Salt & Light
In week two of our Sermon on the Mount series, “You Have Heard It Said,” Pastor Sean continued examining our position in Christ and began his message with a quote:
“No comment could be more hurtful to the Christian than the words, ‘But you’re no different from anybody else.’” (John Stott, “The Message of the Sermon on the Mount”)
He then looked at the practical illustrations of Jesus telling us that we are “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world”:
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.” (Matthew 5:13)
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)
Finally, Sean left us with these questions to consider:
- How is your seasoning and your brightness?
- Is the dish you’re offering “just right” for those to see Jesus?
- Is your light positioned in a way that draws people in and repels evil?
- Do people see you as different from the world and find that attractive?
Or….
- Have you lost your flavor and those around don’t notice you in the recipe of God’s plan?
- Do you approach your position in the world in a way where people want to spit the message of Jesus out?
- Has your light dimmed? Or are you hiding it completely?
- Have you forgotten your commission of pointing to the heart of God and the accomplished law that is found in Jesus?
If we are not continually listening to the voice of Jesus and making course corrections, we will be swayed by the other voices in our lives. And knowing that God has our best interests at heart, why would we listen to anything else?