June 16, 2020
We are going to spend the next two weeks together as a church reading Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount! The Sermon on the Mount is the first of Jesus’ major teachings recorded in the gospel of Matthew. In it, Jesus explains the ethics and values of the kingdom of Heaven as opposed to the ethics and values of the world. The values and principles that are to govern our lives as followers of Jesus and citizens of the kingdom of Heaven are wildly different from those that govern the various cultures of our world, including the culture in which we live.
Over the next two weeks, allow the words of the Lord Jesus to challenge the way you think, expose the worldly and idolatrous values and desires of your heart, and transform you to live in the new way that He has laid before us!
In today’s passage Jesus describes His followers as the salt of the earth and as the light of the world. Both of these descriptors refer to the way in which followers of Jesus are meant to interact with and influence the world around them!
In the 1st century salt was used in two ways: to preserve and enhance flavor. Jesus could have had either or both of these uses in mind when he called us the salt of the earth! As disciples of the Holy One, we are meant to preserve the world from spiritual and moral decay as well asenhancing the world. Our presence in our neighborhoods, our communities, and our culture should work to stave off the advance of darkness and evil as well as to bring about light and goodness and beauty and truth!
Jesus’ reference to His followers as the light of the world means that, because we have. Been. Inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit, we are now empowered to put the glory, holiness, love, and goodness of God on display through our good works! When people look at our lives, they should see a picture of who God is and give glory to Him!
As we step into a world that remains in the darkness, confusion, and chaos produced by sin, may we ever stand against the darkness, adding beauty and light and life to the world around us by our lives, and pointing others to who Jesus is through the good works that we perform!
Matthew 5:13-16
Salt and Light
13 “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.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 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.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Family Discussion Question:
- What are some of the good works we can do that would make others give glory to God? What are some specific ways you can “shine your light before others” this week?
Dear Heavenly Father,
We so much need to bring light into this dark world. As Christians, we must seek ways to shine and bring glory to You and add flavor and enrich the world with Your Good News. I feel our church is doing a great job by thinking of ways to welcome the community with VBS being outside on the big screen, the food pantry, and all sorts of other missions. In our homes, neighborhoods and work we can shine by our actions and our words and by having a sweet spirit. In my work with little children, give me patience and help me show Your love through caring and singing songs about You. We sing “This Little Light of Mine” almost daily. By doing so, I am reminded of my mission as well. Thank you for another chance to spread love and light to the world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Father God, I bow before you. Who am I that I can call you Father? Why did you adopt me? What made me so special in your eyes that you would send you Son to die on a cross for me? Father, thank you for plucking my soul from the pit of hell itself. Fill me this day with your Holy Spirit. Teach me your ways. Shine through me Father, guide my steps, my decisions, and speak through me. Help me to speak words of encouragement, words of healing, words of instruction. Father, you see who will cross my path today. I surrender to you. Use me as your salt shaker. Use me as your lantern. Now, as the sun rises, let’s be going, together, to reach into the pit and pluck one more from the pit of hell. For it is for your Son Jesus and His glory I am still here. Amen
In this world we have truly lost our savor. Most Christians are not the Light we should be. Father forgive us. Help us to be that Light to someone.
Dear Father,
Help me to be the neighbor that is intentional today see a need and help them out without asking. Help my life to always show others to You.
dear heavenly Father continue to fill me with your Spirit so i may be your light in this world. amen
Thank you Lord for reminding me that your indwelling spirit that fills me today, makes me salt and light, to preserve the world from destruction, to help them experience the abundant life with you and to reflect the glory of Jesus.
Dear Lord, I want to thank You and praise You for Who You are!! I ask that You will help me to be salt and light in the world around me. Help me to always put the needs of others before me. Help me to shine brightly for You!!!!
AMEN!!!!! Striving everyday to be more and more like Jesus Christ!
Let me be salt and light so that I may glorify my Father who is in heaven.
We as Christians need to spread the salt God has given us. If you have not spread the salt God has given you my option do not except God to give you more salt
Thank you Holy Spirit for letting me be a light of the world as I continue to share your love with them and they tell me I always smiling, it is your light coming through me to reach them.
I read about neighborhoods where people are just not kind to others and it disturbs me. It is more critical now than ever in the midst of Covid19 and the racial unrest we’re in, that we practice:
Leviticus 19:18 – “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord”. Help us all dear God to be kind and love one another. Lord, help me to be the salt and the light where ever I am. Thank you Lord for your love!
Jesus, thank you for being our light. No matter how dark it gets, if we have you as our Savior, we will have a light leading us. Thank you for your Word, a daily reminder that we need you desperately so that we don’t despair!