Is Kingdom Living Revelant in a Modern World?

Sunday, January 20, 2022   Matthew 5:13-16

Introduction

As Disciples of Jesus, We are to Influence the World

“Our Lord is saying that the Christian who lives according to the Beatitudes is going to influence the world as salt and light.” J. MacArthur

“The Christian is not someone who lives in isolation. He is in the world, though he is not of it; and he bears a relationship to that world.” Llyod Jones

1. Salt of the Earth

Leviticus 2:13 – Salt is used in offerings

“You shall season all your grain offerings with salt. You shall not let the salt of the covenant with your God be missing from your grain offering; with all your offerings you shall offer salt.”

2 Chronicles 13:5 – God makes a covenant with salt 

“Ought you not to know that the Lord God of Israel gave the kingship over Israel forever to David and his sons by a covenant of salt?”

Roman Soldiers – they were paid fully or partially in salt, it was that valuable!

You are – not someone else! Jesus is emphatic about the ‘you.’  

Salt – stands for those of us who are Christians:

As a preservative – it is also distinct from its substance; stops decay

As a seasoning – it adds flavor – we as Christians are to live with zeal

As speech -  brings flavor to the discourse; speech which preserves from corruption and renders wholesome

“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Colossians 4:6

Earth – stands for those who are not Christians and is decaying

Danger – salt losing it saltiness!

1. Light of the World

Just as this world is decaying so is the darkness. Where there is decay salt must be used, where there is darkness light must shine.

You are – emphatic again us being the only ones; not I hope you become!

Light – penetrates darkness, exposes hidden things and guides others

How can we as Christians be ‘light?’ It is because of Jesus who said, “I am the light of the world.”

"I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life." John 8:12

“…that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among who you shine as lights in the world…” Philippians 2:15

World – stands for the denial of truth in this world; worldly wisdom!

1. 14b - “A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” 

Danger – put the light under a basket 

“…it gives light to all in the house…”

v.16 – ‘see your good works’ – good in terms of beauty. Your works manifesting beauty to a dark world.

v.16b - ‘give glory to your Father who is in heaven.’

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

1 Corinthians 10:31

III. Conclusion

“Unquestionably, Christians are to be salt and light in their communities, working to see God’s purposes extended in every possible way. However, we must never forget what is at the core of God’s redemptive activity: The salvation of people who bear his image and were created to know and glorify him.” Jeff Purswell