Being All You Are Meant to Be

Zephyr United Methodist Church

Early First United Methodist Church

Rev. Eddie Smart

October 2, 2005

Matthew 5:13-16 (NRSV)

"You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.

¹⁴"You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. ¹⁵No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

      In a cartoon by Erik Johnson, the visitor says to the pastor at the exit: "I had a wonderful visit, Pastor, and may I say that I found your church every bit as relevant, inspirational, meaningful, caring, and fun as your newspaper ad promised it would be."

     Jesus said, "You are the salt of the earth." Since then the expression has become a compliment. What does it mean to be the salt of the earth?

     Sermons and commentaries on this verse have exhausted the characteristics of salt in an effort to answer that question? Salt is pure. Salt preserves. Salt lends flavor.

     These characteristics have all been applied to the Christian life. BUT rather than dwell on those characteristics of salt, I like what Fred Craddock had to say about this passage. That is: “The quality of saltiness gives salt its identity and purpose.”

     Jesus says, "You are salt...You are light...Let your light shine..." The you? Jesus is addressing those who are followers of Jesus.

     Jesus says, "You are salt...You are light..." He didn't say -- can be -- will be -- should be. He said, YOU ARE. Just as it is the quality of saltiness that gives salt its identity and purpose. It is the quality of our following and obeying Jesus that gives us identity and purpose.

     You are salt! Have you lost your saltiness? Since you are here, I assume you are interested in following Jesus. It is your quality of following & obeying Jesus that identifies you as a disciple and gives purpose for your life. You are salt. Just how salty are you?

     Bars have learned that giving away salty snacks makes customers more thirsty, and they buy more drinks. The movie theaters know that salty popcorn sells more soft drinks. In the same way the church, as salt, should stimulate the thirst of others for the good things of God, for the amazing things of the Spirit.

     "You are the light of the world."

"No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."

     Let your light shine before others! Matthew is clear. He quotes Jesus as he says, "let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works..." BUT Matthew doesn't stop there. He continues, "and give glory to your Father in heaven." Matthew wants us to understand that the glory goes to God.

     Matthew is concerned that the good deeds point beyond the doer to God. If our motive is for our own glory, we have it all wrong. Good Samaritan Ministries is not something we do to feel good. It is for God’s glory that we help others.

     You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world. Salt and light to be useful must be distributed. Salt on food. Light in a room. Christians in the world.

     You know when salt and light are present. Salt is tasted. Light is seen. Light allows us to see. Christians are experienced.

     "A city built on a hill cannot be hid." In other words, our Christianity should be visible–Christians are visible:

          in the way we treat a shop clerk

          in the way we order a meal in a restaurant

          in the way we serve our employer

          in the way we play a game

          in the way we drive or park a car

          in the daily language we use

          in the literature we read

          in the music we listen to

          in the way we worship & study

     "Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."

     You are the only light some people will know.

     You are the only taste of Christianity some people will know.

     Remember, You are the salt of the earth! BE SALTY!

     The person visiting with the pastor at the door of the church had a vision of what that church would be like that came from the newspaper ad. God has a vision for this church. What does God’s vision for this church look like? It looks like salt and light. Remember, the quality of our following Jesus and obeying Jesus gives us our identity and our purpose. You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world.