“Discipleship Principles Pertaining To Our Witness”
Matthew 5:13-16
Matthew Henry reminds us of a Latin saying: Sole et sale nihil utilius - Nothing more useful than the sun and salt. Christ uses these two things – salt and light – to advocate the savour and shine of a Christian Witness.
1. Consider The Impact Of The Christian Witness vs. 13
Christians… are the salt of the earth. If they be as they should be they are as good salt, white, and small, and broken into many grains, but very useful and necessary. Pliny says, ‘Sine sale, vita humana non potest degere - Without salt human life cannot be sustained.’” (Matthew Henry's Commentary)
A. Christ Mentions The Likeness Of Salt Ye are the salt of the earth
1. Through Our Lives We Make The Meat Of The Gospel Palatable
2. Through Our Lives We Make The Meat Of The Gospel Preserved
B. Christ Mentions The Losing Of Savour but if the salt have lost his savour
1. The Reason For Savourless Salt
"Maundrell, who visited the lake at Jebbul, tells us that he found salt there which had entirely 'lost its savor,' and the same abounds among the debris at Usdum, and in other localities of rocksalt at the south end of the Dead Sea. Indeed, it is a well-known fact that the salt of this country, when in contact with the ground, or exposed to rain and sun, does become insipid and useless. From the manner in which it is gathered, much earth and other impurities are necessarily collected with it. (Barnes' Notes)
2. The Result Of Savourless Salt
There was a species of salt in Judea, which was generated at the lake Asphaltites, and hence called bituminous salt, easily rendered vapid, and of no other use but to be spread in a part of the temple, to prevent slipping in wet weather. This is probably what our Lord alludes to in this place. (Adam Clarke's Commentary)
2. Consider The Illumination Of The Christian Witness vs. 14-15
A. We Are Like An Illuminated City
1. This Points Out The Expanse Of Our Light
set – [Greek keimai] a primary verb; to lie outstretched (lit. or fig.):--be (appointed, laid up, made), lay, lie.
2. This Points Out The Elevation Of Our Light
hill – [Greek oros] to rise; like a mountain (as lifting itself above the plain):-- hill, mount (-ain). (The world looks up to the light.)
B. We Are Like An Illuminated Candle
1. Not To Be Covered By A Basket
2. But To Be Clear In Its Burning
3. Consider The Importance Of The Christian Witness vs. 16
A. This Type Of Witness Manifests The Goodness Of Our Deeds
1. Consider The Brilliance Of This Goodness
shine – [Greek lampo] , lam'-po; a primary verb; to beam, i.e. radiate brilliancy (lit. or fig.):--give light, shine.
2. Consider The Beholding Of This Goodness before men – in front of human beings
B. This Type Of Witness Magnifies The Gloriousness Of The Divine
1. Notice The Operation Of Glorifying
glorify – [Greek doxazo] to render (or esteem) glorious (in a wide application):--(make) glory (-ious), full of (have) glory, honour, magnify.
2. Notice The Object Of Glorifying glorify your Father Our witness ultimately brings glory to God!
5161. Yellow Speck Highlights Painting
An artist once drew a picture of a dreary, wintry twilight, The trees were heavily laden with snow, and a dark house, lonely and desolate, stood bleakly in the midst of the storm. It was a sad picture.
Then, with a quick stroke of yellow crayon, the artist put a light in one window. The effect was magical. The entire scene was transformed into a vision of comfort and cheer.
At the dawn of creation God said, “Let there be light.” At the dawn of the church, He said it again!