Opening Prayer
Our President has called for today to be a National Day of Prayer, along with the Great
Commission Council of the SBC, so let us bow our heads and start today with a prayer.
Dear Heavenly Father, we all come to you, to pray that you will lend a healing hand during this
pandemic, giving the doctors, nurses, first responders, and the researchers the wisdom and
protection they need during this tough time. Also please grant the government leaders the
wisdom to point us in the right direction and not cause more panic and fear. We pray that you
will bring comfort to those families dealing with this virus, especially where they are
unequipped to handle it. Lastly God, we pray that you give us the guidance to bring others into
a relationship with You. Scripture tells us to number our days carefully so that we may develop
wisdom in our hearts, especially in this moment when our foundations of what we know are
shaken, and that others would realize how fragile life is, and how real eternity is, and they
would see their need to turn to God. All these things we pray in Jesus name.
Sermon
For the past several weeks, we’ve been hearing Pastor Joe and others speak about Jesus’s
Sermon on the Mount, in which Christ taught us how to be content; to be spiritually happy.
Pastor Joe emphasized the importance of being spiritually bankrupt, hungry and thirsty for
righteousness, and pure in heart. These “attitudes” are how Christ calls us to be. Now, there is
nothing we can do to “earn” God’s favor, but we must strive to be more Christlike. Jesus begins
teaching his followers a series of lessons on how to do just that. The Salt and the Light is the
first of many in Matthew 5:13-16.
Let’s focus first on Matthew 5:13
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?
It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”
Salt Anecdote
Let me ask everyone here: Who likes unsalted French fries? I know I don’t. What
about unsalted popcorn? It’s very bland right? No one I know prefers bland food. I
love movie theater popcorn, and McDonalds fries, because both are usually very salty.
Salt makes you thirsty. Companies add salt as a seasoning to a lot of different foods
to make you want to drink more.
Today, everyone says to reduce salt intake. If Christ were teaching today to his followers, he
might not reference salt, maybe something else just as useful. Back in Christ’s time, however,
salt had lots of valuable purposes. Salt was considered a commodity. It was something that
could be used for bartering, or for payment. Salt was thought to be a pure substance. It was
also a preservative. And of course, it was also used to add flavor to our food. Each of these uses
we can practice as Christ tells us. What good is salt as a seasoning if we keep it in the
saltshaker? It has no seasoning value, unless we shake it over the things that need seasoning.
In this way, Christ wants us to “spiritually season” the world around us. As salt brings out the
best flavor in food, we as Christians should try to bring out the best spiritual flavor in those we
interact with. Paul writes to the Colossians 4:6, “let our conversations be always full of grace,
seasoned with salt.” When we season a nice steak, we don’t want to add too much salt, for it
would ruin the steak. In the same way, we must be kind and respectful to those we wish to
season with Christ’s word. We want to be the “tasty” salt that makes the world thirst for
righteousness.
I mentioned earlier that salt was also a preservative, used to prevent food decay and spoil. We
must also counteract the moral decay in society. We must act as our own preservative by not
allowing our own spirit to fall victim to desire, and moral depravity. When we pray, spend time
in God’s word, and resist temptation, we preserve our spiritual wellbeing. We should encourage
others to do the same to preserve their relationship with Christ.
Lastly, salt was considered one of the purest substances. Ephesians 4:29 tells us we should “not
let unwholesome talk come out of our mouths.” What good is salt when it loses its flavor? Its
only purpose is to be “thrown out and trampled upon.”
Application: Be the salt.
Touch one person at a time
to enhance that life,
help to become closer to Christ.
Especially during this time when we practice social distancing, keeping in touch with friends and
family is critical. During our town hall John and many others told us we need to keep in touch
with our teams. We need to make sure our folks are staying positive and encouraged. This is a
great opportunity to give people hope and share God’s word when people are wary and feeling
down. This is a perfect time to have one-on-one’s as well. It’s just as important to be there to
honestly listen to someone’s troubles and pray for them.
We can do this by sharing a positive thought or compliment with a stranger. Remember, “let
the conversation be full of grace” Don’t just be the person who says, “How are you?” without
genuinely wanting a conversation. Ask follow-up questions, like adding a little more salt to the
steak. This shows them you are interested.
We can also be there to honestly listen to someone’s troubles and pray for them.
Most importantly, be that salt and do good for others, without asking in return. Doing good for
reward is not God’s will. God will reward you in Heaven.
In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus teaches “you are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot
be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its
stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before
others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven.”
Light Anecdote
I have been a volunteer for more than 10 years with Make a Wish Foundation, who
creates life changing experiences for children with critical illnesses. I have had the
blessing of being a light during the darkest times for these kiddos. All too often they
have to be told no by their parents and doctors because of treatments or restrictions.
Well, as a wish granter, I am able to share good news and be that light these kiddos
need to give them hope and the ability to forget about the conditions and just be a
family. Doctors say granting of a wish is a turning point in the kiddos recovery. In the
same way, being the light for others can be a turning point towards a closer
relationship to Christ.
A city’s lights on top of a hill can be seen for miles all around. In John 8:12, Jesus states “I am
the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of
life.” Jesus is our spiritual light, and He calls us to be the lights for others. When someone is
lost in the dark and searching for answers, a light in the darkness is attractive. People who are
spiritually “dark” will seek out our light. Our spiritual light needs to shine bright always so
people can be drawn to us.
In John 12:35 Jesus teaches us “you are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk
while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not
know where they are going.” Think of your spiritual brightness as a candle or a flashlight. Once
it’s lit, it will eventually die out. We need to use our spiritual brightness in the most effective
way possible.
Application:
Be the light.
Share your Faith
When we share our faith, we spread His light. We were all saved so that we may shine! Don’t
hide your testimony. Share it.
Take light where it’s dark
We are told to be the light of the world, not light of the church. We need to be the light in the
darkness, where people have yet to see Christ’s pure light. Participate in a local or international
mission, sharing God’s Word where it’s not been heard.
Shine Together as the Church
We shine brightest when we shine together. When the light is greater and more powerful, it
can be seen from further away. Being the light together as a church can have a much bigger
impact that what one can do alone.
Challenge Action
Closing Prayer