## Salt and Light

## Matthew 5:13-16

Tonight as we meet we are a minority in this community, we are a minority in the Christians of this community, and we are a minority within the membership of this church! It seems that for many today, one service per Sunday is a plenty. For the majority of people in this community no church service at all is plenty for them. These days it seems to be nearly impossible to fill the house of God with the people of God, let alone bring in unsaved to hear the gospel message. The days when the church had great influence in the community are passed. Who is to blame for this happening? It must be the wicked world that we live in! Or maybe it's the devil's fault! Maybe it is the liberal media that is leading our society down the primrose path to destruction! Unfortunately, we cannot blame our lack of influence on anyone or anything else. It is our fault that our church has lost its influence, and that has caused our community to lose interest as well. In tonight's passage there are three declarations made by our Lord that we need to pay particularly careful attention.

Read: Matthew 5:13-16

I. Consider The Nature Of Salt.

"Ye are the salt of the earth…"

A. Salt gives influence.

1. Salt enhances the flavor of food; it gives an influence to it. (ever go on a salt-free diet?)

2. There are many other spices and herbs that can be used, but none gives the kind of influence that salt does.

3. Salt does not influence unless it comes in direct contact with the food.

4. We are declared to be the salt of the earth.

B. Salt penetrates once it is applied.

1. This penetration will often bring discomfort.

2. Example of salt in an open cut.

3. This is actually brought about due to its antiseptic and healing properties.

4. The personal witness of Christians can bring about the same effect. 5. Following Peter's message on the day of Pentecost the people responded.

(Acts 2:37) Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

C. Salt can lose its savor.

1. When it does, it becomes totally useless.

2. It is cast aside because of its lack of usefulness.

3. The Lord declared that believers were the "salt of the earth".

4. As salt, they also can lose their influence on this world.

5. This may be because they never come into contact with the lost.

6. Or it may simply be that they lose their testimony with others because of sin.

7. When believers lose their influence, God may cast them aside.

8. I am not talking about losing salvation; I am talking about losing usefulness!

(1 Cor 9:27) But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

II. Consider the Qualities of Light.

"Ye are the salt of the earth…the light of the world…"

A. Light requires an energy source.

1. Simply having a bulb, a fixture, and some wire does not guarantee that light will be emitted. (illus: when a storm causes the lights to go out)

2. There must be a connection to a source of power, and as believers we have the energy-source within us.

(John 12:46) I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

3. Jesus Christ is our energy source, and our source will never run out.

4. 'Jesus in the same yesterday, today, and forever'

B. Light has only one purpose for existence.

1. To dispel the darkness.

2. And, just a little light will do that!

3. Imagine sitting in this auditorium with no lights, no windows to let in natural light, we would be in pitch darkness; but let one person strike a paper match and all would see it!

4. The light of one small match would dispel the darkness of the entire room.

(Prov 4:19) The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

(John 1:4-5) In him was life; and the life was the light of men. {5} And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

5. The children's song, "This little light of mine…I'm going to let it shine!"

6. It doesn't take a huge searchlight to make a difference!

C. Light is of no value if it is hidden.

1. To keep a light hidden away is to render it useless.

2. It is illogical to hide light rather put it up where the light can be most effective.

3. Jesus was drawing upon their common sense to make His point on this. v15

4. The candlestick is representative of the local church.

(Rev 1:20) The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

5. A candle that is placed low in not as effective in giving forth light as one that is placed upon the candlestick.

a. Hey, I don't have to go to church to be a Christian!

b. That is true…but to be a Christian who has an impact on the 'lost' in this world, we need to be obedient!

c. Until we begin to take seriously the calling of God upon our lives we will never begin to reach our world for Christ!

III. The Command of Christ.

"Ye are the salt of the earth…the light of the world…let your light so shine before men…"

A. Salt and light work together.

1. The salt = that penetrating Christian influence that comes from within.

2. The light = that outward testimony resulting from what is within.

3. Remember that before salt can be effective it must come in contact.

4. This is accomplished as the two work together.

B. How they work.

1. The light, our outward testimony, reveals to those without Christ that they are in darkness.

2. People in a room that is nearly dark do not realize how dark it is because they are all accustomed to it.

3. When someone switches on a bright light they are immediately made aware of how dark the room was before, and at times that is painful.

4. The brighter the light (the greater our personal witness); the greater the contrast.

5. The greater the influence from within, the brighter the light from without.

C. The responsibility.

1. While Jesus was in the world, He was the light of the world - through His personal witness.

2. Jesus is no longer physically present in the world; so then we are made His ambassadors of light.

3. Paul was instructed to turn sinners from darkness to light.

(Acts 26:18) To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

4. This is our responsibility as well.

(Phil 2:14-15) Do all things without murmurings and disputings: {15} That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

5. The Purpose of our being salt and light.

a. That the world may, through our witness, see our life. v16

b. That God may be glorified. (Who in turn empowers us to do good works)

c. It is not to glorify us!

Notice the order here; first the salt and then the light. We must first have that strong influence from within, which comes from a close and personal relationship with Christ, and then shine forth our lights to show others the way. We need believers today who are willing to be an influence for Christ. After all, why else are we here? Jesus gave us the clear purpose for our existence in this world…to be salt and light!