This document summarizes a sermon on Matthew 5:13-20. It discusses how Christians are called to be salt and light in the world by spreading the gospel and reflecting Christ. Losing one's saltiness means being ineffective for God. The sermon also notes that Jesus came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it, and warns that those who break God's commandments or teach others to do so will be least in God's kingdom. True righteousness is found through obedience to God, not just external traditions.

1. Sermon on the Mount – Part 2
Matthew 5 v13-20
All NKJV unless otherwise specified
This section follows on from Matthew 5v11-12 which speaks of the persecutions that Christians suffer due to the spreading of
the gospel. In this light, it follows on below:
Salt and Light
13
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be
thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
What are the properties of salt?
1) It flavours food – just a small amount of salt seasons an entire pot of food.- The body of Christ (Christians) are to have an
impact on the world. The work which Jesus Christ has ordained us to do will impact the world like a pot of stew is
impacted by the addition of salt.
2) Salt cleanses – salt kills bacteria and cleans. It is a preservative. - The words of the gospel spoken by Christians destroy
the lies of the enemy “bacteria”. The words of the gospel are truth to cleanse the consciences of all evil and receive the
forgiveness of sins by the washing of the blood of Jesus.
3) Salt is also found throughout the earth. It is one of the most common compounds to exist on earth. - Jesus commanded us
to go out into all the earth and preach the gospel. Like a cell multiplies and grows, so the church multiplies and grows.
And we are sent to take the gospel to the lost.
4) It is found within our bodies – a human body cannot live without salt in it. Life cannot be sustained without salt. - The
very life we have is from Jesus. Without Jesus we are walking tombstones. Just like a body cannot live without salt, so
mankind cannot live without Jesus Christ
Therefore if we lose our saltiness, are we any good to the kingdom of God purposes?
14
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15
“Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a
basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may
see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
1) Jesus is the light of the world. We as the body of Christ are representatives of Christ on earth, and we are to shine the light
of Jesus in us.
2) Jesus said that those who follow him were the light of the world. It then goes to show that the world is in darkness, and the
only source of light to those in darkness are the Christians who reflect this light. Jesus is giving us a mission here. He is
saying to us “Shine”.
3) When the light comes, darkness has to flee. This is true in a physical sense as well as a spiritual sense. No amount of
darkness in the universe can extinguish just one candle. In a similar sense, no amount of darkness (sin, adverse
circumstances, decay) can extinguish the light coming from just one faithful servant of God.
4) The light that you shine will be seen by men and this light will draw those people to Jesus Christ.
5) What happens when you plant a pot-plant next to a window? Do the shoots not grow towards the light? This is a universal
principle. It applies to plants as well as humans. It is a spiritual law. The evidence is all around us.
6) When you are in the middle of a forest in the dark of night, how would you get out unless you had a light to light your
path. If you had no light, you would stumble and trip over things. Not only would you become more lost, you could fall
into a pit or off a ledge a kill yourself. It is the same in the spirit, for unless sinners had a light to guide them, their sin
entraps them causing them to stumble, fall, and die.
7) We cannot be “James Bond 007” undercover Christians. God has given us this ‘talent’ so as to multiply His kingdom. Do
not hide what God wants to show.
The Law and Prophets
17
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18
“For assuredly, I say
to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.
1) 70% of the bible is the Old Testament.
2) When God speaks, it always comes to pass.
3) The Old Testament points to the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ.
4) The New Testament is the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophesies.

2. 5) Jesus Christ met the condition in full.
6) In Him we have completion. In Him is our Righteousness.
7) In Him, we uphold the law, for by Him the power of sin over us is broken.
8) Jesus fulfilled completely the ceremonial law, and therefore is high priest eternally over those who believe. The
ceremonial requirements have been eternally met.
19
“Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom
of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20
“For I say to you, that
unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of
heaven.
1) The warning in verse 19 is a very important one for the church of today. Like the Pharisees in the day of Jesus, some
churches today elevate their own traditions above that of the word of God. They institute ceremonial procedures which
have the ‘impression’ of religion. Following these traditions, and then going ahead and breaking the commandments of
God, these will be the least in the kingdom of God.
2) However, those who do the commandments of God, and teach them, these shall be called great in the kingdom of God.
This applies to all Christians. It is not reserved for pastors only. Each one of us have a calling to be obedient, as well as to
share and teach the gospel to others.
3) Compromise kills a ministry.
4) Unless your ‘righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees’ – The Pharisees placed greater emphasis on ceremonial
traditions than on obedience to the 10 commandments. They performed these traditions in ‘sight of men’ instead of aiming
for acceptance with God. Do not be misled by the appearance of holiness by the clothes worn or traditions performed.
5) It all comes down to our relationship with God. Our righteousness is based in Christ. When we obey God, we show our
love towards God. When we love God, our relationship with God grows stronger. We begin to abide in the vine, trusting
in Him.