We Are Salt and Light

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We Are Salt and Light

Hello, everyone! I’m excited to dive into God’s word with you, whether you’re here live, on the Moon Campus, in the classic venue, or online. It’s amazing to hear how the word reaches far and wide—I’ve received emails from across the country and even overseas, sharing how these teachings encourage them. We’re in the "We Are" series, exploring what the church is through biblical metaphors. Last week, we celebrated 50 years of Pathway’s impact, but we’re also focused on what’s ahead, fasting and praying for God’s direction.

We’ve seen the church as branches connected to the vine, the bride of Christ, the body of Christ, and His workmanship. Today, we explore two more metaphors from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:13-16: salt and light. Unlike mixed metaphors—like “fly in the punch bowl” or “elephant in the closet,” which a retired Ford executive named Mike O’Brien famously tracked—these biblical metaphors are clear, powerful, and purposeful.

1. Be the Salt of the Earth: Preserve the Truth

The first thing Jesus says is, "Be the salt of the earth." In Matthew 5:13, He declares, “You are the salt of the earth.” This simple statement carries huge implications. The first of those action steps is to preserve the truth. In the ancient world, salt was valuable—used as currency, for bartering, or even as payment (hence the word “salary” from the Latin salarium). It was also a preservative before refrigeration, keeping meat fresh for months by fending off bacteria.

Jesus calls us to preserve His truth in a sinful world. Sin—like pride, greed, or immorality—deepens its grip on culture when unchecked. Many Christians feel hopeless, thinking, “It’s too far gone.” But Jesus stepped into a brutal first-century world, and His followers transformed it. Christians offered refuge to orphans, aid to widows, founded hospitals, and advanced the truth that all are made in God’s image. As salt, we keep the “bacteria” of sin at bay, living with integrity and honor, showing the world that things can be different through Christ.

2. Be the Salt of the Earth: Stay Salty

Another action step is to stay salty. Salt also flavors food—without it, things can be bland. I once bought a box of Wheat Thins that must have skipped the salt station on the production line—they tasted like cardboard squares! If something meant to be salty isn’t, it fails its purpose. Jesus warns in Matthew 5:13, “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 underfoot.”

If the church loses its distinctiveness, it loses its power. There’s a temptation to blend in with culture, softening our faith to avoid standing out. But this guts our influence. We’re made salty when we give our heart to Jesus—don’t hide it. We won’t compromise God’s truth to fit in. We’ll boldly proclaim the gospel, staying salty as God calls us to be.

3. Be the Light of the World: Let Your Faith Be Seen

Secondly, Jesus tells us to be the light of the world. In Matthew 5:14, He says, “You are the light of the world.” This simple statement also has big implications. The first is to let your faith be seen. Light represents God throughout Scripture—from Genesis 1’s “Let there be light” to Revelation 22, where God Himself is the light. Jesus declares in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Light signifies goodness; darkness, evil.

Just as Jesus is the light, we are too. Matthew 5:14-15 continues, “A town built 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.” Hiding a light is absurd—like hiding it under a bushel, as the song goes. Jesus didn’t hide His light; it drew people to Him. We must let our faith shine by sharing how God has changed us, standing firm against temptation, and living boldly for Christ, even at a cost.

4. Be the Light of the World: Live to Impact Others

The last action step is to live to impact others. Matthew 5:16 says, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Shining your light means doing good deeds—helping the poor, showing kindness, or meeting a neighbor’s need. These actions can lead others to glorify God, even if they’ve dismissed Him before. Your good deeds might spark curiosity about your faith, opening doors to share the gospel.

Pastor John Stott, in Issues Facing Christians Today, challenges us: “If the house is dark at nightfall, don’t blame the house—ask, where’s the light? If the meat goes bad, don’t blame the meat—ask, where’s the salt?” If society deteriorates, don’t blame society—ask, where’s the church? We’re called to be salt and light, stepping into the fray to influence the world for Christ.

Closing: Fasting and Living as Salt and Light

We’ve been fasting for 21 days, praying for the gospel to reach others, especially with Easter approaching, and for God’s direction as we move forward after 50 years. Fast a meal a day—or something else like social media—to dedicate time to prayer and God’s word. Let’s commit to being salt and light, boldly living out our faith for God’s glory and the impact of those around us. Heavenly Father, give us courage to stand up, step out, and shine for You. Amen.

SERMON DETAILS

Speaker: Jeff McNicol
Series: We Are
Sermon Title: We Are Salt and Light
Date: Apr 6, 2025

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

• Matthew 5:13-16

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