School of the Bible - Sermon on the Mount 3.1

  • Gordon Simmonds
  • Feb 10, 2009
  • Series: School of the Bible - Sermon on the Mount

Lesson 3 - Salt and Light

Outline

Salt as a figure of Speech

  1. Spiritual Applications of Salt
  2. Light as a figure of Speech
  3. Spiritual Applications of Light

Matthew 5:13-16

13  "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

14  "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

15  "Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.

16  "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

1. Salt as a Figure of Speech

1.1 The nature of salt is salt. Otherwise it really is nothing. The essence of salt is its action. By itself it has no purpose. Salt is there for the sake of the whole.

1.2 Salt is an essential element in the diet of not only humans but of animals, and even of many plants. All animals, humans included, require both sodium and chloride for life and health. Since the body cannot manufacture either, they are "essential" nutrients.

1.3 Salt has the following benefits:

 

  • 1.3.1 Salt can delay death. We know that doctors postpone death and revive or maintain the regenerative power of an organ by injecting salt.
  • 1.3.2 Its industrial and other uses are almost without number (estimated over 14 000).
  • 1.3.3 Salt was of crucial importance economically. A far-flung trade in ancient Greece involving exchange of salt for slaves gave rise to the expression, "not worth his salt."
  • 1.3.4 Special salt rations given early Roman soldiers were known as "salarium argentum," the forerunner of the English word "salary."
  • 1.3.5 Salt was an important trading commodity carried by explorers.
  • 1.3.6 It served as money at various times and places, and it has been the cause of bitter warfare.
  • 1.3.7 It is used in making pottery.
  • 1.3.8 Salt thaws out ice

 Spiritual Applications of Salt

 1.4 Salt Preserves

 

  • 1.4.1 It is one of the most effective and most widely used of all food preservatives.
  • 1.4.2 Jesus is teaching here that believers are salt. This means firstly, that believers should "preserve" things around them.
  • 1.4.3 When a nation sins, it can incur the judgement of God, as was the case with the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. When God finds righteous people in a city it will be preserved, however here there is none righteous except Lot. (2 Peter 2:7)

Genesis 18:23-32

  • 1.4.4 Our mission on behalf of the kingdom is to be the salt of the earth: to stem injustice, prevent "decay" of systems eg education, and hinder death.
  • 1.4.5 As long as the church remains salt, it restrains the fulfillment of evil in the world and acts as the power that will one day renew the earth.

 1.5 Salt brings out Flavour

 Job 6:6  Colossians 4:5-6

  • 1.5.1 If a believer's words are going to bring out the best in someone then it is important to have the right answer.
  •  1.5.1.1 Notice the connection between "walking in wisdom" and "having words seasoned with salt" and having the "right answer".

 

  • 1.5.2 In the same way that too much salt can destroy a meal, so "Bible punching" can turn someone away from Christ.
  •  1.5.3 Taming the tongue

James 1:26  James 3:1-12

  • 1.5.3.1 James uses two very relevant illustrations:
  • Controlling a horse through bits in its mouth and
  • Guiding a ship with a rudder.
  • 1.5.3.2 Both of these are small parts responsible for the direction of larger object.
  • 1.5.3.3 The metaphors show us that it is the tongue that guides a person and to a certain degree control him. Our destinies our shaped by our words.

Proverbs 18:21 Proverbs 10:31 

  • 1.5.3.4 James makes an interesting statement in verse 8: "But no man can tame the tongue". This is crucial for the believer if he is going to have his words "seasoned with salt'"
  • 1.5.3.5 Even though no man can tame the tongue God can!
  • 1.5.3.6 Warnings Concerning The Tongue:
  •  The flattering tongue: Proverbs 6:24, Proverbs 26:28 & Proverbs 28:23
  • The lying tongue: Proverbs 6:17
  • The backbiting tongue: Proverbs 25:23 & Proverbs 17:4
  • The perverse tongue: Proverbs 17:20

 

  • 1.5.4 Blessings of The Tongue
  • Promoting health Proverbs 12:18 & Proverbs 15:4
  • Established forever: Proverbs 12:19
  • Being wise Proverbs 15:2 & Proverbs 31:26
  • Freedom from troubles: Proverbs 21:23

 

  • 1.5.5 How can the tongue be tamed?
  • 1.5.5.1 Matthew 12:34 refers to the mouth speaking out of the abundance of the heart.
  • 1.5.5.2 The mind needs to be renewed to line up with God's Word so that when the mouth opens, God's Word comes out.
  • 1.5.5.3 This includes, meditating on God's Word in order for it to become the dominating feature of the mind
  • 1.5.5.4 Have actions corresponding to what is believed by consciously speaking positive words and meditating on good things in people.