THE INFLUENCE OF A SERVANT

Introduction:

If there is no salt and light, a society characterized by savage violence and the darkness of depravity and deception will deteriorate and ultimately self-destruct. Following the teaching on the beatitudes, Christ gives his disciples a sobering admonition about their influence on the world, society, and culture. Christ says that servants are to be salt and light; notice there is no like or as found in these verses. Christ says that we are salt and we are light. As this lesson looks at salt and light, notice how they are parallel in their construction:

“You are the salt of the earth” the salt must retain its saltiness

“You are the light of the world” the light must be allowed to shine

Immediately following the Beatitudes in Matthew 5, Jesus describes 2 unique ways the life of a servant affects the world for good:

I.“Salt of the Earth”

A.Previously, in the Beatitudes,the emphasis of Christ’s teaching was on the plural, or the “they.” Now, beginning in verse 13, there is a shift to the usage of a much more pointed and singular “you.”

B.What did the term “salt” mean to these disciples?

Stuart Briscoe, A Study of the Sermon on the Mount, says, “For them, salt was not something in a shiny silver shaker on the dinner table. It was a preservative, vital to their way of life. Once they caught a fish, they had to get it to market. The only way to get it there in marketable condition was to salt it down…Salt arrested corruption; it keep fish fresh and edible.”

C.What does “salt” do in the life of a believer:

1.Salt acts as a preservative - the presence of true servants in this dying world acts as a preserving agent to arrest or curb corruption.

2.Salt creates thirst - a servant’s unselfish lifestyle can cause others who are perishing to thirst for Christ’s living water.

3.Salt adds flavor

a.William Barclay says,

“Food without salt is a sadly insipid and even a sickening thing.Christianity is to life what salt is to food.Christianity lends flavor to life. The tragedy is that so often people have connected Christianity with precisely the opposite.They have connected Christianity with that which takes the flavor out of life…There should be a sheer sparkle about the Christian but too often he dresses like a mourner at a funeral, and talks like a spectre at a feast.Wherever he is, if he is to be the salt of the earth, the Christian must be the diffuser of joy.”

b.Salt does add flavor, but its also obscure. No one ever says, “Wow, this is good salt!” No, instead they might say, “Wow, this food is tasty.” There is a nugget of truth here: salt is not meant to be seen, as a servant is not serving to be recognized.

D. The more pure in character we become, the stronger our influence. The more we contaminate ourselves with the impurities of worldly attitudes and actions, the less influence and use we will have as salt.

E. Always remember that salt is shaken, not poured. In other words, spread yourself out so that you’re touching the lives of non-Christians; don’t simply pour yourself into the church and other church-related activities. Christians who clump together with other Christians, never reaching out into society, tend to become petty and distasteful.

II.“Light of the World”

A.Does it seem important to you that Christ calls us what He called Himself?

B.What does “light” do in the life of a believer?

1.Light dispels darkness - our Christlike character can’t be hidden or limited; Christianity is something which is meant to be visible.

2.Light is silent - the brightness with which we shine as light, depends on the quality of our good works; no words here

3.Light gives direction - others are to see the way to Christ through the light that is reflected in the life of the believer. Jesus said that others are to “see” our actions but nothing is said of their hearing.

4.Light attracts attention - Christlikeness will attract attention whether you like it or not; unbelievers are drawn to that light in such an irresistible fashion.

One of the 20th century’s most gifted expositors (at least I think so) emphasizes the truth of light in the Christian life:

“As we produce and reveal it in our daily lives, we must remember that the Christian does not call attention to himself. Self has been forgotten in this poverty of spirit, in the meekness and all the other things. In other words, we are to do everything for God’s sake, and for His glory. Self is to be absent, and must be utterly crushed in all its subtlety, for His sake, for His glory…It follows from this that we are to do these things in such a way as to lead other men to glorify Him, and glory in Him, and give themselves to Him.‘Let you light so shine before me, that they may see your good works.’ Yes; and so see them that they will themselves glorify your Father; you are to do so in order that these other people may glorify Him also.”

III.ACTION THAT WE NEED TO TAKE

A.Since God has called us to be His salt-and-light servants in a bland, dark society, it will be necessary for us to commit ourselves to the task that is before us.

B.Salt must not lose it taste, light must not be hidden – in order for us to keep these truths in focus we must remember:

1.“I am different”

2.“I am responsible”

3.“I am influential”