High-Impact Believers - Matthew 5:13-20 - October 14, 2007

Sunday School Lesson – High-Impact Believers – October 14, 2007

This is lesson two (2) in our series of study. Our scripture is Matthew 5:13-20. JESUS is teaching and preparing HIS disciples to fulfill the Great Commission. JESUS’ ministry has just begun and HIS mission has not been fully revealed.

JESUS began with the scripture commonly referred to as the Beatitudes, which was last week’s lesson. The Beatitudes are foundational for all Christians and represents the ideal disciple. JESUS wants all Christians to realize they are HIS representatives and have influence where ever they are in the world.

A Christian’s influence with others is intimate just as salt is intimate with food. Light is intimate with others but in a different way. We will explore JESUS’ use of salt and light as they relate to the influence of Christians in the world.

The Biblical truth in today’s lesson is that believer’s impact society for CHRIST by their influence. When Christians project the light of CHRIST, through their good works and seek to promote Godly righteousness within the society where they live, they exert influence. They may never know they are influencing others. In my opinion, the qualities stated in the Beatitudes equip us to be the influence GOD wants us to be in the world we encounter each day.

When our relationship with GOD, through the HOLY SPIRIT, produces the qualities stated in the Beatitudes, several attributes are evident in the lives of Christians:

- They know themselves
- They know their SAVIOR and LORD
- They have an intimate, loving relationship with CHRIST.
- They see others as JESUS sees them.
- The things that break the heart of JESUS, breaks their heart.
- The things that bring joy to JESUS bring joy to them.
- Are obedient to the leadership of our LORD through the HOLY SPIRIT regardless of opposition.
- They fully realize their home and dwelling place is heaven in the presence of the living GOD and serve HIM regardless of circumstances.

This is a process and cannot be achieved in one’s own strength. You must have the indwelling power and strength of the HOLY SPIRIT. But first you must have the relationship with CHRIST and let HIM be your teacher. Do not try to figure out what you are to do but maintain the relationship with HIM.

Following CHRIST is not a struggle. But it is abiding in HIM and letting HIM direct your life. Your part is to be obedient to HIM.

Let’s read Matthew 5:13:
Believers Are Salt – Preserve - Influence - Intimate
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled on by men.

Why did JESUS compare HIS disciples with salt? In that day everyone knew the value and purpose of salt. Salt was used to pay some wages, thus the term, “A man should be worth his salt.” Salt was used to preserve meat, to give flavor to meat and other foods. Salt could be used to promote healing. Salt was also used in sacrifices.

JESUS teaches, “You are the salt of the earth.” HE did not say you will become salt but that you are salt. What makes a disciple salty? JESUS. What makes salt useless? Contaminants. Other salts present in pure salt can render salt useless and taste bitter. But pure salt remains salty.

As pure salt preserves and results in food tasting good, bad salt is useless and only good to be walked on. Bad salt is useless for its intended purpose.

Pure salt makes one thirsty. JESUS wants HIS disciples to cause others to be thirsty for what they have. Too much salt is not good when making a savory dish. This is why we need the qualities of the Beatitudes in our lives to give us spiritual balance. HE must lead us as we serve HIM. Then our saltiness will be just right. HE is the Master Chef.

Let’s read Matthew 5:14-16:

Believers are light – Revealing – Dispelling - Broader

14 “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket,[2] A large basket used to measure grain but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine[3] Or way, your light must shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

JESUS then teaches, “You are the light of the world.” Again, HE does not say you might be the light of the world one day but you are the light. When we accept JESUS as our SAVIOR, HE comes into our lives. Just as HE is light, HE also imparts light. We, as Christians, reflect the light that is in us.

In verse 14, JESUS speaks about a city on a hill. Again, HE is referring to influence. A city at night with lights can be a land mark to those trying to determine direction. The city is in the distance but it does its’ job of giving comfort to those who are lost and direction to those seeking direction. Light is broadcast more widely than salt. But it is vital. Just as the light cast from a lighthouse cast’s its light over the sea to warn ships of impending danger and act as a landmark to a safe harbor, we can be a beacon to others seeking a safe harbor.

I know years ago my young son and I went spelunking with his Boy Scout Troop. That is exploring a cave and spending the night in a cave. We had a guide and several sources of light. In a cave you are dependant upon light to get you out of a cave unless you have other means of finding the way out.

We were working our way around a cave wall that was about twenty (20) feet high with jagged rocks below. We had to maneuver around a sharp corner. When the person in front of me went around the corner it was dark. I remember thinking this would not be a good place for the light, which was strapped to my helmet, to go out. Well, guess what? It did go off. I could not see where to place my hands to maneuver around the wall until the person behind me came around a previous corner and their light gave me enough light for me to see where to grasp to get around the corner.

There are times when those serving the LORD grow weary and need the light from other Christians to carry them through some dark moments in their lives. Light is very precious. Let your light shine for CHRIST, you never know who needs it.

Then JESUS moves to a more intimate use of light from a city to the home. It is one thing to be the light to others but vital to be the light at home.

Just as contaminates can render salt tasteless, so can barriers such as a basket, prevent the light we have from shining through our lives to others. We need the qualities of the Beatitudes in our lives so we can stay focused upon HIM.

In my opinion, this is why JESUS follows the Beatitudes with a statement about a believer’s influence using salt and light as examples. The qualities in the beatitudes result in us knowing ourselves. Knowing ourselves, through self examination led by the HOLY SPIRIT, results in the contaminants and barriers in our lives being revealed. Thus, when GOD has completed HIS work in us, as outlined in the Beatitudes, we are pure salt and unobstructed light. There is no deception or hidden purpose in our lives. Our sole desire is to serve our LORD, as HE wants us to serve HIM.

We know that too much salt can be offensive and too much light can be uncomfortable. There are times that much salt is needed, such as preserving or an intense light is needed such as surgery using a laser. CHRIST must lead us at all times to give balance as we serve HIM. There are times HE wants us to be salt and other times HE wants us to be light. In either case HE knows which is needed and the intensity of either or both.

When the qualities stated in the Beatitudes are produced in our lives, we will have spiritual balance because we will only follow HIS directions.

Let’s read Matthew 5:17-20:
Christ Fulfills the Law – Righteous.
17 “Don’t assume that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For • I assure you: Until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter[4] Or not one iota; iota is the smallest letter of the Gk alphabet. or one stroke of a letter will pass from the law until all things are accomplished. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches people to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever practices and teaches [these commandments]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the • scribes and • Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

CHRIST tells us that we have freedom in HIM but not to assume we are free to do as we like. This statement will become more self-evident after CHRIST completes HIS mission and sends the HOLY SPIRIT back to indwell every believer. We are secure in our salvation but we are still to obey the spirit of the law. The spirit of the law goes within each of us and our intent. JESUS says that HE came to fulfill the law. Again, the qualities of the Beatitudes in our lives help reveal the intent of our heart and to stay focused upon our LORD and confess sin that comes into our lives. It is a constant purification through sanctification.

We have freedom as Christians but we are not to become flippant and think we can do what ever we want to do. More especially we are not to teach such practices to others.

As teachers of the Bible, we are accountable to GOD. It is an awesome responsibility. We as teachers need your prayers that we remain grafted in the vine so that HIS message always flows through to us and then to those we teach.

The parable of the ten (10) virgins comes to mind. I recently heard a reporter interviewing a boy preacher. She stated that she was Buddhist and was a good person. Then she asked, “Does that mean if I am not a Christian when I die, I will not go to heaven?” His answer, YES! We as humans think we can get to heaven any number of ways. To me John 5: 24 makes asking CHRIST to forgive you of your sins and to come into your life a no brainer. Do you want to know for sure you are going to heaven and will not be judged? These are JESUS’ words.

John 5:24:
24 “I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.

Let’s read Matthew 25:1-13:

To me this is an example of those who want to get to heaven their way, the foolish versus those who are wise and see that their own ability is useless because GOD demands perfection. This why we all need CHRIST because the very best in any of us is not good enough. But, whereas, we do not measure up, CHRIST does. We get to heaven on HIS credentials. HE is the Lamb of GOD WHO was slain for our sins. Simple, yet so hard, especially when tradition is so strong. Someone needs this. Do not delay, ask CHRIST into your lives now. After all HE is a Jew.

The Parable of the 10 Virgins
1 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like 10 virgins[1] Or bridesmaids who took their lamps and went out to meet the groom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were sensible. 3 When the foolish took their lamps, they didn’t take oil with them. 4 But the sensible ones took oil in their flasks with their lamps. 5 Since the groom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 “In the middle of the night there was a shout: ‘Here’s the groom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 “Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. 8 But the foolish ones said to the sensible ones, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’ 9 “The sensible ones answered, ‘No, there won’t be enough for us and for you. Go instead to those who sell, and buy oil for yourselves.’ 10 “When they had gone to buy some, the groom arrived. Then those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut. 11 “Later the rest of the virgins also came and said, ‘Master, master, open up for us!’ 12 “But he replied, ‘• I assure you: I do not know you!’ 13 “Therefore be alert, because you don’t know either the day or the hour.[2] Other mss add in which the Son of Man is coming.

The parable to me highlights the need to teach and preach truth. The only way to heaven is through CHRIST. The virgins all have lamps but the five (5) wise virgins have extra oil. The extra oil represents the HOLY SPIRIT. The unwise virgins that do not have extra oil represent people who try to earn their way to heaven through good deeds but without the presence of the HOLY SPIRIT in their lives. They fall short. Simply, they do not have CHRIST in them. They have performed but have missed the mark.

This is why the truth must always be presented clearly. To be a Christian you must ask CHRSIT to forgive you of your sins and to come into your heart. Do not let anyone tell you any different or do not tell yourself that salvation is any different. Christianity cannot be reasoned from an intellectual point of view. It is only after CHRIST is in you that the eyes of your heart are open to understanding and assurance that you belong to GOD through CHRIST. You are HIS child. Here are a couple of scriptures:

Eyes of your heart, Ephesians 1:18-19:

18 [I pray]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the glorious riches of His inheritance among the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the working of His vast strength.

The HOLY SPIRIT assures us that we are HIS children in Romans 8:15-17:

15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “• Abba, Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, 17 and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—seeing that[13] Or provided that we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

CHRIST tells us as Christians we are salt and light. So let your light shine and add flavor to life as our LORD leads you. Your Christian influence is vital to a lost world.

We may stop to help someone who is having car trouble. The person having car trouble may see us a salt or both salt and light because we stopped. Passersby may see us a light. We have influence where ever we are. We must not lose our saltiness or let our light diminish. The only way we stay salty and keep our light bright is through our constant relationship with CHRIST by abiding in HIM.