TOPIC: USEFUL OR USELESS
((A Life that Honors God – Sermon on the Mount Series)
Text: Matthew 5:13-16
Introduction: (ILL. Brain of a professor, a scientist and a bench basketball player.)
(ILL. Show two Bible – one is used and one is still new but already old and ask: Which do you like if you choose?) Of course people will choose the new one. But I want you to know that I will choose the old one because I owned both of this Bible why because old one who is torn and look already old was being use always compare to the other one that it is really look like very new but the truth is it never been used. If I used the Old one I can bring it and share to others just because it has the marks of my devotions in the past that I can go back to use. Sometimes we are being deceived by the looks but not God. Let’s open our Bible in Matthew 5:13-16 (read).
While I am reading and studying Sermon on the Mount I noticed that 5:13-16 and 7:24-29 is the only part that Jesus used comparison. This seems to me that Jesus used 5:13-16 as His text and 7:24-29 as His conclusion. And 5:3-12, the Beatitude is His introduction and the rest of Chapter 5 to Chapter 7 is the body of His sermon. We can say that this is the transition for the rest of the sermon. And from this text we can see two’s:
1. TWO IDENTITY
v. 13a, “You are the salt of the earth.” – There is the earth and then there are you – the salt. Jesus isn’t asking for volunteers here. Anyone want to be the salt of the earth? Whether you want to be or not, you are salt. You is emphatic (clear, absolute, definite) – “You and only you” are the salt of the earth.
v. 14a, “You are the light of the earth.” – Again there is the earth and then there are you – the light. Jesus isn’t asking for volunteers here. Anyone want to be the light of the earth? Whether you want to be or not, you are light. You again is emphatic (clear, absolute, definite) – “You and only you” are the light of the earth.
2. TWO INTENT (PURPOSE)
People today are groping for some kind of meaning to life. People are turning to illegal drugs, immoral lifestyles, and some to suicide because life is a meaningless cycle of disappointment and despair. Many Christians suffer in the same way a sense of aimlessness. The joy of life becomes a cycle of boredom and ritual routine. Churches often become lethargic and stagnant because they lose a sense of purpose and direction. What is your purpose for living? What is the purpose for your church’s existence? JESUS ADDRESSES THESE QUESTIONS AND TELLS US: “YOU ARE THE SALT AND LIGHT OF THE EARTH.” Reminding us not just of our identity but our purpose:
v. 13b, “But if the salt loses its saltiness.” – Our Witnessing – The question is not whether we are salt or not. The question is we functioning. Since this is my identity, what is my function as salt? My function: First, it is a seasoning. This is a good time of year to be reminded of that. Just pick up any modern cookbook and count how many recipes include salt. Almost everything you will eat on Thanksgiving Day will have some salt in it. Even the cakes and pies will use a pinch of salt. Second, it is a preservative. This is no doubt its main use. Salt retards spoilage. It doesn’t prevent the process of decay, but it slows it down and prevents its spread. Meat left to itself will spoil. Cure the meat with salt and it will last a long, long time. Third, salt strings/for healing. We speak of pouring salt on an open wound. “We are called to be not the honey of the world but the salt of the earth. Salt stings on an open wound, but it also saves one from gangrene.” Fourth, salt gives strength. You can’t live with sodium in your diet. Without it, your body quickly weakens. That’s one reason the Romans gave their soldiers salt. They knew that putting salt on their vegetables would give them needed strength. (The word “salad” is related to the Latin word for salt.) Salt was one of the most common substances in the ancient world. Roman soldiers were paid in salt and would revolt if they didn’t get their ration. Indeed, our English word "salary" comes from the Latin salarium which literally means "salt-money." Fifth, salt creates thirst. That’s why they put it on potato chips and pretzels. It creates thirst and causes you to crave something to drink. Salt. That’s what Jesus was talking about. Salt stops the spread of moral evil and preserves society from total corruption.
Here’s the exciting part. It’s doesn’t take much salt to do the job. Just a little bit in the right place will do the trick. (ILL. The story of Abraham praying for God to spare Sodom because his nephew Lot lived there? He said, "Lord, if I can find fifty righteous people, will you spare the city?" And the Lord said yes. So Abraham said, "Well, Lord, if I can find forty-five, then he tried thirty, he tried again, "How about for twenty?" And God said, "I will spare it for twenty." Then Abraham took a deep breath and said, "Lord, what if I can only find ten?" "I will spare it for the sake of ten righteous people.") It doesn’t take much salt to do the job. Robert Bellah is a sociologist at the Institute for Advanced Studies at Princeton University. These are his words: "We should not underestimate the significance of the small group of people who have a vision of a just and gentle world. . . . The governing values of a whole culture may be changed when 2% of its people have a new vision." Think of it. All you need is 2% and you can change an entire culture. Here is a simple definition: Being the salt of the earth means acting as a purifying agent to hinder the spread of evil. We who follow Jesus Christ are to be a "moral disinfectant" stopping the spread of evil. We are to be the conscience of the community, speaking out for what it true and right
v. 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.” – Our Testimony – What do these words mean? The dictionary defines light as "a source of illumination." That provides the key to our definition. To be the light of the world means illuminating the darkness so that others may see reality. As Light We Penetrate the World (John 1:5a). As Light We Dispel the Darkness (John 1:5b). As Light We Guide Others (John 1:6-7). There is a mighty beacon on the top of a LIGHTHOUSE it guides ships in to a safe Harbor. But there is a Light house Keeper and that is you to maintain the light. To keep it burning, to keep our light shines before men. Be a beacon of truth. Don’t shut your light off from the rest of the world. They need you.
Christ’s statements about salt and light were made emphatically. He did not say, “you ought to be . . . .” He did not say, “it would be a good idea if you were. . . .” In essence he said, “You, my followers and none others, are salt of the earth; You, my followers and none others, are light of the world.” The implication is strong—all believers are salt and light: if people are not salt and light, they are not believers. (Lenski, 198-99) The truth is simple—we will give a testimony in action and words concerning Jesus Christ. The question is, what will that testimony be? To blur our identity is to blunt our effectiveness for the Kingdom of God. It cannot, strictly speaking, lose its saltiness. And that is the irony of Jesus’ point – an inconceivable situation. Salt cannot stop being salt. But it can become contaminated and useless. Yet Jesus said it could become tasteless. Salt in the ancient world was not very refined. White powder contained some sodium chloride, but the rest was road dust. Good for nothing. Same with a disciple that that is diluted by the world. If the salt loses its saltiness, it cannot be made salty again.—and thus, become useless. The point is simple—if we are “unsalty” or hide our light under a bushel, we are detrimental to God’s Kingdom. You Can Lose Your Value (v. 13b, v. 15). Loss of Testimony, Loss of Influence, Loss of Impact. When we stop being useful as salt and light of the earth then we lost its value and become useless to God’s Kingdom.
3. TWO IMPACT (RESULT)
v. 16b, “…that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” – We can make a difference: Earthly Impact, “...they will see your good deeds...” The results will be, you can make a difference to the life of others as you become useful as salt and light & Heavenly Impact.”...and praise your Father in heaven.” This is the ultimate results of all good works among men are to glorify our heavenly father. Enhance your lives and be a guiding light to the lost in a dying world…
Conclusion:
Our usefulness or uselessness depends on how we understand and do our role and function in God’s Kingdom. Do you think your presence in your neighborhood, in your workplace, in school, or anywhere will be notice and look for when you left that place or they will not notice at all? Do you think they will miss your presence and will rejoice for it? Think about this and make an adjustment and be an agent of change, be useful Christian not a useless one.
