June 2, 2019
Evening Service

This morning we finished looking at the Beatitudes that Jesus began His Sermon on the Mount with.  He was explaining the attitudes that He was expecting from those who chose to follow Him.  They are all part of the process of change that occurs (transformation) in believers as we begin to seek to become all that He has called us to be.  This morning He called us to hunger and thirst after righteousness, be merciful, be pure in heart, be peacemakers, and rejoice in persecution.  Our challenge was to examine ourselves in the mirror of the Word and make any adjustments needed to become the reflection of our Lord and Savior; imitating His example that He gave for us to follow.  These are not attitudes that you will see prevail in the world, but are almost the exact opposite.  He is creating us in the newness of life to perceive things differently than the world.  He continues on that point as we begin tonight with verse 13.

 Mat 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

            Salt has only a few uses; it can create thirst, preserve food, and improve the flavor of food.  In calling us the “salt of the earth” let’s look at how we can perform each of these tasks along our spiritual journey.

            Create thirst:  Our lives should be an example for others to follow, creating a desire in them to “thirst” after what we have.  Others will notice the calm faith we display at times of trouble as we trust our Lord to guide our future; the peace that passes understanding.  They will see the true love and mercy we display in how we treat others around us.  They will see the love for our Lord that is lived out in our everyday lives and not just on Sundays.  They will see Jesus in us and it will create a “thirst” within them for the better life He offers to them.

            Preserve:  Your prayers have power as you ask your Heavenly Father to watch over those who are not saved or those who are struggling in some area in their lives.  He answers those sincere prayers with a loving, powerful hand that is able to preserve them until they come to faith or the trial has ended.  It may be only the prayers of His children that is holding Jesus from returning today.  It is our job to pray for those who are “rotting” in the world that they may be preserved another day to have a chance to meet the One who died for their sins.  We are to speak out as “peacemakers” when we see our country or community turning away from the things God teaches that our great nation was built upon.  We are to help preserve this “One nation under God” by lovingly speaking the truth.

            Flavor food:    Our main trait that we must display as the “salt of the earth” is to make it taste better.  We are to influence our world in a positive manner.  As we live out the Beatitudes in our daily lives we make the world a better place.  We invest in the lives of those around us and let them know that they are loved more than they can imagine by us and the One who created them.  We can share a message of hope for tomorrow when the sky is dark and overcast.  Our presence should make things better as we live out our faith in front of those around us in our everyday life.  Life has its tough moments, but we are here to season it and make it more bearable.

            Jesus then says “If the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned?”  If we, as committed Christ followers, are not doing our job of making this world better who will?  Jesus is counting on us to be a faithful tool in His belt that He can use to change this world.

 

Mat 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.  (15)  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.  (16)  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

            I love how Jesus uses simple illustrations of things that we know and understand to explain deep spiritual truths to us.  A city on a hill is not hidden from anything, its light shines brightly in the night sky proclaiming its existence and presence. A light is placed high on a lampstand so that it can illuminate a greater area around it.  It makes no sense to have light a lamp and cover it under a basket to be hidden.  It is lit to complete a specific purpose that it was designed for; to chase away the darkness.  There is a sense of safety and comfort in the light that illuminates what dangers lay around you and seeing how to avoid them.

            In calling us the “light of the world” our lives are to shine out to this dark world just as a city on a hill and a light on a lampstand.  We are to boldly let the light of Jesus shine out of lives because that is the purpose in which we were created.  We are His hands and feet in this world.  Just as salt has no purpose if it has lost its flavor, what good is a light if it is covered up from shining to its fullest potential.  Don’t be afraid to let your light shine out brightly!  By seeking to put God first in everything, our light will shine to this dark and dying world that there is hope; there is a better way of life than what they are living.  If we don’t proclaim that truth, who will?

            Paul wrote this to the Ephesian church encouraging them to seek the light and avoid the darkness.

 

Eph 5:8-17 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (9) (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), (10) finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.  (11)  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.  (12)  For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.  (13)  But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.  (14)  Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light."  (15)  See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, (16) redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  (17)  Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

The faith and love we have for our Lord and Savior will produce a life that is filled with light and is void of darkness.  Our actions will reflect a far different perspective than that of this dark and evil world.  We seek to walk above reproach morally, holding ourselves to His higher standards, so that we may reflect His goodness to others.  We are to avoid having “fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.”  Know the areas in your life that tempt you to sin and avoid them.  When we do fail, we should not hide it in the dark closet, but confess, repent and proclaim that we are not perfect but just forgiven.  Do not hide from the truth, but embrace it.  It can be the missing key that allows you to be an overcomer in that dark area of your life.  You are to be the light of the world!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking in the mirror of His Word tonight did you see some things that need adjusted? 

·        Are you creating a thirst in others for God by living as example of faithfulness?

·        Are you preserving those around you until they find saving faith or overcome a trial with prayer and encouragement?

·        Are you letting your light shine brightly from the hilltop or is there a cover over it?

·        Are you avoiding darkness and embracing the light?

 

Heavenly Father grant us the resolve to live a life for You that fulfills our calling to be the “salt of the earth and the light of the world.”