HEALTHY CHRISTIAN/HEALTHY CHURCH
(Thirst quenchers - May 16, 2021)
Series Big Idea: "Christ followers find their identify and mission in their covenant relationship with God"
Sermon Big Idea: "A Christians life should create a thirst for Christ in others"
Key Scripture (Matthew 5:13-16)
The earth needs the Influence of Christ’s Church
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled on by men. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
This is a sermon Jesus preached we call the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus uses two word pictures to explain to His disciples how a person, who has given their life to Him and now is walking in His righteousness, will impact the world around them for Him. The topic of His entire sermon, including the Beatitudes, shows His disciples how to live as “salt and light” in a dark and flavorless world.
Why would Jesus say something like this? What does it mean for us as Christians that we are “salt of the earth” and “light of the world?” It must be vitally important if Jesus built His entire sermon on this idea of salt and light.
I think we can answer that question with a question. Why does the earth need the influence of the Church? Let’s look at salt for a moment. There are multiple uses for salt but among these Jesus probably had two specifically on His mind. The first is that salt preserves from corruption. During ancient times there were no refrigerators and so salt was used to prevent bacteria from destroying food. At this time in history salt was more valuable than gold or silver. Salt could make the difference between life and death.
Just like salt preventing bacteria on food, a Christian is to prevent and confront corruption in the world. But it is the earth that needs the salt not the kingdom of heaven. As Christians we have a purpose on this earth and one of those purposes is to influence the world for Christ. Another use for salt is to add flavor.
Colossians 4:5-6 (HCSB)
5 Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. 6 Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.
Jesus made this clear when He spoke about the danger of the salt losing its saltiness. My friends, Christians have life! They have the potential to bring life. But the sad part of this is that at the same time they are capable of living like a dead person. Jesus said we are to live according to our new nature in Him. We are alive! We are hopeful! We are joyful! Christians must always be living in a way that causes others to stop and ask what is so different about them.
1 Peter 3:15 (HCSB)
15 but honor the Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.
Christians are different from the world. The world should see us as holy. The reason is that God is holy.
1 Peter 1:15-16 (HCSB)
15 But as the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; 16 for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.
CONCLUSION
So we have seen that salt is both a preservative and a flavor enhancer. There is no doubt its use as a preservative is what Jesus had mostly in view here. Pure salt cannot lose its flavor or effectiveness, but the salt that is common in the Dead Sea area is contaminated with gypsum and other minerals and may have a flat taste or be ineffective as a preservative. Such mineral salts were useful for little more than keeping footpaths free of vegetation
It is not easy doing what Jesus has said in these verses, because the world resists these efforts. But our efforts to be the salt of the earth are not fruitless. Progress is often gradual and most of the time not even observable. So why don’t you make up your mind today to be an influence for the cause of Christ wherever you are. Ultimately, you will make a difference and bring glory to God.
Pastor Beaver's thoughts and ideals for this message, are inspired by:
Holman Christian Standard Bible
English Standard Version Bible
King James Version Bible
Christian Standard Bible
The Bible Knowledge Commentary by John F. Walvoord/Roy B. Zuck
The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge by Jerome H. Smith
Water, Mark, ed. Encyclopedia of Bible Facts. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2004. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
Barry, John D. et al. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016. Print.
NIV, Archaeological Study Bible, eBook: An Illustrated Walk Through Biblical History and Culture
Walter C. Kaiser Jr., Duane Garrett, and Walter C. Kaiser Jr.
NIV, First-Century Study Bible, eBook: Explore Scripture in Its Jewish and Early Christian Context
Zondervan, Kent Dobson, and Ed Dobson
Hughes, Robert B. and J. Carl Laney. Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1990. WORDsearch CROSS e-book. Revised edition of New Bible Companion.
Vincent, Marvin Richardson. Word Studies in the New Testament. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1887. Print.
Robertson, A.T. Word Pictures in the New Testament. Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1933. Print.
MacArthur, John F., Jr. The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006. Print.
Weber, Stuart K. Matthew. Vol. 1. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000. Print. Holman New Testament Commentary.
Brown, Jeannine K. Matthew. Ed. Mark L. Strauss and John H. Walton. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2015. Print. Teach the Text Commentary Series.
Blomberg, Craig. Matthew. Vol. 22. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992. Print. The New American Commentary.
Morris, Leon. The Gospel according to Matthew. Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press, 1992. Print. The Pillar New Testament Commentary.
Wilkins, Michael J. Matthew. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2004. Print. The NIV Application Commentary.
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