EXPOSITIONS OF THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT– XII
“SALT AND LIGHT”
Matthew 5:13-16                                                      August 19, 2007

INTRODUCTION
Up to this point we have studied the character traits that the Holy Spirit is building into the lives of disciples.  Now we see the Lord Jesus making application directly to our living of the Christian life.  He tells those who live the Beatitudes how to relate to the world.  What salt and light were to first century Palestine, Christians are to be in the 21st century.

I.  SALT OF THE EARTH
Salt has 2 purposes: to preserve and to flavor.  Christians are to have an influence for the Gospel on the culture.  Examples of William Wilberforce, George Whitfield, John Newton, John & Charles Wesley.  But we live Coram Deo...in the presence of God. 

II.  LIGHT OF THE WORLD
John 1:1-14, John 8:12.  Matthew 6:23.  We make the light of the Gospel known by our witness to the world, in word and in deed.  Christians are to be a reflected ray of the Glory of Christ in a dark and sinful world.

III. LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE
The Lord Jesus is emphasizing the Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20.  “The world is my parish,” said John Wesley. 

IV.  GLORIFY THE FATHER IN HEAVEN
Our responsibility is to bring the light of the Gospel to bear on a culture that rejects Christian thinking, Christian living, Christian principles, in favor of the god of this age.  We have a responsibility to this age and the ages to come, preparing future generations to impact the culture for Christ.  Genesis 1:27-28.  The Christian’s view of the future determines how he lives, plans, works in the present and for the future.  Jeremiah 29.  II Timothy 3:1-17.  Proverbs 21:17.  Those who love the Lord are future directed, looking out for the spread of the Gospel to future generations.  The Gospel will be victorious.  In the short-term it appears that the ungodly will prevail.  In the long-term, the effects of being “salt and light” will be felt and seen.

Some of the resources used in this study:
Calvin’s New Testament Commentaries.
Hendrickson’s New Testament Commentaries.
J. C. Ryle’s EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS ON THE FOUR GOSPELS.
John R.W. Stott, CHRISTIAN COUNTER CULTURE.