How can we be the salt of this earth if we continue to sugarcoat the gospel?
Matthew 5 is the sermon on the mount, the MOST heard & studied sermon in all of history.
Jesus is speaking to His disciples.
Matthew 5 Jesus opened up about the characteristics of being a child of God.
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the [a]earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3-10)
Why did God identify us as ‘salt’?
Salt was used for salary or wages.
Salt was to sign agreements & build covenants.
Salt was for seasoning.
Salt was used for preservation.
We are called salt & salt preserves things.. & we’re called to be the salt of this earth.
Our assumption from biblical wisdom is ‘maybe’ this earth is ‘decaying’?
Decaying in thinking.
Decaying in atmospheres.
Decaying in environments.
Decaying & rotting.
Perishing.
We are called to preserve.
When anything is rotting, decaying, or perishing… it may also be housing fungus.
My identity MUST be found in Christ.
How we see ourselves is how we affect the environments and people around us.
Identity determines our function.
& the enemy wants us to function in dysfunction.
Jesus was the greatest example of this.
I am the bread. (John 6:35)
I am the shepherd. (John 10:11)
I am the resurrection and the life. (John 11:26)
I am the way the truth & the life. (John 14:6)
34 “Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? 35 It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Luke 14:34)
49 “For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. 50 Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.” (Mark 4:49-50)
Make sure you are salt that's seasoned!
Seasoned with God's grace.
Seasoned with God's love.
Seasoned with God's light.
The more time we spend seeking Jesus, the more we can become like Him.
Click here to watch the podcast on What does it mean to be the Salt Of This Earth.