I am salt, yes, I am salty

Thank you, Jesus. You may be seated in the presence of the Lord. Hallelujah. Thank you. Jesus. Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place. Payday. Amen. I'm I'm going to do my best to keep on schedule. Amen. And try to get to the conclusion of the matter. To the end of the dissertation that I'm about to open a men. So I pray that you marry with me today, cuz we're going to be on a little bit of a journey, though. The plane may be a little late on the tarmac, amen. It is my hope that we will catch a little bit of air in some Lift-Off. Amen. So be patient with me Journey with me. And my sister can ask the last time when she preached for some Grace. So I'm asking, I'm petitioning the house for the same. I feel like I'm a little bit Rusty. God is good. He is definitely amazing. Amen. I pray that our hearts are open God to your word. I pray, the Lord Jesus. It will transform our lives and make us knew that you continue to finish the work, which you have started in our hearts God that we will bear fruit and much more fruit God as you prune our lives, in the name of Jesus. I pray. Amen. If you can turn your Bibles with me to the Book of Matthew chapter 5,

And we're going to be reading verse 13.

And I would like you to read out loud as I read. We're going to read together. You find it. Please say, Amen. Or say I got it. Amen. Well, read and 123 ye are the salt of the earth, but if the salt have lost its Savor wherewith, shall it be salted? It is then Sports good for nothing but to be cast out and to be trodden Under Foot of men. Can we read that one more time? Ye are the salt of the earth but if the salt have lost it, bigger wherewith, shall it be salted? It is then Sports good for nothing but to be cast out and to be trodden Under Foot of men, my sermon Today, I would cut. I am salt. Yes, I'm salty. I am so, I'm sorry. When I got in this text, I literally like nine times. I don't know, God say, but I felt the echo in my spirit and it was literally, I am salt. That's all. I kept recycle K, I let let me go to the verse that. I know that says that I'm salt by starting to do my research from there. And as I'm going to go ahead and I would like to start by defining what the song I can give the chemical definition. But I'm sure that most of us to then major in any form of chemistry and chemical engineering or anything like that. Probably wouldn't understand what that definition is. But the definition that we know salt to me, is a white crystalline substance that gives seawater is characteristic taste and is used for seasoning or preserving food. Salt is healthy and it maintains the health of other thing. It's occurs naturally whether by seawater or a crystalline solid rock. There are a variety of salt so named because of the chemical definition. But today, I would like our visual Focus to be on the table saw that resides in our cupboard or our pantries. At home, amen. The songs we have in our cupboard is a natural mineral. Composed of two elements sodium and chloride. The bond that is NaCl. Sodium chloride is made up of 40% sodium and 60% chloride Salt is a septic in nature, which means that, it is free of contamination, caused by harmful bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms, it is used for preserving food and it is also used for flavoring food Hunters. I'm in time passed before we had refrigerator. And all this canned food that we are eating now Hunters used to preserve. Use the salt to preserve me sand. When the salt wouldn't do is that it would draw out the water and then other than meat to keep it fresh for longer, it was used also preserved corpses in the process of mummification. If you have ever gone to a restaurant and had something that was a little bit Bland, I'm sure that a little salt in your experience, makes a world of a difference. Also, is important for bodily function in our body installed. Particularly the sodium ion is used to maintain fluid levels. A balance of fluid, and sodium is necessary for the health of the heart, the liver and the kidneys. Many processes in the body, require an electrical signals for communication, especially our nervous system and our brain and our muscles. So low sodium, ions are necessary to generate those electrical currents. In addition to its flavoring and preservative nature salt with his aseptic Nature has also been, he was medically to promote healing eye in my years on Earth. So far, have had multiple times where my mom has brought me to the washroom for pink eye. And it is warm salt water that she uses or forces my iron to wash it, right? So salt water rinses are used to maintain. I help if you have an eye infection and can be used and it can also be used to maintain oral health. Many people, use it to spray to clear your sinuses, right? The Egyptians. As well as the Greeks and the Romans, use it in healing recipes to treat Cuts wounds because it is anti-infective and it decreases inflammation and pain many times in my personal nursing practice, when we're cleanse in a wound before we dress it. What do we use normal saline? What is that salt water? So, I'm sure many of us can think of ways in which we've used to solve Beyond just preserving and and flavoring food, right? We can think of a few times that we've had some gargle salt water because we've had a sore throat or something of that nature. And since we know that there isn't just one type of stalls, like the one that's on our table, depending on the type of salt, it can be used to fertilize plants which increases growth and improve, the yield of the crop, it makes the plants healthy and more nutritious. It is interesting to note that with all its natural elephants. There are many superstitions and thought that surround the word. Salt. In our current cultural climate. If someone says you are salty they are saying you are irritated bitter, angry or resentful, especially as a result of losing or being slighted. Right? Can I get an amen? In Norway, they would say a person will shed as many tears as will be necessary to dissolve. The salsa de spilled the old English would say it another way. Every grain of salt spilled represents future tears. The Germans would say, whoever spilled salt around his enmity because it did Rex Act of the devil, the peace disturbance. The French will throw a little salt. A little bit of that spill salt over their shoulder, in order to hit the devil in the eye, and prevent them from creating further mischief. And the US would take that. Experienced put it in their bag and also add going under the table. So the general consensus here, is that if you spill salt, you will get bad luck. And the remedy is to apparently throw salt over your left shoulder with your right hand. To Blind the devil and keep him from taking your soul. Some people believe this Superstition originated with the over to turn the salt shaker in front of Judas, Iscariot at the Last Supper and it's an incident that is immortalized in Leonardo, da Vinci's, famous painting, you know, the one where everybody is, he all right?

And in the land of my birth, which is Jamaica, which means you are salt, which means you are bad. Lucky, and it is not your lucky day from being, as Jamaicans would say, salt in the Book of Matthew Chapter 5 and 13 to 14 saying that you are salt, are the salt of the earth and God, unlike all these other cultural Traditions wants to Spill the salt. he wants to Spill the salt, but before we even get into the text, It is interesting to understand some cultural history again because salt in ancient civilization held great significance. It was expensive and it was also a valuable commodity heavily traded and also heavily taxed battle like seriously historical battles have happened results. The idea of salt meaning of ill-omen or a bad thing began with how much people prize the salt as seasoning. It is said that Roman soldiers were even paid with salt, interesting factoid. If you did not know a Roman writer called the petronius. In his writing, the satyricon originated, the phrase not worth his salt, as a harsh criticism, from Roman soldiers, who are given special allowances for salt rashes called Solarium, which is, which in English means of salt money at Solarium, is the origination of the English word salary. There we go. Salt is was or was considered a symbol of friendship because of its lasting quality. It makes substance is more Compact and preserve them for a long time. It is presenting to guest in many cultures before other food to signify the abiding strength of friendship. Salt is considered a necessary ingredients of daily food sitting down and eating a proper meal together with salt being present at the table in ancient world. Equaled forming a bond. The early Greeks would say that no one should trust The Man Without first eating a peck of salt with him. By the time they had a peck of salt, they would no longer be strangers. There is an Arabic expression. There is salt between us. He has eaten of my salt, which again, points to partaking of hospitality, equating the cementing of friendship. The Middle Easterns would say there is bread and salt between us again. Our relationship is confirmed by sharing a meal. It is said that salt was carried by many Travelers, and when two Travelers came into agreement, they would exchange Saul's meaning, they would both walk with pouches on their side. And when they came into agreement, they would a chainsaws, I give you a pinch of mine, you give me a pinch of yours. Both of us would place it in our pouches, this implies that for either of us to break the agreement, we have to find the salt that we were given. I'm in the Old Testament. We see God in Leviticus chapter 2 and verse 13. Bring our human cultural Traditions values and Customs to his table. The people were instructed that every offering of grain and meat should be seasoned with the salt, the salt of the Covenant of their God shouldn't be lacking. The people were instructed, that was all their offerings. They were to offer salt. There was even a portion of the temple. Cannot remember where it was called right now, where is that specific salt was stored for the sacrificial offering and this indicated the Everlasting nature. This indicates, the Everlasting nature of the relationship between God and Israel. The salt symbolize and enduring Covenant. Things. God, addresses are internal and during never changing and they abide forever. Got even specified with sacrifices, were to be given to the priests and the people, for eating food from his table with salt that was stored in his Temple which demonstrated friendship with God Fellowship. That is divine because eating of salt is a pledge of fidelity, binding them in a covenant of friendship, a binding between God and creation. So when we get to the longest sermon by Jesus ever recorded in scripture, I believe I'm right in saying, so it's a bit of my studies. We read in Matthew, Mark, Luke. That Jesus is instructing us to be salt. Through all of what I've just gone through recognized that salt is not cheap telling us to be salt is not a cheap inexpensive statement, like most of the songs we purchased the day for our tables. I mean, we go to the store, we pay what and into this side of the world, what maybe $2? Are we there depending on the side that we want? But the cheapest thought you can buy is $2. So again, it is not a cheap and inexpensive statement like most of the salt we purchased today for our tables, it carries weight. And we seen Jesus before beginning his sermon ascending a mountain and of course his disciples followed him to have such a profound word, preach on a mountain and not even a Holy One at that is a demonstration to us today. That the gospel can be preached anywhere. At any time. And with this Ascent, Jesus was able to bring his disciples into a into a session to teach them the character of Kingdom people called the Beatitudes, and I like to consider the Beatitudes, the attitude. You need to be in order to receive true blessing. Christ gives to the eight characters of blessed people, characteristics of bless people which represent us the principal Graces of a Christian. He is teaching us the true way to happiness, not as the world teaches with your money, and land on your car in the hustle. But he's teaching that your character is what's most important. So then he tells us the people that are happy in the scripture, he tells of God, that we can become, who he has created us to be. He tells us that those who must were saddened by this things, that sat in this, we experienced God's Comfort, he tells us that those who are humble, are happy because God, resists, the proud and gives Grace favor to the humble. He tells us that those who are hungry and thirst after righteousness. Are happy. Why? Because having a spiritual appetite, because it having a spiritual appetite, we are not aiming for a candy filled spiritual diet with with expectations. That we will be filled. We need to be hungry for what? Pleases? God ask. And it will be given seek, and you will find knock and it will be open until you. We will be satisfied with the Vine. Contentment. Those who are merciful, are happy? Why? Because we can Bank on the fact, that we will receive the same Mercy that we extend those who are pure in hearts are happy, why? Because God has my friends would say, cannot bless who pretend to be, but blessed who you are sent to clean our Because when we seek to be pure in heart, we seek to be our authentic selves, being honest before. God allows us to have true intimate relationship with him. And those who are, peacemakers, are happy because peacemakers are mediators and resolve conflicts between estranged parties. And Evans would say that you made Peace by identifying the truth, addressing the sin and constructing a bridge between those who are at odds with one another, but why are peacekeepers called the sons of God? Because God is a god of peace and we are just like our daddy, amen. Everybody say I'm just like my daddy.

Those who are persecuted because of righteousness for the key, for the Kingdom of Heaven, to be there. They're happy because being mistreated this because Eunice play kingdom, characteristics is great. Why? Because you were in good company. The prophets before us the apostles before was where all persecuted A willingness to be rejected by men and accepted by God. Amen means that the Kingdom of Heaven is yours. These are the characteristics of salty. Believers people who have been affected by the doctrine of the Gospel, which is like solved it penetrates us quick and Powerful. It reaches our hearts and being salted with the word allows for the pulling out of things that could be called infections, in our flesh working and being used by God. As David was Satan's off. When he wants to preserve our soul preserving it from petrification, isn't it crazy how salty things can get with activeness but you never let me taste it. The songs of the Gospel, make the living sacrifice of our bodies Savory to God because every sacrifice must be salted and threw it. God reminds us that it is he who is able to keep us from falling and to preserve us faultless before the presence of his glory. It is also interesting to note that an Everlasting Covenant in scripture, we see that ID number is 18. + 19 is called a covenant of salt. And the gospel is an everlasting gospel. Now, as Christ's disciple, Having learned, the doctrine of the gospel and being employed to teach others, we are salt so many of us feel like we are too broken. We are too small. We're 2 minutes School. We sit down some days and we go oh my God. What can I add? I'm not like so and so I'm not like so and so I'm too this. I'm too small but isn't that just like salt Small. Broken into many grams. But very useful. And very necessary. We, as Believers are to be seasoned with the gospel with the salts of Grace as collections for in six tells us that are sought their actions. And our words, all of it are all to be seasoned with Grace. And Paul also said, seasoned with salt, We must have salt in ourselves according to Mark 9 and 15 because you cannot give what you don't have. We mustn't only be good but we must also do good because salt is good. But what good is salt sitting in the salt shaker? And since the world is under the curse of sin, the Earth is like a decaying piece of meat that is in need of some serious salt.

Epsom salt at preserve meat. If it stays in the shop Shaker, then that means so many of us are going to have to come out of our comfort zones. So that God can take us and sprinklers.

Amen.

We must insinuate ourselves into the minds of people not to serve any secular interest of our own but so that people we will be transformed into the taste and relish of the Gospel we must ask ourselves, how am I treating people? How will I encourage them to endure? I might equipping so that they will have an impact beyond my own lifetime. Am I engaged in activities that demonstrate to the people around me that I am committed to seeing them win? And especially in a time like this, where physical proximity is so limited, what can I be doing to show the love of Christ. How can I, instead of being consumed by what is going on around me, be salt in demonstrating the love and power of Jesus Christ. Interesting. Thing to know interesting factory, remote start saying that doesn't seek to change itself. But the food that it touches. It Blends in without being seen, how to install touches a food item. We don't say all the salt is good, we say all the food is good. We season and affect people in positive ways, and lead them to the Holiness to have the saver of Jesus, and we do it quietly, not seeking praise money or even respect. Salt. Sacrifices itself to preserve grow and season it leaves things better and as Believers, we must seek to do the same to recover Fallen man and Earth for God as Jesus did. Can you stay with me? I will leave things better.

Then I found them. I remember the Beatitudes that we pointed to earlier, right? That is the characteristic of the salty. Christian willing, to leave things, better than we found them. People must see our good works Brothers and Sisters in Christ and glorify Our Father who is in heaven. Why? Because we are representations of the preservative power of God. When they see us, they see what his salt can do. Because we are living life that are changed. We have been transformed by the renewing of our minds. We have been washed in his blood and Sanctified by his Spirit. We understand what it means to say that God is our refuge and strength and a present help in time of trouble. We understand what it means to say that. Now, unto him, who is able to keep us from falling and to preserve us. We know that if God be for us Who can be against us? We know that these present circumstances. They are not even worthy to be compared to the glory, which shall be revealed. We live in a lost and Dying World mankind is lying. In some serious ignorance and some heavy we could miss very unsavory ready to putrefy and as disciples. We are being challenged to sprinkle this Dying World with the knowledge and grace of God so that it can be rendered acceptable to God. I'm a repeat that one more time. Today are being challenged to sprinkle this Dying World with the knowledge and grace of God so that it can be rendered acceptable to God songs. I repeat again is no good in a Shaker. It must be scattered to be useful Jesus. Preached, the sermon on a mountain showing that this message. This salvation is not bound to a specific place or time of the week. It is not limited. Two spaces with AC and fans, benches or microphone. It is for the poor and the rich learn and be unlearned. It is for everyone, going into all the world. And preach the gospel.

As mentioned earlier. It is considered an ill Omen to have salt. Fall towards you.

But it is really an ill Omen to have the salt of the Gospel fall away from us.

Repeat that one more time. It is considered an ill Omen bad luck To have salt fall towards you, but it is really an ill Omen to have the salt of the Gospel fall away from us. Jesus delivered, a very powerful message in one verse It's two-fold. because it tells us, it tells us a purpose and it also tells us a warning But if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is been good for nothing but to be thrown out put in some dirt and trampled underfoot by men. First salt to lose its taste, it means to lose its uniqueness. We are to be solved in a decaying World season. If you use the salt becomes unsavory, it means that you are void of spiritual life, relish, and vigor that, which is a very sad condition. And this happens, if you become too mixed up with the world and we allow its values to affect us, this is what will cause us to lose our uniqueness of Christian, and our ability to also make a kingdom difference when I was studying again. I refer to dr. Tony Evans, he made reference to the fat nuts. Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed. Not only because of wickedness, but because there weren't enough right righteous people there to prevent God's judgment so, solemn and Gomorrah. We're not, we're not destroyed were destroyed. Sorry. Not only because of wickedness, but also because there weren't enough righteous people there to prevent God's just God's judgment. And I'll ask the question who remembers or remembers the conversation that God had with Abraham raisin heads, it's in Genesis 18619 226th and he's like a man with five Gods like that. Not even 5 is there, just one and God sends Angels down to get lot. And he checked at Chili's and there's one of them, you send the Angels actually check on Bad new work like you're the reason trying but Nobody was found. So the Angels put lot and he said Sodom and Gomorrah is Bound for Destruction and on the way out I'll have it. I'll ask Miss other question. I'm curious who remembers What Lot's wife became when she looked back. Pillar of salt, right? She became a pillar of what she should have been in the city of Sodom and Gomorrah. She is a perfect example of what it looks like to lose your flavor, right? Is a remedy for unsavory meet brothers and sisters, but how do you resolve salt? There is no remedy for unsavory song. Because that is just like you didn't lose your uniqueness. That's why the guy that's why Jesus, said, you throw out your throwing out and then trampled upon him and basically there but the gospel gives us hope it changes our lives in Kansas just like salt, but if someone says brothers and sister is he truly believes but remains flat foolish, graceless and insipid, the no other Doctrine or means can be applied to make him Savory because God cannot do it. Cool cat.

On the face of the faith, as I said of such an individual is thrown out. And this is a position that none of us want to find ourselves in. What is the purpose of the word of God, if it is not to give us hope in the one who preserves are sold. And at the same time that we are solved, we are being salted and made Savory by God himself. Right? I'm going to read that again. What is the purpose of the word of God? If it is not to give us hope in the one who preserves our soul. And at the same time that we are salt. We are being salted and being made Savory by God himself of my analogy of salt today. In tandem with the lives, we should lead as Believers. And some of the characteristics we should demonstrate is because of what salt is It is a great descriptor of the influence we should have as Kingdom people. We are moving away today. Even from the world definition of what it means to be salt or salty. We as Christians are called to be stalls at this time, for such a time as this. And if the time isn't now then when We can help to ward off, spiritual infections, and diseases in the larger society at work. And at school, especially since these are places that lots of us spend most of our days and we can do it anywhere. We set our feet, we can do it in the lives of our children parents, family, and friends, but salt isn't effective unless it is scattered scattered today. In essence, I'm saying, throw yourselves on God, throw caution to the wind in some cases and Scatter the gospel. So that the essence and the glory, and the preserving power of God can be seen in your life. If you feel like you are drifting and you need to recommit, do not hesitate to do. So Surrender Your Life to God. And as Believers to be honest, sometimes we have areas of Our Lives that are submitted to God. And other times, we have areas that we try to keep God out of but, Let's Mario. God, you can have every area except for how I manage my money God. You can have every area except for how I utilize my money. God, you can have every area, but not my sexuality God, you can have every area but not the bitterness or unforgiveness in my heart because I will never forgive someone stole. But we are being challenged today to give God every single area of Our Lives. We are being challenged today to not only be the salt of the earth, but to be salty ourselves, let the Gospel of Jesus Christ, every area of your life. So that you my brothers and sisters can be salty. I invite you to stand with me.

I hope that as we went through this sermon today. Some thinking challenge your perspective, Something challenge. Dear Heart. Something is pushing you to lean into God and make a commitment to me today, to me truly scattered because I will repeat again salt Is not solved. Salt and salt in the Shaker but it's not very useful. Amen. So, can we just lift our hands across this room?

And just speak to him for a minute. About all these things that we've discussed today and how we want them to benefit Our Lives.

I believe Pastor is coming. Amen. After me.

so, while he comes,

Amen, I pray that we continue in prayer.

Seeking to commit our hearts to God and to change. So that he can make us over.

Hallelujah.

Can we just say hello? And we just say how they look.

can we just say, Hallelujah.

Can we just say, hallelujah?

Hallelujah.

The effectiveness of salt. Will be experienced. when salt is applied, Hallelujah. Can we? Can we just say, hallelujah?

Can we just just say, hallelujah.

This is a word for introspection, can we? Can we say hallelujah?

Can we just receive the word of God with? All Readiness of mine.

Hallelujah. Can we? Fully receive the word of God. Please note that Jesus didn't say what we can become.

but, Who we are, what we are, please note that it didn't say if you do someone, so then you can become this. You are the salt of the earth. Hallelujah. A city that is set on a hill. Cannot be hid. So you use your Effectiveness ones, you are applied. You will your Effectiveness will be known? Can we give God to the word? Preacher also guides us to throw ourselves and God and throw ourselves and men and then throw ourselves and God again and then throw ourselves. So it's God to men to God, to men. We always go back to him for refilling. Hallelujah, the more of him. There is enough. Hallelujah is the more of us there will be to give to those around us. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. So, we can just reference or Source right now because you have set your love