Worth Your Salt
Summary
This month, we’ll first be revisiting some biblical precepts to ensure that every believer is “where they ought to be” before we focus on going out.
It’s a form of spiritual home training that ensures you are well brought up in your home and in Christ. For example, without character, you can lose the success you have in a minute. (Matthew 5:13)
Sermon notes
What did salt mean to the ancient world? 1. Salt in the ancient world was currency. * It was preserved and traded as a means of exchange. * Salary is derived from the word “Salarium,” which means “salt.” * It was economically viable and seen as a big deal. * Whoever controlled the salt route was a political elite. * Salt was mined, taxed by the government and sometimes, manipulated by state. 2. You are of spiritual and social importance. * You are of importance to God and the world. 3. It was used for preserving fish and meat, enabling long-distance trade. * Without it, cities could not store food, trade networks were hidden, and armies could not travel far.
What does this mean for you? 1. As a believer, you have intrinsic value and you must dare to believe God on this. (Matthew 5:13) * So you must talk like it, walk like it, act like it. 2. Before it’s an instruction, it’s your nature so embrace it. * It may not be discerned immediately but it cannot be gainsaid. * It’s your identity before it becomes an activity. 3. You must love your worth.
How important is the church to the world 1. There is a lot we do that is not being talked about. 2. But for the believer, the world will not be better. 3. It is the rapture of the church that will preempt the end of the world. 4. The righteous are agents of preservation. (Genesis 18, Genesis 19:22, Luke 17:28-29) 5. Bitumen was a figure of the blood of Christ. * It was God who shut the door of the ark because in salvation, there is no human contribution. (Genesis 7:16, Luke 17:26-27) * When Jesus left, it was a spiritual metaphor of how it will be when those who are in Jesus leave. (Matthew 27:51-52)
What should you do? 1. Live according to the standards of Matthew 5:13-14. (Ephesians 2:10) * The currency of salvation is Faith and the receipt of salvation is good behaviour. * Good behaviour is not the power of God unto salvation. (Romans 1:16, Romans 10:2) 2. Anyone who is genuinely saved will behave better than one who isn’t saved. 3. The promise is that there will be a radical, noticeable improvement in character. 4. Everyone will get better in character so we have to be patient. (John 4:8,27) * As long as you are genuinely in Christ, there must be an improvement. (Proverbs 14:34) 5. Don’t make an identity matter alone that you are saved. It must show in your character. (Ephesians 2:5,10) * Try your best to live life as if there will be consequences. * As a Christian, there should be progress and constant improvement. (Ecclesiastes 7:1, Colossians 4:6, Proverbs 4:18)