Grace Church - Climbing Companions Pt 4

Grace Church 

Sunday June 29, 2014, 2nd service

Pastor Robb Yandian

Salt and Light
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Matthew 5:13-16 (ESV)
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13. "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.

14. "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

15. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.

16. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Christ Came to Fulfill the Law

Salt and Light
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The analogies here are not quite understood because times have changed.  Salt is not really valuable to us anymore.  We use salt for flavoring. In those days it was used for a lot more.  When they heard salt, they heard value.  Value is determined by desire and value (supply and demand).  

Salt was used to preserve food, to add flavor, to change the environment that it is in.  

All of these are things that we should be doing as Christians.  

But what happens when salt looses the saltiness (as Christians not doing anything) what happens.  It is good for nothing.  

Salt does not strive to be salt, it just is. So is the other part, light.  

Shut off every source of light and it is dark, but one light source penetrated the darkness.  We are to be a light source to the people around us.  We are not to make our light shine, it is in us.  We are to let it shine.  

Message Version

13“Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.

14-16“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.