SEMESTER 5
266 – The Salt of the Earth
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE
COURSE: SOTERIOLOGY V LESSON # 66
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
(THE SALT OF THE EARTH)
Read: Mat. 5:1-13
, Mark 9:50, Luke 14:34-35
INTRODUCTION:
1. Our text is the first recorded metaphor used by our Lord in His teachings.
2. This type of teaching is perfectly suited for teaching plain people.
III: By C. H. Spurgeon’s “John Plowman” talks.
3. Our Lord used this form of teaching to describe His adversaries, His disciples, and Himself.
4. In this simple and familiar metaphor, let us try to learn about our relationship to the world.
I. WHO IS THIS SALT
1. Ye (verses 13, 12, 11, 10, and 11) Notice a hypothetical placement of these people in verse 3.
2. The salt is His true disciples, those described in verses 3 through 10.
III: How this term is yet used to describe the value of this category of people.
II. ATTRIBUTES OF SALT WHICH WARRANTED THE METAPHOR
1. Salt is a preservative.
III: By curing meat with it.
i. This earth would self-destruct without Christian influence.
III: The tracing of Jonathan Edwards, and Benedict Arnold’s offspring.
2. Salt is a seasoning. Most things are unfit for consumption without it.
III: By the Doctor who supported churches though an acclaimed atheist.
3. Salt is an essential mineral.
III: By animals, and the misnomer, a salt free diet.
4. While too much salt sterilizes land, all land must have some.
III: Search the world for worthwhile societies built outside the realm of Christian influence. You will not find them.
III. THE WARNING OF SAVORLESS SALT’S WORTHLESSNESS
1. Men are not salt or even fig trees, thus, we are warned to maintain our savor.
2. There is no other source for the world to be seasoned.
3. We are good for nothing in this world if we do not have this influence.
4. We not only should be, but we shall be trampled underfoot.
5. We have endowments which we are responsible to use this way.
i. Our personal resources and assets.
ii. Our influence in the world.
iii. Our children to perpetuate it.
IV. THE APPLICATION THIS HAS FOR US
1. If we are His disciples, we have certain inescapable responsibilities.
2. God has ordained this for us, and there is no other way for it to be done.
3. Christianity is a formidable power if we do things His way. (Mat. 5:3-9)
III: By the social effect it had upon the Roman empire, compared to that of Judaism. (While this was not evangelism, it was seasoning.)
4. Conversely, consider the miserable existence of a Christian who withdraws from this responsibility.
5. Let us take heed lest we dare become savorless salt.