Exhortations and warnings
Mt.5:13-16
Good morning last time we took a look at Mt 5:3-12 this time we are going to continue on the sermon on the mount. In Mt 5:13-16 These will be the focus of today's sermon.
Please turn in you Bible's to Mt 5:13-16 Lets Read
Mt 5:13 ¶ Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Let start by talking about salt because part of this passage we are studying today talks about salt. Most of us like some salt. Do we not? Today salt is considered a seasoning, most of us like our high cholesterol food, French fries always good with salt yummy in fact the more salt the better the flavor right? You name it, and we like to salt it. It good. Isn't it? Well did you know in the old days salt was not only used for seasonings? Yea before refrigerators salt was used as a preservative, to keep foods from rotting, to keep them good to eat. Let me ask you when the salt they used to keep there foods eatable lost it's saltiness what do you think happened to the food? What happened to the salt? Thats right they through it away. Why? Would you eat it? No it became worthless, uneatable, rotten and good for nothing. I wouldn't eat it and I don't Imagen you would either.
Well in Mt.5:13 the Bible says Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Did you get that? Christians we are the salt, we are the seasoning, we are the preservative of the earth. As believers in Christ it is our responsibility to to add flavor to introduce Christ to the lives of others, to be a preservative to keep and uphold Christ among the world. It's our Job because thats what salt does! And I must say most of us are pretty lazy about it. We have lost our savor. If we have lost our savor then who are we going to share God's word with others, how can we hold Christ up in our lives so others may be preserved by His salvation offered to them by His grace? You can't, you have become worthless, good for nothing, and should be thrown away.
Salt preserves from corruption. Salt is worthless if it has lost its qualities. It preserves no longer. It is fit only to be cast out and trodden under foot. So, if those who are the salt of the earth cease to communicate the saving power through Christ, they are fit only to be cast out, and Christ will cast such out of his mouth we read this in Re 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.
Now as Christians our character should be a preserving force to keep the rest of world from utter corruption. But if we are Christians only in name, then the real power is gone, nothing can save them, and they are of no use to whom they are around. There is a secret something, which is the source of the believer’s power. that something is our savor Whats our savor you ask? Faith our faith is our savor. it is not easy to define it, but yet it is absolutely essential to usefulness. A person may be of some use even if he fails in certain aspects. but a Christian who is not a Christian is bad all round, he is “good for nothing”, and utterly useless to anybody and everybody and Utter rejection awaits him. He will “be cast out, and trodden under foot of men.” That person is no preservative, they do not even preserve themselves from contempt. The text is very clear and positive upon that point. What unscriptural nonsense to tolerate man’s being born again, and yet losing their salvation, and then getting it again. If it were so then man would be for ever hopeless. We could not be born again, and again, and again. We would be beyond the reach of mercy. But who is hopeless? Is there anyone to whom it is impossible to restore? Real quick Mr 9:50 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another. Lets look at one more Lu 14:34 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be seasoned? 35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Are you hearing?Are you listing? The great lesson here is, that if grace itself fails to save a man, nothing else can be done for him. “If the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted?” You can salt meat, but you cannot salt salt: if grace fails everything fails. Father do not permit us to lose our my savor, but ever keep us full of thy grace and truth. Amen..
Verse 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
A city set on a hill. OK lets take new York do you think we could hide a city from the world the size of new York? Not a chance. Lets look at this another way. Did you now when other countries think of the US they think of new York, or LA the large cities. Why do you think that is? The large cities set an example to how the rest of the world see us. Just as you a servant of Christ set an example as to how the world See's Christians. As a Christian we need to make sure the light of Christ is visible in us. When we run around in sin how do you think others will preceive Christians? There gonna think they are all Hippocrates, and sadly many of us are. The scriptures say in Mt 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? We are known by our fruits and others will see us for what and who we truly are. We set the example for the unbelievers, It is Christ working through us that brings light to the world. We are the vessels carrying the knowledge of salvation to those whom are lost. You go to work one day professing Christ yet the next day you are cursing, and making or laughing at perverse jokes, or being judgmental twards your coworkers, well stop it, thats not setting your city on a hill for all to see that is bringing shame to the very name of Christ. Romans chapter six pops into my mind let me share it with you real quick. I'm not just going to read this verse to you im telling it to you because this is what many of you expect. Ro 6:1 ¶ What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? You live in sin you continue in sin yet you want God to abound grace in your life well it don't work that way God forbid. Through Christ we are dead to sin and free to glorify Him and share His word to people he bring into our lives. A few years ago it was about a week before Christmas, me my wife and two children were in myers to get my daughter a pair of pants, we had $25 to our name and after looking we found the least costly pair of pants they had cost $18.00 we looked at each other and said how can we affored this its only going to leave us with $7 for the hole week, we havent even got any presents for the kids on christmas morrning yet, but we knew our daoughter had to have the clothes so we stoped and said a quick prayer and told the lord our sittuation and said we leave it in your capible hands. Well as we headed to the check out a lady came running up to us. We had never meet or seen her before, but she opened her mouth and said excuse me I was walking out of the store and I seen you and your family and had an overwhelming feeling that God wanted me to give this to you that you really need it right now, and also to let you know he is with you and love you. We were speechless as she handed us an envelope, at the moment we did not know how to react we just said thank you as she walked away, you know we never saw her again. But as we opened the card inside was a Gift card for $100 we got all teary eyed and praised the lord that he new our needs. That lady that had the courage to listen to God as he spoke to her heart had a great impact on our lives and our faith. You see she was letting her light shine, her city was not hid but was set on a hill. We were able to by a few outfits for the kids, and even a toy or two for under the Christmas tree, But guess what 2 weeks later we had the same thing happen in the grocery store were another lady we did not know came up to us and gave us $20 to help with our groceries. There is no doubt this was God shining his grace through complete strangers. Let me ask you this, Do you let your city be seen on a hill? Or have you hid it in a valley so people just pass by? Every person God brings into our liefs is an opportunity to shine for Christ. Let your city be seen.
Lets read Mt 5: verse 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Candles and candlesticks were not used in Scripture times. It would be foolishness to light a lamp and put it under a bushel. You would not get any light, the light would be covered. I mean really what would be the point? Just plain foolishness. When you accepted Christ as your Saviour he put a light in you for the purpose of shining so that other may see clearly the way to salvation. If you hide the light so it don't shine then the light really ain't doing you, it ain't doing God, and it ain't doing others any good because they cant see it, you just never know there may be someone in our lives whom their only chance to see the light of God may be through us, and if we are not letting that light shine we not only have missed a great opportunity to lead someone to Christ but we may have deprived them of there only chance to hear the truth about Christ and salvation. Scary thought to think we may be responsible for someone not hearing the word of God. Think about this how many opportunity's have you missed? If we let our light shine then all around can see and we can see those whom need the light and can help or guide them so they don't stumble or fall.
Mr 4:21 says And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?
Is not the light of Christ that was freely given to you suppose to be set in the open for all to see, absolutely it is. Look at Lu 8:16 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.
Our light is to be set on a candle stick so that who ever enters or crosses our path may see our light and see Christ. One more Lu 11:33 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light. Not just for strangers but also our light in Christ should be seen by everyone whom enters into our lives.
Is your city on a hill or a valley? Does our light shine for everyone whom passes through our lives to see? Or is it hidden under our sin, behind a bushel or under a table?when you are out in public and your looking around and you know God points out someone to you do you let them keep walking past or do you share your light with them?
In closing Let your light shine, the more you study Gods word and pray the brighter your light will be. Don t skip out on an opportunity to help others to show them the way to Christ, it may be there only chance to hear Gods word or to see Gods grace in action. Don't hide your light. Your light is not yours to hide but it is that of Christ in you. Put their to bring others into His kingdom.
Invitation into His kingdom
Brothers, sisters, let your light shine, if your reading this today and your not sure if you have that light you can! It is available to you, Christ died for our sins that we may be made holy through Christ, all you need to do is accept Christ for who he is the son of God, and for what he has done for you on the cross, and he will put his light in you. Don't wait he is speaking to you today let him in.
Mt.5:13-16
Good morning last time we took a look at Mt 5:3-12 this time we are going to continue on the sermon on the mount. In Mt 5:13-16 These will be the focus of today's sermon.
Please turn in you Bible's to Mt 5:13-16 Lets Read
Mt 5:13 ¶ Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Let start by talking about salt because part of this passage we are studying today talks about salt. Most of us like some salt. Do we not? Today salt is considered a seasoning, most of us like our high cholesterol food, French fries always good with salt yummy in fact the more salt the better the flavor right? You name it, and we like to salt it. It good. Isn't it? Well did you know in the old days salt was not only used for seasonings? Yea before refrigerators salt was used as a preservative, to keep foods from rotting, to keep them good to eat. Let me ask you when the salt they used to keep there foods eatable lost it's saltiness what do you think happened to the food? What happened to the salt? Thats right they through it away. Why? Would you eat it? No it became worthless, uneatable, rotten and good for nothing. I wouldn't eat it and I don't Imagen you would either.
Well in Mt.5:13 the Bible says Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Did you get that? Christians we are the salt, we are the seasoning, we are the preservative of the earth. As believers in Christ it is our responsibility to to add flavor to introduce Christ to the lives of others, to be a preservative to keep and uphold Christ among the world. It's our Job because thats what salt does! And I must say most of us are pretty lazy about it. We have lost our savor. If we have lost our savor then who are we going to share God's word with others, how can we hold Christ up in our lives so others may be preserved by His salvation offered to them by His grace? You can't, you have become worthless, good for nothing, and should be thrown away.
Salt preserves from corruption. Salt is worthless if it has lost its qualities. It preserves no longer. It is fit only to be cast out and trodden under foot. So, if those who are the salt of the earth cease to communicate the saving power through Christ, they are fit only to be cast out, and Christ will cast such out of his mouth we read this in Re 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.
Now as Christians our character should be a preserving force to keep the rest of world from utter corruption. But if we are Christians only in name, then the real power is gone, nothing can save them, and they are of no use to whom they are around. There is a secret something, which is the source of the believer’s power. that something is our savor Whats our savor you ask? Faith our faith is our savor. it is not easy to define it, but yet it is absolutely essential to usefulness. A person may be of some use even if he fails in certain aspects. but a Christian who is not a Christian is bad all round, he is “good for nothing”, and utterly useless to anybody and everybody and Utter rejection awaits him. He will “be cast out, and trodden under foot of men.” That person is no preservative, they do not even preserve themselves from contempt. The text is very clear and positive upon that point. What unscriptural nonsense to tolerate man’s being born again, and yet losing their salvation, and then getting it again. If it were so then man would be for ever hopeless. We could not be born again, and again, and again. We would be beyond the reach of mercy. But who is hopeless? Is there anyone to whom it is impossible to restore? Real quick Mr 9:50 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another. Lets look at one more Lu 14:34 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be seasoned? 35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Are you hearing?Are you listing? The great lesson here is, that if grace itself fails to save a man, nothing else can be done for him. “If the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted?” You can salt meat, but you cannot salt salt: if grace fails everything fails. Father do not permit us to lose our my savor, but ever keep us full of thy grace and truth. Amen..
Verse 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
A city set on a hill. OK lets take new York do you think we could hide a city from the world the size of new York? Not a chance. Lets look at this another way. Did you now when other countries think of the US they think of new York, or LA the large cities. Why do you think that is? The large cities set an example to how the rest of the world see us. Just as you a servant of Christ set an example as to how the world See's Christians. As a Christian we need to make sure the light of Christ is visible in us. When we run around in sin how do you think others will preceive Christians? There gonna think they are all Hippocrates, and sadly many of us are. The scriptures say in Mt 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? We are known by our fruits and others will see us for what and who we truly are. We set the example for the unbelievers, It is Christ working through us that brings light to the world. We are the vessels carrying the knowledge of salvation to those whom are lost. You go to work one day professing Christ yet the next day you are cursing, and making or laughing at perverse jokes, or being judgmental twards your coworkers, well stop it, thats not setting your city on a hill for all to see that is bringing shame to the very name of Christ. Romans chapter six pops into my mind let me share it with you real quick. I'm not just going to read this verse to you im telling it to you because this is what many of you expect. Ro 6:1 ¶ What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? You live in sin you continue in sin yet you want God to abound grace in your life well it don't work that way God forbid. Through Christ we are dead to sin and free to glorify Him and share His word to people he bring into our lives. A few years ago it was about a week before Christmas, me my wife and two children were in myers to get my daughter a pair of pants, we had $25 to our name and after looking we found the least costly pair of pants they had cost $18.00 we looked at each other and said how can we affored this its only going to leave us with $7 for the hole week, we havent even got any presents for the kids on christmas morrning yet, but we knew our daoughter had to have the clothes so we stoped and said a quick prayer and told the lord our sittuation and said we leave it in your capible hands. Well as we headed to the check out a lady came running up to us. We had never meet or seen her before, but she opened her mouth and said excuse me I was walking out of the store and I seen you and your family and had an overwhelming feeling that God wanted me to give this to you that you really need it right now, and also to let you know he is with you and love you. We were speechless as she handed us an envelope, at the moment we did not know how to react we just said thank you as she walked away, you know we never saw her again. But as we opened the card inside was a Gift card for $100 we got all teary eyed and praised the lord that he new our needs. That lady that had the courage to listen to God as he spoke to her heart had a great impact on our lives and our faith. You see she was letting her light shine, her city was not hid but was set on a hill. We were able to by a few outfits for the kids, and even a toy or two for under the Christmas tree, But guess what 2 weeks later we had the same thing happen in the grocery store were another lady we did not know came up to us and gave us $20 to help with our groceries. There is no doubt this was God shining his grace through complete strangers. Let me ask you this, Do you let your city be seen on a hill? Or have you hid it in a valley so people just pass by? Every person God brings into our liefs is an opportunity to shine for Christ. Let your city be seen.
Lets read Mt 5: verse 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Candles and candlesticks were not used in Scripture times. It would be foolishness to light a lamp and put it under a bushel. You would not get any light, the light would be covered. I mean really what would be the point? Just plain foolishness. When you accepted Christ as your Saviour he put a light in you for the purpose of shining so that other may see clearly the way to salvation. If you hide the light so it don't shine then the light really ain't doing you, it ain't doing God, and it ain't doing others any good because they cant see it, you just never know there may be someone in our lives whom their only chance to see the light of God may be through us, and if we are not letting that light shine we not only have missed a great opportunity to lead someone to Christ but we may have deprived them of there only chance to hear the truth about Christ and salvation. Scary thought to think we may be responsible for someone not hearing the word of God. Think about this how many opportunity's have you missed? If we let our light shine then all around can see and we can see those whom need the light and can help or guide them so they don't stumble or fall.
Mr 4:21 says And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?
Is not the light of Christ that was freely given to you suppose to be set in the open for all to see, absolutely it is. Look at Lu 8:16 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.
Our light is to be set on a candle stick so that who ever enters or crosses our path may see our light and see Christ. One more Lu 11:33 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light. Not just for strangers but also our light in Christ should be seen by everyone whom enters into our lives.
Is your city on a hill or a valley? Does our light shine for everyone whom passes through our lives to see? Or is it hidden under our sin, behind a bushel or under a table?when you are out in public and your looking around and you know God points out someone to you do you let them keep walking past or do you share your light with them?
In closing Let your light shine, the more you study Gods word and pray the brighter your light will be. Don t skip out on an opportunity to help others to show them the way to Christ, it may be there only chance to hear Gods word or to see Gods grace in action. Don't hide your light. Your light is not yours to hide but it is that of Christ in you. Put their to bring others into His kingdom.
Invitation into His kingdom
Brothers, sisters, let your light shine, if your reading this today and your not sure if you have that light you can! It is available to you, Christ died for our sins that we may be made holy through Christ, all you need to do is accept Christ for who he is the son of God, and for what he has done for you on the cross, and he will put his light in you. Don't wait he is speaking to you today let him in.
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