THE CHURCH – WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE WE

Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series: Truth for the Heart

May 8, 2005

CHRISTIANS – WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE WE?

Matthew 5:13

SALT

In reading up on the subject of “salt” I discovered that salt is a widely distributed element in the physical world. For example salt is present:

1. In ocean water – 0.2547 pounds per gallon.

2. In many rivers, inland lakes and seas. Salt makes up 002% of the Mississippi River; 12% of the Great Salt Lake; and 8% of the Dead Sea.

3. It occurs in the form of a surface crust in swamps and dry lake bottoms and rock salt beds.

I also discovered that salt has over a thousand uses – all the way from seasoning your food to preserving your meat. Salt pills facilitate perspiration, cow-licks are a necessity for cattle, salt is a source for chlorine and the manufacturing of soap, dye and glass. It is also used in making prisms and lenses for instruments employed in the study of infrared radiation. So salt is prolific in the world – both in its presence and in its use.

Salt also has a Biblical connotation. Believers are called salt (Matt. 5:13; Luke 14:34,35; Mark 9:50). God has injected His people literally all over this earth to function in every conceivable walk of life – using them in thousands of ways. Let’s look at some facts about salt and the Christian.

SALT AND THE CHRISTIAN’S CHARACTER (Matthew 5:13; Mark 9:50)

“You are the salt of the earth” –Matthew 5:13

“ have salt in yourselves” –Mark 9:50

The Church is called “Light” to reveal and to expose. It is also called “salt” to penetrate and convict. The very nature of God is injected into the church – the Body of Christ! This church is called “A New Man Created in Christ Jesus in Righteousness and True Holiness” (Ephesians 4:24). God’s own life in and through the Church penetrates society in a variety of ways when the Church is functioning properly. We serve as a deterrent to evil, an antiseptic, a seasoning, in the world in which we live.

Mark 9:50 declares that we are to have salt within ourselves. We are salt. Therefore, we must function as salt – demonstrating the righteousness and holiness of God in a sensitive relationship with others. In an unrighteous and unholy society, this kind of penetration will be felt. YOU CANNOT POUR SALT INTO AN OPEN WOUND WITHOUT SEVERE REPERCUSSIONS!

SALT AND THE CHRISTIAN’S COMMITMENT (Luke 14:25-34)

A. Christ states a Principle of Commitment – vs 25-27

B. Christ gives illustration of Commitment – vs 28-33

C. Christ Applies the Principle of Commitment vs 34,35

Salt that has lost it zing, spizirinctum (or effect) is less than worthless. When believers are willing to sacrifice in their commitment to Jesus, this presents an image of the Church that is different from what the world is getting today from many churches. When believers stop playing at Church and get down to business and start to realize that commitment is costly – then the Church of Jesus Christ begins to take on definition and meaning and significance in the world. The Church becomes a heady seasoning in an otherwise tasteless society (Matthew 5:13). While the Church’s commitment can be impressive, giving real taste and meaning to life, the Church can also be an antiseptic that can both help and hurt. Some will respond and some will retaliate (Matthew 5:12-13 in context).

WHEN THE CHRISTIAN CEASES TO BE SALT The words “ceases to become” is from a term meaning “moron”, “to become foolish”, “to play the fool.” When the church ceases to be salt, ceases to penetrate, ceases to function as intended in the eyes of a ridiculing world that both respects and hates the church, we look utterly foolish. We look like a moron. In captivity Israel became the laughing-stock of the ancient world. Jesus said that savorless salt is good for nothing. The Church cannot change its role. When we cool in our commitment to Jesus Christ, we are good for nothing for all practical purposes, although we may be involved in a thousand ways in society.

PRINCIPLES TO INTERNALIZE

1. Evaluate your priorities as a Christian. Is there anyone or anything that has replaced Christ as a priority in your life?

2. Are you realistic in your Christian views? Are you prepared to take a stand for Christ, even if you are ostracized?

I realize this is not your typical Mother’s Day message! And yet mothers have such an important role in the spiritual life of their families. Mother’s, that you may truly be “salt”, seasoning your home with the savor of God’s marvelous grace, is my prayer for you. Happy Mother’s Day.