Making a Difference
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Making A Difference
Making A Difference
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
In the sequel to the beatitudes the Lord gave two illustrations to show how what we are will have an impact on what others do.
We who are “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world” are living in a world of
Decay - salt
Darkness- light
We are to have an impact on both conditions.
Decay - to become gradually damaged, worse, or less;
Darkness - the in ability to see your surroundings
We (Christians) are to help prevent destruction and give direction.
Ladies and gentlemen we are here to make a difference
Note that the Lord said we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
Note that the Lord said we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
Note that the Lord said we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
Jesus calls you to be salt and light in the world, and in so doing he calls you to make a difference.
[1] Phillips, J. (2014). Exploring the Gospel of Matthew: An Expository Commentary (). Kregel Publications; WORDsearch.
So, you are the salt of the earth, and you are the light of the world. What in the world did Jesus mean by this? The basic theme of this section is this. The Christian is meant to be different from the world. When we looked at the Beatitudes, we saw that the Beatitudes were all about Christian character, whereas this section on salt and light are all about Christian influence. And here’s the deal. You cannot influence the world if you are the same as the world. You cannot change something unless you are different. As Christians we are to be people of influence, and so we must be different from the world.
There’s a reason God doesn’t take you to heaven as soon as you accept Christ. You have a job to do. Your Christian job description has two parts: salt and light. And where do you fulfill your job? Right here on earth. The kingdom of heaven belongs to those who exhibit the characteristics of the Beatitudes, but we are still to live out our lives on earth, here in this world.
Jesus calls you to be salt and light in the world, and in so doing he calls you to make a difference.
Whether as a parent to your children or as a teacher to your students, or as a boss to your employees, who you are will have a far greater influence on others than anything else in your life.
Jesus calls you to be salt and light in the world, and in so doing he calls you to make a difference. You are to be an obvious Christian, and your Christian character should have a redeeming influence in the world.
You are to be an obvious Christian, and your Christian character should have a redeeming influence in the world.
The presupposition in this text is the decay and darkness of the world.
The very text presupposes decay and darkness.
Where you need salt,you have decay, and where you need light, there is darkness.
I. The Salt of the Earth
I. The Salt of the Earth
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
What You are - “You are the salt of the earth.”
A. What You are - “You are the salt of the earth.”
So let’s talk about the salt of the earth first. Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth.” ()
Jesus is talking to Christians here, and notice Jesus says that this is what you are.
He doesn’t say this is what you should be, he doesn’t say this is what you will be, he doesn’t say this is what you can be if you want to – he says this is what you are. You are the salt of the earth.
If the church does not fulfill its function as salt, there is no backup plan.
There are no salt substitutes. Look around at each other. We are it!
Jesus declares to the church, “You are the salt of the earth, and no one else.” Notice the contrast in his statement between salt and the earth.
Jesus used the concepts of salt and light a number of different times to refer to the role of His followers in the world.
We are the salt and light in our community.
Salt had two purposes in the Middle East of the first century.
Because of the lack of refrigeration, salt was used to preserve food, especially meat, which would quickly spoil in the desert environment.
Believers in Christ are preservatives to the world, preserving it from the evil inherent in the society of ungodly men whose unredeemed natures are corrupted by sin (; ).
Salt Stops Decay
1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, There is none that doeth good.
We are to identify to others Life and incorruption
We are to live a life as salt intervening in the affairs of others to help with the decay brought on by sin.
Look at decay from the worlds perspective
salt is rubbed in as a warning
exegete
1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. 2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. 3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. 4 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. 5 Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. 6 Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you. 7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
james 5.1-
Salt is rubbed into the meat to stop decay
We are to engage the unsaved and bring them to Christ .
Illustration
15 Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets. 16 But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead.
23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
Our life and testimony - Fred and Ann Ayers
our priories - our money , our time our talents ....
We are to be a community church not an isolated band of religious zealots.
Salt is only good if you have an object to apply it to.....
3 Defend the poor and fatherless: Do justice to the afflicted and needy. 4 Deliver the poor and needy: Rid them out of the hand of the wicked.
We are to antidote to decay ...
Illustration - refrigeration goes out food is spoiled and must be disguarded...
We are the salt for our community
We must be in the community ....
Race - Ed Ramon, Bible promise Book, freedom track and you ....
2nd use -enhancer
Salt was used then, as now, as a flavor enhancer.
In the same way that salt enhances the flavor of the food it seasons, the followers of Christ stand out as those who “enhance” the flavor of life in this world.
Second, salt was used then, as now, as a flavor enhancer. In the same way that salt enhances the flavor of the food it seasons, the followers of Christ stand out as those who “enhance” the flavor of life in this world. Christians, living under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and in obedience to Christ, will inevitably influence the world for good, as salt has a positive influence on the flavor of the food it seasons. Where there is strife, we are to be peacemakers; where there is sorrow, we are to be the ministers of Christ, binding up wounds, and where there is hatred, we are to exemplify the love of God in Christ, returning good for evil ()
Christians, living under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and in obedience to Christ, will inevitably influence the world for good, as salt has a positive influence on the flavor of the food it seasons.
marriages - should be salty
Families - salty
Where there is strife, we are to be peacemakers;
where there is sorrow, we are to be the ministers of Christ, binding up wounds,
and where there is hatred, we are to exemplify the love of God in Christ, returning good for evil ()
22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
A salty church is one that gets into the community and rubs salt into wounds.
Lifting up the hurting ‘
Lifting up the needy
caring for the discouraged
36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
When the salt has lost its flavor its used as road bed material and put on roofs of homes because its property of Harding the ground and soil.
mathew 22.36-40
When a Christian stops caring for others and their condition he is just another person in the community.
ignored and become like a pharisee
They become hard and are walked by
We become irrelevant and have no influence
We become irrelevant and have no influence
we live in a bubble of delusion
We live in bubble have lost touch with reality
The salt is set apart from the earth. If it was the same as the earth, it wouldn’t have an influence on the earth.
To have an Influence you must be salt - prevent decay
Once again, as Christians we are called to be different from the world around us.
B. The meaning of the analogy:
Of course Jesus could have used any number of illustrations to tell us that Christians are different from the world. So why did he use salt here? What is the meaning of the analogy?
1) This world is in moral decay.
The primary use of salt for the people in Jesus’ day was to stop decay.
brushing your teeth stops tooth decay
salt on meat stopped or slows down the decay of meat
We are to help in our community...
broken families
We are to be salt in our town
The race brings our community to us
So when Jesus says you are the salt of the earth, he is not only making a statement about you as a Christian but also about the world around you.
So when Jesus says you are the salt of the earth, he is not only making a statement about you as a Christian but also about the world around you.
This world is in moral decay, and it desperately needs Christians to keep it from going bad.
God restrains evil in society through a number of means – through government, through family structures, through the restraining influence of the law, through the restraining influence of the Holy Spirit.
But he says to Christians, you are the salt of the earth.
The world is in moral decay, and it is the special responsibility of Christians to keep the world from going bad.
2) Christians act as salt in the world:
So how do Christians act as salt in the world? There were at least eleven different uses for salt in the ancient world, but we will look at three main uses this morning that I believe Jesus intended in this analogy.
– salt cleanses: we live pure lives in the world
First of all, salt cleanses, so as Christians we act as salt by living pure lives in the world.
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
Salt is an anti-septic which cleans wounds and fights infection.
Salt in a wound does not go unnoticed. When you live a pure life in the world, you will not go unnoticed either. You will stand out from others as an obvious Christian.
Another thing about salt in a wound. It hurts.
Even though it is cleansing, it is unpleasant. When you live a pure life in the world as a Christian, the world is not comfortable with your witness.
It stings their conscience. That’s why Jesus says you can expect persecution.
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
In the Beatitudes Jesus said you would be persecuted. Now he tells you why. Salt cleanses, and we act as salt when we live pure lives in the world.
– salt preserves: we stand up for what is right
Secondly, salt preserves, so as Christians we act as salt in the world when we stand up for what is right. Salt is a preservative that delays corruption and decay. Salt is built right into the rocks and the soil around us, and it filters the water running through them. This world would not survive long without salt.
In the same way as Christians we are to be a preserving influence in society.
To have an influence you must be light - overcome darkness
We are to fight against moral corruption.
We are to stand up for what is right.
We are to make a difference. If our church were to leave would it even make a difference?
VBS, AWANNA etc .....
20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
Once again, this means being an obvious Christian. How do you stop the world from going bad if you go along with it? You can’t. Salt preserves, and we act as salt in the world when we stand up for what is right.
– salt flavors: we attract people to Christ
parable of the good samatian exegete
And then thirdly, salt flavors, so as Christians we act as salt in the world when we attract people to Christ by our lives. Salt basically makes things taste better. It adds flavor and spice. So as Christians we are not just to have an influence in the world, but a positive influence. Christians should be active in the world and exercise a positive Christian influence in all levels of society – at work, at home, at school, in our communities, in politics, in culture and the arts.
Ask yourself. Am I a good neighbor? Do I treat people well at work? Do I exhibit the fruit of the Holy Spirit in my life? Am I full of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? Do I attract people to Christ by my life?
Without compromising the gospel message, we are to do everything we can to make the gospel attractive to the world around us. Yes, the salt will still sting in the wound, but we need to make sure it is the truth that stings and not our manner. Salt flavors, and we act as salt when we attract people to Christ by our lives.
C. Warning – when the salt loses its saltiness (compromise):
Jesus continues in this verse with a warning. 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 by men.” () If salt loses its saltiness, it loses its purpose. The whole purpose of salt is to act as salt. The whole purpose of the church is to act like the church.
Jesus is talking about compromise here. He is not talking about losing your salvation, but about losing your influence. When the church makes moral compromises to fit in with the world, it is no longer acting as salt in the world. The world doesn’t need the church to be more like the world. The world needs the church to be more like Jesus. When the church acts like everyone else, when it loses its saltiness, it loses its reputation and it loses its mission.
1) The church loses its reputation (can’t be made salty again)
First of all, when the church loses its saltiness, it loses its reputation. That’s what Jesus means when he says, “How can it be made salty again?” When the church loses its reputation, it is so hard to get it back again. How many people are already convinced that the church is full of hypocrites and has nothing positive to offer the world? Make sure you are doing everything you can to hold up a good reputation for Christ and his bride in this world.
2) The church loses its mission (no longer good for anything)
And secondly, when the church loses its saltiness, it loses its mission. That’s what Jesus means when he says, “It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.” Christians have a mission to bring the gospel of Christ to all the world. But when you lose your saltiness, you lose your mission, and when you lose your mission, you lose the unique purpose that God has for you. When the church loses its mission, it is no longer good for anything.
Our mission is to be in the world but not of the world. Salt does no good when it stays in the saltshaker, so you need to get out of the saltshaker and into the world. We are the salt of the earth, so we need to be scattered throughout society – cleansing, preserving, adding flavor as Christians in the world. And we need to stay salty. Because when the church loses its saltiness, it loses its reputation and its mission in the world.
II. The Light of the World (14-16)
II. The Light of the World (14-16)
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Throughout the New Testament, the followers of Jesus are called to be lights in the darkness. So, what does it mean to shine? It means:
This world is in darkness.
.
Now Jesus also said, “I am the light of the world.” () We saw in chapter four that Matthew compared Jesus’ ministry to the dawning of a great light. () Jesus is the true light of the world, but as followers of Christ, we reflect his light. Jesus is like the sun, and we are the moon. The moon has no light of its own, but it reflects the light of the sun. In the same way we reflect Jesus’ light to others.
Jesus said, “A city 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.” () You can’t hide a city on a hill, especially at night when all the lights are on. You don’t put a lamp under a bowl. It defeats the purpose. You are the light of the world, and there is no other. This is part of your job description as a Christian.
1) This world is in darkness.
So let’s talk about the meaning of the analogy. If the meaning of the salt analogy is that this world is in moral decay, the meaning of the light analogy is that this world is in darkness. This world is in the darkness of sin, deception, ignorance and rebellion.
– It doesn’t know the way to God ()
17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
What does it mean to shine?
What does it mean to shine?
14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
This world is in darkness, and it doesn’t know the way to God. But we do! Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” () We know the way, and we need to share it with others.
phil 4
In the Gospel of John, Jesus is called “the true light, which gives light to everyone” ().
It doesn’t know God’s ways ()
9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven ().
The most difficult task a coach undertakes is to so challenge his team that each player measures up to his full potential each game. Perhaps the most effective way to challenge an athlete is to honestly compliment him on what he can be if he gives his all. When Jesus declared, "Ye are the light of the world," He presented His disciples with the greatest challenge, as well as the highest compliment, that could ever be honestly extended to mortals.
Jesus Himself is "the light of the world" (). Thus, when He called us "the light of the world," He uttered the most generous compliment ever extended to men.
Christians, in a sense, actually sustain the same relationship to the world that the Savior does. This stirring declaration is at the same time the paramount test as well, for it challenges us to live in the world in the same manner as He did. How are Christians "the light of the world"?
Light is eminently good in several ways. Christians must possess the same excellent qualities exhibited by light. The goodness of light is first displayed in that fact it provides visibility. Without light, we can see nothing. Without Christ and the Gospel, the world lies in spiritual darkness (; ). The only glimpse of Christ that most of the world sees is His reflection in the lives of His disciples (cf. ). As the poet well sang:
"We are the only Bible
The careless world will read,
We are the sinner's gospel
We are the scoffers creed;
"We are the Lord's last message
Given in deed and word,
What if the type is crooked?
What if the print is blurred?"
(Annie J. Flint, "The World's Bible")
Light comforting it is to one lost in the wilderness to have a lamp to guide him to safety through the blackness of a storm-filled night. How comforting it is to a soul lost in the wilderness of sin to have the example of a faithful disciple to lead him to Christ through the darkness of the sin-cursed world (cf. ).
We further behold the innate excellence of light in its capacity to heal. Sun light has the ability to help heal wounds and strengthen feeble bodies. Malachi prophesied of Christ, "But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun righteousness arise with healing in his wings" (). Christians reflect that healing light upon sin-sickened and wounded souls.
Light protects from evil. One of the crime-deterring programs proposed by our government is the installation of more and better lights on city streets, for darkness is the cover for crime (cf. ). The example of mature Christians protects spiritual babes from the pitfalls of sin.
Light makes life possible. Without the light of the sun, no life would exist on this earth. Without the light of the Son, whose light is seen in His disciples, no spiritual life would exist in this world ().
Light exposes things hidden in darkness. Did you ever experience the frustration of searching for something in a dark house at night when the lights were off? Light alleviates the problem. The light of the example of our lives as Christians exposes the deeds of darkness of the sinful people of the world ().
Thus, the sinful world lies in the terrifying condition of spiritual darkness (cf. ). Jesus, the light of the world, is the source of all spiritual light to guide the lost to salvation (). He is our sun. But, we, His disciples, reflect His light to the people of the world, who might not know Him save through our example (). We are the moon, deriving all light from the sun. To reflect His light, we must live as He did (). The ultimate test by which a Christian should decide whether anything is right or wrong in his life is the simple question: "What would Jesus do?"
In ancient times cities were commonly surrounded by walls and built upon high places overlooking the surrounding terrain. Jerusalem was such a city. This made it doubly hard for an attacker to penetrate the city's fortifications, for the defenders could easily see approaching enemies and could shoot down at them. But one thing about such a city. It was open to the view of all. It could not be hidden.
Disciples of Christ are like "A city that is set on a hill." In this figure, Christians are viewed collectively, as the Lord's church (cf. ). All the world around us sees us and usually pays close attention to our example as a church, because they are (or, at least should be) aware of 'our claims to be peculiarly God's chosen people (). As an attacking enemy would view a fortified city from afar, looking for a weakness in its defense, the world views the church, looking for an excuse to call us hypocrites (cf. ; ;15). Are there any holes in the walls?
Christians are again likened to "a candle." This illustrates our relationship as individual Christians to the world. Actually, the words "candle" and "candlestick' are correctly rendered "lamp" and "stand" in the American Standard Version.
"The houses in Palestine were very dark with one little circular window perhaps not more than eighteen inches across. The lamp was like a sauce-boat filled with oil with the wick floating in it. It was not so easy to rekindle a lamp in the days before matches existed. Normally the lamp stood on the lampstand which would be no more than a roughly shaped branch of wood; but when people went out, for safety's sake, they took the lamp from its stand, and put it under an earthen bushel measure, so that it might burn without risk until they came back. The primary duty of the light of the lamp was to be seen.
". . . there can be no such thing as secret discipleship, for either the secrecy destroys the discipleship, or the discipleship destroys the secrecy" (William Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. I, p. 119).
To hide your discipleship is to render yourself useless as a light (). Christian, young or old, never. be ashamed to be a disciple to Christ before your friends. It~ is often unpopular, both at school and on the job, to live above the sins of the world, but a lamp must give light.
What, then, is the Christian's responsibility to the sinful world around him? "Let your light shine before men . . . ." Notice the Master did not teach, "Shine your light." He exhorted, "Let your light shine." We should not do good works just to be seen of men (). We should .live for Christ whether people see or not. How does one let his light shine? Jesus explained, "that they may see your good works . . . ." Simply live as Christ would have us to live, follow His Will and example in all things, and people will notice the difference (; ).
Why should Christians live before the world in this way? "That they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." God is glorified as men submit to His will (). Our good deeds should not be done to draw men's attention to our own piety, but to lead them to God who enables us to live for Him (). We should not seek glory for the church, but should glorify God in the church (). All that we do before the 'world as Christians, whether in word or action, should tend to lead others to God that He might be glorified (: 10:31-33).
Christian, "Ye are the light of the world." Do you reflect Christ to the people around you in all that you say and do? Do you lead others to Christ by your example? Do you cause men to glorify God?
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
In the Gospel of John, Jesus is called “the true light, which gives light to everyone” ().Throughout the New Testament, the followers of Jesus are called to be lights in the darkness. So, what does it mean to shine? It means:
God’s Word shines a light on our dark paths and shows us the right way to go, the right way to live. But the world doesn’t know or follow God’s Word. This world is in darkness. It doesn’t know the way to God. It doesn’t know God’s ways.
Being counter-cultural
2) Christians act as light in the world:
We live in a dark world, full of lies, hate and confusion. But God’s Word tells us to “cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light” ().
While others are chasing after physical pleasures and selfish gain, we’re commanded to live a different way—to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires” ().
12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
We are commanded to live a different way.
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Illustration of counter cultural - different priories
marriages
family
money
Putting yourself out there.
Let your light shine .
Stealth Bomber - hidden weapon in an air plane hanger
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others” (). He explained that no one lights a lamp just to hide it under a basket.
We are not to hide behind the walls of the church lecturing everone how bad they are
A lamp is meant to be placed on a stand to give light to everything around it.
Whether you’re timid or outgoing, you’re called to be a light to the people around you. That’s only possible if you’re taking time to interact with people and cultivate relationships.
What keeps you from shining?
What keeps you from shining?
Therefore, as Christians we are to act as light. And there are three ways we especially fulfill this role as light in the world.
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
– light shines: we stand out as followers of Jesus
It’s easy to see the shine of a new diamond ring from across the room. But over time, that shine can dull as dust collects on it.
First of all, light shines. Therefore, we are to stand out as followers of Jesus. We cannot help the world if we are not different from the world. Think about the city on a hill that cannot be hidden. Jesus has set us on a hill for everyone to see. We are to be public spectacles for Jesus. There should be something different about your manner, different about your countenance, different about your life that makes you stand out as a follower of Jesus. I like the Newsboys song that says: “Shine, make them wonder what you got, make them wish that they were not on the outside looking bored. Shine, let it shine before all men, let them see good works, and then, let them glorify the Lord.” Light shines; therefore we are to stand out as followers of Jesus.
In the same way, sin can dull our shine as lights for Jesus Christ. Our lives which once sparkled with the joy of Christ can become clouded with a love for things of this world.
– light illuminates: we point people to God and his ways
Secondly, light illuminates. We are to point people to God and his ways. Jesus is the true light, and we are to point people to him. We should be bold in our witness for Christ, and our lives should back it up. Do people see Jesus Christ in your life? Because if they cannot see Christ in Christians, they will certainly not find him in the world.
Before you can be a light to others, take a look at your own life.
Has sin dulled the evidence of Christ in you? Maybe it’s time to stop, take a moment and ask God to reveal any sins you might be ignoring.
If there’s a sin you repeatedly struggle with, write it down and pray over it continually. Ask God for His forgiveness and help in changing your heart. We’ll never be perfect, but we need to address our sin—partly because it impacts others.
So how exactly do you shine?
So how exactly do you shine?
– light reveals: we show others how God wants us to live
And then finally, light reveals. We are to show others how God wants us to live. I like how G. Campbell Morgan puts it. We are “to show men what would result if all the world were obedient to the whisper of the Throne of the Most High.”
Do not be conformed to this world … —, ESV
C. Encouragement – when your light shines brightly (witness):
“Being a light” sounds great, doesn’t it? But it’s also a little abstract. How exactly do you become this brilliant beacon to people around you? Here are 4 practical tips:
Be careful what you say.
The salt passage ended with a warning about the salt losing its saltiness. But the light section ends with an encouragement about what happens when your light shines brightly. Look at verse 16: “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” ()
“Let your light shine before men.” This is only the second command in the Sermon on the Mount so far. (The first one was to rejoice when persecuted.) And what will happen when your light shines brightly? Two things:
8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
The Bible calls the tongue “a restless evil, full of deadly poison” (). Yikes! That’s pretty serious. And that’s how we should take our speech—seriously. Maybe a parent once told you, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” It’s not bad advice, even as an adult. Words are powerful and can be used for good or bad. You might even post this verse somewhere as a reminder
The Bible calls the tongue “a restless evil, full of deadly poison” (). Yikes! That’s pretty serious. And that’s how we should take our speech—seriously. Maybe a parent once told you, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” It’s not bad advice, even as an adult. Words are powerful and can be used for good or bad. You might even post this verse somewhere as a reminder: “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (). Read How to Tame the Tongue.Consider your entertainment. Where do you go for fun? What shows or movies do you watch? What kind of music do you listen to? Would you go to the same places, watch the same things or listen to the same music if Jesus were sitting next to you? Or would you be embarrassed? It might sound silly, but asking those questions is a good way to keep yourself in check, whether you’re alone or with others.Use social media wisely. People are watching what you post, whether they interact with your posts or not. Think about the things you’ve posted recently—articles, comments, photos and so on. Could they be seen as prideful? Self-centered? Rude? What’s your motive? To put others down or make them jealous? Hopefully not. Aim to make informed, respectful posts that represent the One you claim as Lord.Think of others. Consider other people’s needs and help meet them. Encourage instead of criticize. Be patient. Give others the benefit of the doubt. If you hear gossip, distance yourself from it or change the subject. When you encounter a difficult person, remember that they were made and are loved by God. Above all, “Treat others the same way you want them to treat you” ().
1) People will see your good deeds
First of all, people will see your good deeds. The word translated “good” in this verse means “attractive or pleasing” rather than good in the moral sense. Of course our deeds should be moral as well, but the emphasis here is on works that help other people, that present the Christian life as attractive and pleasing to others. When you let your light shine, people will see your good deeds. The testimony of your life should match the testimony of your lips.
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
There is a great book by Dr. James Kennedy called: What If Jesus Had Never Been Born? And he goes through history and shows what a positive difference the church has made in the world in so many areas: in science, culture, the arts, politics, education, medicine, sharing the gospel and helping the poor. The world is indeed a better place because of Christians living out their faith as salt and light in the world.
Once again, you are to be an obvious Christian. People should see by your good deeds that you are a follower of Christ.
2) People will praise your Father in heaven
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” ().
Why do you let your light shine? First of all, so people will see your good deeds, and then secondly, so people will praise your Father in heaven. This is the first time in the Gospel of Matthew that God is called our Father. Good works don’t make you a Christian, but they show that you are a Christian. When God’s light shines through you, people will see him in you. When people recognize you as God’s children, they will praise God as your Father. When you fulfill your calling as light in the world, you bring glory to God.
Ultimately, you do good works not that they might see you but that they might see him. We will learn more about this in when we talk about being a secret Christian.
Let them see your good works
Let them see your good works
Use social media wisely.
They can’t see them unless you have them ...
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Good works - Love and sacrifice.
Good Samaritan - went out of his way , spent his own money and really cared ...
You want to have an influence
Be Salt
be Light
CONCLUSION: You are the salt of the earth, and you are the light of the world. That is your role in this world. But you only fulfill your role if your salt remains salty and you let your light shine.
Are you an obvious Christian? Are you exercising a Christian influence in the world around you? That is what God has called you to do. This world needs your Christian witness. So go and be salty, and let your light shine