Salt of Earth… vs. 13

• 1^st – Why Salt… vs. 13
  • Sharing the Gospel…
    • You are the salt of the earth!
    • Having giving the Disciples the EIGHT Beatitudes – how to be CITIZENS of the Kingdom…
    • Commanding [imperative] them to be REJOICE when they are PERSECUTED…
    • Because they are to be PEACEMAKERS – share the Gospel of Peace – Romans 10:15
    • Jesus is going to use TWO illustration to describe their IMPACT on a lost world!
    • FIRST – He tells them they are like SALT – poured out on the EARTH [γῆ]
    • SALT has a number of unique characteristics that Jesus might be referring to!
  • Preserves…
    • Salt PRESERVES – if we do not want something to spoil we add salt!
    • We live in a world the has been corrupted by SIN…
    • The only reason it is not beyond hope – continually evil – Genesis 6:5
    • Is because of Christians whom God has sprinkled around the world to PRESERVE it!
  • Purifies…
    • Salt PURIFIES – it can be used to clean a wound [though it is irritating]
    • Sin is like a deadly INFECTION – that quickly spreads – I Corinthians 5:6
    • The Lord sends us to share the Gospel that we might HEAL the INFECTION…
    • But like SALT in an open WOUND – when can be IRRITATING to those who are infected!
  • Tasty…
    • Salt makes things TASTY – if there is no flavor just add salt!
    • Psalm 34:8 – “Taste and see that the LORD is good!”
    • The world thinks they only have this life to find fulfillment…
    • So they rush around trying to get as much as they can to be HAPPY…
    • But it does not work – it is like pouring water into a bucket full of holes – never full!
    • Ecclesiastes 2:11 – “It [is] all so meaningless – like chasing the wind.” [NLT]
    • The world is living a BLAND existence – they are missing they KEY ingredient [Jesus]
    • As we live a Holy life we make the Gospel TASTY – desirable to a lost world!
      
• 2^nd – No flavor… vs. 13
  • Foolish…
    • If the salt loses its flavor – how shall it be seasoned? 
    • If [subjunctive] the SALT has no FLAVOR – it no longer has a purpose…
    • FLAVOR – from [μωρός] – to act FOOLISHLY [moron]!
    • There has been a TREND in recent years – for the church to become WOKE…
    • Church attendance has been plummeting – so leaders try and make the church relevant…
    • Ordaining homosexuals – preferred pronouns – socially active…
    • But it is a FOOLISH initiative – because now the church looks like the world!
    • Our lives after we BELIEVE in Jesus should be DIFFERENT…
    • If we SAY we are Christians – but FOOLISHLY act like the world around us…
    • Then our SALT has lost its power – we no longer have a PURPOSE!
  • Trampled down…
    • It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men!
    • Imagine eating a bland meal of rice and vegetables [no flavor]
    • But you have SALT – that you gratefully sprinkle on top of the TASTELESS meal…
    • Only to find the SALT has no flavor – what do you do with it – throw it away!
    • The world sees Christianity is just another RELIGION – so they throw it away…
    • They do NOT respect the church – because the church looks just like the world…
    • That is why we want to live a HOLY [set apart] life for Jesus…
    • We want to be SALT that causes men to THIRST for Christ – John 7:37

• 2^nd – Light of the World… vs. 14-16
  • 1^st – Why Light… vs. 14
    • Two lights…
      • You are the light of the world!
      • SECOND – Jesus tells His disciples – they were the LIGHT of the WORLD…
      • WORLD – [κόσμος] – speaking of the UNIVERSE – we would say outer SPACE…
      • There are TWO main lights in our SKY – the SUN and the MOON…
      • Jesus is the SUN – He is the main source of all LIGHT – John 8:12
      • His disciples are the MOON – called to REFLECT the LIGHT of the SUN!
    • The Moon…
      • The moon is a just a large dead rock – it gives off NO light…
      • And if the world comes between the sun and the moon [eclipse] it stays dark…
      • But when the moon looks at the sun – it is transformed…
      • It REFLECTS the LIGHT of the sun for the whole world to see!
      • Luke 11:34 – “Our eye is a lamp that provides light for our body. When our eye is good – our whole body is filled with light.” [NLT]
      • If our eyes are focused on Jesus then we will be full of LIGHT…
      • If we lose that focus – get our eyes off Jesus and onto anything else – ECLIPSE…
      • We need to be careful what we allow our eyes to see – what we watch…
      • What do we fill our heads and hearts with – this world – or with the Word…
      • If we are full of Jesus – we shine as a LIGHT of Jesus for all to see!
  • 2^nd – A city on a Hill… vs. 14
    • A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden!
    • Jesus goes on to give TWO examples of the AFFECT of the being the LIGHT…
    • FIRST – like a city that STANDS on top of a HILL – that cannot [οὐ δύναμαι] hide…
    • A DISCIPLE who is STANDING for Jesus – is going to be SEEN by everyone!
    • Do not miss – the ABILITY for a city to SHINE – depends on where it STANDS…
    • In the same way – our ABILITY to SHINE – depends on where we STAND!
    • If we are STANDING with the wrong crowd – we will be affected…
    • Which is why we must be so careful about the INFLUENCE we allow around us…
    • If we are surrounded by those who LIVE for this life – and NOT for Jesus…
    • There is a very good chance we will LOSE our Light – ECLIPSED by this world!
    • I Corinthians 15:33 – “Do not be deceived [πλανάω]: Evil company corrupts good habits.”
  • 3^rd – A Lamp… vs. 15
    • Not hidden…
      • Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket – but on a lampstand.
      • And it gives light to all who are in the house!
      • SECOND – like a candle that should NOT be covered…
      • No one lights a CANDLE – then puts it under a BASKET [fire hazard]
      • It is placed on STAND – so it can give LIGHT to all [πᾶς] who are in the house!
    • The Home…
      • The CONTEXT here – is not just being a LIGHT to the WORLD – but a LIGHT in our HOMES!
      • One of the hardest places to stand up for Jesus – is with our FAMILY…
      • If a stranger – or someone at work – or school – PERSECUTES us for the Gospel…
      • We do not have to LIVE with them – but FAMILY is different…
      • If they PERSECUTE us – the consequences are far greater!
      • Matthew 10:36 – “A man’s enemies will be those of his own household.”
    • The Hope…
      • Jesus had half brothers and sisters – Mark 6:3
      • You would think being raised with Jesus as an older brother – they would all BELIEVE…
      • But NONE of His brothers believed in Jesus BEFORE the resurrection!
      • John 7:5 – “Even His brothers did not believe in Him.”
      • Jesus did not LIGHT our fire – so that we could HIDE it when we get home…
      • If we have FAMILY that refuses to BELIEVE in Jesus – do NOT lose heart…
      • Do NOT give up on them – instead be a LIGHT – because there is always HOPE…
      • The brothers of Jesus – would end up becoming PASTORS [James – Jude]
  • 4^th – Shine… vs. 16
    • Before Men…
      • Let your light so shine before men!
      • Bottom line – we need to REFLECT the LIGHT…
      • Because there is only ONE way to become a citizen of the Kingdom – ONE way to heaven…
      • Therefore – we must [imperative] SHINE for Jesus – show the WAY…
      • To the men [ablative] – sinners – who are separated from God!
    • Glorify God…
      • That they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven!
      • The HOPE – is that they MIGHT [subjunctive] see our GOOD [καλός] works…
      • And because of our GODLY lives – they MIGHT [subjunctive] glorify the Father!
      • We MUST [imperative] be a LIGHT – but that does not mean people WILL be saved…
      • Just because God offers us the GIFT – it does not mean we have to take it…
      • He is a gentleman – He will not force us to do anything we do not want to…
      • God does NOT make anyone go to heaven – He only provides the way…
      • We still have a choice – we still have to choose to become citizens of His Kingdom!
      • Romans 10:13 – “Whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”

• 3^rd – The Law of God… vs. 17-20
  • 1^st – Fulfilled… vs. 17
    • The Law and Prophets…
      • Do not think I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets!
      • Jesus turns a corner in His teaching – having told the disciples how to be a CITIZEN…
      • And commanding them to share it with others – be SALT and LIGHT…
      • Jesus goes on to clarify the STANDARD of God for being GOOD – Matthew 5:17-48
      • And in order to define GOOD – Jesus had to address the LAW and the PROPHETS!
      • One question had to be running through the mind of the Disciples – what about the LAW…
      • Jesus had NOT mentioned the LAW [τὸν νόμον] of Moses [תּוֹרָה] even ONCE…
      • And in the mind of the JEWS – the ONLY way to be GOOD – was by KEEPING the LAW!
      • Deuteronomy 10:13 – “You must always obey the LORDs commands and decrees that I am giving you today [to be] good.” [NLT]
    • Not to destroy…
      • I did not come to destroy but to fulfill!
      • Jesus makes it clear – He did not come to DESTROY the LAW…
      • DESTROY [καταλύω] – used to describe a traveler on a long journey!
      • When we go to Sipalay – we often stop over for the night in Himamaylan…
      • When we arrive we UNPACK [καταλύω] the car [which takes a lot of effort]
      • There is often the temptation to stay in Himamaylan – not to continue on the journey!
      • Jesus did not come to KEEP us [καταλύω] – from our JOURNEY to live a GOOD life…
      • But He also knew that there was no way for us to finish WELL…
      • We were NEVER going to be able to live up to the requirements of the LAW…
      • So Jesus came to do what we could NOT – He came to FULFILL the LAW!
  • 2^nd – All the Law… vs. 18
    • Jot and Tittle…
      • For assuredly – I say to you – till heaven and earth pass away.
      • One jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled!
      • To EMPHASIZE the point we need HELP to keep the LAW…
      • Jesus tells His disciples – AMEN [ἀμὴν] – this is the TRUTH…
      • Every JOT and TITTLE that was written in the LAW – [dotting of an ‘I’ or crossing of a ‘T’]
      • ALL 613 commands – none of them will EVER go away [οὐ μὴ subjunctive]
      • Everything written in the LAW – must be DONE [γίνομαι] – in order to be GOOD!
      • Luke 16:17 – “It is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail.”
    • All or nothing…
      • People tend to come to the LAW like it is a buffet [pick and choose]
      • If I do not STEAL – if I do not KILL – then I am a good person…
      • But that is only PART of the LAW – what about LYING – Exodus 20:16
      • We tend to hold onto the things we do WELL – and ignore the things we struggle with…
      • But that is not how it works – we need to keep even the JOT and TITTLES…
      • Because if we do NOT – if we break ANY part of the LAW – we are NOT good!
      • James 2:10 – “Whoever keeps the whole law – yet stumble in one point – he is guilty of all!”
  • 3^rd – Least and Greatest… vs. 19
    • The Least…
      • Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments.
      • And teaches men so – shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven!
      • If anyone breaks the LEAST of the 613 commands [Law of Moses]
      • Now – to be CLEAR – everyone one of us has broken MANY of the LAWS many times…
      • The WARNING is if [ἐάν] anyone teaches others it is OK to do so…
      • They will be called the LEAST [last] in the Kingdom of Heaven!
      • If we ask the average person what is required to be GOOD…
      • They might well tell us we need to be KIND – help OTHERS – maybe go to CHURCH!
      • The problem is what they are TEACHING – is NOT the TRUTH…
      • Although these things are all PART of the LAW – it is not ALL of the LAW…
      • And it gives people the FALSE impression – God is OK with us if we BREAK His LAW!
    • The Greatest…
      • But whoever does and teaches them – he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven!
      • But [contrast] – if [ἐάν] anyone DOES [ποιέω] what the LAW says…
      • And teaches others the same – they will be called GREAT [μέγας] in the Kingdom of Heaven…
      • Meaning what we should be teaching – is that we CANNOT be GOOD!
      • Romans 3:20 – “No one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.” [NLT]
      • It only takes one SIN to keep us out of heaven – James 2:10
      • The problem is – how do we know WHEN we SIN against God…
      • To show us – God gave us His perfect Law – Romans 7:12
      • The problem is we are NOT perfect – we are in bondage to SIN – Romans 7:14
      • Therefore – the Law does not keep us from sin – is just shows we are sinners!
      • Romans 7:7 – “I would not have known sin except through the law.”
      • But if we teach people they are SINNERS – it opens them up to the need for a SAVIOR…
      • The LAW is meant to be our TEACHER – that points us to Jesus!
      • Galatians 3:24 – “The law was our tutor to bring us to Christ…”
  • 4^th – Righteousness… vs. 20
    • Scribes and Pharisees…
      • I say – unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees!
      • Jesus said [present] – if you are not MORE righteous than:
      • SCRIBES – highly educated [PHD] – responsible for copying the LAW [תּוֹרָה]
      • PHARISEES – very moral – the conservative sect of Judaism dedicated to keeping the LAW… 
      • This would have been the most radical statement the Jews had ever heard…
      • If you were to ask them who the most RIGHTEOUS people – the GOOD people were…
      • They would have pointed to the Scribes and Pharisees!
      • Think of the NICEST – KINDEST – most MORAL person you can think of…
      • Then imagine Jesus telling you to be BETTER than them – in order to be GOOD!
    • Kingdom of Heaven…
      • You will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven!
      • If the disciples were not more RIGHTEOUS then the religious leaders…
      • They would NEVER [οὐ μὴ subjunctive] enter into the Kingdom of Heaven…
      • In order to be saved – they had to be BETTER – than people who they were sure were GOOD!
      • What Jesus is trying to tell them – is NO one is GOOD – Romans 3:23
      • And the ONLY way to come into the KINGDOM – was through Him!