Influence or Influenced? - Matthew 5:13-16
Pastor Dennis Bone
4/14/13
INFLUENCE OR INFLUENCED? 4-14-13
This past week I was reading through the list of the world’s 100 most influential people, according to Time magazine for 2012, and not surprisingly discovered that influence is simply defined by popularity, not by character. Some of the people on the list may have good character, in fact a few were professing Christians, but according to the magazine this had little or nothing to do with their influence. According to Jesus, as Christians we are to be the most influential people in the world, not because of our popularity but because of our character.
In our passage for this morning, found in Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus tells us that His disciples are “salt” and “light” – clearly metaphors for how He expects us to influence and impact the world around us. Yet He teaches us this important truth immediately after telling us that we will persecuted for our character and our stand for righteousness. In other words, Jesus is teaching us that the least popular are to be the most influential. Jesus defines and describes influence in terms of glorifying God, not entertaining man. True influence is not about people following you, but it’s about people following Christ because they see Christ in your character and through how you live.
Follow along as I read the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:13-16:
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
You remember that in the passage before this one, called the beatitudes, Jesus taught us that true happiness is based upon inward character not outward circumstances. These kingdom qualities, or Christ-like characteristics is what brings us true happiness; and these too are the basis for our influence. It’s when we live this way – humble, confessing our sin, seeking righteousness, merciful, meek, peaceable, pure in heart, and committed to God’s Word – that we will not only be happy, but we will be salt and light as well.
As we look at this passage, the first thing to consider is the presupposition that we need to understand as Christians. A presupposition is an underlying belief or premise that forms the basis for going forward. In this case the presupposition or assumption that Jesus makes is that the world needs “salt” and it needs “light.” The world needs Christ’s disciples to have a positive influence upon it. Jesus tells us later in the gospels that He calls us out of the world, in terms of sanctification or how we live spiritually, in order to be an influence in this world for Him. This world needs Christians to be “salt” first of all because it’s decaying due to sin.
This world is not designed to last forever; it’s fading away, and as Paul says it groans because of the impacts of sin. There are many things in this world that have improved over the years, but intellectual achievements and living conveniences will not stop a sinful system from decaying and ultimately being judged. It’s because of this basic presupposition or truth that Jesus says that it needs to be influenced and transformed by His disciples. We will look at what this metaphor of “salt” means more fully in a few minutes, but Jesus’ point is that as His disciples we are the ones who will spiritually influence a lost world by pouring salt on the wounds of a decaying society. This may hurt; it may offend many, and even cause us to be persecuted and insulted as Christians, but it’s designed to lead people to transformation through Christ.
Jesus says that the world not only needs salt, but it also needs light. He of course said “I am the light of the world” and that He came because this world needed the light of His salvation due to sin. Jesus said that He didn’t come to condemn the world because it was condemned already – it’s decaying and under God’s wrath due to sin – which is why He came to bring salvation to it. The world needs light because it is in spiritual darkness due to sin. Paul says that the “god of this world” has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they can not see the light of the gospel; and Jesus says that men loved darkness rather than light.
Thus Jesus tells us here in Matthew 5 that it needs to be influenced and awakened by His disciples. As Christ’s disciples we must shine the light of the gospel in a dark world. If you want to wake up people who are sleeping in a dark room the first thing you would do is turn on the light. Jesus says, “You are the light.” We are the light, and if turned on, we influence the world by pointing people to Christ. This light might hurt people’s eyes; it might offend people who don’t want to wake up, but it’s the only light that will lead a person out of spiritual darkness. As Christians we must first believe that this world needs salt and light; and that we are called to be this influence to it.
The second main point for us to consider is the plan we need to implement as Christians. Jesus says that “you are the salt” and “you are the light” indicating that this is already our status as a disciple, so what are we actually doing to fulfill this status or calling? The first thing we do as salt is to retard or deter the corruption and falsehood spread by the world. I remember seeing salt poured on the roads in Ohio to slow down and hinder the impacts of the snow and ice on the roads. It didn’t eliminate the snow or ice but it made the situation better for many people. The positive impact on roads or on food is the point that Jesus is making when using this metaphor.
Christian character and Christ-like qualities make a difference in the lives of people and can often have a positive influence on a culture. We don’t just deter or retard the negative impacts of sin but we also provide flavor, antiseptic and preservation to the world around us. As Christians we are not to be bland people, but like salt added to food we should bring spiritual flavor to the people around us. But salt isn’t just about making things taste good; it is also used to heal. When used as an antiseptic for its medicinal value, it can sting. Salt has value in many different ways; and as Christians we can influence and impact people in many different ways.
The point may be that as Christians we are not to be honey to soothe a sinful world, but salt that stimulates sinful people to action. In 2 Corinthians 2 Paul says that the aroma or scent of Christ and His gospel can be one of life or death; and in the same way salt can produce different results in different situations, but as Christians we must stay focused on Christ, who alone can bring true flavor and healing to a person’s life. And like salt, we as Christians function in this world as a preservative. In the same way as salt was used to keep food from going bad, Jesus is telling us that as His disciples we are to have this same influence on a decaying world. We are to function as salt so that we can be the light that leads people out of this dark and decaying world; and into the kingdom of Christ.
Peter says that we are to declare the praises of Him who called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light. The reason that we are the light of the world is because Christ awakened us and transformed us and called us to reveal this truth about Christ to others in word and in deed. In Ephesians Paul calls us “children of the light” because Jesus rescued us from the darkness of this world and brought us into His kingdom, so that we could be a light to others. Paul says, “Once you were darkness, but now you are light; so live as children of the light.”
In other words we are to provide illustrations of Christ-like character to the world around us. This is exactly what Jesus is telling us in the beatitudes. When you live this kind of lifestyle you are shining the light of the kingdom; and you will be influencing people around you. Again we need to remember that Jesus’ definition of influence is not about being popular; it’s about being truthful; it’s not about pointing people to yourself or your own accomplishments; but it’s about pointing people to Christ and living your life in accordance with His standards, not the worlds.’
In saying this we need to address a third main point: the problem we need to overcome as Christians. Jesus points out this problem in verse 13, where He refers to salt losing its saltiness; and then in verse 15, where He speaks of hiding our light. Why would anyone do this? It is inconsistent with the purpose of function of these two things: salt and light. Thus this is the problem we have as Christians: inconsistency due to the impacts and the influence of the world around us. The problem is that we are supposed to be the ones who influence, yet we are the ones who are often being influenced. Losing our saltiness speaks to the ineffectiveness of conformity and compromise. Jesus says that it’s no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
Salt which doesn’t do what it’s designed to do is worthless; and a disciple of Christ who doesn’t influence but is being influenced will be trampled upon and run over by the world. This is why Paul says, “Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world but be transformed” and John says, “Do not love the world or anything in the world.” The point is not that you would lose your salvation, but don’t ruin the witness of the gospel. Why would someone in the world want to follow Christ if Christ’s disciples are following the world? Jesus is teaching us that there is a connection between what my disciples say and do and the effectiveness of the salt in extending my kingdom.
In the same way a light hid under a bowl or basket is of no use and defeats the purpose or function of the light. This I think speaks primarily to the fear of persecution and suffering. There were “secret disciples” in Jesus day who were fearful of the Jews or the Romans and didn’t want to face what Jesus said would possibly come as a result of following Him. There are many people like this still today who just want to stay to themselves; don’t want to cause any ripples or potential conflicts with anyone over “religion” and will purposefully or consciously put a lid on their light.
In contrast to this Jesus says: Don’t eclipse the light of God’s glory. Verse 15: “Instead, they put the lamp on the stand so that it gives light to everyone in the house.” Jesus point is that you shouldn’t be concerned about how people respond to the light, but that you put your light where everyone will be exposed to it. The purpose of the light of the gospel is for everyone to see it, thus hiding it would not only be foolish but also selfish. The one who hides the light is more concerned with protecting themselves than with proclaiming Christ. And so the problem that many of us in the church need to overcome is the selectiveness around which we want to be salt and light. Jesus says we are, and what we do and say as Christians at all times determines our effectiveness as salt and light; and how we will influence those in the world or be influenced by those in the world.
If you want to influence people for Christ then let us do what He says in verse 16: “Let your light shine before men, so that they will see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
©You’re welcome to recycle these resources for your church free of charge. However, if you find them useful, please consider making a donation to the ministry of GCC
Pastor Dennis Bone
4/14/13
INFLUENCE OR INFLUENCED? 4-14-13
This past week I was reading through the list of the world’s 100 most influential people, according to Time magazine for 2012, and not surprisingly discovered that influence is simply defined by popularity, not by character. Some of the people on the list may have good character, in fact a few were professing Christians, but according to the magazine this had little or nothing to do with their influence. According to Jesus, as Christians we are to be the most influential people in the world, not because of our popularity but because of our character.
In our passage for this morning, found in Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus tells us that His disciples are “salt” and “light” – clearly metaphors for how He expects us to influence and impact the world around us. Yet He teaches us this important truth immediately after telling us that we will persecuted for our character and our stand for righteousness. In other words, Jesus is teaching us that the least popular are to be the most influential. Jesus defines and describes influence in terms of glorifying God, not entertaining man. True influence is not about people following you, but it’s about people following Christ because they see Christ in your character and through how you live.
Follow along as I read the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:13-16:
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
You remember that in the passage before this one, called the beatitudes, Jesus taught us that true happiness is based upon inward character not outward circumstances. These kingdom qualities, or Christ-like characteristics is what brings us true happiness; and these too are the basis for our influence. It’s when we live this way – humble, confessing our sin, seeking righteousness, merciful, meek, peaceable, pure in heart, and committed to God’s Word – that we will not only be happy, but we will be salt and light as well.
As we look at this passage, the first thing to consider is the presupposition that we need to understand as Christians. A presupposition is an underlying belief or premise that forms the basis for going forward. In this case the presupposition or assumption that Jesus makes is that the world needs “salt” and it needs “light.” The world needs Christ’s disciples to have a positive influence upon it. Jesus tells us later in the gospels that He calls us out of the world, in terms of sanctification or how we live spiritually, in order to be an influence in this world for Him. This world needs Christians to be “salt” first of all because it’s decaying due to sin.
This world is not designed to last forever; it’s fading away, and as Paul says it groans because of the impacts of sin. There are many things in this world that have improved over the years, but intellectual achievements and living conveniences will not stop a sinful system from decaying and ultimately being judged. It’s because of this basic presupposition or truth that Jesus says that it needs to be influenced and transformed by His disciples. We will look at what this metaphor of “salt” means more fully in a few minutes, but Jesus’ point is that as His disciples we are the ones who will spiritually influence a lost world by pouring salt on the wounds of a decaying society. This may hurt; it may offend many, and even cause us to be persecuted and insulted as Christians, but it’s designed to lead people to transformation through Christ.
Jesus says that the world not only needs salt, but it also needs light. He of course said “I am the light of the world” and that He came because this world needed the light of His salvation due to sin. Jesus said that He didn’t come to condemn the world because it was condemned already – it’s decaying and under God’s wrath due to sin – which is why He came to bring salvation to it. The world needs light because it is in spiritual darkness due to sin. Paul says that the “god of this world” has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they can not see the light of the gospel; and Jesus says that men loved darkness rather than light.
Thus Jesus tells us here in Matthew 5 that it needs to be influenced and awakened by His disciples. As Christ’s disciples we must shine the light of the gospel in a dark world. If you want to wake up people who are sleeping in a dark room the first thing you would do is turn on the light. Jesus says, “You are the light.” We are the light, and if turned on, we influence the world by pointing people to Christ. This light might hurt people’s eyes; it might offend people who don’t want to wake up, but it’s the only light that will lead a person out of spiritual darkness. As Christians we must first believe that this world needs salt and light; and that we are called to be this influence to it.
The second main point for us to consider is the plan we need to implement as Christians. Jesus says that “you are the salt” and “you are the light” indicating that this is already our status as a disciple, so what are we actually doing to fulfill this status or calling? The first thing we do as salt is to retard or deter the corruption and falsehood spread by the world. I remember seeing salt poured on the roads in Ohio to slow down and hinder the impacts of the snow and ice on the roads. It didn’t eliminate the snow or ice but it made the situation better for many people. The positive impact on roads or on food is the point that Jesus is making when using this metaphor.
Christian character and Christ-like qualities make a difference in the lives of people and can often have a positive influence on a culture. We don’t just deter or retard the negative impacts of sin but we also provide flavor, antiseptic and preservation to the world around us. As Christians we are not to be bland people, but like salt added to food we should bring spiritual flavor to the people around us. But salt isn’t just about making things taste good; it is also used to heal. When used as an antiseptic for its medicinal value, it can sting. Salt has value in many different ways; and as Christians we can influence and impact people in many different ways.
The point may be that as Christians we are not to be honey to soothe a sinful world, but salt that stimulates sinful people to action. In 2 Corinthians 2 Paul says that the aroma or scent of Christ and His gospel can be one of life or death; and in the same way salt can produce different results in different situations, but as Christians we must stay focused on Christ, who alone can bring true flavor and healing to a person’s life. And like salt, we as Christians function in this world as a preservative. In the same way as salt was used to keep food from going bad, Jesus is telling us that as His disciples we are to have this same influence on a decaying world. We are to function as salt so that we can be the light that leads people out of this dark and decaying world; and into the kingdom of Christ.
Peter says that we are to declare the praises of Him who called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light. The reason that we are the light of the world is because Christ awakened us and transformed us and called us to reveal this truth about Christ to others in word and in deed. In Ephesians Paul calls us “children of the light” because Jesus rescued us from the darkness of this world and brought us into His kingdom, so that we could be a light to others. Paul says, “Once you were darkness, but now you are light; so live as children of the light.”
In other words we are to provide illustrations of Christ-like character to the world around us. This is exactly what Jesus is telling us in the beatitudes. When you live this kind of lifestyle you are shining the light of the kingdom; and you will be influencing people around you. Again we need to remember that Jesus’ definition of influence is not about being popular; it’s about being truthful; it’s not about pointing people to yourself or your own accomplishments; but it’s about pointing people to Christ and living your life in accordance with His standards, not the worlds.’
In saying this we need to address a third main point: the problem we need to overcome as Christians. Jesus points out this problem in verse 13, where He refers to salt losing its saltiness; and then in verse 15, where He speaks of hiding our light. Why would anyone do this? It is inconsistent with the purpose of function of these two things: salt and light. Thus this is the problem we have as Christians: inconsistency due to the impacts and the influence of the world around us. The problem is that we are supposed to be the ones who influence, yet we are the ones who are often being influenced. Losing our saltiness speaks to the ineffectiveness of conformity and compromise. Jesus says that it’s no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
Salt which doesn’t do what it’s designed to do is worthless; and a disciple of Christ who doesn’t influence but is being influenced will be trampled upon and run over by the world. This is why Paul says, “Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world but be transformed” and John says, “Do not love the world or anything in the world.” The point is not that you would lose your salvation, but don’t ruin the witness of the gospel. Why would someone in the world want to follow Christ if Christ’s disciples are following the world? Jesus is teaching us that there is a connection between what my disciples say and do and the effectiveness of the salt in extending my kingdom.
In the same way a light hid under a bowl or basket is of no use and defeats the purpose or function of the light. This I think speaks primarily to the fear of persecution and suffering. There were “secret disciples” in Jesus day who were fearful of the Jews or the Romans and didn’t want to face what Jesus said would possibly come as a result of following Him. There are many people like this still today who just want to stay to themselves; don’t want to cause any ripples or potential conflicts with anyone over “religion” and will purposefully or consciously put a lid on their light.
In contrast to this Jesus says: Don’t eclipse the light of God’s glory. Verse 15: “Instead, they put the lamp on the stand so that it gives light to everyone in the house.” Jesus point is that you shouldn’t be concerned about how people respond to the light, but that you put your light where everyone will be exposed to it. The purpose of the light of the gospel is for everyone to see it, thus hiding it would not only be foolish but also selfish. The one who hides the light is more concerned with protecting themselves than with proclaiming Christ. And so the problem that many of us in the church need to overcome is the selectiveness around which we want to be salt and light. Jesus says we are, and what we do and say as Christians at all times determines our effectiveness as salt and light; and how we will influence those in the world or be influenced by those in the world.
If you want to influence people for Christ then let us do what He says in verse 16: “Let your light shine before men, so that they will see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
©You’re welcome to recycle these resources for your church free of charge. However, if you find them useful, please consider making a donation to the ministry of GCC
