Title: Salt and Light (Matthew 05:13-16)
Content Christians are people who live in the world and live separately from the world. Jesus prayed for the church, “(John 17:16) They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world”. In other words, Christians are beings that are completely different from the world, yet they must be closely related to the world. This is what Jesus said, “You are the salt of the world and the light of the world.”
Christian Characteristics
1. Salt of the Earth
1) Characteristics of salt: Prevents spoilage.
- Moral Day, the world is spiritually sick and decaying.
-Our concern is, “Is it something that everyone else is doing, but I can’t do it?”
-The church should be the salt that sustains society.
- This is a lonely struggle. It is a battle that is not known to the media.
-The moment you lower the level of the church, salt is useless.
“(Matthew 5:10) Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
2) Characteristics of salt: flavor.
- Savor it with good deeds.
- Seeing our good deeds, people praise and rejoice.
A church without good deeds cannot glorify the Father.
2. Light in the sky
1) Characteristics of light
- Drive out the darkness.
-Warning: A warning to those who are heading towards danger.
-India: It gives directions to the lost.
- Charm: People yearn for its beauty. Everyone in the world looks at us as they see the light that illuminates the earth from outer space.
[Example]
The light gives directions to the lost.
A Norwegian fisherman took his two sons to sea fishing when he had time. On a sunny spring day, the three fathers went fishing with their mother's warm welcome. But in the afternoon, rain and wind suddenly blew, and the sea became dark, and the small boat on which the three rich men rode plummeted. Then there was a fire in the kitchen at home. Mother struggled, but burned down both her household and her house. Meanwhile, the three rich men managed to row their boat to the beach. Then the wife acted like a madman and went to the beach waiting for the three of them, and as soon as she saw them, she said, “Honey, our house is all set on fire. There is nothing left,” he cries.
My husband said this without being too surprised. “It was! It was really desperate when we were lost and drifted in a storm a few hours ago. Then suddenly a light came from afar. So we were able to find a direction and come to life. That was our house. The fire that burned our house saved our lives.”
3. Good deeds
“(Matthew 5:16) See your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
1) The world wants to see our conduct.
Salt of the world, light of the world
- It is a wonderful word of praise and blessing.
-The world is watching us and wants to see the works of salt and light.
-The role of salt and light is not in words.
2) Good Christians are attractive.
Two Greek words for "good"
(1) Agathos - simply being good-natured.
(2) Kalos - good, attractive, beautiful, attractive.
Christians should be the coolest people.
Conclusion and didactic story
Kier Kegaard's Illustration of Secularization
Wild ducks inhabiting the Mediterranean coast were migrating to Norway for the summer, and just passed the skies of Holland. Looking down, I saw ducks peacefully gathering feed in the yard of a farmhouse. At this time, one wild duck had a long way to go and was tired, so she went down to the place where the ducklings looked peaceful. The housekeepers gave the wild ducks a bountiful treat.
A few days later, the wild ducks flew to find their ranks, saying that this should not be the case, but during that time, they were unable to fly because of oil. It was winter again and when I saw my ranks flying through the sky, I felt empty and remorseful. But as the years passed, the remorse of conscience disappeared. A few years later, without even paying any attention, he became a duck and turned the gutter upside down.
This age is decaying and even dark. They long for salt and light. The Lord is with the saints who live by salt and light and gives them power.
“(John 8:12) And Jesus spoke again, saying, I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”