Matt. 5:13,14 Message
“Let me tell you why you are here.
You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth.
If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness?
You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
“Here’s another way to put it:
You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world.
God is not a secret to be kept.
We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you?
I’m putting you on a light stand.
Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine!
Keep open house; be generous with your lives.
By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
“Let me tell you why you are here.
You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth.
If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness?
You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
“Here’s another way to put it:
You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world.
God is not a secret to be kept.
We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you?
I’m putting you on a light stand.
Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine!
Keep open house; be generous with your lives.
By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
The only thing that can make salt loose it's saltiness is to dilute it with something else. We have been diluted with the things of this world. We aren't making people thirsty for the things of God. Salt is to be many things.
To the physicist, light is electromagnetic radiation. To the miner, light is the needed energy to pierce the inky darkness of an underground cavern. To the cataract patient, light is intensely focused amplified radiation needed for laser surgery which reduces the trauma and recovery time of surgical removal.
What is the main value of light? Negatively, it helps you avoid danger. Positively, it helps you reach what you are after. When you walk in the darkness, you may stumble over a log, or step on a rattlesnake, or fall off a cliff, or hit your head on a low-hanging branch. Darkness is full of threat. It frustrates your ability to attain your goal. But light changes all that. It exposes dangers and frees you from their lurking power. It opens the way to your goal. It is full of hope and promises the glad attainment of your goal.
When we serve as Jesus commanded, using our gifts and talents to meet the needs of people around us, we become as salt and light to people, pointing them to God. In essence we matter! We make a difference.
To the physicist, light is electromagnetic radiation. To the miner, light is the needed energy to pierce the inky darkness of an underground cavern. To the cataract patient, light is intensely focused amplified radiation needed for laser surgery which reduces the trauma and recovery time of surgical removal.
What is the main value of light? Negatively, it helps you avoid danger. Positively, it helps you reach what you are after. When you walk in the darkness, you may stumble over a log, or step on a rattlesnake, or fall off a cliff, or hit your head on a low-hanging branch. Darkness is full of threat. It frustrates your ability to attain your goal. But light changes all that. It exposes dangers and frees you from their lurking power. It opens the way to your goal. It is full of hope and promises the glad attainment of your goal.
When we serve as Jesus commanded, using our gifts and talents to meet the needs of people around us, we become as salt and light to people, pointing them to God. In essence we matter! We make a difference.
I think the reason Jesus chose these two metaphors - salt and light - is because of their unique qualities. Both carry enormous influence. Both have immediate impact. Both are noticed instantly. Both are difficult to veil. Both are ubiquitous, everywhere, pervasive, universal.
"You are the salt of the earth" is so famous that it has become a proverb in the English language. If someone is genuine, useful, honest, straightforward, and without hypocrisy, we say he is a "salt of the earth" type of person.
What did Jesus mean?
Salt was one of the most common substances in the ancient world. Roman soldiers were paid in salt and would revolt if they didn't get their ration. Indeed, our English word "salary" comes from the Latin salarium, which literally means "salt-money." And our expression, "That man is not worth his salt," is a reminder of the high value that salt had in biblical times.
What are its uses?
1. It is a preservative.
In the ancient world the primary function of salt was a preservative. It retards spoilage. Likewise, believers act like a preservative in the world. As we bring Christ's word and the Kingdom's influence into our society, we help protect society from the full sway of evil that would otherwise be present. Imagine our land with no churches . . . no Christian colleges . . . no church-supported hospitals . . . no Christian social action groups . . . no Christian organizations ministering to those in need.
2. Is a flavoring.
Or seasoning. In a similar fashion, Christianity brings spice and zest to life. The Christian is the personification of how life is to be lived.
3. Is an antiseptic.
In ancient times newborn babies were rubbed in salt so that the cuts and infections of medically primitive birth methods could be healed. While this sounds painful, the cleaning out of a wound with salt was very effective in fighting infection.
Christians have a responsibility of not only pointing out sin, but practically offering healing and help. By exerting our influence, we can prevent the ravages of disease and death caused by sin.
4. Creates thirst.
It has been said that you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink. But, the rest of the saying goes, you can give him a salt tablet and making him thirsty. As Jesus made people thirsty for God the Father, so do Christians make people thirsty for the real life found only in Christianity.
"You are the salt of the earth" is so famous that it has become a proverb in the English language. If someone is genuine, useful, honest, straightforward, and without hypocrisy, we say he is a "salt of the earth" type of person.
What did Jesus mean?
Salt was one of the most common substances in the ancient world. Roman soldiers were paid in salt and would revolt if they didn't get their ration. Indeed, our English word "salary" comes from the Latin salarium, which literally means "salt-money." And our expression, "That man is not worth his salt," is a reminder of the high value that salt had in biblical times.
What are its uses?
1. It is a preservative.
In the ancient world the primary function of salt was a preservative. It retards spoilage. Likewise, believers act like a preservative in the world. As we bring Christ's word and the Kingdom's influence into our society, we help protect society from the full sway of evil that would otherwise be present. Imagine our land with no churches . . . no Christian colleges . . . no church-supported hospitals . . . no Christian social action groups . . . no Christian organizations ministering to those in need.
2. Is a flavoring.
Or seasoning. In a similar fashion, Christianity brings spice and zest to life. The Christian is the personification of how life is to be lived.
3. Is an antiseptic.
In ancient times newborn babies were rubbed in salt so that the cuts and infections of medically primitive birth methods could be healed. While this sounds painful, the cleaning out of a wound with salt was very effective in fighting infection.
Christians have a responsibility of not only pointing out sin, but practically offering healing and help. By exerting our influence, we can prevent the ravages of disease and death caused by sin.
4. Creates thirst.
It has been said that you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink. But, the rest of the saying goes, you can give him a salt tablet and making him thirsty. As Jesus made people thirsty for God the Father, so do Christians make people thirsty for the real life found only in Christianity.
We have a great opportunity each and everyday to be salt and light to the world. Without us there is no persevering agent. Without you and I doing our part life has ceased to be flavorful, full of zest and desired. Without you and I living like the salt and light we are called to be the world is not thirsty for the word of God nor the things of God.
Jesus not only says that we are the salt of the earth, he also says we are the light of the world. The dictionary defines light as a "source of illumination."
1. Dispels darkness.
Christians, reflecting the light of Christ, bearing his light dispel spiritual darkness. The progress may seem slow, but the results are apparent.
2. Reveals.
Have you ever walked into a darkened room and not known what was there? Then, suddenly, the light is switched on and the contents of the room are revealed.
As Christ's presence in our world, we become his instruments to reveal his truth to a world in darkness.
3. Awakens.
We are to be the light of the world, awakening men and women to the truth of the Kingdom's arrival, awakening society to the presence of God.
4. Warns.
In the same sense that a lighthouse warns of dangerous waters or a police car flashing light warns of the policeman darting through traffic, Christians warn of impending danger to a careless world.
1. Dispels darkness.
Christians, reflecting the light of Christ, bearing his light dispel spiritual darkness. The progress may seem slow, but the results are apparent.
2. Reveals.
Have you ever walked into a darkened room and not known what was there? Then, suddenly, the light is switched on and the contents of the room are revealed.
As Christ's presence in our world, we become his instruments to reveal his truth to a world in darkness.
3. Awakens.
We are to be the light of the world, awakening men and women to the truth of the Kingdom's arrival, awakening society to the presence of God.
4. Warns.
In the same sense that a lighthouse warns of dangerous waters or a police car flashing light warns of the policeman darting through traffic, Christians warn of impending danger to a careless world.
ACTION STEP: Be what you are called to be. Live up to your name. Be worth your salt. There is a payday coming and want to be found worthy of our salary. We want to be the light leading others in the right direction. Praying for you today to have opportunities to be what God made you and use the gifts He has given you. Fulfill your purpose!
Allow me the privilege of sharing my life with you. I wanr to spend one on one time with you, sharing my life and teachable moment with you so you can do all God has called you to do. Go to: http://restorationchurchintl.org/women-of-witness . I want to meet you personally and help you become all God has called you to be. Get a few friends together and put on your boots and jump in. Jummonsville, PA is close to WV, MD, PA and even Ohio. So no matter where you live it won't be far. I look forward to seeing you September 12-14, 2019. Over at noon on Saturday. All meals and lodging included.
Register today and I will see you in less than a month. Can't make it for the entire conference you can call 304-292-7283 and ask for Breanna and register for the day time sessions or the night time session on an individual basis. Come on and "Hustle with heart, it will set you apart."
Register today and I will see you in less than a month. Can't make it for the entire conference you can call 304-292-7283 and ask for Breanna and register for the day time sessions or the night time session on an individual basis. Come on and "Hustle with heart, it will set you apart."
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