Class Lesson January 31, 2016

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE

I’m convinced very few people in the world really like trail mix. We say we do, but most of us really only eat trail mix for one reason: the M&M’s®. Trail mix offers a way to eat candy and feel healthy at the same time, since the ingredients are all mixed together.

Like a bag of trail mix, believers in Christ are mixed into the world. And like the candy in the trail mix, Christians must retain their distinctiveness even while mixed into all other kinds of life situations. I’ve noticed a funny thing about trail mix. Even though all different kinds of things are in the bag, they all end up tasting just a little bit like chocolate. The sweetness has flavored everything else. Like that sweet chocolate, Christians aren’t meant to simply be in the mix of the culture, or even to stand out in the mix; they’re meant to influence the world around them.

As Jesus continued the Sermon on the Mount, He gave us some illustrations of how this influence happens.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Matthew 5:13-20 (NIV)
13“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 underfoot.

 
14“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.

 
15Neither 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. 

 
16In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

 
17“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

 
18For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 

 
19Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 

 
20For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.




The Law or the Prophets (v. 17)—Shorthand for the Old Testament. The prominence of the books of the Law (Genesis–Deuteronomy) and Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, etc.) made it a suitable abbreviation. 

Not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen (v. 18)—The Greek letter iota translates the Hebrew letter yod, the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet. The Greek term keraia (stroke) means “horn” or “hook” and refers to small, decorative marks added to Hebrew letters.

Matthew 5:13

13“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 underfoot.

God intends for us to stride through life with confidence, retaining our uniqueness as His people while influencing those around us. To illustrate this, Jesus likened His followers to salt.

• Salt seasons. It’s amazing what a pinch of salt can do to bring out the flavor inside food. Similarly, when Christians exert their influence in the world, we season the world with the gospel of Christ. Throughout history, we see how this has happened as followers of Jesus have contributed to the overall good of cultures and societies. God has used His people to extend His love to the world in amazing ways. In fact, most major social innovations—health care, education, and programs to assist the poor and hungry—have been the result of Christians “seasoning” the environment in which they live.

• Salt preserves. People in Jesus’ day used salt to help preserve their food. Salt kept the food from going bad and enabled it to last longer. When Christians exert their influence in everyday situations, they keep the world from getting worse than it already is. Christians display integrity, goodness, honesty, and joy; in doing so, they hold up a society whose trajectory is headed lower and lower.

• Salt makes you thirsty. Salty food makes you crave water to quench your thirst. Whether people sense it or not, they are thirsty for something more. When Christians exert their influence and display the goodness and joy they have found to be uniquely satisfying, it salts the palate of everyone else. Suddenly, they become more aware that something is missing in their lives. When people in the world see how followers of Christ respond to life, what the believers have in Christ—and the difference it makes in their lives—rises to the surface. And it makes people thirsty. Christians in turn are ready to show them the way to Jesus, the fountain of life that never runs out (see John 4:14; 7:37-38).

Matthew 5:14-16

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Jesus told His followers, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). But why did He choose to compare Himself to light? Consider the purpose of light. In that day and time, light wasn’t meant to decorate a house; no one had a lamp sitting around because it looked pretty. Light was about utility and work; it existed in a limited supply, and it was important that people make the most of the time while the light was still shining. That’s because only in the light can we really see and know the true nature of what’s before us.

When you light a lamp in a darkened room, you get immediate clarity. Without the light, mystery,

apprehension, and even fear controls the scene; you can’t truly identify where or what anything is.

But light reveals. It shows us the truth about what otherwise is hidden in darkness. That’s exactly what Jesus does.

Jesus exposed a lot of things that had been in the dark for a long time. He shined the light on the hypocrisy of the religious leaders of the day. He refused to accept half-hearted devotion to God. He called sin “sin,” and He extended love and truth with His whole self.

In these verses, Jesus extended the idea of lighting the world to His followers. Like Him, His followers are meant to light the world—and to light it brightly. As weary travelers look with hope to the bright and warm city on the hill, so the world should look to Christians to tell the truth and welcome them warmly into God’s kingdom.

But God’s light and truth are not always easy. With light comes truth, but the truth is not always comfortable. Being the light of the world means we must stand for truth even when others pressure us not to. Jesus was the light, and it cost His life. We shouldn’t be surprised when being the light costs us, as well. Jesus warned against the temptation to dampen the bright light within us.

Matthew 5:17-20

17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

When Jesus burst onto the scene, people had a lot of questions about who He was and what He came to do. He wasn’t like any teacher they’d heard before. He performed miracles. He associated with the kinds of people that were generally considered off limits. And He taught with authority.

In that day and time, a teacher would establish his authority by boasting about his résumé. He would announce who his teacher was and what that rabbi said about an issue. In contrast, Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said ... but I tell you ....” (See vv. 21-22, for example.) Jesus is authoritative in and of Himself; He doesn’t need anyone else to establish His credibility. Jesus is His own résumé.

At the same time, Jesus said, “not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished” (v. 18). Jesus didn’t replace the written Word of God; He fulfilled it. That’s because the law was never intended to be the means to make people right with God. Instead, it was always meant to point people to Jesus.

Verse 20 can seem confusing. How can we have righteousness that “surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law”? We can’t. But Jesus did, and He gives is to us. When we receive Jesus’ righteousness, we are changed on the inside. What’s left for us, then, is to live out the change Jesus has brought to our hearts. We do this through our loving obedience. Those who live out this grace-filled change are like salt. And light. They influence others by visibly demonstrating what Jesus has done in their hearts.

LIVE IT OUT

How will you serve as salt and light in your world this week? Consider the following suggestions:

• Pray for the darkness. Christians often complain about the darkness in our world—but that accomplishes nothing. Instead, commit to praying each day when you encounter elements of society that need to experience the salt and light of Christ.

• Don’t go it alone. Identify a believer in Christ whom you respect—someone who uses his or her influence in a positive way. Ask to meet with that person to help you follow Jesus more closely.

• Speak up. Look for a chance this week to speak directly about the gospel at a place outside the church or Bible study group.

We’re all mixed together in this world, which means everyone has the chance to influence everyone else. The question is how we’ll use the opportunities we’ve been given. Choose to be salt and light.

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Today's Lesson:

DISTINCT IN MY INFLUENCE

Lesson Point: Make your influence count for what matters.



Last week we began this series from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount with His call for anyone that follows Him to Be Different, or Distinct.

• He starts His sermon with the Beatitudes. The teachings of the beatitudes have to do with the character of a follower of Jesus. Living the Beatitudes is no casual shift of our attitude – it’s a complete change of heart. Unless we “be” something, we can’t “do” anything.
• We are to BE - Poor in spirit, mournful, humble, and hungry for God. Another way to look at this is a confession of need, repentance of sin, submissive trust, and a desire to be filled with the things of God.
• We are to BE - Merciful, pure in heart, peacemaker, and persecuted.
• Each of the Beatitudes is an almost direct contradiction to society’s typical way of life. That means we are to live by values that stand counter to the culture. (Counter Culture)
• Our goal is to become like Jesus, and show love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The Beatitudes will challenge the way we live each day!

 

Video: Like father, like son commercial

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How was the father using his influence?



One day a missionary asked Mahatma Gandhi, What is the greatest hindrance to Christianity in India? His answer was swift and decisive, Christian.

It is said that the world would be a more Christian place today were it not for the “Christians”. The Christians that constitute this “Christianity” are not the real and committed ones, of course, but those who bear the name Christian yet talk and behave in way where no one would suspect they have anything to do with Christ.

God has planted us on this planet for a purpose and a mission, and it is not just having a job or not coming together as a Church on Sundays. Our mission in this world is to reconcile this world back to God. That’s the reason God sent His Son!



After the Beatitudes, Jesus tells the disciples they have a responsibility in society and in the world.

• Jesus says that we are to engage our world to make a difference by being different.
• We are not called to live in isolation, or separated from the world. We are called to be an outward expression of God’s principles.
• We are called to make a difference by influencing the world around us.

Jesus uses two metaphors this week (salt and light), to explain how we are to influence the world. And, then Jesus added the importance of staying true to His teachings.



I. Influence Like Salt - Matthew 5:13
13“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 underfoot.


Salt was one of the most common substances in the ancient world.

• Roman soldiers were paid in salt. Our English word salary comes from the Latin salarium which literally means “salt-money.”
• And our expression, “That man is not worth his salt,” is a reminder of the high value that salt had in biblical times.

How is salt a good image for the kind of influence Jesus expected His followers to have on the world?

• Salt is a preservative. It stops decay. There is decay in this world. Believers are to act in a way that stops the decay – a preservative. As we bring Christ’s word and the Kingdom’s influence into our society, we help protect society from the full sway of evil that would otherwise be present. Believers in Christ are preservatives to the world, preserving it from the evil inherent in the society of ungodly men whose unredeemed natures are corrupted by sin (Psalm 14:3; Romans 8:8). Jesus means for His followers to function like salt. Our presence – the way we live - should stop the spread of sin in the world. The symbolism of salt, therefore, in the words of Jesus, is clearly this: that the influence of the true Christian upon the world is a healing, purifying influence, tending always to the preservation of that which is good from the adverse elements of putrefaction and decay.
• Salt is a flavoring or seasoning. The Christian is the personification of how life is to be lived. So as we come into contact with society, our Christian values should improve the nature of the society.
• Salt is an antiseptic. In ancient times newborn babies were rubbed in salt so that the cuts and infections of medically primitive birth methods could be healed. While this sounds painful, the cleaning out of a wound with salt was very effective in fighting infection. Christians have a responsibility of not only pointing out sin, but practically offering healing and help. By exerting our influence we can prevent the ravages of disease and death caused by sin.
• Salt creates thirst. It has been said that you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink. But, the rest of the saying goes; you can give him a salt tablet and make him thirsty. As Jesus made people thirsty for God the Father, so do Christians make people thirsty for the real life found only in Christ. If you would live your life style directed by the Holy Spirit you will make another person thirsty for your life style. You can make another person thirsty after what you have, thirsty after your God, thirsty after the peace, joy and blessings you have.

Salt flavors and preserves. How do Christians both preserve and improve culture?



What lesson was Jesus teaching in speaking about salt losing its taste?

• Salt that stays in the shaker and never makes contact with food will make no difference in the quality or taste of the food. The same is true with Christians - Jesus was saying that if we have no influence on the world then we are as useless as “saltless” salt.
• If we have allowed disobedience, carelessness and indifference to rule our lives, we have become contaminated salt and have lost our saltiness. We need to confess our sin and let the Lord restore us to the purpose for which we were called.

I want you to really think this week of what ways you are making a difference in some part of your world: home, family, community, social groups, work.

• Are you living in a way that enhances and gives meaning to this existence we call life?
• Are you living in a way that creates a thirst in others for Christ?
• I am the keeper of my "salt." Will I be bitter or better? Less seasoned or more flavorful? Will I disappear into the background or stand out as an overcomer? Because in the end, what good am I if I've lost my flavoring?

II. Influence Like Light
Matthew 5:14-16

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Jesus not only said we are the salt of the earth, He also stated that we are the light of the world. The dictionary defines light as a “source of illumination.”



How is light a good image for the kind of influence Jesus expected His followers to have on the world?

• Light reveals, overcomes darkness, and shows the way. Have you ever walked into a darkened room and not known what was there? Then, suddenly, the light is switched on and the contents of the room are revealed. As Christ’s presence in our world, we become his instruments to reveal his truth to a world in darkness. The shinning effect of light is why people turn on a light in a dark room.
• Light is frequently used to symbolize truth, wisdom, the right way, and life. We are to be the light of the world, awakening men and women to the truth of the Kingdom’s arrival; awakening society to the presence of God.
• Light warns. In the same sense that a lighthouse warns of dangerous waters or a police car flashing light warns of the policeman darting through traffic, Christians warn of impending danger to a careless world.

So what does it take to shine for God? How does the Christian serve as a light to the world?

• The old self, the old nature must be destroyed through the cross. If truly the cross has been applied into your life, then it will be seen in your conduct. There will be a drastic change in your behavior, in your approach to life, especially in relation to sin.
• The good works of Christ’s followers are to shine for all to see.
• Jesus’ followers are to reflect the light of Jesus Himself – dispelling spiritual darkness.
• They are enabled to be light to the world by virtue of their relationship with Jesus. It is when we live a life characterized by righteousness that we shine like stars in the darkness of this world. Paul says in Philippians 2:15, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation (that is why the world is in a state of darkness), among whom you shine as lights in the world. You will appear as light in the world when you live a blameless life, a righteous life.

What did Jesus mean when He said, people don’t "light a lamp and then put it under a bowl, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house."?

• We are either a light to others or we block the light.
• When we gossip or are dishonest in our work and dealings with others, when all kinds of bad language comes out of our mouths, when we turn a blind eye to a person in need, then we have blocked the light. In fact, we become a contradiction in the eyes of others. If to be a Christian is to be like that — unchristian in our attitude and behavior — then goodbye to Christianity.
• On the other hand, when we are honest, forgiving, humble and generous, we become a light to others. When others see us just and fair in our dealings with others, caring in our relationship with others, happy with our family and in our home life — then they may also aspire to become like us. We have then become a light for others to follow.

What are the good works of a Christian to lead to?

• Not to one’s self; Jesus said that Christian followers are to glorify the Father.

What does it mean to glorify God?

• To give honor, to praise, to give glory to.
• Just as the moon only reflects the light of the sun, the good works we do should not only reflect but also point to the Source of all goodness — God Himself. Then seeing our good works, others may glorify the heavenly Father, too.
• The purpose of being salt and light, in influencing and illuminating our dark world, is always to point to Christ. Our lives should be an invitation to follow Him, in both word and deed.

How do we shine our light in a way that brings glory to God and not ourselves?



I really want you to consider this week how you can shine the light of the gospel into a setting, or to a person and make a difference in their darkness.

 

What sorts of things can hinder or prevent the Christian from fulfilling his or her role as salt and light in the world?

• Any choice on our part which blurs the distinction between us and the rest of the world is a step in the wrong direction. This can happen either through a choice to accept the ways of the world for the sake of comfort or convenience or to contravene the law of obedience to Christ.
• Any choice to compromise or settle for that which is more convenient or comfortable, rather than that which is truly best and pleasing to the Lord. Moreover, the status of salt and light is something which follows naturally from the Christian’s humble obedience to the commandments of Christ. It is when we depart from the Spirit-led lifestyle of genuine discipleship that the distinctions between ourselves and the rest of the world become blurred and our testimony is hindered. Only by remaining focused on Christ and being obedient to Him can we expect to remain salt and light in the world.
• Jesus said that we are "the salt of the earth" and "the light of the world". Being salt and light is not optional. Jesus did not say you can be...or you have the potential to be...He said you are. Everyone who has trusted Christ for salvation and is born again is the salt of the earth and the light of the world.

III. Influence Through Obedience
Matthew 5:17-20

17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.


When Jesus burst onto the scene, people had a lot of questions about who He was and what He came to do. He wasn’t like any teacher they’d heard before. He performed miracles. He associated with the kinds of people that were generally considered off limits. And He taught with authority.



Jesus followed up His teaching to be salt and light with a statement about His coming to fulfill the Law and the Prophets.



What is Jesus’ relationship to Scripture?

• The Jewish religious leaders, particularly the Pharisees and scribes, often took issue with what they perceived to be Jesus’ lack of respect for and obedience to the law.
• Jesus said that He had come to fulfill, to fill, to validate, to complete, or to finish.

If Jesus didn’t come to abolish the law, does that mean that all the Old Testament laws still apply to us today?

• God’s moral and ceremonial laws were given to help people love God with all their hearts and minds. Throughout Israel’s history, these laws had been often misquoted and misapplied. By Jesus’ time, religious leaders had turned the laws into a confusing mass of rules. When Jesus talked about a new way to understand God’s law, He was actually trying to bring people back to its original purpose. Jesus did not speak against the law itself, but against the abuses and excesses of the law (John 1:17).
• Some in the crowd were experts at telling others what to do, but they missed the central point of God’s laws themselves. Jesus made it clear – obeying God’s law is more important than explaining it.
• The Pharisees were content to obey the laws outwardly without allowing God to change their hearts (or attitudes). God judges our hearts as well as our deeds, for it is within the heart that our real allegiance lies. Be just as concerned about your attitudes that people don’t see as about your actions that are seen by all.

(In the OT there were 3 categories of law)

1. The ceremonial law – these laws related specifically to Israel’s worship (Lev. 1:2-3). It’s primary purpose was to point forward to Jesus Christ; these laws were no longer necessary after Jesus’ death and resurrection. While we are no longer bound by ceremonial laws, the principles behind them, to worship and love a holy God, still apply. Jesus was often accused of violating ceremonial law by the Pharisees.

2. The civil law – these laws applied to daily living in Israel (Deut. 24:10-11). Because modern society and culture are so radically different from that time and setting, all of these guidelines cannot be followed specifically. But the principles behind the commands are timeless and should guide our conduct.

3. The moral law – (such as the Ten Commandments) is the direct command of God, and it requires strict obedience (Ex. 20:13). The moral law reveals the nature and will of God, and it still applies today. Jesus obeyed the moral law completely.



How are followers of Jesus to act in relationship to Scripture?

• He advocated for His followers to practice and teach the commands and precepts of God’s Word. The result would be righteousness—a lifestyle that grew out of an inward relationship. The religious leaders had an artificial, external righteousness based on Law. But the righteousness Jesus described is a true and vital righteousness that begins internally, in the heart. The Pharisees were concerned about the minute details of conduct, but they neglected the major matter of character. Conduct flows out of character.

Jesus was saying that His listeners needed a different kind of righteousness altogether – LOVE and OBEDIENCE, not just a LEGAL COMPLIANCE.



Our righteousness must:

1. Come from what God does in us, not what we can do by ourselves

2. Be God-centered, not self-centered

3. Be based on reverence for God, not approval from people

4. Go beyond keeping the law to living by the principles behind the law



I really want you to soul search this week about what actions you can take to increase your own faithfulness to God’s Word so that you can be better able to teach it to others.


LIVE IT OUT
Influence is the power of producing an effect on someone or some situation without exerting force or issuing a direct command.

• It’s a neutral word in the sense that influence can be positive or negative, right or wrong, and good or evil.
• Our world is full of negative, wrong, and evil influences – Jesus expects His followers to counter the world by living out the truths of the gospel.
• If we live for Jesus, we’ll make a difference in the world like salt makes a difference in food.
• If we live for Jesus, we’ll be a light to those who live in darkness.
• If we are faithful to God’s Word, then we will model the joy that comes with living for Jesus.

Christians are called to be salt-seasoning, light-bearers, and righteous-living in our world.


It is the Christians’ distinctiveness that makes a difference in the world.

• In business, it is called marketing.
• In advertising, it is called positioning.
• In basketball, it is called strategy.
• In Christians, it is called holiness. It is the distinguishing feature about us. It is what sets us apart from the rest of the world. Blaise Pascal said, “The serene, silent beauty of a holy life is the most powerful influence in the world, next to the might of God.”

We’re all mixed together in this world, which means everyone has the chance to influence everyone else. How are you going to use the opportunities you are given?


Choose to be salt and light!

Prayer of Commitment

Lord Jesus, may others see You in me. Amen.

Hope to see you in Church on Sunday!


In His Love,


David & Susan