This is the sixth post in a series titled “Messiah” adapted from a sermon series on the Gospel of Matthew preached at First Baptist Sulphur Springs, TX. This series follows an Advent sermon series you can watch here (click link).
Don’t be worthless
In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus uses two powerful images to discuss kingdom people: Salt and light.
Salt in the ancient near east was obtained from the evaporation of Dead Sea water. It was common for the salt crystals to dissolve, leaving a residue that looked like salt but without any salty tang.
There is a debate about the primary use of salt in the first century ancient near east. Preservation, fertilization, purification, flavor enhancement, fire starting, and ceremonial use are a few options. Yet, we don’t need to get bogged down in such a debate.
What we really need to know: salt served a purpose. What do you do when salt no longer serves its purpose? When it loses it saltiness? You might as well chunk it out of the window. If people walk on it? No problem. It is worthless.
Jesus next turned his attention to light.
Do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl? I hope not. Because that would be silly. it would defeat the propose of a lighting a lamp. If a light does not shine – it is worthless.
Kingdom people serve a purpose like salt and light. You are salt of the earth. You are the light of the world. Don’t be worthless.
Glorify God through disciple deeds
Don’t be worthless. Rather, glorify God through disciple deeds. “Disciple deeds” is my turn of phrase to help understand the message of this passage.
Remember, those who obey Jesus’ command to “Come follow me” bear the title disciple. A word prior to the New Testament which meant learner or apprentice. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches his disciples at the beginning of the apprenticeship. They will learn to know him more and grow to become more like him. Kingdom people reflect King Jesus.
In Matthew 5:13-16, we see that the good deeds of the disciples should lead others to glorify our Father in heaven.
Yet, we can’t think of merely good deeds. There are plenty of people who do good deeds. The lions club, United Way, and CASA does good deeds. Your atheist neighbor does good deeds. But the average good deed will never lead someone to glorify God in heaven.
Disciples deeds point to the truth of the gospel. Spoiler alert: This story will end with Jesus’ death on the cross through which he bears the sins of the world. The cross of Good Friday will give way to the empty tomb of Easter morning through which Jesus defeats sin and death. When someone experiences forgiveness of sin and the hope of eternal life in heaven – they truly glorify God.
The good deeds of the average do gooder are quick and easy. At best, they demonstrate love. At worst, they seek recognition or favor. Disciple deeds are much more intentional and require sacrifice because they reflect Jesus.
The beatitudes we discussed in the last post gave us a glimpse of the attitude and actions of kingdom people. Let me show you how this works regarding salt and light. I’ll use two examples:
Blessed are those who mourn: I’ve seen people devastated by the loss of a loved one. I’ve seen it absolutely crush them and leave them wailing for months and even years. On the other hand, I’ve witnessed people mourn and mourn deeply. Yet, through the grief, I’ve witnessed people cling to hope and point to the God who provides hope beyond the grave. That’s salt and light.
Blessed are the merciful: I’ve witnessed people hold grudges, lash out in retaliation, and spew venom about and toward other people. On the other hand, I witnessed a person wronged but still offer mercy, grace, and the love of Jesus. That’s salt and light.
Moving forward in the Sermon on the Mount , Jesus will continue to discuss kingdom people. In weeks to come:
Murder: Don’t merely avoid killing someone. Rather, don’t be angry at people. Reconcile disagreements. That’s salt and light.
Eye for an Eye: Don’t merely avoid payback. Rather, turn the other check. Be overly generous to people. That’s salt and light.
Love for Enemies: Don’t avoid hate. Rather, love your enemies. Overwhelm your enemies with grace. That’s salt and light.
How about a few examples for this coming week:
Apologize: When you mess up or sin, look the offended person in the eye and say, “I’ve sinned against you. Jesus calls me to seek forgiveness and calls me to better.”
Befriend: Go out of your way to befriend the person no one else will befriend. It’s a very Jesus-like thing to do.
Church invite: This is the bottom rung of disciple deeds ladder. But we need the bottom rung. Go to someone and say, “I’d love to have you at my church. Please sit with me.”
Conclusion
Our mission is for your family, neighbor, coworker to know eternal life in Jesus, walk in step with the Spirit, and glorify our Heavenly Father. This happens through the work of God as kingdom people reflect King Jesus and perform disciple deeds.
Yet, no one will come to know Jesus merely because you mow their lawn when they are sick or take them cookies when they move into the neighborhood. No one will come to know Jesus because of your ethical behavior in the office. By all means – mow the lawn, bake the cookies, make ethical decisions. This identifies you as a disciple of Jesus.
But you must preach the gospel. No one will ever come to know the forgiveness of sin through the sinless Savior on the cross unless you use your mouth to proclaim the gospel. When someone experiences forgiveness of sin and the hope of eternal life in heaven – they truly glorify God.
The lost and dying world around us does not need an ice-cold church, lukewarm church, timid church, compromised church, or a just-like-the world church. The lost and dying world around us needs a church that looks, sounds, and acts like Jesus. For Jesus alone saves.
Jeff Gravens 