Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Salt and Light of the World (SD13)

Be the Salt of the Earth
Mat 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men."
    How can salt loses its flavor? What is this salt which must be ingested before we can taste it's saltiness?
Mark 9:49 "For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt."

Gen 4:4-5, 7a "..but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. "If you do well, will you not be accepted?..."
    Cain was rejected for his unacceptable attitude (unwilling, insincere, selfish, merciless, covetous, etc.) in the offering to God. Whenever anyone gives with a cheerful heart, this is an expression of love and mercy.
2Cor 9:7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

Rom 12:8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
    This salt in the offering to God will be our delight and joy that we are able to give (out of love, sincerity and mercy) to God's ministries, the poor and needy.
Lev 2:13 'And every offering of your grain offering you shall season with salt; you shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your grain offering. With all your offerings you shall offer salt.'

Be the Light of the World
John 8:12  Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
    Jesus Christ was the light of the world and He promised us that whoever follows Him will have this light of life to become the light of the world.
Mat 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

1 John 2:6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
    Brethren, to be the light of the world we need to walk as Jesus walked - in humility, love, grace, truth, trustworthy, compassionate, faithful and with many miracles, which were seen in Jesus.

How to follow Jesus?
1. Deny Oneself
Mat 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me."
2 Sell All to give Alms
Mat 19:21 Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."
3. Serve Him
John 12:26 "If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor."

Light and Salt
All those who follow Jesus will be the light of the world and the salt of the earth, who will always be joyfully living in peace, faith, hope and love.

Great Reward in Following Him
Mat 19:27-28 Then Peter answered and said to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?" So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."