The Church at Mesquite

Salt & Light

Matt 5.13-16

The Church at Mesquite

Matthew 5

Matthew 5.13

Ye are the salt of the earth, but if the salt have lost his savor wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

The Church at Mesquite

Matthew 5

Matthew 5.14-16

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your FATHER which is in Heaven (KJV).

The Church at Mesquite

Matthew 5

If we are going to fully recognize the implications of JESUS’ call for HIS disciples to be Salt & Light, we must initially note the historical significance of these elements

The Church at Mesquite

Salt

As it relates to the text:

The Church at Mesquite

Salt

As it relates to the text:

Salt represents purity

The Church at Mesquite

Salt

As it relates to the text:

Salt represents purity

Salt is a preservative

The Church at Mesquite

Salt

As it relates to the text:

Salt represents purity

Salt is a preservative

Salt is a seasoning

The Church at Mesquite

Salt

Salt represents purity:

Voluntary acts of worship

Recognition of GOD’s goodness and provisions

Devotion to GOD

Atonement for unintentional sin in general

Commitment and complete surrender to GOD

Facilitate meeting GOD

The Church at Mesquite

Salt

Salt as a preservative

JESUS calls us to allow HIS SPIRIT (Salt) to make a difference in society by impacting the live of people

Maintaining people’s safety from injury, peril, or harm; protecting people

Keeping people in perfect or unaltered condition

Keeping people intact

Preparing people for GOD’s future use

The Church at Mesquite

Salt

Salt as a seasoning

Accent life

Bring out the meaning of life

Remove the blandness from life

Deepen the purpose of life

Heighten the ideals of life

The Church at Mesquite

Salt

As it relates to the text:

Salt represents purity

Salt is a preservative

Salt is a seasoning

The Church at Mesquite

Salt

In this we have discovered the implications of JESUS’ call for HIS disciples to be “the salt of the earth.”

The Church at Mesquite

Salt

In this we have discovered the implications of JESUS’ call for HIS disciples to be “the salt of the earth.”

But we do well to not miss JESUS’ implications as it relates to HIS proclamation that salt that has lost it’s savor is “good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”

The Church at Mesquite

Salt

When we study the historical context and note how salt has been historically manufactured we discover that their salt comes from marshes along the sea shore (Barnes).

The Church at Mesquite

Salt

Much of the salt that is harvested in such a manner is good, but the part that is in contact with the ground, exposed to sun, or exposed to the rain loses it’s savor as it is tainted by the non-salty elements that it has come into contact with.

The Church at Mesquite

Salt

This was a well known fact in the country that JESUS was preaching in thus they knew full well the implications of HIS comment regarding salt that has lost it’s savor.

The Church at Mesquite

Salt

As Christians it seems reasonable for us to consider that our spiritual Salt, which proves to be the SPIRIT of CHRIST that lives within us, can become corrupted or useless in the same manner that their physical salt became corrupted.

The Church at Mesquite

Salt

When we are surrounded by other Salt, The SPIRIT of GOD, we are able to maintain our savor (the impact that GOD wants us to have on society).

The Church at Mesquite

Salt

When we are surrounded by other Salt, The SPIRIT of GOD, we are able to maintain our savor (the impact that GOD wants us to have on society).

But when we are exposed to the elements (surround ourselves with people and situations that are not of GOD) we lose our savor.

The Church at Mesquite

Salt

Paul proclaimed in 1 Corinthians 15.33:

Be not deceived, evil communications corrupt good manners (KJV).

The Church at Mesquite

Salt

Paul proclaimed in 2 Corinthians 6.14:

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers, for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness, and what communion hath light with darkness (KJV)?

The Church at Mesquite

Salt

Paul proclaimed in 2 Corinthians 6.15:

And what concord hath CHRIST with Belial (demon) or what part hat he that believeth with an infidel (one that is without faith) (KJV)?

The Church at Mesquite

Salt

If we feel that we can hang out with the world and still have the impact that CHRIST called for us to have we fool no one but ourselves.

The Church at Mesquite

Salt

As we consider the last part of JESUS’ proclamation against salt that has lost it’s savor, “it is good for nothing but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men” in the historical context we find that they used such salt as a way to keep traction in places that would become slippery from rain.

The Church at Mesquite

Salt

Such was the case in the temple or even in the primitive streets that were prevalent in their times.

The Church at Mesquite

Salt

What is significant about salt that had lost it’s savor is that some of the salt that experienced such loss would become not only useless, but destructive.

The Church at Mesquite

Salt

What is significant about salt that had lost it’s savor is that some of the salt that experienced such loss would become not only useless, but destructive.

If placed on the earth it would cause the earth to loss it’s fertility.

The Church at Mesquite

Salt

This is why JESUS stated that such salt should be “cast out” and then “trodden under foot of men.”

The Church at Mesquite

Salt

Such salt was so disturbing to it’s surroundings that the people of that time would carefully sweep it up and carefully place it in the street where it could serve the purpose of maintaining traction.

The Church at Mesquite

Salt

When we consider the spiritual implications here we note that JESUS was proclaiming that people who refuse to allow JESUS’ SPIRIT to work in them are not only useless to JESUS, but they also have a tendency to corrupt the salt of others.

The Church at Mesquite

Salt

Hence JESUS calls for HIS followers to note those that are not allowing HIS Salt to make an impact on society, and avoid them.

The Church at Mesquite

Salt

Hence JESUS calls for HIS followers to note those that are not allowing HIS Salt to make an impact on society, and avoid them.

This is not done because any one is better than any other, but rather so those who prove to have JESUS’ Salt working in them will not become corrupted by those who refuse to be about GOD’s business.

The Church at Mesquite

Salt

Paul proclaimed in Romans 16.17-18:

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them. For they that are such serve not Our LORD JESUS CHRIST, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple (KJV).

The Church at Mesquite

Salt

In this context Paul is preaching against those who are disturbing the unity of the Christian mission by leading people away from CHRIST rather than to CHRIST.

The Church at Mesquite

Salt

In this context Paul is preaching against those who are disturbing the unity of the Christian mission by leading people away from CHRIST rather than to CHRIST.

This can be effectively done by preaching false doctrine (misusing The WORD) and by living a lie (calling yourself a Christian but living as if you do not know GOD).

The Church at Mesquite

Salt

We have noted that:

Salt represents purity

Salt is a preservative

Salt is a seasoning

The Church at Mesquite

Salt

JESUS proclaims that HIS “followers” that refuse to represent HIM in this manner are good for nothing because they have been corrupted by the world.

The Church at Mesquite

Salt

JESUS proclaims that HIS “followers” that refuse to represent HIM in this manner are good for nothing because they have been corrupted by the world.

And JESUS proclaims that we should avoid such “followers” because they will also corrupt us if we continue to surround ourselves with such people.

The Church at Mesquite

Salt

Matthew 5.13

Ye are the salt of the earth, but if the salt have lost his savor wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men (KJV)

The Church at Mesquite

Salt & Light

Matt 5.13-16