Salt & Light Living

Matthew 5:13–16 ESV

13 “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. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Introduction

This is a familiar passage with salt and light being very familiar in metaphors. I think that our familiarity can lead to a level of indifference concerning these verses. Where the direction and application of this passage get lost on those in Christ. We are going to take a look at these 4 verse again with a focus on their application toward those who profess to be Believers and the implication of this today.

Matthew 5:13 ESV

13 “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.

You

The audience of Jesus, we see in Matthew 5:1, they are identified as disciples and Jesus call them the salt of the earth.

Audience = Disciples

Salt of the Earth

Uses of Salt in that Time

Salty Salt?

What Makes Salt, Salt

If Saltiness is Lost

Restoration?

No Longer Any Good

Still Useful?

Not for the Intended Purpose

Character

God Building Our Character

When thinking about the character of a believer, the character that God wants us to have is not innately in us, it has to be worked in us by God. Since we are not with this character God has to build it in us, making this our new character.

Holy Spirit

His Son

His Word

Our Lives

Ezekiel 36:24–27 ESV

24 I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Psalm 1:1–2 ESV

1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

James 1:2–4 ESV

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

New Intrinsic Character

Fruit of the Spirit

Humility of Christ

Counter Cultural Living

Galatians 5:22–25 ESV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

Philippians 2:1–4 ESV

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Matthew 5:5–9 ESV

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Matthew 5:14 ESV

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Light

Light

City

Not Built to Hide

Matthew 5:15 ESV

15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.

Right Placement

Placed in the Right Position

Things can be Seen Clearly

All in the House

Matthew 5:16 ESV

16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Light & Works

Before People

Good Works

Glorify the Father

Do Good Works

The Gospel

The Vine

The Walk

1 Corinthians 15:1–2 ESV

1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

John 15:5 ESV

5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

John 15:8 ESV

8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

Ephesians 4:1–2 ESV

1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

Conclusion

You (Plural) / Salt&Light (Singular)

Louder and Outnumbered (Even if True)

Who we are and What we do Matters