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The Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5 - 7

Chapter 5

You are the salt of the earth, but if salt loses its flavor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. People do not light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

What does this mean?

Context and Interpretation

1. Context in the Sermon on the Mount:
   • The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) contains Jesus' teachings on the values and principles of the Kingdom of Heaven. After describing the blessedness of various attitudes and conditions in the Beatitudes, Jesus turns to the practical impact of His followers on the world.

Explanation of the Passage

1. "You are the salt of the earth":
   • Salt as a Metaphor: In the ancient world, salt had several important uses. It was primarily used as a preservative to prevent decay and as a seasoning to enhance flavor. By calling His followers the "salt of the earth," Jesus emphasizes their role in preserving goodness and righteousness in the world and enhancing the moral and spiritual "flavor" of society.
   • Losing Its Flavor: Jesus warns that if salt loses its flavor (a metaphor for losing its effectiveness or distinctiveness), it becomes useless. Followers of Jesus must maintain their distinctive Christian character and influence; otherwise, they lose their purpose and effectiveness in the world.
2. "You are the light of the world":
   • Light as a Metaphor: Light is essential for visibility and life. It dispels darkness and allows people to see clearly. By calling His followers the "light of the world," Jesus highlights their role in illuminating truth, righteousness, and the presence of God in a dark and sinful world.
   • A City on a Hill: Jesus compares His followers to a city built on a hill, which is visible to all and cannot be hidden. This emphasizes the public nature of their witness and the importance of being a visible example of God's love and truth.
   • Not Hiding the Light: The metaphor of a lamp on a stand further underscores the need for visibility. Just as a lamp is placed on a stand to give light to everyone in the house, believers are to let their light shine before others, illuminating their surroundings with good deeds and godly living.
3. "Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.":
   • Good Deeds: The light that believers are to shine includes their good deeds—acts of kindness, justice, mercy, and love. These deeds are not done for personal glory but to point others to God.
   • Glorify Your Father: The ultimate purpose of letting one's light shine is to bring glory to God. When people see the good deeds of believers, they are drawn to the goodness of God and led to praise Him.

Biblical Principles

1. Influence and Impact:
   • Believers are called to influence the world positively, preserving what is good and illuminating what is true and righteous. Their presence should make a noticeable difference in society.
2. Maintaining Distinctiveness:
   • Just as salt must retain its flavor to be useful, believers must maintain their distinctiveness as followers of Christ. Compromising their values and blending in with the world renders their witness ineffective.
3. Visibility of Faith:
   • Faith is meant to be visible and public. Believers are called to live out their faith openly, allowing their actions to reflect God's love and truth.
4. Purpose of Good Deeds:
   • Good deeds are an essential expression of faith and serve the purpose of pointing others to God. The goal is not personal recognition but the glorification of God through a life that reflects His character.

Application

• Preserving and Enhancing: Believers are encouraged to act as preservatives in society, upholding moral and spiritual values, and enhancing the "flavor" of life with acts of love and kindness.
• Being Visible Examples: Christians are called to live in such a way that their faith is evident to others. This involves being intentional about displaying Christ-like behavior in all areas of life.
• Shining Light through Good Deeds: Practicing good deeds is a way to shine the light of Christ in the world. This includes acts of service, justice, mercy, and love that demonstrate God's character and point others to Him.
• Glorifying God: The ultimate aim of a believer's life and actions is to bring glory to God. This involves living in a way that honors Him and draws others to recognize His greatness.

Challenges and Encouragement

• Remaining Distinct: One challenge is the pressure to conform to the world and lose one's distinctiveness. Believers are encouraged to stay rooted in their faith and values.
• Boldly Shining: Another challenge is the fear of being visible and facing potential opposition. Jesus' teaching encourages believers to be bold in their witness, trusting that their light will have a positive impact.
• Focusing on God's Glory: Believers must continually check their motives, ensuring that their good deeds are done for God's glory rather than personal recognition.

What are three things we are to do as Christians that are not to be made into public displays?

• Matthew 6:1-4 - Charity
• Matthew 6:6-7 – Praying
• Matthew 6:16-18 - Fasting

Our works are to bring glory to God, not to ourselves. Advocate loudly, give quietly.