CHRISTIANS ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH

Matthew 5:13

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.     The Bible is filled with all kinds of figures of speech.

 

B.      In this lesson we will be looking at a figure of speech that involves a comparison.

1.       It is not a simile.  A simile is a comparison that uses the words “like” or “as” to make the comparison.

a.       He is as strong as an ox.

b.       That mushroom looks like a snow cone.

2.       The comparison we will be studying is a metaphor. 

a.       It does not use the words “like” or “as.”

b.       The absence of these two words is supposed to indicate a much stronger comparison.

 

C.      The metaphor we will examine in this lesson is found in Matthew 5:13.

 

Ye are the salt of the earth:  but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted?  It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

 

D.     Our title very simply is:  “Christians Are The Salt of the Earth.”

 

I.             THE POWER OF SALT:  “Ye are the salt of the earth…”

 

A.     Salt is one of God’s blessings to mankind.  It has numerous benefits.

 

B.      Three benefits:

1.       Health benefits:

a.       A List:

1)      Have you ever gargled salt water when you had a sore throat?

2)      Have you ever soaked aching muscles in a salt-water bath?

3)      During two-a-days in football, we often took a salt tablet to relieve cramping.

4)      Many use salt water for nasal irrigation.

5)      Salt helps with diabetes.

6)      Salt is needed for a healthy pregnancy.

7)      Salt is sometimes used in dental hygiene.

b.       Application:  Christians provide spiritual health benefits to the world.

1)      The world is sick and diseased with sin (Isa. 1:6).

 

From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores:  they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.

 

2)      Christians did not invent the cure for sickness, but we have knowledge of it.  Too, we have the instructions as to how the medication is to be applied.

a)       The cure is the blood of Christ.

-          Ephesians 1:7

 

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.

 

-          Revelation 1:5

 

…unto him that love us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.

b)      The gospel is the book that reveals how the blood of Jesus is applied to our souls.

-          Jesus washes away our sins by His blood.

-          Paul told the Corinthians that they had been washed from their evil behaviors (1 Cor. 6:11).

 

And such were some of you:  but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of God.

 

-          When Ananias came to Saul and found a believer in a penitent condition, he commanded him to do something (Acts 22:16).

 

And now why tarriest thou?  arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

 

-          Let’s now read Ephesians 5:25-26.

 

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also love the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.

 

                                                       +    The church had been cleansed with the washing of water.

                                                       +    The only water connected with the New Testament involves the waters of

                                                            baptism.

                                                       +    It was the word that commanded individuals to be baptized so they could

                                                            be cleansed of their sins by the blood of Christ.

                                                       +    The Hebrews writer undergirds this message in Hebrews 10:22 when he

                                                            notes that the Hebrews Christians had their bodies washed with pure

                                                            water.

3)      When an individual obeys the gospel and submits to the command to be baptized, his soul is healed from the disease of sin.  His spiritual man is pure and whole in the eyes of God.

2.       Salt has the ability to preserve.

a.       Salt is found in most food in the grocery store. 

1)      One of the reasons it is there is in order to preserve the food. 

2)      The salt gives the product a longer shelf life.

a)       Many farm families would eat their hams a year after the meat was put up.

b)      There are some Italian hams that are not considered ready to eat until after seven years of preservation.

c)       One person told of a ham that was stored at a child’s birth and prepared to eat at his wedding when he was 25 years old.

 

b.       The lives of God’s people can act like a preservative in a community, a city, or a nation.

(Ex., Abraham’s intercession for Sodom, Gen. 18:32).

 

And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once:  Peradventure ten shall be found there?  And he said, I will not destroy it for ten’s sake.

 

c.       It is impossible for us to know how much of a preserving effect we are having on our world today.  Remember, a few can go a long way in stalling God’s wrath.

3.       Salt instills flavor into food.

a.       Salt in good on chips, on watermelon, French fries, eggs, ham, and jerky just to name a few.

b.       The definition of “flavor” is a “distinctive taste.”

c.       Christians should add flavor to their world.  They should add a “distinctive taste” wherever they go.

d.       Four definite qualities:  kindness (Eph. 4:32), patience (2 Pet. 1:5-7), compassion (1 Pet. 3:8), and love (1 Cor. 13:13).

 

II.            A PROBLEM WITH SALT:  “…but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted…”

 

A.     Wouldn’t it be frustrating to put salt on something only to find there was still no flavor to it?

 

B.      In the spiritual world, it is possible for us to lose our savour.

1.       Lukewarmness

2.       Sin in our lives

3.       Slothfulness

4.       Conflict

5.       Negativity

 

C.      The Christian must constantly be on guard, lest his saltiness begins to fade away.

1.       Do not sleep (1 Thess. 5:6)

2.       Beware (2 Pet. 3:17)

3.       Watch (1 Cor. 16:13)

4.       Strengthen the things which remain (Rev. 3:2)

5.       Let us labor (Heb. 4:11)

6.       Give diligence (2 Pet. 1:10)

7.       Walk circumspectly (Eph. 5:15).

 

III.          THE PUNISHMENT GIVEN TO SALT:  “…it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”

 

A.     Salt that does not provide its benefits is “good for nothing.” 

1.       Nothing:  “not even one thing”

2.       It is sad that a Christian can be “good for nothing” if he/she refuses to be salt on the earth.  It is hard to imagine that one can be good “not even for one thing.”

 

B.      Two consequences:

1.       It is cast out.

a.       One can almost picture a woman cooking, tasting the salt, finding it has no flavor, opening a window, and casting it on a path in front of her house.

b.       A Christian who becomes “good for nothing” will also be cast out from the presence of God (i.e., the one talent man, Matt. 25:30).

 

And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness:  there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

 

2.       Trodden under food of men.

a.       Those who walk the path care nothing for the salt on the ground.  They walk over it time and time again.

b.       When individuals are cast from the presence of God, there is also the affliction of pain and anguish upon the individual (Matt. 25:41).

 

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into ever lasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.     Jesus longs for each one of us to be salt in this world.

1.       He wants us to help heal others from the disease of sin.

2.       He wants us to preserve the world from its evil influences.

3.       He wants us to add flavor in every place and to the lives of all those with whom we come in contact.

 

B.      I was thinking that there is one difference between us and regular salt.  That difference lies in the cost.

1.       Great Value salt at Walmart only costs 64 cents for 26 ounces.

2.       We cost much more than that. 

a.       We were redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. 

b.       Human salt, that is, those who are Christians are extremely valuable in nature. 

Truly, we are God’s peculiar treasure.