Untitled Sermon (2)

Salt and Light

What’s our role with friends that we disagree with?

How do we respond to abortion?

Can a Christian be gay?

What’s our role when someone is living a sinful lifestyle?

How should Christians be involved in politics?

Intro

We are to be salt and light in order that we receive the kingdom, but

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.

Salt of the Earth

What is salt good for?

2 purposes in the 1st Century Middle East

Preserves - Salt was used to preserve food, especially with meat which would spoil quickly in the desert enviornment

Enhances - Just as salt is used today, salt was added to food to make it taste better.

How are Christians to be the salt of the earth?

Believers preserve the world from evil

Psalm 14:3 NIV

All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.

Romans 8:8 NIV

Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

Believers enhance the flavor of life in this world. We will influence the world for good, just as salt has a positive influence on the food that it seasons

Losing saltiness = becoming foolish. It essentially meant that they’d lose their identity.

Light of the World

What is light good for?

How are Christians to be the light of the world?

We must be light to sinfulness

Good deeds should be seen by everything

What can prevent?

Difference between Christian and world must be preserved. Any time we choose to accept the ways of the world instead of the Bible means that we’re moving in the wrong direction.

Mark 9:50 NIV

“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.”

Luke 14:34–35 NIV

“Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

When we don’t follow Christ whole-heartedly, we lost our saltiness.

Role of Christian to not settle for things in the world. Status of salt and light follow naturally when we humbly submit to Christ.

Focus on Christ and pursue Him, and not others.

We’re not to be of the world, but we ARE to be in the world. We’re not only citizens of a heavenly kingdom, but of an earthly kingdom

In our culture

Matthew 25:31–40 NIV

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

- Jesus instructs His followers to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and care fo the sick -

Good samaritan

- Good Samaritan ministers to someone who is naked, beaten and half dead on the side of the road.