The Life In Christ: Being the Salt of the Earth

The Meaning and Value of Salt

• Salt was used for money in ancient times…– The word for salary comes from the Latin word

salarium which means “salt money” and referred to the allowance of salt that was paid to Roman soldiers.

– Even today in some parts of the world salt is one of the most prized commodities.

– It is still valued as a condiment and preservative, along with its essentiality to the body.

The Meaning and Value of Salt

• From early Biblical times salt took on a religious significance.

• Aside from it being a seasoning for food (Job 6:6) salt had an intimate connection with the idea of a covenant binding relationship.– The “salt of the Covenant”: Salt was used in all of

the offerings. Leviticus 2:13; Ezek. 43:24– Salt was symbolic of a preservative of Covenants and

to emphasize the binding nature of God’s laws. Numbers 18:19; 2 Chronicles 13:5

Jesus Calls Us the Salt of the Earth

• We must be this salt! Matthew 5:13• We (Christians) must be the salt for the world.– How? By silently working as salt with the gospel of

Christ! Just a handful of salt works its way throughout food, the teaching of the gospel spreads far and wide reaching the hearts of men. Acts 2:37

• We must be salty! Col. 3:16 We will be if we are genuine and pure. Don’t let the world dirty up your influence, in so doing losing your flavor.

Properties of Salt

• It Preserves:– Prevents corruption… Proverbs 16:1, 3, 17– A Good Antiseptic… Clean and free of disease

causing organisms.– Acts Like Armor… Keeps away harmful microbes

Eph. 6:10-18– Maintains purity… 1 Timothy 5:22; Ps. 19:8– Cleans… John 15:3– Preserves balance, unity… Eph. 4:1-3

Properties of Salt

• It Enhances Flavor:– Makes you want more, and it makes you thirsty. Mt.

5:6– Creates a burning desire for sharing it more. Jer.

20:9– Salt cannot help but be salty. Jesus effect was they

loved the flavor. Luke 24:32• It is Influential:– It Keeps its flavor/qualities. Idea of contact without

contamination… John 17:15– It permeates thoroughly. Mark 16:15– It will stand out and be noticed.

How Can We Be “Salty”?

• As you grow in grace and in knowledge of Christ your flavor will become stronger. 2 Peter 3:18– By preserving the Word! Keep it yourself and pass it

on to others… 1 Timothy 4:16; 3:15; 2 Tim. 2:2– God has set you aside as holy. 1 Peter 1:3-4– Prevent being corrupted by the world. James 1:27– Must transform yourself by renewal! Romans 12:1-2

How Can We Be “Salty”?

• By Preserving Peace! Romans 14:19– In your deeds… 1 Peter 3:11– In your speech… Colossians 4:6– In your thoughts and attitudes… Colossians 3:15

• By Influencing your surroundings!– With your zeal for good deeds… Titus 2:14– Your desire for holiness… 2 Corinthians 7:1– Be authentic! Mark 9:50

Keep Jesus’ Teachings Preserved In Your Life!

• If we have the teaching of Jesus abound through our lives, the influence we have will diffuse and therefore certainly be good for the world! – If we let His word leach out of our life we are no

longer salt but useless residue.– As Jesus explains, if we want to be of good use to

the Master, we must be the salt of the earth. John 9:4; Mt. 5:13

• You can live as the salt of the earth if you obey Jesus and follow His commands. Heb. 5:9; Rom. 1:16; 10:17; Acts 3:19; Acts 8:37; Acts 22:16