Dave spoke about salt and light from Matthew 5 v 12 at our All Age Meeting.
First of all we have to understand the context in which the scripture is written. This passage is at the very beginning of the sermon on the mount which is regarded as the best teaching on morality and attitudes in history by many religions.
Jesus would have taught this many times. We also see the similar teaching in Luke 6 as the sermon on the plain.
It is a non negotiable.
So I am planning to start with what does it look like to be salt and what does it look like to be light but more importantly HOW we can be salt and HOW we can be light in the world around us.
Much of this we are already doing but I feel there are some important emphasises we should hear from the Holy Spirit.
Salt
Many of us are aware that salt is used to preserve. What does that look like?
The passage tells us that if the salt loses its saltiness it will be thrown onto the road and trampled under foot. Salt can't be put in the compost nor on fields as it will poison the soil.
Salt is only useful when it comes into direct contact with something else.
Bucket of ice and salt with tweezers.
To illustrate his point about salt, Dave showed this video about whether or not a bowling ball will float in the Dead Sea: https://youtu.be/ZhL68D9BPiw.
Bag of chips with a salt cellar on the top of the chips.
How do we gain our saltiness?
Before I was a Christian I was a nice man but I can't honestly say I was a compassionate person. When I became born again that changed.
It is about our friendship with Jesus.
The Holy Spirit has talked to me about explaining our FRIENDSHIP with Him not as just a relationship.
Let me explain.
If you're are inviting people to a very special event say your wedding or my 40th birthday party.......
You have only 24 places but you have 27 people on the list.
You have to reduce the number so you ask a friend to go through the list with you.
There are three the friend does not know.
Emmanuel Withus
He is your financial adviser. When you have a problem with your money you go to him. He has always been very good and helped you out but you only know him from these times.
Lord Almighty
Whenever you need some advice you seem to meet him when you walk the dog and you happen to bump into him and he always gives good advice but that is the only time to see him. You have never invited him round for a meal.
Yahweh King
He is friends with all your other friends and he is seen to be a really good guy and cool. You've met him a few times but he's never been round to your house.
Jesus Christ
This is a friend who has always been there when you are down, comforts you when you are sad, is a real laugh when you are together, mixes well with all your friends.
When you were out of work he helped you, when you hurt your back, he sent some friends to help you. You speak with him every day.
I want to use this as an illustration of that we are to convey that Jesus is our friend and not like our bank manager. The relationship is real, close and with a level of intimacy and knowledge of each other.
Light
The light of the gospel is about our actions being seen, preaching the gospel and the church standing up to be seen against injustice etc.. It is about sharing God's word with people. It is salt and light coming together.
Bryony bought a new torch to use on holiday. When I picked it up and turned it on, it shone straight into my eyes and I couldn't see.
We need to be bold in sharing God's word but we also need to be wise.
We have to learn to ask questions when people ask us questions.
You have to avoid misunderstandings.
Lesley and the friends.
How do you cope with that coming from a different faith? It opened up the opportunity because they then asked Lesley how she deals with things as a Christian.
The friend who always bombarded her with scripture but did not wait to explain what it meant. This only annoyed neighbour and turned her away from Jesus.
Knowing our theolo
