Christian Counter-Culture, Christian Influence



Christian Counter-Culture, Christian Influence

Matthew 5:13-16

Introduction:

Beatitudes in verses 3-11 showed us the character we are to have as Christians. Salt and light are used by Jesus as metaphors to show us how He would have us as His disciples to influence the world for good.

But how are meek, poor in spirit, mourning, pure in heart peacemakers supposed to do that in a world full of people who see us a weak and delusional?

Rudolph Stier, a Bible commentator in the 1800’s addresses this very issue, “This must be your only retaliation, love and truth for hatred and lies.”

The church and the world are distinct communities. There is a world full of darkness into which we are to provide the light of God’s truth. There is a world who is lost and dying and desperately need to know the salt of the new covenant which brings life.

[Let’s first look at what is meant by being salt]

I. Salt v. Matthew 5:13

Background: Salt of the Covenant, Lev 2:13. The grain offering was one of the burnt offerings offered up to God symbolizing all of what one possesses. In effect, reminding them that all they had belonged to the Lord. Salt was always added as a reminder of the salt of the covenant of God. We are to be then, the salt of God’s covenant in this world.

John Stott in his commentary on the Sermon on the Mount says, “God intends the most powerful restraints within sinful society to be His own redeemed, regenerate and righteous people.”

So what is this salt Jesus is describing and how can it lose its saltiness? Dr. David Turk helps us to understand a bit better by describing what they would have used for salt where Jesus was making the example. He says what was popularly called salt was in fact a white powder (likely from around the Dead Sea) which, while containing sodium chloride, also contained much else, since, in those days there were no refineries. Of this dust the sodium chloride was probably the most soluble component and so the most easily washed out. The residue of white powder still looked like salt, and was doubtless still called salt, but it neither tasted nor acted like salt. It was at that point just road dust.

Salt is to have a sharp almost biting quality when God’s word and standard is placed up as a comparison to the rotting sin of worldly living. Many today act as if Jesus instructed us to be the honey pot of the world offering an all too easy conception of a loving God- easy beliveism. The pure message of the coming judgment and available grace of God is not all sweetness and requires obedience to salvation by faith and in Baptism…not just asking Jesus into your heart. Mark 16:16 “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved…” That and 20 other scriptures sound like biting salt to those who do not want to obey God’s simple command concerning how to be saved from His judgment.

If people cannot tell the difference between the church and the world around us, we are as useless as salt-less salt.

[Next we look at influencing the world by being light]

II. Light Matthew 5:14-16

I found an interesting quote on this from an unknown author. “Some people change their ways when they see the light, others only when they feel the heat.”

It is true that Jesus said that HE was the light of the world. John 8:12. He also tells us that He wants us to be light in this world.

What does it mean to “be light”? Jesus does not leave us to speculate about what He meant, 16a “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works...” They are the outward and visible manifestation of our faith in Jesus. Christians are to bear witness to Christ by our good works. We are to demonstrate Christ’s love by our selfless service in a self-serving world.

III. Lessons

1. There is a fundamental difference between Christians and non-Christians

2. We must accept the responsibility this difference puts on us

3. We are to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” Phil 1:27

Conclusion:

Our influence depends on our character. John 15:8 says “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

The Christian Counter-Culture Jesus is talking about brings blessing to us, salvation to others and glory to God.

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