Be Salt and Light

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The lamp Jesus mentions was a small lamp designed to be put on a lampstand to provide light in a room. What makes this illustration very meaningful is that the typical Jewish home was a one room building, and when the lamp was set on the lampstand, it would gave light to everyone in the home.

But Jesus did not say they were a small lamp in a room. He did not say they were a light on a hill to be seen throughout Israel. Jesus said His disciples were the light of the world. The Bible tells us that God is light (1 John 1:5) and Christians are sons of light (Ephesians 5:8-13; John 12:35-36) because we have believed in Jesus Christ. They are no longer children of darkness (John 8:12-13). If you are a Christian, are you a monastic hiding your light?

"Light"	Passage
JESUS
Light shines in darkness	John 1:9
I am the light of the world	John 8:12; 9:5
I came as light into the world	John 12:46
DISCIPLES
Sons of light	John 12:35-36
Has the light of life	John 8:12
Lights in the world	Phil. 2:15
Guides to the blind	Rom. 2:19
Put on armor of light	Rom. 13:12
Walk in light	1 John 1:5-7
Not understood by darkness	John 1:5-7

Salt and light. Jesus said each disciple is salt and light. Salt was a warning against being good for nothing and light was used to show us how to be good for something. What do you think it means to be good for something? What does it mean to be salt and light? You might be surprised. Jesus answered this question when He said,

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (NASB) Matt. 5:16

Jesus wants others to see your good works! Jesus used the Greek word, EMPROSTHEN, which means to be “in front of.” He wants the light of His disciples to be in front - right in the face of others - in the direct view of their eyes. What does Jesus want them to see?

Ephesians 5:9 tells us! Ephesians refers to it as the fruit of the light. The fruit of the light is three things: goodness, righteousness and truth. The Holy Spirit says,

. . . is pleasing to the Lord” (NASB) Eph. 5:8

And do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. (NASB) Ephesians 5:11-12

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Sermon on the Mount