight of God but in the sight of others. When we dismissively live contrary to God’s principles (e.g. sexual immorality, drunkenness, lying, hatred on social media) we make Jesus, the Christian faith, the Bible look irrelevant – and we lose credibility and we lose respect and our voice with our neighbors and our world. Living dismissively damages and hinders our Godly influence. We call that … hypocrisy. Jesus said, living like a hypocrite – no longer good for anything. In other words, you’re doing more harm than good, which I’ve said before, was the case with me many years ago when Jesus told me to quit playing games – get in or get out. So, this
Living dismissively of Christ’s character is what Jesus meant by salt losing its saltiness (i.e. losing credibility, purpose and usefulness).
Jesus does ask how can it be made salty again. In short, it’s through confession and repentance – both personally and publicly. Personally, I need to confess to God and repent – and God begins to restore that person. Publicly, there’s confession and repentance to those involved / hurt ….
It’s easy to damage people’s perception of Jesus and the Church and difficult to restore credibility. Not impossible, but difficult. Effects can last a lifetime and hurt a lot of people. Don’t live like a moron – don’t make Jesus look bad. 2nd Commandment. If we do, there is hope ….
I know that was a long explanation, but I think that’s what Jesus meant – He’s asking His followers, us, to be careful how we live – because we are the salt of the earth.
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
How we live publicly, privately, individually, and corporately really matters. We’ll talk more about that next week.
As salt, we can preserve or corrode, heal or make sick, we can soothe or burn, we can soften hard hearts and counteract bitterness if we slow down and learn to live emotionally and spiritually mature healthy Christian lives like Jesus. Maybe this week, sit with Jesus and ask, “Lord, please show me if I’m not the kind of salt I should be. Show me if I’m living like a moron. Help me to change and be good salt.”
Let’s flip this before we go. Salt is a wonderful gift (especially Pink Himalayan course / grind …). Salt is a wonderful gift and has many purposes and uses. Salt is meant to be used. Jesus said we are the salt – which means you have a purpose.
As salt, in the hands of God, each of us can be a gift to the world.
Let’s look at this list slowly (in the handout), open our hearts to Jesus, and invite the Holy Spirit to give us some revelation.
How might God be calling you / us (KNAZ) to be salt in a particular way to a particular person(s)?
Listen to the Spirit for a particular person or group. “I want you to be salt in the form of _______________ (flavoring, soothing etc.) to them.”
The whole point of being salt and light is to point people toward Jesus.
Salt Preserves – to keep from corrosion
Salt Heals – bring health to the sick
Salt Softens – removes hard crusty minerals
Salt Counteracts bitterness –
Salt Flavors – to spice up
Salt Melts – dissolves cold icy substances
Salt Soothes – helps to relax and rest
Salt Kills slugs – I’ll leave that one to you
If you don’t know Jesus … A. B. C (trust).
What is God saying to you this morning?
