Glorify Your Father... in Heaven

Transcription

1 Glorify Your Father... in Heaven (Matthew 5:13 16) his lesson is about one of your most valuable and important possessions. It is something everyone has. I have it, and so do you. Everyone, regardless of what else he may or may not have, has it. Even if you sell it, you still have it. After you die, it lives on. I am speaking of your influence. Many passages speak of the need for positive influence, the importance of being a good example. 1 Jesus left us an example so we might follow in His steps (1 Peter 2:21; see John 13:5). Paul tried always to be a good example (see Philippians 3:17), and he encouraged Timothy and Titus to do the same (1 Timothy 4:12; Titus 2:7). Believing wives are urged to win their unbelieving husbands by their examples of faithfulness (1 Peter 3:1, 2). No other passage, however, speaks so vividly of both the power and purpose of influence as does the text for this lesson. In the previous lesson, we briefly surveyed the Beatitudes (5:3 12). Those statements of Jesus give us basic characteristics of a citizen of the heavenly kingdom. When I was a teenager, I was a member of the Boy Scouts of America. We had to learn the Boy Scout Law, which declares that a Boy Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. The Beatitudes might be thought of as The Heavenly-Citizen Law : A citizen of the heavenly kingdom is poor in spirit, mourns over his sins, yields to God, desires to be right with God, is merciful to others, is pure T 1 Other passages that relate to influence and example include Proverbs 22:1; Matthew 13:33; 1 Corinthians 10:11; and James 5:10. in heart, strives for peace with God and others, and rejoices even when persecuted. 2 After contemplating the characteristics of a citizen of Christ s kingdom, we may ask questions like What is the point of having these qualities? and What is the goal or mission of this type of individual? Our present text answers those questions: Individuals with the traits listed are the salt of the earth and the light of the world ; and everything they do will be to the glory of their Father who is in heaven. In this lesson we will first examine the text, Matthew 5: Then we will list several lessons we all need to learn. LOOKING AT THE TEXT (5:13 16) The Salt of the Earth (v. 13) Jesus began by saying, You are the salt of the earth (v. 13a). In verses 13 through 16, He used two elements common in both the ancient and modern worlds: salt and light. These two elements are necessary for life. The Roman senator Pliny (A.D. 62 c. 115) wrote, Nothing is more useful than salt and sunshine. 3 In the days of Jesus, salt had many uses. It was used as payment for services. It was an element in some medicines and was used to thaw ice. It was 2 I am indebted to my brother Coy Roper for this idea. (Coy Roper, How to Find Happiness, sermon preached at Trent church of Christ, Trent, Texas, 1 January 2006.) 3 Natural History Quoted in D. A. Carson, Matthew, The Expositor s Bible Commentary, vol. 8 (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Regency Reference Library, Zondervan Publishing House, 1984),

2 included with Levitical sacrifices (Leviticus 2:13). Encyclopedias say that salt has some 14,000 functions. 4 Many writers believe, however, that Jesus had in mind two basic functions of salt: as a seasoning and as a preservative. Most of us use salt for seasoning our food. Without salt (or a salt substitute), some food is rather bland. In Job, we read, Can something tasteless be eaten without salt...? (6:6). Paul referred to salt s flavoring function when he challenged his readers, Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6a). When Christ said that His disciples are the salt of the earth, He was saying something complimentary about His followers and something derogatory about the earth. Without Jesus, life on earth is dull, bland, and boring. Many non- Christians are not aware of the emptiness of their lives as they rush from one activity to another and take no time to think. Someday, when forced to slow down by illness or the approach of death, they will have to face the meaninglessness of their existence. Only a right relationship with Jesus can bring genuine and lasting zest to their lives. However, when Christ said, You are the salt of the earth, He probably had in mind primarily the preserving quality of salt. In the days before refrigeration, salt was used to slow decay in meat. Galilean fishermen salted down their catches. When I was a boy in Oklahoma, when meat was not eaten fresh, salt was used to help it last longer. Even so, Christians are a preserving factor in this world. The presence of ten righteous souls would have prevented the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (see Genesis 18:32). Today, the presence of righteous men and women slows down the deterioration of this sinful world and gives it time to repent before the earth is at last destroyed (2 Peter 3:10). Jesus words imply that the world is decaying. It is the nature of meat left to itself to spoil, and it is the nature of the world left to itself to deteriorate. How corrupt can the world become? Read Romans 1:18 32 and 2 Timothy 3:1 5 or just look around you. Do you see lowered standards of morality, a general lack of honesty, 4 Harold Hazelip, Discipleship, The 20 th Century Sermons Series (Abilene, Tex.: Biblical Research Press, 1977), 56. less diligence in labor, more ungodliness? 5 Someone said that when we consider the nature of the world, it is not surprising that it is so bad. Rather, it is surprising that there is anything good about it. Let me suggest that the something good in the world is due to the influence of Jesus and the example of His followers. Returning to our text, we read, But if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? 6 (Matthew 5:13b). To understand Jesus question, we need to know something about salt in His day. It was not the refined sodium chloride many of us use today. The salt of Palestine came chiefly from the crystals gathered from the residue of evaporated water taken from the Dead Sea. 7 This salt included a variety of chemicals plus impurities. If exposed to dampness, the sodium chloride could leach out. 8 Left behind would be a salty mass with little taste and no preserving qualities. We might think of it as unsalty salt. In context, the Lord was probably referring to citizens of His kingdom who lose the qualities listed in the Beatitudes. Thank God this is a difference between men and salt. Unsalty Christians can repent, return to God, and regain their saltiness. What is unsalty salt good for? Jesus said, It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men (v. 13c). When some things lose their primary purpose, they still are good for something. When a flower dies, it no longer provides beauty, but it can be tossed on the earth or on a compost heap and used to replenish the ground. Not so with unsalty salt. If put on fertile ground, it sterilizes the soil. On another occasion, Jesus said, You can t even use it for dirt or fertilizer. People just throw it away (Luke 14:35a, b; SEB). Where did they throw it? On the paths that crisscrossed the country. There it would do no harm, and there it was trampled under foot by men. How did Jesus describe a Christian who has lost his influence for good? Jesus said he is good 5 Adapt this sentence to fit the moral problems in the society where you live. 6 This is a rhetorical question not meant to be answered. Unsalty salt cannot be made salty again. 7 Harold Fowler, Matthew I, Bible Study Textbook Series (Joplin, Mo.: College Press, 1968), Sometimes large quantities of salt were stored on earthen floors of buildings, where dampness affected the quality of the salt. 2

3 for nothing. D. A. Carson noted that the Greek verb translated has become tasteless is used four times in the New Testament. Twice it relates to salt, but the other two times it has its more common meaning to make or become foolish. Carson said, It is hard not to conclude that disciples who lose their savor are in fact making fools of themselves. 9 How sad! The Light of the World (vv ) The analogy of salt mainly focuses on the negative side of Christian influence. In verse 14 Christ turned to the positive. In that verse we have one of the most astounding and extraordinary statements about the Christian that was ever made : 10 You are the light of the world (v. 14a). The Bible teaches that God is Light: God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). Jesus said, regarding Himself, I am the Light of the world (John 8:12a; see 9:5; 12:35, 46; Matthew 4:16). Now, using the same terminology, He said to His disciples, You are the light of the world. As sons of God and as disciples of Jesus, we are to shine as lights in the world (Philippians 2:15; KJV). 11 We understand, of course, that whatever light we possess does not originate with ourselves. Our power comes from the Lord. Our light is but a reflection of His. Paul wrote to Christians at Ephesus, For you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (Ephesians 5:8). Underline the phrase in the Lord ; it is only in the Lord that we can be lights. After Jesus said, I am the Light of the world, He said, he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life (John 8:12; emphasis mine). What does light do? Its primary purpose is to dispel darkness. What does Jesus statement in Matthew 5:14 say about the world? It declares that the world is in darkness. The world does not like to admit this; people are fond of saying, We live in enlightened times. Look, however, at the confusion in the world regarding where mankind came from, why mankind is here, and where 99 Carson, D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Studies in the Sermon on the Mount, vol. 1 (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1959), Regarding Christians being light, see John 12:36; Ephesians 5:6 14; Philippians 2:14 16; 1 Thessalonians 5:4 8. mankind is going questions with clear answers in the Bible. Worldly minds are shrouded with a veil of darkness. Some of that darkness is the result of being ignorant of the light, especially the light of God s Word, and some is the result of willfully rejecting the light. Our challenge as Christians is to dispel as much darkness as we can. One way we do that is by teaching and preaching God s Word, which is light (Psalm 119:105). The thrust of our text, however, is that this must be coupled with living the Word. The good word without the good walk is of no avail. 12 Will those in the world appreciate us when we shine our lights in the darkness? A few will thank God for the few! but many will not. One result of dispelling darkness is exposure; in bright light we see things as they really are. Paul wrote that all things become visible when they are exposed by the light (Ephesians 5:13a). This includes exposing the ugliness of sin, 13 and the world hates this. Jesus said,... the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed (John 3:19, 20). Conflict between the children of Light (Ephesians 5:8) and the children of darkness is inevitable because the lives of faithful children of God are a silent rebuke to those whose lives are ungodly. This can result in persecution (Matthew 5:10 12). However, light does not simply expose ugliness. It provides the illumination needed to correct that ugliness. It does not simply dispel darkness. It reveals the pathway men need to follow. Therefore, the Lord strongly urged His followers, Let your light shine (v. 16a)! Jesus used two illustrations to emphasize the importance of letting our light shine. The first is a city set on a hill. He said, A city set on a hill cannot be hidden (v. 14b). In those days cities were built on elevated areas for at least two rea- 12 Rudolf Stier, The Words of the Lord Jesus vol. 1, trans. William B. Pope (Philadelphia: Smith, English, and Co., 1859), In 1 Corinthians 4:5 Paul spoke of the things hidden in the darkness which will be exposed when the Lord returns. 3

4 sons. One reason was agricultural: to avoid using land that could be cultivated. The other reason was defensive: It was easier to defend a high position. Many such cities existed in Palestine, so it is possible that one was within eyesight of Jesus audience 14 and that He waved His hand toward it at this point in His sermon. Jesus principal point with this illustration is simple: Even as a city on a hill cannot be hidden, so our Christian light is not to be hidden. It is to shine forth, removing darkness. Jesus second illustration begins with these words: Nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket (v. 15a). The lamp of that day was a bowl filled with olive oil, 15 often small enough to fit in one s hand. The edge of the bowl was generally crimped at one side to hold a wick. The word translated basket refers to a large measuring bowl of that day, 16 but precisely what kind of bowl is unimportant. The illustration simply refers to something that could cover a lamp. On other occasions Jesus spoke of the foolishness of hiding a light under a bed (see Mark 4:21; Luke 8:16) or putting it in a cellar (Luke 11:33). 17 To borrow the terminology of verse 13, hidden light is good-for-nothing light. Unsalty salt is useless, and so is lightless light. an ancient oil lamp If people did not light a light and put it under a bushel (or in a closet or a cellar), what did they do with it? Jesus said they put it on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house (Matthew 5:15b). The lampstand was whatever the lamp was placed on to elevate it so it could illuminate the area. The stand might be metal or wood, or it could be a simple shelf or 14 There are ruins of such a city near the traditional location of the Sermon on the Mount. 15 The KJV has candle, but candles were not known till after the time of Christ (J. W. McGarvey, The New Testament Commentary Vol. 1 Matthew and Mark [N.p., 1875; reprint, Delight, Ark.: Gospel Light Publishing Co., 2006], 52). The NKJV has lamp. 16 My copy of the NASB has this note: peck-measure. A peck is a unit of dry measure equal to eight quarts (7.57 liters). (The American Heritage Dictionary, 4th ed. [2001], s.v. peck. ) 17 The literal Greek in Luke 11:33 is a secret place. indentation on a wall. In those days most houses had only one room, so even one small lamp would give light to all who are in the house. Jesus was ready to emphasize the need for us to let our light shine. He said, Let your light shine before men... that they may see your good works (v. 16a, b, d). There is nothing wrong with allowing others to know what we do for the Lord as long as we do not do it so people will glorify and praise us. The next chapter in Matthew begins with these words: Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them (6:1). It is not the purpose of light to call attention to itself, but to call attention to that which it illuminates. When I go into a dark room and turn on the light, I do not turn my eyes to the lighting fixture. Instead, I look at what the light reveals about the room. Jesus said that our lights are to shine in a certain way: Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven (5:16; emphasis mine). Jesus did many mighty works, but He did them in such a way that those who saw them glorified God (see Matthew 9:8; 15:31). The apostles made no effort to hide their works, but they did them in such a way that people accepted Christ and glorified the Father (see Acts 2:43; 5:12). Frank L. Cox wrote, Disciples should avoid two extremes: Ostentation (Matthew 6:1), and timidity. 18 Light neither makes a fuss, nor does it try to hide. 19 What we do as Christians should never be for self-promotion, but rather to glorify our heavenly Father. Paul said, Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). When Peter wrote about the talents God has given us, he emphasized that we are to use them so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen (1 Peter 4:11c). LEARNING FROM THE TEXT As we examined Matthew 5:13 16, we made a few applications in passing; but many lessons can be gleaned from our text. Let me list some of them. Several overlap, but all are important. 18 Regarding being timid (cowardly, fearful), see Revelation 21:8. 19 Frank L. Cox, Sermon Notes on The Sermon on the Mount (Nashville: Gospel Advocate Co., 1955), 11. 4

5 Relationship to Society A question that has concerned Christians through the years has been What should be our relationship to society? We look around at a world growing more and more ungodly, and we wonder what we should do. Some have given this answer to the question: Leave society. Isolate yourself from the world and have little, if anything, to do with it. That was not Jesus answer. He said, in effect, Stay in society, but stay in it as salt and as light. Effect on Society Someone may protest, Stay in society? But the world is becoming increasingly rotten and more cloaked in darkness. Surely, nothing we can do can reverse that process! If Jesus words in Matthew 5:13 16 mean anything at all, they mean that Christians can have a positive effect on society. As salt, faithful Christians can minimize moral and spiritual deterioration and, as light, they can dispel spiritual darkness. Though we are in the minority and though we may be persecuted (vv ), we are not helpless or powerless. Need for Distinctiveness To have the desired effect on the world, we must be different from the world. We must be distinctive, unstained by the world (James 1:27). If salt had the same chemical composition as meat, it could not keep meat from spoiling. If light were the same as darkness, it would not dispel darkness. Too often today the line between Christians and non-christians has become blurred. There is a lizard called the chameleon that has the ability to change colors so that it blends in with its background. We have too many chameleon Christians who are trying to blend in with the world. Even though we are in the world (John 17:11), we are not to be of the world (vv. 14, 16). Need for Boldness As noted, the Lord did not intend that we remove ourselves from society. During Jesus day, there was a sect of Essenes who called themselves the sons of light. 20 However, some 20 John R. W. Stott, The Message of the Sermon on the Mount, The Bible Speaks Today series (Downers Grove, Ill.: Inter- Varsity Press, 1978), 65. of them had withdrawn themselves from society and lived in a ghetto on the west side of the Dead Sea. 21 Their light had no opportunity to shine forth to the world. You and I may not go to that extreme, but it is possible to confine our salt-and-light activity to services in the church building. Jesus did not say, You are the salt of the church, but You are the salt of the earth. Putting salt in one barrel and meat in another barrel would have no preservative effect on the meat. 22 To preserve the meat, the salt has to be where the meat is. To have an influence on society, an element of boldness is needed. We need to be salt wherever we find ourselves: 23 in a market, talking to a neighbor or friend, dealing with people we meet. We must let our light shine all the time and everywhere. A children s song says, Brighten the corner where you are. 24 Brighten your home. Brighten your neighborhood. Brighten the work place. Brighten the school you attend. Boldly brighten the corner where you are. Personal Responsibility The next lesson should be self-evident, but it is still worth mentioning: Jesus intended that every Christian be salt and light. Some think they have no influence. They insist, No one pays any attention to what I do or say. George W. Bailey is fond of saying, The smallest hair casts a shadow. The tiniest pebble tossed in the water makes ripples. Even so, we all have influence. To whom did Jesus say, You are the salt of the earth and You are the light of the world? He did not make these statements to Grecian philosophers or Roman leaders. He did not speak the words to the educated and cultured in Palestine. (Jews in Judea thought of Galileans as ignorant and uncultured [see John 1:46].) Jesus made His statements to ordinary people: uneducated fishermen, farmers, and small-town folk. In effect, He declared that every Christian let me repeat, every Christian is the salt of the earth and the light of the world. In the Greek text, in both verse 13 and 21 This was the Qumran community, where the famous Dead Sea scrolls were found. 22 Clovis G. Chappell, The Sermon on the Mount (Nashville: Abingdon-Cokesbury Press, 1930), Adapt this paragraph to fit the society in which you live. 24 Another appropriate children s song is This Little Light of Mine. 5

6 verse 14, there is emphasis on the word You. It is as though Jesus said to all who follow Him, You all of you and only you are the salt of the earth and the light of the world! A Warning Label Some products are marked with labels warning that certain ingredients in these products may be hazardous to one s health. Jesus description of His disciples as salt and light immediately follows His words about persecution (5:11, 12). 25 Verses 11 and 12 are, in effect, a warning label saying that being salt and light may be hazardous to our physical health. As noted, light exposes flaws and imperfections, and the world resents that. Since, by its very nature, light is obvious and can be seen, the world knows the source of its irritation. Rather than correcting its flaws and working on its imperfections, the world finds it easier to try to extinguish the light. Does this mean we should hide our light? No! Jesus wants us to be aware of danger, but His challenge to us remains the same: Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. CONCLUSION You and I will never receive a greater compliment or a greater challenge than we find in Jesus words: You are the salt of the earth;... You are the light of the world (Matthew 5:13, 14a). Can you imagine the impact on the world if all who claim to follow Jesus fulfilled these functions? An ancient saying claimed, If the church truly lived up to her calling for one entire day, the world would be converted by nightfall. 26 May God help us all to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world! Preaching and Teaching Notes When you use this sermon, you will want to point out that one who desires to be salt and light must first be a disciple of Jesus. Jesus said, If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples 25 Notice that the second person ( you ) is used in verses 11 and 12 and also in verses 13 through 16. Both segments are addressed directly to Jesus disciples. 26 Hazelip, 53. of Mine (John 8:31). Remind your listeners what Jesus said in His Word regarding salvation (John 3:16; Luke 13:3; Matthew 10:32; Mark 16:16). Emphasize that the Gospels exclude none, except those who exclude themselves. 27 Through the years I have used many visual aids in connection with Matthew 5:13 16, including a salt shaker and a candle. I have used candles in a variety of ways. For instance, I have noted that a small candle gives light just as a large candle does (everyone has influence). I have used one candle to light another candle (evangelism). I have labeled small baskets to talk about baskets under which we can hide our lights: ignorance, indifference, ungodliness, compromise, inconsistency, and the like. David Roper 27 E. Stanley Jones, The Christ of the Mount (New York: Abingdon Press, 1931), 99. A Note from the Editor In the next two issues, these twelve lessons will be presented on Matthew 5 7: Be Perfect? Who, Me? (Mt. 5:43 48) Seeking the Crowd s Applause (Mt. 6:1 4) Doing the Right Thing for the Wrong Reason (Mt. 6:5 18) Pray... in This Way (Mt. 6:9 15; Lk. 11:1 4) Decision Time! (Mt. 6:19 24) Three Reasons Not to Worry (Mt. 6:25 34) Four More Reasons Not to Worry (Mt. 6:30 34) Do Not Judge (Mt. 7:1, 2) Getting Along with Others (Mt. 7:3 12) You Can Trust God (Mt. 7:7 11) Which Way Are You Traveling? (Mt. 7:13 20) No Substitute for Obedience (Mt. 7:21 8:1) Our prayer is that this study will bless your life and the lives of those who hear your preaching and teaching. 6 Copyright, 2008 by Truth for Today ALL RIGHTS RESERVED