Sermon Leftovers: Salt and Light

Jesus uses two very common images to outline what his kingdom of blessing looks like: salt and light.  In the ancient world, salt had two primary purposes.  The first purpose would have been similar to what we use salt for- flavor.  But the more overarching purpose would have been as a preservative.  Remember, there’s no refrigeration, no ice boxes, no coolers, so you used a lot of salt to in order to keep things fresh and preserved.

I think there’s a couple things to think about in relationship to being salt and light and how that seeks to be a blessing to others.  The first concerns what it means to be salt in today’s world.  A couple weeks ago, Pastor Doug talked about your ministry, your calling, and gave people the opportunity to sign up and explore what it might look like to use their gifts and talents within the church.  And that is certainly an important opportunity for each of us to consider.  But you know what else we need?  We need people to be salt in the places where they already are.  We need teachers and principals who follow Jesus, doctors and nurses who follow Jesus, business owners and employees who follow Jesus, artists and musicians who follow Jesus.  As important as it is for you and I to discover how we can minister within the church, it is just as important for you and I to figure out how to live lives for Christ through our work.

The second concerns what Jesus says in verse 16- in the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your father in heaven.  This is one of my favorite scriptures throughout the bible.  We have it painted on the outside of the worship center as you come in.  It’s a key text for Hillcrest and one that’s motivated what we’ve done on these walls and other service initiatives.  But I want to tell you something- it can be cool these days to serve.  It can be popular these days to participate in charitable work.  There’s no monopoly on serving opportunities or opportunities to do good in our world.  This is why the last part of verse 16 is so key- so that people will praise our Father in heaven.  If we follow Jesus, at some point we ought to be able to explain that that is why we are serving.  It’s more than just being a good person or doing the right thing.  We are motivated to do good because of what God has done for us, and we want to make sure he gets the credit- not us.