“We’re Going Public With This”

January 28, 2001

Matthew 5:13-16

Presented by T. Fletcher

13 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

IMPACT AND IMPRESSION

You are salt. 

The question is not, “Am I salt?”  That is not the question.  Jesus said it clearly:  “You are the salt of the world.” The question is, are you functioning like salt, or not functioning like salt. 

~God has a plan for your life, and He wants you to fulfill it. 

~God has a plan for you in your workplace to be salt…at home with your kids, at work with your co-workers, at your college or university. 

~God has a plan for this church, and He wants us to fulfill it.

A Peanuts cartoon, showed Peppermint Patty talking to Charlie Brown. She said, "Guess what, Chuck. The first day of school, and I got sent to the principal's office. It was your fault, Chuck." He said, "My fault? How could it be my fault? Why do you say everything is my fault?" She said, "You're my friend, aren't you, Chuck? You should have been a better influence on me."

While Peppermint Patty was seeking to pass the buck, she was in a very real sense right. You should be a good influence on our friends. You certainly do have an influence, for good or for bad, on your relationships…each relationship.

SALT IS NECESSARY:  You cannot live without it.  When Jesus says, “You are the salt of the world” he is saying the world cannot LIVE without you, and what you offer as disciples of Christ.

In fact, a lot of people are watching you, people you may not even be aware of. I heard of a minister who was making a wooden arch over a walkway to support a hanging flower display. As he was pounding away, he noticed that a little boy was watching him. The youngster didn't say a word, so the preacher kept on working, thinking that the little boy would not hang around. The boy didn’t leave. The preacher was somewhat pleased to see that the boy was admiring his work, and finally said, "Howdy…I suppose  you’re trying to pick up some pointers on gardening?" "No," the boy said. "I'm just waiting to hear what a preacher says when he hits his thumb with a hammer."

People are watching you! What do they see?

The Bible tells us an interesting story about a situation where someone was being salt.  They actually became salt. en 19:26

26 But Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.

Lot’s wife was longing to be a part of the world…not to change the world.

THE MESSAGE “Let me tell you why you are here.  You’re here to be the 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.”

The idea of how salt makes an impact has been approached in many ways.   Some have said since salt is white it represents purity. And Christians certainly ought to be pure. Others have said that since salt adds flavor, Christians should add flavor to the world. . Still others have said that since salt stings in a wound, Christians should prick the conscience of the world and be an irritant to ungodly behavior. Again, some have said that since salt creates thirst, Christians should create a thirst for God in those who do not know Him.

The primary idea in Jesus teaching here is that his disciples, like salt, are to be a preserving influence on society. You see, the issue was the saltiness of salt. When salt losses its saltiness, or its potency…or its power… it is good for nothing anymore.

When Christians get right with God and express their faith through the way they live life…Jesus is teaching a principle that says… society cannot help but be changed.

What difference do you make?  Some of you are living life in a daze.  The clock is ticking…and you are making very little difference.  I don’t know why.  But I know how…your salt is good for nothing.

What difference do you make?  Some of you are living your life in whirlwind.   The clock is ticking…and you are making a world of difference.  I don’t know exactly why.  But I know how…your salt is good for something.  It is good because you are sharing life-preserving, life-changing stuff with people who need it.  When you pray, when you visit, when you write a card, when  you work as a peacemaker, when you stand up for purity, when you endure persecution like Christ, when you stand up for what is right in a  humble way, when you demonstrate your hunger and thirst for knowing and seeking after God and His will.  You are salt.

What difference are you making right now?  What difference will you make tomorrow.  Its not up to your family.  Its not up to your boss.  Its not  up to your circumstances.  Its up to you…living up to the identity that you have as a Christian…TO BE THE SALT OF THE WORLD.

Salt is a hidden but powerful influence.

Light is a visible and revealing influence.

Jesus tells us that we are not only to be the salt of the earth but also the light of the world. We are called to make a visible impact on the world around us.

The Bible tells us about the Israelites in Egypt.  An interesting story where the homes of the Israelites had light, but the homes of the Egyptians did not have light.  x 10:23

23 No one could see anyone else or leave his place for three days. Yet all the Israelites had light in the places where they lived.

This is a word picture for disciples today.  We have the light.  We can’t change it.  We’ve got it.  Others are in the darkness.  What will you do with the light that you have?

When you are light, you cannot avoid being seen.  People see the good, and they are blessed by it.  In a sense, you are on display, when you accept the gift and challenge God has given you.  God will help you to do this.

THE MESSAGE  “Here’s another way to put it:  You’re 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 Go, this generous Father in heaven.”

Church:  When you’re a disciple of Christ…you’re going public.  No we are not all evangelists, we are not all made to be preachers and teachers…but we are all THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.  You are the light of the world…we are MADE TO SHINE.

President Woodrow Wilson told the story of one such encounter. He said: "I was in a very common place, I was sitting in a barber chair, when I became aware that a powerful personality had entered the room. A man had come quietly in upon the same errand as myself to have his hair cut and sat in the chair next to me. Every word the man uttered, though it was not in the least didactic, showed a personal interest in the man who was serving him. And before I got through with what was being done to me, I was aware that I had attended an evangelistic service, because Mr. D.L. Moody was in that chair. I purposely lingered in the room after he had left and noted the singular effect that his visit had brought upon the barber shop. They talked in undertones. They didn't know his name but they knew something had elevated their thoughts, and I felt that I left that place as I should have left a place of worship."

Our lives should be lives that reflect something more than the world has, because we have more than they have, we have Jesus. He has saved us, forgiven us, changed our hearts, given us hope, put His love in us, given us joy, set our feet on the rock which cannot be shaken. If He does not make a difference in your life, then you either need to be born again or you need to repent of sin and allow Him to rekindle the fire of your first love.