Sermon: Do You Make Men Thirsty?
Scripture: Matthew 5:13
In this week’s lessons, we learn what it means for a Christian to live for Christ in the world.
Theme: A Common Substance
I am sure you have already anticipated the last point of this study, for you have doubtless recognized that salt is one of the most common things of life. It is found everywhere. Hence, when Jesus said, “Ye are the salt of the earth,” he was saying, “I delight to use little things.” He did not say, “Ye are the gold of the earth.” He did not say, “Ye are the uranium of the earth.” He did not even say, “Ye are the lead,” although Christians sometimes resemble lead far more than we like to admit. He said, “Ye are the salt.” Salt is one of the most common substances of our world. It is from the common things—from the weak, the foolish, the despised, the things that are not (1 Cor. 1:26-29) that God brings the greatest glory to himself.
We see that throughout Scripture. When God made man in the Garden of Eden what did he use? Gold? Silver? Iron? No, he used dust, but he breathed into the dust the divine breath of life! When God spoke to Moses in the desert to call him to come forth to be the deliverer of the people of Israel from Egypt, how did he reveal himself? In a dazzling theophany? In thunder and lightning? In an overpowering vision? No, he revealed himself in a burning desert bush. When God called David to deliver the Israelites from the Philistine tyranny, did he make use of Saul’s armor? No, he used a sling and a few small stones. And when Jesus Christ was born God did not allow him to be born in the courts of the Caesars or of a woman of noble ancestry and great culture. He chose a peasant girl, who was probably illiterate, and she gave birth to the Lord Jesus Christ in a stable.
God uses the small things and the small people. God uses you and me in order that he might do his work in the world. As a matter of fact, the smaller you can become the more effective his work in you will be. Do you know what we are to be? We are to be picture frames in which Jesus Christ is to be seen. God is not interested in its being a gold frame or a highly carved frame. He is interested in its being an empty frame, because he knows that if you will come to him with that, he can put Christ there. And when people look at you, that is whom they will see. They will see Jesus, and you will have great joy as you see them see him.
Study Questions:
What important point is made about salt? What does that teach us about the Christian life? What does it teach us about how God works?
What examples from Scripture can you think of that illustrate this truth?
Application: How can you be an encouragement to other Christians as they seek to be salt in the world?
